US 12,234,050 B2
Linear filling machine for filling containers with filling material
Thomas Niehr, Bad Muenster am Stein Ebernburg (DE); Alexander Danelski, Bad Kreuznach (DE); and Thorsten Mietsch, Hattingen (DE)
Assigned to KHS GmbH, Dortmund (DE)
Appl. No. 17/775,365
Filed by KHS GMBH, Dortmund (DE)
PCT Filed Nov. 2, 2020, PCT No. PCT/EP2020/080646
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date May 9, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/094118, PCT Pub. Date May 20, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2019 130 364.8 (DE), filed on Nov. 11, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0396385 A1, Dec. 15, 2022
Int. Cl. B65B 59/04 (2006.01); B65B 55/10 (2006.01); B65B 65/00 (2006.01); B67C 7/00 (2006.01)
CPC B65B 59/04 (2013.01) [B65B 55/10 (2013.01); B65B 65/003 (2013.01); B67C 7/0026 (2013.01); B67C 7/0073 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A linear filling machine for filling containers with a filling product, wherein the containers are transported in groups along a linear conveying path, the filling machine comprising:
a plurality of machine sections following one another along the conveying path, said machine sections including at least one inlet station-receiving the containers, a treatment station for treating the containers, a filling station for filling the containers, and an outlet station for delivering the containers;
said machine sections being configured as exchangeable machine modules and each of said machine modules forming an independent function unit being configured to be taken into full operation individually, with each of said machine modules having at least one electric supply unit and at least one media supply unit;
each said machine module having an inlet end and an opposing outlet end, and at least one of said inlet end or said outlet end being a coupling section for a functional connection of an adjacent said machine modules, and said coupling section being configured for unhindered onward transport of the containers over said coupling section;
said electric supply unit and said media supply unit being disposed spatially separate from one another, with said electric supply unit being arranged on a first side of said machine module and said media supply unit being arranged on an opposite, second side of said machine module; and
a valve manifold provided on an upper side of at least one of said machine modules for introducing product or treatment medium.
 
17. A machine module for a linear filling machine, the machine module forming an independent function unit being at least one of a treatment station for a treatment of containers or a filling station for filling containers, the machine module comprising:
an inlet end and an opposing outlet end, and at least one of said inlet end or said outlet end being a coupling section for a functional connection of a further machine module, and said coupling section being configured for unhindered onward transport of the containers over said coupling section;
at least one electric supply unit and at least one media supply unit;
said electric supply unit and said media supply unit being arranged spatially separate from one another;
said electric supply unit being arranged on a first side of said machine module and said media supply unit being arranged on an opposite second side of the machine module; and
a valve manifold being disposed on an upper side of said machine module.