EP1203720A1 - Apparatus for cooling packages - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus for cooling packages filled with material at a high temperature comprises a channel (10) filled with liquid coolant (18) and fitted with coolant sprays (42) through which the packages are passed. Air nozzles in the channel generate turbulence in the coolant.

Description

The invention relates to a device for cooling packaging. In particular, this is cooling of packaging whose contents are filled in at high temperatures has been.

Such packaging is, for example Plastic bags in which, for example, food or other products such as chemical products at high temperatures be filled in. The problem here is that the temperature of the filled products sometimes above the melting point of the plastic lies, causing it to be destroyed or damaged the packaging can come. At temperatures of the content, melting or softening of the plastic packaging causes it to stick together Packaging is coming. This is when packaging the individual Packing in a common box or similar adversely and can also destroy the packaging to lead. It is also possible that by the strong heating chemical substances in the packaging enter the product. This must be avoided especially when packaging food become.

A packaging device is known from EP 0 699 586 A1, with the high temperature products in a film tube be filled with the temperature of the product above the Melting temperature of the film tube is. The film tube is welded together after filling the product Bag divided. This is used to cool the film tube sprayed with a coolant, especially water. in this connection sufficient cooling cannot usually be achieved, so due to the temperature of the product despite the Cooling can damage the bags. An increase is the heat dissipation by spraying the bags heavily also not possible because the high Water pressure can be damaged.

From DE 22 48 056 a device is known through which thermoplastic material, such as adhesive, is molded to then easier to pack. To do this from a nozzle inside a coolant-filled Container is arranged, thermoplastic material pushed out. The thermoplastic material is made by a Cutting device cut into individual pieces, being too this time the outer layer of the thermoplastic Material has already hardened somewhat. To remove the A paddle wheel-shaped device is provided for shaped pieces. To cool the coolant, the coolant is in one Circulation in the area of the paddle wheel from the container removed, cooled in a heat exchanger and on the Paddle wheel opposite side of the container again fed.

The object of the invention is to provide a device for cooling To create packaging with which, in particular, at Food packaging has achieved adequate cooling can be.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

The device according to the invention has a cooling channel, in the coolant is contained. The packaging will moved through the cooling channel and out of the cooling channel through a Removed device. Moving the packaging can be done by creating a flow in the coolant, so the packaging through the cooling trough on the bottom the coolant flow are transported. Likewise it is possible to use rakes or other packaging To move conveyors through the cooling trough.

In particular, the cooling device according to the invention has a Spray device on. The spray device will Packaging as it is transported through the cooling troughs are sprayed with coolant. The spraying takes place preferably from above. While the packaging in the coolant will float, the bottom of the packaging of the coolant in the cooling channel and cooling the top by spraying it with coolant.

By providing a spray device according to the invention cooling the packaging from all sides. The degree cooling of the product or packaging can be caused by the dwell time can be set in the cooling channel. This is special the length of the cooling channel and the speed of transport dependent. Furthermore, the spray devices, at which are preferably several above the coolant level arranged nozzles, the transport of the packaging effect or support. The nozzles are in Direction of transport. It is also possible to change the transport speed by reducing the position of the nozzles by pointing them against the transport direction. The Transport speed is thus, for example, by swiveling nozzles very finely adjustable.

According to the invention, there is a flow device in the cooling channel intended. The flow device is in the Coolant creates a flow. The creation of the Flow takes place according to the invention by the provision of Air nozzles as flow devices. The air vents are arranged below the liquid level.

The air nozzles are preferably with a control device connected so that air pulses are emitted by the air nozzles can be. In particular, it is with the help of Control device possible, the nozzles for predetermined Switch time intervals on or off. This is a better one Distribution of packaging in the cooling channel possible. Because of the better distribution of the packaging in the cooling channel also a removal of the packaging from the cooling channel by the Removal device simplified. Here are the first nozzles preferably at a distance of 1.2 - 1.7 m, in particular 1.4 - 1.6 m after the packaging has been placed in the cooling channel arranged.

The nozzles are preferably those above the water surface provided spraying device in substantially transverse to the cooling channel extending distribution pipes arranged. Every distribution pipe has at least one, preferably at least three, in particular more than five nozzles. To adjust the degree of Spraying it is possible to increase the pressure in the manifolds regulate. Each valve can also be switchable. Preferably each distribution pipe has a valve for switching the on and off single distribution pipe. This is a Inexpensive variant for setting the spray intensity. Furthermore, the transport speed can thereby be achieved in a simple manner of the packaging in the cooling channel and the degree of Cooling can be regulated.

It is preferably the one present in the cooling channel Coolant around the same coolant that is used for Spraying the packaging is used. It is special here advantageous, the coolant that the spray device is fed from the cooling channel. In particular it is advantageous to remove the coolant from one area the cooling trough near the removal device, preferably in the direction of transport behind the removal device. By removing the coolant at this point a suction is created by which the packaging is transported is supported. This has the further advantage that the anyway Pump required in the spraying device in addition to Transport of the packaging in the cooling channel is used.

Because the coolant in the cooling channel due to the heat emission the packaging is heated is preferably in the Spray device a heat exchanger for cooling the coolant intended.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention a flow device is arranged in the cooling channel. The Flow device generated in the provided in the cooling trough Coolant flows or turbulence that cause serve the packaging transported in the cooling channel do not touch each other for a long time during transport and the packaging sticks together due to the heat occurs. The flow device can for example arranged around the coolant Rotors or other currents caused by movement Act elements. They can also be nozzles which eject coolant, for example. The nozzles can for example, be arranged rotating about its own axis.

Providing is particularly preferred as the flow device of air nozzles in the cooling channel. Of the air vents is preferred Ambient air is blown into the coolant. Likewise can it is a different gas. The provision of air jets has the advantage of having air or other gas in the coolant rises up to the coolant surface. Since at the Coolant surface the floating packaging is located the air tends to surface between these packages to get the coolant. This makes it easy Avoided that packaging stuck together or if the packaging is a plastic bag acts, glue them together.

The air nozzles can be provided in the side walls of the cooling channel his. The air nozzles are preferably in the bottom of the cooling channel arranged, since the desired effect is already small Air pressure can be achieved. In particular, they are Air nozzles arranged on the bottom of the cooling channel in such a way that a Bubble carpet running across the entire width of the cooling channel is produced. This air bubble carpet preferably extends over the entire length of the cooling channel. In the Air nozzles arranged in the cooling channel floor can be, for example are perforated sheet-like areas that extend over the extend the entire width of the cooling channel.

The air nozzles and others that can be provided as flow devices Components are preferably arranged such that they Support the transport of the packaging in the cooling channel. This is caused in air nozzles by aligning the air nozzles. The air nozzles can correspond to the nozzles of the spray device the flow device also against the conveying direction aligned with the dwell time of the packaging in the Increase cooling channel.

The flow device connects to the device an independent invention for cooling packaging It is possible to use only the spray device to provide a flow device.

With the removal device for removing the packaging the cooling channel can be, for example, grids, those for removing the packaging from the bottom of the gutter upwards be moved so that the packaging from the coolant be lifted. These are preferably several Grid placed in a horizontal position around a cross channel to the cooling channel Rotate the axis of rotation.

A removal device with a Conveyor belt through which the packaging from the coolant be transported. For this purpose, the conveyor belt is arranged at an angle, so that one end of the conveyor belt is below the Coolant surface and the other end above the Coolant surface is arranged. The endless belt of the Conveyor belt is moved so that the packaging on the Conveyor belt can be transported from the coolant.

The removal device is preferably an alignment unit for aligning the packaging. This will the packaging preferably one behind the other with the same orientation arranged to pack the packaging in boxes or the like. to enable. The alignment device preferably has a flume flushed with liquid. The Dimensions of the floating channel are adapted to the packaging dimensions in such a way that preferably the width of the flume is about Width of the packaging. This means that the The width of the swimming channel is slightly larger than that of the packaging is. The packaging falls off, for example upper end of the conveyor of the removal device in the Swimming channel and are in this by a swimming channel flushed liquid promoted and aligned. The withdrawal the packaging from the swimming channel can turn through an obliquely arranged conveyor belt.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cooling channel has also a plunge pool. Fall into the immersion basin the packaging after filling so that it goes into the immersion tank plunge. This has the consequence that immediately after filling the product into the packaging, i.e. to a Time at which the packaging material has a very high heat influence is exposed to the packaging completely of coolant is surrounded. This causes rapid cooling of the Packaging. The immersion basin is preferably trough-shaped trained, the depth of the basin is greater than that of Cooling channel, so that a deep immersion and thus a relative ensures long packaging time under water is.

The cooling channel preferably has, especially in the immersion basin Water jets for generating the transport flow in the Cooling channel. These water jets are preferably fed by removing coolant in the area of the removal device. This will in the area of the removal device in turn creates a pull that transports the packaging supported in the cooling channel.

The immersion pool can also be the same depth as the rest Have cooling channel. This ensures that the in the packaging covered by the immersion basin, if possible, not the Touch the bottom of the pool. In this embodiment of the immersion basin it is possible to provide only a single nozzle which preferably has a diameter of 40 to 80 mm and creates a sufficient flow in the immersion pool, so that a subsequent pack does not match a previous one Pack falls.

A product port can also be provided in the immersion basin his. The product port is used to check packaging, in particular for checking weld seams in the case of plastic bags trained packaging. Using a gripper the packaging can be moved into the product port, whereby the packaging cannot be removed from the coolant got to. The packaging arranged in the product port can then a visual inspection, an inspection with sensors or the like be subjected. Preferably using the product port and the gripper a random check the quality of the packaging and especially the closure subjected to packaging.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Seitenansicht der der in Fig. 1 dargestellten Seite gegenüberliegenden Seite der Vorrichtung,

Fig. 3

eine Draufsicht der in den Fign. 1 und 2 dargestellten Vorrichtung zusammen mit einer Ausrichteinrichtung und

Fig. 4

eine Schnittansich entlang der Linie IV-IV in Fig. 1.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of a preferred embodiment with reference to the attached drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

2 shows a schematic side view of a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention,

Fig. 2

2 shows a schematic side view of the side of the device opposite the side shown in FIG. 1,

Fig. 3

a plan view of the in FIGS. 1 and 2 shown device together with an alignment device and

Fig. 4

a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 1st

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the cooling channel is 10 a cross-sectionally U-shaped groove, which is shown in FIG. 1 Longitudinal straight. The cooling channel 10 has a removal device 12 at the right end in FIG. 1 on. At the end opposite the removal device 12 the cooling channel 10 has an immersion basin 14. Above the A filling device 16 is arranged in the immersion basin. In The filling device 16 is used, for example, for food or other products in a package, such as a pouch. To melt the packaging or impair it of the food due to excessive packaging temperatures to avoid, the packaging falls out of the filling device 16 into the immersion basin filled with coolant 18 14th

Nozzles 20 are provided in the immersion basin 14. The nozzles 20 generate a flow in the direction in the cooling liquid 18 the removal device 12 by the U-shaped in cross section Channel section of the cooling channel 10. A bag that goes into the immersion basin 14 falls, is thus generated by the nozzles 20 Current recorded and already during immersion in 1 to the right in the direction of the removal device 12 transported. This ensures that the next one in the immersion basin 14 does not or only slightly comes into contact with the previous bag because the bags that have previously fallen into the immersion basin are not at the immersion point, but appears further to the right in FIG. 1. On the subsequent bag does not immediately fall on the previous one Bag. The immersion basin 14 is trough-shaped and has a higher coolant depth than that in Cross-section U-shaped area of the cooling channel 10. this has the advantage that the bags are immersed deep in the coolant can and still in the rest of the device the amount of coolant required is reduced.

The coolant nozzles 20 are fed by coolant, that was removed in the area of the removal device 12. For this purpose, the removal device is in the lower region of a basin 22 12 a pipeline 26 connected to a pump 24 intended. The pump 22 turns the pool 22 into cooling liquid through the pipeline 26 into a pipeline 28 which in Longitudinal direction of the device runs, pumped. From the pipeline 28 the coolant reaches the in a side wall 30 of the immersion basin 14 provided nozzles 20. The nozzles 20 are preferably over the entire width of the immersion basin arranged in two rows. With a corresponding one Swiveling and adjusting the nozzles 20 can optimal removal of those falling into the immersion basin 14 Bag.

The immersion basin 14 also has an overflow 32 which connected to a pipe 34 for discharging the cooling water is. In addition, 14 is on the bottom of the immersion basin Drain pipe 36 is provided with a drain valve 38. The drain pipe 36 is connected to the conduit 34 so that by opening of the valve 38, the cooling liquid 18 drained from the device can be.

For cooling in the cooling channel 10 in the direction of the removal device 12 transported bags or other packaging is in addition to the coolant present in the device 18 a spray device is provided. The spray device has several arranged above a liquid level 40 Pipelines 42 on. The pipes 42 run essentially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the cooling channel 10 (Fig. 3). each Pipeline 42 has three in the illustrated embodiment Nozzles 44 on. These can be simple holes in the Pipelines 42 and specially designed nozzles 44 act. The nozzles 44 preferably create a full cone. Of the nozzles 44 will coolant on top of the in the Cooling trough 10 transported bags sprayed, so that the Top of the bag is constantly cooled. For this, the Pipelines 42 fed with coolant. In the illustrated Embodiment is the cooling liquid for dining the pipes 42 in turn from the basin 22 of the removal device 12 taken. This also follows with the Pipelines 26 connected pump 24, which is the coolant pumps into a pipeline 44. The pipeline 44 is over a Valve 46 fully lockable, so that by closing the Valve 46 no longer all pipes 42 with coolant are supplied and the spray device is thus switched off is.

This is also possible with the nozzles 20, since the line 28 also has a valve 48.

The valves 46, 48 are preferably designed such that the quantity of coolant supplied to the pipes 38, 44 can be adjusted. Another valve 50 for adjustment the amount of coolant pumped by the pump 44 itself in the pipeline 26.

Through the nozzles 44, the cooling liquid in the direction of Removal device 12 on the in the coolant 18th given floating bag. This will transport the Bag accelerates in the direction of the removal device 12 since a speed component due to the spray direction of the nozzles 44 to those floating in the coolant 18 Pouch caused in the direction of the removal device 12 becomes.

The cooling channel 10 is closed by a cover 52 to to keep the loss of coolant 18 as low as possible. The cover 52 is easily removable, for example To be able to make repairs or the cooling channel 10 easily to be able to clean.

In addition to that based on FIGS. 1 and 3 Spraying device also has the illustrated embodiment a flow device (Fig. 2). The flow device has an intake fan 54. The outlet of the intake fan 54 is connected to a pipeline 56 which in Longitudinal direction parallel to the cooling trough 10. With the pipeline 56 vertical pipes 58 are connected, which are bent at right angles and then in one horizontal section 60 parallel to the bottom of the cooling channel 10 run. In the horizontal section 60 of the pipeline 58 are several branches 62 connected, the ends of which in the substantially horizontal bottom 64 of the cooling channel 10 are connected. Through openings 66, which may be designed as nozzles of the branches 62, air flows into the cooling liquid 18. As a result, 18 flows and / or Turbulence created by sticking packaging together is prevented, which lie against each other for a long time. The nozzles provided at openings 66 are preferred aligned in such a way that an air flow in Generate direction of the removal device 12. This will the transport of the packaging in the direction of the removal devices accelerated. The direction of the currents in the Coolant 18 generating nozzles can also be adjusted become. The openings 66 can also be used as nozzles Perforated sheets must be connected (Fig. 3).

The removal device 12 (Fig. 1) has an inclined Conveyor belt 68 on. The conveyor belt 68 is by a motor 70 driven. The conveyor belt 68 runs over two deflection rollers 72.74 (Fig. 2). The lower deflection roller 72 is located below the liquid level 40 in the basin 22 of the removal device 12. The transport direction of the conveyor belt 68 is represented by arrows 76, 78.

Packaging in the cooling channel 10 in Fig. 1 from left to right are transported on the right, thus reach the removal device to the conveyor belt 68 and from this towards the upper pulley 74 transported. Here are the packaging removed from the coolant 18.

In the area of the upper deflection roller 74 there is an alignment device 80 arranged. The alignment device 80 has a groove 82 through which a liquid in the direction of arrow 84 flows. The dimensions of the channel 82 are chosen such that the width of the trough 82 is slightly larger than the width of the packaging to be aligned. So packaging, that of the conveyor belt 68 of the removal device 12 in the area the upper pulley 74 fall down automatically from the Alignment device 80 aligned. Alignment device 80 also has a removal device 86 in the form of a conveyor belt on. The conveyor belt again runs obliquely, so that which transported in the groove 82 in the direction of arrow 84 Packaging can be removed from the trough 82.

Claims (14)

Device for cooling contents filled in packaging with high temperatures, with a cooling channel (10) containing cooling liquid (18), through which the packaging is moved, a removal device (12) for removing the packaging from the cooling channel (10) and a spray device (42, 44) for spraying the packaging located in the cooling channel (10) with cooling liquid (18), characterized in that a flow device (58, 60) for generating flows in the cooling liquid (18) is provided in the cooling channel (10, 60), the flow device (58, 60) having air nozzles which are arranged below the liquid level (40) , Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the air nozzles are arranged in the cooling channel bottom (64). Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the air nozzles are oriented such that they serve to accelerate the packaging. Device according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the spray device (42, 44) has a plurality of nozzles (44) arranged above the coolant level (40). Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the spray device (42, 44) has a plurality of distribution pipes (42) arranged essentially transversely to the cooling channel (10), at least one nozzle (44), preferably at least three nozzles (44) per distribution pipe ( 42) are provided. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that preferably each distribution pipe (42) has a valve for switching the individual distribution pipes (42) on and off. Device according to one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the spray device (42, 44) is fed by cooling liquid (18) removed in the area of the removal device (12), so that a cooling liquid circuit is formed. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the spray device (42, 44) has a heat exchanger for cooling the cooling liquid (18). Device according to one of claims 1-8, characterized in that the removal device (12) has a conveyor belt (68) transporting the packages from the cooling liquid (18). Device according to one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the cooling channel (10) has an immersion basin (14) into which the packages are immersed after filling. Device according to one of claims 1-10, characterized in that the cooling channel (10), in particular in the immersion basin (14), has liquid nozzles (20) for generating a transport flow in the cooling channel (10). Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the liquid nozzles (20) are fed by cooling liquid (18) removed in the region of the removal device (12). Device according to one of claims 1-12, characterized in that the removal device (12) is connected to an alignment device (80) for aligning the packaging. Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the alignment device (80) has a liquid-flushed swimming channel (82) which has approximately the width of the packaging, so that the packaging is aligned in the swimming channel (82).

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