EP3473589A1 - Machine de remplissage et procédé de remplissage pour remplir des contenants avec un produit liquide sous pression - Google Patents

Machine de remplissage et procédé de remplissage pour remplir des contenants avec un produit liquide sous pression Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3473589A1
EP3473589A1 EP18200040.6A EP18200040A EP3473589A1 EP 3473589 A1 EP3473589 A1 EP 3473589A1 EP 18200040 A EP18200040 A EP 18200040A EP 3473589 A1 EP3473589 A1 EP 3473589A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pressure
receptacle
filling
valve
decompression chamber
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Withdrawn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
EP18200040.6A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Luca TARTAGLIA
Roberto Zoni
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sidel Participations SAS
Original Assignee
Sidel Participations SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sidel Participations SAS filed Critical Sidel Participations SAS
Publication of EP3473589A1 publication Critical patent/EP3473589A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • B67C3/06—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus using counterpressure, i.e. filling while the container is under pressure
    • B67C3/08—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus using counterpressure, i.e. filling while the container is under pressure and subsequently lowering the counterpressure
    • 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
    • B67C3/06—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus using counterpressure, i.e. filling while the container is under pressure
    • B67C3/12—Pressure-control devices
    • 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 machine configured for filling receptacles, in particular plastic receptacles, with a pourable product at a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure, for example a pourable gasified product such as sparkling water, soft drinks or carbonated beverages, etc.
  • the present invention relates, furthermore, to a method for filling receptacles with a pourable product that can be pressurized at a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure.
  • filling machines used in this field essentially comprise a carousel rotating around a vertical axis, a reservoir containing the pourable product, and a plurality of filling devices peripherally carried by the carousel, connected to the reservoir by means of respective circuits or ducts and conveyed by the carousel along a circular transfer path.
  • the carousel receives a succession of empty receptacles from an inlet star wheel and directs the full receptacles to an outlet star wheel.
  • Each filling device essentially comprises a support element suited to receive and hold a respective receptacle in a vertical position, and a filling valve configured to feed a predetermined volume of pourable product into said receptacle, while the filling device moves along the transfer path due to the rotary motion imparted by the carousel.
  • the tubular body has a longitudinal axis parallel to the carousel axis and terminates at a lower end with an axial discharge opening configured to come into contact, in use, with a top end mouth of the respective receptacle to be filled.
  • the channel of the tubular body comprises a tapered-section portion located above the discharge opening and narrowing in the direction of the discharge opening, up to a section of minimum diameter.
  • the shutter is movable inside the channel of the tubular body between a lower closing position, in which the shutter sealingly closes the tapered-section portion of the channel itself and interrupts the flow of the pourable product towards the discharge opening, and an upper opening position in which the shutter delimits, together with the tapered-section portion, an annular passage communicating with the discharge opening.
  • the filling machine comprises, furthermore, two circuits formed at least partially inside the tubular body of each filling valve:
  • the decompression circuit has an end opening communicating, in use, with the receptacle located under the respective filling valve, and another end opening opposite the first end and connected by means of an on/off type valve, to a decompression chamber, one only for the entire filling machine, kept at atmospheric pressure.
  • each receptacle is carried out by opening, for one or more pre-set time intervals, the respective on/off valve that controls the connection of the decompression circuit, and thus the internal environment of the respective filled receptacle, with the decompression chamber.
  • the duration of the above mentioned time intervals is set at the same value for each filling device of the filling machine, before the start of production, being part of the predetermined filling procedure.
  • the amount of foam contained in each receptacle at the end of the decompression step depends on the method and speed at which the filling operation is performed, as well as by the method and the decompression rate during the decompression step.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a filling machine, which is of high reliability and limited cost, and can satisfy the aforementioned need.
  • this object is achieved by a filling machine as claimed in claim 1.
  • the present invention further relates to a method for filling a receptacle with a pourable product as defined in claim 10.
  • number 1 indicates as a whole a filling machine configured for filling a plurality of receptacles 2 with a pourable product at a pressure value P S higher than the atmospheric pressure.
  • the receptacles 2 are preferably made of plastic material, and the pourable product is a liquid with the addition of gas under pressure, for example, sparkling water or a carbonated drink.
  • the machine 1 is fed with empty receptacles 2 and is configured for filling the latter with the pourable product.
  • the machine 1 comprises a rotary conveyor, preferably a carousel 3, configured to rotate about a vertical axis A, and a reservoir 5 containing the pourable product at the pressure P S and located peripherally with respect to the carousel 3.
  • the carousel 3 carries in a cantilevered manner at its own peripheral portion 3a a plurality of filling devices 4 configured for filling respective receptacles 2 up to a predetermined level during the rotation of the carousel 3 itself around the axis A.
  • the filling devices 4 are thus conveyed by the carousel 3 along a circular transfer path, at respective radially spaced positions with respect to the axis A.
  • each filling device 4 is fluidly connected to the reservoir 5 by means of a circuit 6 configured to convey the pourable product from the reservoir 5 to the filling device 4.
  • the carousel 3 receives a succession of empty receptacles 2 from an inlet star wheel (not shown) and directs the filled receptacles 2 to an outlet star wheel (also not shown).
  • each receptacle 2 is defined by a bottle having a longitudinal axis B and being advanced in a vertical position by the carousel 3.
  • each receptacle 2 is advanced by the carousel 3 with its own axis B parallel to the axis A of the carousel 3.
  • each receptacle 2 has a neck 7 coaxial with the axis B and defining a threaded surface 7a designed to allow the closure by means of a screw cap (according to a known manner and not described in detail).
  • each filling device 4 comprises a filling valve 8 configured to control the outflow of the pourable product towards a respective receptacle 2 to be filled, and support means 10 adapted for supporting said receptacle 2 in a vertical position under the respective filling valve 8.
  • the upper edge of the neck 7 of the receptacle 2 is placed in contact with the filling valve 8, so as to receive from the latter the pourable product in a fluid-tight condition.
  • each filling device 4 is configured to perform a so-called “contact filling operation", in which the respective receptacle 2 is supported in fluid-tight contact against the respective filling valve 8.
  • Each filling valve 8 essentially comprises:
  • the tubular body 11 comprises an upper end portion 14, an intermediate portion 17 provided with a transverse inlet opening 15 configured to receive the pourable product from the reservoir 5 through the circuit 6, and a lower end portion 16 ending with an axial outlet opening 18 configured to feed the pourable product to the respective receptacle 2.
  • the lower end portion 16 is adapted to come into contact, in use, with the neck 7 of the respective receptacle 2 to be filled so as to place the upper edge of the neck 7 itself in fluid connection with the outlet opening 18.
  • the end portion 16 comprises an annular gasket 20 defining, in use, an axial abutment for the neck 7 of the respective receptacle 2 and configured to seal the latter to the respective filling valve 8 during the filling process.
  • annular gasket 20 defining, in use, an axial abutment for the neck 7 of the respective receptacle 2 and configured to seal the latter to the respective filling valve 8 during the filling process.
  • the channel 12 comprises, at the lower end portion 16 of the tubular body 11, a tapered-section portion 21 defining the end portion of the channel 12 itself.
  • the portion 21 comprises a first frustum-conical segment 22 with a section tapering towards the outlet opening 18 and a second substantially cylindrical segment 23 extending from the minimum section of segment 22 and ending, after a further final tapering, with the outlet opening 18.
  • the segment 22 is located upstream of the segment 23 with respect to the flow direction of the pourable product inside the channel 12 and has a diameter gradually decreasing towards the diameter of the segment 23 itself.
  • each filling valve 8 is coaxially mounted inside the channel 12 of the respective tubular body 11.
  • each shutter 13 comprises an externally cylindrical upper portion 25, an intermediate portion 26 having a diameter larger than the diameter of the upper portion 25 and arranged below the latter, and a lower portion 29 extending axially from the intermediate portion 26 in the direction of the lower end portion 16 of the respective tubular body 11 and terminating in close proximity to the outlet opening 18 and above the latter.
  • the intermediate portion 26 is preferably provided with flow-stabilizing means for the pourable product, such as a swirler 28, configured to impart a rotating motion to the pourable product itself.
  • flow-stabilizing means for the pourable product such as a swirler 28, configured to impart a rotating motion to the pourable product itself.
  • Each shutter 13 is also provided at the intermediate portion 26, with a sealing ring 27, preferably made of elastomeric material and configured to selectively cooperate in a fluid-tight manner with the segment 22 of the respective channel 12 so as to prevent the outflow of the pourable product towards the outlet opening 18 and, therefore, inside the respective receptacle 2 to be filled.
  • Each shutter 13 is movable inside the channel 12 of the respective tubular body 11 between:
  • each shutter 13 from the closing position to the opening position is obtained by means of the respective actuator 24, preferably a fluid controlled actuator.
  • each actuator 24 comprises a plunger 24a housed inside a respective chamber 24b located at the upper end portion 14 of the respective filling device 4.
  • the chamber 24b is adapted to receive a fluid under pressure (e.g. air, water or oil) configured to exert a thrust on the plunger 24a.
  • a fluid under pressure e.g. air, water or oil
  • Each shutter 13 is coupled to the respective plunger 24a, according to a known manner and not described in detail, and its movement between the closing and opening positions directly depends on the movement of the plunger 24a, this latter being caused by the fluid under pressure inside the respective chamber 24b.
  • each shutter 13 could be achieved by means of a respective mechanical or electromagnetic actuator.
  • the filling machine 1 further comprises:
  • the pressurization-exhaust circuit 30 comprises an annular chamber 32 formed in the carousel 3 and containing a fluid under pressure, for example carbon dioxide, and, for each filling device 4, a duct 31, which fluidly connects the internal environment of the respective receptacle 2 to the chamber 32.
  • a fluid under pressure for example carbon dioxide
  • each duct 31 has a lower opening 36 communicating, in use, with the respective receptacle 2 and an upper opening 37 communicating with the chamber 32.
  • each duct 31 of the pressurization-exhaust circuit 30 comprises, proceeding from the direction starting from the respective lower opening 36 to the respective upper opening 37:
  • the decompression circuit 33 comprises an annular decompression chamber 35 formed in the carousel 3 and, for each filling device 4, a duct 34 which fluidly connects the internal environment of the respective receptacle 2 to the decompression chamber 35; the decompression chamber 35 is kept at a pressure lower than the pressure inside each receptacle 2 at the end of the filling and can be connected in turn to an environment kept at atmospheric pressure P a .
  • each duct 34 has a lower opening 40 communicating, in use, with the respective receptacle 2 and an upper opening 41 communicating with the chamber 35.
  • each duct 34 of the decompression circuit 33 comprises, proceeding in the direction from the respective lower opening 40 to the respective upper opening 41:
  • the filling machine 1 comprises, furthermore, pressure control means 45 configured to keep the pressure inside the decompression chamber 35 at a predetermined pressure value P 0 higher than the atmospheric pressure Pa.
  • the pressure control means 45 comprise:
  • each respective receptacle 2 is selectively put in communication with the decompression chamber 35 by opening the respective valve 39 for a pre-set time interval.
  • the duration of this time interval is set at the same value for each valve 39 and is part of the predetermined filling procedure.
  • the control unit 43 controls the opening of the pressure-sustaining valve 44 so as to allow a depressurization of the decompression chamber 35 itself, thus keeping it at the pressure value P 0 .
  • said pressure value P 0 is higher than the atmospheric pressure P a of an amount ranging between 0.1 and 0.5 bar, more preferably between 0.2 and 0.3 bar.
  • the pressure-sustaining valve 44 is a modulating valve, that is a valve apt to define a plurality of opening positions having passage sections different from one another.
  • the pressure-sustaining valve 44 could be an on/off type valve, that is a valve selectively movable between two opening and closing positions following the control received from the control unit 43.
  • the Applicant observed that by selecting a pressure value P 0 inside the decompression chamber 35 above the atmospheric pressure P a of the above quantity, it is possible to minimize the "agitation" of the pourable product inside the receptacle 2 at the time of detachment of the latter from the respective filling device 4, thereby limiting foam formation and possible leakage of the pourable product itself.
  • the pressure sensor 42 is preferably mounted along the decompression circuit 33 in a position downstream of the decompression chamber 35; the pressure detected at said point corresponds to the pressure inside the decompression chamber 35.
  • Figures from 3a to 3d show the operation of the filling machine 1 during four successive moments.
  • the receptacle 2 is fed by the carousel 3 in a position lower than the respective filling device 4 and is arranged by the support means 10 so as to be arranged with the upper end of the neck 7 in abutment against the annular gasket 20 of the tubular body 11 ( Figure 3a ).
  • the valve 38 is opened to start the pressurization step: the gas under pressure, typically carbon dioxide, contained in chamber 32 flows along the pressurization-exhaust circuit 30, inside the receptacle 2, until the pressure on its inside reaches the pressure value of the reservoir 5 of the pourable product to be introduced into the receptacle 2 itself ( Figure 3b ).
  • the gas under pressure typically carbon dioxide
  • the shutter 13 is moved, by means of the actuator 24, from the closing position to the opening position.
  • the pourable product can therefore flow into the channel 12, through the outlet opening 18 and, then, inside the receptacle 2.
  • the gas contained in the receptacle 2 is released through the pressurization-exhaust circuit 30 ( Figure 3c ).
  • valve 39 is opened to start the decompression step: the receptacle 2 is depressurized by means of the outflow of the gas contained in the upper part of the neck 7, in the pressurization-exhaust circuit 30 up to the closed valve 38 and in the channel 12 up to the sealing ring 27, along the decompression circuit 33 towards the chamber 35.
  • the pressure sensor 42 measures the pressure value in the decompression chamber 35; as soon as this value exceeds the predetermined pressure value P 0 , the control unit 43 controls the temporary opening of the pressure-sustaining valve 44 for a pre-set period of time, thus allowing the gas in excess contained inside the decompression chamber 35 to flow out, and to the pourable product contained in receptacle 2 to reduce its "agitation" by adjusting to the new pressure value.
  • the control unit 43 controls the closing of the pressure-sustaining valve 44.
  • the receptacle 2 is then detached from the filling device 4 at the pressure value P 0 higher than the atmospheric pressure P a to be conveyed by the carousel 3 to the outlet star wheel. During such step, the pressure of the receptacle 2 will drop to the value of the atmospheric pressure P a .
  • the selective control of the pressure-sustaining valve 44 correlated with the pressure value measured inside the decompression chamber 35 by the pressure sensor 42, allows to keep, in the decompression chamber 35, a predetermined pressure value P 0 , throughout the entire decompression step of each receptacle 2. As a result, the amount of foam generated is kept to a minimum, thus avoiding unwanted product loss.

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  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
EP18200040.6A 2017-10-18 2018-10-12 Machine de remplissage et procédé de remplissage pour remplir des contenants avec un produit liquide sous pression Withdrawn EP3473589A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102017000117761A IT201700117761A1 (it) 2017-10-18 2017-10-18 Macchina riempitrice e metodo di riempimento di recipienti con un prodotto versabile in pressione

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EP3473589A1 true EP3473589A1 (fr) 2019-04-24

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EP18200040.6A Withdrawn EP3473589A1 (fr) 2017-10-18 2018-10-12 Machine de remplissage et procédé de remplissage pour remplir des contenants avec un produit liquide sous pression

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EP (1) EP3473589A1 (fr)
IT (1) IT201700117761A1 (fr)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4134446A1 (de) * 1991-10-18 1993-04-22 Kronseder Maschf Krones Verfahren und vorrichtung zur schaumbildung in einem mittels eines gegendruckfuellers mit einer gashaltigen fluessigkeit gefuellten gefaess
EP1411023B1 (fr) 2002-10-17 2006-12-27 Shibuya Kogyo Co., Ltd Tête de remplissage

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4134446A1 (de) * 1991-10-18 1993-04-22 Kronseder Maschf Krones Verfahren und vorrichtung zur schaumbildung in einem mittels eines gegendruckfuellers mit einer gashaltigen fluessigkeit gefuellten gefaess
EP1411023B1 (fr) 2002-10-17 2006-12-27 Shibuya Kogyo Co., Ltd Tête de remplissage

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Publication number Publication date
IT201700117761A1 (it) 2019-04-18

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