U.S. patent application number 12/904418 was filed with the patent office on 2011-04-21 for filler spout with both a valve member and a secondary shutter and with an actuator element between them.
Invention is credited to Andre GRAFFIN.
Application Number | 20110088813 12/904418 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42226075 |
Filed Date | 2011-04-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110088813 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GRAFFIN; Andre |
April 21, 2011 |
FILLER SPOUT WITH BOTH A VALVE MEMBER AND A SECONDARY SHUTTER AND
WITH AN ACTUATOR ELEMENT BETWEEN THEM
Abstract
A filler spout comprising a tubular body having mounted therein
a valve member extending in register with a valve seat, and a
secondary shutter disposed downstream from the valve member and
connected thereto, the body including a constriction in register
with the secondary shutter, an internal magnetic actuator element
being connected to the valve member and being associated with
external actuator means arranged to move the internal element
between a position in which the valve member is closed and a
position in which the valve member is open, wherein the internal
actuator element is mounted between the valve member and the
secondary shutter, and the tubular body includes means giving
access to the internal actuator element.
Inventors: |
GRAFFIN; Andre; (Winfield,
IL) |
Family ID: |
42226075 |
Appl. No.: |
12/904418 |
Filed: |
October 14, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/301 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67C 3/281 20130101;
B67C 3/26 20130101; B65B 39/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/301 |
International
Class: |
B65B 1/04 20060101
B65B001/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 15, 2009 |
FR |
0904946 |
Claims
1. A filler spout comprising a tubular body having mounted therein
a valve member extending in register with a valve seat, and a
secondary shutter disposed downstream from the valve member and
connected thereto, the body including a constriction in register
with the secondary shutter, an internal magnetic actuator element
being connected to the valve member and being associated with
external actuator means arranged to move the internal element
between a position in which the valve member is closed and a
position in which the valve member is open, wherein the internal
actuator element is mounted between the valve member and the
secondary shutter, and the tubular body includes means giving
access to the internal actuator element.
2. A spout according to claim 1, wherein the internal element and
the secondary shutter are arranged so as to allow the valve member
to remain closed while the internal element and the secondary
shutter are not attached to the spout.
3. A spout according to claim 1, wherein the internal actuator
element is connected to the secondary shutter by releasable
attachment means, and the constriction is fitted to the tubular
body by releasable attachment means.
4. A spout according to claim 2, wherein the internal actuator
element is connected to the valve member by releasable attachment
means and/or the tubular body includes a detachable segment in
register with the internal actuator element.
5. A spout according to claim 1, wherein the internal element
includes at least one permanent magnet and the external actuator
means comprise: at least one permanent magnet magnetically coupled
with the permanent magnet of the internal element; and movement
means for moving the permanent magnet of the external actuator
means.
6. A spout according to claim 5, wherein the internal element
comprises a support having portions that are adjacent to a wall
defining the tubular body and portions that are set back from said
wall, the element including a permanent magnet in each of its
portions adjacent to the wall.
7. A spout according to claim 6, wherein the support is of
rectangular cross-section with short sides forming the portions
adjacent to the wall.
8. A spout according to claim 7, wherein the wall of the tubular
body presents an outline that is circular.
9. A spout according to claim 5, wherein the external actuator
means comprise a linear electromagnetic actuator having a rod
connected at one end to a crank that is mounted on a structure
secured to the body to pivot about an axis perpendicular to the
body and that possesses an opposite end provided with a fork
engaged on an annular slider that is mounted on the body and on
which the permanent magnet rests.
10. A spout according to claim 9, wherein the external actuator
means comprise an abutment that is adjustable in position along the
tubular body in order to define a bottom position for the
slider.
11. A spout according to claim 5, wherein the permanent magnet of
the external actuator means is annular in shape and surrounds the
body.
12. A filler spout according to claim 1, wherein the secondary
shutter and the constriction presents relative dimensions and
relative positioning such that when the valve member is closed the
secondary shutter presents clearance relative to the constriction
that is just sufficient to retain a liquid contained in the body
between the valve member and the secondary shutter by means of
capillarity.
13. A spout according to claim 1, wherein the internal element is
connected to the valve member by a coupling member presenting axial
lost motion.
14. A spout according to claim 13, wherein the coupling member also
presents radial lost motion.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an
electromagnetically-controlled filler spout.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A filler spout is known, in particular from document WO
01/40098, that comprises a tubular body in which there are mounted
a valve member extending in register with a valve seat and a
secondary shutter that is connected to the valve member and that
extends in register with a constriction in the tubular body. The
assembly comprising the valve member and the secondary shutter is
connected to an actuator.
[0003] Cylinder type actuators exist having a rod that is connected
to the valve member and extending outside the tubular body upstream
from the valve member. The use of an actuator of that type requires
a tubular body of complex shape in order to enable the actuator to
be connected to the valve member, while preserving sealing of the
liquid transport circuit.
[0004] Electromagnetic actuators are also known that comprise a
magnetic actuator element extending upstream from the valve member
and connected to the valve member by an axial coupling member. The
electromagnetically-controlled actuator has a coil that extends
outside the tubular body and that is powered so as to generate a
magnetic field suitable for moving the magnetic actuator element.
Access to the internal actuator element, e.g. for maintenance
purposes, then requires the entire circuit to be emptied.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An object of the invention is to propose a filler spout
solving the above problems.
[0006] For this purpose, the invention provides a filler spout
comprising a tubular body having mounted therein a valve member
extending in register with a valve seat, and a secondary shutter
disposed downstream from the valve member and connected thereto,
the body including a constriction in register with the secondary
shutter, an internal magnetic actuator element being connected to
the valve member and being associated with external actuator means
arranged to move the internal element between a position in which
the valve member is closed and a position in which the valve member
is open, wherein the internal actuator element is mounted between
the valve member and the secondary shutter, and the tubular body
includes means giving access to the internal actuator element.
[0007] Thus, because the filler spout is closed by the valve
member, it is possible to access the internal actuator element
without it being necessary to empty the entire filler spout and the
circuit for transporting liquid to which the filler spout is
connected.
[0008] In an advantageous version of the invention, the internal
actuator element is connected to the secondary shutter by
releasable attachment means, and the constriction is fitted to the
tubular body by releasable attachment means.
[0009] The valve member and the secondary shutter are thus mounted
in separate body elements that are connected together by a
releasable attachment member, thereby enabling various combinations
of valve member and shutter member to be set up quickly in order to
adapt the filler spout to containers for filling having different
neck diameters or to liquids presenting different viscosities.
[0010] Advantageously, the internal actuator element is connected
to the valve member by releasable attachment means and/or the
tubular body includes a detachable segment in register with the
internal actuator element.
[0011] The internal actuator element may be separated from the
valve member in the context of a maintenance operation, for
cleaning purposes or in order to be replaced. Removal of the
tubular body segment in register therewith gives access to the
internal actuator element and also makes it possible to change the
actuator assembly, e.g. in order to replace it with elements of
different dimensions.
[0012] In a particular method of actuation, the internal element
includes at least one permanent magnet and the external actuator
means comprise: [0013] at least one permanent magnet magnetically
coupled with the permanent magnet of the internal element; and
[0014] movement means for moving the permanent magnet of the
external actuator means.
[0015] Thus, the permanent magnets serve to connect the external
actuator to the internal actuator element by magnetic coupling. The
movement of the internal actuator element is not the direct result
of variation in a magnetic field to which it is subjected, but is
provided by moving the external permanent magnet that is
magnetically coupled to the permanent magnet secured to the
internal actuator element. Although it is entirely possible to use
electromagnetic actuation, in general such utilization presents
limits that stem mainly from the fact that the force exerted on the
internal actuator element by the external electromagnetic actuation
is directly proportional to the dimensions of the coil. This makes
the coil bulky and difficult to put into place around filler spouts
that are connected to liquid circuits in which the pressure may be
as great as two bars. In addition, the force of a magnetic field
decreases with temperature, which means that it is not possible to
use electromagnetically-controlled actuators for filling hot
substances. Magnetic actuation by means of a permanent magnet does
not present those limits or presents them to a lesser extent,
thereby making it advantageous to use a magnet.
[0016] In a particular embodiment, the internal element comprises a
support having portions that are adjacent to a wall defining the
tubular body and portions that are set back from said wall, with
the element including a permanent magnet in each of its portions
adjacent to the wall, and preferably: [0017] the support has a
cross-section that is rectangular with its short sides forming the
portions adjacent to the wall; and [0018] the wall of the tubular
body presents an outline that is circular.
[0019] This embodiment possesses a structure that is simple to
make. In addition, the internal actuator element and the tubular
body are of cross-sections that allow large flow sections to be
left for the liquid, thereby limiting any risk of turbulence that
might disturb the flow.
[0020] Advantageously, the secondary shutter and the constriction
present relative dimensions and relative positioning such that when
the valve member is closed the secondary shutter presents clearance
relative to the constriction that is just sufficient to retain a
liquid contained in the body between the valve member and the
secondary shutter by means of capillarity.
[0021] Without running any risk of interfering with the closure
action of the valve member, this enables the filler spout to retain
a sufficient quantity of substance to avoid faulty formation of the
jet of substance when the valve member is opened.
[0022] Under such circumstances, and preferably, the internal
element is connected to the valve member by a coupling member
presenting axial lost motion.
[0023] It is thus possible for opening of the valve member to be
offset relative to opening of the secondary shutter.
[0024] Also preferably, the coupling member also presents radial
lost motion.
[0025] This makes it possible to increase manufacturing tolerances
and to simplify assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention appear
further on reading the following description of a particular
embodiment of the invention and of variants thereof, given with
reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the filler spout, with some
zones being drawn in transparency, the valve member in the closed
position;
[0028] FIG. 2 is an axial section view of a filler spout of the
invention with the valve member in the open position;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a view on a larger scale and in perspective of a
zone III in FIG. 2;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a view on a larger scale of a zone IV in FIG. 2,
showing the internal actuator element in transparency;
[0031] FIG. 5 is a view analogous to the view of FIG. 1 showing
another variant of the outlet member of the filler spout; and
[0032] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic fragmentary view of the assembly
comprising the valve member, the internal actuator element, and the
secondary shutter showing the releasable attachment means for
attaching the internal actuator element to the valve member.
MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the filler spout of the
invention comprises a structure 100 having mounted thereon a
tubular body 1 having three body elements 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 that
are connected together by quick coupler means represented
symbolically at 2. The body elements 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 respectively
contain elements that perform a shutter function, a control
function, and an outlet nozzle or secondary shutter function of the
filler spout of the invention.
[0034] The control function is performed by an internal magnetic
actuator element 3 mounted to slide in the body element 1.2. The
magnetic actuator element 3 comprises a support 4 having guide
portions 4.1 adjacent to the wall of the body element 1.2 and
set-back portions 4.2. The support 4 in this example is rectangular
in section having short sides that form the guide portions 4.1. The
guide portions 4.1 of the support 4 serve to guide the support 4
accurately inside the body element 1.2 and they co-operate with the
set-back portions 4.2 to define passages allowing a substance to
flow between the support 4 and the inside face of the body element
1.2. The guide portion 4.1 house permanent magnets 5. The body
element 1.2 is made of a non-magnetic material and it is surrounded
by an annular permanent magnet 6 that is mounted to slide on the
body element 1.2, and that is associated with an actuator 7. The
actuator 7 is a linear electromagnetic actuator having a rod
connected at one end to a crank lever 8 that is mounted on the
structure 100 to pivot about an axis that is perpendicular to the
filler spout and that possesses an opposite end having a fork 9
engaged on an annular slider 10 that is mounted on the body element
1.2 and on which the annular permanent magnet 6 rests. The external
actuator means include an abutment 29 that is adjustable in
position along the tubular body 1 to define a bottom position for
the slider 10. The abutment 29 in this example comprises a screw of
axis parallel to the tubular body 1 and that is engaged in the
slider 10 and that bears against the structure 100.
[0035] The body element 1.1 contains a valve member 11, in the form
of a ball in this example, which member is associated with coupling
means, in this example a control rod 15 connecting the valve member
11 to the internal actuator element 3, the valve member being
mounted to slide in a cylindrical bore 12 of the body element 1.1.
The control rod is screwed into the support 4 and into the valve
member 11. In its bottom portion, the bore 12 includes a chamfer 13
forming a seat for the valve member 11 and it has longitudinal
channels 14 formed therein that extend upstream from the chamfer 13
to allow liquid to pass when the valve member 11 is in the open
position.
[0036] The body element 1.3 contains a secondary shutter 21 that is
fastened by coupling means to the internal actuator element 3. By
way of example, the coupling means comprise a rod 22 having ends
screwed respectively into the secondary shutter 21 and into the
internal actuator element 3. In this embodiment, the secondary
shutter 21 has an elongate conical bottom portion 23 extending in
register with a conical constriction 24 in the body element
1.3.
[0037] In order to assemble the filler spout, the valve member 11
fitted with the control rod 15 is mounted in the body element 1.1.
The internal actuator element 3 and the body element 1.2 are then
assembled thereto, and finally the secondary shutter 21 and the
body element 1.3.
[0038] In the closed position of the filler spout, as shown in FIG.
1, it should be observed that the dimensions and relative
positioning of the conical portion and of the constriction 24 are
designed so that when the valve member is in the closed position,
as shown, the conical portion 23 of the secondary shutter is spaced
apart from the constriction 24 with clearance that is just
sufficient to ensure that capillarity retains the substance
contained in the body elements 1.2 and 1.3. The abutment 29 of
adjustable position along the tubular body 1 serves to define a
bottom position for the slider 10 and thus enables the bottom
position of the internal element 3 to be adjusted, thereby
adjusting the position of the secondary shutter 21 relative to the
constriction 24.
[0039] The external actuator is controlled by a stepper motor that
co-operates with a system for measuring the amount of substance
that has entered into the container for filling in order to ensure
that the stream received matches the programmed stream. It should
also be observed that during a maintenance operation, the operator
can open the valve member by lifting the permanent magnet 6 by
hand.
[0040] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the elongate
portion 23 of the secondary shutter 21 co-operates with the
constriction 24 of the body element 1.3 to provide a passage that
ensures that a flow of the substance is maintained under laminar
conditions. Such a secondary shutter is useful for packaging a
substance that has a tendency to froth if its flow is turbulent,
such as milk.
[0041] FIG. 5 shows another variant embodiment in which the
secondary shutter 31 is of smaller height, thereby making it
possible to reduce the overall size of the resulting assembly when
there is no need to ensure a laminar flow of the substance at the
outlet from the spout.
[0042] Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments
described and variants may be applied thereto without going beyond
the ambit of the invention, as defined by the claims.
[0043] In particular, the means for coupling the internal actuator
element 3 to the secondary shutter and/or the means for coupling
the internal actuator element 3 to the valve member may be rigid as
shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, or may have provision for axial or radial
lost motion as shown in FIG. 6. Under such circumstances, the
coupling means comprise a C-shaped bracket 30 connected to the
valve member 11 by a link rod 31. The branches of the bracket
surround a peg 32 comprising a rod 32 fastened to the support 4 and
a head 32.2 engaged in the bracket 30. The peg 32 is secured to the
magnetic actuator member 3 and the rod 32.1 and the head 32.2 are
mounted in the bracket 30 with radial lost motion such that
accurate sliding of the internal actuator element 3 in the body
element 1.2 and accurate sliding of the valve member 11 in the body
element 1.1 are unaffected even if the body elements 1.1 and 1.2
are not mounted accurately on the same axis. It is thus possible to
dissociate the valve member 11 and the internal actuator element 3
by a simple lateral offset between them. It is possible to use
other coupling members presenting radial lost motion, e.g. a
bayonet coupling member. Axial lost motion makes it possible for
the movements of the secondary shutter 21 and of the valve member
11 to be offset in time.
[0044] In a variant, the valve member 11 may be cylindrical,
frustoconical, or disk-shaped and it may be provided with a skirt
in which notches are formed so as to cause the flow rate to vary
more progressively when the valve member is opened or closed.
[0045] The valve member 11 may be provided with a stationary gasket
or with a gasket that is axially movable.
[0046] The internal actuator element is shown as being rectangular
in section so as to allow liquid to pass along either side thereof
while its magnets are encapsulated at its ends close to the walls
of the chamber, thereby facilitating cleaning. The internal
actuator element may have sections of other shapes, in particular
cylindrical or polygonal. It is also possible to envisage an
internal actuator element that is pierced in its center with
magnets being encapsulated at its periphery, the complementary
magnets being situated over the entire outside portion of the tube
formed in this way.
[0047] For ease of construction, the chamber shown is circular in
section, however it is possible to envisage a chamber that is
polygonal in section.
[0048] Although the invention is particularly adapted to systems
that perform filling by weight with a programmed flow rate, the
invention can be used in other filler systems, such as systems
having a constant-level buffer vessel.
[0049] The structure of the actuator means described above is
independent of the disposition of the internal element between the
valve member and the secondary shutter. Even through the structure
described above for the actuator means is particularly advantageous
in the invention, other actuator means could be used, e.g.
electromagnetic means.
* * * * *