EP3052387B1 - Apparatus for changing the flow of a flowable material - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for changing the jet shape of flowable products, in particular of foods, according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

The invention also relates to the use of such a device for filling food, in particular for the aseptic filling of food.

Numerous possibilities are known in the field of packaging technology for filling flowable products into the packaging provided for this purpose. The flowable products may be, for example, foods such as milk, fruit juice, sauces or yoghurt. For example, composite packaging with layers of cardboard and plastic can be used as packaging.

An important step in the filling of the packaging is to fill the flowable products as quickly as possible in the packaging in order to achieve a fast timing and thus high volumes can. Despite the high flow rate, however, the filling should be done largely without spattering and foaming in order to meet the hygienic requirements and to avoid contamination on the packaging or the filling machine. Particularly high hygienic requirements occur in foods that are filled under sterile, ie germ-free conditions.

The high requirements can only be met if the filling process is adapted to individual factors such as the properties of the product to be filled and the volume and shape of the packaging. The Adjustment includes a regular adjustment of the flow rate and the flow rate. In addition, often the filling nozzle is adapted to the product to be filled and the packaging and optionally replaced. Because the filling nozzle significantly determines the shape and the velocity profile of the filling jet. In addition, the filling nozzle is responsible for a drip-free filling. For this purpose, the volume flow before exiting the filling nozzle is often divided into several partial flows, which are passed through individual channels. This has the advantage that the product to be filled comes into contact with a larger wall surface, whereby the rest of the product to be filled is held securely in the channels at an interruption of the filling and does not drip uncontrollably on the packaging or the filling machine ("capillary action").

Many of the known filling nozzles have a housing with a round cross-sectional area. In addition, both the inlet surface and the outlet surface of known filling nozzles are often round in shape. Due to the round housing, the filling nozzles can be easily inserted in any arbitrary rotated position in known filling machines. Through the round inlet and outlet surfaces, a filling jet is generated whose cross section is also round.

A filling nozzle for filling food, for example, from the EP 2 078 678 A1 known. To divide the volume flow, the filling nozzle shown there has an exchangeable, round and thus rotationally symmetric plate with numerous holes. The holes are cylindrically shaped and run parallel to each other in order to produce with the plate a particularly straight filling jet ("flow straightening plate"). While the inlets of the holes lie in a plane, the outlets of the holes are arranged on a curved surface, so that the holes - viewed in the direction of flow - have different lengths. By varying the length of the holes, the flow velocity should be influenced. In particular, the flow velocity in the middle of the filling jet should be slowed down more by longer holes and the consequent higher friction than in the edge regions of the filling jet.

The from the EP 2 078 678 A1 known filling nozzle has several disadvantages. First, due to the two-part construction, the plate must be sealed against the body of the filling nozzle. In the gap to be sealed between the plate and the body product residues can deposit, which is hygienically problematic. Another disadvantage is the different length of the holes. Because a curved exit region of the plate causes the partial flows of the product to be filled at different times detach from the underside of the plate and are also exposed to a different size drop height to the bottom of the package. Those partial streams that are passed through shorter holes and earlier detach from the underside of the plate, are earlier exposed to a fall acceleration than those partial streams, which are still in the longer holes at this time. Due to the different fall heights of the partial flows they are accelerated in free fall for different lengths and reach a different rate of increase in speed. This has the consequence that the speed profile set on the underside of the plate is changed again in free fall. The speed profile relevant to the formation of spatter upon impact of the filling jet with the bottom of the package can therefore only be adjusted very imprecisely with the proposed solution.

Another disadvantage of the EP 2 078 678 A1 known filling nozzle - and other comparable filling nozzles - is that these filling nozzles can produce only filling jets with a circular cross-sectional area. This is due in particular to the arrangement of the holes in a round plate. Round fill rays are also sought in many cases. First, the round shape is the shape that forms in the free fall of the jet due to the surface tension (cohesion) in the flowable product anyway. In addition, the fact that the housing of most filling nozzles are round shaped to be used in the - usually also round - shots known filling machines can. Finally, round cross-sections represent the aerodynamically optimal shape, because they offer the least surface and thus the lowest flow resistance relative to the size of the cross-sectional area.

For packages with a round base, such as bottles, round filling jets are also considered to be advantageous in terms of spattering. However, many packages have non-rotationally symmetrical, for example rectangular bases. With these packages, a round filling jet can lead to problems. Because a circular filling jet has geometry due to the filling of packaging with a rectangular base to two of the side walls a much smaller distance than the other two side walls. This leads to an uneven shielding of spatters occurring: The two side walls lying close to the jet shield quite well at a steep angle and prevent their escape from the packaging. However, the two sidewalls further away from the beam can no longer shield splashes that move upward at an equally steep angle. There is therefore a risk that these splashes leak out of the packaging and contaminate the packaging or the filling machine. This can result in that the packaging, for example a cardboard / plastic composite packaging, is contaminated in the area in which it is to be closed later by welding. In the area of contamination, however, no reliable welded connection can be generated, so that the packaging can no longer be tightly sealed and must be sorted out. If the leak is not detected immediately, the leaking packaging may contaminate parts of the filling machine or other packaging during further processing or transportation. Since many foods must be filled under sterile, ie germ-free conditions, such contamination of the filling machine can make a complicated cleaning and re-sterilization of the entire filling machine required. During this time no filling can take place, so that it comes to production losses. In contrast, contamination of other packaging can lead to larger units or pallets of packaging become unsaleable. Even single leaking from the packaging splashes can therefore cause significant problems.

Other devices for changing the jet shape of flowable products are from the DE 33 20 753 A1 , the FR 2 511 971 A1 and the FR 2 905 121 A1 known.

The invention is therefore based on the object to design the above-mentioned and previously described device in such a way and further that reduces the formation of spatter during the filling of packages with non-rotationally symmetrical cross-section.

This object is achieved in a device according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the number of channels is in the range between 30 and 50, that the central axes of the off-center channels are arranged inclined relative to the central axis of the device by an inclination angle, and that the inclination angle the off-center channels increase with increasing distance of the channels to the central axis of the device.

A device according to the invention is initially characterized by an inlet region for the entry of the flowable products and by an outlet region for the outlet of the flowable products. Between the inlet region and the outlet region a plurality of channels for the passage of the flowable products are arranged. Each of the channels has an inlet associated with the entrance area. In addition, each of the channels has an outlet associated with the exit area. The inlets together form an inlet surface located in the inlet region and the outlets together form an outlet surface located in the outlet region. The device according to the invention may for example be made of metal, in particular of steel, preferably stainless steel.

According to the invention, the exit surface is non-rotationally symmetrical. The symmetry is considered with respect to the central axis of the device. The shape of the exit surface has a significant influence on the shape of the cross-sectional area of the outgoing filler jet. The invention accordingly provides for a departure from known, rotationally symmetrical cross sections. Instead, an exit surface is selected that is non-rotationally symmetric and in particular non-circular. The exit surface may be quadrangular, in particular rectangular or square shaped. Likewise, the entrance surface may be quadrangular, in particular rectangular or square shaped. Although the shape of the entrance surface determines the shape of the filler jet less than the shape of the exit surface. However, a correspondingly shaped entrance surface has the advantage that the shape of the - connecting the entrance surface with the exit surface - channels can be made simpler and the flowing through the channels partial flows must be less deflected.

The inventive design of the exit and / or entrance surface, a filler jet is generated, whose cross-sectional area is also non-rotationally symmetrical, but for example, quadrangular shaped. In free fall, the cross-sectional area changes due to the surface tension again in the direction of a round cross-section. However, it has surprisingly been found that at relatively short heads - as they are common in most packaging - the non-rotationally symmetric cross-sectional area of the filling jet is at least partially maintained. The invention is therefore based on the principle to adapt the geometry of the filling jet to the base of the packaging to be filled.

According to one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the height of the exit surface is greater than its width. According to this embodiment, therefore, an exit surface is selected whose size is different in the two mutually perpendicular main directions. The exit surface may be shaped approximately rectangular, for example. Preferably, the height of the Exit surface at least 1.3 times, in particular at least 1.4 times greater than their width.

Similarly, the height of the entrance surface may be greater than its width. The height of the entrance surface is preferably at least 1.3 times, in particular at least 1.4 times greater than its width.

A development of the invention provides that the inlets and / or the outlets of the channels are arranged in one plane. The arrangement of the inlets in a plane has the advantage that all inlets can be sealed at the same time safely by a particularly simple-shaped, in particular by a flat sealing element. The arrangement of the outlets in a plane has the advantage that all partial flows simultaneously detach from the underside of the device and thus at the same time be exposed to the acceleration of gravity. Preferably, the plane in which the inlets of the channels are arranged is parallel to the plane in which the outlets of the channels are arranged. This has - at least in straight channels - the advantage that the channels are the same length and thus the friction-induced slowing down of the partial flows in all channels is about the same size.

According to a further teaching of the invention it is provided that the inlets and / or the outlets of the off-center channels are arranged in a circle on rings around the central axis of the device. By an off-center channel is meant any channel which does not run along the central axis of the device. According to this teaching several channels can be arranged so that their inlets and / or their outlets are equidistant from the central axis. In this way, a uniformly shaped filling jet can be produced.

An embodiment of the invention provides that the inlets and / or the outlets are arranged on the outermost ring in two opposite and separate groups. In other words, the outermost ring is not fully occupied by inlets / outlets. By this configuration is achieved that despite the basically annular arrangement of the inlets and / or outlets an entrance surface and / or an exit surface is made possible, whose width and height are different. As a result of this embodiment, it is thus also possible for a ring-shaped arrangement of the inlets and / or outlets to form a non-rotationally symmetrical inlet surface and / or a non-rotationally symmetrical outlet surface.

According to the invention, it is additionally provided that the number of channels is at least 30 and lies in the range between 30 and 50. The total flow is to be divided according to this training in a particularly high number of partial flows. This has the advantage that the speed and direction of this partial flow can be set individually for each partial flow, so that even complex shapes and velocity profiles of the filler jet can be achieved. In addition, a high number of channels leads to a larger contact area between the flow and the channel, which reduces the risk of dripping if the filling is interrupted due to the capillary action.

According to the invention, it is also provided that the center axes of the off-center channels are arranged inclined with respect to the central axis of the device by an inclination angle. Due to the inclination of the off-center channels, the partial flows in these channels can also receive a horizontal pulse in addition to a vertical pulse. This allows a particularly variable design of the shape of the filling jet. The affected channels may be inclined outwards or inwards, viewed in the flow direction. An outward inclination spreads or divides the filling jet and directs it laterally against the walls of the packaging. In this way, the packaging is particularly gentle and largely filled without foaming. An inward inclination, however, allows a particularly sharp, concentrated filling jet.

For this embodiment, it is further proposed that the inclination angle is in the range between 1 ° and 6 °. The angle of inclination is the angle that is between the central axis of the device and the central axis of the corresponding channel. The specified range may in turn relate to an outward inclination or an inward inclination.

According to the invention it is also provided that the inclination angle of the off-center channels increases with increasing distance of the channels to the central axis of the device, in particular increases steadily or monotonically. The inclination of the channels should therefore be the greater the further out the channel is arranged. The stronger inclination of the outer channels is particularly advantageous when tilting inwards, since in this way a particularly slender, concentrated filling jet can be achieved.

According to the invention, it is additionally provided that each inlet of a channel has a first cross-sectional area and each outlet of a channel has a second cross-sectional area, and that the second cross-sectional area of at least one channel is greater than the first cross-sectional area of this channel. Preferably, the second cross-sectional area of each channel is greater than the first cross-sectional area of that channel. In other words, the cross-sectional area of the channels increases in the flow direction, ie from the inlet in the direction of the outlet. The enlargement of the cross-sectional area can be uniform and continuous or monotonous. According to the laws of fluid mechanics, in particular the law of Bernoulli, an increase in the cross-sectional area leads to a proportional decrease in the flow velocity. This formation of the channels thus leads to a slowing down of the flowing part of the channel flow. The quotient of the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area is therefore always smaller than one and represents a measure of the degree of deceleration. This quotient can therefore also be referred to as a "deceleration factor"; its reciprocal can be referred to as "acceleration factor".

For this embodiment, it is further proposed that the quotient of the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area in each channel is in the range between 0.35 and 0.75. This means that the cross-sectional area at the inlet each channel is only about 35% to 75% of the cross-sectional area at the outlet of that channel. Each individual channel should therefore contribute to a significant increase in the cross-sectional area and consequent slowing down of the flow, which lies within the stated range. It may be provided that the quotient of the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area-that is, the deceleration factor-is identical for each channel; alternatively, the quotients may also vary within said range between the channels, so that the slowing of the flow for each channel may be individually adjusted.

Another teaching of the invention finally provides that the off-center channels have a distance from the central axis of the device and that the quotient of the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area decreases with increasing distance of the off-center channels to the central axis of the device, in particular decreases steadily or monotonically. This teaching therefore provides that the quotient of the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area-that is, the deceleration factor-is smaller for the outer channels than for the further inner channels. The flow should therefore be slowed down more in the outer channels than in the more inward channels. Preferably, the further down the channel the lower the deceleration factor.

The device described above can be used in all the illustrated embodiments particularly well for filling food, in particular for the aseptic filling of food. The foods may be, for example, milk, fruit juice, sauces or yoghurt.

Fig. 1a

eine aus dem Stand der Technik bekannte Fülldüse,

Fig. 1b

einen vergrößerten Ausschnitt der Platte der Fülldüse aus Fig. 1a im Querschnitt,

Fig. 1c

die Platte der Fülldüse aus Fig. 1a entlang der in Fig. 1a eingezeichneten Schnittebene Ic-Ic,

Fig. 2a

eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zur Veränderung der Strahlform von fließfähigen Produkten im Querschnitt,

Fig. 2b

die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 2a im Querschnitt entlang der in Fig. 2a eingezeichneten Schnittebene IIb-IIb, und

Fig. 2c

die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 2a im Querschnitt entlang der in Fig. 2a eingezeichneten Schnittebene IIc-IIc.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing only a preferred embodiment. In the drawing show:

Fig. 1a

a filling nozzle known from the prior art,

Fig. 1b

an enlarged section of the plate of the filling nozzle Fig. 1a in cross section,

Fig. 1c

the plate of the filling nozzle Fig. 1a along the in Fig. 1a Plotted section plane Ic-Ic,

Fig. 2a

a device according to the invention for changing the jet shape of flowable products in cross section,

Fig. 2b

the device off Fig. 2a in cross-section along the in Fig. 2a Plotted sectional plane IIb-IIb, and

Fig. 2c

the device off Fig. 2a in cross-section along the in Fig. 2a Plotted section plane IIc-IIc.

In Fig. 1 a filling nozzle 1 known from the prior art is shown in cross-section. The filling nozzle 1 comprises a body 2 and a round plate 3 for shaping the flow. The plate 3 can be exchangeably inserted into the body 2 by fitting a circumferential flange 4 provided on the plate 3 on a projection 5 provided on the body 2. The plate 3 has several holes 6, the one - in Fig. 1a schematically represented by arrows - allow flow through the filling nozzle 1 with flowable products. After emerging from the filling nozzle 1, the flowable products form a jet 7 whose outer contour in Fig. 1 is shown. Through the body 2 and the plate 3 centrally extends a central axis eighth

Fig. 1b shows an enlarged section of the plate 3 of the filling nozzle 1 from Fig. 1a in cross section. Already related to Fig. 1a described areas of the plate 3 are in Fig. 1b provided with corresponding reference numerals. The plate 3 has an upper side 9 for the entry of the flowable products and a lower side 10 for the outlet of the flowable products. The top 9 is connected through the holes 6 with the bottom 10. Each of the holes 6 has an inlet 11 and an outlet 12, wherein the inlets 11 of the holes 6 are associated with the top 9 and wherein the outlets 12 of the holes 6 are associated with the bottom 10. At the in Fig. 1b Plate 3 shown all run holes 6 parallel to the central axis 8 of the plate 3 and thus have no inclination. In addition, the cross-sectional area of all the holes 6 is identical and does not change in the flow direction, that is, from the inlet 11 to the outlet 12. The top 9 is formed by a plane in which the inlets 11 of the holes 6 are located. In contrast, the bottom 10 is formed by a curved surface in which the outlets 12 of the holes 6 are located. The underside 10 is curved in such a way that those holes 6 which lie in the vicinity of the central axis 8 are longer than those holes 6 which lie in the edge region of the plate 3. At the edges of the outlets 12 circumferential chamfers 13 may be provided.

In Fig. 1c is the plate 3 of the filling nozzle 1 from Fig. 1a along the in Fig. 1a drawn cutting plane Ic-Ic, so viewed from the bottom, shown. Also in Fig. 1c are already related to Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b described areas of the plate 3 provided with corresponding reference numerals. For the sake of clarity, was in Fig. 1c dispensed with a representation of the body 2. Fig. 1c illustrates that a plurality of holes 6 are arranged close to each other and thereby almost the entire surface of the plate. 3 taking. In the Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b and Fig. 1c shown filling nozzle 1 largely corresponds to that of the EP 2 078 678 A1 known filling nozzle.

Fig. 2a shows a device 14 according to the invention for changing the jet shape of flowable products in cross section. The device 14 has an integrally formed housing 15, which comprises an inlet region 16 for the entry of the flowable products and an outlet region 17 for the outlet of the flowable products. Between the inlet region 16 and the outlet region 17, a plurality of channels 18 for the passage of the flowable products in the housing 15 are arranged. The channels 18 each have an inlet 19 assigned to the inlet region 16 and an outlet 20 associated with the outlet region 17. At the in Fig. 2a shown device 14 are both the inlet region 16 - and thus also the inlets 19 - and the outlet region 17 - and thus also the outlets 20 - arranged in a plane, wherein the two planes are parallel to each other. Finally, the device 14 has on its upper side a circumferential flange 21, in which a plurality of bores 22 are introduced. About the holes 22, the device 14 can be connected, for example, with a filling machine.

In Fig. 2a Furthermore, a valve rod 23 is shown with a sealing element 24. Although these components are not part of the device 14, but serve to explain their operation. To the - in Fig. 2a schematically illustrated by arrows - to interrupt flow through the device 14, the valve rod 23 is lowered, so that the sealing element 24 is pressed onto the inlet region 16 and closes the inlets 19 of the channels 18 arranged there. Through the valve rod 23, the sealing element 24 and the device 14 centrally extends a central axis 25th

At the in Fig. 2a By way of example, the channel 18 may be divided into a central channel 18 'and a plurality of off-center channels 18 ", the central axis of the central channel 18' corresponding to the central axis 25 of the device, the central channel 18 'being straight down and standing The central axes of the off-center channels 18 "are, however, inclined relative to the central axis 25 of the device 14 by an angle of inclination .alpha .. The angle of inclination α of the off-center channels 18" increases with increasing distance of the channels 18 In other words, those eccentric channels 18 "with the greatest distance to the central axis 18" - ie the radially outer channels 18 "- the most inclined. The off-center channels 18 "are inclined in the direction of the central axis 25 as seen in the flow direction, so that the outlets 20 of the channels 18" are closer to the central axis 25 than the inlets 19 of the channels 18 ".

The channels 18 of in Fig. 2a The device 14 shown by way of example has a first cross-sectional area 26 and a second cross-sectional area 27, the first cross-sectional area 26 being measured at the inlets 19 and the second cross-sectional area 27 being measured at the outlets 20. The channels 18 of in Fig. 2a The device 14 shown is characterized in that the second cross-sectional area 27 of each channel 18 is greater than the first cross-sectional area 26 of this channel 18. This affects both the central channel 18 'and the off-center channels 18 ". In other words, the cross-sectional area increases the channels 18 seen in the flow direction from their inlets 19 to their outlets 20th

Fig. 2b shows the device 14 from Fig. 2a in cross-section along the in Fig. 2a Plotted sectional plane IIb-IIb. In Fig. 2b Accordingly, a view of the inlet region 16 of the device 14 is shown. Already related to Fig. 2a described areas of the device 14 are in Fig. 2b provided with corresponding reference numerals. In Fig. 2b it can be seen that the device 14 has a circular cross-section. The circular area of the entrance area 16 may be at the in Fig. 2b are exemplified device 14 divided into sealing regions 28 and four inlet regions 29, each of which covers approximately a range of 90 °. The sealing areas 28 are for sealing installation of - in Fig. 2b not shown - sealing element 24 determined. In two of the four inlet regions 29 nine off-center channels 18 "are arranged, in the other two inlet regions 29 eleven eccentric channels 18" are arranged. The inlets 19 of the channels 18 "can be seen in all the inlet regions 29. The central channel 18 'lies in the middle of the inlet region 16. The inlets 19 of the channels 18 of the channels 18" in FIG Fig. 2b The eccentric channels 18 "are arranged in a circle around three concentric rings around the central channel 18 ', and the first innermost ring has ten channels 18" (two inlet regions 29 with two channels 18 "each). and two inlet regions 29, each with three channels 18 "). The second ring has eighteen channels 18 "(two inlet regions 29 each with four channels 18" and two inlet regions 29 with five channels 18 ") and the third - not completely occupied - ring has twelve channels 18" (four inlet regions 29 with three channels 18 "each) .Therefore, there are forty-one channels 18 in total.

At the in Fig. 2b The inlet 19 is formed by lines or curve, which include all the inlets 19 and thus affect the edges of the outer inlets 19. The twelve inlets 19 on the outermost ring are arranged in two opposite and separate groups, so that the height H of the entrance surface 30 is substantially greater than its width B. The shape of the entrance surface 30 is approximately rectangular.

Fig. 2c shows the device 14 from Fig. 2a in cross-section along the in Fig. 2a Plotted section plane IIc-IIc. In Fig. 2c Accordingly, a look at the exit region 17 of the device 14 is shown. Already related to Fig. 2a or Fig. 2b described areas of the device 14 are in Fig. 2c provided with corresponding reference numerals. In contrast to the surface of the inlet region 16, the surface of the outlet region 17 is no longer subdivided into sealing regions 28 and inlet regions 29, since firstly there is no need for a surface to abut the sealing element 24 and secondly more surface area for in this region enlarged channel cross sections is needed. Therefore, the channels 18 in the plane of the exit region 17 only separated by very narrow webs 31 from each other. Also in the exit region 17, the off-center channels 18 "are arranged on three concentric rings around the central channel 18 ', of which the outermost ring is not completely occupied.

At the in Fig. 2c By way of example, the outlets 20 together form an outlet surface 32 lying in the exit region 17 and having a width B 'and a height H'. The exit surface 32 is formed by lines or curves that enclose all the outlets 20 and thus tangent the edges of the outer outlets 20. The twelve outlets 20 on the outermost ring are arranged in two opposite and separate groups, so that the height H 'of the exit surface 32 is substantially greater than its width B'. The shape of the exit surface 32 is therefore approximately rectangular.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1:

filling nozzle

2:

body

3:

plate

4:

flange

5:

head Start

6:

hole

7:

beam

8th:

central axis

9:

top

10:

bottom

11:

inlet

12:

outlet

13:

chamfer

14:

device

15:

casing

16:

entry area

17:

exit area

18, 18 ', 18 ":

channel

19:

inlet

20:

outlet

21:

flange

22:

drilling

23:

valve rod

24:

sealing element

25:

central axis

26:

first cross-sectional area

27:

second cross-sectional area

28:

sealing area

29:

intake area

30:

entry surface

31:

web

32:

exit area

H, H ':

height

B, B ':

width

Claims (12)

1. Device (14) for altering the jet shape of free-flowing products, in particular of foodstuffs, comprising:

   - an entry region (16) for the entry of the free-flowing products,

   - an exit region (17) for the exit of the free-flowing products, and

   - several ducts (18) for conveying the free-flowing products,

   - wherein each duct (18) has an inlet (19) associated with the entry region (16) and an outlet (20) associated with the exit region (17),

   - wherein the inlets (19) together form an entry surface (30) with a width (B) and a height (H) located in the entry region (16), and

   - wherein the outlets (20) together form an exit surface (32) with a width (B') and a height (H') located in the exit region (17),

   - wherein each inlet (19) of a duct (18) has a first cross-section surface (26) and each outlet (20) of a duct (18) has a second cross-section surface (27),

   - wherein the second cross-section surface (27) of at least one duct (18) is larger than the first cross-section area (26) of this duct, and

   - wherein the exit surface (32) is not rotationally symmetric,

   characterised in that
   the number of ducts (18) is in the range of 30 to 50, in that the central axes of the eccentric ducts (18") are arranged inclined at an angle of inclination (α) to the central axis (25) of the device (14), and in that the angle of inclination (α) of the eccentric ducts (18") increases as the distance of the ducts (18") from the central axis (25) of the device (14) increases.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the height (H') of the exit surface (32) is greater than its width (B').
3. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the height (H') of the exit surface (32) is at least 1.3 times, in particular at least 1.4 times greater than its width (B').
4. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the height (H) of the entry surface (30) is greater than its width (B).
5. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the height (H) of the entry surface (30) is at least 1.3 times, in particular at least 1.4 times greater than its width (B).
6. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the inlets (19) and/or the outlets (20) of the ducts are arranged in a single plane.
7. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the inlets (19) and/or the outlets (20) of the eccentric ducts (18") are arranged in a circular manner in rings around the central axis (25) of the device (14).
8. Device according to Claim 7, characterised in that the inlets (19) and/or the outlets (20) on the outermost ring are arranged in two groups opposing and separate from each other.
9. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the angle of inclination (α) is in the range of 1° to 6°.
10. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the quotient of the first cross-section surface (26) and the second cross-section surface (27) for each duct (18) is in the range of 0.35 to 0.75.
11. Device according to either of Claims 1 or 10, characterised in that the eccentric channels (18") have a distance from the central axis (25) of the device (14) and in that the quotient of the first cross-section surface (26) and the second cross-section surface (27) decreases as the distance of the eccentric channels (18") from the central axis of the device (14) increases.
12. Use of a device according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, for the filing of foodstuffs, in particular for aseptic filling of foodstuffs.

Images