EP2480489B1

EP2480489B1 - Tank-replenishing device assembly

Info

Publication number: EP2480489B1
Application number: EP09741471.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Massimo Zaccarini; Ero Canepari
Original assignee: Sidel SpA
Current assignee: Sidel SpA
Priority date: 2009-09-23
Filing date: 2009-09-23
Publication date: 2014-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 2029-09-23
Also published as: EP2480489A1; WO2011036682A1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a tank-replenishing device assembly.

BACKGROUND ART

As is known many pourable food product comprising not only food product like milk, fruit juice or beverages in general, but also detergents are sold in containers having different shape and dimension.
Such container are typically made within bottling lines, which comprise a plurality of units for carrying out respective operations on containers.
Very briefly, bottling line comprises at least a rinsing unit for rinsing containers, a filling unit for filling containers with a pourable food product, a capping unit for capping the containers and a grouping unit for forming groups of containers.
Filling unit substantially comprises a carousel rotating about a rotation axis, a tank containing the pourable food product, and a plurality of control valves which are fluidically connected with the tank and are supported by the carousel in a radially external position with respect to the rotation axis of the carousel.
Different methods are known to fill the tank with the pourable product by using a replenishing device.
More precisely, the replenishing device comprises a hollow tube defining a pouring opening and a replenishing valve movable between a closure position and an open position.
Replenishing valve comprises, in turn, a shutter and a stem which may slide within the hollow body.
In particular, the shutter prevents the pourable product from flowing through the pouring opening in the closed position of the replenishing valve, and allows the pourable product to flow through the pouring opening in the open position of the replenishing valve.
According to a first replenishing method, tank is replenished from the top.
More precisely, as disclosed for example in GB 694,086 , the pouring opening of the replenishing tube is arranged below the free level of the pourable product within the tank and the replenishing valve is arranged considerably above such free level.
As a result, when the replenishing valve is arranged in the open position, the pourable product falls downwards under the action of the gravity within the end portion of the tube defined between the replenishing valve and the pouring opening.
More precisely, the distance between the control valve and the pouring opening of the replenishing tube may range between 1 and 2 metres.
The fall of the pourable product for such a distance may generate turbulence and foam, which may penalize the correct replenishment of the tank.
Furthermore, the fall of the pourable product accelerates the pourable product. As a consequence, the pressure of pourable product within the tube decreases.
In case that it is necessary to preserve the sterility of pourable food product, it is of the uttermost importance to keep the pressure of pourable product higher than the environment pressure both within the replensihing tube and within the tank. In this way, in case that a portion of it reaches the external environment due for example to a leakage, aseptic pourable product flows away from the tube towards such external environment, so preventing the contamination of such pourable product with external agents like bacteria.
The fall of pourable product may reduce its pressure under the environment pressure. Accordingly, in case that only a portion of it reaches the external environment due for example to a leakage, the whole pourable product may be contaminated by external agents.
According to a second method, tank is filled from the bottom at a certain pressure and by using a pump, so as to prevent the generation of foam and the reduction of the pressure of the pourable product falling within the tube.
A drawback of this second method is that it is necessary to provide some couplings, e.g. O-rings and/or collector, between fixed and rotating components.
Such couplings may, under some circumstances, create a passage between the inner volume of the tube and the external environment.
Accordingly, the sterility of the pourable product could be lost.
A need is felt in the industry to fill the tank with any kind of pourable product, either aseptic or not, without generating foams and turbulence.
In particular, a need is felt within the industry to fill the tank with an aseptic pourable product while preserving the sterility of the pourable product and avoiding the generation of foams and turbulence.
GB-A-555658 discloses a tank-replenishing device, according to the preamble of claim 1.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for replenishing a tank with a pourable product designed to meet at least one of the above-mentioned requirement in a straightforward and low-cost manner.
The aforementioned object is achieved by the present invention as it relates to a tank-replenishing device assembly as defined in claim 1.
A need is also felt in the industry to ensure that the vibrations induced by the flow of pourable product when the replenishing valve is in the open position do not penalize the position of the shutter, especially if the length of the stem is particularly high.
A need is finally felt in the industry to ensure that when the replenishing valve is its closed position, the shutter correctly engages the pouring opening, especially if the length of the stem is particularly high.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One 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:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a step of a method for replenishing a tank with a pourable product;
Figures 2 and 3 show a replenishing device in respective operative positions; and
Figure 4 and 5 are perspective views along respective visual angles of a shutter of the replenishing device of Figures 2 and 3.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to figure 1, number 1 indicates a tank adapted to be incorporated in a filling station 3 (only partially shown in figure 1) for the filling of containers 2 (only one of which is shown in figure 1) with a pourable product.
Containers 2 may be filled with either aseptic or non-aseptic pourable product.
In case that containers 2 are filled with an aseptic pourable product, the pressure of such aseptic pourable product during the replenishment of tank 1 and the filling of containers 2 is greater than the external environment pressure.
In this way, in case of leakage, a portion of aseptic pourable product flows away towards the external environment, so preventing the contamination of the whole aseptic pourable product.
Furthermore, containers 2 may be filled with either food or non-food pourable product.
Non-limiting examples of pourable product are carbonated food products as beer, sodas or mineral water.
Further examples of non-food pourable product are detergents.
Non-limiting examples of the material containers 2 are made of are glass, plastic or cardboard.
Very briefly, filling station 3 substantially comprises:

cylindrical tank 1 containing a certain level of the pourable product; and
a carousel conveyor (not shown) rotating about a vertical axis, and bearing at its periphery a protruding plurality of filling valves 4 (only one of which is shown in Figure 1) and support elements (not shown) for rotating containers 2.

More precisely, each filling valve 4 is fluidically connected with the bottom portion of tank 1, and is movable between an open position and a closed position. Each filling valve 4 allows, in the respective open position, the pourable product to flow from tank 1 to a respective container 2 under gravity action. Differently, each control valve 4, prevents, in the respective closed position, the pourable product from flowing from tank 1 to a respective container 2.
Tank 1 is filled with pourable product by using a replenishing device 6, which is shown in Figures 1 to 5.
More precisely, as filling valves 4 fill containers 2, tank 1 is replenished with pourable product, so as to maintain a substantially constant hydraulic load control valves 4 and, therefore, over respective containers 2.
Replenishing device 6 substantially comprises (Figures 2 and 3):

a tube 10 having an outlet pouring opening 14 adapted to fill the tank 1 and an inlet opening (not shown) for being filled with the pourable product by an external source thereof; and
a replenishing valve 15 adapted to control the flow of pourable product from the source towards tank 1, and comprising, in turn, a stem 16 which may slide within tube 10 and a shutter 21.

More precisely, tube 10 comprising a main portion 11 which extends along an axis A vertical in use, and a top end portion 12 which extends along an axis B orthogonal to axis A and horizontal in use.
Portions 11 and 12 define respectively opening 14 and the inlet opening.
The inlet opening is opposite to opening 14.
Stem 16 extends along axis A, and comprises a top end 17 connected to an actuating mechanism 18 and a bottom end 19 connected with shutter 21.
Actuating mechanism 18 moves stem 16 along axis A towards and away opening 14 of tube 10.
Accordingly, shutter 21 is moved between a closed position (Figure 2) in which it engages opening 14 and prevents pourable product from flowing from external source to tank 1; and an open position (Figure 3) in which it is raised with respect to opening 14 and allows pourable product to flow from external source towards tank 1.
Shutter 21 is symmetrical with respect to axis A, and substantially comprises, in turn, a main portion 23 and a bottom end portion 24 engaging opening 14 in the closed position (Figures 4 and 5).
Portion 24 tapers on the opposite side of main portion 23 and may be, for instance, conical.
Portion 23 is substantially cylindrical and protrudingly bears a screw 26 at an its top end portion. Screw 26 and portion 24 are opposite to one another.
Screw 26 is coupled with a female screw defined by end 19 of stem 16.
As it is in the closed position, shutter 21 is arranged below the existing level of pourable product within tank 1.
Furthermore, shutter 21 is arranged below the existing level of pourable product within tank 1 also when it is in the open position.
Advantageously, main portion 23 of shutter 21 comprises a plurality, in the embodiment depicted in the number of three, of appendices 30 which extend towards inner wall 31 of tube 10 (Figure 4 and 5).
In the embodiment depicted, appendices 30 are integrally carried by a flange which is, in turn, integral with main portion 23.
More precisely, appendices 30 extend radially to axis A and parallel to axis B, and are angularly equi-spaced with respect to axis A.
Furthermore, a plurality of gaps extend radially to axis A between each appendix 30 and the portion of inner wall 31 facing thereof.
The radial length of each gap ranges is less than 1 mm and is preferably 0,5 mm.
Appendices 30 carry out two different functions:

when shutter 21 is in the closed position, they contribute to ensure that the axis of shutter 21 coincide with axis A and, therefore, with the axis of opening 14; and
when shutter 21 is in the open position, they abut against wall 31 due to the vibrations induced by the pourable product flow, so limiting the movement of shutter 21 within tube 10.

Actuating mechanism 18 is controlled by a control unit 35 (only schematically shown in Figure 1) so as to move stem 16 and, therefore, shutter 21 according to a determined motion law.
More precisely, control unit 35 receives a measure signal associated to the current level of pourable product and generates, on the basis of such measure signal, a control signal for actuating mechanism 18.
The control signal is generated by control unit 35, so as to keep constant the level of pourable product within tank 1 while filling valves 4 fill respective containers 2.
In this way, hydraulic head onto filling valves 4 and, therefore, respective containers 2 is substantially constant.
The operation of replenishing device 6 is described starting from a condition in which shutter 21 is in the closed position and control valves 4 are not filling respective containers 2.
More precisely, tube 10 is arranged within tank 1 so that opening 14 is below the existing level of pourable product.
Furthermore, external source is above the opening 14, so that tank 1 is filled by gravity with the pourable product.
As it is the closed position, shutter 21 is arranged below the existing level of pourable product.
More precisely, as it is arranged in the closed position, shutter 21 engages opening 14.
Accordingly, a volume of stationary pourable product accumulates below the existing level of pourable product within tank 1 and above shutter 21.
When shutter 21 is its closed position, appendices 30 contributes to align axis of shutter 21 with axis A of opening 14. In other words, appendices 30 contribute to the centering of shutter 21 with respect to opening 14.
As control valves 4 begin to fill respective containers 2 with pourable product, the level of pourable product within tank 1 begins to decrease.
As it detects that the level of pourable product within tank 1 is decreasing, control unit 35 operates actuating mechanism 18 in such a way that stem 16 is raised.
Accordingly, shutter 21 is moved from its closed position (Figure 2) to its open position (Figure 3).
More precisely, control unit 35 controls actuating mechanism 18 so that the level of pourable product within tank 1 remain constant as control valves 4 fill respective containers 2.
In other words, tapered portion 24 of shutter is raised more or less on the basis of the rate of filling station 3 and/or of the volume of containers 2 to be filled.
When shutter 21 is moved to the open position, tank 1 is filled with the pourable food product by gravity.
Due to the fact that shutter 21 is in its open position below the existing level of pourable product and adjacent to opening 14, the pourable product gently passes through opening 14 and replenishes tank 1. Accordingly, there is substantially no generation of foam as tank 1 is replenished.
Furthermore, due to the fact that pourable product is stationary above the shutter 21 arranged in the closed position before the replenishing of tank 1, there is no substantially fall of pourable product when shutter 21 is moved into open position.
Accordingly, the flow of pourable product is substantially laminar without generation of turbulence and/or replenishing waves.
When shutter 21 is in its open position, the amplitude of oscillations of such shutter 21 due to the flow vibration within tube 10 are strongly reduced by abutment of appendices 30 against wall 31 of tube 10.
From an analysis of features of replenishing device 6, the advantages it allows to obtain are apparent.
In particular, due to the fact that shutter 21 is below the existing level of pourable product, a volume of stationary pourable product fills tube 10 above shutter 21 and below such existing level.
As a consequence, when shutter 21 is moved into open position, pourable product does not fall sharply for a considerable height within tube 10 before replenishing tank 1. Differently, pourable product gently flows within tube 10 and passes through opening 14.
Accordingly, as tank 1 is filled, the motion of pourable product is substantially laminar.
As a result, the generation of foam and/or turbulence is substantially prevented.
Furthermore, due to the fact that there is no substantial fall of pourable product within tube 10, the pressure of the pourable product is not reduced.
Accordingly, in case that tank 1 is filled with an aseptic pourable product, there is no risk that the pressure of the aseptic pourable product is reduced below the environment pressure.
As a consequence, the risk that a leakage of a portion of pourable product causes a contamination of the whole aseptic pourable product is strongly reduced.
Furthermore, appendices 30 are effective to align axis of shutter 21 arranged in the closed position to axis A of opening 14.
Appendices 30 are also effective to reduce the oscillation of shutter 21 due to the flow of pourable product within tube 10 when shutter 21 is in the open position.
The above-mentioned effects of appendices 30 are particularly advantageously when the length of stem 16 is particularly high in order to arrange opening 14 below the level of pourable product within tank 1.
As a matter of fact, when the length of stem 16 is particularly high, the deflection and the bending oscillation of shutter 21 may become relevant.
Furthermore, due to the fact that portion 24 of shutter 21 is tapered on the opposite side of portion 23, the amount of pourable product which passes through opening 14 depends on the height of shutter 21 with respect to such opening 14.
In other words, control unit 35 may modulate the amount of fluid with which tank 1 is filled.
Finally, it is apparent that modifications and variants not departing from the scope of protection of the claims may be made to a replenishing device 6.
In particular, portion 24 of shutter 21 may be of different shapes on the basis of the volume of containers 2 to be filled and/or on the rate of filling station 3.

Claims

Tank-replenishing device assembly comprising:
- a tank (1) which may be filled with a certain level of pourable product and is adapted to feed a filling station (3) for filling containers (2) with said pourable product; and

- a replenishing device (6) for replenishing said tank (1) with a pourable product by using gravity action;
said replenishing device (6) comprising, in turn,:
- a tube (10) extending along an axis (A) and comprising, in turn, a pouring opening (14) which is arranged, in use, below said level of pourable product; said pouring opening (14) being fluidically connectable with a source of pourable product; said source being arranged, in use, above said pouring opening (14); and

- a replenishing valve (15) comprising, in turn, a shutter (21);
said shutter (21) being movable between a closed position in which it prevents said pourable product from flowing through said pouring opening (14) of said tube (10), and an open position in which it allows said pourable product to flow through said pouring opening (14);
said shutter (21) being arranged, in use, below said level of pourable product, at least when such shutter (21) is arranged in said closed position;
characterized in that said replenishing valve (15) comprises at least an appendix (30) protruding from said shutter (21) towards said tube (10) in a direction (B) which is radial with respect to said axis (A).
Tank-replenishing device assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said appendix (30) is arranged at a certain distance from said tube (10) along said direction (B).
Tank-replenishing device according to claim 2, characterized in that said distance is lower than 1 mm.
Tank-replenishing device assembly according to anyone of claim 1 to 3, characterized in that said replenishing valve (15) comprises a stem (16) which may slide within said tube (10) along said axis (A);
said shutter (21) comprising
a main portion (23) connected to said stem (16) and an end portion (24) which may engage said pouring opening (14); said appendix (30) protruding from said main portion (23).
Tank-replenishing device assembly according to anyone of claims 1 to 4, characterized by comprising a plurality of angularly equi-spaced appendixes (30).
Tank-replenishing device assembly according to claims 4 or 5, when dependent on claim 4, characterized in that said end portion (24) tapers on the opposite side of said main portion (23).