EP1156980B1 - Method for accurately filling a container with liquid and implementing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for filling a container (35) with sufficient accuracy and yet more quickly than the standard method, which consists in filling with at least two discrete flow rates. In a so-called main phase, the liquid is introduced with at least one first flow rate; in a so-called terminal phase, the liquid is introduced with a second flow rate. The first flow rate is such that, if it is maintained, the filling accuracy would be affected, and the second flow rate is such that it enables to curtail the perturbations induced by the first flow rate. The invention also concerns a valve (1, 2, 15, 16) for implementing said method.

Description

The invention relates to improvements to the methods of automatic filling, with a determined precision, of containers, such than bottles, with liquids. It also relates to a device for the implementation of the process.

A first type of problem which arises when filling containers with liquids is that of overflow related to the formation of foam on the surface of the liquid. Most liquids have a higher propensity or less important to foam when introduced into a container. For a given liquid, the extent of the phenomenon depends on the filling rate and the shape of the container. For the same container, the higher the flow, the higher the foaming is important.

This phenomenon must be taken into account when filling with automatic installations. Indeed, if foam overflows, the liquid it contains is lost, so that when the foam is absorbed, the container contains less liquid than it should, resulting in inaccuracy of dosage. Furthermore, the overflow implies a subsequent cleaning of the outside of the container and the filling installation.

A first known solution consists in filling with a low flow rate, so as not to produce foam. This solution is however incompatible with obtaining the desired high rates in the filling facilities.

A second solution consists in filling with a high flow rate and, for compensate for the production of foam, use containers slightly oversized, so as to contain the foam that forms during filling.

This solution is not satisfactory for several reasons.

On the one hand, the containers used are more expensive because, due to their oversizing, they require more material.

On the other hand, the volume left free in the container after absorption of the foam contains air, therefore oxygen, which can affect the good conservation of the liquid: the smaller the volume, the better the conservation.

In addition, in other cases, the liquid may tend to absorb the oxygen contained in the air of the free volume: a vacuum is created, therefore a depression in the container. If the container is plastic, it can deform or collapse.

Finally, the existence of a free volume has a psychological impact not negligible on the consumer: assuming two containers containing exactly the same volume of liquid, one being oversized and the other not, the consumer chooses the one that is not oversized, because it gives the impression of being more full. An oversized container is therefore more difficult to sell.

Other solutions exist, which allow rapid filling, without foaming, avoiding having to oversize the containers. However, they are expensive and complex, and are usually reserved liquids with significant added value (beer or certain gaseous liquids or carbonated, for example): they consist of filling under vacuum and / or inerting with nitrogen, for example.

A second type of problem that arises is that of the accuracy of the dosage. This second type of problem can be added to that linked to the formation of foam or be independent of it: in general, the filling means are controlled by a control circuit comprising means for measuring the volume of liquid introduced into the container. The precision of the means of measurement and speed of reaction of the control and closing means depends on the filling accuracy.

The higher the flow, the more the drift of the measuring means, of order and closing must be low, to avoid non variations acceptable in the volume actually introduced into the liquid.

Again, unless expensive means are used, a first solution is to fill at low flow, to mitigate the effects of possible aforementioned drift. This solution has the same disadvantages as the first solution envisaged to remedy the training problems of foam.

A second solution consists in ignoring the drift and in accept a variation in volume from one container to another. It is therefore advisable to oversize the containers to account for this possible variation. This solution has the same disadvantages as the second solution envisaged to remedy the foaming problems.

It also has an additional disadvantage: due to the tolerance of a drift level, some containers may be less full than others, which further adds to the psychological effect already mentioned.

To overcome these drawbacks, consideration has been given to filling in which the filling rate is variable thanks to a valve with at least two discrete flows arranged in a supply circuit of liquid upstream of the container, the valve comprising closure means and passage from one flow to another such as a shutter moving in a tube and means for actuating the shutter means, to arrange them either in a closed position or in a position causing a flow discreet given. Thus, by varying the flow rate, it becomes possible to optimize the filling conditions. Document DE 2 246 176 A presents a device for filling containers of this type. However, the means of actuation sealing means which it comprises are not specified.

The object of the invention is therefore to remedy the drawbacks of the art prior, by proposing a device with means for actuating the sealing means allowing rapid and precise filling, that is to say allowing to reach the desired volume with an acceptable margin of error, avoiding having to use oversized containers and employing costly means of filling and / or measuring and / or controlling.

The subject of the invention is a device which enables rapid filling and precisely a container with a liquid in at least two phases: a main phase, during which the liquid is introduced with at least one first discrete flow; a terminal phase, during which the complement liquid, to complete the filling, is introduced into the container with a second discrete flow.

According to the invention, a container filling device comprising a valve with at least two discrete flows arranged in a supply circuit liquid upstream of the container and means for measuring the amount of liquid in the container connected to a control circuit, in order to give a flow change order, or stop filling order, depending on the quantity of liquid measured, the valve comprising closure means and passage from one flow to another such as a shutter moving in a tube, and means for actuating the shutter means, to arrange them either in a closed position or in a position causing a flow discrete given, is characterized in that the actuation means of the shutter are arranged outside the tube and are magnetic, and in this that the control of the actuators is electromagnetic and the magnetic circuit is arranged so that the shutter, after being put in a determined position corresponding to the shutter or an opening under a given flow, under the action of an electric control, remains in this position after releasing the electric control, until a new electric control to put it in another position is not applied.

Thus, the device of the invention makes it possible to achieve filling. much faster than those of the prior art, without presenting the disadvantages.

In addition, since there is no mechanical connection between the means shutter and passage from one flow to another, the tightness of the valve remains total; moreover, for the same reason, the wear of such a valve is lesser: it can therefore be used for so-called "clean" filling, ie during which no unwanted particles, resulting from wear by friction, does not form.

In addition, since the means of shutter and passage from a flow to the other, after having been placed in a determined position corresponding to the shutter or an opening under a given flow, under the action of a electric control, remain in this position after releasing the order, until one order to put them in another position is not applied, the valve is energy efficient; she can by elsewhere to be held in a given position for a period of time important, without the control circuits unnecessarily heating up. This is particularly advantageous during cleaning operations as long as of the valve than of the liquid supply circuit.

The main phase can be carried out with a very high flow rate, and it is enough to adjust the parameters of the terminal phase to obtain the precision filling level.

In particular, the terminal phase must be such that it does not does not cause disturbance likely to thwart the desired result.

In theory, the first speed can therefore be unlimited: just choose, on the one hand, the moment of the transition from the main phase to the terminal phase and, on the other hand, the second flow, so that the disturbing phenomena likely to affect the filling accuracy have no influence undesirable.

In practice, tests conducted with 1.5 liter bottles to filling them with water allowed 80% of each bottle to be filled with a first flow (main phase) of around 20 liters / min and the remaining 20% with a flow rate of approximately 7 liters / min, i.e. a total filling time of approximately 6 seconds, with an accuracy of around a centiliter, without ever causing of foam overflow, whereas, to fill the same bottles with a constant flow, without causing formation and therefore overflow of foam, it takes about 8 seconds per bottle, which corresponds to a flow of approximately 11 liters / min.

According to another characteristic of the device, the determination of the quantity of liquid in order to give an order to change the flow, likewise that that in order to give the order to stop filling, is carried out using means of weight measurement.

According to another characteristic of the device, the determination of the quantity of liquid in order to give an order to change the flow, likewise that that in order to give the order to stop filling, is carried out using volumetric measurement means.

However, weight measurement is preferred.

According to another characteristic, the shutter and passage means from one flow to another move in a tube and are arranged so as to move from one position to another, without rubbing against the tube; they are in contact with part of the tube only in the closed position.

Thus, the valve can be easily cleaned. Just put it in one position such that a liquid flow is possible and to circulate a liquid cleaning, even sterilization: due to the absence of friction, therefore notable contact, the cleaning fluid circulates everywhere around said means and the entire circuit is thus cleaned.

• les figures 1 à 3 représentent un mode de réalisation préféré d'une vanne à trois positions pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé, respectivement dans sa position d'obturation, dans sa position de petit débit, utilisé en phase terminale, et dans une position de grand débit, utilisé en phase principale ;
• la figure 4 illustre schématiquement un mode de réalisation d'un circuit de commande électromagnétique permettant d'obtenir plus de trois positions de l'obturateur ;
• les figures 5A à 5C illustrent un mode de réalisation à un seul circuit électromagnétique ;
• les figures 6 et 7 illustrent des variantes de circuits électromagnétiques.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description below, made with reference to Figures 1 to 7 attached, in which:

• Figures 1 to 3 show a preferred embodiment of a three-position valve for implementing the method, respectively in its closed position, in its low flow position, used in the terminal phase, and in a position high flow, used in the main phase;
• FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an embodiment of an electromagnetic control circuit making it possible to obtain more than three positions of the shutter;
• FIGS. 5A to 5C illustrate an embodiment with a single electromagnetic circuit;
• Figures 6 and 7 illustrate variants of electromagnetic circuits.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, the valve for implementing the invention comprises a shutter 1 sliding in a tube 2 of cylindrical shape intended to be connected by its upper end 3 to a supply circuit of liquid communicating for example with a liquid reservoir not shown. The lower end 4 of the tube 2 is placed in communication with the container to be completed, preferably not directly, but through a other conduct, not shown.

The shutter 1 is a plunger core having an elongated shape.

The tube 2 has two separate parts 5.6 of internal diameter different: in the example illustrated, a first part 5, upper, has an inner diameter greater than that of the lower part 6.

The transition between these two parts is effected by a portion 7 of inner section preferably tapered or, alternatively hemispherical, or any other form which may constitute a seat shutter.

The shutter 1 also has two separate parts: a first part 8, upper, forming a cylindrical body whose outer diameter is smaller than the inside diameter of the upper part 5 of the tube 2, so that an annular space 9 exists between the upper parts 5 of the tube 2 and 8 shutter 1, respectively; a second part 10, lower, forming a cylindrical end piece whose outside diameter is less than inner diameter of the lower part 6 of the tube, so that when the nozzle is engaged in the lower part 6 of the tube, an annular space 11 exists between the lower parts 6 and 10 of the tube and the obturator.

In addition, the section of the annular space 9 around the part upper 8 of the shutter is greater than that of the annular space 11 around the nozzle 10.

Preferably, moreover, the annular section 9 around the part upper shutter is greater than the total section of the part lower 6 of tube 2. The function of this arrangement will be explained later.

The transition between the upper 8 and lower 10 parts of the shutter has a part 12 with a termination, here hemispherical, ensuring the shutter function when it is supported on the seat 7, as shown in Figure 1.

Furthermore, means 13 for centering the shutter 1 in the tube 2 are provided, such as lugs projecting radially from the upper part 8 of shutter 1 and regularly distributed around its periphery, this to compensate for the causes the outer diameter of the shutter to be smaller than that in all respects of the tube, with the exception of the part 12 for bearing on the seat 7. Thus, when the shutter is moved in the tube, as will be described later, it stay centered.

However, sufficient play is left between the periphery of the means 13 centering and the tube 2, to allow on the one hand a displacement without blockage of the shutter in the tube, and above all, its cleaning (or its sterilization) complete (complete) during the cleaning (or sterilization) of the valve and associated pipes, upstream and downstream.

FIG. 2 represents the valve according to the invention in which the shutter part 12 is released from seat 7 and the nozzle 10 remains partially engaged in the lower part 6, of small diameter, of the tube 2.

In this configuration, the valve lets liquid pass on the one hand through the annular space 9 between the upper parts 5 of the tube 8 and the shutter, on the other hand, through the annular space 11 between the lower parts 6 and 10 of the tube and the obturator. The flow rate depends on part, of the pressure at which the liquid is introduced into the valve by its upper end 3 and, on the other hand, the minimum passage section which is offered to him, that is to say the section of the annular space 11 around end piece 10, since the latter is less than that of the annular space 9 between the upper part 8 of the shutter and the upper part 5 of the tube.

In Figure 3, the same valve is shown in a configuration according to which the end piece 10 is completely disengaged from the lower part 6, small diameter, of the tube.

Under these conditions, the liquid can pass on the one hand through the annular space 9 between the upper parts of the tube 2 and of the shutter 1, on the other hand through the lower part 6 of the tube, completely free.

In addition, a larger passage section than in the Figure 2 configuration is offered to the liquid, since both the section of the annular space 9 around the upper part 8 of the shutter than that from the lower part 6 of the tube, through which the liquid circulates, are greater than that of the annular space 11 which limited the passage in the configuration of FIG. 2. Consequently, a higher flow rate is obtained.

In the preferred embodiment discussed, whereby the section of the annular space 9 around the upper part of the shutter is higher than that, circular, of the lower part 6 of the tube, it is this section of the lower part which determines the maximum flow rate of the liquid can pass, when the valve is in the configuration of Figure 3, well heard for a given supply pressure.

The valve shown in Figures 1 to 3 therefore allows, in addition to a shutter function, to obtain two discrete flows: a higher flow in the configuration of FIG. 3 and a lower flow rate in that of FIG. 2, and is therefore perfectly suited to the implementation of the method of the invention.

However, it would be entirely possible, for certain applications, to make a valve with more than two discrete flows. In this case, tube 2 would not only have two parts of different diameter, but as much as necessary ; the shutter, on the other hand, would release displacement, increasingly large passage sections.

The movement of the shutter can be ensured by a device mechanical, not shown, or preferably using a device electromagnetic such as that shown in Figures 1 to 3, or one of variants shown in Figures 4 to 7.

A mechanical device requires a connection between the shutter and the exterior, hence the need for seals and the risk of poor sealing. Furthermore, a valve with such a device would be more difficult to clean.

In its preferred embodiment, the valve, illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, is driven by an electromagnetic device adapted to place the shutter in any of the positions shown and keep it there without energy consumption.

The upper part 8 of the shutter 1 has a housing in which is maintained a permanent magnet 14, preferably having a strong coercive field, that is to say having properties of weak demagnetization.

Such a type of magnet can be subjected to opposite fluxes without risk demagnetization: it will be explained later that, in a mode of preferred operation, the magnet will be subjected to opposite fields (attractive and repellent).

For the remainder of the description, by convention, it will be assumed that the north pole PN of the magnet is close to the upper end of the shutter 1; it will be assumed that its south pole PS is approximately in a median zone of the shutter, the north-south axis of the magnet being oriented along the longitudinal axis of the shutter 1. The shutter is, in turn, made of magnetic material.

It should be noted that the relative arrangement of the two poles could be reversed: in this case, "north" should be substituted for "south" and vice versa in the following description to understand how it works of the device.

The movement of the shutter 1 is ensured by a device magnetic drive acting on the magnet 14 associated with the shutter 1 and preferably arranged as follows.

The magnetic drive device has two generators 15, 16 of magnetic fluxes which can be selectively activated, and each generator is arranged to, when it is put into operation, produce simultaneously an attractive flux and a repulsive flux on the magnet, in order to move.

In the case of Figures 1 to 3 where the shutter can take three positions, for the record a valve closing position, and two others positions corresponding to two different flow rates, the two generators 15,16 have the same architecture and each include three pole pieces 17,18,19 and 20.21.22 respectively.

In the embodiment, the pole pieces are bars or plates whose polar end of each is pierced with a hole whose inner diameter corresponds to the outer diameter of tube 2, and each of pole pieces is arranged so that the tube passes through each of the holes.

The other end of each of the pole pieces of a generator is fixed to a respective core, 23 for the first generator 15, and 24 for the second 16.

Preferably, as illustrated in the figures, the pole pieces of a generator are uniformly distributed over the length of the respective core, and the distance between two adjacent pole pieces corresponds substantially to the one between the two ends of the magnet 14.

Thus, each core has several portions, here two, located each between two adjacent pole pieces.

Each core portion is also surrounded by a solenoid respective. In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, four solenoids are therefore present, two 25.26 associated with the first generator 15, and two 27.28 associated with the second 16.

The set of solenoids is connected to a control unit 29, being able to deliver direct currents in the solenoids, to cause the appearance of magnetic fluxes circulating in the nuclei and in the parts polar, as will be explained later. The control unit is by elsewhere arranged so that the direction of the current flowing in each solenoid can, if necessary, be reversed. Finally, the control unit is arranged in such a way that each generator 15,16 can be activated selectively and separately.

The direction of winding of the solenoids of the same generator and / or the arrangement of their connections is such that, on the one hand, the solenoids of a same generator are supplied simultaneously and, on the other hand, when current flows there, it causes the appearance of two magnetic fluxes of meaning opposite from the pole end of the center piece towards each of the pole ends of the two end pieces, so that if a north pole appears on the polar end of the central part, it appears a south pole on the polar ends of two other pieces of the same generator. By reversing the direction of the current, the polarities are reversed.

Thus, according to the direction of the fluxes thus created, when the magnet is between the two pole pieces of the same generator, it is subjected to a flux attractive and repulsive.

Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the two generators are nested one inside the other: here, the lower pole piece 20 of the second generator 16 is located between the lower pole pieces 17 and central 18 of the first generator; the central pole piece 21 of the second generator 16 is located between the central pole 18 and upper pole pieces 19 of the first 15 and, finally, the upper pole piece 19 of the first generator 15 is located between the central 21 and upper 22 pole pieces of the second 16.

Finally, means for presetting the longitudinal position of each generator 15,16 compared to tube 2 are provided: they are for example constituted by two screws 30,31 passing through a plate 32 fixed to the tube and each fixed to a respective generator, so that the rotation of a screw one way or the other causes the generator to go up or down corresponding.

A preset can indeed prove useful, for example to properly adjust the closed position and avoid any leakage: in this case, act on the screw 31 connected to the second generator 16; it may still prove useful to adjust the end of filling flow: in this case, act on the position of the first 15 generator by turning the respective screw 30. Indeed, as will be explained further on, it is the first generator 15 which makes it possible to place and maintain the shutter in the low flow position (terminal phase) and it is the second 16, which allows to place and maintain the shutter 1 in the closed position.

In addition, the lower pole piece 17 of the first generator surrounds the tube near the shutter seat 7, and the shutter 1 is arranged so that, when it is in the closed position, that is to say when the shutter part 12 is in contact with the seat 7, the lower pole of the magnet 14 which it contains (south by convention) is located slightly above the pole end of the lower pole piece 20 of the second generator , as illustrated in FIG. 1. For this, the south pole PS of the magnet must be distant from part 12, and there is provided a connecting piece such as a rod 33 connecting the housing of the magnet to the terminal 12.

In this position, the north pole PN of the magnet is located slightly above the pole end of the central pole piece 21 of the second generator.

Consequently, in the absence of current in the solenoids 27.28 of the second generator 15, a magnetic flux appears, which flows in the magnet, in the lower 20 and central 21 pole pieces of this generator and in the part of the core 24 connecting said pole pieces.

However, since the poles of the magnet are offset by compared to the polar ends mentioned, the magnetic flux has a longitudinal component which causes the appearance of a force tending to align the poles of the magnet with the pole ends. But, since the part 12 abuts on seat 7, the force thus generated causes a keeping the shutter in contact with the seat 7, which ensures sealing.

There is therefore a self-maintenance of the shutter 1 in the closed position.

By acting on the screw 30 for presetting the position of the second generator 16, so that the generator goes up along the tube, the force support decreases; conversely, by lowering this generator 16 along the tube, the pressing force increases.

Regardless of the setting of the contact force, the preset is further useful so that the shock between the shutter part 12 and the seat 7, at when closing the valve, does not damage seat 7 or the part 12 shutter.

In FIG. 2, the shutter is in the low flow position, that is to say the flow in the terminal phase: the upper pole PN of the magnet 14 is aligned with the pole end of the upper pole piece 19 of the first generator, and the lower pole PS of the magnet is aligned with the pole end of the central pole piece of the same generator.

The shutter keeps itself in this position, even in the absence current in the solenoids 25,26 of the first generator; indeed in this case, a flux due to the presence of the magnet 14 circulates in the latter, in the upper pole piece 19, in the core part 23 between the latter and the part central polar 18 and finally in this central room.

In FIG. 3, the shutter is in the high flow position: the upper pole PN of the magnet is aligned with the pole end of the upper pole piece 22 of the second generator 16; its lower pole PS is aligned with the pole end of the central pole piece 21 of the second generator. Again, in the absence of current in the solenoids 27,28 of the second generator 16, the shutter self-maintains due to the magnetic flux in the magnet 14, the upper pole pieces 22 and central 21 and the part of the core 24 between these pole pieces.

1) Le passage dans la position de fermeture de la vanne (Figure 1) s'effectue à l'aide du second générateur 16, en faisant passer, dans les solénoïdes 27,28 de ce générateur, un courant continu tel qu'il apparaít aux extrémités polaires des pièces polaires supérieure 22 et 20, une polarité magnétique inverse par rapport à celle du pôle inférieur de l'aimant, et sur l'extrémité polaire de la pièce polaire centrale 21, la même polarité que sur le pôle inférieur. Par exemple, avec la convention choisie, il apparaít un pôle nord sur les extrémités polaires des pièces polaires supérieure 22 et inférieure 20, et un pôle sud sur l'extrémité polaire de la pièce centrale 21. De ce fait, le pôle supérieur de l'aimant se trouve à la fois repoussé par la polarité de la pièce supérieure, et attiré par le polarité de la pièce centrale ; le pôle inférieur est, quant à lui, repoussé par la pièce centrale et attiré par la pièce inférieure.

2) Le passage dans la position de petit débit, exploité lors de la phase terminale, et représenté sur la figure 2, s'effectue à l'aide du premier générateur 15, en faisant passer dans ses solénoïdes 25,26, un courant tel que d'une part, le pôle supérieur de l'aimant est à la fois attiré par la pièce polaire supérieure 19 dudit générateur et repoussé par la pièce polaire centrale 18, et d'autre part, le pôle inférieur de l'aimant est à la fois attiré par la pièce polaire centrale 18 et repoussé par la pièce polaire inférieure 17. Si, comme avec la convention utilisée, le pôle supérieur de l'aimant est un pôle nord PN, alors il apparaít un pôle sud sur les extrémités polaires des pièces polaires supérieure 19 et inférieure 17, et un pôle nord sur la pièce centrale 18.

3) Le passage à la position de grand débit (Figure 3), est assuré par le second générateur 16.

The passage of the shutter 1 in each of the positions illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, from any of the others is ensured as follows

1) The passage into the closed position of the valve (Figure 1) is carried out using the second generator 16, passing through the solenoids 27,28 of this generator, a direct current as it appears at the pole ends of the upper pole pieces 22 and 20, a reverse magnetic polarity with respect to that of the lower pole of the magnet, and on the pole end of the central pole piece 21, the same polarity as on the bottom pole. For example, with the chosen convention, there appears a north pole on the pole ends of the upper 22 and lower pole pieces 20, and a south pole on the pole end of the central piece 21. Therefore, the top pole of the the magnet is both repelled by the polarity of the upper part, and attracted by the polarity of the central part; the lower pole is, in turn, repelled by the central part and attracted by the lower part.

2) The transition to the low flow position, operated during the terminal phase, and represented in FIG. 2, is carried out using the first generator 15, by passing through its solenoids 25,26, a current such that on the one hand, the upper pole of the magnet is both attracted by the upper pole piece 19 of said generator and repelled by the central pole piece 18, and on the other hand, the lower pole of the magnet is both attracted to the central pole piece 18 and repelled by the lower pole piece 17. If, as with the convention used, the upper pole of the magnet is a north pole PN, then it appears a south pole on the polar ends of the upper 19 and lower 17 pole pieces, and a north pole on the center piece 18.

3) The transition to the high flow position (Figure 3) is ensured by the second generator 16.

The current in the solenoids 27,28 of said generator must be such that the upper pole of the magnet is attracted by the upper pole piece 22, while by being pushed back by the central part 21, and the lower pole of the magnet, is attracted by the central part, while being repelled by the lower part.

Thus, with the convention adopted, it would appear a pole south on the upper and lower pole pieces of the second generator and a north pole on its central part.

The use of magnetic repulsion at the same time as attraction has various advantages.

A first advantage appears when the shutter is placed from the position of figure 3 (high flow) to that of figure 2 (small flow) at the time the transition to the terminal phase. In this case, the repulsion phenomenon avoids that the shutter, under the effect of the pressure of the liquid circulating in the valve, is not driven in the closed position.

Another advantage is that the movement of the shutter is more easily amortized: it stabilizes more quickly.

Furthermore, this use promotes the detachment of the magnet, therefore the shutter, from the self-maintaining position in which it is located.

An advantage of self-maintenance is that the valve is weak energy consuming. It only requires current when passing from one position to another. This is particularly interesting when appropriate to maintain it for a long time in a determined position, for example in the closed position when equipment incorporating such a valve is in stop, or in an open position (small or large flow) during the equipment cleaning. This is of course usable during the phases filling.

The valve is controlled using the control unit 29, which is associated with means 34 for measuring the amount of liquid found in the container 35 being filled. These means allow the control unit 29 to correctly position the shutter, and to pass from the position of figure 3 which corresponds to the large flow used during all or part of the main phase at the position of Figure 2 which corresponds to the small flow used during the terminal phase, to avoid problems mentioned in the preamble (foam overflow and / or dosage inaccuracy if the high flow rate was maintained until the end) on the one hand, and move it from the low flow position to the closed position of the Figure 1, on the other hand.

The measurement means 34 associated with the control unit 29 can be chosen from flowmeter, volumetric or weight. The last mentioned, namely the means of measurement are preferred by weight due to their lower complexity of implementation.

The control unit 29 is associated with programming means 36 to allow its configuration so that the various movement orders shutter are given at the appropriate times.

It is indeed necessary to personalize the equipment comprising the valve of the invention depending on the nature of the liquid to be introduced into the container, and the very shape of the container, this last point being particularly important if the problem to be resolved is that of the consequences of a foaming, the extent of which depends on both the flow during the phase main and container shape.

In other words, if we consider two containers having the same volume, but of different shapes, it is possible that, for the same flow rates in the main phase and in the terminal phase, it is necessary to program the transition from one phase to another at different times, i.e. when the amount of liquid is not the same.

The valve of the invention also makes it possible to vary the flow rate during the main phase. In particular, it is possible to start filling with a small flow (position in Figure 2), in particular to avoid phenomena splash.

It is possible to increase the number of positions that can take the shutter, adding additional pole pieces to one and / or to the other generators, and, of course, adding one or more parts of nucleus, as well as an appropriate number of solenoids. It is therefore advisable to connect the solenoids to the control unit so as to obtain a pole magnetic polarity given on a pole piece of a generator and a opposite polarity on the two adjacent pole pieces of the same generator.

Thus, in Figure 4, a first generator 37 is shown with four pole pieces 38,39,40,41 connected by a core 42. Each part of core separating two adjacent pole pieces is surrounded by a solenoid 43,44,45.

In the example, a second generator 46 comprises, as in the in FIGS. 1 to 3, three pole pieces 47, 48, 49 connected by a core 50, and each core part separating two adjacent parts is surrounded by a solenoid 51.52. In this case, the shutter can take a position additional to Figures 1 to 3.

For this, it is sufficient that each set 43.44; 44.45 of two neighboring solenoids contained in the first generator can be excited selectively by the control unit 53, so that the pole pieces central and immediately external of each of said sets take the required polarities.

By adding a pole piece to the second generator, we would obtain a additional possibility and so on.

Other embodiments of generators can be envisaged for the production of magnetic flux allowing the movement of the shutter.

A first mode implements a single generator having a number pole pieces at least one unit greater than the number of positions must take the shutter.

This mode is illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5C in the case of a shutter likely to take three positions.

In this case, the generator 54 then comprises four pole pieces, referenced from 55 to 58 starting from the lower pole piece. For the sake of simplification, the entire valve has not been shown, but only the parts making it possible to understand its operation, that is to say the circuit magnetic with the generator 54, the pole pieces 55 ... 58, the magnet 59, and the solenoids 60,61,62 (from bottom to top) and the nucleus 63.

The displacement of the shutter is again obtained by exciting two neighboring solenoids so as to obtain both an attractive and a repulsive flux acting on the magnet 59.

However, the nested arrangement of FIGS. 1 to 4 is preferred for various reasons.

On the one hand, the longitudinal size of this solution is more important: for a three-position valve (two opening, one of closure), the generator 54 occupies three polar inter-room spaces against two and a half with the solution of figures 1 to 3.

On the other hand, with this solution, the amplitude of displacement of the shutter, when it goes from one position to another immediately adjacent, corresponds to the distance separating two pole pieces, i.e. substantially to the length of the magnet, whereas with the solution of nested generators, the passage between two adjacent positions implies a displacement of a half length of magnet.

Due to this greater displacement amplitude, stopping or damping the movement of movement can be more delicate.

In addition, the control of the solenoids is more complex to carry out, because moving to a specific intermediate position may require the excitation of different solenoids depending on whether the passage takes place in the direction of raising or lowering of the shutter.

So, for example, to go from the position of Figure 5A (position of the magnet, therefore of the shutter), to that of FIG. 5B (position intermediate), it should, as shown in FIG. 5A, to excite the solenoids 60 and 61 to make appear, on the one hand on the end pole of the lower pole piece 55, as well as on the pole end of the third pole piece 57 (from the bottom piece), the same magnetic polarity than that of the lower pole of magnet 59, that is, with the convention adopted, a south pole if the lower pole of the magnet is south and, on the other hand, on the pole end of the second pole piece 56 from the lower part, the same polarity as on the upper pole of the magnet (here north by convention).

Under these conditions, the pole end of the upper pole piece 58 has the same polarity as that of the nearest part 57, since the solenoid 62 between these two parts is not excited.

The flows on the parts 55, 56, 57 therefore cause both a attraction and repulsion of the magnet.

It is easily understood that, if instead of exciting the solenoid 60 between the lower pole piece 55 and that immediately adjacent 56, we excited with an appropriate current the solenoid 62 it would be possible to obtain fluxes which seem repulsive and attractive.

However, in this case, the magnet could remain in self-maintenance in the position of FIG. 5A, if the flux created by the magnet itself, looping by the lower pole piece 55, the immediately adjacent piece 56 and the part of core 63 between these two parts, was preponderant.

On the other hand, to move from the position of FIG. 5C, the upper position of the magnet, to that of figure 5B, it is necessary to excite the solenoids 61 and 62 to make appear, as illustrated in Figure 5C, a north pole on the pole piece upper 58, as well as on room 56, and a south pole on room 57 between the previous two.

In this case, the excitation of solenoids 60 and 61 would risk being without effect, since the magnet would be likely to remain in self-maintenance in the position of Figure 5C, due to the flux created by the magnet itself.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate, in turn, two alternative embodiments generators that can be used in place of those illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, 5A to 5C.

The difference with the generators previously described is that the solenoids are no longer arranged around the parts of nuclei connecting two adjacent pole pieces, but around certain pole pieces.

The generator of FIG. 6 comprises three pole pieces 64, 65, 66 and a core 67. A solenoid 68 is wound around the central pole piece 65. By circulating the current in one direction in the solenoid, it appears a polarity given on the pole end 69 of the central pole piece 65, and a opposite polarity on the polar ends of the extreme parts 64 and 66. In reversing the current, the polarities are reversed.

The generator of figure 7 is an extrapolation of that of figure 6. It has more than three pole pieces. Here five pieces 70, ... 74 have been shown, and each of the parts except those of the lower ends 70 and upper 74 is surrounded by a solenoid 75,76,77. A core 78 connects the pieces between them.

By applying an appropriate electric current to one of the solenoids, we cause the appearance of a given magnetic pole on the polar end of the pole piece surrounded by the excited solenoid and opposite poles on the adjacent rooms.

By nesting two generators conforming to that of FIG. 6, we obtains a magnetic arrangement equivalent to that of FIGS. 1 to 3.

By nesting a generator conforming to that of FIG. 6 with a generator conforming to that of FIG. 7, (with four pole pieces), we obtains a magnetic arrangement equivalent to that of FIG. 4, in which the generator of figure 6 replaces that 46 with three poles of this figure 4, and the generator of figure 7 replaces that 37 with four poles of the same figure 4.

A generator conforming to that of FIG. 7 can be used instead and instead of that of FIGS. 5A to 5C.

Other variants are possible, in particular one where each pole piece would be surrounded by a solenoid. In this case appropriately excite three solenoids each time. Such layout would be very cumbersome and would require a circuit of relatively complicated control.

Likewise, it should be noted that the valve can be oriented in a other than the one that was described, which is only the layout preferential, because the circulation of the liquid from the top to the bottom favors the passage in the closed position, therefore reduces the closing time, thus contributing to the desired precision. Indeed, with this provision, the liquid drives the shutter.

Consequently, references to "superior (s)" or "lower (s)" or "rising" or "lowering" the shutter is neither limiting or essential.

Claims (16)

1. Container-filling device comprising a valve with at least two separate streams, the said valve being placed in a liquid feed circuit upstream of the container (35), and means (34) for measuring the amount of liquid in the container, the said means being connected to a control circuit (29), so as to give a change-of-stream command or a cease-filling command, depending on the amount of liquid measured, the valve comprising means for shutting off a stream and for switching from one stream to another, such as a shutter (1) that moves in a tube (2), and means (15, 16; 37, 46; 54) for actuating the shut-off means in order to place them either in a position in which a given separate stream is shut off or in a position in which a given separate stream flows, characterized in that the means (15, 16; 37, 46; 54) for actuating the shutter (1) are placed outside the tube (2) and are magnetic and in that the actuating members are electromagnetically controlled and the magnetic circuit is designed so that the shutter, after having been placed in a defined position corresponding to the shutting-off or opening-up of a given stream, under the action of an electrical control signal, remains in this position, after the electrical control signal has been released, until a new electrical control signal for placing it in another position is applied.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the shutter (1) contains a permanent magnet (14) and in that the magnetic actuating members (15, 16; 37, 46; 54) comprise at least one generator which, when it is in operation, is designed to produce simultaneously an attractive magnetic flux and a repulsive magnetic flux on the magnet so as to move the latter, and therefore the shutter, from one defined position to another.
3. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that a generator comprises at least three pole pieces (17, 18, 19; 20, 21, 22; 38, ... 41; 47, 48, 49; 55, ... 58; 64, 65, 66; 70, ... 74), in that the pole end of each piece surrounds the tube, in that the other end of each of the pieces of a generator is fixed to a respective core (23; 24; 42; 50; 63; 67; 78) and in that at least one solenoid is placed in each magnetic circuit part formed by a set of three adjacent pole pieces and by the core portions that connect these pole pieces together, so that, when a current flows in the solenoid, a given magnetic polarity appears on the pole end of the central pole piece of the said circuit part, and the opposite polarity appears on the pole ends of the two outermost pole pieces of the said part.
4. Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the pole pieces of a generator are uniformly distributed along the length of the respective core and the distance between two adjacent pole pieces corresponds approximately to that between the two ends (PS; PN) of the magnet (14; 59) in such a way that, when the two ends of the magnet are opposite the pole pieces of a generator, the magnet, and therefore the shutter, automatically remains held in this position.
5. Device according to either of Claims 3 and 4, characterized in that a solenoid (25; 26; 27; 28; 43; 44; 45; 51, 52; 60; 61; 62) is placed around each core portion separating two adjacent pole pieces and in that the set of solenoids is connected to a control unit (29; 53) so that two adjacent solenoids can be selectively and simultaneously powered in order for a given polarity to appear on the pole end of the pole piece located between the two solenoids and the opposite polarity on the pole ends of each of the two pole pieces located on either side of these two solenoids.
6. Device according to either of Claims 3 and 4, characterized in that a solenoid (68; 75; 76; 77) is placed around each of the pole pieces (65; 71; 72; 73) of each generator, with the exception of those (64; 66; 70; 74) of the ends of the generator, and each solenoid is connected to the control unit so that a single solenoid can be supplied at a time, in order for a given magnetic polarity to appear on the pole end of the pole piece surrounded by the solenoid that is powered and the reverse polarity on the pole ends of the two adjacent pole pieces.
7. Device according to one of Claims 3 to 6, characterized in that it comprises two mutually imbricated generators and the total number of pole pieces on the set of generators is such that it is possible to position the shutter in the set of desired positions (closure and at least two streams).
8. Device according to one of Claims 3 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a single generator, the number of pole pieces of which is at least one more than the number of positions that the shutter has to adopt.
9. Device according to one of the preceding Claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the generator used to place the shutter in the closed position is arranged relative to the tube (2) so that, when the shutter is in the closed position and when there is no current in at least one of the solenoids, the ends (PN, PS) of the magnet are offset relative to the pole ends of two of the pole pieces used to place the shutter in the closed position, in such a way that the magnetic flux generated by the magnet, which flows in the magnet, in the said pole pieces and in the core part that connects the said pole pieces, has a longitudinal component that creates a force that keeps the shutter pressed against the seat.
10. Device according to one of Claims 3 to 9, characterized in that it includes means (30, 31, 32) for presetting the relative position of a generator, or respectively each generator, relative to the tube (2).
11. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the means (34) for measuring the amount of liquid in the container, which are connected to a control circuit (29) so as to give a change-of-stream command or a cease-filling command, depending on the amount of liquid measured, are weight-measuring means.
12. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the means (34) for measuring the amount of liquid in the container, which are connected to a control circuit (29) so as to give a change-of-stream command or a cease-filling command, depending on the amount of liquid measured, are volume-measuring means.
13. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the tube (2) has at least two separate parts (5, 6) of different inside diameter; in that a smaller-diameter part (6) is close to an end (4) of the tube (2); in that the diameters of the separate parts of the tube increase towards the other end (3) of the tube (2); in that the transition between the part (6) having the smallest diameter and the adjacent part constitutes a shut-off valve seat against which a termination (12), which provides the shut-off function, of part of the shutter is pressed when the latter is in the shut-off position; in that the shutter, on the one hand, is placed opposite the separate parts of the tube (2) and, on the other hand, in addition to the shut-off position, can adopt as many fixed positions as the tube has parts of different diameter, in such a way that the passage cross section presented to the fluid increases in a discrete manner as the shutter is progressively taken into a fixed position remote from the valve seat (7), thereby allowing, for each position of the shutter, a different separate stream to flow.
14. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the tube (2) has two parts (5, 6) of different inside diameter and the shutter (1) has two parts (8, 10) of different outside diameter, the first part (8) furthermore forming a cylindrical body having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the larger-diameter part (5) of the tube, the second part (10) forming a cylindrical end-piece, the outside diameter of which is smaller than the inside diameter of the smaller-diameter tube part (6); the transition (7) between the two parts of the tube has a shape such that it constitutes a shut-off valve seat; the transition between the two parts of the shutter has a termination (12) fulfilling the shut-off function when it is pressed against the valve seat; the shutter may adopt three positions: a first position in which the termination is pressed against the valve seat; a second position in which the end-piece remains partly engaged in the small-diameter part (6) of the tube; and a third position in which the end-piece is completely disengaged from the small-diameter part (6) of the tube; the first part (8) of the shutter is permanently placed in the larger-diameter part (5) of the tube; and the cross section of the annular space (9) between the said first part of the shutter (1) and the larger-diameter part (5) of the tube is greater than that of the annular space (11) between the end-piece and the smaller-diameter part (6) of the tube.
15. Device according to Claim 14, characterized in that the cross section of the annular space (9) between the first part of the shutter and the larger-diameter part (5) of the tube is greater than the total cross section of the smaller-diameter part (6) of the tube.
16. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the valve includes means (13) for centring the shutter (1) in the tube (2).

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