EP3795533A1 - Ventil für ein giessbares produkt und füllmaschine mit einem ventil für ein giessbares produkt - Google Patents

Ventil für ein giessbares produkt und füllmaschine mit einem ventil für ein giessbares produkt Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3795533A1
EP3795533A1 EP19306154.6A EP19306154A EP3795533A1 EP 3795533 A1 EP3795533 A1 EP 3795533A1 EP 19306154 A EP19306154 A EP 19306154A EP 3795533 A1 EP3795533 A1 EP 3795533A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
control member
valve
pourable product
flow channel
outlet opening
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Withdrawn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
EP19306154.6A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Stefano d'Errico
Filippo Bandini
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
Priority to EP19306154.6A priority Critical patent/EP3795533A1/de
Publication of EP3795533A1 publication Critical patent/EP3795533A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C3/26—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks
    • B67C3/2608—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks comprising anti-dripping means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a valve for a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product such as water, carbonated beverages, or the like, even more particular a pourable food product containing pieces such as pulp and/or fruit pieces.
  • the present invention also relates to a feeding valve for feeding a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product such as water, carbonated beverages, or the like, even more particular a pourable food product containing pieces such as pulp, fibers and/or fruit pieces.
  • the present invention also relates to a filling machine for filling receptacles, in particular bottles, with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, even more particular a pourable food product containing pieces such as pulp, fibers and/or fruit pieces, and comprising a valve for the pourable product, in particular a feeding valve for feeding the pourable product, even more particular a feeding valve for feeding the pourable product to a product reservoir of the filling machine.
  • Rotary-type filling machines are known to comprise a carousel rotatable around a vertical rotation axis, a reservoir containing a pourable product and a plurality of filling units peripherally arranged on the carousel and being controllable into fluidic connection with the reservoir.
  • Each filling unit is configured to feed, in use, a predetermined volume of pourable product into one respective receptacle at a time, while both the respective receptacle and the filling unit are advanced along a respective advancement path due to the rotary motion imparted by the carousel.
  • a typical filling machine also comprises a feeding valve configured to control the feeding of the pourable product from a supply device to the reservoir.
  • a feeding valve configured to control the flow rate of the pourable product to the reservoir for maintaining a determined level of the pourable product within the reservoir.
  • a typical feeding valve comprises:
  • each valve member is movable inside the flow channel between at least:
  • each valve member is positionable in at least one intermediate position between the full closing position and the full opening position for controlling an intermediate flow rate of the pourable product flowing out of the outlet.
  • a known type of feeding valve relies on a stainless steel bellow for obtaining a hermetical seal.
  • number 1 indicates as a whole a valve, in particular a feeding valve, for a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, such as non-carbonated beverages (e.g. water, fruit juices,...), carbonated beverages (e.g. sparkling water, soft drinks, beer,...), or the like, even more particular for a pourable food product containing pieces such as pulp, fibers and/or fruit pieces.
  • a pourable product in particular a pourable food product
  • non-carbonated beverages e.g. water, fruit juices, etc
  • carbonated beverages e.g. sparkling water, soft drinks, beer, etc
  • pieces such as pulp, fibers and/or fruit pieces.
  • pieces indicates any larger particles, which are arranged within a bulk liquid such as water, milk, fruit juice and the like.
  • Example pieces are fruit pieces present within the bulk fruit juice or fruit fibers or pulp. It is clear that different types of pieces can be present within a pourable product.
  • valve 1 is configured to be arranged and/or is arranged within a filling machine (not shown and known as such) for filling receptacles, such as bottles, containers and the like, with the pourable product.
  • a filling machine not shown and known as such
  • the filling machine comprises:
  • valve 1 is fluidically connected and/or connectable to the reservoir by means of a duct (of the filling machine).
  • valve 1 is also fluidically connected and/or connectable to a product supply and/or conditioning device (e.g. of the filling machine itself or of a production site within which is arranged the filling machine) for at least supplying, in particular for also conditioning, the pourable product.
  • a product supply and/or conditioning device e.g. of the filling machine itself or of a production site within which is arranged the filling machine
  • valve 1 is interposed between the reservoir and the product supply and/or conditioning device.
  • valve 1 is arranged downstream of the product supply and/or conditioning device and upstream of the reservoir (with respect to the flow direction of the pourable product from the product supply and/or conditioning device to the reservoir).
  • each valve 1 comprises:
  • valve 1 also comprises an actuating device 6 operatively connected to control member 5, in particular for controlling operation of control member 5, in particular for (axially) moving control member 5 within flow channel 2, even more particular for varying the axial position of control member 5 within flow channel 2 (and along axis A).
  • actuating device 6 operatively connected to control member 5, in particular for controlling operation of control member 5, in particular for (axially) moving control member 5 within flow channel 2, even more particular for varying the axial position of control member 5 within flow channel 2 (and along axis A).
  • valve 1 comprises a valve body 7 having flow channel 2, in particular valve body 7 having a (substantially) tubular configuration.
  • valve body 7 extends along central axis A.
  • outlet opening 4 is arranged at an axial end of flow channel 2 and/or valve body 7.
  • the duct is connected to valve 1 in the area of, in particular at, outlet opening 4.
  • valve body 7 comprises an inner lateral surface 8 delimiting flow channel 2.
  • flow channel 2 has a (substantially) circular cross-section.
  • the size of the circular cross-section may vary along the axial extension of flow channel 2.
  • each control member 5 comprises a plurality of apertures 9 configured to allow and/or to determine a fluidic connection between inlet opening 3 and outlet opening 4.
  • each control member 5 is configured such to allow for modification of an active portion of the one or more apertures 9.
  • the active portion being a section of the one or more apertures 9, which, in use, establishes a fluidic connection between inlet opening 3 and outlet opening 4.
  • apertures 9 comprise the active portion and an inactive portion, the inactive portion being a section of apertures 9, which does not establish a fluidic connection between inlet opening 3 and outlet opening 4.
  • the active portion is the section of apertures 9, which allows a flow of the pourable product through the active portion.
  • the inactive portion is the portion of apertures 9, which does not receive, in use, a flow of the pourable product (the inactive portion is blocked). The inactive portion impedes a flow of the pourable product through this particular section.
  • Figures 4a and 4c illustrate different situations, which may occur in use.
  • Figure 4a illustrates the case that the inactive portion of apertures 9 are at a maximum (and the active portion is at a minimum), meaning that control member 5 impedes any flow of the pourable product from inlet opening 3 to outlet opening 4.
  • Figure 4c illustrates the case that the active portion is at a maximum (and the inactive portion is at a minimum) at which also the flow rate of the pourable product from inlet opening 3 to outlet opening 4 is at a maximum.
  • Figure 4b illustrates a situation intermediate between the cases shown in Figures 4a and 4b . None of the active portion and the inactive portion is at a maximum or minimum, thereby obtaining an intermediate flow rate.
  • control member 5 is controllable at least between:
  • control member 5 is controllable such to take a plurality of intermediate configurations, each one resulting in a distinct and different flow rate of the pourable product.
  • control member 5 is moveably arranged, in particular along central axis A, within flow channel 2, and in particular between a first limit position and a second limit position at which control member 5 is respectively in its closed configuration and its open configuration. Even more particular, control member 5 is also moveable such to take at least one intermediate position between the first limit position and the second limit position and at which control member 5 is in its intermediate configuration.
  • each control member 5 is moveable such to take a plurality of intermediate positions, each one being interposed between the first limit position and the second limit position and each one being distinct from the others and resulting each one in a distinct and different flow rate of the pourable product.
  • control member 5 is interposed between inlet opening 3 and outlet opening 4.
  • each control member 5 is coaxially arranged within the respective flow channel 2.
  • control member 5, in particular tube portion 13, encloses a respective inner space 10 being in fluidic connection with one of outlet opening 4 and inlet opening 3 and apertures 9 are configured to establish a fluidic connection between the other one of outlet opening 4 and inlet opening 3.
  • outlet opening 4 is in fluidic connection with inner space 10 and apertures 9 are configured to allow, in particular in dependence of the (axial) position of control member 5 within flow channel 2, the establishment of a fluidic connection between inlet opening 3 and inner space 10.
  • apertures 9 are configured to allow, in dependence of the (axial) position of the respective control member 5, for the flow of the pourable product into inner space 10 from which the pourable product flows to (and out of) outlet opening 4.
  • control member 5 such that there is always a fluidic connection between inlet opening 3 and inner space 10 and the fluidic connection between outlet opening 4 and inner space 10 is determined by the active portion of aperture 7; i.e. it depends on the (axial) position of control member 10.
  • the pourable product entering into flow channel 2 flows into inner space 10 and, in dependence of the position of control member 5, further flows with the specific flow rate to (and through) the respective outlet opening 4.
  • control member 5 comprises a tube portion 13, in particular having a circular cross-section, carrying and/or comprising the one or more apertures 9, and in particular delimiting inner space 10.
  • tube portion 13 and flow channel 2 are coaxial.
  • tube portion 13 comprises an open end 14 and a closed end 15 opposed to open end 14.
  • open end 14 faces outlet opening 4.
  • inner space 10 is delimited by open end 14, closed end 15 and lateral walls of tube portion 13 extending between open end 14 and closed end 15.
  • apertures 9 are configured to allow for the pourable product to enter tube portion 13 and open end 14 is configured to allow for the outflow of the pourable product from tube portion 13 and to outlet opening 4.
  • each control member 5 comprises at least one aperture 9, which is of a first type and/or format and at least another aperture 9 is of at least a second type and/or format, the second type and/or format being different from the first type and/or format.
  • each aperture 9 of the first type and/or format presents a different longitudinal extension (parallel to axis A) than the ones of the first type and/or format.
  • control member 5 also comprises apertures 9 being of at least a third type and/or format.
  • each aperture 9 comprises a respective opening area.
  • each opening area of apertures 9 of the first type and/or format is different from the respective opening area of apertures 9 of the second type and/or format.
  • each aperture 9 comprises a respective rectangular portion 16 and a half-circular portion or a half-elliptical portion 17, in particular attached to the rectangular portion 16.
  • a half-circular portion or a half-elliptical portion 17 in particular attached to the rectangular portion 16.
  • each valve 1 comprises a sealing member 19, such as a sealing gasket or washer, configured to cooperate with control member 5 and to define together with control member 5 the active portion of apertures 9.
  • sealing member 19 guarantees in cooperation with control member 5 that the pourable product flows to outlet opening 4 only by passing through apertures 9, and in particular any flow of pourable product between inner lateral surface 8 and the lateral walls of tube portion 13 is impeded.
  • each sealing member 19 is configured to divide flow channel 2 into a first flow portion 20 and a second flow portion 21, in particular downstream from first flow portion 20 with respect to the flow direction of the pourable product.
  • first flow portion 20 is arranged upstream of sealing member 19 and second flow portion 21 is arranged downstream of sealing member 19 (with respect to the flow direction of the pourable product within flow channel 2).
  • each control member 5 is moveable such to arrange varying sections of control member 5 within flow channel 2, in particular in dependence on the (axial) position of control member 5.
  • most of control member 5 is arranged within the respective second flow portion 21 and within the respective first flow portion 20 with control member 5 being arranged in respectively the first limit position and the second limit position.
  • first flow portion 20 defines the active portion
  • portions of apertures 9 being positioned within second flow portion 21 define the inactive portion
  • control member 5 By moving control member 5 between the first limit position and the second limit position, it is possible to arrange smaller or larger portions of apertures 9 within first flow portion 20. Thereby, it is possible to control the active portion and, accordingly, the flow rate of the pourable product.
  • each sealing member 19 comprises an inner lateral sealing surface 22 facing into flow channel 2 and at least one portion of an external lateral surface 23 of control member 5, in particular of tube portion 13, is in contact with inner lateral sealing surface 22, in particular so that the pourable product can enter into second flow portion 21 only by passing and flowing through the active portion of apertures 9.
  • the pourable product enters into first flow portion 20 and by defining the size of the active portion of apertures 9 (by defining the axial position of control member 5) it is possible to define and/or determine the flow rate of the pourable product into inner space 10 and to outlet opening 4.
  • actuating device 6 is configured to control the respective control member 5 into at least one of the closed configuration, the open configuration and the intermediate configuration, in particular actuating device 6 is configured to move control member 5 between the first limit position and the second limit position, even more particular actuating device 6 is configured to arrange control member 5 in the first limit position, in the second limit position or in the intermediate position(s).
  • actuating device 6 is configured to actuate a linear movement into one and the other direction of control member 5.
  • actuating device 6 comprises an actuator 30, e.g. an electrical motor such as a stepper motor or any other linear motor, and a coupling assembly 31 operationally coupled to actuator 30 and control member 5.
  • actuator 30 e.g. an electrical motor such as a stepper motor or any other linear motor
  • coupling assembly 31 operationally coupled to actuator 30 and control member 5.
  • coupling assembly 31 comprises a respective first coupling portion 32 being mechanically connected to control member 5 and a second coupling portion 33 being mechanically connected to actuator 30 and configured to transfer a motion of actuator 30 to first coupling portion 32.
  • first coupling portion 32 and second coupling portion 33 being operationally coupled to one another, in particular by means of a magnetic coupling e.g. by relying on an Halbach array or similar.
  • first coupling portion 32 is arranged within flow channel 2 (and within valve body 7).
  • valve 1, in particular valve body 7, comprises an internal housing pocket 35 arranged within flow channel 2 and defining a space fluidically isolated from flow channel 2.
  • second coupling portion 33 is arranged within the space defined by internal housing pocket 35 (and the other portions being arranged outside of valve body 7). In this manner, it is guaranteed that second coupling portion 33 does not get into contact with the pourable product flowing and/or being, in use, present within flow channel 2. In other words, second coupling portion 33 is at least partially arranged within flow channel 2 in an isolated manner.
  • actuation device 6 also comprises a magnet assembly 34 configured to keep the respective control member 5 in the first limit position and the second limit position (and allowing to deactivate actuator 30 without risking of any change in the (axial) position of control element 5).
  • each valve 1 also comprises a respective sensor device (not shown) configured to determine and/or measure the (axial) position of the respective control member 5 within flow channel 2, in particular for controlling the flow rate of the pourable product.
  • the filling machine fills the receptacles during their advancement along the advancement path.
  • each filling unit fills one respective receptacle.
  • valve 1 is configured to control a flow of the pourable product (from the product supply and/or conditioning device) to and into the reservoir, in particular for controlling and/or maintaining a determined level of the pourable product within the reservoir.
  • Control element 5 is controlled such to obtain the desired flow rate of the pourable product.
  • Control element 5 is controlled, in particular by means of the respective actuation device 6, in the closed configuration, the open configuration or the intermediate configuration.
  • control element 5 is positioned in the respective flow channel 2 in the first limit position, the second limit position or the intermediate position.
  • control element 5 By controlling the (axial) position of control element 5 it is possible to determine the active portion of apertures 9; i.e. the section of apertures 9, which allow for the pourable product to flow from inlet opening 3 to outlet opening 4.
  • the active portion of apertures 9 is determined and/or defined by the section of apertures 9, which is positioned within first flow portion 20.
  • the active portion allows for the pourable product to enter into inner space 10.
  • actuating device 6 linearly moves the respective control element 5 within flow channel 2.
  • number 1' indicates a second embodiment of a valve according to the present invention.
  • Valve 1' is similar to valve 1 and for this reason is described below only in terms of the differences with respect to valve 1, by indicating with the same reference numbers parts equal or equivalent to parts already described.
  • valve 1' differs from valve 1 in comprising actuating device 6'.
  • actuating device 6' is similar to actuating device 6, the following description is limited to the differences with respect to actuating device 6 and indicating with the same reference numbers parts equal or equivalent to parts already described.
  • actuating device 6' differs from actuating device 6 in that second coupling portion 33 is arranged outside of flow channel 2.
  • second coupling portion 33 is arranged outside of valve body 7.
  • only first coupling portion 32 of actuating device 6' is arranged within flow channel 2.
  • second coupling portion 33 surrounds a portion of valve body 7.
  • valve 1' differs from valve 1 also in not comprising internal housing pocket 35.
  • valve 1' As operation of valve 1' is similar to operation of valve 1, reference is made to the above-provided description of the operation of valve 1.
  • valves 1 and 1' according to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description.
  • valves 1 and 1' come along with a simple and resistant configuration limiting the risk of the formation of any cracks due to mechanical stress.
  • valves 1 and 1' work very well, when handling pourable products having pieces.
  • valves 1 and 1' as described herein without, however, departing from the scope of protection as defined in the accompanying claims.
  • valves 1 and 1' could operate as filling valves.

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EP19306154.6A 2019-09-20 2019-09-20 Ventil für ein giessbares produkt und füllmaschine mit einem ventil für ein giessbares produkt Withdrawn EP3795533A1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19306154.6A EP3795533A1 (de) 2019-09-20 2019-09-20 Ventil für ein giessbares produkt und füllmaschine mit einem ventil für ein giessbares produkt

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19306154.6A EP3795533A1 (de) 2019-09-20 2019-09-20 Ventil für ein giessbares produkt und füllmaschine mit einem ventil für ein giessbares produkt

Publications (1)

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EP3795533A1 true EP3795533A1 (de) 2021-03-24

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EP19306154.6A Withdrawn EP3795533A1 (de) 2019-09-20 2019-09-20 Ventil für ein giessbares produkt und füllmaschine mit einem ventil für ein giessbares produkt

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0627585A1 (de) * 1993-05-28 1994-12-07 Serac France Magnetventil
JP2007069928A (ja) * 2005-09-05 2007-03-22 Nakakin:Kk 液充填ノズル
WO2007137727A2 (de) * 2006-05-29 2007-12-06 Khs Ag Füllelement sowie füllmaschine mit derartigen füllelementen
WO2012016604A1 (de) * 2010-08-03 2012-02-09 Khs Gmbh Füllelement sowie füllsystem oder füllmaschine

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0627585A1 (de) * 1993-05-28 1994-12-07 Serac France Magnetventil
JP2007069928A (ja) * 2005-09-05 2007-03-22 Nakakin:Kk 液充填ノズル
WO2007137727A2 (de) * 2006-05-29 2007-12-06 Khs Ag Füllelement sowie füllmaschine mit derartigen füllelementen
WO2012016604A1 (de) * 2010-08-03 2012-02-09 Khs Gmbh Füllelement sowie füllsystem oder füllmaschine

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