Geng, Peter (Allschwil, CH)
Gueniat, Robert (Reinach, CH)
Zollinger, Alfred (Fullinsdorf, CH)
Luscher, Walter (Seltisberg, CH)
Schawalder, Hansjorg (Zurich, CH)
Tschanen, Hanspeter (Dallikon, CH)

05/209825

01/29/1974

12/20/1971

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Gericke & Co. (Regensdorf, CH)

141/67

141/286, 141/83, 141/93, 55/429, 222/450, 55/467, 141/71, 177/122, 222/373

B65B63/02; B65B63/00; B65B1/16

141/93,83,286,71-82,56,57,59,67,68 251/212 177/122 222/436,442,445,450,373

3589458	APPARATUS FOR FILLING BAGS WITH BULK MATERIALS	June 1971	Schwake et al.
3192964	Method and equipment for compacting comminuted materials or the like	July 1965	Vogt
3472291	BAG FILLING MACHINE	October 1969	Roeschen

Bell Jr., Houston S.

Kleeman, Werner W.

What is claimed is

1. An apparatus for filling a receptacle with compacted pulverulent material, said apparatus comprising a compaction compartment equipped with a closable inlet and closable outlet, means for providing a negative pressure source, an overpressure source, and for communicating said compaction compartment with atmospheric pressure, a filter mechanism provided for said compaction compartment by means of which said compaction compartment can be selectively connected with at least any one of said negative pressure source, atmospheric pressure and said overpressure source, a supply compartment arranged following said compaction compartment, said supply compartment being provided with an inlet and an outlet, said closable outlet of said compaction compartment also constituting said inlet to said supply compartment, and a dosing mechanism provided for said outlet of said supply compartment, said compaction compartment being chargeable with a fresh charge of pulverulent material to be compacted during such time as a compacted charge of pulverulent material is filled from said supply compartment into the receptacle.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said dosing mechanism incorporates an iris diaphragm.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, further including a weighing device supporting the receptacle provided for said dosing mechanism, said weighing device being provided with at least one adjustable contact for controlling said outlet of said supply compartment.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said outlet of said supply compartment possesses a cross-section of its opening which at least corresponds to the throughflow opening cross-section of said supply compartment.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including a suction mechanism arranged about said outlet of said supply compartment.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said compaction compartment possesses a double-wall jacket defining an inner wall portion and an outer wall portion, said inner wall portion forming said filter mechanism, and wherein said double-wall jacket forms an intermediate compartment, and closure means for selectively connecting said intermediate compartment with any one of said negative pressure source, the atmospheric pressure and said overpressure source.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said inner wall portion defines an at least partially perforated support wall, said filter mechanism including a filter element consisting of flexible material bearing against said support wall.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said support wall has an upper perforated wall portion and a lower continuous wall portion.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said filter mechanism comprises a flexible filter element having an upper edge and a lower edge, a respective clamping mechanism provided for each said upper and said lower edges of said filter element, said clamping mechanisms serving to releaseably secure said flexible filter element to said inner wall portion of said double-wall jacket.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said flexible filter element is provided with a respective marginal bead portion at each of its upper and lower edges, and said clamping mechanisms including clamping ring means provided for said upper and lower filter edges, said upper and lower marginal bead portions serving to secure said filter element to said clamping ring means.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said filter mechanism incorporates an exchangeable filter insert, quick closure fastening means and sealing means for supporting said filter insert at said compaction compartment, said filter insert embodying said inner wall portion defining a support wall, said support wall possessing a ring flange forming at its ends forming a portion of said clamping ring means, said clamping ring means defining an upper and lower clamping ring member, said upper clamping ring member serving to clamp a ring member functioning as a pressure ring, said pressure ring functioning-clamping ring member carrying a sealing ring supported at an upper wall of said intermediate compartment, a clamping ring member serving as an attachment flange for clamping said lower clamping ring member, and a quick closure fastening mechanism for clamping said lower clamping ring member defining said attachment flange with said outer wall portion of said double-wall jacket and for retaining said filter insert.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said filter mechanism comprises an exchangeable filter insert, and quick closure fastening means and sealing means for supporting said filter insert at said compaction compartment.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including respective closure means for selectively connecting said compaction compartment with any one of said negative pressure source, the atmospheric pressure and said overpressure source, force-actuatable elements provided for said closure means and for said inlets and outlets of said compaction compartment and supply compartment, and automatic control means for operatively coupling said force-actuation elements with one another.

14. The apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said control means is designed such that with closed inlet and outlet of said compaction compartment initially the closure means of the negative pressure source is opened and upon reaching a certain negative pressure in the compaction compartment the inlet of the compaction compartment is opened.

15. The apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said control means is constructed such that with closed inlet and outlet of said compaction compartment and with filled compaction compartment after reaching a certain negative pressure one closure means closes the negative pressure source and another closure means opens to atmosphere, after pressure equalization with the atmosphere said another closure means again closes, and the closure means leading to the overpressure source opens and then the outlet of said compaction compartment is open.

16. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said inlet and said outlet of said compaction compartment are coupled with one another such that upon opening one the other is locked in its closing position.

17. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said compaction compartment embodies a lower portion and an upper portion, said upper portion having a double-wall jacket equipped with said filter mechanism and constructed to be pivotable.

18. The apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein said filter mechanism comprises a removable filter insert containing an inner perforated wall of said double-wall jacket and serving as a support wall, a bayonet closure for connecting said perforated wall with an outer wall of said double-wall jacket, means for sealing the inner perforated wall at its lower end towards said outer wall, a flexible filter carried by the inside surface of said inner perforated wall, said flexible filter being flexed at both ends about the ends of said inner perforated wall and fixedly clamped thereat, and a lower contact and sealing device for pressing said filter insert against an upper seal provided at an end wall bounding an intermediate compartment of said double-wall jacket.

19. The apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said lower portion of said compaction compartment carries said contact and sealing device, said contact and sealing device incorporating a ring member which is seated about a wall of said contact and sealing device, said ring member containing at its upper end a seal bearing against said filter insert, and an upwardly pressable clamping ring for supporting a bottom portion of said ring member.

20. The apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said upper portion of said compaction compartment is provided with a flange at its upper end, said flange bearing through the agency of a seal at a connection flange located at the top of said compaction compartment, and at least one quick-operating fastening closure for clamping said flange with said connection flange.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and improved construction of apparatus for filling a receptacle or any other suitable material receiving device, simply generally referred to herein as a receptacle or container, with compacted pulverulent material, and which apparatus is of the type comprising a compaction compartment equipped with a closable inlet and outlet, and wherein a negative pressure source, atmospheric pressure and/or an overpressure source can be connected via a filter mechanism with such compaction compartment.

Apparatuses for the filling of a receptacle with compacted pulverulent material of the previously mentioned general character are well known to the art. In this connection it is mentioned the pulverulent material is introduced into the compaction compartment for compaction, the gas pressure is reduced and thereafter quickly increased, and the pulverulent material which is subjected to increased pressure is introduced into the receptacle in order to fill the latter. A drawback of this technique resides in the fact that the filling operation only can be carried out intermittently, that is, after a filling operation there follows a compaction operation and again a filling operation, and so forth. During the filling operation the compaction compartment is blocked as concerns the compaction operation. This results in the capacity of the equipment being limited. It is also contemplated to continuously carry out the compaction and filling operations, the pulverulent material initially flowing through a region of reduced pressure and thereafter a region of increased pressure. Owing to these procedures there is present the drawback that only a rather bulky or massive compaction takes place since a continuous gas exchange occurs between the regions of higher and lower pressure, leading to a loosening of the throughflowing pulverulent material.

Continuing, it is also here to be mentioned that an apparatus for filling a receptacle with compacted pulverulent material is known to the state-of-the-art wherein there is likewise provided a compaction compartment equipped with a closable inlet and outlet. This compaction compartment can be connected through the agency of a filter device with a negative pressure source, atmospheric pressure and/or an overpressure source. At the lower end of the compaction compartment there is connected in pressure tight fashion the receptacle to be filled. By opening the upper inlet, and with the lower outlet also open, pulverulent material initially loosely flows into the receptacle and into a portion of the compaction compartment. For the purpose of removing the entrapped gas the outlet of the filter compartment is blocked and negative pressure applied via an outlet connection or stud to the receptacle. After reaching a certain negative pressure the outlet of the compaction compartment is suddenly opened and the material located within the compaction compartment flows at high pressure into the receptacle. At that location this material simultaneously serves for the further compaction of the material which is already located within the receptacle. In order to improve the first filling operation of the receptacle, a negative pressure can be applied to the compaction compartment, accelerating sucking-up of pulverulent material out of the supply container. The filter device can also be impinged with an overpressure by carrying out a suitable switching-operation, this overpressure, during a second phase of the filling operation, supporting the further filling of the evacuated receptacle. A drawback of this known equipment resides in the fact that it is necessary to provide a mouthpiece which is exactly accommodated to the receptacle to be filled. Furthermore, it is only possible to fill receptacles possessing a rather rigid or sturdy wall capable of withstanding the negative pressures used for evacuation of the receptacle. Additionally, this prior art equipment is extremely limited as concerns its capacity since the two-phase filling operation requires a relatively large amount of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Hence, from what has been stated above it will be recognized that the art is still in need of an apparatus for filling a receptacle with compacted pulverulent material which is not associated with the aforementioned drawbacks and limitations of the prior art. Therefore, it is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a new and improved construction of apparatus for filling a receptacle with compacted pulverulent material in a manner effectively and reliably fulfilling the existing need in the art and overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks and shortcomings of the prior art constructions. Still another and more specific object of the present invention relates to an improved apparatus for filling a receptacle with compacted pulverulent material which, while preventing the previously explained drawbacks of the prior art constructions and with the most simple design of the equipment, ensures for the greatest possible utilization of its capacity.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the inventive apparatus for the filling of a receptacle with compacted pulverulent material is manifested by the features that a supply compartment is arranged after the compaction compartment, the supply compartment having an outlet equipped with a dosing mechanism.

By virtue of the provision of a supply compartment following the compaction compartment a supply of compacted material can be continuously maintained in such supply compartment and which allows filling of the receptacle independently of the compaction of the pulverulent material in the compaction compartment. Hence, both during exchange of a receptacle as well as also during the filling of a receptacle it is possible to independently carry out the compaction operation in the compaction compartment. In this way the capacity of the apparatus can be considerably increased in contrast to the known constructions of prior art equipment. Since the receptacle itself is not utilized for the compaction of the pulverulent material, rather the already compacted material is filled into the receptacle, it is possible to resort to the use of receptacles of random construction and design, especially also those which do not possess any rigid walls capable of withstanding negative or sub-atmospheric pressures. Since the receptacle need not be connected in pressure tight fashion with the supply compartment there is also obviated the need of providing special mouth pieces and it is possible to fill receptacles possessing different construction and cross-section of their opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevational view, the right-half of which is in section, of a preferred constructional form of apparatus for filling a receptacle or the like with compacted pulverulent material;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view through the double-wall of the compaction compartment with the filter mechanism dismantled; and

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, again with the right-half thereof shown in section, of a further embodiment of compaction compartment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Describing now the drawings, and referring initially to the exemplary embodiment of inventive apparatus for filling a receptacle with compacted pulverulent material as depicted in FIG. 1, such will be seen to comprise a compaction compartment or chamber 11 connected in airtight fashion to a silo or hopper 10. Compaction compartment 11 is provided at its upper end or region with a closable inlet 12 and at its lower end or region with a closable outlet 13. Conventional valves can be used for this purpose which, for preserving clarity in illustration, have not been particularly shown. The compaction compartment 11 possesses a substantially cylindrical construction and is equipped with a double-wall jacket 14 embodying the inner wall 16 and outer wall 20, the inner wall 16 of which is constructed to provide a filter mechanism 15. The internal cross-section of the outlet 13 is preferably at least as large as the internal cross-section of the compaction compartment 11.

The filter mechanism 15, which has been illustrated in detail in FIG. 2, embodies an at least partially perforated support wall defined by the inner wall 16, at the inner surface of which there is mounted a filter element 17 formed of flexible material. It is preferred if this support wall 16 only possesses perforations or apertures 18 at its upper region. The lower region of such support wall 16 is preferably continuous i.e. not perforated. The filter mechanism 15 is advantageously constructed as a filter insert for the purpose of facilitating cleaning, and which can be clamped by quick operating-closure mechanism 19 with the outer jacket 20 of the compaction compartment 11. At the upper end of the filter insert there is provided a pressure ring 25a carrying a sealing ring 22 bearing against a sealing lip 23 of the compaction compartment 11. The flexible filter 17 is equipped at its upper and lower marginal edges with a respective flexible marginal bead or bulge portion 24, by means of which it can be clamped at the clamping rings 25 of the filter mechanism 15, the upper clamping ring 25 simultanously functioning as pressure ring 25a.

The double-wall jacket 16, 20 of the compaction compartment 11 will be seen to contain a substantially ring-shaped intermediate compartment 26, at which there are selectively connectable, via the closure or valve elements 27, 28 and 29, a negative pressure source, generally indicated by reference character 100, an overpressure source indicated at 101, and/or atmospheric pressure indicated by 102. Furthermore, a conventional pressure meter or manometer 30 with adjustable contacts is connected with the intermediate compartment or space 26.

A supply compartment 31 merges with the compaction compartment 11, this supply compartment 31 being closed towards its outlet or bottom by means of a dosing mechanism 32. In the embodiment under consideration this dosing mechanism 32 preferably incorporates an iris diaphragm 33. Moreover, dosing mechanism 32 is coupled with a weighing device or balance 34 upon which rests the receptacle or container 35 to be filled. This balance or weighing device 34 is equipped with an adjustable pre-contact 36 and a main contact 37, at which the course and actual filling weight of the receptacle can be set. The pre-contact 36 serves for partially closing the iris diaphragm 33 while the main contact 37 serves for completely closing such iris diaphragm. Continuing, it will be recognized that a suitable suction mechanism 38 is also provided and such surrounds the outlet 31a of the supply compartment 31 and serves to promote the dustfree functioning of the equipment. The inner cross-section of the supply compartment 31 is preferably at least as large as the inner cross-section of the compaction compartment 11 and its closeable outlet 13. Also the outlet 31a of the supply compartment 31 advantageously possesses a cross-section for its outlet opening which corresponds at least to that of the supply compartment 31. For the purpose of controlling the equipment there is provided a control mechanism 39 which coordinates the individual functions of the components.

The mode of operation of the described equipment is as follows:

Now for the purpose of initiating the compaction- and filling operations initially the inlet 12 from the silo 10 and the output 13 to the supply compartment 31 are closed and the closure or valve element 27 leading to the negative pressure source 100 is opened so that a negative pressure is applied to the intermediate compartment 27. By means of an adjustable contact 30a at the pressure metering device 30 there is set a minimum negative pressure, and when reaching such minimum negative pressure the inlet 12 is opened. The pulverulent material flows in the presence of negative pressure out of the silo 10 into the compaction compartment 11. After a certain time, which for instance can be determined by any conventional timing element or by a filling level indicator, the inlet 12 is automatically closed. Application of suction to the compaction compartment 11 by means of the negative pressure source 100 is continued until the pressure metering device 30 reaches a further adjustable contact 30b, so that by means of the negative pressure source so much air entrapped in the material within the compaction compartment 11 has been sucked-off that sufficient compaction of the material has been realized. When this happens and triggered by the action of the contact 30b, the valve or closure element 27 leading to the negative pressure source closes and the closure element 29 leading to atmosphere opens, in order to now communicate the compaction compartment 11 with the atmosphere 102. A further timing element of the control mechanism 39 ensures for the closing of the valve or closure element 29 and opening of the valve or closure element 28 leading to the compressed air source 101. The throughflowing gas thus cleans the filter mechanism 15 by a flushing action and arrives at the compaction compartment 11 where it protectively arranges the loose particles of pulverulent material without additionally mechanically loading same and compresses such material into a smaller volume. As soon as the pressure in the compaction compartment 11 equalizes with the atmospheric pressure or the overpressure, then, the outlet 13 is opened, either by controlling same via the pressure metering device 30 or through a further timing element, and the compacted pulverulent material is removed or ejected into the supply compartment 31. After emptying the compaction compartment 11 the outlet 13 is closed and filling of the compaction compartment again with material can begin anew. Inlet and outlet are preferably coupled with one another in such a fashion that upon opening one the other is locked so as to prevent any erroneous operations. In order to prevent overfilling of the supply compartment 31 such is advantageously provided with any suitable and therefore not particularly illustrated filling level indicator, which upon reaching a maximum filling condition interrupts the compaction operation and again initiates same when a minimum filling condition is present.

The receptacle or container 35 is placed upon the weighing device 34 beneath the outlet 31a of the supply compartment 31. A suitable tare switch at the weighing device 34 triggers an automatic filling operation. In this regard the iris diaphragm 33 of the dosing mechanism 32 is opened and the compacted pulverulent material flows out of the supply compartment 31 into the receptacle 35. As soon as the weighing device 34 reaches the pre-contact 36 the iris diaphragm 33 is partially closed and the flow of material is throttled, in order then to be completely shut-off at the primary or main contact 37. During the filling operation the suction or ventilation mechanism 38 ensures for the withdrawal of any possible dust or other contaminants which may be present.

It is recommended to carry out a number of trial runs and measurements for determining the most optimum conditions for setting the contacts 30a and 30b at the pressure metering device 30 and those at the weighing device 34. Further, the apparatus can be automatically controlled without any great expenditure in hardware. Thus, the operator can devote his attention completely to the packaging operation.

The apparatus is also suitable for use with dust explosion-dangerous substances, since during the entire operation always one of the inlets or outlets is closed, and therefore there is prevented spreading of any possible explosion.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIG. 3 there is illustrated therein an extremely advantageous construction of compaction compartment 111, rendering possible a simple opening or dismantling of the filter mechanism 115 and cleaning or exchange of the filter 117. The compaction compartment 111 will be seen to comprise an upper flange 140 and a lower flange 141, by means of which such can be connected with the inlet of the supply compartment 31 of FIG. 1 and outlet of the silo 10, here omitted for purposes of simplifying the drawing illustration. Both flanges 140 and 141 are connected with one another through the agency of a bolt or tie rod 142 arranged in spaced relationship with regard to the compaction compartment chamber. The compaction compartment 111 embodies an upper region or portion 111a which is equipped with a double-wall jacket 114 and contains the filter mechanism 115, as well as being equipped with a lower portion 111b equipped with a simple wall 143.

At the upper region 111a of the compaction compartment 111 the outer jacket wall 120 in conjunction with an upper flange 144 forms a filter housing 115a which is pivotably mounted via arm means 145 with the bolt 142. Stop means 146 provided at the bolt 142 limits the downward path of movement of the filter housing 115a at the bolt 142. The flange 144 of the filter housing 115a is applied through the agency of a sealing member 147 against the upper flange 140 and is pressed thereagainst by means of any suitable quick closure fastening mechanism 119.

A filter insert 148 is arranged within the filter housing, this filter insert 148 containing a support wall 116, here likewise forming the inner wall of the double-wall jacket 114. This support wall 116 is provided with perforations or apertures 118. Filter element 117 formed of flexible material is spanned over the support wall 116, such filter element 117 being flexed back towards the outside at both ends of the support wall 116, as shown, and at that location being retained by a respective clamping collar 149 or equivalent device. The filter insert 148 will be seen to possess at its upper end a bayonet closure 150, by means of which it can be connected with the outer wall 120 of the filter housing 115a and pressed against a flat sealing member 151 located at the inside of the flange 144, in order to be able to seal the intermediate compartment or space 126 with regard to the interior of the compaction compartment 111. A support flange 152 is provided at the lower end of the filter insert 148, this support flange 152 carrying at its periphery a sealing ring 153, by means of which it bears in sealing fashion against the inside of the outer wall 120.

The lower portion 111b of the compaction compartment contains a contact- and sealing mechanism 154 serving for additionally pressing the filter insert 148 against the upper flat seal member 151. If desired, the bayonet closure 150 can only serve to hold the filter insert 148 within the filter housing 115a and there can be employed for the purpose of pressing same against the upper flat seal 151 only the contact- and sealing mechanism 154. The latter will be seen to be equipped with a ring member 155 which is inserted about the wall 143, this ring member 155 carrying at its upper end face a flat sealing member or seal 156 cooperating in sealing fashion with the filter 117 bent about the lower end of the support wall 116. This ring member 155 also carries a sealing ring 157 at its inside surface, such sealing ring 157 cooperating with the outside surface of the wall 143 and sealing the filter compartment 111 towards the outside. A clamping ring 158 engages with the lower end face of the ring member 155, this clamping ring 158 being provided with a manually operable member 159. The clamping ring 158 which engages with the wall 143 is provided with inclined or bevelled surfaces 160 which cooperate with shoulder or stop surfaces 161 provided at the wall 143.

For the purpose of cleaning the filter 117 or exchanging the filter insert 148 the clamping ring 158 is rotated by means of the manually operable member 159 to such an extent that due to sliding of the shoulder or stops 161 into the inclined surfaces 160 the clamping ring 158 is lowered. This results in the simultaneous lowering of the ring member 155. Thereafter the quick closure fastening mechanism 119 is released, resulting in lowering of the upper portion 111a of the compaction compartment. The stops 146 at the bolts 142 limit the degree of lowering of the upper portion 111a of the compaction device. Such can now be pivoted out and by loosening the bayonet closure 150 the filter insert 148 can be removed from the filter housing 115a. The filter 117 can then be either cleaned or by loosening the clamping collar 149 removed and exchanged. The assembly of the compaction compartment 111 occurs in the reverse manner from the release or dismantling operation described.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims. Accordingly,