EP2454186A1 - Filling valve - Google Patents

Filling valve

Info

Publication number
EP2454186A1
EP2454186A1 EP09787780A EP09787780A EP2454186A1 EP 2454186 A1 EP2454186 A1 EP 2454186A1 EP 09787780 A EP09787780 A EP 09787780A EP 09787780 A EP09787780 A EP 09787780A EP 2454186 A1 EP2454186 A1 EP 2454186A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
opening
axis
container
filling valve
stopper
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP09787780A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Lucio Conforti
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 SpA
Original Assignee
Sidel SpA
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 SpA filed Critical Sidel SpA
Publication of EP2454186A1 publication Critical patent/EP2454186A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C3/26—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks
    • B67C3/2614—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks specially adapted for counter-pressure filling
    • B67C3/2617—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks specially adapted for counter-pressure filling the liquid valve being opened by mechanical or electrical actuation
    • B67C3/262—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks specially adapted for counter-pressure filling the liquid valve being opened by mechanical or electrical actuation and the filling operation stopping when the liquid rises to a level at which it closes a vent opening
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C3/26—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks
    • B67C3/2614—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks specially adapted for counter-pressure filling
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C3/28—Flow-control devices, e.g. using valves
    • B67C3/281—Profiled valve bodies for smoothing the flow at the outlet of the filling nozzle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C3/26—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks
    • B67C2003/2645—Means to avoid overfilling by preventing gas returning from the container into the filling tank via the liquid valve, e.g. mesh screens
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C3/26—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks
    • B67C2003/2671—Means for preventing foaming of the liquid
    • B67C2003/2674—Means for preventing foaming of the liquid by creating a conical shaped flow directed to the container wall at the container neck height
    • B67C2003/268—Means for preventing foaming of the liquid by creating a conical shaped flow directed to the container wall at the container neck height by means of a flow channel integral with the filling nozzle

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a filling valve for filling containers with a pourable product, in particular a food product, such as for instance fruit juices, tea or energy drinks or carbonated products, such as for instance beer.
  • a food product such as for instance fruit juices, tea or energy drinks
  • carbonated products such as for instance beer.
  • the filling valve according to the present invention is of the "level" type, i.e. it is a filling valve in which the flow of pourable food product in the container is interrupted when a certain level is reached within the container.
  • Filling machines comprising a filling station fed with empty containers and adapted to provide containers filled with the pourable food product.
  • the filling station substantially comprises a carousel conveyor rotating about a rotation axis, a tank containing the pourable food product, and a plurality of filling valves which are fluidically connected with the tank and are supported by the carousel conveyor in a radially external position with respect to the rotation axis of the carousel conveyor.
  • the carousel conveyor is fitted with a plurality of support elements for the containers provided to arrange container filling mouths in a position below the respective valves and handle ⁇ the containers along an arc-shaped path about said rotation axis integrally with the respective valves .
  • Each filling valve substantially comprises a carousel conveyor fastening body and a stopper which may slide from and towards the fastening body along a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the carousel conveyor to move towards and away from the container .
  • the stopper may be moved between a closed position, in which it prevents the pourable food product from reaching the mouth of the corresponding container, and an open position, in which it fluidically connects the tank and the mouth of the corresponding container.
  • the stopper In the open position, the stopper defines with the fastening body an opening, which fluidically connects the cavity of the filling valve and the mouth of the container.
  • the stopper further defines a through-conduit open towards the tank and adapted to allow a gas present in the container, for instance carbon dioxide used to pressurise the container, to return to an upper region of the tank during the step of filling the container, i.e. when the stopper is in the open position.
  • a gas present in the container for instance carbon dioxide used to pressurise the container
  • Each filling valve further comprises a conveying element adapted to ensure that the pourable food product, even when particularly viscous, adheres to the lateral wall of the container, during the filling thereof. More precisely, the conveying element is provided, on a surface thereof, with a plurality of walls twisted with respect to an axis of the stopper and projecting within the conduit to deviate the flow of pourable food product.
  • the stopper In use, the stopper is moved in the open position and the corresponding container is filled. During filling, the gas contained in the container flows through the conduit defined by the stopper and reaches the upper region of the tank.
  • the filling of the container ceases by interrupting the flow of gas along the conduit defined by the stopper. Subsequently, the stopper is moved to the closed position.
  • the filling valves further comprise a hydraulic closing device adapted to prevent, when the stopper is in the open position, the gas from the container from reaching, after having passed the opening defined by the stopper, the lower region of the tank, thus leading the filling of the containers to be less precise.
  • a known example of this closing device consists of a netting connected to the stopper and formed by a plurality of through-meshes the pourable food product passes through, when the stopper is in the open position.
  • the netting is interposed along the path of the pourable food product, between the conveying element and the mouth of the container .
  • the meshes are also through-passing parallel to the handling direction of the stopper.
  • the pourable food product passes through the meshes according to a direction substantially parallel to the handling direction of the stopper and the meshes have a size such as to create, in virtue of the surface tension, a meniscus of food product, which prevents the gas from the container from returning in the lower region of the tank, after having passed the opening and the cavity.
  • Impurities can easily collect in these nettings and the meshes can break. Furthermore, hydraulic head losses may occur at these nettings and the latter may disturb the flow of the pourable food product towards the mouth and therefore impair the efficiency of the filling of the container. In particular, the nettings can affect the action of the conveying element.
  • Another example of hydraulic closing device consists of a U-trap, i.e. a curved element having a substantially U-shape, connected to the fastening body and adapted to avoid the return of the gas in the lower region of the tank due to the pressure difference.
  • the hydraulic U-trap closing device has the drawback of representing a hydraulic head loss that reduces the filling pressure of the pourable food product. Furthermore, dirt and contaminants sometimes collect in the U-trap closing device and, hence, compromise the asepticity of the pourable food product.
  • figures 1 to 6 are diagrammatic views of a filling valve made according to the invention in subsequent operative positions;
  • FIG. 7 is a strongly enlarged exploded view of some components of the filling valve of figures 1 to 6.
  • number 1 indicates a filling valve adapted to be incorporated in a filling station of a filling machine for the filling of containers 2 with a pourable product.
  • the filling valve that is represented is more particularly adapted to fill containers with a carbonated pourable food product.
  • carbonated pourable food products are beer, sodas, fruits juices or mineral water.
  • Non-limiting examples of the materials containers 2 are made of, are glass, plastic or cardboard.
  • the filling station is fed with empty containers 2 and fills containers 2 with the pourable food product.
  • the filling station further substantially comprises :
  • a carousel conveyor (not shown) rotating about a vertical axis and bearing at its periphery a protruding plurality of filling valves 1 and support elements 9 for respective containers 2 ;
  • first tank 3 preferably annular and concentric to the carousel, and containing the pourable food product (shown by bubbles in Figures 1 to 6) and a gas (shown by a uniform background in Figures 1 to 6), e.g. carbon dioxide, used to pressurize containers 2 before they are filled;
  • the pourable food product shown by bubbles in Figures 1 to 6
  • a gas shown by a uniform background in Figures 1 to 6
  • carbon dioxide used to pressurize containers 2 before they are filled
  • a second tank 4 preferably annular and concentric to the carousel, for collecting at least part of the carbon dioxide used to pressurize containers 2.
  • filling valves 1 are rotated by the carousel conveyor and support elements 9 are movable from and to filling valves 1 along respective vertical axes by respective actuators 10.
  • each container 2 comprises:
  • a mouth 5 defined above mentioned lateral wall 7 and opposite to the bottom wall 8, and adapted to allow the filling of container 2 by means of the filling machine and the subsequent pouring of the food product from the container 2 ;
  • Filling valve 1 substantially comprises a fastening body 11 for attachment to the carousel conveyor and a stopper 12 that slides to and from container 2 along an axis A inside fastening body 11.
  • fastening body 11 (figure 7) is tubular about axis A and substantially comprises:
  • top portion 18 measured parallelly to axis A is greater than the height of lower portion 19 measured parallelly to axis A.
  • Shoulder 20 defines a circular opening 16 defining the bottom of cavity 17.
  • Second annular shoulder 85 of fastening body 11 is attached to the carousel conveyor by means of a fastening means like a nut 62, which receives the lower face of shoulder 85 and presses its top part against carousel .
  • Stopper 12 substantially comprises:
  • projection 28 comprises two walls 29, 30 substantially parallel to axis A and projecting towards top portion 18 of fastening body 11 with respect to tubular body 26, and a wall 31 tapered towards opening 16 and adapted to abut against shoulder 20.
  • Actuator 24 moves stopper 12 between an open position ( Figures 2 to 5) , in which wall 31 is detached from and arranged below shoulder 20, to allow the pourable food product to flow through opening 16 from cavity 17 into container 2, and a closed position ( Figures 1 and 6) , in which wall 31 cooperates in fluidtight manner with shoulder 20, to cut off flow of the pourable food product through opening 16 from cavity 17 into container 2.
  • Stopper 12 also comprises a cylindrical body 37, of axis A, projecting from top end portion 25 to container 2. More precisely, body 37 extends coaxially inside tubular body 26.
  • Body 37 defines a tubular conduit 32 that extends between an opening 33 and an opening 34, which is opposite to opening 33 and is formed in a lateral surface of tubular body 26. More specifically, opening 33 faces, and is connected fluidically to, the inside of container 2, when container 2 is in filling position with mouth 5 resting against gasket 21 ( Figures 1 and 6) .
  • Conduit 32 comprises a cylindrical portion 35 of axis A and a portion 36 radial with respect to axis A and connected to portion 35.
  • Portion 35 extends partly inside tubular body 26 and partly inside top end portion 25, and defines opening 33.
  • Portion 36 extends inside top end portion 25 and defines opening 34.
  • Opening 34 is circular with an axis radial to axis A, whereas opening 33 is circular with an axis parallel to axis A.
  • Stopper 12 further comprises a tubular conduit 40, of axis A, defined radially between bodies 26 and 37, and comprising an annular end opening 39. Opening 39 faces the inside of container 2, when container 2 is in the filling position with mouth 5 resting against gasket 21.
  • conduit 40 extends through opening 16, and the axial distance between openings 33 and 16 is greater than the axial distance between openings 39 and 16. In other words, opening 33 is lower than opening 39 inside container 2.
  • stopper 12 comprises two conduits 41, 42 radial with respect to axis A and each extending between a respective opening 43, 44 of top end portion 25, and a respective portion of an end 45, opposite opening 39, of conduit 40.
  • Filling valve 1 comprises two pipes 50, 51 made of flexible material and extending between openings 34, 43 of top end portion 25 and respective conduits 57, 58 terminating in the first tank 3.
  • Filling valve 1 also comprises a pipe 52 made of flexible material and extending between opening 44 and a conduit 59 terminating in second tank 4.
  • Filling valve 1 also comprises two control valves 53, 54 interposed between pipes 50, 51 and respective conduits 57, 58.
  • Each of control valves 53, 54 is movable between an open position (shown in white in Figures 1 to 6) allowing carbon dioxide flow between the first tank 3 and conduits 32, 41, and a closed position (shown in black in Figures 1 to 6) cutting off carbon dioxide flow between this tank 3 and conduits 32, 41.
  • Filling valve 1 also comprises a control valve 55 interposed between pipe 52 and conduit 59.
  • Control valve 55 is movable between an open position (shown in white in Figures 1 to 6) allowing carbon dioxide flow between conduit 42 and second tank 4, and a closed position (shown in black in Figures 1 to 6) cutting off carbon dioxide flow between conduit 42 and this tank 4.
  • Filling valve 1 therefore comprises a first flow line - defined by first tank 3 and cavity 17 connectable selectively by stopper 12 to mouth 5 of container 2, and which serves to fill container 2 with the pourable food product.
  • Filling valve 1 also comprises a second flow line - defined by conduits 32, 40, pipes 50, 51, control valves 53, 54, and conduits 57, 58 - along which travels the carbon dioxide flowing into container 2 to pressurize it before it is filled with the pourable food product, and at least part of the carbon dioxide issuing from container 2 when filling it.
  • Filling valve 1 also comprises a tubular body 80 of axis A, housed within top portion 18 of fastening body 11 and fastened to annular shoulder 85 of this body 11 (figure 7) .
  • Tubular body 80 substantially comprises:
  • each blade 82 substantially comprises :
  • Sequential blades 82 and the surface facing axis A of top portion 18 of fastening body 11 define respective conveying conduits of the pourable food product. More precisely, the pourable food product is deviated by blades 82 so as to reach wall 7 of container 2 during filling thereof.
  • segments 83 comprise respective ends having a reduced thickness and provided with respective protrusions 88 adapted to rest against annular shoulder 85 of top portion 18.
  • Tubular body 80 advantageously comprises a second element defining a second ring 90 at least partially defining a plurality of openings 91, 95 through which the pourable food product passes and which are through- passing in a direction radial to axis A; openings 91, 95 have a size such as to create, in virtue of the surface tension, a meniscus of pourable food product adapted to prevent, when stopper 12 is in the open position, carbon dioxide issuing from container 2 through opening 16 from passing through openings 91, 95.
  • rings 81, 90 are connected by a plurality, four in this case, of bridges 92 extending parallelly to axis A.
  • Openings 91 which are four in the case shown, are equally distanced about axis A and are defined between an edge 96 of ring 90 and ring 81 in a direction parallel to axis A. Openings 91 are also defined circumferentially to axis A by two successive bridges 92.
  • Each opening 91 comprises a pair of first arc- shaped edges defined by ring 81 and by ring 90 and by two second edges parallel to axis A defined by bridges 92.
  • each opening 91 is arc-shaped in a section perpendicular to axis A, the arc having the centre on the point representing said axis A in said section.
  • Opening 95 is defined between a bottom edge 97 opposite to edge 96 of ring 90 and shoulder 20 of fastening body 11.
  • Opening 95 surrounds stopper 12 at a distance and has a circumferential configuration in a section perpendicular to axis A, which means that it extends on 360 degrees.
  • the height of openings 91, 95 measured parallelly to axis A is in the range between 1 and 2 mm.
  • the height of openings 91, 95 measured parallelly to axis A is 1.5 mm.
  • Filling valve 1 also comprises sensor means 60 which interact with the carbon dioxide along the second flow line to measure a carbon dioxide parameter and determine when the pourable food product inside container 2 reaches a predetermined level .
  • sensor means 60 comprise a flow switch 61 associated with inside portion 36 of conduit 32.
  • flow switch is intended here to mean a device for determining flow or not of a gas inside a conduit.
  • flow switch 61 detects the interruption in carbon dioxide flow inside portion 36, when the pourable food product, once container 2 is filled, flows back up along conduit 32 to a height Q with respect to a fixed reference, and with control valve 53 in the open position and control valves 54, 55 in the closed position ( Figure 4) .
  • Height Q corresponds to the hydrostatic load of the pourable food product in first tank 3.
  • the pourable food product flows back up along conduit 32 until it reaches height Q, at which the hydraulic head of the pourable food product in conduit 32 equals that of the pourable food product in first tank 3.
  • the carbon dioxide pressure is the same in conduit 32 and this tank 3, the pourable food product is at the same height Q in this tank 3 and conduit 32.
  • flow switch 61 may be replaced by a flow meter, i.e. a device for measuring carbon dioxide flow along portion 36.
  • a flow meter i.e. a device for measuring carbon dioxide flow along portion 36.
  • filling valve 1 Operation of filling valve 1 will be described as of the Figure 1 condition, in which mouth 5 of container 2 rests against gasket 21, control valves 53, 54 are open, control valve 55 is closed, and stopper 12 is in the closed position.
  • carbon dioxide flows from first tank 3 along pipes 50, 51 and along conduits 32, 40 and 43, and fills container 2 to bring it to the same pressure as the pourable food product in this tank 3.
  • actuator 24 lifts stopper 12 along axis A to detach wall 31 from shoulder 20 and so connect cavity 17 fluidically to the inside of container 2.
  • a fast first filling step is thus performed, in which container 2 is filled rapidly with the pourable food product .
  • control valve 54 When the level of the pourable food product is just below opening 33 of conduit 32, control valve 54 is moved into the closed position ( Figure 3) .
  • blades 82 deviate the pourable food product, which preferentially adheres to wall 7.
  • control valves 54, 55 being closed, carbon dioxide is prevented from escaping from container 2 along conduits 40, 41; 40, 42.
  • the pourable food product is caused to flow back up by the hydrostatic pressure of the pourable food product in first tank 3.
  • the first carbon dioxide flow flows back up to openings 91, 95.
  • the pourable food product adheres to openings 91, 95 and creates, in virtue of the surface tension, a meniscus that prevents the first carbon dioxide flow to pass through opening 91, 95 and flow back up to a lower region 3a of first tank 3 through cavity 17.
  • the pourable food product flows back up along conduit 32 until it reaches height Q, at which the hydraulic head of the pourable food product in conduit 32 equals that of the pourable food product in first tank 3.
  • the pourable food product is at the same height Q in tank 3 and conduit 32.
  • Flow switch 61 detects the interruption of carbon dioxide flow caused by the pourable food product reaching the level of opening 33 in container 2, and generates a signal for actuator 24. This signal commands actuator 24 to move stopper 12 into the closed position after a given time interval from when flow switch 61 detects the pourable food product has reached height Q in conduit 32 .
  • This time interval is calculated to fill container 2 with a given amount of pourable food product.
  • stopper 12 is lowered into the closed position, control valve 54 is closed, and control valve 55 is opened to allow the carbon dioxide in conduits 40, 42 to escape into second tank 4 and complete decompression of container 2.
  • openings 91, 95 create, in virtue of the size thereof, a meniscus of pourable food product, which entraps the first carbon dioxide flow issuing from container 2 in the portion of cavity 17 between ring 90 and mouth 5. Thereby, the first carbon dioxide flow is avoided from reaching lower region 3a of first tank 3 through cavity 17, disturbing the filling of container 2.
  • openings 91, 95 being through-passing radially to axis A, they hardly disturb the flow of the pourable food product in a direction parallel to axis A and therefore hardly interfere with the deviation action of blades 82 with respect to the known solution cited in the introduction of the present disclosure.
  • valve 1 allows to both prevent carbon dioxide from flowing back up through cavity 17 in the lower region of first tank 3 and to ensure that the pourable food product adheres to wall 7 of container 2, during filling thereof.
  • sensor means 60 could comprise, instead of flow switch 61, a pressure switch arranged in the conduit 42 adapted to detect the pressure variation in conduit 42 when the level of pourable food product in container 2 has reached opening 33 of conduit 32.

Abstract

There is disclosed a filling valve (1) for filling a container (2) with a pourable product, comprising a fastening body (11) defining a cavity (17), through which the pourable product may flow and which may be connected with a mouth (5) of the container (2); a stopper (12) which may be moved along axis (A) between a closed position, in which it prevents the pourable product from flowing from the cavity (17) towards the mouth (5), and an open position, in which it defines with the fastening body (11) a first opening (16) which is fluidically connected with the mouth (5) and the cavity (17); a conduit (32) distinct from the cavity (17); the filling valve (1) further comprises a second element (90) defining a second opening (91, 95) radial to the axis (A) and surrounding the stopper (12); the second opening (91, 95) has a size such as to create, in virtue of the surface tension, a meniscus of food product for preventing the fluid from the container (2) from flowing through first opening (16).

Description

FILLING VALVE
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a filling valve for filling containers with a pourable product, in particular a food product, such as for instance fruit juices, tea or energy drinks or carbonated products, such as for instance beer.
More precisely, the filling valve according to the present invention is of the "level" type, i.e. it is a filling valve in which the flow of pourable food product in the container is interrupted when a certain level is reached within the container.
BACKGROUND ART
Filling machines are known, comprising a filling station fed with empty containers and adapted to provide containers filled with the pourable food product.
The filling station substantially comprises a carousel conveyor rotating about a rotation axis, a tank containing the pourable food product, and a plurality of filling valves which are fluidically connected with the tank and are supported by the carousel conveyor in a radially external position with respect to the rotation axis of the carousel conveyor.
In greater detail, the carousel conveyor is fitted with a plurality of support elements for the containers provided to arrange container filling mouths in a position below the respective valves and handle ■ the containers along an arc-shaped path about said rotation axis integrally with the respective valves .
Each filling valve substantially comprises a carousel conveyor fastening body and a stopper which may slide from and towards the fastening body along a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the carousel conveyor to move towards and away from the container .
In greater detail, the stopper may be moved between a closed position, in which it prevents the pourable food product from reaching the mouth of the corresponding container, and an open position, in which it fluidically connects the tank and the mouth of the corresponding container. In the open position, the stopper defines with the fastening body an opening, which fluidically connects the cavity of the filling valve and the mouth of the container. When the stopper is arranged in the open position, the food product flows, by gravity, through the cavity and the opening, from a lower region of the tank up to the mouth of the corresponding container .
The stopper further defines a through-conduit open towards the tank and adapted to allow a gas present in the container, for instance carbon dioxide used to pressurise the container, to return to an upper region of the tank during the step of filling the container, i.e. when the stopper is in the open position.
Each filling valve further comprises a conveying element adapted to ensure that the pourable food product, even when particularly viscous, adheres to the lateral wall of the container, during the filling thereof. More precisely, the conveying element is provided, on a surface thereof, with a plurality of walls twisted with respect to an axis of the stopper and projecting within the conduit to deviate the flow of pourable food product.
In use, the stopper is moved in the open position and the corresponding container is filled. During filling, the gas contained in the container flows through the conduit defined by the stopper and reaches the upper region of the tank.
The filling of the container ceases by interrupting the flow of gas along the conduit defined by the stopper. Subsequently, the stopper is moved to the closed position.
The filling valves further comprise a hydraulic closing device adapted to prevent, when the stopper is in the open position, the gas from the container from reaching, after having passed the opening defined by the stopper, the lower region of the tank, thus leading the filling of the containers to be less precise.
A known example of this closing device consists of a netting connected to the stopper and formed by a plurality of through-meshes the pourable food product passes through, when the stopper is in the open position.
More precisely, the netting is interposed along the path of the pourable food product, between the conveying element and the mouth of the container .
The meshes are also through-passing parallel to the handling direction of the stopper.
In other terms, the pourable food product passes through the meshes according to a direction substantially parallel to the handling direction of the stopper and the meshes have a size such as to create, in virtue of the surface tension, a meniscus of food product, which prevents the gas from the container from returning in the lower region of the tank, after having passed the opening and the cavity.
Impurities can easily collect in these nettings and the meshes can break. Furthermore, hydraulic head losses may occur at these nettings and the latter may disturb the flow of the pourable food product towards the mouth and therefore impair the efficiency of the filling of the container. In particular, the nettings can affect the action of the conveying element.
Another example of hydraulic closing device consists of a U-trap, i.e. a curved element having a substantially U-shape, connected to the fastening body and adapted to avoid the return of the gas in the lower region of the tank due to the pressure difference.
The hydraulic U-trap closing device has the drawback of representing a hydraulic head loss that reduces the filling pressure of the pourable food product. Furthermore, dirt and contaminants sometimes collect in the U-trap closing device and, hence, compromise the asepticity of the pourable food product.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to provide a filling valve that prevents gas flowing from the container through the opening from reaching the lower region in the tank when the stopper is in the open position and, at the same time, is free of at least one of the drawbacks associated with the above specified known filling valves .
The aforementioned object is achieved by the present invention as it relates to a filling valve as defined in claim 1.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment is hereinafter disclosed for a better understanding of the present invention, by way of non-limitative example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: figures 1 to 6 are diagrammatic views of a filling valve made according to the invention in subsequent operative positions; and
- figure 7 is a strongly enlarged exploded view of some components of the filling valve of figures 1 to 6. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
With reference to figure 1 to 6, number 1 indicates a filling valve adapted to be incorporated in a filling station of a filling machine for the filling of containers 2 with a pourable product.
The filling valve that is represented is more particularly adapted to fill containers with a carbonated pourable food product. Non-limiting examples of carbonated pourable food products are beer, sodas, fruits juices or mineral water.
Non-limiting examples of the materials containers 2 are made of, are glass, plastic or cardboard.
The filling station is fed with empty containers 2 and fills containers 2 with the pourable food product.
The filling station further substantially comprises :
- a carousel conveyor (not shown) rotating about a vertical axis and bearing at its periphery a protruding plurality of filling valves 1 and support elements 9 for respective containers 2 ; and
- a first tank 3 , preferably annular and concentric to the carousel, and containing the pourable food product (shown by bubbles in Figures 1 to 6) and a gas (shown by a uniform background in Figures 1 to 6), e.g. carbon dioxide, used to pressurize containers 2 before they are filled;
a second tank 4, preferably annular and concentric to the carousel, for collecting at least part of the carbon dioxide used to pressurize containers 2.
More precisely, filling valves 1 are rotated by the carousel conveyor and support elements 9 are movable from and to filling valves 1 along respective vertical axes by respective actuators 10.
In particular, each container 2 comprises:
- a tubular lateral wall 7 defining the body of the container;
- a bottom wall 8;
- a mouth 5 defined above mentioned lateral wall 7 and opposite to the bottom wall 8, and adapted to allow the filling of container 2 by means of the filling machine and the subsequent pouring of the food product from the container 2 ; and
- a neck portion 6 between the lateral wall 7and the mouth 5.
For the sake of simplicity, in the following description, reference will be made to a single filling valve 1 and to a corresponding container 2. Filling valve 1 substantially comprises a fastening body 11 for attachment to the carousel conveyor and a stopper 12 that slides to and from container 2 along an axis A inside fastening body 11.
In greater detail, fastening body 11 (figure 7) is tubular about axis A and substantially comprises:
- a top portion 18 defining a cavity 17 fluidically connected to first tank 3 and within which stopper 12 slides along axis A;
- a lower portion 19 housing an annular gasket 21 intended to abut against mouth 5 of container 2; and
- a first annular shoulder 20 of axis A, defining a through-hole 22 and interposed between portions 18, 19;
- a second shoulder 85 defined in its top portion 18, used to attach fastening body 11 to carousel conveyor and to receive a tubular body 80, which will be disclosed in greater details later.
In particular, the height of top portion 18 measured parallelly to axis A is greater than the height of lower portion 19 measured parallelly to axis A.
Shoulder 20 defines a circular opening 16 defining the bottom of cavity 17.
Second annular shoulder 85 of fastening body 11 is attached to the carousel conveyor by means of a fastening means like a nut 62, which receives the lower face of shoulder 85 and presses its top part against carousel .
Stopper 12 substantially comprises:
- a top end portion 25, on which force is exerted along axis A by an actuator 24;
- a tubular body 26 of axis A; and
- an end portion 27 opposite top end portion 25 and defining a projection 28 at its lower part.
More in detail, projection 28 comprises two walls 29, 30 substantially parallel to axis A and projecting towards top portion 18 of fastening body 11 with respect to tubular body 26, and a wall 31 tapered towards opening 16 and adapted to abut against shoulder 20.
Actuator 24 moves stopper 12 between an open position (Figures 2 to 5) , in which wall 31 is detached from and arranged below shoulder 20, to allow the pourable food product to flow through opening 16 from cavity 17 into container 2, and a closed position (Figures 1 and 6) , in which wall 31 cooperates in fluidtight manner with shoulder 20, to cut off flow of the pourable food product through opening 16 from cavity 17 into container 2.
Stopper 12 also comprises a cylindrical body 37, of axis A, projecting from top end portion 25 to container 2. More precisely, body 37 extends coaxially inside tubular body 26.
Body 37 defines a tubular conduit 32 that extends between an opening 33 and an opening 34, which is opposite to opening 33 and is formed in a lateral surface of tubular body 26. More specifically, opening 33 faces, and is connected fluidically to, the inside of container 2, when container 2 is in filling position with mouth 5 resting against gasket 21 (Figures 1 and 6) .
Conduit 32 comprises a cylindrical portion 35 of axis A and a portion 36 radial with respect to axis A and connected to portion 35. Portion 35 extends partly inside tubular body 26 and partly inside top end portion 25, and defines opening 33. Portion 36 extends inside top end portion 25 and defines opening 34. Opening 34 is circular with an axis radial to axis A, whereas opening 33 is circular with an axis parallel to axis A.
Stopper 12 further comprises a tubular conduit 40, of axis A, defined radially between bodies 26 and 37, and comprising an annular end opening 39. Opening 39 faces the inside of container 2, when container 2 is in the filling position with mouth 5 resting against gasket 21.
In particular, conduit 40 extends through opening 16, and the axial distance between openings 33 and 16 is greater than the axial distance between openings 39 and 16. In other words, opening 33 is lower than opening 39 inside container 2. Finally, stopper 12 comprises two conduits 41, 42 radial with respect to axis A and each extending between a respective opening 43, 44 of top end portion 25, and a respective portion of an end 45, opposite opening 39, of conduit 40.
Filling valve 1 comprises two pipes 50, 51 made of flexible material and extending between openings 34, 43 of top end portion 25 and respective conduits 57, 58 terminating in the first tank 3.
Filling valve 1 also comprises a pipe 52 made of flexible material and extending between opening 44 and a conduit 59 terminating in second tank 4.
Filling valve 1 also comprises two control valves 53, 54 interposed between pipes 50, 51 and respective conduits 57, 58. Each of control valves 53, 54 is movable between an open position (shown in white in Figures 1 to 6) allowing carbon dioxide flow between the first tank 3 and conduits 32, 41, and a closed position (shown in black in Figures 1 to 6) cutting off carbon dioxide flow between this tank 3 and conduits 32, 41.
Filling valve 1 also comprises a control valve 55 interposed between pipe 52 and conduit 59. Control valve 55 is movable between an open position (shown in white in Figures 1 to 6) allowing carbon dioxide flow between conduit 42 and second tank 4, and a closed position (shown in black in Figures 1 to 6) cutting off carbon dioxide flow between conduit 42 and this tank 4.
Filling valve 1 therefore comprises a first flow line - defined by first tank 3 and cavity 17 connectable selectively by stopper 12 to mouth 5 of container 2, and which serves to fill container 2 with the pourable food product.
Filling valve 1 also comprises a second flow line - defined by conduits 32, 40, pipes 50, 51, control valves 53, 54, and conduits 57, 58 - along which travels the carbon dioxide flowing into container 2 to pressurize it before it is filled with the pourable food product, and at least part of the carbon dioxide issuing from container 2 when filling it.
Filling valve 1 also comprises a tubular body 80 of axis A, housed within top portion 18 of fastening body 11 and fastened to annular shoulder 85 of this body 11 (figure 7) .
Tubular body 80 substantially comprises:
- a first element defining a ring 81 through which axis A passes, and housed within portion 18 of fastening body 11; and
- a plurality of blades 82 arranged on the opposite side of ring 81 with respect to stopper 12.
In particular, each blade 82 substantially comprises :
- a -segment 83 substantially perpendicular to axis A; and
- a curved segment 84, transversal to axis A and protruding from a surface 87 of ring 81 opposite to stopper 12.
Sequential blades 82 and the surface facing axis A of top portion 18 of fastening body 11 define respective conveying conduits of the pourable food product. More precisely, the pourable food product is deviated by blades 82 so as to reach wall 7 of container 2 during filling thereof.
More specifically, some of segments 83, four in the case shown, comprise respective ends having a reduced thickness and provided with respective protrusions 88 adapted to rest against annular shoulder 85 of top portion 18.
Tubular body 80 advantageously comprises a second element defining a second ring 90 at least partially defining a plurality of openings 91, 95 through which the pourable food product passes and which are through- passing in a direction radial to axis A; openings 91, 95 have a size such as to create, in virtue of the surface tension, a meniscus of pourable food product adapted to prevent, when stopper 12 is in the open position, carbon dioxide issuing from container 2 through opening 16 from passing through openings 91, 95.
More specifically, rings 81, 90 are connected by a plurality, four in this case, of bridges 92 extending parallelly to axis A.
Openings 91, which are four in the case shown, are equally distanced about axis A and are defined between an edge 96 of ring 90 and ring 81 in a direction parallel to axis A. Openings 91 are also defined circumferentially to axis A by two successive bridges 92.
Each opening 91 comprises a pair of first arc- shaped edges defined by ring 81 and by ring 90 and by two second edges parallel to axis A defined by bridges 92.
Therefore, each opening 91 is arc-shaped in a section perpendicular to axis A, the arc having the centre on the point representing said axis A in said section.
Opening 95 is defined between a bottom edge 97 opposite to edge 96 of ring 90 and shoulder 20 of fastening body 11.
Opening 95 surrounds stopper 12 at a distance and has a circumferential configuration in a section perpendicular to axis A, which means that it extends on 360 degrees.
In particular, the height of openings 91, 95 measured parallelly to axis A is in the range between 1 and 2 mm. Preferably, the height of openings 91, 95 measured parallelly to axis A is 1.5 mm.
Filling valve 1 also comprises sensor means 60 which interact with the carbon dioxide along the second flow line to measure a carbon dioxide parameter and determine when the pourable food product inside container 2 reaches a predetermined level .
Specifically, sensor means 60 comprise a flow switch 61 associated with inside portion 36 of conduit 32. The term "flow switch" is intended here to mean a device for determining flow or not of a gas inside a conduit.
More specifically, flow switch 61 detects the interruption in carbon dioxide flow inside portion 36, when the pourable food product, once container 2 is filled, flows back up along conduit 32 to a height Q with respect to a fixed reference, and with control valve 53 in the open position and control valves 54, 55 in the closed position (Figure 4) .
Height Q corresponds to the hydrostatic load of the pourable food product in first tank 3.
More specifically, the pourable food product flows back up along conduit 32 until it reaches height Q, at which the hydraulic head of the pourable food product in conduit 32 equals that of the pourable food product in first tank 3. When the carbon dioxide pressure is the same in conduit 32 and this tank 3, the pourable food product is at the same height Q in this tank 3 and conduit 32.
As long as the food product flows back up along conduit 32, in fact, there is a carbon dioxide flow along portion 36. On reaching a predetermined pourable food product level in container 2 , the pourable food product reaches height Q in conduit 32 and carbon dioxide flow along portion 36 ceases. The interruption of carbon dioxide flow in portion 36 is detected by flow switch 61.
Alternatively, flow switch 61 may be replaced by a flow meter, i.e. a device for measuring carbon dioxide flow along portion 36. When the flow meter records zero flow along portion 36, this means the food product has reached the predetermined level in container 2.
Operation of filling valve 1 will be described as of the Figure 1 condition, in which mouth 5 of container 2 rests against gasket 21, control valves 53, 54 are open, control valve 55 is closed, and stopper 12 is in the closed position.
In this condition, carbon dioxide flows from first tank 3 along pipes 50, 51 and along conduits 32, 40 and 43, and fills container 2 to bring it to the same pressure as the pourable food product in this tank 3.
Next (Figure 2), actuator 24 lifts stopper 12 along axis A to detach wall 31 from shoulder 20 and so connect cavity 17 fluidically to the inside of container 2.
A fast first filling step is thus performed, in which container 2 is filled rapidly with the pourable food product .
When the level of the pourable food product is just below opening 33 of conduit 32, control valve 54 is moved into the closed position (Figure 3) .
Filling in these conditions is slow, as carbon dioxide can only escape from container 2 along conduit 32 and pipe 50.
During the fast and slow filling steps of container 2, blades 82 deviate the pourable food product, which preferentially adheres to wall 7.
Once the pourable food product level in container 2 reaches opening 33, the pourable food product flows back up, thus resulting in a first carbon dioxide flow along the portion of cavity 17 defined between mouth 5 and ring 90 and a second carbon dioxide flow along portion 36 of conduit 32 to second tank 4 (Figure 4) .
This is because, control valves 54, 55 being closed, carbon dioxide is prevented from escaping from container 2 along conduits 40, 41; 40, 42.
More specifically, the pourable food product is caused to flow back up by the hydrostatic pressure of the pourable food product in first tank 3. The first carbon dioxide flow flows back up to openings 91, 95. In fact, the pourable food product adheres to openings 91, 95 and creates, in virtue of the surface tension, a meniscus that prevents the first carbon dioxide flow to pass through opening 91, 95 and flow back up to a lower region 3a of first tank 3 through cavity 17.
Differently, the pourable food product flows back up along conduit 32 until it reaches height Q, at which the hydraulic head of the pourable food product in conduit 32 equals that of the pourable food product in first tank 3. In particular, when the carbon dioxide pressure is the same in conduit 32 and tank 3, the pourable food product is at the same height Q in tank 3 and conduit 32.
Once the pourable food product has reached height Q, the movement of the second carbon dioxide flow along portion 36 ceases and therefore filling of container 2 also ceases.
Flow switch 61 detects the interruption of carbon dioxide flow caused by the pourable food product reaching the level of opening 33 in container 2, and generates a signal for actuator 24. This signal commands actuator 24 to move stopper 12 into the closed position after a given time interval from when flow switch 61 detects the pourable food product has reached height Q in conduit 32 .
This time interval is calculated to fill container 2 with a given amount of pourable food product.
Once filling is completed (Figure 6) , stopper 12 is lowered into the closed position, control valve 54 is closed, and control valve 55 is opened to allow the carbon dioxide in conduits 40, 42 to escape into second tank 4 and complete decompression of container 2.
From an analysis of the features of the filling valve 1 made according to the present invention, the advantages it allows to obtain are apparent.
In particular, openings 91, 95 create, in virtue of the size thereof, a meniscus of pourable food product, which entraps the first carbon dioxide flow issuing from container 2 in the portion of cavity 17 between ring 90 and mouth 5. Thereby, the first carbon dioxide flow is avoided from reaching lower region 3a of first tank 3 through cavity 17, disturbing the filling of container 2.
In virtue of openings 91, 95 being through-passing radially to axis A, they hardly disturb the flow of the pourable food product in a direction parallel to axis A and therefore hardly interfere with the deviation action of blades 82 with respect to the known solution cited in the introduction of the present disclosure.
In other words, valve 1 allows to both prevent carbon dioxide from flowing back up through cavity 17 in the lower region of first tank 3 and to ensure that the pourable food product adheres to wall 7 of container 2, during filling thereof.
Finally, it is apparent that modifications and variants not departing from the scope of protection of the claims may be made to filling valve 1.
In particular, sensor means 60 could comprise, instead of flow switch 61, a pressure switch arranged in the conduit 42 adapted to detect the pressure variation in conduit 42 when the level of pourable food product in container 2 has reached opening 33 of conduit 32.

Claims

1. A filling valve (1) for filling a container (2) with a pourable product, comprising:
- a fastening body (11) defining a cavity (17), along which said pourable product flows and which is selectively connectable fluidically to a filling mouth (5) of said container (2);
- a stopper (12) movable along an axis (A) between a closed position, in which it sealingly cooperates with said fastening body (11) and prevents said pourable product from flowing from said cavity (17) to said mouth
(5), and an open position, in which it defines with said body (11) a first opening (16), through which said pourable product may flow and which is fluidically connected with said mouth (5) and said cavity (17);
- a conduit (32) distinct from said cavity (17), which may be fluidically connected with said mouth (5) and through which a gas from said container (2) may flow, when said stopper (12) is in said open position; and
- a first element (81) comprising a plurality of blades (82) arranged inside said cavity (17) and adapted to deviate said food product towards a lateral wall (7) of said container (2) before it reaches said first opening (16) ;
characterised by comprising a second element (90) at least partially defining a second opening (91, 95), through which said pourable product may flow, through- passing in a direction radial to said axis (A) and surrounding at a distance said stopper (12); said second opening (91, 95) having a size such as to create, in virtue of the surface tension, a meniscus of said pourable product for preventing said gas from said container (2) from flowing through said first opening (16), when said stopper (12) is in said open position.
2. The filling valve according to claim 1, characterised in that said second opening (91, 95) is arc-shaped in a section perpendicular to said axis (A) .
3. The filling valve according to claim 1 or 2 , characterised in that said first and second element (81, 90) are connected to one another and connected to said fastening body (11) , and in that said stopper (12) may slide along said axis (A) within said body (11) .
4. The filling valve according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said first and second element (81, 90) are respectively defined by a first and second ring (81, 90) surrounding at a distance said stopper (12) and defining, on axially opposite sides, said second opening (91) .
5. The filling valve according to claim 4, characterised by comprising a plurality of bridges (92) parallel to said axis (A) and extending between said first and second ring (81, 90) ; said valve (1) comprising a plurality of second openings (91) defined circumferentialIy to said axis (A) between two successive bridges (92) .
6. The filling valve according to claim 5, characterised in that said first and second ring (81, 90) and said bridges (92) are integral to one another.
7. The filling valve according to claim 5 or 6, characterised by comprising a plurality of second openings (91) angularly equally spaced with respect to said first axis (A) .
8. The filling valve according to claim 3, characterised in that said fastening body (11) houses said first and second element (81, 90) and comprises a shoulder (20) transversal to said axis (A) ; said second opening (95) being defined in a direction parallel to said axis (A) between said shoulder (20) and said second ring (90) .
9. The filling valve according to claim 8, characterised in that said second opening (95) surrounds stopper (12) at a distance and extends on 360 degrees.
10. The filling valve according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the height of said second opening (95) measured parallelly to said axis (A) is in the range between 1 and 2 mm.
11. The filling valve according to claim 9, characterised in that said height is 1.5 mm.
EP09787780A 2009-07-14 2009-07-14 Filling valve Withdrawn EP2454186A1 (en)

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PCT/IT2009/000305 WO2011007372A1 (en) 2009-07-14 2009-07-14 Filling valve

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DE102010022875A1 (en) * 2010-06-07 2011-12-08 Khs Gmbh Filling element and filling machine for filling bottles or similar containers
WO2011161705A1 (en) * 2010-06-21 2011-12-29 Sidel S.P.A. Con Socio Unico Filling valve
EP2749501B1 (en) * 2012-12-28 2017-08-02 Sidel S.p.a. Con Socio Unico A machine and a method for filling and labelling containers
JP6217224B2 (en) * 2013-08-07 2017-10-25 大日本印刷株式会社 Seal member and filling device
CN104163395B (en) * 2014-07-18 2016-03-23 杭州中亚机械股份有限公司 A kind of filling valve

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FR1522563A (en) * 1967-03-16 1968-04-26 Baele Gangloff Ste Nouvelle Method and device for liquid filling of containers
GB1302127A (en) * 1970-02-02 1973-01-04
DD106330A1 (en) * 1973-07-30 1974-06-12
DE4140526C2 (en) * 1991-12-09 1994-05-26 Orthmann & Herbst Beverage filler with horizontally slotted gas barrier bell
DE102004022096B3 (en) * 2004-05-05 2006-01-05 Khs Maschinen- Und Anlagenbau Ag Filling valve, equipped with a gas barrier with swirl effect

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