Filling unit

Abstract

Disclosed is a unit ( 1 ) for filling receptacles (B) with filling materials, especially for filling bag-shaped or tubular cases. Said filling unit ( 1 ) comprises a worm conveyor (F) which moves inside a housing ( 2 ) and is provided with at least two axially parallel worms ( 3, 4, 11 ) that run in the same direction or in opposite directions and encompass screw elements. The screw elements of the worms ( 3, 4, 11 ), which are arranged around each shaft ( 5, 6, 10 ), radially engage into one another and press the filling material from a feed opening (E) into the receptacles (B) that are removably fastened to an outlet orifice (A). The peripheral edges ( 7, 8, 12 ) of the screw elements have a minimum amount of clearance (S) relative to the internal surfaces of the housing ( 2 ) and the circumferences of the shafts ( 5, 6, 10 ). A duct ( 9 ) that receives and conveys coarse components of the filling material is disposed on the top surface of the housing ( 2 ).

1 . A filling unit for filling containers with filling materials, the filling unit comprising:
 a worm conveyor movable in a housing, the worm conveyor comprising at least two axially parallel worms, movable in the same or in opposite directions and provided with screw elements, wherein each of the screw elements of the worms are disposed about a respective shaft radially engaging one another to press the filling material from a filling opening into the containers that are removably mounted at an output opening, and wherein the peripheral edges of the screw elements only have minimum clearance) with respect to the inner surfaces of the housing and with respect to the circumferences of the shafts, wherein a channel for receiving and transporting coarse components of the filling material is provided at the upper side of the housing.   
   
   
       2 . The filling unit of  claim 1 , wherein the worm conveyor comprises two worms which are disposed in a plane next to one another. 
   
   
       3 . The filling unit of  claim 1 , wherein the worm conveyor comprises three worms and wherein the three worms comprise two upper worms that are disposed in a plane next to one another and a third worm centrally located below the two upper worms. 
   
   
       4 . The filling unit of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a feeding device for web material; and   a connection device for connecting the two longitudinal edges of the web material through a butt joint or through an overlapping joint to form a hose-shaped container.   
   
   
       5 . The filling unit of  claim 4 , wherein the connection device) is disposed between the filling opening and the output opening in the feeding direction, and the feeding device is disposed in front of the connection device in the feeding direction. 
   
   
       6 . The filling unit of  claim 4 , wherein the feeding device is a web roll pull off device that is driven or controlled by the feed of the worm conveyor. 
   
   
       7 . The filling unit of  claim 4 , wherein the connection device is controlled as a function of the feed of the worm conveyor. 
   
   
       8 . The filling unit of  claim 4 , wherein the connection device comprises a sewed connection, a welded connection, a glued connection, or a folded connection. 
   
   
       9 . The filling unit of  claim 4 , wherein the two longitudinal edges of the web material are provided with a plurality of hook-and-loop elements and the connection device comprises a guide device for joining the plurality of hook-and-loop elements. 
   
   
       10 . The filling unit of  claim 4 , wherein the connection device is a device which connects the longitudinal edges of the web material, by buttons and button holes, snap connectors, rivets, magnets, threads, zipper elements or engaging rubber bands with hooks. 
   
   
       11 . The filling unit of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one rattling device or vibration device, the at least one rattling device or vibration device disposed externally to the filling unit, internally to the filling unit, or a combination thereof.   
   
   
       12 . The filling unit of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one internal rattling device or vibration device is an axially moving rattling device or vibration device, which is connected to the worms. 
   
   
       13 . The filling unit of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one internal rattling device or vibration device is a rattling device or vibration device which moves in any direction and which is connected to the worms. 
   
   
       14 . The filling unit of  claim 11 , wherein the external rattling device or vibration device comprises one or more plural rattling elements or vibration elements which contact the container. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the feeding device is a web roll pull off device that is driven or controlled by the feed of the worm conveyor.