EP4139244A1 - Filling device with automatic dummy bottle and method for cleaning the filling device - Google Patents

Filling device with automatic dummy bottle and method for cleaning the filling device

Info

Publication number
EP4139244A1
EP4139244A1 EP20722236.5A EP20722236A EP4139244A1 EP 4139244 A1 EP4139244 A1 EP 4139244A1 EP 20722236 A EP20722236 A EP 20722236A EP 4139244 A1 EP4139244 A1 EP 4139244A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
dummy bottle
filling device
bottle
dummy
filling
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Withdrawn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
EP20722236.5A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Simone Campi
Giovanni MALPELI
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 EP4139244A1 publication Critical patent/EP4139244A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • B67C3/001—Cleaning of filling devices
    • B67C3/002—Cleaning of filling devices using cups or dummies to be placed under the filling heads
    • B67C3/004—Cleaning of filling devices using cups or dummies to be placed under the filling heads permanently attached to the filling machine and movable between a rest and a working position

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a filling device for filling a receptacle with a pourable product and configured to allow to carry out a method for cleaning the filling circuit of the filling device by means of a dummy bottle, by means of which device the movement of the dummy bottle between the not operative condition and the operative condition can be automatically obtained independently from any motion of a carousel conveyor of the filling apparatus in which the device is mounted.
  • the filling device In the general field of automatic filling recipients with pourable products, the filling device is usually mounted on a conveyor carrying also a platform for supporting the recipient from below during the filling by the filling device which is operatively located above the recipient.
  • a so called dummy bottle or false bottle which can adopt an operative condition in which the dummy bottle closes the filling circuit at the outlet in order for the cleaning fluid to be able to recirculate in the filling circuit.
  • the dummy bottle must be moved in the operative position and maintained in the operative position during the cleaning phase.
  • a manual cleaning method and an automatic cleaning method are available.
  • the first is based on the manual work of an operator who manually at least moves a dummy bottle in the operative condition.
  • the dummy bottle is another component with respect to the filling device. Therefore, the dummy bottle must be stocked in an auxiliary space dedicated to the dummy bottle.
  • the automatic method requires the movement of the conveyor for automatically obtaining the movement of the dummy bottle between a not operative condition and the operative condition.
  • a method of this kind is disclosed in document EP0785134A1.
  • the method proposed by this document requires a cooperation between an arm holding the dummy bottle and a recipient platform in order to move and press the dummy bottle against the outlet of the filling device.
  • the method requires a system which is mechanically complex and requires, for obtaining said movement, the motion of the conveyor on which the filling device and the platform are mounted.
  • Present description relates to a cleaning method for cleaning a filling device configured for filling a recipient with a pourable product.
  • a cleaning method allows to carry out the cleaning phase of the filling circuit of a filling device which is configured for filling a recipient with a pourable product and which belongs to an apparatus comprising a conveyor on which the filling device is mounted, independently from any motion of the conveyor.
  • Present description relates also to a filling device for filling a recipient with a pourable product and which is configured to adopt a mounting condition on a conveyor of a filling apparatus.
  • a device according to the present description is configured to carry out a cleaning method according to the present description.
  • a device configured to carry out a cleaning method according to any of the appended method claims.
  • a filling apparatus according to present description comprises a device according to the present description and a conveyor on which the filling device adopts the mounting condition.
  • Figure 1 and 1A are a perspective view and a lateral view, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the present description, which shows the device adopting a mounting condition on a conveyor of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus according to present description and a dummy bottle of the filling device adopting a not operative condition, the not operative condition of the dummy bottle corresponding to a not operative position of the dummy bottle with respect to an outlet of the filling device;
  • Figures 2 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 1, which shows the dummy bottle being in a first intermediate position which occurs during a movement of the dummy bottle between the not operative position and an operative position of the dummy bottle;
  • Figures 3 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 1, which shows the dummy bottle being in a second intermediate position which occurs during said movement;
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 1, which shows the device adopting the mounting condition and the dummy bottle adopting an operative condition corresponding to said operative position of the dummy bottle with respect to said outlet;
  • Figure 5 is a cross section view of the dummy bottle and a sealing element of the filling device, which shows the dummy bottle adopting a first configuration which occurs at least when the dummy bottle adopts the operative condition;
  • Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of the dummy bottle, which shows the dummy bottle adopting a second configuration which occurs at least when the dummy bottle is in the first intermediate position and/or in the second intermediate position;
  • Figure 7 is a partial plan view of a possible exemplary embodiment of an apparatus according to the present description.
  • Figure 8 is a perspective view which shows the device adopting the mounting condition and the dummy bottle adopting the not operative condition, with a moving group of the device being according to an alternative variant with respect to the variant of Figures 1 to 7;
  • Figure 9 is a perspective view which shows the device adopting the mounting condition and the dummy bottle adopting the operative condition, with the moving group being according to the alternative variant of Figure 8.
  • This description refers to a possible exemplary embodiment of a filling device according to the present description.
  • said exemplary embodiment of the filling device will be defined simply as “device” or “filling device”.
  • the device is indicated with 1 from Figure 1 to Figure 4 and in Figure 7.
  • the apparatus is indicated with 10 in Figure 7.
  • Figure 7 shows a part of the apparatus.
  • the apparatus 10 comprises at least the device 1.
  • the device is configured for carrying out the method.
  • the method is specially adapted for being carried out by the device.
  • the apparatus 10 comprises a conveyor 101.
  • the device 1 adopts a mounting condition such that the device 1 is mounted in the apparatus 10.
  • the conveyor 101 is a carousel.
  • the device 1 In the mounting condition, the device 1 is mounted on an angular sector of the radial periphery of the carousel.
  • the device 1 adopts the mounting condition and it is visible the radial end of the respective angular sector of the carousel on which the device 1 is mounted.
  • the carousel is not showed, the device is to be considered as adopting the mounting condition also in Figure from 2 to 4.
  • the device 1 is configured for filling a receptacle with a pourable product.
  • the pourable product can be of any kind, like for example a pourable food product, like for example water or any other beverage or a pulp.
  • the receptacle can be of any kind.
  • the receptacle is indicated with B in Figures 1 and 1A.
  • the receptacle can be for example a bottle.
  • the receptacle can be made for example by glass.
  • the device 1 comprises a filling outlet 2.
  • the outlet 2 is fluidly connected to a filling circuit of the filling device 1.
  • the outlet 2 is positioned at the end of said filling circuit so that the product can exit from the filling circuit by passing through said outlet 2.
  • the device 1 is configured to deliver the product to the receptacle B through the outlet 2.
  • the device 1 is configured to adopt a production condition.
  • the production condition is such that the receptacle B is in fluidic communication with the outlet 2, so that the device 1 fills the receptacle B with the product exiting from the outlet 2.
  • the filling device 1 adopts the production condition.
  • the device 1 is configured to adopt a not production condition.
  • the not production condition is such that the outlet 2 is not in fluidic communication with the receptacle B.
  • Device 1 comprises a dummy bottle 3.
  • the device 1 is configured so that the dummy bottle 3 can adopt a not operative condition.
  • the device 1 is configured so that the not operative condition of the dummy bottle 3 occurs at least when the device 1 adopts the production condition.
  • the devices 1 adopts the production condition and the dummy bottle 3 adopts the not operative condition.
  • the not operative condition of the dummy bottle 3 is such that the dummy bottle 3 does not close the outlet 2.
  • the not operative condition of the dummy bottle 3 corresponds to a not operative position of the dummy bottle 3 with respect to the outlet 2.
  • the device 1 is configured so that the dummy bottle 3 can adopt an operative condition.
  • the device 1 is configured so that the operative condition of the dummy bottle 3 occurs when the device 1 adopts the not production condition.
  • the devices 1 adopts the not production condition and the dummy bottle 3 adopts the operative condition.
  • the device 1 is configured so that the dummy bottle 3 adopts the operative condition during a cleaning phase. Said cleaning phase comprises the recirculating of a cleaning fluid through the filling circuit.
  • the operative condition of the dummy bottle 3 is such that the dummy bottle 3 substantially closes the filling circuit at the outlet 2. In this way, the dummy bottle 3, when adopts the operative condition, forces the cleaning fluid to recirculate through the filling circuit.
  • the operative condition of the dummy bottle 3 corresponds to an operative position of the dummy bottle 3 with respect to the outlet 2.
  • the dummy bottle 3 is showed in detail in figures 5 and 6.
  • the dummy bottle 3 comprises an input 32, a fluid discharge circuit 31, and an output 33.
  • the discharge circuit extends from the input 32 to the output 33.
  • the dummy bottle 3 is configured to adopt at least a first configuration in which the discharge circuit 31 is closed to interrupt the fluid communication between the input 32 and the output 33.
  • the dummy bottle 3 adopts the first configuration.
  • the device 1 is configured so that, when the dummy bottle 3 adopts the operative condition, the input 32 of the dummy bottle 3 is in fluidic communication with the outlet 2.
  • the device 1 is configured so that the operative condition of the dummy bottle 3 corresponds to the first configuration of the dummy bottle 3.
  • the dummy bottle 3 when the dummy bottle 3 adopts the operative condition, the dummy bottle 3 allows the cleaning fluid to enter in the dummy bottle 3 without allowing the same cleaning fluid to exit from the output 33.
  • the device 1 is configured to automatically generate a movement of the dummy bottle 3 between the not operative condition and the operative condition.
  • the device 1 is configured so that, when the dummy bottle 3 adopts the not operative condition, the input 32 is closed by a wall portion 101a of the conveyor 101. In this way, no piece of any material can enter in the dummy bottle 3 when the dummy bottle 3 is in the not operative condition.
  • a filling device 1 by means of which the movement of the dummy bottle 3 between the not operative condition and the operative condition can be obtained independently from the rotation of the carousel or in any case independently from any motion of the conveyor, and the reliability of the device 1 is improved because the risk of a malfunction of the dummy bottle 3 due to entering of materials when the dummy bottle 3 adopts the not operative condition is avoided or at least significantly lowered.
  • the device 1 is configured so that the not operative condition of the dummy bottle 3 corresponds to the first configuration of the dummy bottle 3. This further improves the reliability of the device 1 because the risk of the entry of any material in the dummy bottle 3, while the dummy bottle 3 adopts the not operative condition, is furtherly reduced.
  • the device 1 is configured so that the dummy bottle 3 or the input 32 of the dummy bottle 3, when the dummy bottle 3 adopts the not operative condition, is pressed against the wall portion 101a.
  • the device 1 is configured so that said movement comprises a translational component and a rotational component. In this way the dummy bottle 3 can be very close to the other components of the device 1 when it adopts the not operative condition, so as to improve the compactness of the device.
  • the device is configured so that the dummy bottle 3 adopts, during said movement, a first intermediate position. When the dummy bottle 3 adopts the first intermediate position the dummy bottle 3 is lowered with respect to the wall portion 101a of the conveyor 101 and the input 32 faces towards the wall portion 101a. In Figure 2 the dummy bottle 3 adopts the first intermediate position.
  • the device 1 is configured so that the dummy bottle 3 adopts, during said movement, a second intermediate position. When the dummy bottle 3 adopts the second intermediate position, the input 32 faces towards the outlet 2 and is lowered with respect to the outlet 2. In Figure 3 the dummy bottle 3 adopts the second intermediate position.
  • the first intermediate position occurs before the second intermediate position.
  • the second intermediate position occurs before the first intermediate position.
  • the device 1 is configured so that the dummy bottle 3 moves between said first intermediate position and second intermediate position by means of said rotational component.
  • the device 1 is configured so that the dummy bottle 3 moves, by means of said translational component, between said not operative condition and said first intermediate position and between said second intermediate position and said operative condition.
  • the device 1 comprises a moving group 5 for generating said movement.
  • the configuration of the filling device 1 according to which the dummy bottle 3 can adopt the above described first intermediate position and second intermediate position allows to simplify the structure of the moving group 5. In this way the structural complexity of the filling device 1 is minimized.
  • the device 1 comprises a sealing element 4 and is configured so that the sealing element 4 can adopt a distal position with respect to the outlet 2 and a proximal position with respect to the outlet 2.
  • the sealing element 4 is adjacent to the outlet 2 to provide a sealing between the receptacle B and the outlet 2 while the device 1 adopts the production condition. This situation is showed in Figures 1 and 1A.
  • the device 1 is configured so that the sealing element 4 adopts the proximal position also when the dummy bottle 3 adopts the operative condition, to provide a sealing between the dummy bottle 3 and the outlet 2 while the device 1 adopts the not production condition.
  • the filling device is configured so that the movement of the dummy bottle 3 in the direction from the second intermediate position to the operative position causes by contact the movement of the sealing element 4 in the direction from the distal position to the proximal position.
  • the operative condition of the dummy bottle 3 corresponds to the operative position of the dummy bottle 3 so that the movement of the dummy bottle 3 from the second intermediate position to the operative condition corresponds to the movement of the dummy bottle 3 in the direction from the second intermediate position to the operative position of the dummy bottle 3.
  • the device 1 is configured so that the operative condition of the dummy bottle 3 causes the sealing element 4 to adopt the proximal position.
  • the dummy bottle 3 is configured to adopt a second configuration in which the discharge circuit 31 is opened to allow the fluid communication between the input 32 and the output 33.
  • the dummy bottle 3 adopts the second configuration .
  • the dummy bottle 3 comprises a cup 34 defining said output 33.
  • the output comprises at least a hole 331 or one or more holes 331.
  • the moving group 5 comprises an arm 51.
  • the arm 51 supports the dummy bottle 3 by holding or supporting the cup 34.
  • the dummy bottle 3 comprises a sleeve 35 which is inserted in said cup 34 and which defines said input 32.
  • the input 32 is at a first end of the dummy bottle 3.
  • the at least one hole 331 or each of the one or more holes is positioned at a second end of the dummy bottle 3 which is opposite with respect to the first end.
  • the sleeve 35 is positioned with respect to the cup 34 so as not to let the output 33 to be in fluidic communication with the remaining part of the discharge circuit 31.
  • the at least one hole 331 is substantially closed towards the internal volume of the dummy bottle 3, to prevent the entering of extraneous pieces of material in the dummy bottle 3, for example pieces of glass, as discussed before.
  • the dummy bottle 3 is configured to adopt a second configuration in which the discharge circuit 31 is opened to allow the fluid communication between the input 32 and the output 33.
  • the dummy bottle 3 adopts the second configuration.
  • the sleeve 35 is positioned with respect to the cup 34 so as to let the output 33 to be in fluidic communication with the remaining part of the discharge circuit 31.
  • the moving group 5 comprises the arm 51 which supports the dummy bottle 3.
  • the moving group 5 comprises a lever body 52.
  • the arm 51 supports the dummy bottle 3.
  • the moving group 5 is configured so that the rotational component of the dummy bottle movement is caused by means of a torque exerted by said lever body 52 on said arm 51, and by means of the arm 51 being rotationally coupled to the lever body 52.
  • the moving group 5 is configured so that the translational component of the dummy bottle 3 is caused by means of an axial force exerted on said arm 51 and by means of said arm being slidable with respect to said lever body 52.
  • the moving group 5 comprises a first actuator 51a for providing said axial force.
  • the first actuator 51a can be for example pneumatic or hydraulic or electric.
  • the moving group 5 comprises a second actuator 52a for providing a second force.
  • the moving group 5 comprises a converting element 52b mechanically interposed between the second actuator 52a and the lever body 52 to convert said second force in the torque.
  • the second actuator 52a can be for example pneumatic or hydraulic or electric.
  • the dummy bottle 3 comprises a spring element 36.
  • the spring element 36 acts between the cup 34 and the sleeve 35 to stably maintain the dummy bottle 3 in said second configuration.
  • the filling device 1 allows the filling device 1 to be configured so that the supporting action of the arm 51 on the cup 34 lets the dummy bottle 3 to adopt the second configuration at least in said second intermediate position.
  • the device 1 allows for automatically discharging, after the cleaning phase and during the movement of the dummy bottle 3 in the direction from the operative condition to the not operative condition, the cleaning fluid collected by the dummy bottle 3 during the cleaning phase.
  • the device 1 is configured so that the dummy bottle 3 adopts the second configuration at least also in the first intermediate position.
  • the device 1 is configured so that, when the dummy bottle 3 adopts said operative condition, a pressure action exerted by the arm 51 on the cup 34 and towards the outlet 2 forces the dummy bottle 3 in the first configuration.
  • the pressure action exerted towards the outlet 2 is exerted against the action of the spring element 36.
  • This improves the sealing effect between dummy bottle 3 and the outlet 2 by means of the sealing element, to reduce the risk of a cleaning fluid leakage.
  • the sealing element 4 is showed.
  • Figure 5 shows the dummy bottle 3 while the same dummy bottle 3 adopts the operative condition.
  • the pressure action exerted by the arm 51 towards the outlet causes the dummy bottle to remain pressed against the sealing element 4.
  • the filling device 1 is configured so that, when the dummy bottle 3 adopts the not operative condition, a pressure action exerted by the arm 51 on the cup 34 and towards the wall portion 101a forces the dummy bottle 3 in the first configuration.
  • the pressure action exerted towards the wall portion 101a is exerted against the action of the spring element 33.
  • the method comprises at least generating automatically the movement of the dummy bottle 3 in the direction from the not operative condition to the operative condition, the cleaning phase of the filling circuit by recirculation of the cleaning fluid through the filling circuit and generating automatically the movement of the dummy bottle 3 in the direction from the operative condition to the not operative condition.
  • the method comprises automatically discharging the cleaning fluid through the dummy bottle 3 during the movement in the direction from the operative condition to the not operative condition.
  • the cleaning fluid is automatically discharged through the discharge circuit 31 after the cleaning phase by means of the dummy bottle 3 passing from the first configuration to the second configuration, during a displacement of the dummy bottle 3 from the operative condition to the second intermediate position.
  • the apparatus 10 comprises a plurality of devices.
  • each device of the plurality is indicated with the same numeral reference 1, because each of them can have one or more of the features of the device 1.
  • each device 1 adopts a respective mounting condition on a respective angular sector of the radial periphery of the carousel.
  • Each device 1 can comprise a respective moving group 5.
  • the respective dummy bottle 3 of each device 1 of the plurality is a part of the filling device 1.
  • the structural configuration of the respective moving group 5 of each device 1 allows for integrating the respective moving group 5 in the respective device 1 in a vary compact manner.
  • Each filling device 1 is able to generate automatically the movement of the dummy bottle 3 between the not operative condition and the operative condition independently from the rotation of the carousel 101.
  • the features of device 1 and in particular of the moving group 5 allows to save space required for providing an apparatus 10 comprising a carousel 101 and a plurality of filling devices 1 mounted on the carousel 101 with each device 1 being able to generate automatically the movement of the respective dummy bottle 3 between the not operative condition and the operative condition independently from the rotation of the carousel 101.
  • the receptacle B can be any kind of receptacle, for example a bottle.
  • the bottle B can be made for example of glass.
  • the moving group 5 comprises a cam follower 53 instead of the second actuator 52a.
  • the cam follower 53 is configured to interact with a cam to provide said torque.
  • the cam follower 53 is fixed to the arm 51. In this case the arm 51 passes from one side to the other of the first actuator 51a, so that the cam follower 53 can be placed in a more convenient position for interacting with the cam.
  • the device 1 is able to generate automatically the rotational component of the movement of the respective dummy bottle 3 between the not operative condition and the operative condition independently from the rotation of the carousel 101.
  • changes may be made to the method, to the device, to the apparatus, without, however, departing from the scope of protection as defined in the accompanying claims.

Landscapes

  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a filling device (1) for filling a receptacle (B) with a pourable product and configured to allow to carry out a method for cleaning the filling circuit of the filling device (1) by means of a dummy bottle (3), by means of which device (1) the movement of the dummy bottle (3) between the not operative condition and the operative condition can be automatically obtained independently from any motion of a carousel conveyor (101) of the filling apparatus (10) in which the device (1) is mounted.

Description

FILLING DEVICE WITH AUTOMATIC DUMMY BOTTLE AND METHOD FOR
CLEANING THE FILLING DEVICE
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a filling device for filling a receptacle with a pourable product and configured to allow to carry out a method for cleaning the filling circuit of the filling device by means of a dummy bottle, by means of which device the movement of the dummy bottle between the not operative condition and the operative condition can be automatically obtained independently from any motion of a carousel conveyor of the filling apparatus in which the device is mounted.
BACKGROUND ART
In the general field of automatic filling recipients with pourable products, the filling device is usually mounted on a conveyor carrying also a platform for supporting the recipient from below during the filling by the filling device which is operatively located above the recipient.
There is the need to carry out periodically a cleaning phase during which the filling circuit is cleaned in particular to remove residues of product.
To this end, a so called dummy bottle or false bottle is used which can adopt an operative condition in which the dummy bottle closes the filling circuit at the outlet in order for the cleaning fluid to be able to recirculate in the filling circuit. The dummy bottle must be moved in the operative position and maintained in the operative position during the cleaning phase.
Currently, a manual cleaning method and an automatic cleaning method are available. The first is based on the manual work of an operator who manually at least moves a dummy bottle in the operative condition. The dummy bottle is another component with respect to the filling device. Therefore, the dummy bottle must be stocked in an auxiliary space dedicated to the dummy bottle.
The automatic method requires the movement of the conveyor for automatically obtaining the movement of the dummy bottle between a not operative condition and the operative condition. A method of this kind is disclosed in document EP0785134A1.
The method proposed by this document requires a cooperation between an arm holding the dummy bottle and a recipient platform in order to move and press the dummy bottle against the outlet of the filling device. The method requires a system which is mechanically complex and requires, for obtaining said movement, the motion of the conveyor on which the filling device and the platform are mounted.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Present description relates to a cleaning method for cleaning a filling device configured for filling a recipient with a pourable product.
A cleaning method according to the present description or according to any of the cleaning method claims, allows to carry out the cleaning phase of the filling circuit of a filling device which is configured for filling a recipient with a pourable product and which belongs to an apparatus comprising a conveyor on which the filling device is mounted, independently from any motion of the conveyor.
Present description relates also to a filling device for filling a recipient with a pourable product and which is configured to adopt a mounting condition on a conveyor of a filling apparatus.
A device according to the present description is configured to carry out a cleaning method according to the present description.
A device according to any of the appended device claims is configured to carry out a cleaning method according to any of the appended method claims.
Present description relates to a filling apparatus. A filling apparatus according to present description comprises a device according to the present description and a conveyor on which the filling device adopts the mounting condition.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 and 1A are a perspective view and a lateral view, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the present description, which shows the device adopting a mounting condition on a conveyor of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus according to present description and a dummy bottle of the filling device adopting a not operative condition, the not operative condition of the dummy bottle corresponding to a not operative position of the dummy bottle with respect to an outlet of the filling device;
Figures 2 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 1, which shows the dummy bottle being in a first intermediate position which occurs during a movement of the dummy bottle between the not operative position and an operative position of the dummy bottle;
Figures 3 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 1, which shows the dummy bottle being in a second intermediate position which occurs during said movement;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 1, which shows the device adopting the mounting condition and the dummy bottle adopting an operative condition corresponding to said operative position of the dummy bottle with respect to said outlet;
Figure 5 is a cross section view of the dummy bottle and a sealing element of the filling device, which shows the dummy bottle adopting a first configuration which occurs at least when the dummy bottle adopts the operative condition;
Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of the dummy bottle, which shows the dummy bottle adopting a second configuration which occurs at least when the dummy bottle is in the first intermediate position and/or in the second intermediate position;
Figure 7 is a partial plan view of a possible exemplary embodiment of an apparatus according to the present description;
Figure 8 is a perspective view which shows the device adopting the mounting condition and the dummy bottle adopting the not operative condition, with a moving group of the device being according to an alternative variant with respect to the variant of Figures 1 to 7;
Figure 9 is a perspective view which shows the device adopting the mounting condition and the dummy bottle adopting the operative condition, with the moving group being according to the alternative variant of Figure 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
This description refers to a possible exemplary embodiment of a filling device according to the present description.
In the following, said exemplary embodiment of the filling device will be defined simply as "device" or "filling device". The device is indicated with 1 from Figure 1 to Figure 4 and in Figure 7.
This description refers to a possible exemplary embodiment of a filling apparatus according to the present description. In the following, said exemplary embodiment of the filling apparatus will be defined simply as "apparatus" or "filling apparatus".
The apparatus is indicated with 10 in Figure 7. Figure 7 shows a part of the apparatus. The apparatus 10 comprises at least the device 1.
This description refers to a possible exemplary embodiment of a cleaning method according to the present description. In the following, said exemplary embodiment of the cleaning method will be defined simply as "method" or "cleaning method".
The device is configured for carrying out the method. The method is specially adapted for being carried out by the device.
The apparatus 10 comprises a conveyor 101. In the apparatus 10, the device 1 adopts a mounting condition such that the device 1 is mounted in the apparatus 10. The conveyor 101 is a carousel. In the mounting condition, the device 1 is mounted on an angular sector of the radial periphery of the carousel. In Figures 1 and 1A the device 1 adopts the mounting condition and it is visible the radial end of the respective angular sector of the carousel on which the device 1 is mounted. Although in Figure 2 to 4 the carousel is not showed, the device is to be considered as adopting the mounting condition also in Figure from 2 to 4.
The device 1 is configured for filling a receptacle with a pourable product. The pourable product can be of any kind, like for example a pourable food product, like for example water or any other beverage or a pulp. The receptacle can be of any kind. The receptacle is indicated with B in Figures 1 and 1A. The receptacle can be for example a bottle. The receptacle can be made for example by glass.
The device 1 comprises a filling outlet 2. The outlet 2 is fluidly connected to a filling circuit of the filling device 1. The outlet 2 is positioned at the end of said filling circuit so that the product can exit from the filling circuit by passing through said outlet 2. The device 1 is configured to deliver the product to the receptacle B through the outlet 2. While adopting the mounting condition, the device 1 is configured to adopt a production condition. The production condition is such that the receptacle B is in fluidic communication with the outlet 2, so that the device 1 fills the receptacle B with the product exiting from the outlet 2. In Figure 1 and 1A the filling device 1 adopts the production condition.
The device 1 is configured to adopt a not production condition. The not production condition is such that the outlet 2 is not in fluidic communication with the receptacle B.
In Figure from 2 to 4 the device 1 adopts the not production condition.
Device 1 comprises a dummy bottle 3.
The device 1 is configured so that the dummy bottle 3 can adopt a not operative condition. In particular, the device 1 is configured so that the not operative condition of the dummy bottle 3 occurs at least when the device 1 adopts the production condition. In Figures 1 and 1A the devices 1 adopts the production condition and the dummy bottle 3 adopts the not operative condition. The not operative condition of the dummy bottle 3 is such that the dummy bottle 3 does not close the outlet 2. The not operative condition of the dummy bottle 3 corresponds to a not operative position of the dummy bottle 3 with respect to the outlet 2. The device 1 is configured so that the dummy bottle 3 can adopt an operative condition. In particular, the device 1 is configured so that the operative condition of the dummy bottle 3 occurs when the device 1 adopts the not production condition. In Figure 4 the devices 1 adopts the not production condition and the dummy bottle 3 adopts the operative condition. The device 1 is configured so that the dummy bottle 3 adopts the operative condition during a cleaning phase. Said cleaning phase comprises the recirculating of a cleaning fluid through the filling circuit.
The operative condition of the dummy bottle 3 is such that the dummy bottle 3 substantially closes the filling circuit at the outlet 2. In this way, the dummy bottle 3, when adopts the operative condition, forces the cleaning fluid to recirculate through the filling circuit.
The operative condition of the dummy bottle 3 corresponds to an operative position of the dummy bottle 3 with respect to the outlet 2.
The dummy bottle 3 is showed in detail in figures 5 and 6. The dummy bottle 3 comprises an input 32, a fluid discharge circuit 31, and an output 33. The discharge circuit extends from the input 32 to the output 33.
The dummy bottle 3 is configured to adopt at least a first configuration in which the discharge circuit 31 is closed to interrupt the fluid communication between the input 32 and the output 33. In Figure 5 the dummy bottle 3 adopts the first configuration.
The device 1 is configured so that, when the dummy bottle 3 adopts the operative condition, the input 32 of the dummy bottle 3 is in fluidic communication with the outlet 2.The device 1 is configured so that the operative condition of the dummy bottle 3 corresponds to the first configuration of the dummy bottle 3.
In this way, when the dummy bottle 3 adopts the operative condition, the dummy bottle 3 allows the cleaning fluid to enter in the dummy bottle 3 without allowing the same cleaning fluid to exit from the output 33.
The device 1 is configured to automatically generate a movement of the dummy bottle 3 between the not operative condition and the operative condition.
The device 1 is configured so that, when the dummy bottle 3 adopts the not operative condition, the input 32 is closed by a wall portion 101a of the conveyor 101. In this way, no piece of any material can enter in the dummy bottle 3 when the dummy bottle 3 is in the not operative condition.
This is particularly beneficial in the case the receptacle B is made of glass, because, in the case of an accidental breakage of the receptacle B, a possible entering of pieces of glass in the dummy bottle 3 is prevented. Therefore it is provided a filling device 1 by means of which the movement of the dummy bottle 3 between the not operative condition and the operative condition can be obtained independently from the rotation of the carousel or in any case independently from any motion of the conveyor, and the reliability of the device 1 is improved because the risk of a malfunction of the dummy bottle 3 due to entering of materials when the dummy bottle 3 adopts the not operative condition is avoided or at least significantly lowered.
The device 1 is configured so that the not operative condition of the dummy bottle 3 corresponds to the first configuration of the dummy bottle 3. This further improves the reliability of the device 1 because the risk of the entry of any material in the dummy bottle 3, while the dummy bottle 3 adopts the not operative condition, is furtherly reduced. The device 1 is configured so that the dummy bottle 3 or the input 32 of the dummy bottle 3, when the dummy bottle 3 adopts the not operative condition, is pressed against the wall portion 101a.
In this way it is prevented the possible entering of extraneous pieces of material in the dummy bottle 3, for example in the case of breakage of the receptacle B, also in the case of very small pieces.
The device 1 is configured so that said movement comprises a translational component and a rotational component. In this way the dummy bottle 3 can be very close to the other components of the device 1 when it adopts the not operative condition, so as to improve the compactness of the device. The device is configured so that the dummy bottle 3 adopts, during said movement, a first intermediate position. When the dummy bottle 3 adopts the first intermediate position the dummy bottle 3 is lowered with respect to the wall portion 101a of the conveyor 101 and the input 32 faces towards the wall portion 101a. In Figure 2 the dummy bottle 3 adopts the first intermediate position. The device 1 is configured so that the dummy bottle 3 adopts, during said movement, a second intermediate position. When the dummy bottle 3 adopts the second intermediate position, the input 32 faces towards the outlet 2 and is lowered with respect to the outlet 2. In Figure 3 the dummy bottle 3 adopts the second intermediate position.
When the movement of the dummy bottle 3 occurs in the direction from the not operative condition to the operative condition, the first intermediate position occurs before the second intermediate position.When the movement of the dummy bottle 3 occurs in the direction from the operative condition to the not operative condition, the second intermediate position occurs before the first intermediate position.
The device 1 is configured so that the dummy bottle 3 moves between said first intermediate position and second intermediate position by means of said rotational component. The device 1 is configured so that the dummy bottle 3 moves, by means of said translational component, between said not operative condition and said first intermediate position and between said second intermediate position and said operative condition. The device 1 comprises a moving group 5 for generating said movement.
The configuration of the filling device 1 according to which the dummy bottle 3 can adopt the above described first intermediate position and second intermediate position allows to simplify the structure of the moving group 5. In this way the structural complexity of the filling device 1 is minimized.
The device 1 comprises a sealing element 4 and is configured so that the sealing element 4 can adopt a distal position with respect to the outlet 2 and a proximal position with respect to the outlet 2.
By means of the proximal position, the sealing element 4 is adjacent to the outlet 2 to provide a sealing between the receptacle B and the outlet 2 while the device 1 adopts the production condition. This situation is showed in Figures 1 and 1A.
However, the device 1 is configured so that the sealing element 4 adopts the proximal position also when the dummy bottle 3 adopts the operative condition, to provide a sealing between the dummy bottle 3 and the outlet 2 while the device 1 adopts the not production condition.
The filling device is configured so that the movement of the dummy bottle 3 in the direction from the second intermediate position to the operative position causes by contact the movement of the sealing element 4 in the direction from the distal position to the proximal position. It is to be noted that the operative condition of the dummy bottle 3 corresponds to the operative position of the dummy bottle 3 so that the movement of the dummy bottle 3 from the second intermediate position to the operative condition corresponds to the movement of the dummy bottle 3 in the direction from the second intermediate position to the operative position of the dummy bottle 3. In particular, in this way the device 1 is configured so that the operative condition of the dummy bottle 3 causes the sealing element 4 to adopt the proximal position.
In this way it, for moving the sealing element 4 from the distal position to the proximal position, it is not necessary to provide an actuator which could increase the complexity of the device 1, nor a cam mechanism which would require the rotation of the carousel to move the sealing element 4. Therefore it is minimized the mechanical complexity of a filling device 1 by means of which the movement of the dummy bottle 3 between the not operative condition and the operative condition can be obtained independently from the rotation of the carousel or in any case independently from any motion of the conveyor.
The dummy bottle 3 is configured to adopt a second configuration in which the discharge circuit 31 is opened to allow the fluid communication between the input 32 and the output 33. In Figure 6 the dummy bottle 3 adopts the second configuration .
The dummy bottle 3 comprises a cup 34 defining said output 33. The output comprises at least a hole 331 or one or more holes 331.
The moving group 5 comprises an arm 51.
The arm 51 supports the dummy bottle 3 by holding or supporting the cup 34. The dummy bottle 3 comprises a sleeve 35 which is inserted in said cup 34 and which defines said input 32. The input 32 is at a first end of the dummy bottle 3. The at least one hole 331 or each of the one or more holes is positioned at a second end of the dummy bottle 3 which is opposite with respect to the first end.
In the first configuration of the dummy bottle 3, showed in Figure 5, the sleeve 35 is positioned with respect to the cup 34 so as not to let the output 33 to be in fluidic communication with the remaining part of the discharge circuit 31.
In the first configuration the at least one hole 331 is substantially closed towards the internal volume of the dummy bottle 3, to prevent the entering of extraneous pieces of material in the dummy bottle 3, for example pieces of glass, as discussed before. The dummy bottle 3 is configured to adopt a second configuration in which the discharge circuit 31 is opened to allow the fluid communication between the input 32 and the output 33. In Figure 6 the dummy bottle 3 adopts the second configuration. In the second configuration of the dummy bottle 3 the sleeve 35 is positioned with respect to the cup 34 so as to let the output 33 to be in fluidic communication with the remaining part of the discharge circuit 31.
The moving group 5 comprises the arm 51 which supports the dummy bottle 3. The moving group 5 comprises a lever body 52. The arm 51 supports the dummy bottle 3.
The moving group 5 is configured so that the rotational component of the dummy bottle movement is caused by means of a torque exerted by said lever body 52 on said arm 51, and by means of the arm 51 being rotationally coupled to the lever body 52.
The moving group 5 is configured so that the translational component of the dummy bottle 3 is caused by means of an axial force exerted on said arm 51 and by means of said arm being slidable with respect to said lever body 52.
The moving group 5 comprises a first actuator 51a for providing said axial force. The first actuator 51a can be for example pneumatic or hydraulic or electric.
The moving group 5 comprises a second actuator 52a for providing a second force. The moving group 5 comprises a converting element 52b mechanically interposed between the second actuator 52a and the lever body 52 to convert said second force in the torque. The second actuator 52a can be for example pneumatic or hydraulic or electric. The dummy bottle 3 comprises a spring element 36. The spring element 36 acts between the cup 34 and the sleeve 35 to stably maintain the dummy bottle 3 in said second configuration.
This allows the filling device 1 to be configured so that the supporting action of the arm 51 on the cup 34 lets the dummy bottle 3 to adopt the second configuration at least in said second intermediate position. In this way the device 1 allows for automatically discharging, after the cleaning phase and during the movement of the dummy bottle 3 in the direction from the operative condition to the not operative condition, the cleaning fluid collected by the dummy bottle 3 during the cleaning phase.
The device 1 is configured so that the dummy bottle 3 adopts the second configuration at least also in the first intermediate position.
The device 1 is configured so that, when the dummy bottle 3 adopts said operative condition, a pressure action exerted by the arm 51 on the cup 34 and towards the outlet 2 forces the dummy bottle 3 in the first configuration. The pressure action exerted towards the outlet 2 is exerted against the action of the spring element 36. This improves the sealing effect between dummy bottle 3 and the outlet 2 by means of the sealing element, to reduce the risk of a cleaning fluid leakage. In Figure 5 the sealing element 4 is showed. Figure 5 shows the dummy bottle 3 while the same dummy bottle 3 adopts the operative condition. The pressure action exerted by the arm 51 towards the outlet causes the dummy bottle to remain pressed against the sealing element 4. The filling device 1 is configured so that, when the dummy bottle 3 adopts the not operative condition, a pressure action exerted by the arm 51 on the cup 34 and towards the wall portion 101a forces the dummy bottle 3 in the first configuration. The pressure action exerted towards the wall portion 101a is exerted against the action of the spring element 33.
It is to be considered that the situation of the not operative condition of the dummy bottle 3 is the same situation of Figure 5 by replacing the sealing element 4 with the wall portion 101a of the Figures 1 and 1A.
The method comprises at least generating automatically the movement of the dummy bottle 3 in the direction from the not operative condition to the operative condition, the cleaning phase of the filling circuit by recirculation of the cleaning fluid through the filling circuit and generating automatically the movement of the dummy bottle 3 in the direction from the operative condition to the not operative condition.
The method comprises automatically discharging the cleaning fluid through the dummy bottle 3 during the movement in the direction from the operative condition to the not operative condition.
The cleaning fluid is automatically discharged through the discharge circuit 31 after the cleaning phase by means of the dummy bottle 3 passing from the first configuration to the second configuration, during a displacement of the dummy bottle 3 from the operative condition to the second intermediate position.
The apparatus 10 comprises a plurality of devices. In Figure 7 each device of the plurality is indicated with the same numeral reference 1, because each of them can have one or more of the features of the device 1.
In Figure 7 each device 1 adopts a respective mounting condition on a respective angular sector of the radial periphery of the carousel.
Each device 1 can comprise a respective moving group 5.
The respective dummy bottle 3 of each device 1 of the plurality is a part of the filling device 1.
This allows for saving the space for the respective dummy bottle 3 which would be required in the case the respective dummy bottle 3 was an external component with respect to the respective device 1.
The structural configuration of the respective moving group 5 of each device 1 allows for integrating the respective moving group 5 in the respective device 1 in a vary compact manner.
Each filling device 1 is able to generate automatically the movement of the dummy bottle 3 between the not operative condition and the operative condition independently from the rotation of the carousel 101.
Therefore the features of device 1 and in particular of the moving group 5 allows to save space required for providing an apparatus 10 comprising a carousel 101 and a plurality of filling devices 1 mounted on the carousel 101 with each device 1 being able to generate automatically the movement of the respective dummy bottle 3 between the not operative condition and the operative condition independently from the rotation of the carousel 101.The receptacle B can be any kind of receptacle, for example a bottle. The bottle B can be made for example of glass.
Alternatively, as showed in Figures 8 and 9, the moving group 5 comprises a cam follower 53 instead of the second actuator 52a. The cam follower 53 is configured to interact with a cam to provide said torque. The cam follower 53 is fixed to the arm 51. In this case the arm 51 passes from one side to the other of the first actuator 51a, so that the cam follower 53 can be placed in a more convenient position for interacting with the cam.
In Figure 8 the dummy bottle 3 adopts the not operative condition. In Figure 9 the dummy bottle 3 adopts the operative condition.
According to this latter solution, the device 1 is able to generate automatically the rotational component of the movement of the respective dummy bottle 3 between the not operative condition and the operative condition independently from the rotation of the carousel 101. Clearly, changes may be made to the method, to the device, to the apparatus, without, however, departing from the scope of protection as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. Filling device (1) for filling a receptacle (B) with a pourable product, comprising: a filling outlet (2) fluidly connected to a filling circuit of the filling device (1), the filling device being configured to fill the receptacle (B) by fluidic communication between the receptacle (B) and said outlet
(2); a dummy bottle (3) comprising a fluid discharge circuit (31) from an input (32) of the dummy bottle (3) to an output
(33) of the dummy bottle, the dummy bottle (3) being configured to adopt at least a first configuration in which the discharge circuit (31) is closed to interrupt the fluid communication between the input (32) and the output (33), wherein:
- the filling device (1) is configured to adopt a mounting condition on a conveyor (101) of a filling apparatus (10);
- the filling device (1) is configured to automatically generate a movement of the dummy bottle (3) between a not operative condition, in which said input (32) is closed by a wall portion (101a) of said conveyor (101), and an operative condition, in which the input (32) is in fluidic communication with the outlet (2) and the dummy bottle (3) adopts the first configuration to prevent the exiting of a cleaning fluid from said output (33) during a cleaning phase of the filling circuit.
2. Filling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the filling device (1) is configured so that said movement comprises a translational component and a rotational component.
3. Filling device (1) according to claim 2, wherein:
- the filling device is configured so that the dummy bottle (3) adopts, during said movement, a first intermediate position, in which the dummy bottle (3) is lowered with respect to the wall portion (101a) and the input (32) faces towards the wall portion (101a), and a second intermediate position, in which the input (32) faces towards the outlet (2) and is lowered with respect to the outlet (2);
- the filling device (1) is configured so that the dummy bottle (3) moves between said first intermediate position and second intermediate position by means of said rotational component;
- the filling device (1) is configured so that the dummy bottle (3) moves, by means of said translational component, between said not operative condition and said first intermediate position and between said second intermediate position and said operative condition.
4. Filling device (1) according to claim 3, wherein:
- the filling device (1) comprises a sealing element (4) and is configured so that the sealing element (4) can adopt a distal position with respect to the outlet (2) and a proximal position with respect to the outlet (2), in which the sealing element (4) is adjacent to the outlet (2) to provide a sealing between the receptacle (B) and the outlet (2) during the filling of the receptacle (B);
- the filling device (1) is configured so that the operative condition of the dummy bottle (3) corresponds to the proximal position of the sealing element (4), so that the sealing element (4) can provide a sealing between the dummy bottle (3) and the outlet (2) during said cleaning phase;
- the filling device is configured so that the movement of the dummy bottle (3) in the direction from the second intermediate position to the operative condition causes by contact the movement of the sealing element (4) in the direction from the distal position to the proximal position. 5. Filling device (1) according to claim 2 or 3 or 4, comprising a moving group (5) for generating said movement, the moving group (5) comprising:
- an arm (51) which supports the dummy bottle (3); - a lever body (52); wherein the moving group (5) is configured to cause the rotational component of said movement by means of a torque exerted by said lever body (52) on said arm (51) and by means of the arm (51) being rotationally coupled to the lever body (52); wherein the moving group (5) is configured to cause the translational component by means of an axial force exerted on said arm (51) and by means of said arm being slidable with respect to said lever body (52). 6. Filling device (1) according to claim 2 or 3 or 4, comprising a moving group (5) for generating said movement, the moving group (5) comprising:
- an arm (51) which supports the dummy bottle (3); wherein the moving group (5) is configured to cause the translational component by means of an axial force exerted on said arm (51); wherein the moving group (5) comprises a first actuator (51a) for providing said axial force; wherein the moving group (5) comprises a cam follower (53) configured for interacting with a cam to provide said torque. 7. Filling device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: the dummy bottle (3) comprises:
- a cup (34) defining said output (33), the arm (51) supporting the dummy bottle (3) by holding the cup (34); - a sleeve (35) inserted in said cup (34) and defining said input (32);
- the dummy bottle (3) is configured to adopt a second configuration in which the discharge circuit (31) is opened to allow the fluid communication between the input (32) and the output (33), the dummy bottle (3) comprising a spring element (36) acting between the cup (34) and the sleeve (35) to stably maintain the dummy bottle (3) in said second configuration.
8. Filling device (1) according to claims 2 and 7, wherein: the filling device (1) is configured so that the supporting action of the arm (51) on the cup (34) lets the dummy bottle (3) to adopt the second configuration at least in said second intermediate position; the filling device (1) is configured so that, in said operative condition, the dummy bottle (3) is forced in the first configuration against the action of the spring element (36) by means of a pressure action exerted by the arm (51) on the cup (34) and towards the outlet (2); the filling device (1) is configured so that, in said not operative condition, the dummy bottle (3) is forced in the first configuration against the action of the spring element (33) by means of a pressure action exerted by the arm (51) on the cup (34) and towards the wall portion (101a). 9. Filling apparatus (10) comprising a plurality of filling devices and a conveyor (101), wherein:
- each of the filling device is according to any one or more of the previous claims and adopts a respective mounting condition on the conveyor (101); - the respective mounting condition of each filling device is such that the respective filling device (1; 1'; 1'') is mounted on a respective sector of the conveyor (101), said respective sector defining the respective wall portion for closing the respective dummy bottle (3) in the respective not operative condition.
10. Cleaning method for cleaning a filling device (1), the filling device comprising a filling outlet (2) fluidly connected to a filling circuit of the filling device and the filling device (1) being configured so that the outlet (2) can be in communication also with a receptacle (B) for delivering to the receptacle (B) a pourable product coming from the filling circuit; wherein the method comprises: providing a dummy bottle (3) comprising a fluid discharge circuit (31) from an input (32) of the dummy bottle (3) to an output (33) of the dummy bottle, the dummy bottle (3) being configured to adopt at least a first configuration in which the discharge circuit (31) is closed to interrupt the fluid communication between the input (32) and the output (33); making the filling device (1) adopt a mounting condition on a conveyor (101) of a filling apparatus (10); a movement phase during which a movement of a dummy bottle
(3) is automatically generated, the movement being between a not operative condition, in which said input (32) is closed by a wall portion (101a) of said conveyor (101), and an operative condition, in which the input (32) is in fluidic communication with the outlet (2) and the dummy bottle (3) adopts the first configuration; a cleaning phase during which the filling circuit is cleaned by a cleaning fluid while the dummy bottle (3), by adopting the operative condition, prevents the exiting of the cleaning fluid from said dummy bottle (3).
11. Cleaning method according to claim 10, wherein: - said movement comprises a translational component and a rotational component;
- the dummy bottle (3) adopts, during said movement, a first intermediate position, in which the dummy bottle (3) is lowered with respect to the wall portion (101a) and the input (32) faces towards the wall portion (101a), and a second intermediate position, in which the input (32) faces towards the outlet (2) and is lowered with respect to the outlet (2);
- the dummy bottle (3) moves between said first intermediate position and second intermediate position by means of said rotational component;
- the dummy bottle (3) moves, by means of said translational component, between said not operative condition and said first intermediate position and between said second intermediate position and said operative condition.
12. Cleaning method according to claim 11, wherein the method comprises providing a sealing element (4) which can adopt a distal position with respect to the outlet (2) and a proximal position with respect to the outlet (2); wherein the operative condition of the dummy bottle (3) corresponds to the proximal position of the sealing element (4), so that the sealing element (4) can provide a sealing between the dummy bottle (3) and the outlet (2) during said cleaning phase; wherein the movement of the dummy bottle (3) in the direction from the second intermediate position to the operative condition causes by contact the movement of the sealing element (4) in the direction from the distal position to the proximal position. 13. Cleaning method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: the movement occurs while the dummy bottle (3) is supported by an arm (51); the rotational component is caused by a torque exerted by a lever body (52) on said arm (51); the translational component is caused by means of an axial force exerted on said arm (51).
14. Cleaning method (1) according to claim 13, wherein: the dummy bottle (3) comprises: - a cup (34) defining said output (33), the supporting action of the arm (51) on the dummy bottle (3) being exerted by the arm (51) holding the cup (34);
- a sleeve (35) inserted in said cup (34) and defining said input (32); - the dummy bottle (3) is configured to adopt a second configuration in which the discharge circuit (31) is opened to allow the fluid communication between the input (32) and the output (33), the dummy bottle (3) comprising a spring element (36) acting between the cup (34) and the sleeve (35) to stably maintain the dummy bottle (3) in said second configuration; the supporting action of the arm (51) on the cup (34) lets the dummy bottle (3) to adopt the second configuration at least in said second intermediate position, the cleaning fluid is automatically discharged through the discharge circuit (31) after the cleaning phase by means of the dummy bottle (3) passing from the first configuration to the second configuration, during a displacement of the dummy bottle (3) from the operative condition to the second intermediate position; while the dummy bottle (3) adopts the operative condition, the dummy bottle (3) is forced in the first configuration against the action of the spring element (36) by means of a pressure action exerted by the arm (51) on the cup (34) and towards the outlet (2).
15. Cleaning method (1) according to claim 14, wherein, while the dummy bottle (3) adopts said not operative condition, the dummy bottle (3) is forced in the first configuration against the action of the spring element (36) by means of a pressure action exerted by the arm (51) on the cup (34) and towards the wall portion (101a).
EP20722236.5A 2020-04-20 2020-04-20 Filling device with automatic dummy bottle and method for cleaning the filling device Withdrawn EP4139244A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2020/060953 WO2021213607A1 (en) 2020-04-20 2020-04-20 Filling device with automatic dummy bottle and method for cleaning the filling device

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EP4139244A1 true EP4139244A1 (en) 2023-03-01

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Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE9319866U1 (en) * 1993-12-23 1995-02-09 Krones Ag Hermann Kronseder Maschinenfabrik, 93073 Neutraubling Vessel filling machine
IT1281670B1 (en) 1996-01-16 1998-02-26 Gruppo Bertolaso Spa SANITIZATION METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FILLING MACHINES AND SYSTEMS, PARTICULARLY FOR FOOD PRODUCTS
ITPR20070051A1 (en) * 2007-07-04 2009-01-05 Sbc Bottling & Canning S P A FILLING VALVE FOR A FILLING MACHINE
DE102010013132A1 (en) * 2010-03-26 2011-09-29 Krones Ag Apparatus for treating containers with height-adjustable isolator

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