JPH03212396A - Liquid dripping prevention filling nozzle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent liquid dripping effectively under various conditions by constituting an apparatus in such a manner that an opening has an extension, an opening tip and a liquid-holding annular space between the extension and mesh body and there is a specific relation between the space of the opening tip and the mesh body, the distance of the intersecting point of the central line of the opening and the underside of the mesh body from a horizontal plane passing through the opening tip and the diameter of the opening tip. CONSTITUTION:An apparatus has a supporting part 5 provided on the inside of the lower part of a nozzle side wall 4 and the extension 6 extending from the supporting part 5 diametrally inward and a little obliquely downward, the tip of the extension, i.e. the opening tip 7 has a vertical face, and a mesh body 3 forms a curved surface protruding downward and its circumference is mounted on the supporting part 5. Further, the apparatus has an annular space 8 in the opening 2, the inlet space W(mm) of the annular space 8 is W=1.5-5mm, and the ratio H/D of the distance H(mm) of the intersecting point of the central line of the opening and the underside of the mesh body from a horizontal plane passing through the opening tip to the diameter D(mm) of the opening tip is 0.5>=H/D>0.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to a filling nozzle for a liquid filling device that fills containers with liquid, which can fill in a short time with less foaming and has particularly excellent drip prevention function. The present invention relates to a drip-preventing filling nozzle suitable for aseptic filling machines.

(Prior art) A filling nozzle for a filling device that fills containers with liquids such as juices and other beverages, seasonings, and pharmaceuticals has low foaming, can be filled into containers in a short time, and a filling nozzle that can be used after filling is completed. There is a demand for something that does not drip.

Dripping can stain the container opening and its outer surface with liquid, cause poor adhesion when heat-sealing the lid, cause an abnormal increase in the opening torque of the screw lid, and can also cause damage to the floor or surface. There is a risk of staining the filling machine with liquid, creating a breeding ground for bacteria, and impairing filling accuracy.

In order to fill a container with liquid in a short time with less foaming, the diameter of the opening tip of the nozzle should be made as large as possible, and the flow rate should be made small to reduce the amount of air being drawn into the liquid in the container. It is necessary to fill. However, it is known that when the diameter of the opening tip of the nozzle is increased to about 10 mm or more, the liquid within the nozzle body falls from the nozzle after the filling valve is closed, causing dripping. Therefore, in the case of a nozzle with an opening tip of 10 mm or more, in order to prevent dripping caused by the liquid inside the nozzle body,
Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-41955 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-1135
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 28, a mesh body for stopping liquid is placed above the opening.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, these also have problems in terms of preventing dripping in practice. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of these conventional filling nozzles running out of liquid, where (a) shows just before the liquid runs out, and (b)
) shows the state immediately after the liquid runs out, and (c) shows the stable state. Reference numeral 1 designates a filling nozzle body, which has an opening 2 at the bottom of the nozzle body 1, and an extension (bottom wall) 6 extending from the lower end of the nozzle side wall 4 toward the radial inner force, the tip of which extends from the opening tip 7. is forming. The mesh body 2 has an extension part (
(bottom wall). The extension part (bottom wall part) 6 serves as a support part for the mesh body 2, and no space is provided between the extension part (bottom wall part) 6 and the mesh body 2.

In the nozzle having the above structure, the flow rate of the liquid decreases as the filling valve closes, and the flow of liquid at the opening 2 sharply narrows at the center (FIG. 2(a)).

Furthermore, when the filling valve is completely closed, only the amount of liquid that balances the surface tension of the liquid remains in the center of the mesh, and the excess liquid flows down, completing the liquid drain (Figure 2 (b) ))
. In a stable state after the liquid runs out, the opening 2 is lower than the mesh 3, so the liquid that had accumulated in the center of the mesh 3 moves to the outer periphery of the opening 2 and has already accumulated on the outer periphery. (Fig. 2 (C)). On the other hand, the amount of liquid remaining in the center of the mesh body 3 increases as the closing speed of the filling valve becomes slower, and tends to remain approximately constant below a certain speed. Therefore, it is considered that the slower the opening/closing speed of the filling valve, the more the amount of liquid accumulated around the outer periphery of the opening 2 becomes close to saturation or supersaturation. Therefore, the liquid accumulated on the outer periphery of the opening 2 may drip or drop due to a slight imbalance in the amount of accumulated liquid in the circumferential direction, or due to the application of external forces such as physical vibrations and centrifugal force. This may cause dripping.

In this way, the mesh body 3
One possible method is to make the opening 2 located below longer. However, with this method, after the filling valve is closed, there is a time delay until the liquid accumulated in the opening at the bottom of the mesh body 3 flows down, and it takes a long time to fill, and the liquid runs out. The liquid attached in a film form to the inner peripheral surface of the rear opening gradually flows downward and accumulates at the tip of the opening, which causes dripping, which is impractical.

In this way, a nozzle with a liquid-stopping mesh placed above the opening can prevent dripping due to the liquid falling inside the nozzle body, but it is possible to prevent liquid from dripping from the liquid that has accumulated below the mesh. No one can prevent it. Conventionally, the solution is to use complicated auxiliary means such as blowing the liquid accumulated at the nozzle opening into the container with air, or to speed up the closing speed of the filling valve at the expense of preventing foaming if the liquid splashes. It prevents dripping and allows some dripping.

The present invention solves the drawbacks of conventional filling nozzles in which a mesh body for liquid stop is placed above the opening.The purpose of the present invention is to fill liquids in a short time with less foaming, and to To provide a filling nozzle that can effectively prevent dripping without using auxiliary means with a complicated structure. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to prevent liquid dripping even when the filling valve is closed slowly in order to improve filling accuracy and prevent liquid from scattering when filling liquid materials, and to reduce surface tension. To provide a filling nozzle that does not cause dripping even when the contents are small or due to mechanical vibration.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a drip-proof filling nozzle that can be effectively used in an aseptic filling machine (means for solving the problem). A liquid filling nozzle including an opening provided at a lower part and a liquid stopper mesh body located above the opening,
The opening includes an extension portion extending downward and radially inward at a small distance from the support portion of the mesh body, an opening tip with a reduced diameter at the tip of the extension portion, and liquid retention between the extension portion and the mesh body. The lowermost end of the mesh is located above the uppermost end of the innermost periphery of the opening tip, and the opening has a distance W between the opening tip and the mesh, and the center of the opening. Provided is a drip-preventing filling nozzle characterized by having dimensions that satisfy the formula 0 formula % when the distance between the intersection of the line and the lower surface of the mesh body and the horizontal plane passing through the aperture tip is H1 the aperture tip diameter. .

(Function) The anti-drip filling nozzle of the present invention is constructed as described above, and the opening has an annular space for retaining liquid between the support part extension that supports the mesh body and the mesh body. However, the lowest end of the mesh body is above the top end of the innermost circumference of the opening tip, and the distance between the opening tip and the mesh body is a horizontal plane passing through the intersection of the center line of the W1 opening and the lower surface of the mesh body and the opening tip. When the distance between H1 and the diameter of the opening tip is D, satisfying the formula % formula % provides the following excellent effects.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the liquid draining of the filling nozzle of the present invention, and the operation will be explained using this diagram.

In the figure, (a) is immediately before the liquid runs out, (b) is immediately after the liquid runs out,
And (c) shows a stable state. Further, in the figure, 1 is a filling nozzle main body, there is an opening 2 at the bottom of the nozzle main body 1, 3 is a mesh body, and a support part 5 for the mesh body 3 is provided inside the lower end of the nozzle side wall 4. An extension part 6 (constituting the bottom wall part) extends downward and radially inward from the support part 5 at a small interval, and the tip of the extension part 6 forms an open tip 7. The mesh body 3 has a downwardly convex curved surface, and the periphery thereof is placed on the support portion 5. An annular space 8 for holding liquid is formed between the mesh body 3 and the extension part 6.

The structure of the nozzle of the present invention tends to generate a centripetal force that moves the liquid cutoff position from the center of the nozzle opening 2 to the end. Therefore, unlike the conventional nozzle structure, the liquid does not run out at the center of the opening 2, but runs out at one end of the opening 2. When the filling valve is closed, liquid shortage at the nozzle opening 2 according to the present invention is considered to proceed as follows.

As the filling valve closes, the flow rate of the liquid decreases, and the flow of the liquid at the opening 2 rapidly becomes narrower, and the inertial force in the falling direction of the liquid decreases accordingly. At that time, as in the present invention, the annular space 8
If there is, a slight inclination of the nozzle, centrifugal force (in the case of a rotary filling machine), disturbance of the flow of liquid with non-uniform wettability in the circumferential direction of the opening 20, small distortion of the nozzle shape or opening 2, etc. The slight physical non-uniformity of the liquid causes the flowing liquid to be attracted by the surface tension to the liquid collecting in the annular space 8. That is, due to the centripetal force that moves the flow of liquid from the center of the opening 2 to one end, the flow of liquid moves along the mesh body 3 from the center of the opening 2 to one end. (Fig. 1 (a)) Furthermore, when the filling valve is completely closed, an amount of liquid remains in the annular space 8 in an amount that is balanced with the surface tension of the liquid, and the excess liquid flows down from the final falling point A. The cutting is completed. (Fig. 1(b)) At this time, since there is an annular space 8, the liquid in the annular space 8 (opposing point B) facing the final falling point A of the liquid easily passes through the annular space 8 to the final falling point A. It gets pulled to the side and flows down. Therefore, the amount of liquid at point B is considerably reduced and there is ample room. On the other hand, the amount of liquid remaining at the final drop point A increases as the closing speed of the filling valve becomes slower, but it tends to remain approximately constant below a certain speed.

However, in a stable state after the liquid runs out (FIG. 1(C)), a portion of the liquid that was saturated at the final drop point A is easily drawn back to the opposing point B through the annular space 8. Therefore, the liquid is accumulated in the annular space 8 uniformly in the circumferential direction and with a sufficient amount of liquid accumulated all around the circumference. Furthermore, the annular space 8 also has a liquid suction force due to capillary action.

Therefore, even if the amount of liquid accumulated in the circumferential direction is slightly unbalanced, or even if external forces such as physical vibration or centrifugal force are applied, the liquid accumulated in the annular space 8 will drip from the opening 2. It won't fall.

The dimensions of the opening are as follows: the distance between the opening tip and the mesh body (i.e., the population interval of the annular space 8) (W (mm) is 1.5 to 5 m
m, and the ratio H/D of the distance H (mm) between the intersection of the center line of the opening and the lower surface of the mesh body and the horizontal plane passing through the opening tip and the opening tip diameter D (mm) is 0.5≧H. /D>0 ensures that the amount of liquid retained in the annular space 8 is appropriate, and that there is sufficient force to move the liquid cutoff position from the center of the opening 2 to one end (the tip of the opening), so that the liquid The break does not occur at the center of the opening 2, but at one end of the opening tip 7, thereby preventing dripping when the liquid accumulated in the annular space 8 runs out.

(Preferred embodiment of the present invention) The anti-drip filling nozzle of the present invention will be explained based on the drawings. 3 to 8 are cross-sectional views showing preferred embodiments of the filling nozzle of the present invention.

The filling nozzle shown in FIG. 3 has a support part 5 provided inside the lower part of the nozzle side wall part 4, and has an extension part 6 (formed like a bottom wall) extending downward and radially inward from the support part 5 slightly obliquely downward. The tip of the extension part 6, that is, the opening tip 7 is a vertical surface, and the mesh body 3 has a downwardly convex curved surface and its periphery is placed on the support portion 5.

The filling nozzle shown in FIG. 4 has a structure in which the opening tip 7 of the filling nozzle shown in FIG. 3 is not a vertical plane, but an inclined surface with the diameter of the lower part unchanged and the diameter of the upper part slightly expanded.

In the filling nozzle of FIG. 5, in the filling nozzle of FIG. 3, the inner surface of the extension part 6 extending downward and radially inward from the support part 5 at a slight angle is curved, and the width of the vertical plane of the opening tip 7 is narrowed. It has a similar structure.

In the filling nozzle shown in FIG. 6, the upper part of the support part 5 inside the lower part of the nozzle side wall part 4 is expanded radially inward in a narrow flange shape, and the mesh body 3 is horizontal, and the surrounding area is supported. It is of a structure placed on part 5.

In the filling nozzle shown in FIG. 7, an extension part 6 extends radially inward and slightly diagonally downward from the lower part of the nozzle side wall 4, and the base of the extension part 6 inside the nozzle side wall part 4 also serves as the support part 5. Furthermore, the tip of the extension portion 6, that is, the opening tip 7 is a vertical surface. Further, the mesh body 3 is placed horizontally.

The filling nozzle shown in FIG. 8 has a structure similar to the filling nozzle shown in FIG. 7, in which a mesh body 3 having a downwardly concave curved surface is placed as the mesh body 3.

The distance between the opening end 7 of the annular space 8 and the mesh body 3, that is, the entrance interval W(no++) of the annular space is the distance 1 from the opening end, that is, the innermost circumference of the opening end 7 and the closest mesh body 3 from the uppermost end. !
II (mm), and the radial depth L (m+++) is defined as the annular space farthest from the line segment defined by the inlet interval W in the direction perpendicular to the radial outward of the mesh body 3. It is defined as the distance (mm) to the inner surface end of 8.

In addition, the distance H (mm) between the intersection of the center line of the opening and the lower surface of the mesh body and the horizontal plane passing through the opening tip 7 is the intersection of the horizontal plane passing through the top end at the innermost periphery of the opening tip 7 and the center line of the opening. , is defined as the vertical distance between the center line and the intersection of the lower surface of the mesh body, and the opening tip diameter D (mm) is defined as the diameter of the innermost circumference of the opening tip. 3 to 8, each W, L,
H and D are shown based on the above definitions.

The filling nozzle of the present invention has an annular space 8 in the opening 2 as shown in the figure, and the inlet interval W (mm) of the annular space 8.
is W = 1.5 to 5 mm, and the distance H (mm) between the intersection of the center line of the opening and the lower surface of the mesh body and the horizontal plane passing through the tip of the opening
The ratio H/D of the opening tip diameter D (IIlm) is 0.5
It is necessary to satisfy ≧H/D>O.

When W<1.5 mm, the inlet interval W of the annular space 8 is too narrow, and the centripetal force that moves the liquid drain position from the center of the opening 2 to one end becomes small, so that liquid drain does not occur at the end of the opening. This is not preferable because the annular space 8 may not be able to hold the liquid sufficiently and cause dripping if the liquid runs out at the end of the opening.

In addition, when W>5 mm, the inlet interval W of the annular space 8 is too wide, so that when the liquid runs out at the end of the opening, the liquid accumulated in the annular space 8 flows out together. The poem is elongated and takes a long time, often flowing out of the annular space 8 intermittently and draining.

Therefore, it is not preferable because it requires a long filling time and also causes dripping.

Moreover, if the distance 1lll() is made larger than the maximum value W of the distance W=5 mm, the above phenomenon will be aggravated, which is not preferable.

On the other hand, in the case of the nozzle of the present invention, in which the diameter of the opening end is made large in order to fill the liquid in a short time without forming bubbles, and a mesh body is placed thereon, the diameter is 10 mm or more. Therefore, in the nozzle of the present invention, H/D≦5710=0.5
becomes. Furthermore, if the lowest end of the mesh body is at the same level as the opening tip, H=0, that is, H/D=O, and if the lowest end of the mesh body is below the level of the opening tip, H<O, that is, H/D<
It becomes 0. When H/D≦0, even if there is an annular space, the centripetal force that moves the position of liquid shortage from the center of the opening to the tip of the opening becomes small or does not occur. Therefore, the liquid does not run out at one end of the opening, but occurs at the center of the opening, causing dripping.

Next, an experimental example conducted regarding the anti-drip filling nozzle of the present invention will be described.

Experimental example: A nozzle with the shape shown in Figure 3 has an opening tip diameter of 2.
0mm or 24mm, and the distance H is 0.5≧
Manufactured a nozzle with an annular space within the range that satisfies H/D>O, and in which the distance W between the opening tip and the mesh body and the radial depth L have the dimensions shown at each point in Figure 9. did.

Commercially available milk-containing coffee was poured through these nozzles to examine the dripping state. After pouring coffee with milk into the nozzle through the piping above the nozzle, close the filling valve installed in the piping above the nozzle and observe the state of liquid shortage and dripping from the nozzle opening. did.

As a result, the distance is 11! The dimension of H is within the range satisfying 0.5≧H/D>O, and W=1.5 to 5III in Figure 9
In a nozzle having an annular space with the dimensions shown by each black dot within the range of 11, the liquid flow rapidly becomes narrower at the same time as the filling valve closes and moves from the center of the nozzle opening to the tip of the opening. As shown in the figure, the liquid ran out immediately after the filling valve was closed. No dripping occurred within 10 seconds after the liquid ran out. The dripping prevention effect was extremely good.

The dimension of distance @H is within the range that satisfies 0.5≧1(/D>O, and the annular space has the dimensions shown at each white point within the range of W>5 mm in Fig. 9. At the nozzle, when the filling valve was closed, the liquid flow rapidly became narrower and moved from the center of the nozzle opening to the tip of the opening, but the liquid did not run out immediately after the filling valve was closed. Even after the flow of liquid from the top has stopped, the liquid that had accumulated in the annular space continues to flow out of the annular space in a stringy manner due to the intrusion of air, causing the liquid to run out a few seconds after the valve is closed. Furthermore, dripping occurred within 10 seconds after the liquid ran out.

An annular space with the dimensions shown by each white point within the range of W<1.5ma+ in Fig. 9 where the distance @H is within the range satisfying 0.5≧H/D>O. In a nozzle with
At the same time as the filling valve closes, the liquid flow becomes narrow rapidly, and the liquid runs out at the center of the nozzle opening as shown in Figure 2, or the liquid flows from the center of the nozzle opening to the tip of the opening. The liquid moved and the liquid ran out immediately after the filling valve was closed, as shown in Figure 1. However, dripping occurred within 10 seconds after the liquid ran out.

(Effects of the present invention) The effects of the present invention will be explained in comparison with the prior art.

In the state of the art, ie, prior to the present invention, the closing time of the fill valve is related to the amount of liquid that collects at the nozzle opening, the filling accuracy, and the liquid splash. If the closing time is short, the liquid will fly out from the nozzle opening with great force, so the amount of liquid that will accumulate at the nozzle opening will be small, making dripping a little less likely. However, since the liquid rushes out from the opening of the nozzle, the liquid that has been filled up to the mouth of the container and falls down the surface of the container strongly splashes the rice beating liquid, causing the liquid to jump out of the container. In addition, liquid may also scatter from the mouth of the nozzle. the result,
This can stain the container opening and its outer surface with liquid, causing poor adhesion when heat-sealing the lid, or causing an abnormal increase in the opening torque of the screw cap. In addition, liquid that falls on the floor or filling machine not only becomes dirty, but also creates a breeding ground for bacteria. On the other hand, since the liquid rushes out from the opening of the nozzle, not only does the amount of liquid that finally flows out from the opening vary, but also when measuring the filling amount using a balance type or electric scale. The vibration caused by the falling of the product is increased and weighing accuracy is also adversely affected.

Therefore, filling has hitherto been carried out at some cost. Although this will complicate the device, other methods such as blowing out the liquid accumulated at the nozzle opening into the container with air may be used to prevent dripping, or a filling valve may be used to prioritize filling accuracy and prevention of liquid scattering. Slow down the opening/closing speed of
They admit that it causes some dripping. Alternatively, the closing speed of the filling valve may be increased to prevent liquid dripping, and the filling liquid may foam more, but the opening diameter of the nozzle may be reduced and the nozzle inserted into the mouth of the container to prevent liquid from splashing around. I'm trying to prevent it.

In contrast, the present invention is constructed as described above and exhibits the following excellent effects.

(1) No dripping occurs even if the filling valve is closed slowly. Therefore, it is particularly effective when used in aseptic filling machines because it does not stain the floor or the top of the filling machine with liquid or create a breeding ground for germs.

(2) No dripping occurs even if the contents have low surface tension.

(3) No dripping occurs even due to mechanical vibration or centrifugal force in a rotary filling machine.

9 (4) Filling accuracy is improved because the filling valve can be closed slowly.

(5) The filling valve can be closed slowly, eliminating the possibility of liquid splashing, which could contaminate the container opening or its outer surface with liquid, cause poor adhesion when heat-sealing the lid, or prevent opening of the screw cap. It does not cause an abnormal increase in torque, it does not stain the floor or the top of the filling machine with liquid, and it does not create a place where bacteria can breed.

(6) Since there is no need to reduce the opening diameter of the nozzle, the flow rate of the liquid flowing out from the nozzle is slowed down, and foaming of the filling liquid is suppressed.

(7) There is no need to use a complicated auxiliary means for preventing dripping, and the nozzle has a simple structure.

Since the filling nozzle of the present invention has excellent effects as described above, it is not only very suitable as a filling nozzle for filling devices for liquid contents such as foods and pharmaceuticals, but also for preventing dripping. It can also be widely used as a filling nozzle for filling liquids, water, oil, fats and oils in other fields.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a filling nozzle according to the present invention with liquid draining, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a conventional filling nozzle with liquid draining.
(a) shows immediately before the liquid runs out, (b) immediately after the liquid runs out, and (c) shows a stable state. 3 to 8 are cross-sectional views showing preferred embodiments of the filling nozzle of the present invention. In the figure, 1... Filling nozzle main body, 2... Opening, 3... Mesh body, 4... Nozzle side wall part, 5... Support part, 6...
... Extension part, 7... Opening tip, 8... Annular space, and 10... Liquid. FIG. 9 is a droplet retention diagram of an experimental example of the filling nozzle of the present invention, which shows the relationship between the size of the annular space of the nozzle, W, and droplet retention.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In a liquid filling nozzle comprising a hollow nozzle body, an opening provided at the bottom of the nozzle body, and a liquid stopper mesh body located above the opening, the opening is a mesh body. An extension part extending downward and radially inward from the supporting part of the body at a small interval, an opening tip with a reduced diameter at the tip of the extension part, and an annular space for liquid retention between the extension part and the mesh body. and the lowest end of the mesh body is above the top end of the innermost circumference of the opening tip, and the opening has a distance W between the opening tip and the mesh body, and a distance between the center line of the opening and the bottom surface of the mesh body. When the distance between the intersection point and the horizontal plane passing through the aperture tip is H, and the aperture tip diameter is D,
A drip-preventing filling nozzle characterized by having dimensions that satisfy the formula 0.5≧H/D>0 W=1.5 to 5.0 mm.