US20120037273A1 - Constant level filler spout and a filler carousel including it - Google Patents
Constant level filler spout and a filler carousel including it Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20120037273A1 US20120037273A1 US13/207,843 US201113207843A US2012037273A1 US 20120037273 A1 US20120037273 A1 US 20120037273A1 US 201113207843 A US201113207843 A US 201113207843A US 2012037273 A1 US2012037273 A1 US 2012037273A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- delivery
- filler
- exhaust
- valve
- filler spout
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
- B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
- B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
- B67C3/22—Details
- B67C3/26—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks
- B67C3/2614—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks specially adapted for counter-pressure filling
- B67C3/2617—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks specially adapted for counter-pressure filling the liquid valve being opened by mechanical or electrical actuation
- B67C3/262—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks specially adapted for counter-pressure filling the liquid valve being opened by mechanical or electrical actuation and the filling operation stopping when the liquid rises to a level at which it closes a vent opening
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
- B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
- B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
- B67C3/22—Details
- B67C3/26—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks
- B67C2003/2602—Details of vent-tubes
Abstract
The constant level filler spout comprises a spout body comprising:
-
- an annular connection portion configured to press in leaktight manner against the neck of a container, co-operating therewith to define a delivery zone;
- a delivery duct connected to a liquid feed source via a delivery valve and opening out into the center of the delivery zone; and
- an exhaust vent connected to an exhaust orifice via an exhaust valve and opening out into the periphery of the delivery zone.
Description
- The present invention relates to a constant level filler spout and to a filler carousel including it.
- Filler carousels are known that comprise a rotary platform carrying a series of constant level filler spouts, each comprising a spout body having:
-
- an annular connection portion configured to press in leaktight manner against the neck of a container, co-operating therewith to define a delivery zone;
- a delivery duct connected to a liquid feed source via a delivery valve and opening out into the delivery zone; and
- an exhaust vent connected to an exhaust orifice via an exhaust valve and opening out into the delivery zone.
- In existing filler spouts, the exhaust vent is formed by a pipe opening out into the center of the delivery zone while the delivery duct opens out into a peripheral annular slot.
- The friction of the liquid against the walls of the annular slot reduces the effective flow section for the liquid such that present constant level filler spouts have a delivery rate that is low compared with other filler spouts such as weight filler spouts.
- An object of the invention is to provide a constant level filler spout having an improved delivery rate.
- In order to achieve this object, the invention provides a constant level filler spout in which the delivery duct opens out into the center of the delivery zone while the exhaust vent opens out into the periphery thereof.
- Thus, the liquid flows as a cylindrical jet presenting a maximum delivery rate for the flow section.
- In an advantageous version of the invention, the exhaust vent opens out laterally into an annular slot extending at the periphery of the delivery zone. This provides a flow section that is sufficient for the exhaust, while minimizing the width of the annular slot.
- In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the delivery duct defines one side of the annular slot. This minimizes the space that is lost in the delivery zone such that the delivery duct may be of optimum section.
- According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the exhaust valve is offset laterally from the delivery duct. Under such circumstances, and preferably for a filler carousel having a rotary platform carrying a series of filler spouts, the exhaust valve of each filler spout is located radially on the inside relative to the delivery duct. This minimizes the space occupied by each filler spout at the periphery of the rotary platform such that an optimum number of filler spouts can be installed on a rotary platform of given dimensions.
- Furthermore, prior art filler spouts generally include a delivery valve that is opened as a result of the connection portion being pressed against a container. During closure of the delivery valve, the liquid flows into the container in an amount that varies as a function of the speed at which the delivery valve is closed. The accuracy with which the level is obtained inside a container is thus affected.
- According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the delivery valve is controlled independently of the presence of a container. Thus, the delivery valve may be closed before the container is removed so that the level of liquid in the container is unaffected by the operation of removing the container.
- In addition, prior art filler spouts generally include controlled valves for emptying the exhaust vent.
- According to yet another aspect of the invention, the exhaust valve includes an enclosure connected to the exhaust vent and having a wall including the exhaust orifice, and a floating body arranged in the enclosure in register with the exhaust orifice, the floating body preferably comprising a ball arranged inside the enclosure between the exhaust orifice and a float that is advantageously bell-shaped.
- Thus, a rise in the level of the liquid in the enclosure moves the floating body until the exhaust orifice is closed. Conversely, a drop in the level of liquid inside the enclosure causes the exhaust orifice to open.
- Other characteristics and advantages of the invention appear on reading the following description of a non-limiting, preferred embodiment of the filler spout of the invention with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the filler spout of the invention mounted on a filler carousel, being shown in section on a radial vertical plane containing the axis of the delivery duct; and -
FIG. 2 is a partially cut-away fragmentary perspective view of a filler carousel fitted with filler spouts of the invention. - With reference to the figures, the filler spout of the invention comprises a
spout body 1 having avertical bore 2 passing therethrough, which bore has asetback 3 at its bottom end with thebottom edge 4 of the setback forming an annular connection portion configured to provide leaktight pressure against theneck 5 of a container, the setback defining adelivery zone 6. - A delivery duct constituted by a
straight tube 7 is mounted in thebore 2 and opens out into the center of thedelivery zone 6. Thedelivery tube 7 extends beyond theconnection portion 4 over a height that is a function of the looked-for level in the container, as explained below. Thedelivery tube 7 is held in place in thebore 2 by an O-ring 8 that is compressed by a screw-in bushing 9. - At the top portion of the
delivery tube 7, there is aflare 10 that acts as a seat for avalve 11. At its top end, thedelivery tube 7 opens out into the bottom of afeed tank 16 forming a pivoting platform of a filler carousel having the filler spouts mounted thereon. - A
control rod 12 is fastened to thedelivery valve 11 and passes through thefeed tank 16. Thecontrol rod 12 is guided in the vicinity of its top end by a bushing 28 (seeFIG. 2 ) that is fastened to thecover 29 of thefeed tank 16. At its top end, thecontrol rod 12 includes acontrol wheel 13 that co-operates with acam 14 carried by a structure (not shown) of the filler carousel. The position of thedelivery valve 11 is thus controlled independently of the presence of a container. - The bottom portion of the
bore 2 includes asetback 17 that co-operates with thedelivery duct 7 to define anannular slot 18 that opens out into the periphery of thedelivery zone 6. Theannular slot 18 is associated with anexhaust vent 19 connected to anexhaust orifice 20 via an exhaust valve. In the embodiment shown, the exhaust valve is ahollow ball 21 supported by a bell-shapedfloat 22. The ball and the float are mounted in anenclosure 23 that is defined by abore 24 of thespout body 1 with theexhaust vent 19 opening out therein, and by acap 25 closing the bore. Thecap 25 includes theexhaust orifice 20 and is fastened to thespout body 1 in leaktight manner by means of an O-ring 26 that is compressed byscrews 27. Theball 21 and thefloat 22 form a floating body. - The operation of the filler spout of the invention is as follows. With the
delivery valve 11 closed, a container is put into place with itsneck 5 bearing against theconnection portion 4. During rotation of the platform, thecontrol wheel 13 reaches thecam 14 and opens thedelivery valve 11. When the container is full, the liquid continues to flow by passing via theannular slot 18 and theexhaust duct 19 until the liquid in theenclosure 23 reaches a level that is sufficient to lift thefloat 22 and hold theball 21 pressed against the exhaust orifice. Thedelivery valve 11 is then closed and the container is separated from bearing against theconnection portion 4. During this movement, the portion of thedelivery tube 7 that is engaged in the container releases the corresponding volume while the liquid contained in the exhaust vent flows under gravity back into the container. In this context, it should be observed that for a given liquid, the quantity of liquid that rises into theenclosure 23 for closing theexhaust orifice 20 is constant regardless of the depth to which thedelivery tube 7 penetrates into the container. In order to obtain the desired level in the container, it therefore suffices to adjust the height to which thedelivery tube 7 penetrates into the container. - It should also be observed that the
ball 21 is not connected to an external actuator: the exhaust orifice is closed and opened as a result solely of variation in the level of liquid in theenclosure 23. Purging operations are thus triggered solely by removal of the container and they are performed independently of any external control or of any controlled actuators. - In the embodiment shown, the exhaust valve is offset laterally into a position that is radially towards the inside relative to the delivery duct, as can be seen in
FIG. 2 . The space occupied by the filler spout at the periphery of the pivoting platform is thus kept down to a minimum, thereby enabling the dimensions of the platform to be reduced for a given number of filler spouts. - Naturally, the invention is not limited to the above-described preferred embodiment, and it may be subjected to embodiment variations that will appear to the person skilled in the art without going beyond the ambit of the invention as defined by the claims.
- In particular, although the exhaust vent in the preferred embodiment comprises an annular slot, it is possible to make the exhaust vent in the form of one or more holes opening out into the periphery of the
delivery zone 6. - Although the filler spout is shown with a delivery valve that is controlled independently of the presence of a container, the filler spout of the invention could also be made with a delivery valve that is opened as a result of a container being put into place.
- Although the preferred embodiment of the exhaust valve comprises a float that increases the rate at which the valve closes, the exhaust valve could equally well be in the form of a simple hollow ball. In addition, although the float is shown as being in the form of a bell, thus enabling it to be lighter in weight and increasing the rate at which the valve closes, the float could be made in the form of a float that is closed, in particular when the liquid that is being packaged is very sensitive to pollution, such as milk.
- In a variant, the exhaust valve may be offset laterally into a position that is radially outside the delivery duct. Positioning the exhaust valve on the inside or the outside serves to reduce the space occupied by the filler spout in a circumferential direction of the pivoting platform. Adding an exhaust valve therefore does not cause the number of filler spouts on a platform of given size to be reduced.
- In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the feed source is at atmospheric pressure such that filling takes place under atmospheric pressure. The filling cycle preferably does not include any prior gas rinsing of the containers for filling. This enables shorter filling cycle times to be obtained.
Claims (11)
1. A constant level filler spout comprising a spout body having:
an annular connection portion configured to press in leaktight manner against the neck of a container, co-operating therewith to define a delivery zone;
a delivery duct connected to a liquid feed source via a delivery valve and opening out into the delivery zone; and
an exhaust vent connected to an exhaust orifice via an exhaust valve and opening out into the delivery zone;
wherein the delivery duct opens out into the center of the delivery zone while the exhaust vent opens out into the periphery thereof.
2. A filler spout according to claim 1 , wherein the exhaust vent opens out laterally into an annular slot extending at the periphery of the delivery zone.
3. A filler spout according to claim 2 , wherein the delivery duct defines one side of the annular slot.
4. A filler spout according to claim 3 , wherein the delivery duct is a straight tube passing through the spout body.
5. A filler spout according to claim 1 , wherein the exhaust valve lies outside the delivery zone.
6. A filler spout according to claim 1 , wherein the delivery valve is controlled independently of the presence of a container.
7. A filler spout according to claim 1 , wherein the exhaust valve is offset laterally from the delivery duct.
8. A filler spout according to claim 7 , wherein the exhaust valve includes an enclosure connected to the exhaust vent and having a wall including the exhaust orifice, and a floating body arranged in the enclosure in register with the exhaust orifice.
9. A filler spout according to claim 8 , wherein the floating body comprises a ball arranged inside the enclosure between the exhaust orifice and a float.
10. A filler spout according to claim 9 , wherein the float is bell-shaped.
11. A filler carousel including a rotary platform carrying a series of filler spouts according to claim 7 , the exhaust valve of each spout being disposed radially on the outside relative to the delivery duct.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
FR1056570 | 2010-08-11 | ||
FR1056570A FR2963783A1 (en) | 2010-08-11 | 2010-08-11 | CONSTANT LEVEL FILLING FILLER AND FILLING CARROUSEL COMPRISING THE SAME |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20120037273A1 true US20120037273A1 (en) | 2012-02-16 |
Family
ID=43797902
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/207,843 Abandoned US20120037273A1 (en) | 2010-08-11 | 2011-08-11 | Constant level filler spout and a filler carousel including it |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20120037273A1 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2963783A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2012020023A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20140366985A1 (en) * | 2013-06-17 | 2014-12-18 | Serac Group | Multijet filler spout with incorporated vent |
US20150191339A1 (en) * | 2012-08-24 | 2015-07-09 | Pep Technologies | Container filling machine and method |
CN105518372A (en) * | 2014-12-30 | 2016-04-20 | 深圳市大疆创新科技有限公司 | Quick-detaching connection structure, rack structure and remote control |
CN107619015A (en) * | 2017-10-13 | 2018-01-23 | 广州达意隆包装机械股份有限公司 | Filling valve and its blast pipe |
Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3112844A (en) * | 1960-05-23 | 1963-12-03 | Keller Ernest | Measuring and dispensing apparatus |
US3415295A (en) * | 1965-12-29 | 1968-12-10 | Holstein & Kappert Maschf | Bottle filling apparatus |
US3463203A (en) * | 1965-12-29 | 1969-08-26 | Holstein & Kappert Maschf | Appparatus for filling bottles or the like |
US4342344A (en) * | 1979-11-22 | 1982-08-03 | Seitz-Werke Gmbh | Filling element for counterpressure container-filling machines |
US4665957A (en) * | 1984-02-24 | 1987-05-19 | Kirin Beer Kabushiki Kaisha | Liquid filling device |
US5377726A (en) * | 1992-08-01 | 1995-01-03 | Seitz Enzinger Noll Maschinenbau Aktiengesellschaft | Arrangement for filling bottles or similar containers |
US7299833B2 (en) * | 2004-03-12 | 2007-11-27 | Adcor Industries, Inc. | Filling valve apparatus |
US8028725B2 (en) * | 2003-11-10 | 2011-10-04 | Adcor Industries, Inc. | Filling valve apparatus for a beverage filling machine |
US8091591B2 (en) * | 2005-05-11 | 2012-01-10 | Krones Ag | Device for filling vessels |
US8517065B2 (en) * | 2007-01-23 | 2013-08-27 | Sidel Holdings & Technology S.A. | Filling apparatus |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
BE658641A (en) * | ||||
DE973472C (en) * | 1952-10-11 | 1960-03-03 | Enzinger Union Werke Ag | Filling device on a counter pressure bottle filler |
FR1392991A (en) * | 1963-05-02 | 1965-03-19 | Crown Cork Company Belgium S A | Tapping valve |
DE2234120C3 (en) * | 1972-07-12 | 1979-08-09 | Seitz-Werke Gmbh, 6550 Bad Kreuznach | Filling element with long downpipe for multi-chamber counter pressure filling machines |
ZA747323B (en) * | 1973-11-22 | 1976-07-28 | L Wilksch | Bottle filling means and method |
DE2745642A1 (en) * | 1977-10-11 | 1979-04-12 | Holstein & Kappert Maschf | FILLING ELEMENT FOR FILLING PIPE FILLING MACHINES |
-
2010
- 2010-08-11 FR FR1056570A patent/FR2963783A1/en active Pending
-
2011
- 2011-08-09 WO PCT/EP2011/063710 patent/WO2012020023A1/en active Application Filing
- 2011-08-11 US US13/207,843 patent/US20120037273A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3112844A (en) * | 1960-05-23 | 1963-12-03 | Keller Ernest | Measuring and dispensing apparatus |
US3415295A (en) * | 1965-12-29 | 1968-12-10 | Holstein & Kappert Maschf | Bottle filling apparatus |
US3463203A (en) * | 1965-12-29 | 1969-08-26 | Holstein & Kappert Maschf | Appparatus for filling bottles or the like |
US4342344A (en) * | 1979-11-22 | 1982-08-03 | Seitz-Werke Gmbh | Filling element for counterpressure container-filling machines |
US4665957A (en) * | 1984-02-24 | 1987-05-19 | Kirin Beer Kabushiki Kaisha | Liquid filling device |
US5377726A (en) * | 1992-08-01 | 1995-01-03 | Seitz Enzinger Noll Maschinenbau Aktiengesellschaft | Arrangement for filling bottles or similar containers |
US8028725B2 (en) * | 2003-11-10 | 2011-10-04 | Adcor Industries, Inc. | Filling valve apparatus for a beverage filling machine |
US7299833B2 (en) * | 2004-03-12 | 2007-11-27 | Adcor Industries, Inc. | Filling valve apparatus |
US7350545B2 (en) * | 2004-03-12 | 2008-04-01 | Adcor Industries, Inc. | Filling valve apparatus |
US8091591B2 (en) * | 2005-05-11 | 2012-01-10 | Krones Ag | Device for filling vessels |
US8517065B2 (en) * | 2007-01-23 | 2013-08-27 | Sidel Holdings & Technology S.A. | Filling apparatus |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20150191339A1 (en) * | 2012-08-24 | 2015-07-09 | Pep Technologies | Container filling machine and method |
US9682850B2 (en) * | 2012-08-24 | 2017-06-20 | Pep Technologies | Container filling machine and method |
US20140366985A1 (en) * | 2013-06-17 | 2014-12-18 | Serac Group | Multijet filler spout with incorporated vent |
FR3007015A1 (en) * | 2013-06-17 | 2014-12-19 | Serac Group | INTEGRATED EVENT MULTI-JET FILLING SPOUT |
WO2014202579A1 (en) * | 2013-06-17 | 2014-12-24 | Serac Group | Multi-jet filling spout with integrated vent |
CN105518372A (en) * | 2014-12-30 | 2016-04-20 | 深圳市大疆创新科技有限公司 | Quick-detaching connection structure, rack structure and remote control |
CN107619015A (en) * | 2017-10-13 | 2018-01-23 | 广州达意隆包装机械股份有限公司 | Filling valve and its blast pipe |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2012020023A1 (en) | 2012-02-16 |
FR2963783A1 (en) | 2012-02-17 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SERAC GROUP, FRANCE Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:GRAFFIN, ANDRE;REEL/FRAME:026737/0506 Effective date: 20110711 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |