U.S. patent application number 12/061473 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-06 for rotary filling machine for filling containers with liquids.
This patent application is currently assigned to GRUPPO BERTOLASO S.p.A.. Invention is credited to Dario Benetti, Stefano Stefanello, Gianluca Stella.
Application Number | 20080271812 12/061473 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39791019 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080271812 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stefanello; Stefano ; et
al. |
November 6, 2008 |
ROTARY FILLING MACHINE FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH LIQUIDS
Abstract
Rotary filling machine for filling containers with liquids,
which comprises a rotating carousel (4) having, mounted along its
periphery, a plurality of filling valves (6). Each filling valve
(6) has an outer pipe (7) for supplying the liquid from a storage
tank (20) to a container (30) to be filled with said liquid, and an
inner compensation pipe (8) for defining the liquid level inside
said container (3) mounted concentrically with the outer pipe (7).
Actuator means are envisaged for each filling valve (6) and, by
means of transmission means (101), vary simultaneously and in an
adjustable manner the vertical position of the compensation pipes
(8) of all the filling valves (6) with respect to the position of a
seal (13) mounted underneath the tank (20) so as to receive against
it the mouth of the containers (3).
Inventors: |
Stefanello; Stefano; (San
Bonifacio (Verona), IT) ; Benetti; Dario; (Zimella
(Verona), IT) ; Stella; Gianluca; (Noventa Vicentina
(Vicenza), IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROWDY AND NEIMARK, P.L.L.C.;624 NINTH STREET, NW
SUITE 300
WASHINGTON
DC
20001-5303
US
|
Assignee: |
GRUPPO BERTOLASO S.p.A.
Zimella
IT
|
Family ID: |
39791019 |
Appl. No.: |
12/061473 |
Filed: |
April 2, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/64 ;
141/242 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67C 2003/2668 20130101;
B67C 3/004 20130101; B67C 3/262 20130101; B67C 2003/2651 20130101;
B67C 3/2637 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/64 ;
141/242 |
International
Class: |
B65B 3/32 20060101
B65B003/32; B65B 31/04 20060101 B65B031/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 3, 2007 |
IT |
VI2007A000100 |
Nov 12, 2007 |
EP |
07120506.6 |
Claims
1. Rotary filling machine for filling containers with liquids,
which comprises: a rotating carousel (4) having, mounted along its
periphery, a plurality of filling valves (6), each of which has: at
least two coaxial pipes (7, 8), i.e. an outer pipe (7) for
supplying the liquid from a storage tank (20) to a container (30)
to be filled with said liquid; and an inner compensation pipe (8)
for defining the liquid level inside said container (3); at least
one seal (13) mounted underneath the tank (20) and arranged
concentrically and externally with respect to said pipes and able
to receive against it the mouth of said container (3);
characterized in that it comprises first actuator means acting on
at least said inner compensation pipe (8) of each filling valve (6)
by means of transmission means (101) so as to vary simultaneously
in an adjustable manner the vertical position of said compensation
pipes (8) of all the filling valves (6) with respect to said seal
(13).
2. Rotary filling machine according to claim 1, in which said
coaxial pipes (7, 8) define between them a duct for conveying
liquid between said storage tank (20) and said container (3) and in
which said coaxial pipes (7, 8) are movable slidably with respect
to each other so as to open and close a closing member (120)
arranged between them.
3. Rotary filling machine according to claim 2, in which said
transmission means comprise at least one regulating ring (17) fixed
by means of mechanical transmissions (10) to the outer liquid
supply pipe (7) of each of said filling valves (6).
4. Rotary filling machine according to claim 1, in which said
coaxial pipes (7, 8) pass through the lid (105) and the bottom
(106) of said tank (20), there being provided at least one upper
seal (106) and at least one bottom seal (107) through which said
pipes (7, 8) slide following operation of said first actuator means
(100).
5. Rotary filling machine according to claim 1, characterized in
that it comprises an extension guide (11) fixed underneath to the
bottom (20) of said tank (20) concentrically and externally with
respect to said pipes (7, 8) and having said seal (130) fixed to
its bottom, end.
6. Rotary filling machine according to claim 1, characterized in
that each valve comprises second actuator means (28) supported by
said outer pipe (7) and movable therewith, being able to act on the
top end of said inner compensation pipe (8) so as to vary its
relative position with respect to said outer pipe (7), causing
opening of said closing member (120).
7. Rotary filling machine according to claim 3, characterized in
that said outer pipe (7) has, at its top end, a widened part (102)
for fastening to the corresponding transmission (110) of said
transmission means (101).
8. Rotary filling machine according to claim 6, characterized in
that each said filling valve (6) including said coaxial pipes (7,
8), said second actuator means (28), said closing member (120) and
at least one valve (12A, 12B) arranged so as to intercept said
inner compensation pipe (8) is operated to move vertically in a
controlled manner by said first actuator means (100).
9. Rotary filling machine according to claim 6, characterized in
that it is equipped with a logic control unit able to store the
heightwise positions of said pipes (7, 8) corresponding to
different formats of containers (3) and reproduce them by operating
said first actuator means (100).
10. Rotary filling machine according to claim 1, characterized in
that it comprises a pressurised circuit (29) intercepted by a
second valve (19) mounted on said extension guide (11) at the
bottom end in the vicinity of the receiving cone of said container
(3) and able to blow inert gas into said container (3) through
holes formed in said seal (13), and at least one third valve
mounted so as to intercept said compensation pipe (8), said
pressure circuit (29) with said second and third valves open being
able to force, with the inert pressurised gas, the excess liquid
level contained inside said container (3) through said compensation
pipe (8), inside said tank (20) or into a separate recovery circuit
(16).
11. Rotary filling machine according to claim 1, characterized in
that said second actuator means (28) consist of a pneumatic
cylinder (28) for each valve (6).
12. Rotary filling machine according to claim 1, characterized in
that said concentric pipes (7, 8) can be operated by said first
actuator means (100) so as to move upwards until they are retracted
completely inside said extension guide (11), so as to form, with a
closing lid (32), a closed receptacle (16) suitable for allowing
recirculation of a flushing product both inside and outside the
surface of the filling valve (6).
Description
FIELD OF APPLICATION
[0001] The present invention relates to a rotary filling machine
for filling containers with liquids, according to the preamble of
the main claim.
[0002] The machine in question is advantageously intended to be
used in industrial bottling plants for filling containers, and
preferably bottles, with liquids in particular of the alimentary
type, such as beverages, wine, mineral water, etc.
[0003] The machine in question can be preferably used in bottling
lines comprising typically a rinsing machine, a capping/capsuling
machine or also, along the part of the line furthest downstream, a
labelling machine and a packaging machine.
[0004] More precisely, the machine in question is of the type which
is provided, in a per se entirely conventional manner, with a
rotating carousel (or turret) having, mounted along its periphery,
a plurality of filling valves which are able to convey the liquid
contained in a cylindrical tank inside the bottles.
STATE OF THE ART
[0005] As is known, depending on the methods used to perform the
filling operations, filling machines are commonly classified as
reduced-vacuum machines, isobaric machines, reduced-pressure
machines, gravity machines, etc.
[0006] Reduced-vacuum filling machines have been designed mainly
for filling containers with wines which are gas-free and are able
to operate so that the pressure inside the container is reduced to
the pressure (below atmospheric pressure) of the tank inside which
the liquid to be introduced is stored and so that the air contained
in the container is conveyed externally without coming into contact
with the product. The valves of these machines, according to
standard construction technology, usually consist of a set of
concentric tubes (usually two in number) one of which is inserted
inside the other one; the outer tube is used for introducing the
liquid into the bottle, while the air or gas contained inside the
bottle rises up along the inner tube.
[0007] So-called isobaric filling machines have been designed
mainly for filling containers with fizzy wines and operate under
pressures much higher than atmospheric pressure. Filling of the
containers is performed when the final pressure in the container is
the same as the pressure inside a tank which is suitably mounted
above the valves.
[0008] Reduced-pressure filling machines perform bottling in
conditions where there is a slight pressure such that the fluid
retains a small amount of gas, but without being subject to the
technical requirements and regulations governing isobaric machines.
This latter type of machine is particularly suitable for bottling
smooth products and liquids which are slightly tizzy.
[0009] Volumetric or gravity filling machines envisage that filling
is performed by means of free falling and constant metering; in
this case, the product, drawn from a container, is conveyed to a
series of metering devices and dispensed by the latter into the
containers.
[0010] The filling machines of the known type described above
provide ample possibility for adjusting, by means of a simplified
user interface, the operating times and pressures of the filling
valves. Owing to the possibility of adjusting the times required by
the valves to execute given filling steps, it is possible to
optimize the operations in relation to the instantaneous speed of
the filling machine and the type of product to be bottled.
[0011] Another increasingly urgent requirement in the bottling
industry, in particular in the sector for bottling alimentary
products, is the development of filling machines with bottling
cycles performed in the presence of inert gas in order to avoid
oxidation effects.
[0012] In this connection the patent WO 99/03774 describes a
filling machine which performs pre-evacuation of the air present in
the bottle and the subsequent blowing-in of inert gas.
[0013] A further characteristic of more modern filling machines is
the possibility of performing daily complete flushing, and in
particular flushing of any part of the machine which comes into
contact with the alimentary products to be bottled.
[0014] The filling machines which exist at present on the market,
in particular for the wine industry, envisage typically a
preparation and setting stage for adapting the filling product and
the quantity of product to be introduced into the container to the
format of the container to be filled.
[0015] These adaptation operations performed by the operator result
in production downtime, the risk of contaminating the machine and
generally allow only separate and not continuous adjustment which
is therefore by its nature somewhat imprecise.
[0016] At present a change in format of the bottle results in the
need to perform several replacement and/or adjustment operations in
order to adapt various mechanical parts of the machine to the new
format. In particular, these operations must be performed for the
means which transfer bottles (for example from the conveyor belts
to the support plates) and for the valve filling pipes (or
tubes).
[0017] The latter must in fact be replaced in all the valves with
other different-size tubes using operating spanners or quick-fit
connections or else must be adjusted in all the valves for example
by means of screwing or unscrewing of telescopic parts.
[0018] During a format change, normally the container centring cone
mounted underneath the valve must also be replaced.
[0019] More recently, filling machines able to perform the
heightwise adjustment of all the valve filling tubes simultaneously
have been introduced onto the market.
[0020] This adjustment is achieved by means of overly complex
mechanisms which slow down circulation of the liquids, increasing
the loss of head therein and basically proving to be too expensive
from a cost point of view and operationally disadvantageous.
[0021] At present, therefore, each format change requires the
intervention of specialized operators in particular to modify the
setting of the air return tubes.
[0022] This fact results in numerous drawbacks, including a loss of
productivity due to the momentary stoppage of production along the
whole bottling line (until the adjustment operations have been
completed) and the risk of contaminating the container filling
parts.
[0023] Another drawback associated with the format change-over
operations consists in the need for the company to provide
competent and expert technicians who are able to manage correctly
and quickly all the above-mentioned adjustment operations.
[0024] Finally a further drawback consists in the risk that the
operator may perform inadvertently an incorrect manoeuvre which may
result in a major malfunction and therefore also serious damage to
the entire line.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0025] In this situation, the main object of the present invention
is therefore that of overcoming the drawbacks of the art known
hitherto by providing a rotary filling machine for filling
containers with liquids, which allows a change in format of the
containers to be performed simply and rapidly.
[0026] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
rotary filling machine for filling containers with liquids, which
allows adjustment of the level in the containers to be performed
automatically and with a high degree of precision and
reliability.
[0027] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
rotary filling machine for filling containers with liquids, which
allows changing of the specific settings for each user, relating to
the parameters associated with the bottles, the product and the
filling temperature.
[0028] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
rotary filling machine for filling containers with liquids, which
allows optimization of the flushing operations as regards speed and
working times and quality of flushing performed.
[0029] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
rotary filling machine for filling containers with liquids, which
allows the operator to switch over easily via a control panel the
operating cycle envisaged between reduced-vacuum filling,
reduced-pressure filling and finally gravity filling.
[0030] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
rotary filling machine for filling containers with liquids, which
is extremely safe for operators and highly reliable in terms of
operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] The technical features of the invention, in accordance with
the abovementioned objects, may be clearly determined from the
claims below and the advantages thereof will emerge more clearly
from the detailed description which follows, provided with
reference to the accompanying drawings which show a purely
exemplary and non-limiting embodiment thereof, where:
[0032] FIG. 1 shows a plan and overall view of the rotary filling
machine for filling containers with liquids, according to the
present invention;
[0033] FIG. 2 shows a side view of an enlarged detail of the
machine according to FIG. 1 with some parts removed so that other
parts may be seen more clearly, relating to a filling valve mounted
on a tank;
[0034] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the valve according
to FIG. 2;
[0035] FIG. 4 shows an overall perspective view of the rotary
filling machine for filling containers with liquids, according to
the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 5 shows a side view of an enlarged detail of the
machine according to FIG. 1 with some parts removed so that other
parts may be seen more clearly, relating to a different embodiment
of a filling valve mounted on a tank with an associated
fast-discharge tray;
[0037] FIG. 6 shows a side view of an enlarged detail of the
machine according to FIG. 1 with some parts removed so that other
parts may be seen more clearly, relating to a filling valve mounted
on a tank with, indicated, a lid for flushing the valve;
[0038] FIG. 7 shows a side view of en enlarged detail of the
machine according to FIG. 1 with some parts removed so that other
parts may be seen more clearly, relating to a filling valve mounted
on a tank with, indicated, first actuating means acting by means of
transmission means so as to raise a pair of coaxial pipes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EXAMPLE OF EMBODIMENT
[0039] With reference to the accompanying drawings, 1 denotes in
its entirety the rotary filling machine for filling containers with
liquids, according to the present invention.
[0040] The abovementioned machine 1 may be arranged, in a per se
entirely conventional manner, inside a bottling plant, for example
downstream of a rinsing machine and upstream of a capping machine
to which it is operationally connected by means of conveying
means.
[0041] The filling machine 1 (FIG. 4) is provided with an external
frame 23, protective walls 24, 25 on the perimeter of the machine 1
and an external cabin la containing the electric and electronic
operating devices (FIG. 1).
[0042] The machine is also provided, in a manner known per se, with
a rotating carousel or turret 4 arranged inside the frame 23 and
having, mounted along its periphery, a plurality of filling valves
6.
[0043] The containers 3, in particular bottles, to be filled are
inserted inside the frame 23 and loaded onto the guide or conveyor
belt 2 so that they proceed in the direction and sense defined by
the entry arrow F1 and exit arrow FU.
[0044] The containers 3 must preferably be filled with alimentary
substances such as milk, wine, fruit juice, etc., and for this
purpose are conveyed, one after another, along the guide belt 2 and
then transported into the vicinity of an entry starwheel 31 of the
carousel 4 which performs, by means of the filling valves 6, all
the steps necessary for bottling.
[0045] The actual presence of the containers 3 is verified by means
of a sensor 22 which is situated at the end of the feeder screw 26
and immediately ahead of the entry starwheel 31 and is able to stop
operation of the corresponding filling valve 6 should there be no
containers 3 entering the carousel 4.
[0046] If there should be no container 3, operation of the
individual filling valve 6, but not the filling machine 1 is
interrupted, the latter continuing to operate correctly so as to
keep the productivity high since the following container 3 may be
correctly filled.
[0047] Each valve 6 has a pair of coaxial pipes 7, 8, i.e. an outer
pipe 7 for supplying the liquid from a storage tank 20 to the
container 3 to be filled which rotates on the carousel 4 underneath
the corresponding valve 6, and an inner compensation pipe 8 (or air
return tube) for determining the level of liquid inside the
container 3.
[0048] The bottom portion of the pipes (or tubes) 7 and 8 is shaped
so as to be inserted along at least a section of the neck of the
bottle 3.
[0049] In particular, the terminal section of the inner
compensation pipe 8 is intended to regulate hydraulically the
maximum level of the liquid inside the container 3 as will be
clearly specified below.
[0050] The liquid conveying duct is advantageously defined by the
interspace existing between the outer surface of the inner
compensation pipe 8 and the inner surface of the outer liquid
supply pipe 7.
[0051] The two pipes 7, 8 are movable slidably with respect to each
other so as to open and close a closing member arranged between
them and, in accordance with a preferred solution of the present
invention, consisting of a head-piece 120 fixed to the bottom end
of the compensation pipe 8 against which the mouth 121 situated at
the bottom end of the liquid supply pipe 7 is able to come into
contact. Therefore, opening of the closing member 120 will occur
when the outer pipe 7 is displaced with respect to the inner pipe
8, leaving a fluid flow aperture open.
[0052] More generally, the conveying duct is defined by the
interspace between two concentric pipes, i.e. outer pipe and inner
pipe. Therefore, differently from the embodiment described above it
will be possible to envisage providing a dedicated compensation and
air return pipe situated concentrically inside the two outer pipes
between which there will still be defined the duct for supplying
the liquid from the tank 20 to the container 3 with the closing
member arranged in between in a manner similar to that described
above.
[0053] The closing member in the conveying duct may also be formed
in another way known per se, such as, for example, by a widened
nose-shaped portion of the inner pipe of the conveying duct able to
come into contact against the annular shoulder provided on the
inner side of the outer pipe of the conveying duct.
[0054] An extension guide 11 extends vertically downwards from the
bottom 104 of the tank 20, said guide being coaxial and external
with respect to the two pipes 7 and 8 and having, fixed at the
bottom end, a seal 13 which is able to receive against it the mouth
of the container 3.
[0055] According to the idea underlying the present invention, the
filling machine 1 comprises first actuator means 100 acting on the
compensation pipe 8 of each filling valve 6 by means of
transmission means 101 so as to vary simultaneously in an
adjustable manner the vertical position of all the compensation
pipes 8 with respect to the seal 13.
[0056] The position of the compensation pipe 8 with respect to the
seal 13 determines the portion of the said compensation pipe 8
which penetrates into the container 3 and therefore, as will be
clarified below, the filling level 9 inside the said container
3.
[0057] In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention shown in the accompanying figures, the first actuator
means 100 act on the outer pipe 7 of each filling valve 6 by means
of transmission means 101, varying simultaneously in an adjustable
manner the vertical position of both the pipes 7, 8 with respect to
the seal 13. In this case, the transmission of the vertical
movement to the compensation pipe 8 by the outer pipe is achieved
by means of mechanical connections between the two pipes 7 and 8
and advantageously consisting of a spring 15 fixed at its ends to
the pipes 7, 8.
[0058] It will be possible to envisage providing a dedicated
compensation and air return pipe situated concentrically inside two
other outer pipes between which the duct for supplying liquid from
the tank to the container with the arrangement in between of the
closing member will remain defined.
[0059] Furthermore, the term "seal" 13 must be understood as
referring to that part which is fixed to the tank 20 (in the
examples consisting of a bottom end part of the extension guide 11
fixed underneath the tank) and against which the mouth of the
container is intended to come into contact both directly and via a
centring cone arranged in between (in this latter case the rubber
seal will be on the centring cone and not on the end contact
part).
[0060] At the start of operation, namely whenever there is a change
in format of the containers 3, the machine 1 envisages an operation
for setting the level of the container 3; this adjustment is
entered by the operator directly on the panel, or one of the
settings previously recorded in a special logic control unit of the
machine is retrieved.
[0061] Depending on the commands imparted, the first actuator
means, for example consisting of an electromechanical system such
as, for example, one or more electric motors, operate
simultaneously all the filling valves 6, via transmission means 101
for example formed by a regulating ring 17 connected on the one
hand to the first actuator means 100 and fixed on the hand to the
outer liquid supply pipe 7 of each of the filling valves 6 by means
of mechanical transmission arms 10.
[0062] In greater detail, with reference to the example in FIG. 7,
the first actuator means consist of a motor 110 mounted on a motor
support bracket 111 which is connected by means of an angular
transmission to an internally threaded driven wheel 112 inside
which an acme-thread screw 113 fixed at its bottom end to the
regulating ring 17 engages.
[0063] Operationally speaking, activation of the motor 110 (to be
performed normally during machine set-up or at the start of a
working cycle or also upon a change in format of the containers)
causes, via the transmission means 101, raising and lowering of the
two pipes 7 and 8, adjusting the filling level 9 of the containers
3.
[0064] Obviously, without thereby departing from the scope of
protection of the present invention, the first actuator means 100
may be formed by other driving systems such as linear actuators or
other equivalent means for raising the ring 17. The transmission
means 101 may similarly in turn be formed with kinematic mechanisms
of various types which are well known to the person skilled in the
art.
[0065] For example, the outer pipe 7 may have advantageously at the
top end a widened part 102 for fastening to the corresponding
transmission 10 (for example between two parallel plates). The
transmission 10 may however, differently, also be connected to
other parts of the valve 6 in turn connected to the pipes 7 and
8.
[0066] Therefore the regulating ring 17 acts as a locating element
for determining the level 9 reached inside the containers 3, being
able to determine simultaneously the position of all the pipes 8
for compensating the level 9.
[0067] In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention shown in the accompanying figures, the coaxial pipes 7, 8
pass through the lid 104 and the bottom 105 of the tank 20, there
being provided an upper seal 106 and a bottom seal 107 through
which the pipes 7, 8 slide following operation of the first
actuator means 100.
[0068] Therefore, the abovementioned transmission 10 imparts a
vertical movement to the entire filling valve 6 (denoted by a
dot-dash line) so that the latter slides inside the tank 20 and the
extension guide 11.
[0069] Operationally speaking, the operating principle of the
machine 1 described above is as explained below.
[0070] The container 3 to be filled, in particular a bottle, once
it arrives underneath the respective filling valve 6, is brought
into sealing contact against the extension guide 11 by means of a
raising cylinder 5, while the vertical position of the filling
valve 6, which is predetermined as described, allows the level to
be obtained uniformly among all the filling valves 6 with a height
which may be defined entirely as desired.
[0071] This regulating system is extremely rapid as regards setting
thereof, has a fast movement and reliable dynamic seals and reaches
the given height in a precise manner. This movement system also has
the convenient advantage that it does not require any further
movement during operation with the same batch of containers 3,
reducing substantially wear and consumption.
[0072] The container 3 is rested on the raising cylinder 5 which
rises and brings the neck 14 of the container 3 (in the case in
question, the neck 14 of a bottle) into sealing contact with the
seal 13 situated underneath the filling valve 6, with a pressure
suitably designed to ensure optimum operation of the machine
according to the invention (FIGS. 2-4) and at the same time reduce
as far as possible the stresses acting on the neck 14; at the same
time, a first valve 18 of the filling valve 6 is opened and is
connected to a vacuum circuit by means of a first suitably
separated duct 27 and causes suction of all the air from the bottle
3
[0073] A vacuum is thus created inside the bottle 3 so as to
evacuate any polluting gas which may be present.
[0074] This is followed by closing of the first valve 18 of the
first vacuum duct 27, while the subsequent opening of a second
valve 19 connected to a second duct supplying inert gas under
pressure 29 allows the injection of inert gas inside the container
3. When a balance between the pressures inside the tank 20 of the
filling machine 1 and the inside of the container 3 is reached,
opening of the filling valve 6 is performed by means of operation
of second actuator means consisting of a pneumatic cylinder 28
which is mounted above the valve 6 and which is lowered by acting
on the top end of the compensation pipe 8 which is thus forced to
slide inside the outer pipe 7, causing opening of the closing
member 120.
[0075] Each regulating valve 6 is provided at the top, above the
tank 20, with associated second actuator means 28 which are
advantageously supported and fixed to the outer pipe 7 (together
with which they are therefore able to move) and are able act on the
top end of the inner compensation pipe 8 so as to vary the relative
position thereof with respect to the outer pipe 7, causing opening
of the closing member.
[0076] Lowering of the pneumatic cylinder 28 causes at the same
time also opening of a third valve 12B, which connects the inside
of the container 3 to a separate reduced-vacuum circuit 16 by means
of the compensation pipe 8, allowing filling of the container 3 to
the desired level 9 when the filling valve 6 closes again as a
result of the action of the spring 15 which pushes against the
action of the pneumatic cylinder 28, overcoming the pressure
thereof, when the latter is deactivated.
[0077] The pressure of the separate reduced-vacuum circuit 16 is
suitably stabilized in relation to the pressure of the tank 20 and
the inside of the container 3, in order to optimize the filing
speed and fluidity.
[0078] This pressure of the separate circuit 16 is typically,
although not exclusively, defined so that it is the same as the
internal pressure of the tank 20. The suitable introduction of the
abovementioned completely separate circuit 16 allows the total
evacuation of the gas contained inside the container 3, so as to
prevent in an entirely reliable manner the gas present in the
container 3 from contaminating the gas present inside the tank
20.
[0079] Once filling has been completed, after a predetermined
period of time, the third valve 12B closes, while a fourth valve
12A opens and connects the compensation pipe 8 inside the tank 20.
Release of the pneumatic cylinder 28 and suitable opening of the
second valve 19 connects the pressurised gas circuit 29 to the neck
14 of the container 3 and to the pipes of the filling valve 6 so
that the pressurised gas pushes the excess liquid through the
central hole of the compensation pipe 8.
[0080] Preferably, the excess liquid, instead of being introduced
again into the tank 20, may be conveyed to a separate recirculation
circuit 21 in order to prevent any possible contamination inside
the tank 20 of the filling machine 1. It is also possible to
provide a simplified version of the subject of the invention, in
which the valves 12A, 12b are combined as a single valve, which
envisages the return of self-levelling gas and liquid inside a
single separate return duct 16 or alternatively the return
completely into the tank 20.
[0081] Once the levelling stage has been completed, the valves 12A,
12B and 19 are closed so as to optimize the consumption of inert
gas and without any further movement of any mechanical part. During
the final descent of the container 3, opening of the second valve
19 occurs so as create a layer of inert gas inside the neck 14 of
the bottle (container 3) and all around, since opening of the
second valve 19 remains as such also during removal of the
container 3 from the filling valve 6.
[0082] As a result of the outflow of gas inside the neck 14 of the
container 3 and in the outer region thereof, while the compensation
pipe 8 has already been detached from the level 9 of the filling
liquid, it is possible to achieve final protection of the container
3 and ensure reduced exposure of the liquid to the air.
[0083] Only when the container 3 is detached from the filling valve
6 is there definitive closing of the second valve 19.
[0084] It is also possible to envisage a suitable variation in the
sequence of the cycle for flushing the neck 14 of the container 3.
This variation, which is absolutely preferable when the improved
filling apparatus reaches the maximum production speed, envisages
that, after correction of the level, suitable closing of only the
third and fourth valve 12A and 12B occurs and there is an immediate
separation of the neck 14 of the container 3 from the seal 13,
while the second valve 19 may remain open. In this way, the
downtime is advantageously recovered while reducing the possibility
of negative infiltration of harmful gases inside the neck 14 of the
container 3.
[0085] Owing to positioning, in each filling valve 6, of the first
and second valves 18 and 19 on the bottom of the extension guide
11, it is possible to optimize the time needed for execution of the
filling cycle operations, speeding up the vacuum and gas insertion
stages, since it is required to fill a smaller volume consisting of
only the container 3 (bottle) and the suitably sized through-holes
in the seal 13.
[0086] Moreover, advantageously, the valves 12A, 12B, 18, 19 are
electro-valves which are controlled by the logic control unit so
that the respective opening times are determined accurately in
order to optimize the filling cycle, it being possible to adjust
them independently for each filling valve 6, so as to optimize the
cycle for each filling valve 6, counteracting the effects of the
mechanical machining tolerances.
[0087] Moreover, the logic control unit is able to memorize the
heightwise positions of the pipes 7, 8 or the filling valves 6 to
which different container formats correspond and reproduce them
with operation of the first actuator means simply via a control
panel, so as to allow during a change in format of the bottles 3
rapid adjustment of the levels 9 set for all the filling valves
6.
[0088] Each filling valve 6 is operated so as to move vertically in
a controlled manner simultaneously by the first actuator means 100
for adjusting the level 9 in the container 3 and includes the
coaxial pipes 7, 8, the second actuator means 28, the closing
member 120 and at least one valve 12A, 12b arranged so as to
intercept the inner compensation pipe 8.
[0089] In order to automate and simplify as far as possible the
operation of washing the filling machine 1, a particular position
of the filling valve 6 has also been studied such that washing of
all the parts is facilitated, eliminating any possibility of
stagnation. For this purpose, the concentric pipes 7, 8 can be
operated by the first actuator means 100 so as to move upwards
until they are completely retracted inside the extension guide 11
and preferably until they pass beyond the seal 13 so as to form,
together with a closing lid 32 preferably pivotably mounted on the
bottom portion of the extension guide 11, a closed receptacle 160
suitable for allowing recirculation of a flushing product both
inside and outside the surface of the filling valve 6. For this
purpose, the lid 32 is operated automatically or manually so as to
move between a closed position underneath the extension guide 11
(and in particular underneath the centring cone 150 as shown in
FIG. 6) and an open position for normal operation of the machine,
where it is separated from the bottom of the guide 11.
[0090] Owing to automation of the filling machine 1, not only can
specific time schedules be determined for each format or group of
containers 3, for each working temperature and for each substance
treated, but it is also possible to personalize the individual
operations of the pneumatic electro-valves 12A, 12B, 18, 19 of each
filling valve 6 for their adjustment heightwise or depending on the
liquid level to be obtained inside the bottle 3. Owing to this
operational versatility, the machine may be used to operate with
different operating cycles, including reduced-vacuum filling,
reduced-pressure filling and also reduced-gravity filling.
[0091] This possibility is of decisive importance for obtaining the
maximum performance from all the filling valves 6 and so as to
ensure that the quality of the filling process is uniform and
constant. Moreover, the actuators of the valves 12A, 12B, 18, 19
and the pneumatic cylinder 28 may be made of materials which are
entirely compatible with alimentary products, can be perfectly
flushed and be equipped with a suitable control chamber which
allows verification of any malfunctions, without contaminating the
product used for filling the containers.
[0092] It is also envisaged being able to modify the filling mode
of the containers 3, by introducing a suitably sized constriction
in the passages of the fourth valve 12A such that filling of the
container 3 is slowed down during the final stage so as to prevent
entirely the formation of foam in the neck 14 of the container 3.
In order to reduce as far as possible the product change-over
downtime, it is also envisaged being able to equip the filling
machine 1 with a series of retractable discharge trays 33, via
which the product still present inside the tank 20 may be
discharged, when filling of the batches of containers 3 envisaged
has been completed. The abovementioned trays 33 are operated and
positioned only at the time required, in particular when the flow
of the containers 3 being supplied is interrupted, by means of
suitable actuators 35, so that the individual filling valves 6 open
and allow the product to flow out when they pass above the trays
33.
* * * * *