EP4594242A1

EP4594242A1 - A dummy bottle assembly for a filling device

Info

Publication number: EP4594242A1
Application number: EP22801881.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roberto ALCIATI; Massimo Ceci
Original assignee: Sidel Participations SAS
Current assignee: Sidel Participations SAS
Priority date: 2022-09-30
Filing date: 2022-09-30
Publication date: 2025-08-06
Also published as: WO2024069213A1

Abstract

A dummy bottle assembly (6; 6') for a filling device (3) of a filling machine (1) configured to fill containers with a pourable product, the assembly (6; 6') comprising: - a dummy bottle (7) able to move between an operating position to fluid-tightly close an outlet opening (5) of the filling device (3), and a non-operating position to leave the outlet opening (5) unobstructed; - an actuator (8) comprising a stem (10) extending along a first axis (Y) and operatively connected to the dummy bottle (7), the stem (10) being able to move along the first axis (Y) to control the movement of the dummy bottle (7) between the operating position and non-operating position; and - a cylindrical transmission body (11) which has a second axis (X) parallel to a direction transverse to the first axis (Y), said body (11) being able to rotate about the second axis (X) and being mechanically located between the stem (10) and the dummy bottle (7) in such a manner that movement of the stem (10) along the first axis (Y) brings about said movement of the dummy bottle (7) at least through movement of the transmission body (11); in which the stem (10) is positioned tangentially to an outer lateral surface (11a) of the transmission body (11).

Description

A DUMMY BOTTLEASSEMBLY FOR A FILLING DEVICE

TECHNICAL SECTOR

The present invention relates to a dummy bottle assembly for a filling device of a filling machine configured to fill containers with a pourable product, preferably of the food type.

PRIOR ART

Filling machines typically used to fill containers, particularly containers made of plastic or glass, for example bottles or flasks, or metal, for example cans, with a pourable product, preferably of the food type, are known.

Such filling machines essentially comprise a carousel revolving around a preferably vertical axis, a tank containing the pourable product, and a plurality of filling valve devices, which are carried by the carousel in a radially peripheral portion thereof, are connected to the tank by respective conduits and are moved forward by the carousel along a substantially circular path.

Typically, the above-mentioned machines also include an infeed device, usually an infeed star wheel configured to sequentially feed empty containers to the carousel, and an outfeed device, usually an outfeed star wheel configured to receive full containers of pourable product from the carousel.

In this way, the carousel receives a succession of empty containers from the input star wheel and directs the full containers to the output star wheel.

The carousel generally comprises a plurality of supporting grippers, each of which is designed to receive and hold a respective container to be filled in an upright position below each filling device, typically by gripping the neck of the container.

As it advances along the aforementioned circular path by means of the rotary movement imparted to it by the carousel, each filling device is capable of feeding a predetermined volume of pourable product into the relevant container while the latter is gripped by the respective gripper.

For this purpose, filling devices of the known type typically include:

- a hollow tubular body having a longitudinal axis, fixed to a peripheral portion of the carousel and defining within it a flow channel to feed the pourable product through an outlet opening in the tubular body to a respective container to be filled placed underneath the tubular body itself; a shutter that slidably engages the tubular body and is able to move between an open position and a closed position within the flow channel so as to selectively allow or prevent outflow of the pourable product into the respective container; and

- an actuator configured to move the shutter within the flow channel defined by the tubular body.

It is well known in the art that there is a need to flush the filling machine periodically, and in particular the filling devices, the tank, the various pipes, and also the other pipes of the machine used for conveying the pourable product or other operating fluids, such as C02.

For this purpose, filling machines of the type described above include a cleaning circuit configured to recirculate a flushing fluid, for example caustic soda, acids, or plain water, through the flow channel of each filling device, and through the other aforementioned parts of the machine.

As is well known, in order to perform the flushing operation, first any remaining pourable product is evacuated from each flow channel. Then the outlet opening of each filling device is closed by means of a so-called dummy bottle. In this way, the flushing fluid is prevented from leaving through the outlet opening, resulting in recirculation of the flushing fluid within the aforesaid pipes.

In detail, the filling machine comprises a plurality of dummy bottle assemblies, each associated with a respective filling device.

Each of these assemblies includes:

- a dummy bottle, which usually takes the form of a kind of shovel or paddle, and is able to move between an operating position in which it closes off the outlet opening of the respective associated filling device and is located axially between the outlet opening and the respective gripper, and a non-operating position in which it leaves the outlet opening and the area axially between it and the gripper unobstructed, so as to allow the pourable product to flow out from the outlet opening into the container below it;

- a control arm integral with the dummy bottle and having a longitudinal axis, usually parallel to the axis of the tubular body of the associated filling device; and

- an actuator operatively coupled to the control arm and configured to actuate the control arm to control the movement of the dummy bottle between the operating position and non-operating position.

In greater detail, the control arm is usually located in a position adjacent to the tubular body of the associated filling device. Consequently, in the non- operating position, the dummy bottle is usually located at an angle adjacent to the outlet opening of the associated filling device.

With regard to the flushing operation, the dummy bottle must therefore perform a rotational and translational movement: it is first moved angularly until it reaches a position axially below the outlet opening, and it is then moved translationally axially until it comes into contact with a sealing element of the outlet opening, closing it off.

According to a known configuration, the actuator is rigidly and coaxially coupled to the control arm so as to impart a first rotational and translational movement and, subsequently, a second purely translational movement to the control arm, and thus to the dummy bottle, with respect to the common axis.

However, the Applicant has noted that such a configuration requires the actuator to make a high axial movement in order to allow the dummy bottle to move axially, which increases the total axial footprint of the assembly consisting of the dummy bottle assembly and the filling device. Moreover, the Applicant has noted that such a solution is particularly complicated mechanically, is not very reliable, and requires complicated dismantling of the entire system when parts of the actuator are replaced or maintained. Furthermore, the Applicant has noted that such a solution is not suitable for external flushing, unless bulky enclosures are provided, which further increases the overall size of the unit.

According to one known alternative configuration, the actuator is of the pneumatic type and comprises a stem perpendicular to the axis of the control arm and coupled to the latter by means of a lever mechanism. In this case, the assembly also comprises a cam system to determine the rotational and translational movement of the dummy bottle. In particular, a first purely rotational movement is imparted to the dummy bottle through rotation of the control arm by the lever mechanism and, subsequently, a second purely translational movement by actuation of the cam system.

The Applicant has noted that this configuration results in a high axial movement of the dummy bottle, thus necessitating an increase in the distance between the gripper and the outlet opening and, therefore, the total axial dimensions. Furthermore, the solution is rather complicated from a mechanical point of view and involves a large number of components, thus decreasing the overall reliability of the system. Furthermore, in such a configuration, the axis of the stem oscillates or tilts, which results in tilting oscillatory movement of the entire actuator. This results in a substantial increase in overall dimensions, especially in relation to the large number of dummy bottle assemblies that may be present in filling machines of the known type. The Applicant has also noted that dummy bottle assemblies made in accordance with this configuration are particularly disadvantageous from a hygienic point of view, as they are not suitable for external flushing, unless a particularly bulky enclosure which is able to accommodate the tilting actuator is provided.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a dummy bottle assembly which is highly reliable and of low cost, and which makes it possible to overcome at least some of the above-described disadvantages associated with dummy bottle assemblies of the known type.

According to the invention, this object is accomplished through a dummy bottle assembly as claimed in claim 1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some preferred non-limiting embodiments are described below for a better understanding of the present invention, purely by way of example and with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figures 1 to 3 illustrate, in perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, part of a filling machine comprising a filling device and a dummy bottle assembly made according to the present invention, in three distinct and successive operating conditions;

- Figure 4 is a side view of the dummy bottle assembly in Figures 1-3 in partial cross-section, on an enlarged scale and with parts removed for clarity;

- Figures 5 to 7 illustrate part of a filling machine, in perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, comprising a filling device and a dummy bottle assembly made according to a further embodiment of the present invention, in three distinct and successive operating conditions; and

- Figure 8 is a perspective view of the dummy bottle assembly in Figures 5-7 in partial cross-section, on an enlarged scale and with parts removed for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the attached figures, a filling machine configured to fill containers (not illustrated) with a pourable product, preferably a foodstuff, is indicated overall by 1.

In particular, only part of machine 1 can be seen in the attached figures.

Containers may, for example, take the form of bottles or flasks made of plastic or glass, or cans made of metal

(aluminum).

Machine 1 comprises:

- a conveyor, preferably a carousel 2 (only partly illustrated) rotating about a (preferably vertical) central axis to advance the containers along a filling path;

- a tank (not illustrated) to contain the pourable product; and

- a plurality of filling valve devices 3 (only one of which is partly illustrated) peripherally carried in a known manner by carousel 2, each connected to the tank to receive the pourable product, and each configured to dispense a predetermined amount of pourable product into a respective container placed beneath it.

In particular, each filling device 3 may be selectively activated to control the outflow of pourable product into a respective container carried by carousel 2 and placed vertically below filling device 3 itself.

In more detail, each filling device 3 is of the known type and comprises a hollow tubular body 4 having a longitudinal axis A and defining within it an axial flow channel terminating at one of its (lower) ends with an axial outlet opening 5 (visible in Figure 4).

The flow channel is movably engaged by a shutter. In a manner known and not described in detail, the shutter may be moved between an open position and a closed position to selectively allow or prevent the pourable product from flowing out through outlet opening 5 and, thus, into the container.

Machine 1 also comprises a plurality of dummy bottle assemblies 6 used during a flushing operation in machine 1, as described in the introductory part of the present description.

For reasons of simplicity, reference will be made below to a single dummy bottle assembly 6 associated with a respective filling device 3. However, the structural and functional characteristics described for that dummy bottle assembly 6 apply equally to all dummy bottle assemblies 6 carried by carousel 2.

Figures 1 to 4 relate to a first possible embodiment of the assembly, indicated by 6. Figures 5 to 8 relate to a second possible embodiment of the assembly, indicated by 6'.

Assembly 6 or 6' comprises a dummy bottle 7 which is able to move between an operating position, to fluid- tightly close an outlet opening 5 of filling device 3, and a non-operating position, to leave outlet opening 5 unobstructed.

Assembly 6 or 6' comprises an actuator 8. Actuator 8 comprises a stem 10 which extends along a first axis Y and is operatively connected to dummy bottle 7. Stem 10 is able to move along first axis Y to control the movement of dummy bottle 7 between the operating position and the non-operating position.

Assembly 6 or 6' comprises a cylindrical transmission body 11 which has a second axis X which is parallel to a direction which is transverse to first axis Y. Body 11 is able to rotate about second axis X. Body 11 is mechanically located between stem 10 and dummy bottle 7, such that movement of stem 10 along first axis Y brings about said movement of dummy bottle 7, at least through movement of transmission body 11.

Stem 10 is located tangentially to an outer lateral surface 11a of transmission body 11, with respect to second axis X.

The dummy bottle assembly is therefore configured to operate dummy bottle 7 with a very compact design. This provides a dummy bottle assembly that requires less space.

Assembly 6 or 6' is configured so that stem 10 is positioned tangentially to outer lateral surface 11a of transmission body 11 throughout the entire movement of stem 10 along first axis Y.

First axis Y is fixed in relation to second axis X, so that said movement of stem 10 is purely translational. The movement of stem 10 can be divided into a first part and a second part. In the first embodiment, the first part occurs between the situation in Figure 1 and the situation in Figure 2. In the second embodiment, the first part occurs between the situation in Figure 5 and the situation in Figure 6. In the first embodiment, the second part occurs between the situation in Figure 2 and the situation in Figure 3. In the second embodiment, the second part occurs between the situation in Figure 6 and the situation in Figure 7. The situation in Figure 3 corresponds to the situation in Figure 4. The situation in Figure 7 corresponds to the situation in Figure 8. In Figure 1 and Figure 5, dummy bottle 7 adopts the non- operating position. In Figure 3 and Figure 7, dummy bottle 7 adopts the operating position. In Figure 2 and Figure 6, the dummy bottle adopts an intermediate position, which occurs between the non-operating position and the operating position.

Actuator 8 may comprise a motor of any nature to generate the movement of stem 10. Such a motor may, for example, be electric, electromagnetic, magnetic, hydraulic, or pneumatic in nature.

The first part occurs before the second part if the movement of dummy bottle 7 is from the non-operating position to the operating position. The second part occurs before the first part if the movement of dummy bottle 7 is from the operating position to the non-operating position.

The movement of dummy bottle 7 between the non- operating position and the operating position can be divided into a first section and a second section. In the first embodiment, the first section occurs between the situation in Figure 1 and the situation in Figure 2. In the second embodiment, the first section occurs between the situation in Figure 5 and the situation in Figure 6. In the first embodiment, the second section occurs between the situation in Figure 2 and the situation in Figure 3. In the second embodiment, the second section occurs between the situation in Figure 6 and the situation in Figure 7.

The first section occurs before the second section if the movement of dummy bottle 7 is from the non- operating position to the operating position. The second section occurs before the first section if the movement of dummy bottle 7 is from the operating position to the non-operating position.

Transmission body 11 is coupled to stem 10 in such a manner that the first part of said movement of stem 10 brings about a first portion of said movement of transmission body 11. This first portion comprises a rotational component about second axis X.

Transmission body 11 is coupled to stem 10 in such a manner that the second part of the movement of stem 10 brings about a second portion of the movement of transmission body 11. This second portion comprises a rotational component about second axis X.

In the first embodiment, the first portion occurs between the situation in Figure 1 and the situation in Figure 2. In the second embodiment, the first portion occurs between the situation in Figure 5 and the situation in Figure 6. In the first embodiment, the second portion occurs between the situation in Figure 2 and the situation in Figure 3. In the second embodiment, the second portion occurs between the situation in Figure 6 and the situation in Figure 7.

The first portion occurs before the second portion if the movement of dummy bottle 7 is from the non- operating position to the operating position. The second portion occurs before the first portion if the movement of dummy bottle 7 is from the operating position to the non-operating position.

Transmission body 11 is coupled to dummy bottle 7 in such a manner that the first portion of the movement of transmission body 11 brings about the first section of the movement of dummy bottle 7. The first section comprises a rotational component about second axis X.

Transmission body 11 is coupled to dummy bottle 7 in such a manner that the second portion of the movement of transmission body 11 brings about the second section of the movement of dummy bottle 7. This second section comprises a translational component along second axis X.

Assembly 6 or 6' comprises a guide system 12 to guide said movement of dummy bottle 7. Guide system 12 is configured to define said first part, first section, second part and second section.

Thus, thanks to the coupling between the stem and body 11, the coupling between body 11 and dummy bottle 7, and thanks to guide system 12, a movement of the dummy bottle can be set up which allows it to adopt an axial dimension very close to the axial dimension of outlet opening 5 in the non-operating position and along a direction parallel to second axis X. In this way, the gripper supporting the container during production can also be closer to the outlet opening, as movement of the dummy bottle can be set more flexibly to avoid mechanical interference with the gripper.

Guide system 12 comprises a control arm 16. Control arm 16 is coaxial with second axis X and is able to rotate about second axis X. Dummy bottle 7 is integral with control arm 16. Control arm 16 carries dummy bottle 7. Dummy bottle 7 is fixed with respect to control arm 16. Stem 10 is coupled to control arm 16 via transmission body 11 to drive control arm 16, and thus generate movement of dummy bottle 7.

Guide system 12 comprises a support sleeve 17. Support sleeve 17 coaxially receives control arm 16. Control arm 16 engages sleeve 17 in an axially movable way.

Guide system 12 comprises a slot 14 or 14', which is formed in one of sleeve 17 and control arm 16.

Guide system 12 comprises a pin 13 carried by the other of control arm 16 and sleeve 17. Pin 13 slidingly engages slot 14 or 14' so that said movement of stem 10 causes pin 13 to slide along the slot itself by actuating control arm 16.

Slot 14 or 14' comprises a first sector 141 or 141', and a second sector 142 or 142'. Pin 13 is able to slide along first sector 141 or 141' to guide the first section of the movement of dummy bottle 7. Pin 13 is able to slide along second sector 142 or 142' to guide the second section of the movement of dummy bottle 7.

In this way, the guide system can be constructed in such a manner that the movement of the dummy bottle can be finely adjusted. Thus a very flexible and easy-to- produce dummy bottle assembly is made available. First sector 141 or 141' of slot 14 or 14' is configured so that by sliding pin 13 along it the first part of the movement of stem 10 brings about the rotational component of said first section of the movement of dummy bottle 7.

Second sector 142 or 142' of slot 14 or 14' is configured so that by sliding pin 13 along it the second part of the movement of stem 10 brings about the translational component of the second section of the movement of dummy bottle 7.

First sector 141 or 141' extends in a plane parallel to first axis Y to bring about sliding of pin 13 in said plane and to prevent translational movement of control arm 16 along second axis X in such a manner that said first portion has only said rotational component and said first section has only said rotational component. In this way, it is possible to obtain a path for the translational component of the movement of the dummy bottle such that the dummy bottle can adopt an axial height closer to the height of outlet opening 5 in the non-operating position.

In first embodiment 6, transmission body 11 mechanically couples stem 10 to dummy bottle 7 in such a manner that the second portion of movement also comprises a translational component along second axis X.

In first embodiment 6, transmission body 11 mechanically couples stem 10 to dummy bottle 7 in such a manner that the second section also comprises a rotational component about second axis X.

In first embodiment 6, transmission body 11 mechanically couples stem 10 to dummy bottle 7 in such a manner that the translational component of the second portion corresponds to the translational component of the second section.

In first embodiment 6, transmission body 11 mechanically couples stem 10 to dummy bottle 7 in such a manner that the rotational component of the second portion corresponds to the rotational component of the second section.

In first embodiment 6, transmission body 11 is integral with control arm 16 and is free to move in translation relative to stem 10 along second axis X.

In first embodiment 6, second sector 142 extends in an inclined plane with respect to first axis Y and second axis X in order to impart a rotational and translational movement to control arm 16 and transmission body 11, with respect to second axis X, in such a manner that said second section comprises said rotational component and translational component.

In second embodiment 6', transmission body 11 mechanically couples stem 10 to dummy bottle 7 in such a manner that said rotational component of the second portion brings about the translation component of the second section. This reduces the amplitude of the translational component of the movement of body 11, or eliminates said translational component, so as to reduce wear.

Second sector 142' extends in a plane parallel to second axis X in order to cause pin 13 to slide in said plane and to prevent control arm 16 from rotating about second axis X so that said second section has only said translational component. In this way, at least most or all of the amplitude of the translation component of the movement of the dummy bottle is obtained by means of the second part of the movement of the stem, so that in the non-operating position dummy bottle 7 can be positioned at an axial height very close to the axial height of outlet opening 5.

In second embodiment 6', control arm 16 comprises a first axial end portion 16a rigidly coupled to dummy bottle 7 and a second axial end portion 16b. Second end portion 16b forms a first cam profile 18, which is integral with control arm 16.

In second embodiment 6', transmission body 11 comprises a portion forming a second cam profile 19. Second cam profile 19 cooperates with first cam profile 18 to define a cam coupling 20 between control arm 16 and transmission body 1.

Cam coupling 20 is configured to transform the rotational component of said second portion into said translational component of the second section by means of a translational movement of control arm 16. The coupling allows wear to be reduced, allowing the amplitude of the translational component of the movement of body 11 to be reduced or eliminated, through a simple mechanical configuration.

In second embodiment 1', transmission body 11 and control arm 16 are coupled together solely by means of cam coupling 20.

Stem 10 comprises an outer toothed portion 10a. The outer lateral surface 11a of transmission body 11 is provided with teeth meshing with said outer toothed portion 10a, so as to form a rack and pinion coupling in which the pinion is formed by transmission body 11 and the rack is formed by stem 10.

The translational component of the movement of dummy bottle 7 defines an axial path for dummy bottle 7. The teeth on transmission body 11 extend axially at least as far as the axial path of dummy bottle 7. This makes it possible to use the rack and pinion coupling, which allows production costs to be reduced. The coupling between body 11 and stem 10 may however be of another type or nature, for example magnetic and/or electromagnetic.

At least stem 10 and transmission body 11 are housed or encapsulated in an enclosure 15. In this way, a flushing operation can be carried out more easily, without damaging components that could be damaged by flushing substances. In particular, the compactness of assembly 6 or 6' makes it possible to have such an enclosure 15 protecting at least stem 10 and body 11.

With dummy bottle assembly 6 or 6', longer service life, increased compactness and increased flexibility are therefore achieved.

Claims

1.- A dummy bottle assembly (6; 6') for a filling device (3) of a filling machine (1) configured to fill containers with a pourable product, the assembly (6; 6') comprising:

- a dummy bottle (7) able to move between an operating position to fluid-tightly close an outlet opening (5) of the filling device (3), and a non-operating position to leave the outlet opening (5) unobstructed;

- an actuator (8) comprising a stem (10) that extends along a first axis (Y) and is operatively connected to the dummy bottle (7), the stem (10) being able to move along the first axis (Y) to control the movement of the dummy bottle (7) between the operating position and non- operating position; and

- a cylindrical transmission body (11) which has a second axis (X) parallel to a direction transverse to the first axis (Y), said body (11) being able to rotate about the second axis (X), and mechanically located between the stem (10) and the dummy bottle (7) in such a manner that movement of the stem (10) along the first axis (Y) brings about said movement of the dummy bottle (7) at least by movement of the transmission body (11); wherein the stem (10) is located tangentially to an outer lateral surface (11a) of the transmission body (11).

2.- The assembly (6; 6') as claimed in claim 1, configured so that the stem (10) is located tangentially to the outer lateral surface (11a) of the transmission body (11) throughout the entirety of said movement of the stem (10) along the first axis (Y).

3.- The assembly (6; 6') as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first axis (Y) is fixed in relation to the second axis (X), so that said movement of the stem (10) is purely translational.

4. The assembly (6; 6') as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said movement of the stem (10) can be divided into a first part and a second part, wherein the movement of the dummy bottle (7) can be divided into a first section and a second section; wherein the transmission body (11) is coupled to the stem (10) in such a manner that:

- the first part of said movement of the stem (10) brings about a first portion of said movement of the transmission body (11), said first portion comprising a rotational component about the second axis (X); and

- the second part of said movement of the stem (10) brings about a second portion of said movement of the transmission body (11), said second portion comprising a rotational component about the second axis (X); wherein the transmission body (11) is coupled to the dummy bottle (7) in such a manner that:

- the first portion of said movement of the transmission body (11) brings about said first section of the movement of the dummy bottle (7), said first section comprising a rotational component about the second axis (X); and

- the second portion of said movement of the transmission body (11) brings about said second section of the movement of the dummy bottle (7), said second section comprising a translational component along the second axis (X); and wherein the assembly (6; 6') comprises a guide system (12) to guide said movement of the dummy bottle (7), the guide system (12) being configured so that said first section comprises said rotational component and said second section comprises said translational component.

5.- The assembly (6; 6') as claimed in claim 4, wherein the guide system (12) includes:

- a control arm (16) coaxial with the second axis (X), rotating about the second axis (X) and carrying the dummy bottle (7), the stem (10) being coupled to the control arm (16) via the transmission body (11) to drive the control arm (16) and thus generate movement of the dummy bottle (7), the dummy bottle (7) being integral with the control arm (16);

- a support sleeve (17) coaxially receiving the control arm (16), the control arm (16) engaging the sleeve (17) in an axially movable manner;

- a slot (14; 14') in one of the sleeve (17) and the control arm (16); and

- a pin (13) carried by the other of the control arm (16) and the sleeve (17) and engaging the slot (14; 14') in a sliding manner so that said movement of the stem (10) causes the pin (13) to slide along the slot itself by actuation of the control arm (16); wherein the slot (14; 14') comprises a first sector (141; 141') and a second sector (142; 142'), the pin (13) being able to slide along the first sector (141; 141') to guide said first section of the movement of the dummy bottle (7), the pin (13) being able to slide along the second sector (142; 142') to guide said second section of the movement of the dummy bottle (7).

6.- The assembly (6; 6') as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first sector (141; 141') of the slot (14; 14') is configured so that, by sliding of the pin (13) along said slot, said first part of the movement of the stem (10) brings about said rotational component of said first section of the movement of the dummy bottle (7); and wherein the second sector (142; 142') of the slot (14; 14') is configured so that, by sliding of the pin (13) along said slot, said second part of the movement of the stem (10) brings about said translational component of said second section of the movement of the dummy bottle (7).

7. The assembly (6; 6') as claimed in claim 6, wherein said first sector (141; 141') extends in a plane parallel to the first axis (Y) to cause the pin (13) to slide in said plane and prevent the control arm (16) from moving translationally along the second axis (X) so that said first portion has only said rotational component and said first section has only said rotational component.

8.- The assembly (6) as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the transmission body (11) mechanically couples the stem (10) to the dummy bottle (7) in such a manner that:

- said second portion of movement also comprises a translational component along the second axis (X);

- said second section also comprises a rotational component about the second axis (X);

- said translational component of the second portion corresponds to the translational component of the second section;

- said rotational component of the second portion corresponds to the rotational component of the second section; the guide system (12) being configured so that said second section comprises said rotational component.

9. The assembly (6) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the transmission body (11) is integral with the control arm (16) and is free to move translationally relative to the stem (10) along the second axis (X); and wherein said second sector (142) extends in an inclined plane with respect to the first axis (Y) and the second axis (X) in order to impart a rotational and translational movement to the control arm (16) and the transmission body (11), with respect to the second axis (X), in such a manner that said second section comprises said rotational component and translational component.

10.- The assembly (6') as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the transmission body (11) mechanically couples the stem (10) to the dummy bottle (7) in such a manner that said rotational component of the second portion brings about the translational component of the second section.

11.- The assembly (6') as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second sector (142') extends in a plane parallel to the second axis (X) in order to cause the pin (13) to slide in said plane and prevent rotation of the control arm (16) about the second axis (X), so that said second section has only said translational component.

12. The assembly (6') as claimed in claim 10 or 11, in which:

- the control arm (16) comprises a first axial end portion (16a) rigidly coupled to the dummy bottle (7) and a second axial end portion (16b) forming a first cam profile (18) integral with the control arm (16);

- the transmission body (11) comprises a portion forming a second cam profile (19) which cooperates with the first cam profile (18) to form a cam coupling (20) between the control arm (16) and the transmission body (11); wherein said cam coupling (20) is configured to transform said rotational component of said second portion into said translational component of the second section by means of a translational movement of the control arm (16).

13.- The assembly (6') as claimed in claim 12, wherein the transmission body (11) and the control arm (16) are coupled together solely by means of the cam coupling (20).

14.- The assembly (6; 6') as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stem (10) comprises an outer toothed portion (10a) and in which the outer lateral surface (11a) of the transmission body (11) is provided with teeth meshing with said outer toothed portion (10a) so as to form a rack and pinion coupling in which the pinion is formed by the transmission body (11) and the rack is formed by the stem (10) or vice versa.

15.- The assembly (6; 6') as claimed in claims 4 and 14, wherein the translational component of said second section defines an axial path for the dummy bottle (7), and wherein said teeth of the transmission body (11) extend axially at least as far as the axial path of the dummy bottle (7).

16.- The assembly (6; 6') as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which at least the stem (10) and the transmission body (11) are housed or encapsulated in an enclosure (15).

17.- A filling machine (1) configured to fill containers with a pourable product, the machine comprising:

- a conveyor (2) to advance the containers to be filled;

- a plurality of filling devices (3) configured to dispense the pourable product into respective containers through at least one outlet opening (5); and

- a plurality of dummy bottle assemblies (6; 6') as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, each associated with a respective filling device (3), wherein the dummy bottle (7) of each assembly (6;

6') is configured to fluid-tightly close the outlet opening (5) of the associated filling device (3).