EP2121503A1 - Filling machine provided with a cleaning device with a deformable membrane - Google Patents

Filling machine provided with a cleaning device with a deformable membrane

Info

Publication number
EP2121503A1
EP2121503A1 EP08761768A EP08761768A EP2121503A1 EP 2121503 A1 EP2121503 A1 EP 2121503A1 EP 08761768 A EP08761768 A EP 08761768A EP 08761768 A EP08761768 A EP 08761768A EP 2121503 A1 EP2121503 A1 EP 2121503A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
filling
deformable
support
machine according
membrane
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP08761768A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2121503B1 (en
Inventor
Philippe Macquet
Jean-Marie Maubois
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.)
Sidel Participations SAS
Original Assignee
Sidel Participations SAS
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sidel Participations SAS filed Critical Sidel Participations SAS
Publication of EP2121503A1 publication Critical patent/EP2121503A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2121503B1 publication Critical patent/EP2121503B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/001—Cleaning of filling devices
    • B67C3/002—Cleaning of filling devices using cups or dummies to be placed under the filling heads
    • B67C3/004—Cleaning of filling devices using cups or dummies to be placed under the filling heads permanently attached to the filling machine and movable between a rest and a working position

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a filling machine equipped with a cleaning device.
  • the invention more particularly relates to a rotary machine equipped with a plurality of filling spouts for filling hollow containers, such as bottles or jars, with a food product.
  • Such rotary filling machines conventionally comprise a rotary carousel carrying a tank of filling material and a plurality of filling stations, each filling station comprising a filling spout connected to the tank, a support system for supporting a container made of filling material. below the filling spout, and metering means for delivering a determined amount of filler into each container.
  • Such machines must be regularly cleaned with a cleaning agent, usually liquid, which is circulated in the machine in place of the filler, to remove any trace of the product, dust or other body aliens, and / or possible biological or bacteriological contaminants.
  • a cleaning agent usually liquid
  • These cleaning devices may comprise a plurality of movable collecting elements, such as tubes or vases, each collecting element being movable vertically between a high service position in which the collecting element comes into sealing contact with a filling spout to recover the cleaning agent delivered by said spout r and a low position retracted wherein said tube is spaced from said filling spout to allow filling of containers.
  • the collector elements are connected to the same annular collector movably mounted on a fixed frame to move all the collector elements between their two positions by vertical translation.
  • the collector elements can come all together on cylindrical parts of the filling spouts, wiper seals being then provided to ensure sealing.
  • Such recovery tubes equipped with scraper seals and coming on the spouts, provide a good seal, even when the machine comprises a large number of filling nozzles, with differences in height between the nozzles.
  • their bulk may be incompatible with conventional container support systems.
  • collector elements equipped at the upper end with an O-ring capable of bearing against the conical outer surface of the filling spout or against the lower annular edge surrounding the outlet orifice of the spout.
  • Such sealing with an O-ring can not be suitable on a machine equipped with a large number of filling nozzles, because in practice, the differences height between the filling spouts will necessarily be greater than crushing an O-ring.
  • each filling spout is equipped with a fixed collector element which surrounds the discharge orifice of the filling spout and which has a passage opening disposed below the discharge orifice of the spout. filling, and a discharge duct opening into the internal space of the collector element for the evacuation and recycling of the cleaning agent.
  • the device then comprises a shutter member movable between a retracted position in which said shutter member is spaced from the filling spout to allow filling of a container placed under the filling spout, and a service position in which said shutter member sealingly closes the passage opening of the collector element for effector cleaning operations.
  • Some machines are equipped with an individual displacement system for each shutter element, the displacement between the service and retracted positions then being made by rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the filling spout.
  • These individual displacement systems are particularly bulky, and such a rotational movement requires a significant space under and around the filling spout.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a filling machine with a cleaning device overcomes at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks, which allows in particular to have a good seal during cleaning operations, and / or a small footprint.
  • the subject of the present invention is a filling machine for containers comprising
  • At least one filling station comprising a filling spout, connected to filling liquid storage means, and a cleaning device comprising, for each filling station,
  • shut-off element movable between a retracted position in which said element shutter is spaced from the filling spout, to allow the filling of a container placed under the filling spout, and a service position in which said shutter member is adapted to sealingly close the passage opening of the collector element for performing cleaning operations, and means for moving said shut-off element between its operating position and its retracted position, characterized in that the shut-off element comprises an elastically deformable membrane mounted on a support and forming with the latter a sealed deformation chamber adapted to receive under pressure a fluid to deform the deformable membrane to ensure the closure of the passage opening when said support is brought into the service position by the moving means .
  • the closure member comprises a deformable membrane which can be inflated to deform, so as to bear against the collector element to close its passage opening.
  • the closure device with an inflatable deformable membrane makes it possible to ensure a leaktight closure of the passage orifices during the cleaning operations, and in particular, in the case of a machine equipped with a plurality of filling spouts, to effectively compensate for the differences height between the filling spouts and therefore use common means of moving the shutter elements between their various positions.
  • the deformable membrane is mounted on the upper surface of a support plate, said support plate being provided with a supply channel opening under the deformable membrane, and adapted to be supplied with fluid under pressure.
  • the deformable membrane preferably circular, is mounted in a recess of said support plate, by means of a mounting flange, said membrane preferably having a peripheral bead housed in a corresponding groove of the recess.
  • the collector element has a lower edge, preferably circular, defining the passage orifice, said deformable membrane being adapted to be pressed against said lower edge during pressurization of the deformation chamber.
  • the collector member is formed of a substantially cylindrical skirt integral with the filler spout.
  • the collector element comprises a lateral pipe opening into its internal space to recover the cleaning agent delivered by the filling spout.
  • the displacement means are able to move the support of the deformable membrane from its retracted position to its operating position by at least one displacement in vertical translation downwards, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filling spout. followed by a horizontal displacement, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the filling spout, so that the deformable membrane is substantially centered along the longitudinal axis of the spout.
  • the closure element formed by the membrane on its support is disposed above the passage opening, next to the filling spout, and its displacement between its two positions is achieved by combining vertical movement and horizontal movement.
  • Such a displacement requires little space under the filling spout, and can in particular be achieved without being hindered by the bottle support systems.
  • This combination of simple movements makes it particularly possible, in the case of a machine equipped with a plurality of filling spouts, to use simple common displacement means for move all the shutter elements between their positions.
  • the horizontal displacement is preferably followed by a displacement in vertical translation upwardly substantially along the axis of the filling spout to bring the deformable membrane support into the service position.
  • the machine comprises several filling stations and the deformable membranes on their support in their retracted position are arranged between the filling spouts; the deformable membrane supports are preferably moved simultaneously between their retracted position and their operating position by common displacement means.
  • the machine is of rotary type, said filling stations being arranged at regular angular gaps under a rotary support, the deformable membranes on their supports are mounted at regular angular gaps on a ring assembled under said rotary support via means of displacement in vertical translation and in rotation, said horizontal displacement consisting of a rotation about the axis of rotation of the rotary support, on an angle corresponding to half a step between two successive filling spouts.
  • the supports of the deformable membranes may be formed of an annular support plate, in one or more parts or sectors, assembled to the ring, for example inside the cylindrical wall of the ring, said support plate being provided with openings between the deformable membranes to allow the passage filling nozzles equipped with their collector element in the retracted position of the support plate.
  • the ring internally carries said support plate and is provided with at least two mounting lugs extending radially outwards, each lug being assembled by a vertical jack on a carriage which is slidably mounted on a horizontal guide rail integral with the rotary support, at least one jack mounted between the rotary support and a carriage ensuring the rotational movement of the ring.
  • the above-mentioned liquid-filling storage means are an integral part of the machine and consist of a rotating storage tank, for example an annular one, the aforementioned rotary support being formed by the bottom wall of the tank. , the filling nozzles being mounted directly on this bottom wall.
  • the filling stations are assembled to a rotary support in the form of an annular plate, and are connected via a spider-type distribution system, known per se, to a remote storage tank.
  • the machine comprises means for centering the crown in the retracted position and in the service position; the centering means are formed for example abutments on the guide rail and / or pads integral with the vessel which cooperate with the mounting lugs.
  • Each filling station may comprise container support means comprising at least one holding element adapted to cooperate with the neck of a container, for example a clamp-type holding member, adapted to grip the containers by their neck, said deformable membrane on its support passing between said holding member and the collector element .
  • FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a rotary filling machine according to the invention-, equipped with a cleaning device
  • - Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the ring of closure elements of the cleaning device of Figure 1;
  • FIG. 3 represents an enlarged view of the detail A of FIG. 2;
  • - Figure 4 shows an enlarged partial sectional view of the ring of Figure 2, in a radial section plane passing through the supply channel of a closure member in a non-inflated or undeformed state;
  • - Figure 5 is a partial schematic sectional view of a filling spout and its associated closure member in the service position and in the inflated state;
  • FIGS. 6A and 6B show two partial perspective views of the machine of FIG. 1, illustrating the shutter elements in position retracted, the tank not being shown in Figure 6 ⁇ ;
  • FIGS. 7A and 7B show two views similar to those of FIGS. 6A and 6B, illustrating the shut-off elements in an intermediate low position, between a first low position and a second low position;
  • FIGS. 8A and 8B show two views similar to those of FIGS. 6A and 6B, illustrating the shut-off elements in the operating position;
  • FIG. 9 shows a schematic sectional view of a filling station with its closure member in the retracted position
  • FIG. 10 shows a view similar to Figure 9, with the shutter element in an intermediate low position.
  • the figures illustrate a rotary filling machine 1 equipped with a cleaning device according to the invention, which is more particularly suitable for filling plastic bottles, for example polyethylene terephthalate, with a liquid such as water, milk or fruit juice.
  • the invention can be applied to the filling of any type of container with any type of product.
  • the rotary machine 1 comprises a carousel 11 intended to be rotatably mounted on a fixed frame (not shown) around a vertical axis of rotation.
  • the carousel carries a tank 2 of cylindrical filling liquid, and a plurality of filling stations 3 arranged at regular angular gaps around the axis of rotation.
  • Each filling station 3 comprises a nozzle or filling nozzle 32 with a discharge port 321 in fluid communication with the filling tank, and means 31 for supporting a container B, here a bottle, for holding a container under the filling spout.
  • the carousel is formed by an annular tank 2, and the nozzles are mounted vertically, directly under a rotary support 21 constituted here by the bottom wall of the filling tank 2, with their discharge port 321 downwards.
  • Each filling spout 32 having a longitudinal axis C, comprises a cylindrical upper portion 322, equipped with a flange 322a for its sealing connection to the tank, on the contour of a circular opening of its bottom wall, this upper part extending by a frustoconical lower portion 323 defined by the discharge port 321 circular.
  • Each filling spout 32 is equipped with a collector element 4, integral with the spout, which surrounds the spout at its discharge orifice, and which has a circular passage opening 41 disposed directly above the discharge orifice 321 along the longitudinal axis C of the filling spout 32.
  • This passage orifice is of greater diameter than the discharge port to allow passage of the neck of a bottle during filling operations.
  • Each collector element 4 comprises a lateral evacuation conduit 42 opening into the interior space of the collector element.
  • the exhaust ducts 42 are advantageously arranged radially with respect to the axis of the tank and connected, for example by flexible ducts, to a manifold mounted under the bottom wall of the tank. the tank and connected to the tank by a circuit equipped with a pump for the recycling in closed circuit of the cleaning agent to the tank.
  • the filling spout and its collecting element are formed in one piece having the exterior shape of a simple cylinder, the cylindrical wall of the upper part 322 of the spout extends beyond its frustoconical portion 323 to form a skirt constituting said collector element, the lower edge 43, here of circular shape, of each of the collector elements 4 defining said passage opening 41.
  • the means 31 for supporting a container B, when it is a bottle, are mounted at regular angular gaps on a ring 34 disposed in the hollow central zone of the tank, this ring being for example fixed to the inner cylindrical wall 23 of the tank.
  • Each support means comprises a holding member 311, for example, a gripper, able to grip the bottle below its collar which is located at the base of its neck, a base 312 to support the bottle by its bottom, and a intermediate wedge 313 coming against the cylindrical wall of the bottle.
  • the clamp comprises for example two opposite levers 311a pivotally mounted on a base 311b. The levers are elastically biased by springs in a clamping position of the bottles, and are able to move elastically for the introduction or the release of a bottle.
  • the clamp is assembled by its base at the free end of a rod 314a mounted on the ring 34 above.
  • a vertical rod 315 mounted on the base of the clamp carries said base 312 to its lower end, as well as the intermediate wedge 313.
  • Dosing means are associated with each filling spout for delivering a determined quantity of product into each bottle brought under the filling spout.
  • These dosing means for example of weight type, comprise a valve 33, mounted in the filling spout and controlled in opening and closing by a jack (not shown), this jack being arranged in the upper part of the tank and controlled by a weighing system 134 associated with the rod 134a.
  • the machine according to the invention may be equipped with other metering means, for example volumetric type, flow meter, or allowing the detection of the level of filling of the container.
  • the machine will further comprise an empty bottle supply system, such as a belt conveyor, and an evacuation system, constituted for example by a downstream portion of the aforementioned belt conveyor, for evacuating the filled bottles.
  • an empty bottle supply system such as a belt conveyor
  • an evacuation system constituted for example by a downstream portion of the aforementioned belt conveyor, for evacuating the filled bottles.
  • the cleaning device comprises a plurality of movable shutter elements 5, able to close off the through holes 41 of the collector elements.
  • these closure elements 5 comprise circular deformable membranes 51 carried by the same ring gear 6, said ring being movably mounted on the tank 2.
  • the ring comprises a vertical cylindrical wall 61, with a diameter greater than that of the circle described by the filling spouts during rotation of the tank, this cylindrical wall carrying a support 62, in the form of horizontal annular plate, which extends inward from the lower edge of the cylindrical wall, as well as lugs 63 extending radially outwardly.
  • the membranes are mounted at regular angular gaps on the upper surface 62a of the support plate, at a pitch spacing between membranes corresponding to that of the filling spouts, and in a circle corresponding to that described by said filling spouts.
  • the support plate has between the membranes cutouts defining openings 64 of sufficient size to allow the passage of the beaks vertically, as described below.
  • the support plate thus has an alternation of membranes for cleaning operations and openings for filling operations.
  • the inner circular edge 62b of the support plate has an alternation of concave portions and convex portions delimiting respectively said openings 64 and areas for mounting the membranes on the upper surface 62a of the support plate.
  • each membrane is sealingly mounted in a circular recess 621 of the support plate, and is held in the latter by means of an annular mounting flange 65 fixed to the support plate by means of screws. 66, for example three in number.
  • the membrane forms with the bottom of the recess a deformation chamber 67.
  • the membrane is provided with a peripheral bead 511 which is housed in a corresponding annular groove 621a of the recess.
  • said groove is defined by an annular rib 621b provided on the bottom of the recess, the membrane thus being stretched on this annular rib away from the bottom of the recess.
  • the deformation chamber 67 may be supplied with fluid under pressure by a feed channel 68 opening on the bottom of the recess.
  • Each feed channel consists of a first vertical bore 681 formed from the center of the recess and opening into a second horizontal bore 682 formed from the outer edge 62c circular of the annular plate. This second bore is closed at the end by a suitable plug 69, and a third vertical bore 683 formed in the thickness of the cylindrical wall 61 from its upper edge 61a opens into the second bore, the fluid supply being carried out from this edge. superior of the crown.
  • the ring is formed of several sectors of cylinder assembled to each other and each carrying an annular sector of the support plate.
  • the machine comprises fifteen filling stations, the ring is formed of three sectors assembled to each other by the three mounting tabs, each ring sector carrying an annular sector on which five membranes are mounted.
  • the upper edge of each ring sector is provided with an annular groove 611 in which open the vertical bores 683 of the supply channels of the chambers. The groove is closed in a sealed manner by a cover 70 equipped with a seal.
  • each supply channel opens at the periphery of the recess and a groove formed on the underside of the support plate, near its outer edge 62c circular.
  • Each membrane is made of an elastomeric material, for example of silicone type EPDM nitrile EPT or EPDM. Its diameter and that of its recess 621 are greater than that of the diameter of the collector elements. When the chamber is pressurized, the membrane swells and deforms outwards as shown in FIG.
  • the ring is mounted under the tank, parallel to its bottom wall, and centered along the axis of rotation of the tank, via its mounting tabs 63, with a system of displacement in rotation and in vertical translation interposed between its legs and tank. As shown in Figure 1, the diameter of the ring is smaller than that of the tank, and its mounting tabs extend beyond the outer wall 22 of the tank.
  • Each leg of the crown is connected via a jack 81 vertical, called up / down, on a trolley 82, the latter being slidably mounted on a guide rail 83 in a circular arc fixed horizontally to the tank, the rotational movement of the ring relative to the tank, and around the axis of the latter, being made with less a cylinder 84, said rotation, acting on one of the carriages.
  • the guide rail 83 is fixed, parallel and at a distance from the outer wall of the tank, between two brackets 831 assembled by one of their branches to the bottom wall of the tank constituting the rotary support 21 mentioned above.
  • the carriage generally consists of a rectangular plate bearing on one side four diabolo-shaped wheels 832 arranged in an upper pair and a lower pair, the plate being mounted by placing the rail between the two pairs of wheels.
  • the raising / lowering cylinder 81 is fixed vertically by its cylinder on the other face of the plate, while its free end is assembled to the mounting lug.
  • the cylinder of the rotation cylinder is pivotally assembled to the end of an arm fixed to the bottom wall of the tank, to deport the cylinder body outwards, and its free end is pivotally assembled. to the carriage, for example on the upper edge of the plate. In a so-called high retracted position of the annular plate or crown, which is illustrated in FIGS.
  • the filling nozzles surrounded by their collector element are arranged at the openings of the support plate, the edge lower 43 of the collector elements 4 slightly below the support plate.
  • the membranes are thus embedded between the spouts, directly opposite the bottom wall of the tank.
  • the up / down cylinders are in a retracted position, and each of the three carriages is in abutment against centering means comprising a straight stop 86 fixed to one of the brackets of its guide rail.
  • the centering means further comprise three vertical studs 87 mounted by their collar on the bottom wall of the tank, and which are inserted into cylindrical housings 631 (FIGS. 2 and 7) provided on the upper face of the legs of the casing. crown, in order to wedge in rotation the crown in its retracted high position. These pads also serve vertical stops during the rise of the crown to its retracted high position.
  • the up / down jacks are firstly controlled to perform a vertical translational movement towards the bottom of the crown. from the retracted high position to a first low position, in which the membranes are arranged below the slats, and in particular the lower edges 43 of their collector element 4.
  • the ring is then moved in rotation in the clockwise direction on a corresponding angle at half a step between two successive filling spouts, to bring the crown into a second low position in which the membranes are arranged under the spouts.
  • Figures 7A to 7B illustrate an intermediate position of the ring during its rotational movement between the first and second low positions. As illustrated in FIG.
  • each membrane is substantially centered along the longitudinal axis C (FIG. 5) of a spout, the carriages being in abutment against left stops 88 of the rail, which constitute another part of the abovementioned centering means (FIG. Figures 8A and 8B).
  • the up / down jacks are then retracted to slightly raise the crown of this second low position to a service position, illustrated in FIGS. 5, 8A and 8B, in which the lower edges 43 are arranged below the surface. top of the mounting flange.
  • This service position is defined for a theoretical position of the membranes in which they are arranged just below the lower edges of the collecting elements. However, depending on possible play of a few tenths of a millimeter between the nozzles, some membranes may possibly be in contact with the lower edges of collector elements.
  • Three other pads 89 serving as a vertical cleaning stop are also mounted on the bottom wall of the tank to abut by their free end against the upper face of the legs when the ring is in position on duty.
  • pads 89 can also be inserted partially into the cylindrical housings 631 of the legs of the ring for the rotational centering of the ring in the service position.
  • a fluid under pressure can be injected into the deformation chambers, in order to inflate the membranes so that they bear against the lower edges 43 of the collector elements 4, as illustrated in FIG. 5, and that they thus come to seal the passage orifices.
  • the theoretical distance between the lower edges of the collector elements and the membranes in the non-inflated state in the service position of the ring is between 1 and 3 millimeters (mm), for example of the order 2 mm, the height differences between the nozzles being at most +/- 1 mm.
  • the pressure in the chamber will be between 0.5 and 6 bar, and the vertical deformation of the membrane is between 3 and 7 mm in the absence of spout vis-a-vis. This vertical deformation is greater than the differences in height between the filling spouts, and is defined so that the membranes all bear against the collector elements of the nozzles, the back pressure in the chamber ensuring a sufficient bearing force to obtain a good seal.
  • the membranes are deflated by bringing the deformation chambers to atmospheric pressure, by placing the supply channels in communication with the outside, and the ring is returned to its retracted high position by performing the sequence previously described in the opposite direction: downward movement by vertical translation of the operating position towards the second low position, rotation in the counterclockwise direction by half a step towards the first lower position, then upward displacement by vertical translation in the position high retracted.
  • the crown is held in the retracted high position and rotates with the tank.
  • a cleaning agent is loaded into the filling liquid tank and the tank is preferably stopped in rotation.
  • the crown is then brought into the operating position by actuating the cylinders and the deformation chambers are pressurized to inflate the membranes and thus seal all the collector elements.
  • the flap valves are controlled in the open position to circulate the cleaning agent in the beaks and recover it through the exhaust pipes 42.
  • the discharge tubes are connected to the tank via a manifold for recycling the cleaning agent.
  • the membranes will be kept under pressure for the duration of the washing operation with a cleaning agent.
  • the displacement of the crown to its service position is by vertical translation downwards and rotation of a half-step, without additional vertical translation upwards.
  • the operating position corresponds to the second low position mentioned above, the membrane then being able to deform sufficiently when pressurizing the chamber to come and press against the elements. collectors and ensure a tight closure of the latter.
  • the membranes may have an annular shape, and be mounted in annular recesses able to be supplied with fluid under pressure.
  • this form of membrane allows, according to the shape of the nozzles, to prevent the membrane in the inflated state comes into contact with the frustoconical portion of the nozzle, and in particular close the discharge port.
  • the membrane may have a circular shape, but with a circular central portion of low elasticity, surrounded by an annular portion of greater elasticity, so that, during pressurization, the annular portion of the membrane centered along the circular edge of the collector element deforms more than the central part.

Landscapes

  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)
  • Separation Using Semi-Permeable Membranes (AREA)

Abstract

The machine has a filling tube (32) and a cleaning device comprising a collecting element (4) fixed with a circular flow-through opening (41). A displacement unit displaces a movable closure element (5) between operational and retracted positions. The element (5) has an elastically circular deformable membrane (51) mounted on a horizontal annular plate support (62). The element (5) forms a sealed deformation chamber (67) with the support to receive pressurized fluid in order to deform the membrane for closing the opening when the support is brought in the operational position by the unit.

Description

ii
MACHINE DE REMPLISSAGE EQUIPEE D'UN DISPOSITIF DE NETTOYAGE AVEC MEMBRANE DEFORMABLEFILLING MACHINE EQUIPPED WITH A CLEANING DEVICE WITH DEFORMABLE MEMBRANE
La présente invention concerne une machine de remplissage équipée d'un dispositif de nettoyage. L'invention concerne plus particulièrement une machine rotative équipée d'une pluralité de becs de remplissage pour le remplissage de récipients creux, tel que des bouteilles ou des pots, avec un produit alimentaire. De telles machines rotatives de remplissage comprennent classiquement un carrousel rotatif portant une cuve de produit de remplissage et une pluralité de postes de remplissage, chaque poste de remplissage comprenant un bec de remplissage relié à la cuve, un système de support permettant de supporter un récipient en dessous du bec de remplissage, et des moyens de dosage pour délivrer une quantité déterminée de produit de remplissage dans chaque récipient.The present invention relates to a filling machine equipped with a cleaning device. The invention more particularly relates to a rotary machine equipped with a plurality of filling spouts for filling hollow containers, such as bottles or jars, with a food product. Such rotary filling machines conventionally comprise a rotary carousel carrying a tank of filling material and a plurality of filling stations, each filling station comprising a filling spout connected to the tank, a support system for supporting a container made of filling material. below the filling spout, and metering means for delivering a determined amount of filler into each container.
De telles machines doivent être régulièrement nettoyées à l'aide d'un agent de nettoyage, généralement liquide, que l'on fait circuler dans la machine à la place du produit de remplissage, pour enlever toute trace du produit, les poussières ou autres corps étrangers, et/ou d'éventuels contaminants biologiques ou bactériologiques.Such machines must be regularly cleaned with a cleaning agent, usually liquid, which is circulated in the machine in place of the filler, to remove any trace of the product, dust or other body aliens, and / or possible biological or bacteriological contaminants.
Pour limiter la consommation d'agent de nettoyage, il est connu de prévoir des dispositifs de nettoyage permettant la récupération de l'agent de nettoyage en sortie des becs de remplissage en vue de son recyclage en circuit fermé.To limit the consumption of cleaning agent, it is known to provide cleaning devices for recovering the cleaning agent at the outlet of the filling spouts for recycling in a closed circuit.
Ces dispositifs de nettoyage peuvent comprendre une pluralité d'éléments collecteurs mobiles, tels que des tubes ou vases, chaque élément collecteur étant déplaçable verticalement entre une position haute de service dans laquelle l'élément collecteur vient en contact de manière étanche avec un bec de remplissage pour récupérer l'agent de nettoyage délivré par ledit becr et une position basse escamotée dans laquelle ledit tube est écarté dudit bec de remplissage pour permettre le remplissage de récipients. Les éléments collecteurs sont connectés à un même collecteur annulaire monté mobile sur un bâti fixe pour déplacer l'ensemble des éléments collecteurs entre leurs deux positions par translation verticale.These cleaning devices may comprise a plurality of movable collecting elements, such as tubes or vases, each collecting element being movable vertically between a high service position in which the collecting element comes into sealing contact with a filling spout to recover the cleaning agent delivered by said spout r and a low position retracted wherein said tube is spaced from said filling spout to allow filling of containers. The collector elements are connected to the same annular collector movably mounted on a fixed frame to move all the collector elements between their two positions by vertical translation.
Les éléments collecteurs peuvent venir s'emmancher tous ensemble sur des parties cylindriques des becs de remplissage, des joints racleurs étant alors prévus pour assurer l' étanchéité. De tels tubes de récupération, équipés de joints racleurs et venant s'emmancher sur les becs, assurent une bonne étanchéité, même lorsque la machine comprend un grand nombre de becs de remplissage, avec des différences de hauteur entre les becs. Toutefois, leur encombrement peut s'avérer incompatible avec les systèmes de support de récipient classiques .The collector elements can come all together on cylindrical parts of the filling spouts, wiper seals being then provided to ensure sealing. Such recovery tubes, equipped with scraper seals and coming on the spouts, provide a good seal, even when the machine comprises a large number of filling nozzles, with differences in height between the nozzles. However, their bulk may be incompatible with conventional container support systems.
On peut également prévoir des éléments collecteurs équipés en extrémité supérieure d'un joint torique apte à venir en appui contre la surface extérieure conique du bec de remplissage ou contre le bord annulaire inférieur entourant l'orifice de décharge du bec. Une telle étanchéité avec un joint torique ne peut convenir sur une machine équipée d'un grand nombre de becs de remplissage, car en pratique, les différences de hauteur entre les becs de remplissage seront forcément supérieures à l'écrasement d'un joint torique.It is also possible to provide collector elements equipped at the upper end with an O-ring capable of bearing against the conical outer surface of the filling spout or against the lower annular edge surrounding the outlet orifice of the spout. Such sealing with an O-ring can not be suitable on a machine equipped with a large number of filling nozzles, because in practice, the differences height between the filling spouts will necessarily be greater than crushing an O-ring.
Selon un autre type de dispositif de nettoyage, chaque bec de remplissage est équipé d'un élément collecteur fixe qui entoure l'orifice de décharge du bec de remplissage et qui présente un orifice de passage disposé en dessous de l'orifice de décharge du bec de remplissage, ainsi qu'un conduit d'évacuation débouchant dans l'espace interne de l'élément collecteur pour l'évacuation et le recyclage de l'agent de nettoyage. Le dispositif comprend alors un élément d'obturation déplaçable entre une position escamotée dans laquelle ledit élément d'obturation est écarté du bec de remplissage pour permettre le remplissage d'un récipient placé sous le bec de remplissage, et une position de service dans laquelle ledit élément d'obturation vient obturer de manière étanche l'orifice de passage de l'élément collecteur pour effecteur des opérations de nettoyage . Un déplacement par translation verticale vers le haut des éléments d'obturation via un système de déplacement commun, pour les amener dans leur position de service, pose les mêmes problèmes d'encombrement précités, ainsi que les mêmes problèmes d' étanchéité lorsque les becs ne sont pas parfaitement alignés en hauteur. Certaines machines sont équipées d'un système de déplacement individuel pour chaque élément d'obturation, le déplacement entre les positions de service et escamotée étant alors réalisé par rotation autour d'un axe perpendiculaire à l'axe du bec de remplissage. Ces systèmes de déplacement individuels sont particulièrement encombrants, et un tel mouvement de rotation nécessite un espace disponible important sous le bec de remplissage et autour de ce dernier.According to another type of cleaning device, each filling spout is equipped with a fixed collector element which surrounds the discharge orifice of the filling spout and which has a passage opening disposed below the discharge orifice of the spout. filling, and a discharge duct opening into the internal space of the collector element for the evacuation and recycling of the cleaning agent. The device then comprises a shutter member movable between a retracted position in which said shutter member is spaced from the filling spout to allow filling of a container placed under the filling spout, and a service position in which said shutter member sealingly closes the passage opening of the collector element for effector cleaning operations. A movement by vertical translation upwards of the closure elements via a common displacement system, to bring them into their operating position, poses the same congestion problems mentioned above, as well as the same problems of sealing when the nozzles are not perfectly aligned in height. Some machines are equipped with an individual displacement system for each shutter element, the displacement between the service and retracted positions then being made by rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the filling spout. These individual displacement systems are particularly bulky, and such a rotational movement requires a significant space under and around the filling spout.
Le but de la présente invention est de proposer une machine de remplissage avec un dispositif de nettoyage palliant au moins l'un des inconvénients précités, qui permet notamment d'avoir une bonne étanchéité lors des opérations de nettoyage, et/ou un encombrement réduit .The object of the present invention is to provide a filling machine with a cleaning device overcomes at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks, which allows in particular to have a good seal during cleaning operations, and / or a small footprint.
A cet effet, la présente invention a pour objet une machine de remplissage de récipients comprenantFor this purpose, the subject of the present invention is a filling machine for containers comprising
- au moins un poste de remplissage comprenant un bec de remplissage, relié à des moyens de stockage de liquide de remplissage, et un dispositif de nettoyage comprenant, pour chaque poste de remplissage,at least one filling station comprising a filling spout, connected to filling liquid storage means, and a cleaning device comprising, for each filling station,
- un élément collecteur fixe entourant l'orifice de décharge du bec de remplissage et présentant un orifice de passage disposé en dessous de l'orifice de décharge du bec de remplissage, - un élément d'obturation déplaçable entre une position escamotée dans laquelle ledit élément d'obturation est écarté du bec de remplissage, pour permettre le remplissage d'un récipient placé sous le bec de remplissage, et une position de service dans laquelle ledit élément d'obturation est apte à venir obturer de manière étanche l'orifice de passage de l'élément collecteur pour effectuer des opérations de nettoyage, et des moyens de déplacement dudit élément d'obturation entre sa position de service et sa position escamotée, caractérisée en ce que l'élément d'obturation comprend une membrane élastiquement déformable montée sur un support et formant avec ce dernier une chambre de déformation étanche apte à recevoir sous pression un fluide afin de déformer la membrane déformable pour assurer l'obturation de l'orifice de passage lorsque ledit support est amené en position de service par les moyens de déplacement.a fixed collecting element surrounding the discharge orifice of the filling spout and having a through-hole disposed below the discharge orifice of the filling spout; a shut-off element movable between a retracted position in which said element shutter is spaced from the filling spout, to allow the filling of a container placed under the filling spout, and a service position in which said shutter member is adapted to sealingly close the passage opening of the collector element for performing cleaning operations, and means for moving said shut-off element between its operating position and its retracted position, characterized in that the shut-off element comprises an elastically deformable membrane mounted on a support and forming with the latter a sealed deformation chamber adapted to receive under pressure a fluid to deform the deformable membrane to ensure the closure of the passage opening when said support is brought into the service position by the moving means .
Ainsi, selon l'invention, l'élément d'obturation comprend une membrane déformable qui peut être gonflée pour la déformer, de manière à venir en appui contre l'élément collecteur pour obturer son orifice de passage. Le dispositif d'obturation avec membrane déformable gonflable permet de garantir une fermeture étanche des orifices de passage lors des opérations de nettoyage, et notamment, dans le cas d'une machine équipée d'une pluralité de becs de remplissage, de compenser efficacement les différences de hauteur entre les becs de remplissage et donc d'utiliser des moyens communs de déplacement des éléments obturateurs entre leur diverses positions . Selon un mode de réalisation, la membrane déformable est montée sur la surface supérieure d'une plaque support, ladite plaque support étant munie d'un canal d'alimentation débouchant sous la membrane déformable, et apte à être alimenté en fluide sous pression. Avantageusement, la membrane déformable, de préférence circulaire, est montée dans un renfoncement de ladite plaque support, au moyen d'une bride de montage, ladite membrane présentant de préférence un bourrelet périphérique venant se loger dans une rainure correspondante du renfoncement.Thus, according to the invention, the closure member comprises a deformable membrane which can be inflated to deform, so as to bear against the collector element to close its passage opening. The closure device with an inflatable deformable membrane makes it possible to ensure a leaktight closure of the passage orifices during the cleaning operations, and in particular, in the case of a machine equipped with a plurality of filling spouts, to effectively compensate for the differences height between the filling spouts and therefore use common means of moving the shutter elements between their various positions. According to one embodiment, the deformable membrane is mounted on the upper surface of a support plate, said support plate being provided with a supply channel opening under the deformable membrane, and adapted to be supplied with fluid under pressure. Advantageously, the deformable membrane, preferably circular, is mounted in a recess of said support plate, by means of a mounting flange, said membrane preferably having a peripheral bead housed in a corresponding groove of the recess.
Selon une particularité, l'élément collecteur présente un bord inférieur, de préférence circulaire, définissant l'orifice de passage, ladite membrane déformable étant apte à venir se plaquer contre ledit bord inférieur lors de la mise sous pression de la chambre de déformation. Dans un mode de réalisation, l'élément collecteur est formé d'une jupe sensiblement cylindrique d'un seul tenant avec le bec de remplissage. Selon un mode de réalisation préférentiel, l'élément collecteur comprend une conduite latérale débouchant dans son espace interne pour récupérer l'agent de nettoyage délivré par le bec de remplissage.According to one feature, the collector element has a lower edge, preferably circular, defining the passage orifice, said deformable membrane being adapted to be pressed against said lower edge during pressurization of the deformation chamber. In one embodiment, the collector member is formed of a substantially cylindrical skirt integral with the filler spout. According to a preferred embodiment, the collector element comprises a lateral pipe opening into its internal space to recover the cleaning agent delivered by the filling spout.
Selon une autre particularité, les moyens de déplacement sont aptes à déplacer le support de la membrane déformable depuis sa position escamotée vers sa position de service par au moins un déplacement en translation verticale vers le bas, parallèlement à l'axe longitudinal du bec de remplissage, suivi d'un - déplacement horizontal, perpendiculairement à l'axe longitudinal du bec de remplissage, de sorte que la membrane déformable soit sensiblement centrée selon l'axe longitudinal du bec. Dans sa position escamotée, l'élément d'obturation formé par la membrane sur son support, est disposé au-dessus de l'orifice de passage, à côté du bec de remplissage, et son déplacement entre ses deux positions s'effectue en combinant un mouvement vertical et un mouvement horizontal. Un tel déplacement nécessite peu d'espace sous le bec de remplissage, et peut notamment être réalisé sans être gêné par les systèmes de support de bouteille. Cette combinaison de mouvements simples permet notamment dans le cas d'une machine équipée d'une pluralité de becs de remplissage, d'utiliser des moyens de déplacement communs simples pour déplacer l'ensemble des éléments d'obturation entre leurs positions .According to another particularity, the displacement means are able to move the support of the deformable membrane from its retracted position to its operating position by at least one displacement in vertical translation downwards, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filling spout. followed by a horizontal displacement, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the filling spout, so that the deformable membrane is substantially centered along the longitudinal axis of the spout. In its retracted position, the closure element formed by the membrane on its support, is disposed above the passage opening, next to the filling spout, and its displacement between its two positions is achieved by combining vertical movement and horizontal movement. Such a displacement requires little space under the filling spout, and can in particular be achieved without being hindered by the bottle support systems. This combination of simple movements makes it particularly possible, in the case of a machine equipped with a plurality of filling spouts, to use simple common displacement means for move all the shutter elements between their positions.
Le déplacement horizontal est de préférence suivi d'un déplacement en translation verticale vers le haut sensiblement selon l'axe du bec de remplissage pour amener le support de membrane déformable en position de service .The horizontal displacement is preferably followed by a displacement in vertical translation upwardly substantially along the axis of the filling spout to bring the deformable membrane support into the service position.
Selon un mode de réalisation, la machine comprend plusieurs postes de remplissage et les membranes déformables sur leur support dans leur position escamotée sont disposées entre les becs de remplissage ; les supports de membranes déformables sont de préférence déplacés simultanément entre leur position escamotée et leur position de service par des moyens de déplacement communs .According to one embodiment, the machine comprises several filling stations and the deformable membranes on their support in their retracted position are arranged between the filling spouts; the deformable membrane supports are preferably moved simultaneously between their retracted position and their operating position by common displacement means.
Selon un mode de réalisation, la machine est de type rotative, lesdits postes de remplissage étant disposés à espaces angulaires réguliers sous un support rotatif, les membranes déformables sur leur supports sont montées à espaces angulaires réguliers sur une couronne assemblée sous ledit support rotatif via des moyens de déplacement en translation verticale et en rotation, ledit déplacement horizontal consistant en une rotation autour de l'axe de rotation du support rotatif, sur un angle correspondant à un demi pas entre deux becs de remplissage successifs.According to one embodiment, the machine is of rotary type, said filling stations being arranged at regular angular gaps under a rotary support, the deformable membranes on their supports are mounted at regular angular gaps on a ring assembled under said rotary support via means of displacement in vertical translation and in rotation, said horizontal displacement consisting of a rotation about the axis of rotation of the rotary support, on an angle corresponding to half a step between two successive filling spouts.
Les supports des membranes déformables peuvent être formés d'une plaque support annulaire, en une ou plusieurs parties ou secteurs, assemblée à la couronne, par exemple à l'intérieur de la paroi cylindrique de la couronne, ladite plaque support étant munie d'ouvertures entre les membranes déformables pour permettre le passage des becs de remplissage équipés de leur élément collecteur dans la position escamotée de la plaque support .The supports of the deformable membranes may be formed of an annular support plate, in one or more parts or sectors, assembled to the ring, for example inside the cylindrical wall of the ring, said support plate being provided with openings between the deformable membranes to allow the passage filling nozzles equipped with their collector element in the retracted position of the support plate.
Dans un mode de réalisation particulier,. la couronne porte intérieurement ladite plaque support et est munie d'au moins deux pattes de montage s' étendant radialement vers l'extérieur, chaque patte étant assemblée par un vérin vertical sur un chariot qui est monté coulissant sur un rail de guidage horizontal solidaire du support rotatif, au moins un vérin monté entre le support rotatif et un chariot assurant le déplacement en rotation de la couronne.In a particular embodiment ,. the ring internally carries said support plate and is provided with at least two mounting lugs extending radially outwards, each lug being assembled by a vertical jack on a carriage which is slidably mounted on a horizontal guide rail integral with the rotary support, at least one jack mounted between the rotary support and a carriage ensuring the rotational movement of the ring.
Selon un mode de réalisation, les moyens de stockage de liquide de remplissage précités font partie intégrante de la machine et sont constitués d'une cuve de stockage rotative, par exemple annulaire, le support rotatif précité étant formé par la paroi de fond de la cuve, les becs de remplissage étant montés directement sur cette paroi de fond. Selon un autre mode de réalisation, les postes de remplissage sont assemblés à un support rotatif sous la forme d'une plaque annulaire, et sont connectés, via un système de distribution de type araignée, connu en soi, à une cuve de stockage déportée. Avantageusement, la machine comprend des moyens de centrage de la couronne dans la position escamotée et dans la position de service ; les moyens de centrage sont formés par exemple de butées sur le rail de guidage et/ou de plots solidaires de la cuve qui coopèrent avec les pattes de montage.According to one embodiment, the above-mentioned liquid-filling storage means are an integral part of the machine and consist of a rotating storage tank, for example an annular one, the aforementioned rotary support being formed by the bottom wall of the tank. , the filling nozzles being mounted directly on this bottom wall. According to another embodiment, the filling stations are assembled to a rotary support in the form of an annular plate, and are connected via a spider-type distribution system, known per se, to a remote storage tank. Advantageously, the machine comprises means for centering the crown in the retracted position and in the service position; the centering means are formed for example abutments on the guide rail and / or pads integral with the vessel which cooperate with the mounting lugs.
Chaque poste de remplissage peut comprendre des moyens de support de récipient comprenant au moins un élément de maintien apte à coopérer avec le col d'un récipient, par exemple un élément de maintien de type pince, apte à saisir les récipients par leur col, ladite membrane déformable sur son support passant entre ledit élément de maintien et l'élément collecteur.Each filling station may comprise container support means comprising at least one holding element adapted to cooperate with the neck of a container, for example a clamp-type holding member, adapted to grip the containers by their neck, said deformable membrane on its support passing between said holding member and the collector element .
L'invention sera mieux comprise, et d'autres détails, caractéristiques et avantages apparaîtront plus clairement au cours de la description explicative détaillée qui va suivre d'un mode de réalisation particulier actuellement préféré de l'invention, en référence au dessin schématique annexé, sur lequel :The invention will be better understood, and other details, features and advantages will become more clearly apparent from the following detailed explanatory description of a presently preferred particular embodiment of the invention, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing, on which :
- la figure 1 représente une vue en perspective d'une machine rotative de remplissage selon l'invention-, équipée d'un dispositif de nettoyage ; - la figure 2 représente une vue en perspective de la couronne d'éléments d'obturation du dispositif de nettoyage de la figure 1 ;- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a rotary filling machine according to the invention-, equipped with a cleaning device; - Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the ring of closure elements of the cleaning device of Figure 1;
- la figure 3 représente une vue agrandie du détail A de la figure 2 ; - la figure 4 représente une vue partielle agrandie en coupe de la couronne de la figure 2, selon un plan de coupe radial passant par le canal d'alimentation d'un élément d'obturation dans un état non gonflé ou non déformé; - la figure 5 est une vue schématique partielle en coupe d'un bec de remplissage et de son élément d'obturation associé en position de service et à l'état gonflé ;FIG. 3 represents an enlarged view of the detail A of FIG. 2; - Figure 4 shows an enlarged partial sectional view of the ring of Figure 2, in a radial section plane passing through the supply channel of a closure member in a non-inflated or undeformed state; - Figure 5 is a partial schematic sectional view of a filling spout and its associated closure member in the service position and in the inflated state;
- les figures 6A et 6B représentent deux vues partielles en perspective de la machine de la figure 1, illustrant les éléments d'obturation en position escamotée, la cuve n'étant pas représentée sur la figure 6Α ;FIGS. 6A and 6B show two partial perspective views of the machine of FIG. 1, illustrating the shutter elements in position retracted, the tank not being shown in Figure 6Α;
- les figures 7A et 7B représentent deux vues analogues à celles des figures 6A et 6B, illustrant les éléments d'obturation dans une position basse intermédiaire, entre une première position basse et une deuxième position basse ;FIGS. 7A and 7B show two views similar to those of FIGS. 6A and 6B, illustrating the shut-off elements in an intermediate low position, between a first low position and a second low position;
- les figures 8A et 8B représentent deux vues analogues à celles des figures 6A et 6B, illustrant les éléments d'obturation en position de service ;FIGS. 8A and 8B show two views similar to those of FIGS. 6A and 6B, illustrating the shut-off elements in the operating position;
- la figure 9 représente une vue schématique en coupe d'un poste de remplissage avec son élément d'obturation en position escamotée ; et,- Figure 9 shows a schematic sectional view of a filling station with its closure member in the retracted position; and,
- la figure 10 représente une vue analogue à la figure 9, avec l'élément d'obturation dans une position basse intermédiaire.- Figure 10 shows a view similar to Figure 9, with the shutter element in an intermediate low position.
Les figures illustrent une machine 1 rotative de remplissage équipée d'un dispositif de nettoyage selon l'invention, qui est plus particulièrement adaptée au remplissage de bouteilles en matériau plastique, par exemple en polyéthylène téréphtalate, avec un liquide tel que de l'eau, du lait ou du jus de fruit. Bien entendu, l'invention peut être appliquée au remplissage de tout type de récipient avec tout type de produit. En référence aux figures 1, 5 et 9, la machine 1 rotative comprend un carrousel 11 destiné à être monté tournant sur un bâti fixe (non représenté), autour d'un axe de rotation vertical. Le carrousel porte une- cuve 2 de liquide remplissage cylindrique, et une pluralité de postes 3 de remplissage disposés à espaces angulaires réguliers autour de l'axe de rotation. Chaque poste 3 de remplissage comprend une buse ou bec de remplissage 32 avec un orifice de décharge 321 en communication fluidique avec la cuve de remplissage, et des moyens 31 de support d'un récipient B, ici une bouteille, pour le maintien d'un récipient sous le bec de remplissage. Dans le présent mode de réalisation, le carrousel est formé par une cuve 2 annulaire, et les becs sont montés verticalement, directement sous un support rotatif 21 constitué ici par la paroi de fond de la cuve 2 de remplissage, avec leur orifice de décharge 321 orientés vers le bas.The figures illustrate a rotary filling machine 1 equipped with a cleaning device according to the invention, which is more particularly suitable for filling plastic bottles, for example polyethylene terephthalate, with a liquid such as water, milk or fruit juice. Of course, the invention can be applied to the filling of any type of container with any type of product. With reference to FIGS. 1, 5 and 9, the rotary machine 1 comprises a carousel 11 intended to be rotatably mounted on a fixed frame (not shown) around a vertical axis of rotation. The carousel carries a tank 2 of cylindrical filling liquid, and a plurality of filling stations 3 arranged at regular angular gaps around the axis of rotation. Each filling station 3 comprises a nozzle or filling nozzle 32 with a discharge port 321 in fluid communication with the filling tank, and means 31 for supporting a container B, here a bottle, for holding a container under the filling spout. In the present embodiment, the carousel is formed by an annular tank 2, and the nozzles are mounted vertically, directly under a rotary support 21 constituted here by the bottom wall of the filling tank 2, with their discharge port 321 downwards.
Chaque bec de remplissage 32, d'axe longitudinal C, comprend une partie supérieure 322 cylindrique, équipée d'une collerette 322a pour son raccord de manière étanche à la cuve, sur le contour d'une ouverture circulaire de sa paroi de fond, cette partie supérieure se prolongeant par une partie inférieure tronconique 323 délimitée par l'orifice de décharge 321 circulaire.Each filling spout 32, having a longitudinal axis C, comprises a cylindrical upper portion 322, equipped with a flange 322a for its sealing connection to the tank, on the contour of a circular opening of its bottom wall, this upper part extending by a frustoconical lower portion 323 defined by the discharge port 321 circular.
Chaque bec de remplissage 32 est équipé d'un élément collecteur 4, solidaire du bec, qui entoure ce dernier au niveau de son orifice de décharge, et qui présente un orifice de passage 41 circulaire disposé à l'aplomb de l'orifice de décharge 321 selon l'axe longitudinal C du bec de remplissage 32. Cet orifice de passage est de diamètre supérieur à celui de l'orifice de décharge pour permettre le passage du col d'une bouteille lors des opérations de remplissage. Chaque élément collecteur 4 comprend un conduit 42 latéral d' évacuation débouchant dans l'espace intérieur de l'élément collecteur. Les conduits 42 d'évacuation seront avantageusement disposés radialement par rapport à l'axe de la cuve et raccordés, par exemple par des conduits flexibles, à un collecteur monté sous la paroi de fond de la cuve et relié à la cuve par un circuit équipé d'une pompe pour le recyclage en circuit fermé de l'agent de nettoyage vers la cuve.Each filling spout 32 is equipped with a collector element 4, integral with the spout, which surrounds the spout at its discharge orifice, and which has a circular passage opening 41 disposed directly above the discharge orifice 321 along the longitudinal axis C of the filling spout 32. This passage orifice is of greater diameter than the discharge port to allow passage of the neck of a bottle during filling operations. Each collector element 4 comprises a lateral evacuation conduit 42 opening into the interior space of the collector element. The exhaust ducts 42 are advantageously arranged radially with respect to the axis of the tank and connected, for example by flexible ducts, to a manifold mounted under the bottom wall of the tank. the tank and connected to the tank by a circuit equipped with a pump for the recycling in closed circuit of the cleaning agent to the tank.
Dans le présent mode de réalisation,, le bec de remplissage et son élément collecteur sont formés d'une seule pièce présentant extérieurement la forme d'un simple cylindre, la paroi cylindrique de la partie supérieure 322 du bec se prolonge au-delà de sa partie tronconique 323 pour former une jupe constituant ledit élément collecteur, le bord inférieur 43, ici de forme circulaire, de chacun des éléments collecteurs 4 définissant ledit orifice de passage 41.In the present embodiment, the filling spout and its collecting element are formed in one piece having the exterior shape of a simple cylinder, the cylindrical wall of the upper part 322 of the spout extends beyond its frustoconical portion 323 to form a skirt constituting said collector element, the lower edge 43, here of circular shape, of each of the collector elements 4 defining said passage opening 41.
En référence à la figure 9, les moyens 31 de support d'un récipient B, lorsqu'il s'agit d'une bouteille, sont montés à espaces angulaires réguliers sur un anneau 34 disposé dans la zone centrale creuse de la cuve, cet anneau étant par exemple fixé à la paroi cylindrique intérieure 23 de la cuve. Chaque moyen de support comprend un élément de maintien 311, par exemple, une pince, apte à saisir la bouteille en dessous de sa collerette qui est située à la base de son col, un socle 312 pour soutenir la bouteille par son fond, et une cale intermédiaire 313 venant contre la paroi cylindrique de la bouteille. La pince comprend par exemple deux leviers 311a opposés montés pivotants sur une embase 311b. Les leviers sont sollicités élastiquement par des ressorts dans une position de serrage des bouteilles, et sont aptes à s'écarter élastiquement pour l'introduction ou le dégagement d'une bouteille. La pince est assemblée par son embase à l'extrémité libre d'une tige 314a montée sur l'anneau 34 précité. Une tige verticale 315 montée sur l'embase de la pince porte ledit socle 312 à son extrémité inférieure, ainsi que la cale intermédiaire 313.Referring to Figure 9, the means 31 for supporting a container B, when it is a bottle, are mounted at regular angular gaps on a ring 34 disposed in the hollow central zone of the tank, this ring being for example fixed to the inner cylindrical wall 23 of the tank. Each support means comprises a holding member 311, for example, a gripper, able to grip the bottle below its collar which is located at the base of its neck, a base 312 to support the bottle by its bottom, and a intermediate wedge 313 coming against the cylindrical wall of the bottle. The clamp comprises for example two opposite levers 311a pivotally mounted on a base 311b. The levers are elastically biased by springs in a clamping position of the bottles, and are able to move elastically for the introduction or the release of a bottle. The clamp is assembled by its base at the free end of a rod 314a mounted on the ring 34 above. A vertical rod 315 mounted on the base of the clamp carries said base 312 to its lower end, as well as the intermediate wedge 313.
Des moyens de dosage, connus en soi, sont associés à chaque bec de remplissage pour délivrer une quantité déterminée de produit dans chaque bouteille amenée sous le bec de remplissage. Ces moyens de dosage, par exemple de type pondéral, comprennent un clapet 33, monté dans le bec de remplissage et commandé en ouverture et en fermeture par un vérin (non représenté) , ce vérin étant disposé en partie supérieure de la cuve et asservi par un système de pesée 134 associé à la tige 134a. La machine selon l'invention pourra être équipée d'autres moyens de dosage, par exemple de type volumétrique, débitmétrique, ou permettant la détection du niveau de remplissage du récipient.Dosing means, known per se, are associated with each filling spout for delivering a determined quantity of product into each bottle brought under the filling spout. These dosing means, for example of weight type, comprise a valve 33, mounted in the filling spout and controlled in opening and closing by a jack (not shown), this jack being arranged in the upper part of the tank and controlled by a weighing system 134 associated with the rod 134a. The machine according to the invention may be equipped with other metering means, for example volumetric type, flow meter, or allowing the detection of the level of filling of the container.
La machine comprendra en outre un système d'amenée de bouteilles vide, tel qu'un convoyeur à bande, et un système d'évacuation, constitué par exemple par une portion aval du convoyeur à bande précité, permettant d'évacuer les bouteilles remplies.The machine will further comprise an empty bottle supply system, such as a belt conveyor, and an evacuation system, constituted for example by a downstream portion of the aforementioned belt conveyor, for evacuating the filled bottles.
En combinaison avec les éléments collecteurs précités, le dispositif de nettoyage comprend une pluralité d'éléments d'obturation 5 mobiles, aptes à venir obturer les orifices de passage 41 des éléments collecteurs. En référence aux figures 2 et 3, ces éléments d'obturation 5 comprennent des membranes 51 déformables circulaires portées par une même couronne 6, ladite couronne étant montée mobile sur la cuve 2. La couronne comprend une paroi cylindrique 61 verticale, de diamètre supérieur à celui du cercle décrit par les becs de remplissage lors de la rotation de la cuve, cette paroi cylindrique portant un support 62, en forme de plaque annulaire horizontale, qui s'étend vers l'intérieur depuis le bord inférieur de la paroi cylindrique, ainsi que des pattes 63 s 'étendant radialement vers l'extérieur. Les membranes sont montées à espaces angulaires réguliers sur la surface supérieure 62a de la plaque support, selon un pas d' écartement entre membranes correspondant à celui des becs de remplissage, et selon un cercle correspondant à celui décrit par lesdits becs de remplissage. La plaque support présente entre les membranes des découpes définissant des ouvertures 64 de dimensions suffisantes pour permettre le passage des becs verticalement, tel que décrit ci-après. La plaque support présente ainsi une alternance de membranes pour les opérations de nettoyage et d'ouvertures pour les opérations de remplissage. Dans le mode de réalisation illustré, le bord circulaire interne 62b de la plaque support présente une alternance de portions concaves et de portions convexes délimitant respectivement lesdites ouvertures 64 et des zones pour le montage des membranes sur la surface supérieure 62a de la plaque support. En variante, la plaque support peut présenter un bord interne circulaire, lesdites ouvertures étant formées par des découpes circulaires à travers la plaque support. En référence aux figures 4 et 5, chaque membrane est montée de manière étanche dans un renfoncement 621 circulaire de la plaque support, et est maintenue dans ce dernier au moyen d'une bride 65 annulaire de montage fixée sur la plaque support au moyen de vis 66, par exemple au nombre de trois. La membrane forme avec le fond du renfoncement une chambre 67 de déformation. Pour garantir, un bon positionnement de la membrane dans le renfoncement ainsi qu'une bonne étanchéité, la membrane est munie d'un bourrelet périphérique 511 qui vient se loger dans une rainure annulaire 621a correspondante du renfoncement. Afin d'écarter légèrement la membrane par rapport au fond du renfoncement, ladite rainure est définie par une nervure annulaire 621b prévue sur le fond du renfoncement, la membrane étant ainsi tendue sur cette nervure annulaire à distance du fond du renfoncement.In combination with the aforementioned collector elements, the cleaning device comprises a plurality of movable shutter elements 5, able to close off the through holes 41 of the collector elements. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, these closure elements 5 comprise circular deformable membranes 51 carried by the same ring gear 6, said ring being movably mounted on the tank 2. The ring comprises a vertical cylindrical wall 61, with a diameter greater than that of the circle described by the filling spouts during rotation of the tank, this cylindrical wall carrying a support 62, in the form of horizontal annular plate, which extends inward from the lower edge of the cylindrical wall, as well as lugs 63 extending radially outwardly. The membranes are mounted at regular angular gaps on the upper surface 62a of the support plate, at a pitch spacing between membranes corresponding to that of the filling spouts, and in a circle corresponding to that described by said filling spouts. The support plate has between the membranes cutouts defining openings 64 of sufficient size to allow the passage of the beaks vertically, as described below. The support plate thus has an alternation of membranes for cleaning operations and openings for filling operations. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner circular edge 62b of the support plate has an alternation of concave portions and convex portions delimiting respectively said openings 64 and areas for mounting the membranes on the upper surface 62a of the support plate. Alternatively, the support plate may have a circular inner edge, said openings being formed by circular cuts through the support plate. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, each membrane is sealingly mounted in a circular recess 621 of the support plate, and is held in the latter by means of an annular mounting flange 65 fixed to the support plate by means of screws. 66, for example three in number. The membrane forms with the bottom of the recess a deformation chamber 67. To guarantee a good positioning of the membrane in the recess and a good seal, the membrane is provided with a peripheral bead 511 which is housed in a corresponding annular groove 621a of the recess. In order to move the membrane slightly away from the bottom of the recess, said groove is defined by an annular rib 621b provided on the bottom of the recess, the membrane thus being stretched on this annular rib away from the bottom of the recess.
La chambre 67 de déformation peut être alimentée en fluide sous pression par un canal d'alimentation 68 débouchant sur le fond du renfoncement. Chaque canal d'alimentation est constitué d'un premier alésage vertical 681 formé depuis le centre du renfoncement et débouchant dans un deuxième alésage horizontal 682 formé depuis le bord extérieur 62c circulaire de la plaque annulaire. Ce deuxième alésage est obturé en extrémité par un bouchon 69 approprié, et un troisième alésage vertical 683 formé dans l'épaisseur de la paroi cylindrique 61 depuis son bord supérieur 61a débouche dans le deuxième alésage, l'alimentation en fluide étant effectuée depuis ce bord supérieur de la couronne.The deformation chamber 67 may be supplied with fluid under pressure by a feed channel 68 opening on the bottom of the recess. Each feed channel consists of a first vertical bore 681 formed from the center of the recess and opening into a second horizontal bore 682 formed from the outer edge 62c circular of the annular plate. This second bore is closed at the end by a suitable plug 69, and a third vertical bore 683 formed in the thickness of the cylindrical wall 61 from its upper edge 61a opens into the second bore, the fluid supply being carried out from this edge. superior of the crown.
Afin de faciliter le montage de la couronne sur la cuve, la couronne est formée de plusieurs secteurs de cylindre assemblés les uns aux autres et portant chacun un secteur annulaire de plaque support. Dans Te présent mode de réalisation, la machine comprend quinze postes de remplissage, la couronne est formée de trois secteurs assemblés les uns aux autres par les trois pattes de montage, chaque secteur de couronne portant un secteur annulaire sur lequel sont montées cinq membranes. Avantageusement, le bord supérieur de chaque secteur de couronne est muni d'une gorge annulaire 611 dans laquelle débouchent les alésages verticaux 683 des canaux d'alimentation des chambres. La gorge est refermée de manière étanche par un couvercle 70 équipé d'un joint d' étanchéité . La mise en communication de la gorge avec un circuit de fluide sous pression, par exemple au moyen d'un conduit flexible (non représenté) piqué sur le couvercle et connecté par un système de vannes à un circuit d'air comprimé, permettra de mettre sous pression simultanément toutes les chambres d'un même secteur de couronne. En variante, l'alimentation des chambres s'effectue depuis le bas de la couronne, chaque canal d'alimentation débouche à la périphérie du renfoncement et sur une rainure formée sur la face inférieure de la plaque support, à proximité de son bord extérieur 62c circulaire.In order to facilitate the mounting of the crown on the tank, the ring is formed of several sectors of cylinder assembled to each other and each carrying an annular sector of the support plate. In the present embodiment, the machine comprises fifteen filling stations, the ring is formed of three sectors assembled to each other by the three mounting tabs, each ring sector carrying an annular sector on which five membranes are mounted. Advantageously, the upper edge of each ring sector is provided with an annular groove 611 in which open the vertical bores 683 of the supply channels of the chambers. The groove is closed in a sealed manner by a cover 70 equipped with a seal. The communication of the groove with a pressurized fluid circuit, for example by means of a flexible conduit (not shown) stitched on the lid and connected by a valve system to a compressed air circuit, will allow under pressure simultaneously all the chambers of the same sector of crown. Alternatively, the supply of the chambers is from the bottom of the ring, each supply channel opens at the periphery of the recess and a groove formed on the underside of the support plate, near its outer edge 62c circular.
Chaque membrane est réalisée en un matériau élastomère, par exemple de type silicone, EPDM nitrile EPT ou EPDM. Son diamètre, ainsi que celui de son renfoncement 621 sont supérieurs à celui du diamètre des éléments collecteurs. Lorsque la chambre est mise sous pression, la membrane se gonfle et se déforme vers l'extérieur tel qu'illustré à la figure 5.Each membrane is made of an elastomeric material, for example of silicone type EPDM nitrile EPT or EPDM. Its diameter and that of its recess 621 are greater than that of the diameter of the collector elements. When the chamber is pressurized, the membrane swells and deforms outwards as shown in FIG.
La couronne est montée sous la cuve, parallèlement à sa paroi de fond, et centrée selon l'axe de rotation de la cuve, via ses pattes 63 de montage, avec un système de déplacement en rotation et en translation verticale intercalé entre ses pattes et la cuve. Comme visible à la figure 1, le diamètre de la couronne est inférieur à celui de la cuve, et ses pattes de montage s'étendent au-delà de la paroi extérieure 22 de la cuve. Chaque patte de la couronne est reliée via un vérin 81 vertical, dit de montée/descente, sur un chariot 82, ce dernier étant monté coulissant sur un rail de guidage 83 en arc de cercle fixé horizontalement à la cuve, le déplacement en rotation de la couronne par rapport à la cuve, et autour de l'axe de cette dernière, étant réalisé avec au moins un vérin 84, dit de rotation, agissant sur l'un des chariots. Suivant notamment les figures 6A et 6B, le rail de guidage 83 est fixé, parallèlement et à distance de la paroi extérieure de la cuve, entre deux équerres 831 assemblées par l'une de leurs branches à la paroi de fond de la cuve constituant le support rotatif 21 précité. Le chariot consiste globalement en une platine rectangulaire portant sur une face quatre roues 832 en forme de diabolo disposées en une paire supérieure et une paire inférieure, la platine étant montée en plaçant le rail entre les deux paires de roues. Le vérin 81 de montée/descente est fixé verticalement par son cylindre sur l'autre face de la platine, tandis que son extrémité libre est assemblée à la patte de montage. Le cylindre du vérin de rotation est assemblé de manière pivotante à l'extrémité d'un bras fixé à la paroi de fond de la cuve, afin de déporter le corps de vérin vers l'extérieur, et son extrémité libre est assemblée de manière pivotante au chariot, par exemple sur le bord supérieur de la platine. Dans une position, dite haute escamotée, de la plaque annulaire ou de la couronne, qui est illustrée aux figures 6A, 6B et 9, les becs de remplissage entourés de leur élément collecteur sont disposés au niveau des ouvertures de la plaque support, le bord inférieur 43 des éléments collecteurs 4 légèrement en dessous de la plaque support. Les membranes sont ainsi encastrées entre les becs, directement en vis-à-vis de la paroi de fond de la cuve. Les vérins de montée/descente sont dans une position rétractée, et chacun des trois chariots est en butée contre des moyens de centrage comprenant une butée droite 86 fixée à l'une des équerres de son rail de guidage. Les moyens de centrage comprennent en outre trois plots verticaux 87 montés par leur collerette sur la paroi de fond de la cuve, et qui viennent s'insérer dans des logements cylindriques 631 (figure 2 et 7) prévus sur la face supérieure des pattes de la couronne, afin de caler en rotation la couronne dans sa position haute escamotée. Ces plots servent en outre de butées verticales lors de la montée de la couronne vers sa position haute escamotée.The ring is mounted under the tank, parallel to its bottom wall, and centered along the axis of rotation of the tank, via its mounting tabs 63, with a system of displacement in rotation and in vertical translation interposed between its legs and tank. As shown in Figure 1, the diameter of the ring is smaller than that of the tank, and its mounting tabs extend beyond the outer wall 22 of the tank. Each leg of the crown is connected via a jack 81 vertical, called up / down, on a trolley 82, the latter being slidably mounted on a guide rail 83 in a circular arc fixed horizontally to the tank, the rotational movement of the ring relative to the tank, and around the axis of the latter, being made with less a cylinder 84, said rotation, acting on one of the carriages. According in particular to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the guide rail 83 is fixed, parallel and at a distance from the outer wall of the tank, between two brackets 831 assembled by one of their branches to the bottom wall of the tank constituting the rotary support 21 mentioned above. The carriage generally consists of a rectangular plate bearing on one side four diabolo-shaped wheels 832 arranged in an upper pair and a lower pair, the plate being mounted by placing the rail between the two pairs of wheels. The raising / lowering cylinder 81 is fixed vertically by its cylinder on the other face of the plate, while its free end is assembled to the mounting lug. The cylinder of the rotation cylinder is pivotally assembled to the end of an arm fixed to the bottom wall of the tank, to deport the cylinder body outwards, and its free end is pivotally assembled. to the carriage, for example on the upper edge of the plate. In a so-called high retracted position of the annular plate or crown, which is illustrated in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 9, the filling nozzles surrounded by their collector element are arranged at the openings of the support plate, the edge lower 43 of the collector elements 4 slightly below the support plate. The membranes are thus embedded between the spouts, directly opposite the bottom wall of the tank. The up / down cylinders are in a retracted position, and each of the three carriages is in abutment against centering means comprising a straight stop 86 fixed to one of the brackets of its guide rail. The centering means further comprise three vertical studs 87 mounted by their collar on the bottom wall of the tank, and which are inserted into cylindrical housings 631 (FIGS. 2 and 7) provided on the upper face of the legs of the casing. crown, in order to wedge in rotation the crown in its retracted high position. These pads also serve vertical stops during the rise of the crown to its retracted high position.
Pour amener la couronne dans une position de service permettant l'obturation des orifices de passage 41 au moyen des membranes 51 déformables, les vérins de montée/descente sont dans un premier temps commandés pour effectuer un déplacement en translation verticale vers le bas de la couronne depuis la position haute escamotée jusqu'à une première position basse, dans laquelle les membranes sont disposées en dessous des becs, et notamment des bords inférieurs 43 de leur élément collecteur 4. La couronne est ensuite déplacée en rotation dans le sens horaire sur angle correspondant à un demi-pas entre deux becs de remplissage successifs, pour amener la couronne dans une deuxième position basse dans laquelle les membranes sont disposées sous les becs. Les figures 7A à 7B illustrent une position intermédiaire de la couronne lors de son mouvement de rotation entre les première et deuxième positions basses. Comme illustré à la figure 10, sur laquelle la couronne est dans la deuxième position basse, les positions basses de la couronne sont définies de sorte que la plaque support puisse passer entre les moyens 31 de support d'un récipient, en particulier les pinces, et le bord inférieur 43 des éléments collecteurs 4. Lors du mouvement de rotation, les bords inférieurs des éléments collecteurs passent au ras des brides 65 de montage des membranes, sans contact avec ces dernières. Les vis 66 de fixation des brides sont disposées de sorte que les éléments collecteurs passent entre les têtes de vis lors de la rotation. Dans cette deuxième position basse, chaque membrane est sensiblement centrée selon l'axe longitudinal C (figure 5) d'un bec, les chariots étant en butée contre des butées gauches 88 du rail, qui constituent une autre partie des moyens de centrage susmentionnés (Figures 8A et 8B) . Dans un troisième temps, les vérins de montée /descente sont ensuite rétractés pour monter légèrement la couronne de cette deuxième position basse vers une position de service, illustrée aux figures 5, 8A et 8B, dans laquelle les bords inférieurs 43 sont disposés sous la surface supérieure de la bride de fixation. Cette position de service est définie pour une position théorique des membranes dans laquelle elles sont disposées juste en dessous des bords inférieurs des éléments collecteurs. Toutefois, en fonction d'éventuels jeux de quelques dixièmes de millimètre entre les becs, certaines membranes peuvent éventuellement être en contact avec les bords inférieurs d'éléments collecteurs. Trois autres plots 89 servant de butée verticale de nettoyage sont également montés sur la paroi de fond de la cuve pour venir en butée par leur extrémité libre contre la face supérieure des pattes lorsque la couronne est en position de service. Ces plots 89 peuvent également venir s'insérer partiellement dans les logements cylindriques 631 des pattes de la couronne pour le centrage en rotation de la couronne en position de service. Dans cette position de service, un fluide sous pression peut être injecté dans les chambres de déformation, afin de gonfler les membranes pour qu'elles viennent en appui contre les bords inférieurs 43 des éléments collecteurs 4, tel qu'illustré à la figure 5, et qu'elles viennent ainsi fermer de manière étanche les orifices de passage.To bring the crown into a service position for closing the passage orifices 41 by means of the deformable membranes 51, the up / down jacks are firstly controlled to perform a vertical translational movement towards the bottom of the crown. from the retracted high position to a first low position, in which the membranes are arranged below the slats, and in particular the lower edges 43 of their collector element 4. The ring is then moved in rotation in the clockwise direction on a corresponding angle at half a step between two successive filling spouts, to bring the crown into a second low position in which the membranes are arranged under the spouts. Figures 7A to 7B illustrate an intermediate position of the ring during its rotational movement between the first and second low positions. As illustrated in FIG. 10, on which the crown is in the second low position, the low positions of the are defined so that the support plate can pass between the means 31 for supporting a container, in particular the clamps, and the lower edge 43 of the collector elements 4. During the rotational movement, the lower edges of the collector elements pass flush with the flanges 65 for mounting the membranes, without contact with the latter. The screws 66 for fixing the flanges are arranged so that the collector elements pass between the screw heads during rotation. In this second low position, each membrane is substantially centered along the longitudinal axis C (FIG. 5) of a spout, the carriages being in abutment against left stops 88 of the rail, which constitute another part of the abovementioned centering means (FIG. Figures 8A and 8B). In a third step, the up / down jacks are then retracted to slightly raise the crown of this second low position to a service position, illustrated in FIGS. 5, 8A and 8B, in which the lower edges 43 are arranged below the surface. top of the mounting flange. This service position is defined for a theoretical position of the membranes in which they are arranged just below the lower edges of the collecting elements. However, depending on possible play of a few tenths of a millimeter between the nozzles, some membranes may possibly be in contact with the lower edges of collector elements. Three other pads 89 serving as a vertical cleaning stop are also mounted on the bottom wall of the tank to abut by their free end against the upper face of the legs when the ring is in position on duty. These pads 89 can also be inserted partially into the cylindrical housings 631 of the legs of the ring for the rotational centering of the ring in the service position. In this operating position, a fluid under pressure can be injected into the deformation chambers, in order to inflate the membranes so that they bear against the lower edges 43 of the collector elements 4, as illustrated in FIG. 5, and that they thus come to seal the passage orifices.
À titre d'exemple, la distance théorique entre les bords inférieurs des éléments collecteurs et les membranes à l'état non gonflé dans la position de service de la couronne est comprise entre 1 et 3 millimètres (mm), par exemple de l'ordre de 2 mm, les différences de hauteur entre les becs étant au plus de +/- 1 mm. La pression dans la chambre sera comprise entre 0,5 et 6 bars, et la déformation verticale de la membrane est comprise entre 3 et 7 mm en l'absence de bec en vis-à- vis. Cette déformation verticale est supérieure aux différences de hauteur entre les becs de remplissage, et est définie de sorte que les membranes viennent toutes en appui contre les éléments collecteurs des becs, la contre-pression dans la chambre garantissant une force d'appui suffisante pour obtenir une bonne étanchéité.By way of example, the theoretical distance between the lower edges of the collector elements and the membranes in the non-inflated state in the service position of the ring is between 1 and 3 millimeters (mm), for example of the order 2 mm, the height differences between the nozzles being at most +/- 1 mm. The pressure in the chamber will be between 0.5 and 6 bar, and the vertical deformation of the membrane is between 3 and 7 mm in the absence of spout vis-a-vis. This vertical deformation is greater than the differences in height between the filling spouts, and is defined so that the membranes all bear against the collector elements of the nozzles, the back pressure in the chamber ensuring a sufficient bearing force to obtain a good seal.
Une fois l'opération de nettoyage terminée, les membranes sont dégonflées en ramenant les chambres de déformation à la pression atmosphérique, par mise en communication des canaux d'alimentation avec l'extérieur, et la couronne est ramenée dans sa position haute escamotée en effectuant la séquence décrite précédemment dans le sens inverse : déplacement vers le bas par translation verticale de la position de service vers la deuxième position basse, rotation dans le sens antihoraire d'un demi pas vers la première position basse, puis déplacement vers le haut par translation verticale dans la position haute escamotée.Once the cleaning operation is complete, the membranes are deflated by bringing the deformation chambers to atmospheric pressure, by placing the supply channels in communication with the outside, and the ring is returned to its retracted high position by performing the sequence previously described in the opposite direction: downward movement by vertical translation of the operating position towards the second low position, rotation in the counterclockwise direction by half a step towards the first lower position, then upward displacement by vertical translation in the position high retracted.
Lors des opérations de remplissage de récipients, la couronne est maintenue en position haute escamotée et tourne avec la cuve. Pour le nettoyage de la machine, un agent de nettoyage est chargé dans la cuve de liquide de remplissage et la cuve est de préférence stoppée en rotation. La couronne est alors amenée en position de service par actionnement des vérins puis les chambres de déformation sont mises sous pression pour gonfler les membranes et ainsi obturer l'ensemble des éléments collecteurs. Les clapets des becs sont commandés en position ouverte pour faire circuler l'agent de nettoyage dans les becs et le récupérer par les conduits 42 d'évacuation. Tel que décrit précédemment, les tubes d'évacuation sont connectés à la cuve via un collecteur pour le recyclage de l'agent de nettoyage. Les membranes seront maintenues sous pression pendant toute la durée de l'opération de lavage avec un agent de nettoyage.During container filling operations, the crown is held in the retracted high position and rotates with the tank. For the cleaning of the machine, a cleaning agent is loaded into the filling liquid tank and the tank is preferably stopped in rotation. The crown is then brought into the operating position by actuating the cylinders and the deformation chambers are pressurized to inflate the membranes and thus seal all the collector elements. The flap valves are controlled in the open position to circulate the cleaning agent in the beaks and recover it through the exhaust pipes 42. As previously described, the discharge tubes are connected to the tank via a manifold for recycling the cleaning agent. The membranes will be kept under pressure for the duration of the washing operation with a cleaning agent.
En variante, le déplacement de la couronne vers sa position de service s'effectue par translation verticale vers le bas puis rotation d'un demi-pas, sans translation verticale supplémentaire vers le haut. La position de service correspond à la deuxième position basse précitée, la membrane étant alors apte à se déformer suffisamment lors de la mise sous pression de la chambre pour venir se plaquer contre les éléments collecteurs et assurer une fermeture étanche de ces derniers .Alternatively, the displacement of the crown to its service position is by vertical translation downwards and rotation of a half-step, without additional vertical translation upwards. The operating position corresponds to the second low position mentioned above, the membrane then being able to deform sufficiently when pressurizing the chamber to come and press against the elements. collectors and ensure a tight closure of the latter.
Par ailleurs, selon un mode de réalisation, les membranes peuvent présenter une forme annulaire, et être montées dans des renfoncements annulaires aptes à être alimentés en fluide sous pression. Ainsi, cette forme de membrane permet, suivant la forme des becs, d'éviter que la membrane à l'état gonflé ne vienne en contact avec la partie tronconique du bec, et notamment obturer l'orifice de décharge. En variante, la membrane peut présenter une forme circulaire, mais avec une partie centrale circulaire de faible élasticité, entourée d'une partie annulaire d'élasticité plus importante, de sorte que, lors de la mise sous pression, la partie annulaire de la membrane centrée selon le bord circulaire de l'élément collecteur se déforme davantage que la partie centrale.Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the membranes may have an annular shape, and be mounted in annular recesses able to be supplied with fluid under pressure. Thus, this form of membrane allows, according to the shape of the nozzles, to prevent the membrane in the inflated state comes into contact with the frustoconical portion of the nozzle, and in particular close the discharge port. Alternatively, the membrane may have a circular shape, but with a circular central portion of low elasticity, surrounded by an annular portion of greater elasticity, so that, during pressurization, the annular portion of the membrane centered along the circular edge of the collector element deforms more than the central part.
Bien que l'invention ait été décrite en liaison avec un mode de réalisation particulier, il est bien évident qu'elle n'y est nullement limitée et qu'elle comprend tous les équivalents techniques des moyens décrits ainsi que leurs combinaisons si celles-ci entrent dans le cadre de l'invention. Although the invention has been described in connection with a particular embodiment, it is obvious that it is not limited thereto and that it comprises all the technical equivalents of the means described and their combinations if they are within the scope of the invention.

Claims

tREVENDICATIONS tREVENDICATIONS
1. Machine (1) de remplissage de récipients (B) comprenantContainer filling machine (1) (B) comprising
- au moins un poste de remplissage comprenant un bec de remplissage relié à des moyens de stockage de liquide de remplissage, et un dispositif de nettoyage comprenant, pour chaque poste de remplissage,at least one filling station comprising a filling spout connected to filling liquid storage means, and a cleaning device comprising, for each filling station,
- un élément collecteur fixe entourant l'orifice de décharge du bec de remplissage et présentant un orifice de passage disposé en dessous de l'orifice de décharge du bec de remplissage, - un élément d'obturation déplaçable entre une position escamotée dans laquelle ledit élément d'obturation est écarté du bec de remplissage, pour permettre le remplissage d'un récipient placé sous le bec de remplissage, et une position de service dans laquelle ledit élément d'obturation est apte à venir obturer de manière étanche l'orifice de passage de l'élément collecteur pour effectuer des opérations de nettoyage, et des moyens de déplacement dudit élément d'obturation entre sa position de service et sa position escamotée, caractérisée en ce que l'élément d'obturation (5) comprend une membrane (51) élastiquement déformable montée sur un support (62) et formant avec ce dernier une chambre (67) de déformation étanche apte à recevoir sous pression un fluide afin de déformer la membrane déformable pour assurer l'obturation de l'orifice de passage lorsque ledit support est amené en position de service par les moyens de déplacement (81-84). a fixed collecting element surrounding the discharge orifice of the filling spout and having a through-hole disposed below the discharge orifice of the filling spout; a shut-off element movable between a retracted position in which said element shutter is spaced from the filling spout, to allow the filling of a container placed under the filling spout, and a service position in which said shutter member is adapted to sealingly close the passage opening the collecting element for carrying out cleaning operations, and means for moving said shut-off element between its operating position and its retracted position, characterized in that the closing element (5) comprises a membrane (51 ) resiliently deformable mounted on a support (62) and forming therewith a chamber (67) of tight deformation adapted to receive under pressure a fluid in order to deforming the deformable membrane to ensure the closure of the passage opening when said support is brought into the service position by the displacement means (81-84).
2. Machine selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que la membrane (51) déformable est montée sur la surface supérieure (62a) d'une plaque support (62), ladite plaque support étant munie d'un canal d'alimentation (68) débouchant sous la membrane déformable, et apte à être alimentée en fluide sous pression.2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the deformable membrane (51) is mounted on the upper surface (62a) of a support plate (62), said support plate being provided with a feed channel (68). ) opening under the deformable membrane, and adapted to be supplied with fluid under pressure.
3. Machine selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que la membrane (51) déformable est montée dans un renfoncement (621) de ladite plaque support, au moyen d'une bride (65) de montage, ladite membrane présentant un bourrelet périphérique (511) venant se loger dans une rainure (621a) correspondante du renfoncement.3. Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the deformable membrane (51) is mounted in a recess (621) of said support plate, by means of a mounting flange (65), said membrane having a peripheral bead ( 511) being received in a corresponding groove (621a) of the recess.
4. Machine selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisée en ce que l'élément collecteur (4) présente un bord inférieur (43) définissant l'orifice de passage (41) , ladite membrane (51) déformable étant apte à venir se plaquer contre ledit bord inférieur lors de la mise sous pression de la chambre (67) de déformation. 4. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the collector element (4) has a lower edge (43) defining the passage opening (41), said deformable membrane (51) being adapted to to press against said lower edge during pressurization of the deformation chamber (67).
5. Machine selon la revendication 4, caractérisée en ce que l'élément collecteur (4) est formé d'une jupe sensiblement cylindrique d'un seul tenant avec le bec de remplissage (32) .5. Machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the collector element (4) is formed of a skirt substantially cylindrical in one piece with the filling spout (32).
6. Machine selon l'une des revendications 1 à 5 caractérisée en ce que les moyens de déplacement (81-84) sont aptes à déplacer le support (62) de la membrane (51) déformable depuis sa position escamotée vers sa position de service par au moins un déplacement en translation verticale vers le bas, parallèlement à l'axe longitudinal (C) du bec de remplissage (32), suivi d'un déplacement horizontal, perpendiculairement à l'axe longitudinal du bec de remplissage, de sorte que la membrane déformable soit sensiblement centrée selon l'axe longitudinal du bec.6. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the displacement means (81-84) are adapted to move the support (62) of the diaphragm (51) deformable from its retracted position to its service position by at least one vertically downward translation movement, parallel to the longitudinal axis (C) of the filling spout (32), followed by a horizontal displacement, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the filling spout, so that the deformable membrane is substantially centered along the longitudinal axis of the spout.
7. Machine selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que le déplacement horizontal est suivi d'un déplacement en translation verticale vers le haut sensiblement selon l'axe longitudinal (C) du bec de remplissage (32) pour amener le support (62) de membrane (51) déformable en position de service.7. Machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the horizontal displacement is followed by a displacement in vertical translation upwardly substantially along the longitudinal axis (C) of the filling spout (32) to bring the support (62) membrane (51) deformable in the service position.
8. Machine selon l'une des revendications 6 ou 7, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend plusieurs postes (3) de remplissage et les membranes (51) déformables (51) sur leur support (62) dans leur position escamotée sont disposées entre les becs de remplissage (32) .8. Machine according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of filling stations (3) and the membranes (51) deformable (51) on their support (62) in their retracted position are arranged between the filling spouts (32).
9. Machine selon la revendication 8, caractérisée en ce que les supports (62) de membranes (51) déformables sont déplacés simultanément entre leur position escamotée et leur position de service par des moyens de déplacement (81-84) communs.9. Machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the supports (62) of membranes (51) deformable are moved simultaneously between their retracted position and their operating position by means of displacement (81-84) common.
10. Machine selon la revendication 9, caractérisée en ce qu'elle est de type rotative, lesdits postes (3) de remplissage étant disposés à espaces angulaires réguliers sous un support rotatif (21) , les membranes (51) déformables sur leur supports (62) sont montées à espaces angulaires réguliers sur une couronne (6) assemblée sous ledit support rotatif via des moyens de déplacement (81-84) en translation verticale et en rotation, ledit déplacement horizontal consistant en une rotation autour de l'axe de rotation du support rotatif, sur un angle correspondant à un demi pas entre deux becs de remplissage successifs.10. Machine according to claim 9, characterized in that it is of rotary type, said filling stations (3) being arranged at regular angular gaps under a rotary support (21), the membranes (51) deformable on their supports ( 62) are mounted at regular angular gaps on a ring gear (6) assembled under said rotary support by means of displacement (81-84) in vertical translation and in rotation, said horizontal displacement consisting of a rotation about the axis of rotation of the rotary support, on an angle corresponding to half a step between two successive filling spouts.
11. Machine selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce que les supports (62) des membranes déformables sont formés d'une plaque support annulaire (62) assemblée à la couronne (6), ladite plaque support étant munie d'ouvertures (64) entre les membranes déformables pour permettre le passage des becs de remplissage (32) équipés de leur élément collecteur (4) dans la position escamotée de la plaque support.11. Machine according to claim 10, characterized in that the supports (62) of the membranes deformable are formed of an annular support plate (62) assembled to the ring (6), said support plate being provided with openings (64) between the deformable membranes to allow the passage of the filling nozzles (32) equipped with their element manifold (4) in the retracted position of the support plate.
12. Machine selon l'une des revendications 10 ouMachine according to one of claims 10 or
11, caractérisée en ce que la couronne (6) porte intérieurement ladite plaque support (62) et est munie d'au moins deux pattes de montage (63) s' étendant radialement vers l'extérieur, chaque patte étant assemblée par un vérin (81) vertical sur un chariot (82) qui est monté coulissant sur un rail de guidage (83) horizontal solidaire du support rotatif (21), au moins un vérin (84) monté entre le support rotatif et un chariot assurant le déplacement en rotation de la couronne.11, characterized in that the ring (6) internally carries said support plate (62) and is provided with at least two mounting lugs (63) extending radially outwards, each leg being assembled by a jack ( 81) vertical on a carriage (82) which is slidably mounted on a horizontal guide rail (83) integral with the rotary support (21), at least one jack (84) mounted between the rotary support and a carriage providing rotational displacement of the crown.
13. Machine selon l'une des revendications 10 à13. Machine according to one of claims 10 to
12, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend des moyens de centrage (86-88) de la couronne (6) dans la position escamotée et dans la position de service.12, characterized in that it comprises centering means (86-88) of the ring (6) in the retracted position and in the service position.
14. Machine selon l'une des revendications 1 à14. Machine according to one of claims 1 to
13, caractérisée en ce que chaque poste (3) de remplissage comprend des moyens (31) de support d'un récipient (B) comprenant au moins un élément de maintien , (311) apte à coopérer avec le col d'un récipient (B), ladite membrane (51) déformable sur support (62) passant entre ledit élément de maintien et l'élément collecteur (4) . 13, characterized in that each filling station (3) comprises means (31) for supporting a container (B) comprising at least one holding element (311) adapted to cooperate with the neck of a container ( B), said deformable membrane (51) on support (62) passing between said holding member and the collector element (4).
EP08761768A 2007-01-22 2008-01-16 Filling machine provided with a cleaning device with a deformable membrane Not-in-force EP2121503B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0700397A FR2911594B1 (en) 2007-01-22 2007-01-22 FILLING MACHINE EQUIPPED WITH A CLEANING DEVICE WITH DEFORMABLE MEMBRANE
PCT/FR2008/000048 WO2008107539A1 (en) 2007-01-22 2008-01-16 Filling machine provided with a cleaning device with a deformable membrane

Publications (2)

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EP2121503A1 true EP2121503A1 (en) 2009-11-25
EP2121503B1 EP2121503B1 (en) 2012-05-02

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US (1) US8387668B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2121503B1 (en)
JP (1) JP4956623B2 (en)
CN (1) CN101626973B (en)
AT (1) ATE556025T1 (en)
ES (1) ES2387335T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2911594B1 (en)
MX (1) MX2009007799A (en)
WO (1) WO2008107539A1 (en)

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Publication number Publication date
CN101626973A (en) 2010-01-13
JP4956623B2 (en) 2012-06-20
CN101626973B (en) 2011-08-10
JP2010516442A (en) 2010-05-20
ES2387335T3 (en) 2012-09-20
US20100107557A1 (en) 2010-05-06
FR2911594B1 (en) 2009-04-03
FR2911594A1 (en) 2008-07-25
MX2009007799A (en) 2009-07-31
WO2008107539A1 (en) 2008-09-12
US8387668B2 (en) 2013-03-05
EP2121503B1 (en) 2012-05-02
ATE556025T1 (en) 2012-05-15

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