EP3962852B1

EP3962852B1 - Filler with dummy bottle

Info

Publication number: EP3962852B1
Application number: EP20718515.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giuseppe Colombi; Roberto Catelli; Roberto Puglia; Luca Ferrari; Andrea Zanardi
Original assignee: CFT SpA
Current assignee: CFT SpA
Priority date: 2019-04-30
Filing date: 2020-04-23
Publication date: 2024-07-24
Anticipated expiration: 2040-04-23
Also published as: WO2020222091A1; EP3962852A1

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a filler for introducing a liquid into a container and a method for sanitising a filling nozzle forming part of said filler.

Prior Art

Fillers that allow a liquid to be introduced into a container are known. Such fillers comprise a carousel equipped with a plurality of filling stations, each for introducing the liquid into a corresponding container.
Periodically or in any case before dispensing a liquid different from that previously dispensed, it is necessary to sanitise a dispensing line of this liquid and in particular a dispensing nozzle placed at the end of this line. This sanitisation takes place, for example, for hygiene and cleaning reasons.
In this regard, a dummy bottle is present which is manually placed below said dispensing line. A sanitising liquid is then introduced into the dispensing line. Through the nozzle, the dispensing line introduces the sanitising liquid into the dummy bottle which will cause it to recirculate in a return duct.
A filler according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from EP 2 409 946 A2 .
One drawback of this solution is that the manual application of these dummy bottles to all filling stations (and their subsequent removal) results in a significant lengthening of the sanitising step.
A further drawback is particularly felt in the case of filling glass bottles. In fact in this case, for reasons related to optimal liquid dispensing, it is advisable that the nozzle penetrates deep into the container. This makes it particularly difficult to fit the dummy bottle to the nozzle.

Aim of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a filler and a method for sanitising at least one filler nozzle that allows the sanitising operation to be sped up. In particular, an object of the present invention is to solve the technical drawbacks indicated above.
The defined technical task and the specified objects are substantially achieved by a filler and a method for sanitising a nozzle of said filler comprising the technical characteristics set forth in one or more of the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following indicative and therefore nonlimiting description of a filler as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

figures 1, 3, 5, 6 show a succession of steps of a method according to the present invention;
figures 2, 4, 7 show views from below corresponding to figures 1, 3, 6;
figures 8 and 9 show a view from above and a side view, respectively, of a step of the method according to the present invention;
figures 10 and 11 show a view from above and a side view, respectively, of a step of the method according to the present invention;
figure 12 shows a plan view of a filler according to the present invention;
figure 13 shows a detail of a filler according to the present invention;
figure 14 shows a vertical sectional view of a filler according to the present invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

In the accompanying figures, reference number 1 denotes a filler for introducing a liquid into a container.
The filler 1 comprises a rotating carousel 2. The rotating carousel 2 in turn comprises a plurality of filling stations 20. The filling stations 20 are suitably distributed along the perimeter of the carousel 2. This perimeter is substantially circular. The carousel 2 is rotatable about a vertical rotation axis of the carousel 2. This axis passes through the centre of the carousel 2.
This plurality of filling stations in turn comprises a first filling station 21. The first filling station 21 suitably comprises a first nozzle 210. The first nozzle 210 is a nozzle placed at an outlet end of a line for dispensing liquid into a container. The container is filled during the rotation of the carousel 2 around itself. In the technical field, filling is more generally understood as the introduction of liquid into the container and does not necessarily imply that it is filled to the upper rim.
The filler 1 (in particular the first station 21 or more generally the carousel 2) suitably comprises sanitising means 3 of the first nozzle 210. More generally, the sanitising means 3 allow a sanitisation of a dispensing line of the liquid to be dispensed.
The filler 1 (in particular the first station 21 or more generally the carousel 2) comprises a dummy bottle 30 for receiving a sanitising fluid dispensed by the first nozzle 210 for the sanitisation of at least a part of the liquid dispensing line. The dummy bottle 30 can be considered part of the sanitising means 3.
The dummy bottle 30 comprises/coincides with a vessel/ampoule. The dummy bottle 30 is equipped with an upper mouth. Suitably, this is the only opening. There are no openings on the side or below.
The filler 1 (in particular the first station 21 or more generally the carousel 2) further comprises lowering/raising means 4 for lowering/raising the dummy bottle 30. For example, the lowering/raising means 4 comprise a fluid-dynamic actuator 40 which extends vertically.
This fluid-dynamic actuator 40 comprises for example a sleeve 41 and a stem 42 slidable inside the sleeve 41.
The filler 1 (in particular the first station 21 or more generally the carousel 2) further comprises movement means 5 (rotation) for moving the dummy bottle 30 around a vertical rotation axis 31 to move the dummy bottle 30 between a first configuration in which the dummy bottle 30 is not located vertically below the first nozzle 210 (see figures 1-4) and a second configuration in which the dummy bottle 30 is located vertically below the first nozzle 210 (see figures 6-8). The dummy bottle 30 is cantilevered with respect to the first rotation axis 31. As exemplified in figure 5, the rotation axis 31 intercepts the actuator 40. The axis of the actuator 40 coincides with the rotation axis 31.
The lowering/raising means 4 and the movement means 5 for moving the dummy bottle 30 around the vertical rotation axis 31 are synchronised with each other. Furthermore, these means operate automatically, driven by electronic control means.
Suitably, the movement means 5 comprise a first cam 51. It is movable between an operating position (see figures 8 and 9) and a resting position (see for example figures 2 or 4 or 7).
The movement means 5 also comprise a second cam 510 movable between an operating location (see figure 10 or 11) and a resting location (see for example figures 2, 4, 7). Suitably the first and the second cam 51, 510 in the resting position and in the resting location lie one on the vertical plane of the other. Furthermore in the resting position and in the resting location they are located inside a protective housing.
The first and the second cam 51, 510 are operative one alternating the other.
The first and the second cam 51, 510 are suitably not rotatable together with the carousel 2. In particular, they are located in a predetermined position and in a complete rotation of the carousel 2, the filling stations 20 all transit in front of them.
The movement means 5 further comprise first interception means 52 for intercepting the first cam 51. These first interception means 52 are solidly constrained to the dummy bottle 30.
The movement means 5 further comprise second interception means 520 for intercepting the second cam 510. The second interception means 520 are solidly constrained to the dummy bottle 30.
In the operating position, unlike in the resting position, the first cam 51 intercepts the first interception means 52 during the rotation of the carousel 2 (see figures 8 and 9).
In the operating location, unlike in the resting location, the second cam 510 intercepts the second interception means 520 during the rotation of the carousel 2 (see figures 10 and 11).
The first interception means 52 are solidly constrained to the dummy bottle 30 and movable between a first and a second position; in the first position (see figures 2, 4, 9 and the rightmost station of figure 8) they are intended to intercept the first cam 51 placed in the operating position. In the first position (figures 2 and 4) they are radially outermost with respect to the second position (figure 7).
The second interception means 520 for intercepting the second cam 510 are movable between a first and a second location; the first location is assumed when the first interception means 52 are located in the second position and the second location is assumed when the first interception means 52 are located in the first position. The second interception means 520 in the second location are intended to intercept the second cam 510 in the operating location (see figures 10 and 11). The second means 520 in the first location (figure 7) are radially outermost with respect to the second location (figures 2 and 4).
Suitably, the first and the second interception means 52, 520 are at different heights with respect to an imaginary horizontal plane located below the filler. The first and second means 52, 520 are vertically offset. The first cam 51 lies at the same height as the first interception means 52 and the second cam 510 lies at the same height as the second interception means 520. In the operating position the first cam 51 extends radially towards the inside of the carousel 2, in the resting position it is retracted towards the outside. Suitably, a fluid-dynamic system (e.g. a pneumatic piston) regulates the movement of the first cam 51 between the operating and resting position.
Similarly, in the operating location the second cam 510 extends radially towards the inside of the carousel 2 while in the resting location it is retracted in a radially outermost position. The first and the second cam 51, 510 are driven by separate and independent fluid-dynamic pistons. Suitably the first cam 51 comprises a ramp, advantageously an inclined plane. The ramp facilitates a movement of the first interception means 52. Likewise, this can be repeated for the second cam 510. In this case, the ramp induces a movement of the second interception means 520.
During the rotation of the carousel 2, the first cam 51 intercepts and rotates the first interception means 52 around the rotation axis 31. This results in the passage from the first to the second configuration described above (i.e. from a configuration in which the dummy bottle 30 is not vertically below the first nozzle 210 to a configuration in which the dummy bottle 30 is vertically below the first nozzle 210).
The first cam 51 may be defined as a pusher of the first interception means 52. This allows the rotation around the rotation axis 31. Suitably there is no electric motor that directly rotates the first interception means 52. Their rotation takes place through the contact with the first cam 51. The rotation axis 31 is interposed between the first interception means 52 and said dummy bottle 30.
Suitably, the filler 1 (in particular the first station 21) comprises a bracket 62 that connects the dummy bottle 30 and the rotation axis 31. The stem 42 of the actuator 40 supports the bracket 62. The bracket 62 can rotate around the rotation axis 31. Preferably the bracket 62 is integral in rotation with the stem 42. In this case the stem 42 may be rotatable around the rotation axis 31 together with the bracket 42. In an alternative solution, the bracket 62 may rotate around the stem 42.
The first and the second interception means 52, 520 comprise a first and a second arm 521, 522 intended to come into contact with the first and the second cam 51, 510, respectively. This contact respectively occurs only when the first and the second cam 51, 510 are respectively in the operating position and in the operating location (as described above). This does not occur at the same time. The first and the second arm 521, 522 extend from the bracket 62 (and advantageously are in a single body with said bracket 62).
The first and the second arm 521, 522 respectively comprise a first and a second roller 523, 524 intended to come into contact with the first and the second cam 51, 510, respectively.
The presence of the first and the second roller 523, 524 facilitates the seamless movement of the first and the second interception means 52, 520. In fact, these rollers can slide more easily along the ramp described above and forming part of the first and the second cam 51, 510.
The first and the second arm 521, 522 are opposite the dummy bottle 30 with respect to the rotation axis 31 or in any case with respect to the stem 42.
The first cam 51 is advantageously positioned roughly at the same height as the dummy bottle 30, thus making it possible to optimise the space on the filler 1.
In this regard (see figure 14), it is possible to identify an imaginary horizontal plane 7 that intercepts said first cam 51 and said first interception means 52 and said dummy bottle 30.
Suitably, the filler 1 comprises a containment tank 6 for containing the liquid to be dispensed through the filling stations 20 (e.g. a beverage). This tank 6 is fluid-dynamically connectable to the first nozzle 210.
The filler 1 (in particular the first station 21) further comprises a cap 32 which in a resting configuration of the dummy bottle 30 occludes a mouth 300 of the dummy bottle 30 which allows the insertion of the first nozzle 210. The cap 32 is suitably solidly constrained to the tank 6.
The dummy bottle 30 is movable between an operating configuration in which it is coupled to the first nozzle 210 (creating a fluid-dynamic seal) and the resting configuration in which said cap 32 occludes the mouth 300 of the dummy bottle. The passage between the resting configuration and the operating configuration takes place through the lowering/raising means 4 and the movement means 5.
The cap 32 further comprises a rod 320 which in the above-mentioned resting configuration extends inside the dummy bottle 30. Suitably, the rod 320 extends to the bottom of the dummy bottle 30 (or at least 75% of the height of the dummy bottle 30). This allows any liquid remaining in the dummy bottle 30 to overflow after the sanitising operation.
The cap 32 is solidly constrained to the sleeve 41 of the actuator 40. Suitably a support 61 connects the sleeve 41 and the cap 32. This support 61 is rigid. It extends in a substantially radial direction.
The cap 32, the dummy bottle 30, the first and the second interception means 52, 520 are removably connected to the tank 6 through at least one threaded connection 60. This suitably takes place below the tank 6. Suitably this threaded connection 60 connects the support 61 with the tank 6. This threaded connection for example comprises a screw having a head below and a threaded stem extending upwards.
Suitably, the filler 1 (in particular the first station 21) comprises an explosion-proof screen 33 solidly constrained to the dummy bottle 30 (to prevent the explosion of a container from spreading to the container located nearby). In fact, the dummy bottle 30 is interposed between two filling stations 20 that follow one another along the perimeter of the carousel 2. The screen 33 extends between the top and the bottom, suitably in a vertical direction. It extends at least in part between the rotation axis 31 and the dummy bottle 30. Suitably, it extends in this direction for at least half the distance between the rotation axis 31 and the dummy bottle 30.
An object of the present invention is also a method for sanitising at least a first liquid dispensing nozzle 210 according to claim 9.
This first nozzle 210 is part of a filler 1.
The filler 1 usually dispenses a beverage. Suitably, the filler 1 has one or more of the characteristics described hereinabove.
In particular, the first nozzle 210 is placed in a first filling station 21 which in turn is placed on a rotating carousel 2.
The sanitising method comprises the step of lowering a dummy bottle 30 by positioning a mouth 300 of a dummy bottle 30 at a height below one end 211 which is lower than the first nozzle 210 (passage from figure 1 to figure 3). The step of lowering the dummy bottle 30 takes place through a fluid-dynamic actuator 40 that supports a bracket 62 to which the dummy bottle 30 is solidly constrained. Suitably, the method provides for extending the actuator 40. This provides an extraction stroke of a stem 42 of an actuator 40 from a sleeve 41 of the actuator 40. The sleeve 41 is in fact located above the bracket 62.
The step of lowering the dummy bottle 30 comprises the step of moving the dummy bottle away from a cap 32 that in a resting configuration occludes an opening of the dummy bottle 30. In particular, this results in the extraction of a rod 320 forming part of the cap 32 and extending inside the dummy bottle 30 when the cap 32 occludes the mouth of the dummy bottle 30.
The method further comprises the step of rotating the dummy bottle 30 about a vertical rotation axis 31 (said axis 31 does not intercept the dummy bottle 30) by positioning said dummy bottle 30 vertically below said first nozzle 210 (this is illustrated in the passage from figure 3 to figure 5 and is better highlighted in figures 8 and 9).
To rotate the dummy bottle 30 the method comprises the step of abutting by means of a first cam 51 first interception means 52 solidly constrained to said dummy bottle 30, moving them. This causes the step of rotating the dummy bottle 30 around the rotation axis 31 (suitably the first interception means 52 and the dummy bottle 30 are in fact solidly constrained to one another and are located on opposite sides with respect to the rotation axis 31). In order to abut the first interception means 52, the first cam 51 is moved from a resting position in which it does not intercept the first interception means 52 to an operating position in which it intercepts the first interception means 52 during the rotation of the carousel 2. In this regard, the first cam 51 is moved, for example by means of a fluid-dynamic piston, from a radially outermost position towards a radially innermost position of the carousel 2 (when a radially innermost or outermost position is indicated, reference is made to the rotation axis of the carousel 2 around itself); this allows the contact with the first interception means 52. The step of rotating the dummy bottle 30 is accompanied by:

a movement of the first interception means 52 to a radially innermost position following the contact with the first cam 51;
a movement of the second interception means 520 towards a radially outermost position (the importance of such a sub-step will be more evident hereafter since it allows the dummy bottle 30 to perform the opposite movement and return to the original position).

The method further comprises the step of raising the dummy bottle 30 by introducing the first nozzle 210 into a housing defined by the dummy bottle 30 itself (see the passage from figure 5 to figure 6). At this point the sanitisation can take place. This involves passing a sanitising fluid through the first nozzle 210 and the dummy bottle 30, the latter recirculating it inside the filler 1. The recirculation inside the filler 1 can take place through an opening of the filling station, this opening:

facing the inside of the dummy bottle 30;
being distinct from a sanitising fluid dispensing mouth in the dummy bottle 30.

After the sanitising step the method further comprises a step of removing the dummy bottle 30 from the first nozzle 210 (and more generally from the first filling station 21).
The step of removing the dummy bottle 30 from the first nozzle 210 comprises the sub-steps of:

lowering the dummy bottle 30 so as to extract the first nozzle 210 from the dummy bottle;
rotating the dummy bottle 30 around the rotation axis 31; suitably this step involves positioning the dummy bottle 30 vertically below the cap 32 (solution shown in figures 10 and 11);
raising the dummy bottle 30 and introducing said rod 320 inside the dummy bottle by occluding the mouth of the dummy bottle with the cap 32.

The step of positioning the dummy bottle 30 vertically below the cap 32 comprises the step of abutting the second interception means 520 by means of a second cam 510 that induces a rotation of the dummy bottle 30 around the rotation axis 31 opposite that induced by the first cam 51. This occurs during the rotation of the carousel 2. To abut the second interception means 520, the second cam 510 is moved so as to invade the trajectory of the second interception means 520 (in fact, the second interception means 520 had been moved to a radially outermost position during the step of rotating the dummy bottle 30 in order to position it vertically below said first nozzle 210). To invade the trajectory of the second interception means 520, the second cam 510, which is located radially outside the rotating carousel 2, is moved towards the axis around which the carousel 2 itself rotates.
The present invention achieves important advantages.
First, it speeds up and automates the application and removal of dummy bottles. This therefore allows to speed up the sanitising operation. It also allows easily sanitising fillers set up for dispensing a liquid into glass bottles, in which the dispensing nozzle extends deep inside the container.

Claims

A filler for introducing a liquid into a container comprising a rotating carousel (2) in turn comprising a plurality of filling stations (20) in turn comprising a first filling station (21); the first filling station (21) in turn comprising:
- a liquid dispensing line comprising a first liquid dispensing nozzle (210) for dispensing liquid into a container;

- a dummy bottle (30) for receiving a sanitising fluid which can be dispensed by the first nozzle (210) and used for the sanitisation of at least a part of the liquid dispensing line;

- lowering/raising means (4) for lowering/raising the dummy bottle (30);

- movement means (5) for moving the dummy bottle (30) around a vertical rotation axis (31) to move the dummy bottle (30) between a first configuration in which the dummy bottle (30) is not located vertically below the first nozzle (210) and a second configuration in which the dummy bottle (30) is located vertically below the first nozzle (210);
characterized in that
the movement means (5) for moving the dummy bottle (30) comprise:
- a first cam (51) movable between an operating position and a resting position;

- a second cam (510) movable between an operating location and a resting location;

- first interception means (52) for intercepting the first cam (51); said first interception means (52) being solidly constrained to the dummy bottle (30) and movable between a first and a second position, in said first position being intended to intercept the first cam (51) in the operating position;

- second interception means (520) for intercepting the second cam (510) solidly constrained to the dummy bottle (30) and movable between a first and a second location; the first location being assumed when the first interception means (52) are located in the second position and the second location being assumed when the first interception means (52) are located in the first position; the second interception means (520) in the second location being intended to intercept the second cam (510) in the operating location.
The filler according to claim 1, characterised in that in the operating position the first cam (51) extends radially toward the inside of the carousel (2), in the resting position it is retracted toward the outside;
in the operating location the second cam (510) extends radially toward the inside of the carousel (2), in the resting location it is retracted toward the outside;

the first and the second cam (51, 510) lying at two different heights with respect to an imaginary horizontal plane placed below the filler (1).
The filler according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said rotation axis (31) is interposed between said first interception means (52) and said dummy bottle (30).
The filler according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterised in that it is possible to identify an imaginary horizontal plane (7) that intercepts said first cam (51), said first interception means (52) and said dummy bottle (30).
The filler according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the first and second interception means (52, 520) comprise a first and a second arm (521, 522) intended to come into contact respectively with the first and the second cam (51, 510).
The filler according to claim 5, characterised in that said first and said second arm (521, 522) comprise respectively a first and a second roller (523, 524) intended to come into contact respectively with the first and the second cam (51, 510).
The filler according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said lowering/raising means (4) comprise a fluid-dynamic actuator (40) which extends vertically; said rotation axis (31) intercepting said actuator (40).
The filler according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a containment tank (6) for containing the liquid to be dispensed through the filling stations (20);
said first station (21) comprising a cap (32) which in a resting configuration of the dummy bottle (30) occludes a mouth (300) of the dummy bottle (30) which allows the insertion of the first nozzle (210); said cap (32) and said dummy bottle (30) are connected to the tank (6) in a removable manner by means of a removable connection (60).
A method for sanitising at least a first liquid dispensing nozzle (210) for dispensing a filler (1), said first nozzle (210) being placed in a first filling station (21) placed on a rotating carousel (2);
said sanitising method comprising the steps of:
- lowering a dummy bottle (30) by positioning a mouth (300) of a dummy bottle (30) at a level below one end (211) which is lower than the first nozzle (210); the step of lowering the dummy bottle (30) comprising the step of moving the dummy bottle away from a cap (32) that in a resting configuration occludes an opening of the dummy bottle (30); this results in the extraction of a rod (320) forming part of the cap (32) and extending inside the dummy bottle (30) when the cap (32) occludes the mouth of the dummy bottle (30);

- rotating said dummy bottle (30) around a vertical rotation axis (31) by positioning said dummy bottle (30) vertically below said first nozzle (210);

said rotation axis (31) not intercepting said dummy bottle (30); to rotate the dummy bottle (30) the method comprises the step of abutting by means of a first cam (51) first interception means (52) solidly constrained to said dummy bottle (30), moving them; in order to abut the first interception means (52), the first cam (51) is moved from a resting position in which it does not intercept the first interception means (52) to an operating position in which it intercepts the first interception means (52) during the rotation of the carousel (2);

the step of rotating the dummy bottle (30) is accompanied by:
*) a movement of the first interception means (52) to a radially innermost position following the contact with the first cam (51);

*) a movement of the second interception means (520) towards a radially outermost position;
- raising said dummy bottle (30) by introducing said first nozzle (210) in a housing defined by the dummy bottle (30);

- dispensing a sanitising fluid into said dummy bottle (30) through the first nozzle (210);

- removing the dummy bottle (30) from the first nozzle (210) after the step of dispensing a sanitising fluid;

the step of removing the dummy bottle (30) from the first nozzle (210) comprising the sub-steps of:
i) lowering the dummy bottle (30) so as to extract the first nozzle (210) from the dummy bottle;

ii) rotating the dummy bottle (30) around the rotation axis (31); suitably this step involves positioning the dummy bottle (30) vertically below the cap (32);

iii) raising the dummy bottle (30) and introducing said rod (320) inside the dummy bottle by occluding the mouth of the dummy bottle with the cap (32);

the step of positioning the dummy bottle (30) vertically below the cap (32) comprises the step of abutting the second interception means (520) by means of a second cam (510) that induces a rotation of the dummy bottle (30) around the rotation axis (31) opposite that induced by the first cam (51), this occurring during the rotation of the carousel (2).