EP2590886A1

EP2590886A1 - Filling device having a flow regulation system

Info

Publication number: EP2590886A1
Application number: EP11721024.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mickaël HUITOREL; Arnaud Pasquet; Didier Cadiou
Original assignee: Sidel Participations SAS
Current assignee: HEMA
Priority date: 2010-07-08
Filing date: 2011-05-12
Publication date: 2013-05-15
Anticipated expiration: 2031-05-12
Also published as: US9114969B2; CN103025643A; CN103025643B; FR2962413A1; WO2012004034A1; FR2962413B1; US20130112719A1; EP2590886B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a filling device for a machine for filling containers, comprising a spout (1) having an outlet orifice (13) and a feed orifice (15), and a feed duct (2) connected to the feed orifice. A first actuating system (4) is able to move a valve (31), which is mounted in the spout, between a closed position for closing the outlet orifice (13) and at least one open position. A flow-regulating rod (51) is mounted in a sliding manner in a hole (27) in the feed duct and is able to be moved by a second actuating system (6) between a high flow-rate position, in which said rod is located substantially outside the internal passage (21) in the feed duct, and a low flow-rate position, in which said rod extends into said internal passage in order to reduce the passage cross section of the feed duct.

Description

FILLING DEVICE WITH FLOW CONTROL SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a filling device for a filling machine of containers with a filling product, in particular a food product, and a corresponding filling machine. The present invention relates more particularly to a filling device equipped with a flow control system for filling containers, such as bottles or jars, with all kinds of products, liquid to viscous, especially with products with a tendency to foaming and / or products comprising particles and / or pieces.

Filling machines are known, in particular of the rotary type, comprising a rotary carousel with a support structure carrying a tank of filler and a plurality of filling devices. Each filling device conventionally comprises a filling spout, or a dosing spout, a supply duct connecting the tank to the filling spout for supplying the filling spout with filler, and dosing means for delivering a determined quantity of filler in each container brought under the filling spout. The filling spout is conventionally formed of a tubular body having an internal passage of longitudinal axis, an open bottom axial end constituting the discharge orifice of the spout, and a supply orifice connected to the vessel through the conduit of food. The metering means comprise a closure system comprising a valve movably mounted in said tubular body, and a valve actuation system for the longitudinal displacement of said valve between a closed position to close the discharge port and an open position. The valve actuation system conventionally comprises a cylinder whose rod passes through an open upper end of the tubular body of the nozzle, the valve being fixed to the cylinder rod.

For the dosage of product, it may be necessary to perform the end of dosing with a small flow, this for many reasons: metering accuracy, low free volume in the neck, foaming product, .... For foaming products, especially milk, it is necessary to perform the start of dosing at a small flow rate to limit the formation of foam. For semi-liquid products, this small flow function can be created, without disturbing the flow, while maintaining a cylindrical jet, by acting on the position of the valve to reduce the opening of the dosing nozzle.

For liquid products, this solution is not applicable because the jet out of the dosing nozzle is accelerated speed, it is unstable direction, misshapen and turbulent, which causes splashing and promotes the formation of foam.

To stabilize the jet, several stacked grids are conventionally added at the discharge port. These grids are prohibited for hygienic reasons in the case of sensitive products such as milk where they can not be properly cleaned in place, and can not be used in the case of products with particles and / or pieces. Another solution is to provide a second seat in the filling spout cooperating with a frustoconical portion of the rod connected to the valve to limit the flow upstream of the valve. This solution is satisfactory but can not be used in the case of products with pieces.

The object of the present invention is to propose a solution to overcome at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks, which is simple design and implementation.

For this purpose, the subject of the present invention is a filling device for a filling machine comprising

- A filling spout formed of a tubular body having an internal passage of longitudinal axis, an open bottom axial end constituting the discharge port, and a supply port, lateral or axial in the upper part, for its supply of filling product,

- Dosing means comprising a closure system comprising a valve adapted to be mounted movably in said tubular body, and a first actuating system adapted to longitudinally move said valve between a closed position to close the discharge port and to less an open position, a supply duct for supplying said filling nozzle with filling product, connected by a first end to the supply orifice, upstream of the closure system, and intended to be connected by its second end to means dispensing machine, characterized in that said dosing means further comprise a flow control system mounted on the feed pipe, said flow control system comprising

- a flow control rod, slidably mounted, substantially sealingly, in a hole of said supply duct, and

a second actuating system capable of moving the flow control rod between a retracted position, called a large flow, in which the said rod is disposed substantially outside the internal passage of the supply duct, the passage section of the duct supply being maximum, and an extended position, said small flow, wherein said rod extends in said internal passage to reduce the passage section of the supply conduit.

According to the invention, the filling device comprises a flow control system, arranged upstream of the filling spout, formed of a simple rod which is fed into the feed duct, in order to reduce the cross-section of the feed. passage of the supply duct. The rod extends directly into said internal passage to reduce the flow section of the supply conduit, the rod being directly in contact with the filler flowing into the supply conduit. This restriction of the passage makes it possible to reduce the flow rate of the product arriving at the beak. This restriction of the passage creates turbulence in the flow. By implanting the flow control upstream of the spout, the flow has time to stabilize in a more laminar flow, before the spout exit. This regulation system, consisting of a simple rod, is simple to design and implement. It is also space-saving, and can be installed on the supply duct in different configurations, including horizontally or vertically. In the high flow position, the passage section is complete, which leaves the possibility of using the device only in high flow for more viscous products and / or containing pieces, for example pieces of fruit or vegetables. The flow control system can also be used to adapt the filling device to different products, in particular products of different viscosities, the rod being able to adopt multiple intermediate positions deployed between its large flow position and its small flow position. The passage section of the feed duct will be adapted to the viscosity of the product to be metered by making the rod more or less fit into its internal passage.

According to one embodiment, said feed duct comprises

an intermediate portion defining an intermediate central passage, preferably substantially rectilinear,

an upstream part, intended to be connected to distribution means, defining an upstream passage for example substantially rectilinear

and a downstream portion connected to the supply orifice, defining a downstream passage, for example substantially straight,

the flow control rod being slidably mounted in an axial hole formed at an axial end of the intermediate portion of the supply conduit, said second actuating system being adapted to axially move the flow control rod in the intermediate central passage. said axial hole opening into a first portion of the central passage, one of the downstream passage or the upstream passage emerging laterally in said first portion of the intermediate passage, the other opening into a second portion of the passage.

According to one embodiment, said feed duct comprises

said intermediate portion disposed substantially vertically,

said upstream passage opening laterally into a first so-called upper portion of the central passage of said intermediate portion, and the downstream passage opening into a second portion, said lower portion, of the central passage;

- The flow control rod being slidably mounted substantially vertically in the axial hole disposed at the upper end of the intermediate portion of the supply duct and opening into the upper portion. According to one embodiment, the flow control rod is substantially cylindrical.

According to one embodiment, the central passage comprises from its axial end provided with said axial hole, a first preferably substantially cylindrical portion, whose cross section is greater than the cross section of the flow control rod, a so-called intermediate portion and a second portion, said second portion having a lower section than that of the first portion, the flow control rod in its small flow position extending in said intermediate portion and optionally in the second portion.

According to one embodiment, said first portion is substantially cylindrical, said intermediate portion is substantially frustoconical, its section decreasing in the direction of the second portion. Such a frustoconical portion allows a gradual variation of the passage section between the large flow position and the small flow position.

According to one embodiment, the intermediate passage comprises, upstream to downstream with respect to the flow direction of the filling product, in particular from the bottom upwards in the case of a substantially vertical arrangement, the first substantially cylindrical upper portion. , the frustoconical intermediate portion, and the second lower portion.

According to one embodiment, the inner surface of the intermediate portion defining said intermediate central passage, is provided with a longitudinal recess extending along the intermediate portion and the second portion, said recess defining a secondary lateral passage for the flow of the filling product in the small flow position. The secondary passage opens directly on the intermediate passage, thus limiting the blockage of any pieces of the filling product. Preferably, the secondary passage is disposed relative to the axis of the central passage on the same side as the upstream passage.

According to one embodiment, the cross section of the upper portion of the intermediate central passage is greater than the cross section of the upstream passage of the upstream portion. The supply duct thus presents singular pressure losses by diverging then converging allowing passage sections Important, and thus the dosage of viscous filler and / or large pieces, this compared to a conventional nozzle comprising first the converge and then the divergent.

According to one embodiment, the upstream passage and the downstream passage open laterally into the lower part of the intermediate central passage. The supply duct thus presents singular pressure drops of the elbow type, allowing large passage sections, and thus the dosing of viscous filling product and / or with large pieces.

According to one embodiment, the device comprises a one-piece component constituting at least a part of the tubular body of the spout, the downstream part of the supply duct, and preferably at least a part of the intermediate portion of the supply duct, on which is mounted the flow control rod, so as to better control the positioning of the various elements of the device with respect to each other, and thus reduce its size, and to obtain a device requiring fewer seals and therefore more hygienic.

According to another embodiment, in the small flow position, the flow control rod splits the internal passage of the supply conduit into two substantially identical secondary passages, symmetrically disposed on either side of the flow control rod. The creation of two symmetrical secondary passages on either side of the rod makes it possible to standardize the flow rate in the supply duct downstream of the flow control rod. In the small flow position, the free end of the flow control rod is advantageously in close proximity to the internal surface of the passage of the supply duct, preferably almost in contact with a small clearance between the free end. and said inner surface. The speed of movement of the rod between its two positions can be controlled by a control system to have a progressive movement between the two positions.

According to one feature, the dosing means comprise a control system adapted to control the first actuating system and the second actuating system for maintaining the flow control rod in a small flow position when the valve is moved to the open position at the beginning of dosing, to move the flow control rod during dosing in the retracted position, and to move the flow control rod to the low flow position at the end of dosing, before the valve is moved into position closed.

According to one embodiment, the supply duct has an internal passage of substantially circular section, the flow control rod is slidably mounted on the supply duct substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the internal duct passage, said second actuating system is able to radially move the flow control rod in the internal passage of the conduit, substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow of the filler.

According to one embodiment, the flow control rod is cylindrical, of circular cross section smaller than that of the internal passage. The cylindrical surface of the flow control rod also limits turbulence.

According to one embodiment, the flow control rod has a convex surface free end, whose radius of curvature corresponds to that of the internal surface of the internal passage of the supply duct.

In one embodiment, the supply port is formed laterally in the tubular body.

According to one embodiment, said second control system comprises a jack having a cylinder rod adapted to be connected to the flow control rod, for example via a cylinder rod end, the cylinder body is mounted on the conduit supply and carried by the latter, said cylinder body is mounted at a distance from the supply duct possibly via a plate and via at least one rigid link arm extending parallel and next to the flow control rod, the cylinder rod and any cylinder rod end.

According to one embodiment, said tubular body has an open upper axial end, said valve is assembled at the first end of a valve stem, said first control system comprises a jack having a jack rod adapted to be connected to the second end of the valve stem for example via a end of the cylinder rod, through said open upper end, the cylinder body is mounted on the body of the nozzle and carried directly by the latter, said cylinder body is mounted above and away from the body of the nozzle via possibly a platinum and via at least one rigid link arm extending parallel and adjacent to the valve stem, the cylinder rod, and any cylinder rod end. The mounting of the actuating systems directly on the supply duct and the nozzle makes it possible to propose a filling device in the form of a module, which can be mounted directly via its supply duct to a filling tank. According to another embodiment, the control system of the valve is magnetic type.

According to one embodiment, the flow control rod is adapted to be removably mounted to the free end of the cylinder rod by means of a quick-acting coupling system comprising a locking member, and or the second end of the valve stem is adapted to be removably mounted to the free end of the cylinder rod by means of a quick acting coupling system comprising a locking member. The flow control rod can thus be easily disassembled to allow rapid replacement of the seal.

According to one embodiment, for mounting the flow control rod to the cylinder rod, a first element among the flow control rod and the cylinder rod is adapted to be inserted into a fitting nozzle or socket mounted at the end of the other element, said second element, the tubular wall of the sleeve comprising at least one slot disposed perpendicularly to the axis of the flow control rod, the locking member of the second coupling system is adapted to be inserted substantially perpendicular to the axis of the flow control rod in said slot and to engage with at least one outer shoulder of the first element, to lock in longitudinal translation the first element in the sleeve. For the mounting of the valve stem to the cylinder rod, a first element among the valve stem and the cylinder rod is advantageously adapted to be inserted into a connector end or socket mounted at the end of the other element. , said second element, the tubular wall of the sleeve comprising at least one slot disposed perpendicularly to the axis of the spout, the locking member the second coupling system is adapted to be inserted substantially perpendicular to the axis of the nozzle in said slot and to engage with at least one outer shoulder of the first element, to lock in longitudinal translation the first element in the sleeve.

The present invention also relates to a container filling machine comprising filling liquid distribution means and several filling devices connected to said dispensing means, characterized in that each filling device is as defined above, supply being connected and fixed rigidly by their second end to said distribution means. According to one embodiment, the machine is of rotary type, and comprises a support structure rotatably mounted on a fixed frame, and carrying said dispensing means, said dispensing means comprising a central vessel, said supply ducts extending radially. outwards, with regular angular spaces, from the lower part of the tank to which they are attached, and bearing end filling nozzles.

The invention will be better understood, and other details, features and advantages will become more clearly apparent from the following detailed explanatory description of two presently preferred particular embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: which :

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a filling device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

- Figures 2 and 3 are two side views of the filling device of Figure 1;

- Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view along the IV-IV plane, the valve being in the open position, the flow control rod being in the small flow position;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view along the sectional plane V-V of FIG. 3, the flow control rod being in the high flow position;

- Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 5, the flow control rod being in the small flow position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a filling device according to a second embodiment of the invention; FIG. 8 is a front view of the filling device of FIG. 7;

- Figures 9a and 9b are respectively a top view and a perspective view of a constituent element of the filling device of Figure 7;

- Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional view along the X-X plane of Figure 8, the valve being in the closed position, the flow control rod being in the small flow position;

Figure 11 is a partial enlarged view of Figure 10;

- Figure 12 is a view similar to that of Figure 10, the valve being in the open position, the flow control rod being in the small flow position;

- Figure 13 is a view similar to those of Figures 10 and 12, the valve being in the open position, the flow control rod being in the high flow position;

- Figure 14 is a view similar to that of Figure 12, the flow control rod being in a different flow rate position.

FIGS. 1 to 6 illustrate a filling device according to a first embodiment of the invention, intended to equip a filling machine, for example of the rotary type, comprising a carousel comprising a support structure rotatably mounted on a fixed frame around a a vertical axis of rotation. The support structure carries filling liquid distribution means, formed for example of a cylindrical central vessel, and a plurality of filling devices according to the invention, arranged at regular angular space around the axis of rotation.

The filling device can be used for liquid filling products, such as water, milk, fruit juice or detergents, with or without pulps, semi-liquid, such as drinking yoghurt, sauces, vegetable oil or laundry. The device illustrated in the figures is in particular intended to be used for the dosing of milk.

Referring in particular to Figures 1 and 4, the filling device comprises a filling spout 1 with a discharge port 13 and a lateral supply port 15, a supply duct 2 connected to the supply port 15. for feeding the nozzle with filling product, and dosing means for delivering a determined amount of filler in each container brought under the spout.

The spout 1, of longitudinal axis A, is formed of a generally tubular body 10 having an internal passage 10a, an open upper axial end 14 and an open lower axial end constituting the discharge orifice 13. The longitudinal axis A of the spout is arranged substantially vertically.

The supply duct 2, formed of a rigid tube, has a tubular internal passage 21, substantially rectilinear, of longitudinal axis B, of substantially constant circular section. It is rigidly connected by a first end 22 to the supply port. The filling device is intended to be connected by the second end 23 of the supply duct to the tank of the filling machine. In the present embodiment, the axis B of the internal passage 21 is slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal, for example about 5 °, to prevent the product from stagnating in the conduit between the filling cycles. The duct is provided at each end with a flange 24, 25, for its assembly by means of two screws 26, on the one hand to the spout, at the level of the supply orifice, and on the other hand to the filling machine tank. The axis B of the passage 21 is aligned along the axis of the lateral supply orifice 15, the latter having a section substantially identical to that of the passage 21.

The tubular body consists of two parts: an upper part 11, also called a dosing body, provided with the upper axial end 14 and the supply port; and a lower part 12, also called nozzle, provided with the discharge orifice 13, which is removably mounted on the upper part by means of a locking member formed of a stirrup 16 in the general shape of a U, such as described in the French patent application No. 0904645, filed on September 29, 2009, in the name of the applicant company.

The inner surface of the wall of the upper part 11, which defines its internal passage, has its edge 111 greater than its lower edge 112, a cylindrical upper section 113, a frustoconical section 114 progressively increasing downwards, and a section 115 lower cylindrical, the frustoconical section and the lower section being connected by an inner shoulder oriented towards the lower edge. Wall the lower part 12 has a cylindrical outer surface. Its internal surface, which defines its internal passageway, has, from its upper edge to its discharge orifice 13, a cylindrical upper section 121, a frustoconical section 122 progressively narrowing downwards and forming a closure seat, and a section 123 lower cylindrical or frustoconical delimited by the discharge port. The lower part 12 is inserted into the lower section 115 of the upper part, until its upper edge bears against the shoulder, said upper edge being advantageously equipped with a seal. The locking of the two parts 11, 12 is achieved by inserting the two branches of the stirrup 16 in diametrically opposite slots of the upper part 11 and under the shoulder 124 of the lower part 12.

The dosing means comprise a closure system 3 comprising a valve 31 disposed in the spout. This valve is controlled opening and closing by a first actuating system 4 comprising a cylinder 41, for example pneumatic. The valve is mounted at a first end of a valve stem 32 which is slidably mounted sealingly through the open upper axial end 14, via a translational guide block 33 which is fixed on the top edge 111 by means of screw (not visible). The guide block has an axial passage 331 equipped with a guide ring 332 in which the valve stem 32 passes. The open upper axial end 14 is equipped with an annular seal 17 held in place by the guide block. The guide block is provided with a transversal hole 333, passing through the block from one side to the other and forming a leakage chamber, which makes it possible to identify any leaks at the joint, and which makes it possible, if necessary, to clean the gasket. rear of said seal 17. The second end of the valve stem 32 is disposed above the guide block 33. The body 411 of the jack is mounted on the upper piece 11 by means of two diametrically opposite support rods 42 and a plate 43. The rods 42 support are fixed on one side to the upper edge 111 of the upper piece and the another side to a plate 43 on which is fixed the body 411 cylinder by means of two screws 2 not shown. The tip 45 of the jack rod extending the rod 413 of cylinder is centered along the axis A and extends downwards between the two support rods, and its free end is mounted at the second end of the valve stem 32. For this mounting, the valve stem is inserted into the cylindrical inner portion 414 of the cylinder rod end 45. A locking member formed of an annular half-ring 43 is inserted into a slot in the rod end. actuator and engages with an outer shoulder of the valve stem for locking in longitudinal translation the valve stem in the cylinder rod end. A sleeve 44 slidably mounted on the cylinder rod end can advantageously be moved from a high position, in which it is disposed above the slot of the rod end 45, towards a low position, in which it just keep the half-ring in inserted position.

The jack 41 is able to move the valve 31 in vertical translation in the internal passage of the lower piece between a closed position, in which the valve cooperates with the frustoconical section 122 of the lower piece to close the discharge orifice 13, and an open position shown in Figure 4, to open the discharge port.

The cylinder rod is equipped with fins 31 for stabilizing the flow which, in the open position of the valve, extend in the frustoconical section 114 of the passage of the first part and in the cylindrical section 121 of the lower part.

The metering means further comprise a flow control system 5 mounted on the supply duct 2. With reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, this control system comprises a flow control rod 51, of circular cross section, with a longitudinal axis C, mounted to slide radially radially in a radial hole 27 of the air duct. feed that leads to the internal passage 21. The circular cross section of the flow control rod 51 is smaller than the circular cross section of the internal passage of the supply conduit. The rod 51 has a free end 51a convex surface, whose radius of curvature substantially corresponds to that of the inner surface of the duct passage. The rod 51 has a cylindrical base 52, of larger circular section, which is slidably mounted in a block 53 for guiding in translation, fixed on the conduit by means of screws 54 (Fig.l). The guide block has an axial passage 531 provided with a guide ring 532 in which the base 52 passes. The seal is ensured by means of an annular seal 28, for example elastomeric material. Hole 27 has a shoulder 27a facing outwardly. The seal 28 is provided with a flange. The seal is housed in the hole and is held in place by the guide block 53, its flange abutting against said shoulder. The conduit has for example a counterbore 27b in which the guide block is positioned. The guide block is provided with a transverse hole 533, passing through the block from one side to the other and forming a leakage chamber, which makes it possible to identify any leaks at the seal, and which makes it possible, if necessary, to clean the seal. rear of said seal 28.

A second actuating system 6 makes it possible to move the flow control rod 51 between a retracted position, called a large flow rate, and an extreme deployed position, called a small flow rate. This second actuating system 6 comprises a jack 61, for example pneumatic. The body 611 of the cylinder is mounted on the pipe 2 by means of two diametrically opposite support rods 62 and a plate 65. The rods 62 support are fixed on one side to the outer surface of the conduit 2 of feed and the another side to a plate 65 on which is fixed the body 611 cylinder by means of two screws not shown. The cylinder rod end 66 extending the cylinder rod 613 is centered along the C axis, and extends downwardly between the two support rods. Its free end is assembled at the end of the base 52, disposed above the guide block 53.

For this mounting, the base is inserted into the cylindrical inner portion 614 of the jack rod tip 66 mounted at the end of the cylinder rod 613. A locking member formed of an annular half-ring 63 is inserted into a slot of the cylinder rod end and engages an outer shoulder of the base 52 to lock in longitudinal translation the base in the rod end of cylinder. A sleeve 64 slidably mounted on the cylinder rod can be moved from a high position, in which it is disposed above the slot of the cylinder rod end 66, to a low position, in which it comes to maintain the half-ring in inserted position.

The jack 61 is able to move the flow control rod 51 radially in the internal passage 21 between the high flow position, illustrated in FIG. 5, and a small flow position illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6. In the high flow position, the rod is arranged substantially outside of the internal passage. Its free end 51a is disposed substantially at the lower face of the seal 28. The passage section of the supply duct is maximum.

In the small flow position, the rod 51 extends in said internal passage 21, its free end 51a is located in close proximity to the inner surface of the passage, opposite the hole 27. The free end 51a can be contact with the surface. Preferably, the rod is not in contact against the inner surface, a game being maintained between the rod and the inner surface of the passage, for example of a half millimeter, to avoid material surface. The rod in the small flow position forms two identical secondary passages 29a, 29b (FIG.6) arranged symmetrically on either side of the rod 51.

Depending on the penetration of the rod 51 in the duct 21 or the diameter of the rod 51, the passage section can be reduced by 30 to 70% to obtain the small flow rate best suited to the product / container pair. For the preferred embodiment, the flow control rod has a diameter of 6 mm, the diameter of the internal passage being 12.6 mm. The passage section is thus about 125 mm ² , and is reduced in the small flow position to about 50 mm ² with two secondary passages of about 25 mm ² , a reduction of the passage section of about 60%.

The metering means comprise a control system (not shown) making it possible to drive the cylinders 41, 61. The metering means are, for example, of the weight type, the jacks being servocontrolled by a weighing sensor of the control system, which is placed for example at a container support device associated with the filling device. Alternatively, the cylinders are controlled by a sensor for detecting the filling level of the container or a flow sensor that is interposed between the container and the spout at the time of filling, or a volumetric system.

The operation of the filling device according to the invention for filling a container is as follows.

The control rod 51 being in the low flow position, the control system drives the jack 41 to move the valve 31 in its open position as shown in FIG. 4. The flow of filling product passes on both sides. of the stem, by the two passages secondary. The flow then passes into the tubular internal passage 21 and opens into the cylindrical section 113 of the upper part 11, in which the valve rod 32 of substantially constant section extends. This cylindrical section 113 has a substantially constant passage section and a large length for stabilizing the flow. The fins 34 serve to stabilize the flow by channeling the stream lines, which has the effect of making the flow more laminar.

The control system then drives the jack 61 to move the regulating rod 51 from its small flow position, illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, to its high flow position illustrated in FIG. 5. At the end of the dosing, the control system controls the cylinder 61 to move the control rod 51 to its low flow position, then controls the cylinder 41 to move the valve 31 to its closed position.

The speed of movement of the cylinder of the flow control rod is advantageously less than that of the valve cylinder. For this purpose, the piston diameter of the cylinder of the flow control rod is for example greater than that of the piston of the valve cylinder.

Figures 7 to 13 illustrate a filling device according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Referring in particular to Figures 7 and 10, the filling device comprises a filling spout with a discharge port 13 'and a lateral supply port 15', a supply conduit 2 'connected to the port 15' feedstock for feeding the spout with filler, and metering means for delivering a determined amount of filler into each container fed under the spout.

The spout, of longitudinal axis A ', is formed of a generally tubular body 10' having an internal passage 10 ', an open upper axial end 14' and an open bottom axial end constituting the discharge orifice 13 '. The longitudinal axis A 'of the spout is arranged substantially vertically.

The conduit 2 'of supply has an internal passage 2 and is connected by a first end 22' to the supply port. The filling device is intended to be connected by the second end 23 'of the supply duct to the tank of the filling machine.

The tubular body 10 'comprises an upper piece 11', also called the measuring body, provided with the upper axial end 14 'and the supply opening 15'; and a lower piece 12 ', also called a nozzle, provided with the discharge orifice 13', which is removably mounted on the upper piece by means of a locking member formed of a stirrup 16 'in the general shape of U.

The inner surface of the wall of the upper part 11 ', which defines its internal passage, has from its edge 111' greater than its lower edge 112 ', a cylindrical upper section 113', a frustoconical section 114 'progressively increasing towards the bottom and a cylindrical lower section 115 ', the frustoconical section and the lower section being connected by an inner shoulder oriented towards the lower edge. The wall of the lower part 12 'has a cylindrical outer surface. Its inner surface, which defines its internal passageway, has, from its upper edge to its discharge orifice 13 ', a cylindrical upper section 121', a frustoconical section 122 which progressively reduces towards the bottom and forms a closure seat, and a lower section 123 'cylindrical or frustoconical delimited by the discharge port. The lower piece 12 'is inserted into the lower section 115' of the upper piece, until the upper edge thereof bears against the shoulder, the said upper edge being advantageously equipped with a seal. The locking of the two parts 11 ', 12' is achieved by inserting the two branches of the stirrup 16 'in diametrically opposite slots of the upper part 11' and under the shoulder 124 'of the lower part 12'.

With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the metering means comprise a closure system 3 'comprising a valve 31' disposed in the spout. This valve is controlled in opening and closing by a first system 4 'of actuation comprising a cylinder 41', for example pneumatic. The valve is mounted at a first end of a valve stem 32 'which is sealingly slidably mounted through the open upper axial end 14' via a translation guide block 33 'which is fixed on the edge 11 Γ higher by means of screws. The guide block has an axial passage 33 equipped a guide ring 332 'in which the valve stem 32' passes. The open upper axial end 14 'is equipped with an annular seal 17' held in place by the guide block. The guide block is provided with a transverse hole 333 ', passing through the block from one side to the other and forming a leakage chamber, which makes it possible to identify any leaks at the seal, and which makes it possible, if necessary, to clean the seal. rear of said seal 17 '. The second end of the valve stem 32 'is disposed above the guide block 33'. The body 411 'of the cylinder is mounted on the upper part 11' by means of two diametrically opposite support rods 42 'and a plate 43. The rods 42' support are fixed on one side to the lateral lugs of the guide block and on the other side to a plate 43 'on which is fixed the body 411' cylinder for example by means of two screws. The tip 45 'of cylinder rod extending the rod 413' of cylinder is centered along the axis A 'and extends downwards between the two support rods, and its free end is mounted at the second end of the rod 32 'of flap. For this mounting, the valve stem is inserted into the cylindrical inner portion 414 'of the cylinder rod end 45'. A locking member formed of an annular half-ring 43 'is inserted into a slot of the cylinder rod end and engages an outer shoulder of the valve stem to lock the valve stem longitudinally in the rod end of cylinder. A sleeve 44 'slidably mounted on the cylinder rod end can advantageously be moved from a high position, in which it is disposed above the slot of the rod end 45', towards a low position, in which it comes to maintain the half-ring in inserted position.

The cylinder 41 'is able to move the valve 31' in vertical translation in the internal passage of the lower part between a closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 10, in which the valve cooperates with the frustoconical section 122 'of the lower piece for closing the discharge port 13 ', and an open position shown in Fig. 12, to open the discharge port.

The cylinder rod is equipped with fins 31 'for stabilizing the flow which, in the open position of the valve, extend in the frustoconical section 114' of the passage of the first part and in the section 121 'of the cylinder. lower room. The metering means further comprise a flow control system 5 'mounted on the feed duct 2'.

Referring to Figures 10 and 11, the supply conduit 2 'comprises upstream downstream relative to the direction of flow of the filler;

a part 7'a upstream, having a tubular internal upstream passage 70'a substantially rectilinear, longitudinal axis B '1, of substantially constant circular section, comprising the second end 23' of the supply duct;

an intermediate portion 8 'having an intermediate central passage 80' of generally cylindrical shape with a vertical longitudinal axis B'2; and,

and a downstream part 7'b having a tubular, substantially rectilinear, downstream passage 70'b having a longitudinal axis B'3, of substantially constant circular cross section, substantially equal to that of the downstream passage 70 '', said downstream part comprising the first end 22 'connected to the supply port 15'.

The intermediate central passage 80 'comprises, from top to bottom, a generally cylindrical upper portion 81' of greater cross section than that of the downstream passage 70 ', a frustoconical intermediate portion 82' whose section decreases from bottom to top, and a substantially cylindrical lower portion 83 '.

The upstream passage 70 'opens out laterally into the upper portion 81' of the intermediate central passage. Its axis B '1 is slightly inclined relative to the horizontal, for example about 5 °, to prevent product stagnates in this upstream portion between filling cycles.

The passage 70'b downstream opens laterally into the lower portion 83 'of the central passage, opposite the passage 70'a upstream with respect to the axis B'2. Its B'3 axis is for example disposed approximately at 45 ° relative to the horizontal. Alternatively, the B'3 axis is disposed at approximately 90 ° of the axis B'2, preferably with a slight angle relative to the horizontal to avoid stagnation of the product.

The inner surface forming the central passage B'2 axis has a longitudinal recess of generally semi-transverse cross-section. circular extending along the frustoconical portion and the lower portion, said recess forming a lateral passage 84 'secondary.

The secondary lateral passage is disposed substantially in the same plane as the axes B 'I and B'2 and B'3, and is arranged relative to the axis B' 2 on the same side as the axis B 'I.

The control system comprises a flow control rod 51 'of circular cross-section, with a substantially vertical longitudinal axis C, axially slidably mounted in a sealed manner, in an axial hole 27' of the supply duct, formed at upper end of its intermediate portion, the hole opening on the upper portion 81 'of the central passage. The circular cross section of the rod 51 'is smaller than the cross section of the upper portion 81'. The rod has a cross section substantially equal to the section of the portion 83 'lower, preferably slightly lower. In the present embodiment, the rod has a portion 55 'of slightly larger section end than the rest of the rod, the cross section being substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the section of the portion 83' below the level of this portion 55 'end.

The rod 51 'is slidably mounted in a translation guide block 53', fixed on the upper edge of the intermediate portion 8 of the conduit for example by means of screws 54 '. The guide block has an axial passage 53 provided with a guide ring 532 'in which the rod 51' passes. Sealing is provided by means of an annular seal 28 ', for example of elastomeric material. Hole 27 'has an outwardly directed shoulder. The seal 28 'is provided with a flange. The seal is housed in the hole and is held in place by the guide block 53 ', its flange abutting against said shoulder. The conduit has for example a bore in which the guide block is positioned. The guide block is provided with a hole 533 'transverse, passing through the block from side to side and forming a leakage chamber, which can identify any leaks at the seal, and which allows if necessary cleaning the l rear of said seal 28 '.

A second actuating system 6 'makes it possible to move the flow control rod 51' between a retracted position, called a large flow rate and an extreme deployed position, called a small flow rate. This second system 6 ' actuator comprises a cylinder 61 ', for example pneumatic. The body 611 'of the jack is mounted on the guide block by means of two diametrically opposite rods support 62' and a plate 65. The rods 62 support are fixed on one side to two lateral lugs of the guide block 53 ' and on the other side to a plate 65 'on which is fixed the body 611' of cylinder, for example by means of two screws. The rod end 66 'extending the cylinder rod 613 is centered along the axis C, and extends downwardly between the two support rods. Its free end is assembled to the portion 52 'of the rod, disposed above the block 53' guide.

For this mounting, the rod is inserted into the cylindrical inner portion 614 'of the jack rod end 66' mounted at the end of the jack rod 613 '. A locking member formed of an annular half-ring 63 'is inserted into a slot of the cylinder rod end and engages an outer shoulder of the rod 51' to lock in longitudinal translation the rod in the rod end of cylinder. A sleeve 64 'slidably mounted on the cylinder rod can be moved from a high position, in which it is disposed above the slot of the cylinder rod end 66', to a low position, in which it just keep the half-ring in inserted position.

The jack 61 'is able to move in vertical translation the flow control rod 51' axially in the central passage 80 ', between the large flow position, illustrated in FIG. 13, and a small flow position illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12. In the large flow position, the rod 5 is disposed substantially outside the internal passage 21, only its end portion 55 'being disposed in the upper portion 81' of the central passage, below the underside of the seal 28 '. The passage section of the supply duct is maximum.

In the small flow position, the rod 51 'extends in the upper portion 81' and in the frustoconical portion 82 'of the central passage, the end portion 55' being disposed in this frustoconical portion, above the portion 83 lower.

The dosing means comprise a control system (not shown) for controlling the jacks 41 ', 61'. The dosing means are, for example, of the weight type, the jacks being servocontrolled by a weighing sensor of the control system, which is placed for example at a container support device associated with the filling device. Alternatively, the cylinders are controlled by a sensor for detecting the filling level of the container or a flow sensor that is interposed between the container and the spout at the time of filling, or a volumetric system.

Since the control rod 51 'is in a small flow position, the control system controls the jack 41' to move the valve 31 'in its open position as shown in FIG. 12. The flow of filling product from the passage 70 Upstream penetrates into the annular upper portion formed by the rod 51 'positioned in the upper portion 81' of the central passage, then by the lateral passage 84 'secondary, and by the frustoconical annular passage formed by the portion 55' d ' end of the rod positioned in the frustoconical portion 82 '. The flow then passes into the lower portion 83 'of the central passage, into the downstream passage 70', then into the cylindrical section 113 'of the upper part 11', in which the valve stem 32 'extends. This cylindrical section 113 'has a large length for stabilizing the flow. The fins 34 serve to stabilize the flow by channeling the stream lines, which has the effect of making the flow more laminar.

The control system then drives the jack 61 'to move the regulating rod 51' from its small flow position to its high flow position, as shown in FIG. 13. At the end of the dosing, the control system controls the cylinder 61 'for moving the control rod 5 to its low flow position, then controls the cylinder 41' to move the valve 3 to its closed position as shown in Figure 10.

In this embodiment, the flow control rod moves vertically in the flow direction of the product to move from one position to another. The secondary lateral passage opens directly in the central passage, which limits the risk of blocking pieces, the pieces possibly stuck in the secondary passage in the small flow position can be evacuated when the flow control rod is returned to the high flow position.

The elbow between the upstream passage and the central passage, and the elbow between the central passage and the downstream passage create significant singular pressure drops.

Pressure losses are also created by the divergent form by the increase in section between the upstream passage and the upper portion of the central passage, then by the converge formed by the decrease in section between this upper portion and the lower portion of the central passage. and the downstream passage.

These singular pressure losses of the elbow type, and these pressure losses by a divergent then convergent type of nozzle system make it possible to propose a feed duct with a large passage section which, unlike conventional nozzle type systems. converge and then diverge, do not decrease, and so dosing viscous products and / or with pieces of large sizes in high flow position.

In the small flow position, the passage section is not divided into two parts, as in the previous embodiment, which allows dosing in small flow filler products with markers (pulps, herbs, .... ) or smaller pieces of larger size.

In the present embodiment, the nose nozzle body 11 'is formed of two generally cylindrical parts, a cylindrical lower portion 11' on which the nozzle 12 'is mounted, and a cylindrical upper portion 11' b provided with the upper axial end 14 'and the supply port 15'.

With reference to FIGS. 9a and 9b, the device comprises a piece 90 'comprising one piece constituting said upper part 11' b of the spout, the part 7'b downstream of the supply duct and a tubular part, referenced 91 ', in which are constituted the lower portion 83 'and the frustoconical portion 82' of the central passage and the lateral passage 84 'secondary. This Exhibit 9 is assembled by Part 11 'b in Part 11' a of the metering body, for example by screwing, by inserting a gasket 92 'sealing.

The remainder of the intermediate portion of the duct is formed by a tubular piece 93 'constituting the upper portion 81' of the central passage, and provided with the axial hole 27 'and a lateral hole 93'a. This tubular piece 93 'is assembled by its lower edge to the tubular portion 91', for example by screwing, by inserting a sealing gasket 94 '.

This piece 90 'monobloc limits the number of seal and ensure a precise distance between the rod 32' cylinder and the rod 52 'flow control and thus optimize the size of the device.

In the present embodiment, the device comprises identical blocks 33 ', 53' for the two actuating systems, as well as identical seals 17 ', 27' for sealingly mounting the rod 32 ' cylinder and the flow control rod 5.

The part 7 'downstream of the supply duct is formed of a rigid tube provided at each end with a flange 25' a, 25 'b, for its assembly, on the one hand to the intermediate portion 8', level 93'a lateral hole of the room 93 'which opens into the upper portion of the central passage, and secondly to the tank of the filling machine. The axis B 'I of the upstream passage 70' is aligned along the axis of the lateral hole 93'a, the latter having a section substantially identical to that of the upstream passage.

The stroke of the flow control rod can be adjusted via a control system 616, for example screw, to obtain the small flow best suited to the filler and the container.

In the example illustrated in Figure 14, the stroke of the rod 51 'is adjusted so that in small flow, the end portion 55' of the rod is disposed beyond the frustoconical portion 82 'of the central passage at its lower portion 83 '. In small flow, the rod almost completely closes the central passage, the flow of filling product passing through the secondary lateral passage, arranged parallel to the central passage, and of reduced section relative to the central passage. Although the invention has been described in connection with two particular embodiments, 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

1. Filling device for filling machine comprising

a filling spout (1) formed of a tubular body (10, 10 ') having an internal longitudinal passage (10a, 10'a) with a longitudinal axis (A, A'), a lower open axial end constituting a discharge port (13, 13 '), and a supply port (15, 15'),

- dosing means comprising

a closure system (3, 3 ') comprising a valve (31, 3) capable of being mounted movably in said tubular body, and

a first actuating system (4, 4 ') capable of longitudinally displacing said valve between a closed position to close the discharge orifice (13, 13') and at least one open position,

a supply duct (2, 2 ') for supplying said filling nozzle with filling product, connected by a first end to the supply orifice,

characterized in that said metering means further comprises a flow control system (5, 5 ') mounted on the supply conduit (2, 2'), said flow control system comprising

- a flow control rod (51, 5), slidably mounted, substantially sealingly, in a hole (27, 27 ') of said supply duct, and

a second actuating system (6, 6 ') able to move the flow control rod, between a retracted position, called a large flow, in which the said rod is disposed substantially outside the internal passage (21, 21') the supply duct, and an extended position, said small flow, wherein said rod extends in said internal passage to reduce the passage section of the supply duct.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said conduit (2 ') for feeding comprises

an intermediate portion (8 ') defining an intermediate central passage (80'),

an upstream part (7'a) defining an upstream passage (70'a)

and a part (7'b) downstream defining a passage (70'b) downstream, the flow control rod (5) being slidably mounted in an axial hole (27 ') formed at one axial end of the intermediate portion (8') of the supply duct (2 '), said second system (6') actuator being able to axially move the flow control rod in the intermediate central passage (80 ').

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said duct (2 ') supply comprises

said intermediate portion (8 ') arranged substantially vertically,

- said passage (70 'a) upstream opening laterally in a first portion (81') said upper portion of the passage (80 ') of said central portion (8') intermediate, and the passage (70 'b) downstream opening into a second portion (83 ') said lower of the central passage,

- The flow control rod (5) being slidably mounted substantially vertically in the hole (27 ') axial disposed at the upper end of the intermediate portion of the supply duct.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rod (51, 5) flow control is substantially cylindrical.

5. Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the passage (80 ') central comprises from its axial end provided with said hole (27') axial, a first portion (8), the cross section is greater than the cross section of the flow control rod (5), a so-called intermediate portion (82 ') and a second portion (83'), said second portion (83 ') having a smaller cross section than the first portion (83') (8), the flow control rod (5) in its small flow position extending in said intermediate portion and in the second portion.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that said first portion (81 ') is substantially cylindrical, said portion (82') intermediate is substantially frustoconical.

7. Device according to claim 3 and 6, characterized in that the passage (82 ') comprises, intermediate upstream downstream with respect to the direction of flow of the filling product, the first substantially cylindrical upper portion (81'). , the portion (82 ') frustoconical intermediate, and the second portion (83') lower.

8. Device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the inner surface of the portion (8 ') intermediate, which defines said intermediate central passage (80'), is provided with a longitudinal recess extending along the intermediate portion (82 ') and the second portion (83'), said recess defining a secondary lateral passage (84 ') for the flow of the filler in the low flow position.

9. Device according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the cross section of the upper portion (8) of the intermediate central passage (80 ') is greater than the cross section of the passage (70' a) upstream of the upstream part.

10. Device according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the passage (70 'a) upstream and the passage (70'b) downstream open laterally in the lower part of the passage (80') central intermediate.

11. Device according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a single piece constituting at least a portion of the body (10 ') tubular spout (), the portion (7' a) downstream of the duct and at least a portion of the intermediate portion (8 ') of the supply conduit.

12. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that in a small flow position, the flow control rod splits the passage (21) of the inner conduit (2) supply in two passages (29a, 29b) substantially identical secondary , symmetrically disposed on either side of the flow control rod (51).

13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the supply duct (2) has an internal passage (21) of substantially circular cross section, the flow control rod (51) is slidably mounted substantially perpendicular to the duct. supply, said second system (6) for actuating is able to radially move the flow control rod in the internal passage of the conduit.

14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the rod (51) of flow control has a free end (51a) convex surface, whose radius of curvature corresponds to that of the inner surface of the internal passage of the duct 'food.

15. Device according to claim according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the orifice (15, 15 ') of feed is formed laterally in the tubular body.

16. Device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the dosing means comprises a control system adapted to control the first system (4, 4 ') of actuation and the second system (6, 6'). ) for holding the flow control rod (51, 5) in a small flow position when the valve (31, 3) is moved to the open position at the start of dosing, to move the flow control rod in the retracted position during dosing, and to move the flow control rod to the low flow position at the end of dosing, before moving the valve in the closed position.

17. Device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that said second system (6, 6 ') for actuating comprises a jack (61, 61') having a rod (613, 613 ') of jack suitable to be connected to the flow control rod (51, 5), the cylinder body (611, 611 ') is mounted on and carried by the supply conduit (2, 2'), said cylinder body is mounted at a distance from the supply duct via at least one rigid link arm (62, 62 ') extending parallel to and adjacent to the flow control rod (51, 51') and the stem (613, 613 ') of cylinder.

18. Device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that said tubular body (10, 10 ') has an open upper axial end (14), said valve (31, 3) is assembled at the first end of a valve stem (32, 32 '), said first control system comprises a jack (41, 41') comprising a rod (413, 413 ') of jack adapted to be connected to the second end of the rod (32 , 32 '), through said open upper end, the cylinder body (411, 411') is mounted on and carried by the body (10, 10 ') of the spout, said cylinder body is mounted in the above and away from the body (10, 10 ') of the spout via at least one rigid linkage arm (42, 42') extending parallel and adjacent to the valve stem (32, 32 ') and the rod (413, 413 ') of cylinder.

19. Device according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the rod (51, 51 ') flow control is adapted to be removably mounted at the free end of the rod (613, 613' ) of cylinder (61, 61 ') by means of a quick acting coupling system comprising a locking member (63, 63').

Container filling machine comprising filling liquid distribution means and a plurality of filling devices connected to said dispensing means, characterized in that each filling device is as defined in one of claims 1 to 19, the conduits (2, 2 ') for supply being connected and fixed rigidly by their second end (23, 23') to said distribution means.