EP1739019B1 - Valve pour remplisseur sous vide de produits contenants des particules - Google Patents

Valve pour remplisseur sous vide de produits contenants des particules Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1739019B1
EP1739019B1 EP06116195A EP06116195A EP1739019B1 EP 1739019 B1 EP1739019 B1 EP 1739019B1 EP 06116195 A EP06116195 A EP 06116195A EP 06116195 A EP06116195 A EP 06116195A EP 1739019 B1 EP1739019 B1 EP 1739019B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
housing
filler
valve
passageway
plug
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.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP06116195A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP1739019A1 (fr
Inventor
Hugo Hanssens
Dominique Leyre
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
John Bean Technologies Corp
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John Bean Technologies Corp
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Application filed by John Bean Technologies Corp filed Critical John Bean Technologies Corp
Publication of EP1739019A1 publication Critical patent/EP1739019A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1739019B1 publication Critical patent/EP1739019B1/fr
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
    • B65B31/04—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied
    • B65B31/044—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied the nozzles being combined with a filling device

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus and process for pre-vacuumizing receptacles to be filled with product, and more particularly, to a filling valve capable of pre-vacuumizing a receptacle and then quickly and accurately filling the receptacle.
  • Vacuum fillers remove entrapped air from pre-filled products such as fruits, vegetables, or fish, and accurately fill syrup, brine, oils, or sauces to a predetermined headspace.
  • a container enters the filling station and is positioned onto a lifter plate which raises the container against a filling valve to seal it from the atmosphere.
  • the lifter is lifted by its lifter roller which moves onto a camtrack, called the liftercam.
  • the air in the container is removed by means of vacuum.
  • product is drawn into the container due to the underpressure in the container.
  • a third phase further fills the container with product to the desired filling level. This third phase can be done with or without the help of vacuum.
  • the container is connected to the atmosphere and the lifter plate is lowered before the container is being discharged out of the filler.
  • a filling valve which contains typically a movable part with holes and/or grooves to connect the container with the vacuum, the filling bowl or the open atmosphere.
  • particulates such as sauces with pieces of vegetables.
  • US 4,532,971 describes a filler valve according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • This document discloses a high speed vacuum syruper having a plurality of valves arranged on a rotatable bowl carrying a filling syrup.
  • the principal object of this document is to provide a valve manipulating mechanism which is suitable for high speed operation.
  • US 3.552.453 discloses filling heads for a container-filling machine.
  • An object of the disclosed filling heads is to speed up the filling operation. This is achieved by the filling heads having four different positions (vent, vacuum, initial fill and final fill position) during filing.
  • US 4,388,955 disposes a vacuum filler with a filling head for filling steel cans containing tacky food products with filling liquids of low viscosity.
  • the filling head comprises a displacement disc, having a generally convex surface, with an aligned through passage.
  • the invention relates to a filler valve according to claim 1 and to an apparatus for filling containers according to claim 25.
  • a filler valve is interposed between a storage bowl and a container to be filled with the liquid or a liquid and particulate mixture.
  • the filler valve includes a housing disposed beneath the bowl.
  • the housing has an inlet in content flow communication with the bowl and an outlet in content flow communication with a container to be filled.
  • the housing defines portions of a vacuum passageway having an inlet at the housing content outlet and a distal connection location connectable to a source of vacuum.
  • the valve also includes a rotatable filler plug closely receivable within the housing, with at least one fill passageway transversely extending through the filler plug to be in registry with the housing content inlet and content outlet at a particular angular orientation of the filler plug within the housing.
  • the filler plug is rotatable between an initial position within the housing, wherein the plug fill passageway is out of registry with the housing inlet and outlet and the vacuum passageway is operable to apply vacuum to the container at the housing outlet, and a second position wherein the filler plug fill passageway is in registry with the housing inlet and outlet to allow content to flow from the storage bowl to the container.
  • the housing includes portions that define a ventilation passageway from a ventilation inlet to the housing content outlet, thereby to provide ventilation at the housing content outlet during filling of the container with content from the storage bowl.
  • the filler plug includes two fill passageways extending transversely therethrough.
  • One of the fill passageways is designed to permit content to flow from the storage bowl to the container with the ventilation passageway in closed condition, and the second fill passageway designed to allow content to flow from the storage bowl to the container with the ventilation passageway open.
  • a distribution plate is coupled to the distal end portion of the filler plug to rotate therewith, the distribution plate operable to open and close the vacuum passageway and the ventilation passageway during operation of the filler valve.
  • flushing fluid is directed to the housing content outlet after a container has been filled, thereby to flush away content that may remain at the housing outlet.
  • the flushing fluid may be routed through the filler plug and directed to the housing outlet after filling of the container has been completed.
  • a filler valve 30 is illustrated as mounted beneath filler bowl or enclosure 32, typically holding a liquid, for example, syrup, brine, oil, sauce, etc. Particulates may be present in the liquid, for example, pieces of vegetables within a sauce.
  • the present invention is designed to efficiently and very quickly fill a container 34 with a desired liquid while removing entrapped air from the container and avoiding clogging the valve with particulates in the liquid.
  • the major subassemblies/components of the filler valve 30 include a housing 36 for receiving a rotatable filling plug 38 therein.
  • An end plate 40 closes off the distal end of the housing 36, and a distribution plate 42, rotatable with the plug 38, is sandwiched between the plug and the end plate 40 to direct filling liquid through the valve as well as directing a vacuum through the valve to evacuate the container 34 prior to the filling operation, as described below.
  • the distribution plate functions to vent the container 34 during the filling operation.
  • the bowl or enclosure 32 is illustrated as a thin walled vessel of a rectangular shape.
  • the bowl can be of other shapes, such as circular, and can be of other sizes, as desired.
  • the filler valve 30 is positioned along a perimeter of the bowl adjacent exterior wall 44. Although only one filler valve 30 is shown, a number of filler valves may be utilized in conjunction with bowl 32, perhaps positioned side by side to each other, or positioned along other sides of the bowl.
  • the valve 30 is mounted to the bowl 32 by an L-shaped bracket 46 having a lower horizontal leg section connected to an upper wall 48 of the valve housing 36, and a longer upright leg section connectable to a mounting rail 50 extending horizontally along a lower portion of wall 44.
  • a spacer 52 is disposed between the bracket upright leg and mounting rail 50 to correctly position the valve 30 relative to an outlet opening 54 formed in the bottom or floor 56 of the bowl.
  • the bowl instead could be mounted directly to the bowl by hardware members extending between the bowl and the valve housing 36.
  • valve housing 36 is shown as being generally rectilinear in shape, having a substantially flat upper wall 48, as described above, to which the housing mounting bracket 46 is attached.
  • the housing also includes a generally cylindrically shaped throughbore 58 extending horizontally through the housing from front face 60 to rear face 62 to closely receive filler plug 38 therein.
  • Product inlet (liquid mixture) 64 extends downwardly through the upper wall 48 in alignment with product outlet 66 formed in the housing lower wall 68.
  • the housing inlet and outlet 64 and 68 extend diagonally relative to the longitudinal centerline 70 of the throughbore 58.
  • a container filling station 80 is formed in the bottom of valve 30 for receiving containers to be filled.
  • the filling station is defined by a circular seat 82 formed in the housing bottom wall 68.
  • a seal or gasket 84 overlies the seat 82 so as to achieve an airtight interconnection with the outer opening of the container 34.
  • the seal/gasket may be composed of various types of materials, for example, natural or synthetic rubber, such as neoprene, nitril-butil rubber or silicon rubber.
  • a short nozzle portion 86 extends downwardly from a central portion of the seat 82, through which the lower product outlet 66 extends.
  • a bridging block 90 is interposed between the upper side of housing 36 and the underside of bowl 32.
  • the block 90 is sized lengthwise to snugly fit between the upper surface of housing top wall 48 and the lower surface of the bowl floor 56.
  • the bridging block 90 includes a vertical throughbore 92 sized and located to form a passageway between bowl opening 54 and housing inlet 64.
  • the block 90 can be secured and placed between the bowl 32 and housing 36 by any convenient method, including the use of threaded fasteners 94 extending through a washer plate 96 positioned against the top surface of the bowl 32 through the bowl floor 56 to engage within threaded openings formed in the bridge block 90.
  • O-rings or other types of seals may be employed at the interface of the bridging block and bowl floor 56, as well as at the interface between the bridging block and the housing upper wall 48, thereby to help prevent leakage of the filler liquid as it passes from the bowl to the valve 30.
  • a vacuum passageway 100 extends from container connection station 80 through the housing 36 to the back/rear face 62 of the housing.
  • the passageway 100 has a short diagonal section 102 extending upwardly from the nozzle 86 to intersect with a horizontal longitudinal section 106 extending through the lower wall 68 of the housing to terminate at an opening 108 formed in the housing rear face 60.
  • the vacuum passageway 100 is shown as circular in cross-section, but may be of other cross-sectional shapes.
  • a check valve 110 is positioned in the diagonal section of the vacuum passageway to close off the passageway when a vacuum is not being applied to the container filling station. The function of the vacuum passageway is discussed below.
  • Housing 36 also includes a vent passageway 112 extending downwardly from the top of the valve 30 and then rearwardly to the rear face 62 of the housing.
  • a vent stack 114 extends upwardly a short distance from the upper surface or wall 48 of the housing.
  • a vent tube 116 extends upwardly from the stack 114 to an elevation toward the upper portion of the bowl 32 so as to be above the height of the liquid when the bowl is filled.
  • the vent passageway 112 has a vertical section 118 extending downwardly through the vent stack 114 to intersect with an elongate horizontal section 120 extending horizontally through the housing upper wall 48 to terminate at an outlet opening 122 formed in the rear face 64 of the housing.
  • the function of the vent passageway 112 is described below. It is to be appreciated that both the vacuum passageway and ventilation passageway may be routed differently through the housing 36 than described and illustrated.
  • the filler plug 38 is illustrated as including an elongate, circular plug body 130 sized to be closely receivable within a horizontal housing bore 58.
  • a cylindrical sleeve 132 fits closely over plug body portion 130 to enable the filler plug 38 to anti-frictionally rotate within the housing 36.
  • the sleeve may be composed of or coated with an inert anti-friction material, for example an anti-galling nickel alloy.
  • the plug body includes a shoulder or rim portion 134 of a circumference larger than the sleeve 132 to overlap the housing front face 60, see particularly FIGURES 2 and 6 .
  • An O-ring or other type of seal 136 may be positioned between the housing front face 60 and the adjacent surface of the shoulder/rim 134.
  • Two transverse, diagonal filler holes or passageways 138 and 140 extend through the plug body.
  • the filler holes 138 and 140 are positioned and sized to be in alignment with housing product inlet 64 and outlet 66 when the plug 38 is at a particular rotational position relative to the housing 36.
  • the filler holes 138 and 140 are disposed 90° relative to each other.
  • the filler plug 38 further includes a drive wheel shown in the form of a star wheel 142 spaced from the proximal end of the plug body 30 corresponding to the rim 134.
  • a drive wheel shown in the form of a star wheel 142 spaced from the proximal end of the plug body 30 corresponding to the rim 134.
  • the "proximal” and “distal” ends of the plug 38 and the housing 36 are designated for reference only for convenience in describing the embodiment of the valve.)
  • a reduced diameter neck portion 144 is used to space the star wheel 142 outwardly from the shoulder/rim 134.
  • the star wheel 142 includes four radially extending lug portions 146 shaped substantially identically to each other and positioned 90° apart from each other about the longitudinal center line 148 of the filler plug 38.
  • Each of the lug portions 146 has an engagement side or surface 150 defining a camming surface composed of a radially inwardly located rising surface portion 152 that "rises" in the radially outward direction to transition into a lobe portion 154 and then transitions into a declining, tapering portion 156 to a rounded tip or end portion 158.
  • the lug portions 146 are in registry with rollers 166 mounted in the radially outwardly end portions of drive arm 168 extending radially from a circular drive plate 170, shown in FIGURE 1 .
  • the drive arms 168 extend radially from the rotational center 172 of the drive plate 170.
  • Each of the drive arms 168 may be connected to the drive plate 170 by numerous techniques, including that shown in FIGURE 1 .
  • the drive arms 168 are connected to the drive plate 170 through perimeter slots 180, 182, and 184.
  • the perimeter slots are arcuate and also are concentric with the rotational axis 172 of the drive plate 170.
  • the outer rim portion 186 of the drive plate 170 located between a corresponding slot 180, 182, 184 and the outer circumference of the drive plate, is sandwiched between a radially inwardly end portion of the drive arm 168 and a keeper block 188.
  • the keeper block 188 overlaps the drive plate 170 to bear against the surface of the drive plate on both sides of the slots 180, 182, and 184.
  • the keeper plate may have a relief or undercut portion to accommodate the thickness of the drive plate 170.
  • Threaded fasteners 189, or other types of fasteners extend between the drive arm 168 and the keeper plate 188, with one of the fasteners passing through the slots 180, 182, and 184.
  • the drive arms 168 may be positioned at different locations along corresponding slots 180, 182, and 184, thereby to control or alter the rotational position of the filler plug 38 relative to the angular orientation of the drive plate 170. This enables the stages of the valve operation and duration of the stages to be altered or selected.
  • drive rollers 66 engage against the engagement surface 150 of the star wheel lug portions 146, initially radially inwardly of the lobe portions 154 of lugs, and then roll over the lobe portions themselves, and then along the declining portion 156 of the lug and past a tip portion 158 of the lug, thereby disengaging from the lug.
  • the drive rollers 146 are spaced from the drive arm 168 by a shaft 190 extending laterally from the end portions of the drive arms 168. Ball bearings or other provisions, not shown, may be employed between the shaft 180 and the drive roller 168 to define an anti-friction relationship therebetween.
  • the drive plate 170 is rotated about center axis 172 by any convenient means, including by a variable speed motor (not shown).
  • the motor can be directly coupled to the drive plate 170 through use of center hub 191.
  • a drive system composed of a drive shaft and other components can be used to connect the drive motor to the drive plate 170.
  • the filler plug can be rotated by numerous other systems.
  • a stepper motor may be in rotational drive connection with the filler plug to rotate the filler plug through designated angular increments and at angular speeds as desired.
  • the keeper assembly includes a generally rectangularly shaped keeper plate 193 vertically supported adjacent the front face 60 of the housing 36 by a pair of threaded pins 194 that extend through vertical slots 195 formed in the keeper plate to engage within threaded blind holes formed in the upper portion of the housing 36.
  • the slots 195 extend upwardly from the lower edge of the keeper plate.
  • the slots vertically retain the keeper plate but allow the keeper plate to pivot or tilt about the pins 194.
  • Bearing buttons 196 are mounted adjacent the lower corners of the keeper plate to extend toward the adjacent end of the filler plug end portion.
  • buttons 196 may have semi-spherical heads or other shapes to apply a load against the adjacent end of the filler plug, while still allowing the filler plug to rotate within the housing.
  • An arcuate clearance slot is formed in the lower central portion of the keeper plate to provide clearance for the neck portion 144 extending between the star wheel 142 and the plug body 130.
  • An adjustment pin 197 is threadably engaged within a central upper portion of the keeper plate so that the standout of the pin may be adjusted by rotating the pin using an enlarged head portion 198, shown as of hexagonal shape. Of course, other shapes may be utilized, including a circular knurled head portion, not shown.
  • the leading end of the pin 197 is in the form of a rounded tip portion 199 that is positioned to bear against the adjacent portion of bowl 32. It will be appreciated that when the pin 197 is adjusted to extend toward the bowl 32, the lower end of the keeper plate is pressed against the adjacent end of the filler plug 38 to load the filler plug into the housing 36. The amount of load desired can be readily adjusted by rotation of the adjusting pin 197.
  • a spring 200 is engaged over the shaft portion of the pin 197 and held captive between an enlarged head portion and the adjacent surface of the keeper plate.
  • the spring provides a sufficient load between the tip and keeper plate to tend to restrain the pin from rotating once adjusted.
  • other methods can be used to prevent or retard rotation of the pin 197, including for example, using a lock nut or a self-locking insert in the threaded portion of the pin 197.
  • a central blind bore 260 is formed in the portion of filler plug 38 extending centrally along axis 148 beginning at the star wheel 142 and extending toward the longitudinal center portion of the plug body 130.
  • a plurality of lateral passageways 262, 264, and 266 extend from the central bore 260 radially toward the outer circumference of the plug body 130 in alignment with corresponding through holes formed in the sleeve 132.
  • three lateral passageways are illustrated, the number of passageways may be increased or decreased as desired depending on the specific design of the filler valve 30.
  • the distal end portions of the transverse passageways 262, 264, and 266 are in registry with the housing product outlet 66 of the housing.
  • a source of pressurized air may be connected to the entrance end 268 of the bore 260 thereby to direct the pressurized air through the central bore and through the lateral passageways and into the housing product outlet 66. Any product in the outlet nozzle 86 will be flushed or otherwise removed from the valve.
  • the central bore 260 may be closed off with an elongate pin 270 that substantially fills the bore 260.
  • O-rings 272 may be seated on the pin 270 so as to form an airtight seal between the pin and the bore 260. It will be appreciated that the O-rings 272 may be replaced with other types of sealing systems.
  • a cross hole 274 may be formed in the proximal end portion of pin 270 that extends outwardly from the bore 260 to receive a line, a tool, or other method for conveniently grasping the pin 270 to either engage or disengage the pin from the central bore 260.
  • a circular, generally disk-shaped distribution plate 42 is sized and shaped to be closely receivable within the distal end portion of filler plug sleeve 132 that extends beyond the adjacent end of the plug body 130.
  • a shallow counterbore is formed in the sleeve 132 to snugly and closely receive the distribution plate 42.
  • the distribution plate 42 is held in registry with the plug body 130 by a pin 201 extending through aligned blind holes 202 and 203 formed in the adjacent end of the plug body and the distribution plate at an outer perimeter portion of the distribution plate.
  • the distribution plate 42 includes a shoulder or rim portion 204 to overlap the end of the sleeve 132. It is to be appreciated that the distribution plate 42 may be coupled to the plug body 130 otherwise than described above. Also, the distribution plate could be incorporated into the structure of the plug body.
  • a shallow radial groove 206 extends from the center of the distribution plate outwardly in a straight line toward the outer perimeter of the distribution plate in the side of the distribution plate corresponding to the rim 204.
  • a shallow arcuate groove 208 is formed to be concentric about the center of the distribution plate. As shown in FIGURE 12 , the arcuate groove is positioned generally in the radially opposite portion of the distribution plate from the location of the radial groove 206.
  • the end plate 40 is in the form of a generally rectangular plate having a rounded lower edge portion 220.
  • the plate serves to close off the distal portion of the housing 36.
  • a plurality of threaded fasteners 221 extend through clearance holes formed in the end plate to engage within aligned, threaded blind holes formed in the housing 36.
  • a shallow circular rim portion 222 extends outwardly from the inward face of the plate to engage within a close fitting shoulder portion of the housing, thereby to form a seal therebetween.
  • the end plate includes a central throughhole 224 through which a vacuum is introduced into the valve 30, as described below.
  • a nipple 226 is in fluid flow connection with the throughhole 224 to receive the adjacent end of a vacuum line.
  • the nipple 226 may be integrally formed with the end plate 40 or formed separately and then attached to the end plate in a well known manner.
  • a shallow radial groove 228 is formed in the inward face portion of the end plate.
  • a vent passageway 230 is formed within the wall of the end plate 40.
  • the vent passageway 230 is generally radially oriented relative to the center of the end plate and has a radially inward opening 232 that is positioned to be in registry with arcuate groove 208 of the distribution plate at a certain orientation of the valve plug 38 and also has a radially outwardly opening 234 which is in registry with the adjacent end of the vent outlet opening 122 in the upper wall portion of the housing 36.
  • the end plate 40 also has a generally radially oriented vacuum passageway 240 formed within the wall of the end plate.
  • the vacuum passageway 240 has a first radially inwardly positioned opening 242 that is in registry with the radial groove 206 formed in the distribution plate 42 when the filler plug 38 is in particular orientation relative to the housing 36.
  • the vacuum passageway has a second, radially outward opening 246 which is in registry with opening 108 at the longitudinal end of vacuum passageway 106 extending through the lower wall 68 of the housing when the filler plug 38 is in specific orientation relative to the housing 36, as described below.
  • valve 30 is shown at "0" phase.
  • the filler plug 38 is angularly orientated so that filler holes 138 and 140 are out of registry with bowl outlet opening 54.
  • the vacuum source connected to the valve 30 via nipple 226 is closed off by the distribution plate 42.
  • the radial groove 206 extending from the center of the distribution plate radially outwardly toward the perimeter is not lined up with any opening in the housing rear face 62.
  • the venting passageway 112 is closed off by the distribution plate.
  • the vent outlet opening 122 is not in registry with any opening or groove in the distribution plate.
  • Phase "1" of the operation of valve 30 is initiated by a first roller 166 pushing against the lug engagement surface 150 of a lug portion 146 of the star wheel 142 thereby to rotate the star wheel and filler plug 90° from the orientation shown in FIGURES 18A and 18B to the orientation shown in FIGURES 19A and 19B .
  • a container 34 enters the filling station 80 and the container is lifted upwardly to seat 82 so that the upper edge of the container bears against the seal 84.
  • a vacuum is applied at nozzle 86.
  • the radial groove 206 of the distribution plate 42 is aligned with the vacuum passageway opening 108 at the housing rear face 62. This enables the vacuum from nipple 226 to enter the vacuum passageway 100 and the passageway 102 at the nozzle 86 thereby connecting the vacuum with the container 34. In this manner, the air in the container is evacuated.
  • the speed and level of evacuation can be selectively controlled, and may depend on the ability of the container to withstand a vacuum.
  • the next phase is initiated by a second drive roller 166 pushing against an engagement surface 150 of a second lug 146 of the star wheel 42, thereby to rotate the filler plug 38 and distribution plate 42 from the position shown in FIGURES 19A and 19B to the position shown in FIGURES 20A and 20B corresponding to phase 2.
  • a first filler hole 138 is in registry with the housing product inlet 64 and in registry with the housing product outlet 66.
  • filling of the container 34 is initiated with product from the filler bowl primarily by the vacuum within the container. Filling occurs until the pressure within the container equals the pressure in the product bowl 32. It will be appreciated that due to the relatively large diameter of the filler hole 138, particulates in the liquid flow from bowl 32 to container 34 without becoming lodged in the filler valve 30.
  • the vent passageway 112 is in registry with the arcuate groove 208 formed in the distribution plate 42.
  • the radial groove 206 of the distribution plate 106 is in registry with the arcuate groove 228 of the end plate which in turn is in registry with the arcuate groove 208 of the distribution plate.
  • a vacuum is applied to the venting passageway 112. The function of this arrangement is described more fully below.
  • Phase "3" is achieved by a third drive roller 166 pushing against lug engagement surface 150 of a third lug 146 of the star wheel 142 thereby to rotate the filler plug 138 and distribution plate 42 90° further from the orientation shown in FIGURES 20A and 20B to the orientation shown in FIGURES 21A and 21B .
  • the second filler hole 140 is in registry with the product bowl outlet opening 54 and also in registry with the filler nozzle 86 so that the container 134 is now filled by gravity and also the vacuum in the container.
  • the arcuate groove 208 in the distribution plate 42 is orientated to be in registry with the vacuum passageway 112 and also in registry with the venting passageway 118. As such, the upper portion of the container 34 is vented to atmosphere.
  • the venting tube 116 is filled with product to the same level as product in the bowl 32.
  • a fourth drive roller 166 engages a fourth lug portion 146 to ride along the lug engagement surface 150 thereby to rotate the filler plug 38 and distribution plate 42 a further 90° to the starting position shown in FIGURES 18A and 18B .
  • the filled container 34 is then lowered from the filling station 80 and routed to its next processing location.
  • the product in the vent tube from the prior phase 3 is evacuated using vacuum.
  • the radial groove 206 of the distribution plate 42 is in registry with the arcuate groove 224 of the end plate 40, and simultaneously this groove 228 is in registry with the arcuate groove 208 of the distribution plate.
  • the arcuate groove 208 is also in registry with the vent outlet opening 22 of the vent passageway 120.
  • the venting tube 116 is connected for a short while with the vacuum, thereby drawing the product that might be in the vent tube 116, vent stack 114, and vent passageway 118 out through nipple 226.
  • the length of time needed to empty the venting tube 116 can be altered by increasing or decreasing the length of the arcuate groove 228 in the distribution plate 42.
  • the passageways 262, 264, and 266, leading between the central bore 260 in the filler plug 38 to the outer perimeter of the filler plug are in registry with the housing product outlet 66 thereby to direct pressurized air through the center bore 266 and to the outlet 66, thereby flushing or blowing out the nozzle 86 with each cycle of the valve 30.
  • a plug pin 270 is engaged within the central bore 260, as shown in FIGURES 18A-21B .
  • a plug pin 270 may be removed and a source of clean pressurized air attached to the center bore 260 at the star wheel 142 in a well known manner.
  • relatively large cross or filler passageways 138 and 140 can be formed through the plug body 130.
  • Such passageways can be, for example, at least 25 mm in diameter.
  • These large size filler passageways are possible, at least in part, because of the horizontal orientation of the plug body 130 thereby enabling the filler passageways to extend transversely through the plug body.
  • the filler plug body is designed so as not to require the portions of the vacuum or ventilation passageways to be formed therein. Rather, the vacuum and ventilation passageways are primarily formed in the housing, with the opening and closing of these passageways achieved by a distribution plate 42 coupled to the distal end of the plug body.
  • the filler valve 30 is designed to be easily serviced and maintained. Access to the filler valve is easily achieved since the valve is positioned along the lower perimeter of the storage bowl 32. Moreover, the filler plug 38 is readily accessible by simply disassembling the keeper assembly 192 and withdrawing the filler plug from the housing 36.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
  • Compounds Of Alkaline-Earth Elements, Aluminum Or Rare-Earth Metals (AREA)
  • Pigments, Carbon Blacks, Or Wood Stains (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)

Claims (30)

  1. Valve pour remplisseur (30) pour remplir des conteneurs (34) avec un contenu liquide, comportant un logement de valve (36) avec une entrée de contenu (64) pouvant être raccordée en communication de flux de contenu avec une source (44) de contenu et une sortie de contenu (66) pouvant être raccordée en communication de flux de contenu avec un conteneur (34) à remplir, le logement de valve incluant en outre des portions définissant un passage de vide (100) s'étendant entre un emplacement d'entrée (102) adjacent à la sortie de contenu (66) du logement et un emplacement de raccord de source de vide (108) pouvant être raccordé à une source de vide, la valve comportant aussi un bouchon de remplissage rotatif (38) pouvant être étroitement reçu à l'intérieur du logement, la valve pour remplisseur étant caractérisée par :
    le bouchon de remplissage définissant au moins un passage de remplissage (138, 140) formé par un trou de remplissage s'étendant à travers le bouchon de remplissage (38), le passage de remplissage (138, 140) étant simultanément aligné avec à la fois l'entrée de contenu du logement (64) et la sortie de contenu du logement (66) à une position particulière du bouchon de remplissage (38) à l'intérieur du logement (36) et en désalignement avec au moins une de l'entrée de contenu du logement (64) et de la sortie de contenu du logement (66) à une autre position du bouchon de remplissage (38) par rapport au logement (36) ; et
    moyennant quoi, quand le bouchon de remplissage (38) est en position de désalignement avec au moins une de l'entrée de contenu du logement (64) et la sortie de contenu du logement (66), le passage de vide (100) est en raccord de flux de vide entre l'entrée du passage de vide (102) et l'emplacement de raccord de source de vide.
  2. Valve pour remplisseur (30) selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre un système de ventilation (112) pour fournir une ventilation à un emplacement adjacent à la sortie de contenu du logement lorsqu'un récipient est rempli.
  3. Valve pour remplisseur (30) selon la revendication 2, moyennant quoi ledit logement a des portions (118, 120, 122) définissant au moins une partie du système de ventilation.
  4. Valve pour remplisseur (30) selon la revendication 3, moyennant quoi ledit système de ventilation comprend un passage (100) comprenant au moins une partie du passage de vide.
  5. Valve pour remplisseur (30) selon la revendication 1, moyennant quoi ledit bouchon de remplissage rotatif a une portion de corps (130) pouvant être étroitement reçue à l'intérieur d'une cavité de réception (58) formée dans le logement et le passage de remplissage comprend un orifice traversant (138, 140) s'étendant latéralement à travers la portion de corps entre l'entrée de contenu du logement et la sortie de contenu du logement pendant une position relative spécifique du corps de bouchon de remplissage à l'intérieur de la cavité de réception du logement.
  6. Valve pour remplisseur (30) selon la revendication 5, moyennant quoi le bouchon de remplissage comprend en outre :
    (a) une roue d'entraînement (142) ; et
    (b) des rouleaux d'entraînement (166) réalisant une mise en prise d'entraînement séquentiel avec la roue d'entraînement afin de mettre en rotation le bouchon de remplissage à travers des distances angulaires sélectionnées.
  7. Valve pour remplisseur (30) selon la revendication 6, moyennant quoi :
    ladite roue d'entraînement comprend une molette (142) ayant une pluralité d'oreilles (146) s'étendant radialement ; et
    lesdits rouleaux d'entraînement sont couplés à de bras d'entraînement rotatifs (168), lesdits rouleaux d'entraînement réalisant un contact de roulement séquentiel avec les oreilles de la molette.
  8. Valve pour remplisseur (30) selon la revendication 1, moyennant quoi ledit logement de valve définit en outre un poste de raccordement (80) pour recevoir un conteneur à remplir, ledit poste de raccordement correspondant à l'emplacement de sortie de contenu du logement et l'emplacement d'entrée dans le passage de vide.
  9. Valve pour remplisseur (30) selon la revendication 8, moyennant quoi le poste de raccordement de conteneur est situé au niveau du côté inférieur du logement de valve.
  10. Valve pour remplisseur (30) selon la revendication 1, moyennant quoi ledit bouchon de remplissage comporte au moins deux passages de remplissage (138, 140) s'étendant au travers afin d'être en alignement avec l'entrée de contenu et la sortie de contenu du logement de valve à deux orientations séparées du bouchon de remplissage par rapport au logement de valve.
  11. Valve pour remplisseur (30) selon la revendication 10, moyennant quoi à une des orientations du bouchon de remplissage dans laquelle un passage du bouchon de remplissage est en alignement avec l'entrée de contenu et la sortie de contenu du logement de valve, une ventilation est fournie à un emplacement adjacent à la sortie de contenu du logement de valve.
  12. Valve pour remplisseur (30) selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre une plaque de distribution (42) rotative par rapport au logement afin de raccorder le passage de vide à une source de vide à une orientation spécifique du bouchon de remplissage avec le logement de valve, de telle sorte qu'un vide soit dirigé vers un emplacement adjacent à la sortie de contenu du logement.
  13. Valve pour remplisseur (30) selon la revendication 12,
    comprenant en outre un système de ventilation pour fournir une ventilation à un emplacement adjacent à la sortie de contenu du logement, ledit système de ventilation comprenant un passage de ventilation (112) défini, au moins en partie, par ledit logement de valve ; et
    moyennant quoi ladite plaque de distribution (42) est rotative par rapport au logement de valve afin de bloquer et débloquer sélectivement le passage de ventilation à une orientation spécifique du bouchon de remplissage avec le logement.
  14. Valve pour remplisseur (30) selon la revendication 1 comprenant en outre :
    un passage de ventilation (112) au moins partiellement incorporé à l'intérieur du logement de valve (36), ledit passage de ventilation s'étendant entre une entrée de ventilation (118) et une sortie de ventilation (102) à un emplacement adjacent à la sortie de contenu du logement (66), le passage de ventilation (112) pouvant être ouvert et fermé en fonction de la position angulaire du bouchon de remplissage (38) à l'intérieur du logement (36).
  15. Valve pour remplisseur (30) selon la revendication 14, moyennant quoi :
    le bouchon de remplissage comprend une portion de corps allongé (130) pouvant être étroitement mis en prise avec le logement de valve ; et
    le passage de remplissage comprend un orifice transversal (138, 140) formé dans la portion de corps de bouchon de remplissage.
  16. Valve pour remplisseur (30) selon la revendication 15, moyennant quoi le corps de valve a des portions définissant au moins deux orifices transversaux (138,140) comprenant des passages de remplissage, lesdits au moins deux orifices transversaux étant individuellement en alignement avec l'entrée de contenu du logement et la sortie de contenu du logement sur la base de l'orientation angulaire du bouchon de remplissage à l'intérieur du logement de valve.
  17. Valve pour remplisseur (30) selon la revendication 14, comprenant en outre un système d'entraînement (166, 168, 170) pour mettre en rotation le bouchon de remplissage par rapport au logement de valve entre au moins :
    une première position dans laquelle le passage de remplissage du bouchon de remplissage n'est pas en alignement avec l'entrée de contenu du logement et la sortie de contenu du logement, et le passage de vide est en une position ouverte afin d'appliquer une source de vide à un emplacement adjacent à la sortie de contenu du logement ;
    une seconde position dans laquelle le passage de remplissage du bouchon de remplissage est en alignement avec l'entrée de contenu du logement et la sortie de contenu du logement afin de permettre l'écoulement du contenu à travers la valve vers un conteneur à remplir, et dans laquelle le passage de vide est en position fermée pendant au moins une portion du temps de remplissage d'un conteneur et le passage de ventilation est en position ouverte pendant au moins une portion du temps de remplissage d'un conteneur ; et
    une troisième position dans laquelle le passage de remplissage n'est pas en alignement avec l'entrée de contenu du logement et la sortie de contenu du logement et le passage de vide est en position fermée.
  18. Valve pour remplisseur (30) selon la revendication 14, comprenant en outre un système de rinçage par fluide (262, 264, 266, 260, 270) incorporé dans la valve afin de diriger un fluide de rinçage vers la sortie de contenu du logement afin de rincer le contenu hors de l'ouverture de contenu du logement.
  19. Valve pour remplisseur (30) selon la revendication 18, moyennant quoi ledit système de rinçage comprend un passage de fluide de rinçage (262, 264, 266) s'étendant à travers des portions du bouchon de remplissage et pouvant être raccordé à une source de fluide de rinçage afin de diriger le fluide de rinçage vers la sortie de contenu du logement.
  20. Valve pour remplisseur (30) selon la revendication 14, moyennant quoi ledit logement de valve a des portions définissant un poste de réception (80) pour recevoir un conteneur à remplir, ledit poste de réception étant au niveau de la sortie de contenu du logement et de l'entrée de passage de vide.
  21. Valve pour remplisseur (30) selon la revendication 14, moyennant quoi des portions (102, 106) du passage de ventilation (100) sont définies par des portions (102, 106) du passage de vide (112).
  22. Valve pour remplisseur (30) selon la revendication 14, comprenant en outre une plaque de distribution (42) rotative afin d'ouvrir et fermer le passage de vide et d'ouvrir et fermer le passage de ventilation sur la base de l'orientation rotative de la plaque de distribution.
  23. Valve pour remplisseur (30) selon la revendication 22, moyennant quoi la plaque de distribution est rotative avec le bouchon de remplissage.
  24. Valve pour remplisseur (30) selon la revendication 22, moyennant quoi ledit bouchon de remplissage comprend :
    une première portion d'extrémité (142, 146) pouvant être raccordée à un système d'entraînement (166, 168, 170) pour mettre en rotation le bouchon de remplissage ; et
    une seconde portion d'extrémité en mise en prise d'entraînement avec la plaque de distribution.
  25. Appareil pour remplir un conteneur (34) avec un produit liquide, comportant une enceinte de stockage de produit (32), un poste de remplissage de conteneur (80) pour remplir un conteneur (34) avec du produit provenant du conteneur de produit et une valve pour remplisseur (30) pour transmettre sélectivement du produit du conteneur de produit au poste de remplissage, la valve pour remplisseur comportant :
    un logement de valve (36) ayant des portions définissant une entrée de contenu (64) en communication avec l'enceinte de stockage de produit (32) et une sortie de contenu du logement (66) en communication avec le poste de remplissage de conteneur (80) et un bouchon de remplissage (38) pouvant être reçu à l'intérieur dudit logement de valve (36), l'appareil étant caractérisé par :
    (a) un bouchon de remplissage (38) ayant une portion de corps allongé (130) étroitement rotative à l'intérieur du logement de valve (36), la portion de corps définissant un passage de remplissage (138, 140) en alignement avec l'entrée de contenu du logement (64) et la sortie de contenu du logement (66) à une orientation angulaire particulière de la portion de corps de bouchon (130) à l'intérieur du logement de valve (36),
    (b) un passage de vide (100) au moins en partie défini par des portions du logement de valve (36), ledit passage de vide (100) ayant une entrée (102) au niveau de la sortie de contenu du logement (66) et une sortie (108) à un emplacement pouvant être raccordé à une source de vide, ledit passage de vide (100) fonctionnant entre une condition fermée dans laquelle un vide est empêché de se propager à partir de l'entrée de passage de vide (102) et la sortie de passage de vide et une condition ouverte dans laquelle un vide se propage de l'entrée de passage de vide (102) vers la sortie de passage de vide ;
    (c) un passage de ventilation (112) au moins en partie défini par des portions du logement de valve (36), ledit passage de ventilation (102) pouvant être raccordé entre une entrée de ventilation (118) et une sortie de ventilation (102) à un emplacement adjacent à la sortie de contenu du logement (66), ledit passage de ventilation (112) fonctionnant entre une position fermée dans laquelle l'air de ventilation est empêché de s'écouler entre l'entrée (102) et la sortie de passage de ventilation et une condition ouverte dans laquelle l'air de ventilation est en mesure de s'écouler entre l'entrée (102) et la sortie de passage de ventilation ; et
    (d) la valve pour remplisseur (30) fonctionne entre au moins une première position dans laquelle le passage de remplissage (138, 140) n'est pas en alignement avec l'entrée et la sortie (66) de contenu du logement (64) et le passage de vide (100) est en condition ouverte ; et une seconde position dans laquelle le passage de remplissage du bouchon de remplissage (138, 140) est en alignement avec l'entrée (64) et la sortie (66) de contenu du logement, le passage de vide (100) est en condition fermée et le passage de ventilation (112) est en condition ouverte.
  26. Appareil selon la revendication 25, moyennant quoi:
    la portion de corps du bouchon rotatif définit deux orifices transversaux (138, 140), pouvant chacun s'aligner individuellement avec l'entrée de logement et la sortie de logement à une orientation angulaire particulière de la portion de corps de bouchon à l'intérieur du logement ; et
    la valve pour remplisseur (30) est rotative entre au moins trois positions comprenant :
    une première position dans laquelle aucun des orifices transversaux du corps de bouchon n'est en alignement avec l'entrée du logement et la sortie du logement et le passage de vide est en condition ouverte afin d'appliquer un vide à un conteneur du poste de remplissage de conteneur ;
    une seconde position dans laquelle un des orifices transversaux de la portion de corps de bouchon est en alignement avec l'entrée et la sortie du logement afin de permettre l'écoulement du produit hors du conteneur de stockage vers un conteneur en cours de remplissage, et simultanément le passage de ventilation est en condition fermée ; et
    une troisième position dans laquelle l'autre des deux orifices transversaux de la portion de corps de bouchon est en alignement avec l'entrée du logement et la sortie du logement afin de permettre l'écoulement du produit entre le conteneur de stockage du produit et le poste de remplissage du conteneur, et
    simultanément le passage de ventilation est en condition ouverte.
  27. Appareil selon la revendication 26, moyennant quoi la valve pour remplisseur peut être positionnée en une quatrième position, dans laquelle aucun des deux orifices transversaux de la portion de corps de bouchon n'est en alignement avec l'entrée et la sortie du logement, le passage de vide est en position fermée et la sortie du logement est un communication d'écoulement de fluide avec une source de fluide de rinçage.
  28. Appareil selon la revendication 25, moyennant quoi ladite valve pour remplisseur comprend en outre une plaque de distribution (42) fonctionnant en conjonction avec le bouchon rotatif afin de faire fonctionner le passage de vide entre une condition fermée et une condition ouverte ; et de faire fonctionner le passage de ventilation entre une position fermée et une position ouverte.
  29. Appareil selon la revendication 28, dans lequel la plaque de distribution (42) est couplée opérationnellement au bouchon rotatif.
  30. Appareil selon la revendication 29, dans lequel le bouchon rotatif est couplé à un système d'entraînement (142, 146, 166, 168, 170) pour mettre en rotation séquentiellement le bouchon de remplissage et la plaque de distribution à travers les distances angulaires sélectionnées correspondant aux positions de la première et seconde position de la valve pour remplisseur
EP06116195A 2005-06-28 2006-06-28 Valve pour remplisseur sous vide de produits contenants des particules Not-in-force EP1739019B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US69492305P 2005-06-28 2005-06-28

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EP1739019A1 EP1739019A1 (fr) 2007-01-03
EP1739019B1 true EP1739019B1 (fr) 2009-03-04

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06116195A Not-in-force EP1739019B1 (fr) 2005-06-28 2006-06-28 Valve pour remplisseur sous vide de produits contenants des particules

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US (1) US20060289079A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1739019B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE424349T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE602006005421D1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA2686962A1 (fr) * 2007-04-09 2008-10-16 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. Procede, dispositif et systeme de securisation de reseau par l'intermediaire d'une plaque murale de reseau

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2914097A (en) * 1956-07-17 1959-11-24 Battinich Mitchell Filling mechanism
US2903023A (en) * 1956-11-13 1959-09-08 Battinich Mitchell Method and apparatus for filling cans and the like
US3552453A (en) * 1968-06-24 1971-01-05 Fmc Corp Method and apparatus for filling containers
US3990487A (en) * 1975-04-09 1976-11-09 Atlas Pacific Engineering Company Vacuum filler
IT1134035B (it) * 1980-10-24 1986-07-24 Giuseppe Zanichelli Gruppo di introduzione del liquido di governo per colmatrici sottovuoto e simili
GB2087217B (en) * 1980-11-14 1984-05-02 Nestle Sa Canning process
US4388955A (en) * 1981-03-09 1983-06-21 Meissner Konrad E Vacuum filler
US4532971A (en) * 1983-05-06 1985-08-06 Atlas Pacific Engineering Company High speed vacuum syruper
DE3718950A1 (de) * 1987-06-05 1988-12-22 Alcan Gmbh Verfahren und vorrichtung zum fuellen von behaeltern mit teigigem fuellgut
US5961000A (en) * 1996-11-14 1999-10-05 Sanfilippo; James J. System and method for filling and sealing containers in controlled environments

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US20060289079A1 (en) 2006-12-28
DE602006005421D1 (de) 2009-04-16
EP1739019A1 (fr) 2007-01-03
ATE424349T1 (de) 2009-03-15

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