EP4650282A2

EP4650282A2 - Nozzle for a fill pipe used in packaging machines in which containers are filled with liquid food product and a fill system comprising such nozzle

Info

Publication number: EP4650282A2
Application number: EP25170869.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rui Manuel Carmo; Tom Lennertsson
Original assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Current assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Priority date: 2024-05-03
Filing date: 2025-04-16
Publication date: 2025-11-19
Also published as: WO2025228693A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a nozzle (200) for a fill pipe used in fill system of a packaging machines in which containers are filled with liquid food product. The nozzle comprising: a flexible mouthpiece (210) comprising a flexible collar (212) for connecting the flexible mouthpiece to an outlet end of the fill pipe and a plurality of flaps (214) made from a flexible material and extending from the flexible collar, the plurality of flaps being biased to a closed state, the flexible mouthpiece sealing the outlet end of the fill pipe when in the closed state, the plurality of flaps being disposed to be moved from the closed state to an open state by liquid food product flowing through the flexible mouthpiece; and a mesh filter (220) configured to filter liquid food product flowing through the flexible mouthpiece. The mesh filter comprising a bulge (224) protruding into an interior space of the flexible mouthpiece, wherein the bulge comprises a plurality of through holes constituting the mesh filter. Also a fill system comprising the nozzle is presented.

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of packaging technology. More particularly, it is related to a nozzle for a fill pipe of a fill system used in packaging machines in which containers are filled with liquid food product and a fill system comprising such nozzle.

Background of the invention

The speed of filling containers with liquid food product may affect many parameters. For example, faster filling speeds allow manufacturers to produce more units of their product in a shorter amount of time. This increases production efficiency and throughput, ultimately reducing manufacturing costs per unit. Moreover, faster packaging machines often have quicker changeover times between different products or packaging formats. This means less downtime for reconfiguration and setup, maximizing the utilization of the production line.
For different reasons filtering of the liquid food product in connection with filling is required. Such reasons may be, quality assurance, product integrity, and legal compliance. Filtering removes impurities, particles, and contaminants from the liquid, ensuring a higher quality final product. This is especially important for food safety and meeting regulatory standards. Filtering may help maintain the integrity of the liquid food product by removing any solids or foreign materials that could affect its taste, texture, or appearance. It ensures consistency in the product's characteristics from batch to batch. Further, many food safety regulations require manufacturers to implement measures to ensure the safety and quality of their products. Filtering liquid food products before packaging is often a necessary step to comply with these regulations and avoid legal issues.
However, keeping up a high filling speed and at the same time filtering the liquid food product in connection with the filling is challenging. This since introducing a filter to a fill system affect the flow in the fill system. Further, the liquid food product itself may be affected by introduction of such filter. Especially a liquid food product comprising both fat and protein, such as milk.

Summary of the invention

The herein disclosed technology seeks to at least partly mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-mentioned deficiencies and disadvantages in the prior art. In particular, it is an object to provide a nozzle for a fill pipe of a filling system used in a packaging machines in which containers are filled with liquid food product, which nozzle allow for high filling speed of the containers and at the same time filters the liquid food product in connection with the filling.
The inventors of the present inventive concept have realized a new and improved way of filtering the liquid food product in connection with the filling which also allow high speed filling of the containers.
Various aspects and embodiments of the disclosed invention are defined below and in the accompanying independent and dependent claims.
According to a first aspect, there is provided a nozzle for a fill pipe used in fill system of a packaging machines in which containers are filled with liquid food product. The containers to be filled typically have an open top. The fill system is typically arranged to fill each container with a pre-determined quantity of liquid food product. The nozzle comprises a flexible mouthpiece and a mesh filter. The flexible mouthpiece comprises a flexible collar and a plurality of flaps made from a flexible material. The plurality of flaps are extending from the flexible collar. The plurality of flaps are biased to a closed state. The flexible mouthpiece sealing the outlet end of the fill pipe when the plurality of flaps is in the closed state. The plurality of flaps are disposed to be moved from the closed state to an open state by liquid food product flowing through the flexible mouthpiece. The mesh filter is configured to filter liquid food product flowing through the flexible mouthpiece. The mesh filter comprises a bulge protruding into an interior space of the flexible mouthpiece. The bulge comprises a plurality of through holes.
The herein disclosed nozzle allow for a speedy filling of liquid food product through the nozzle, but at the same time allowing filtering of the liquid food product during the filling process. The filtering allow for safeguarding that no foreign objects is filled into the container together with the liquid food product. Since the mesh filter comprises a bulge protruding into an interior space of the flexible mouthpiece an open area, i.e. a sum of all the hole areas of the plurality of through holes, of the mesh filter may be increased as compared to a planar mesh filter. Especially, the open area of the mesh filer may be made as large or larger than the cross sectional area of the fill pipe by using a mesh filer having the bulge protruding into the interior space of the flexible mouthpiece. Providing such large open area of the mesh filter allow for the flow speed through the mesh filter to be as high the flow speed allowed by the fill pipe. Hence, the producing speed in the filling will not be limited by the mesh filter. Further, the flexible mouthpiece reduces dropping of residue of liquid food product onto the filled containers.
The plurality of through holes may have a diameter in a range of 0.8 - 1.2 mm.
The bulge may have a conical shape.
The bulge may have a spherical shape.
A combined surface area of the plurality of through holes may be in a range of 30% to 50% of a total surface area of the bulge.
The mesh filter may be made from a non-flexible material.
The mesh filter may comprise a filter collar. The flexible collar may be removably connected to the filter collar. The filter collar may comprise a bayonet fitting for removably connecting the nozzle to the fill pipe. This allow for easy removal for cleaning.
The filter collar and the flexible collar may comprises a respective alignment mark. This may safeguard so that the flexible mouthpiece is aligned with the container to be filled. According to one example four such alignment marls may be arranged on each of the filter collar and the flexible collar, this due to the symmetry of the flexible mouthpiece.
A diameter of the plurality of the through holes may vary such that through holes located relatively closer to the flexible mouthpiece upon the flexible mouthpiece being in the closed state have a relatively larger diameter than through holes located relatively further away from the flexible mouthpiece upon the flexible mouthpiece being in the closed state. This facilitate opening of the flexible mouthpiece due to that the flow of liquid food product is higher through the relatively larger through holes.
The liquid food product may be milk, such as cow's milk, goat's milk, or sheep's milk, or plant-based alternatives like almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, rice milk, hemp milk and coconut milk.
According to a second aspect a fill system for a packaging machine for filling containers with a liquid food product is provided. The containers typically having a cross-section defined by a plurality of sidewalls, an interior bottom engaging the sidewalls, and an open top. The fill system comprising: a fill pump for pumping a liquid food product; a fill pipe comprising an elongate body having an interior passageway, an inlet end for flow communication of the liquid food product under pressure between the fill pump and the interior passageway, and an outlet end in flow communication with the interior passageway, the outlet end dispensing the liquid food product from the fill pipe into the container; and a nozzle according to the first aspect. The fill pump is configured to pump the liquid food product through the fill pipe under pressure to thereby urge the flaps of the nozzle from the closed state to the open state.
The outlet end of the fill pipe may have a circular or elliptical cross section. The mesh filter of the nozzle may comprises a filter collar having a bayonet fitting for removably connecting the nozzle to outlet end of the fill pipe. The form factor of the outlet end of the fill pipe is selected based on if the container has a rectangular or quadratic cross section. A fill pipe being circular or elliptical is easier to insert into the container to be filled. Further, it is easier to connect the mesh filter and the flexible mouthpiece to something having a circular or elliptical shape.
The fill system may further comprise one or more actuators for relatively moving a container to be filled and the nozzle toward one another to a first position in which the nozzle is disposed in the interior bottom of the container to be filled and a second position in which the nozzle is disposed distal from the interior bottom of the container. The fill pump may be configured to start pumping the liquid food product through the fill pipe under pressure when the container and nozzle are disposed in their relative first position. The one or more actuators is configured to relatively move the container to be filled and the nozzle from the first position towards the second position during filling of the container.
The flaps of the flexible mouthpiece may be dimensioned to conform and seal with the sidewalls of the container to be filled when the flaps are urged to the open state.
The fill system may be configured to fill at least 6500 containers per hours.
Moreover, the above mentioned features of the first aspect, when applicable, apply to this second aspect as well. In order to avoid undue repetition, reference is made to the above.
A further scope of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given below. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred variants of the present inventive concept, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the inventive concept will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Brief description of the drawings

The above and other aspects of the present inventive concept will now be described in more detail, with reference to appended drawings showing variants of the present inventive concept. The figures should not be considered limiting the invention to the specific variant; instead, they are used for explaining and understanding the inventive concept.
As illustrated in the figures, the sizes of layers and regions are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and, thus, are provided to illustrate the general structures of variants of the present inventive concept. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a fill system for a packaging machine for filling containers with a liquid food product.
Fig 2 illustrates an exploded view of a nozzle to be connected to a fill pipe of the fill system of Fig. 1, the nozzle comprises a mesh filter and a flexible mouthpiece.
Fig. 3 illustrates the nozzle of Fig. 2 in as assembled state, in which the flexible mouthpiece is connected to the mesh filter.

Detailed description

The present inventive concept will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred variants of the inventive concept are shown. This inventive concept may, however, be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the variants set forth herein; rather, these variants are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the present inventive concept to the skilled person.
It will also be appreciated that when the present disclosure is described in terms of a method, it may also be embodied in an apparatus or device comprising one or more processors, one or more memories coupled to the one or more processors, where computer code is loaded to implement the method. For example, the one or more memories may store one or more computer programs that perform the steps, services and functions disclosed herein when executed by the one or more processors.
It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, the articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a unit" or "the unit" may refer to more than one unit in some contexts, and the like. Furthermore, the words "comprising", "including", "containing" do not exclude other elements or steps. It should be emphasized that the term "comprises/comprising" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components. It does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof. The term "and/or" is to be interpreted as meaning "both" as well and each as an alternative. The term "obtaining" is herein to be interpreted broadly and encompasses receiving, retrieving, collecting, acquiring, and so forth.
Fig. 1 generally illustrates, by way of example, a fill system 100 for a packaging machine for filling containers 20 with a liquid food product. A specific packaging machine may comprise one or more fill systems 100. Below one such fill system 100 will be discussed. The liquid food product is typically milk, such as cow's milk, goat's milk, or sheep's milk, or plant-based alternatives like almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, rice milk, hemp milk and coconut milk. Each fill system 100 of the packaging machine is configured to fill at least 6500 containers 20 per hours. The containers 20 to be filled typically has a cross-section defined by a plurality of sidewalls, an interior bottom engaging the sidewalls, and an open top. The fill system 100 comprises a conveyor 110 configured to transport containers 20 to be filled with a liquid food product to present the containers 20 to be filled successively below a fill pipe 144 of the fill system 100. After having been filled, the containers 20 are typically transported away from the fill pipe 144 by the conveyor 110. It is however, readily understood that one conveyer may be configured to transport the unfilled containers 20 to the fill pipe 144 and another conveyer may be configured to transport the filled containers 20 from the fill pipe 144.
The fill system 100 further typically comprises a storage or balance tank 130 configured to contain the liquid food product. A flow control system 140 is arranged to transport the liquid food product from the storage or balance tank 130 into the containers 20 to be filled. The flow control system 140, generally stated, comprises, a fill pump 142, the fill pipe 144, and a nozzle 200. The fill pipe 144 comprises an elongate body having an interior passageway for transporting the liquid food product, typically under pressure. The fill pipe 144 is at an inlet end 145 thereof connected to the storage or balance tank 130. An outlet end 146 of the fill pipe 144 is configured to dispense the liquid food product from the fill pipe into a container 20 to be filled. The fill pump 142 is configured to pump the liquid food product. Especially the fill pump 142 is configured to pump the liquid food product from the storage or balance tank 130 via the fill pipe 144 to the outlet end thereof such that liquid food product may be filled into a container 20 located in register with the outlet end of the fill pipe 144. The outlet end of the fill pipe 144 typically has a circular or elliptical cross section. An outlet end of the fill pipe 144 being circular or elliptical is easier to insert into the container to be filled. Further, the form factor of the outlet end of the fill pipe 144 is selected based on if the containers 20 has a rectangular or quadratic cross section.
In connection with Figs 2 and 3, the nozzle 200 will be discussed in more detail. The nozzle 200 comprises a flexible mouthpiece 210 and a mesh filter 220. The mesh filter 220 is configured to filter liquid food product flowing through the flexible mouthpiece 210. The flexible mouthpiece 210 comprises a flexible collar 212 and a plurality of flaps 214 made from a flexible material and extending from the flexible collar 212. The flexible mouthpiece may be made from silicone. The plurality of flaps 214 being biased to a closed state. The flexible mouthpiece 210 sealing the outlet end of the fill pipe 144 when in the closed state. The plurality of flaps 214 being disposed to be moved from the closed state to an open state by liquid food product flowing through the flexible mouthpiece 210. Moreover, the plurality of flaps 214 of the flexible mouthpiece 210 are dimensioned to conform and seal with the sidewalls of the container 20 to be filled when the flaps are urged to the open state. The flexible mouthpiece 210 will be discussed in more detail below in connection with the actual filling of a container 20 is disclosed.
The mesh filter 220 comprises a filter collar 222 having a bayonet fitting 221 for removably connecting the nozzle 200 to outlet end of the fill pipe 144. The flexible collar 212 of the flexible mouthpiece 210 is removably connectable to the filter collar 222. Typically this is achieved by stretching the flexible collar 212 over a portion 223 of the filter collar 222. This allow for a sealing to be formed between the flexible collar 212 and the filter collar 222. The filter collar 222 and the flexible collar 212 typically comprises one or more respective alignment marks 225, 215. This safeguards so that the flexible mouthpiece 210 is aligned with the container 20 to be filled.
The mesh filter 220 is typically made from a non-flexible material. Preferably, the mesh filter 220 is made from stainless steel, however, food grade plastics may also be used. The mesh 220 filter comprises a bulge 224 protruding into an interior space of the flexible mouthpiece 210. The bulge 224 comprises a plurality of through holes. The plurality of through holes typically has a diameter in a range of 0.8 - 1.2 mm. The bulge 224 may have a conical shape. The bulge 224 may have a spherical shape. Using a bulge 224 having a conical shape maximizes the number of holes in the mesh filter 220. Further, a conical shape of the bulge 224 provide that all (or substantially all) the through holes exhibit an opening angle in relation to a flow direction through the mesh filter that is less than 90°. This allow for enhanced flow through the through holes. The tip portion of a conical shaped bulge 224 may be spherical. This allow for arranging through holes on the tip portion of such a bulge 224. A combined surface area of the plurality of through holes may be in a range of 30% to 50% of a total surface area of the bulge 224.
Returning to Fig. 1, the fill system 100 may further comprise one or more actuators 160 for relatively moving a container 20 to be filled and the outlet end of the fill pipe 144 with the nozzle 200 arranged thereto toward one another. The relative movement may be performed between a first position in which the nozzle 200 is disposed in the interior bottom of the container 20 to be filled and a second position in which the nozzle 200 is disposed distal from the interior bottom of the container 20. In the second position the nozzle 200 is located outside the container 20. Upon filling a container 20 the nozzle 200 and the container 20 to be filled is in the second relative position. They are them moved relatively towards each other to the first position. During the relative movement only one of the nozzle 200 and the container 20 may be moved by the one or more actuators 160. Alternatively, during the relative movement both the nozzle 200 and the container 20 may be moved by the one or more actuators 160. The fill pump 142 is configured to start pumping the liquid food product through the fill pipe 144 under pressure when the container 20 and nozzle 200 are disposed in their relative first position. Thereafter, the one or more actuators 160 is configured to relatively move the container 20 to be filled and the nozzle 200 from the first position towards the second position during filling of the container 20. Preferably, the nozzle 200 is maintained above the surface level of the liquid food product throughout the filling process. Once the container 20 is filled the fill pump 142 is configured to stop pumping the liquid food product through the fill pipe 144. Thereafter the one or more actuators 160 is configured to relatively move the now filled container 20 and the nozzle 200 to the second position so that the nozzle 200 is outside the container and the container may be transported away for sealing of the same.
As discussed above, the flexible mouthpiece 210 of the nozzle 200 includes a plurality of flaps 214 which are made of a flexible material, such as FDA approved silicone. The flaps 214 are flexible between an open state in which the liquid food product is allowed to flow through the flexible mouthpiece 210 and a closed state in which the flexible mouthpiece 210 seals the outlet end of the fill pipe 144. The flaps 214 are biased to the closed state by virtue of their inherent resiliency. Movement of the flaps 214 to their open state may ensue by virtue of the pressure of the liquid food product against the inherent resiliency.
During the filling process, the bottom portion 160 of the container 20 to be filled and the nozzle 200 are brought proximate to one another while the flexible mouthpiece 210 is in the closed state. The flaps 214 are then urged to the open state by the pressure of the liquid food product against the flaps 214 as produced by the fill pump 212. As mentioned above, the flaps 214 of the flexible mouthpiece 210 are dimensioned to conform and seal with the sidewalls of the container 20 to be filled when the flaps are urged to the open state. Such seal with the sidewalls is sufficient to inhibit mixing between the liquid food product and ambient gas, such as air, during subsequent filling. As liquid food product is dispensed into the container 20, the nozzle 200 and container 20 are moved relative to one another to thereby begin extracting the nozzle 200 from engagement with the interior of the container 20 during filling. During this extraction and filling process, the flaps 214 remain in their open state due to the pressure from the liquid food product as provided by the fill pump 142. The motion profile used to cause the disengagement is preferably controlled to maintain the lower end of the flexible mouthpiece 210 at a level slightly above the surface of the liquid food product in the container 20. Ultimately, the container 20 is filled with the desired volume of product and the flaps 214 go to their closed state. This since the fill pump 142 stop pumping liquid food product and the inherent resiliency of the flaps 214 urge the flaps 214 to the closed state.
By utilizing the inherent resiliency of the flaps 214 of the flexible mouthpiece 210 "high speed" filling is allowed. This since the inherent resiliency of the flaps 214 may set the flexible mouthpiece 210 very fast. The closing of the flaps 214 may also be enhanced by arranging the fill pump 142 to provide a backpressure that assists closing the flaps 214. Such provided backpressure may also enhance the retaining of the flaps 214 in their closed state. In the closed state of the flexible mouthpiece 210 the likelihood that a further amount of product will drip into or onto the container 20 is reduced. Using the above discussed fill system 100 allow for a full cycle of filling a container, i.e. starting with the container 20 and the nozzle 200 at their relative second position moving them relative to each other to their relative first position and then back to the relative second position, to typically take 0.3 to 0.5 seconds. During this time a container 20 may be filled with 1 liter of liquid food product.
The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to what is explicitly described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.
For example, a diameter of the plurality of the through holes may vary such that through holes located relatively closer to the flexible mouthpiece 210 upon the flexible mouthpiece 210 being in the closed state have a relatively larger diameter than through holes located relatively further away from the flexible mouthpiece 210 upon the flexible mouthpiece210 being in the closed state. Arranging the plurality of through holes in this manner facilitate opening of the flexible mouthpiece 210. This due to that the flow of liquid food product is higher through the relatively larger through holes.
Additionally, variations can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

Claims

A nozzle for a fill pipe used in fill system of a packaging machines in which containers are filled with liquid food product, the nozzle comprising:
a flexible mouthpiece comprising a flexible collar and a plurality of flaps made from a flexible material and extending from the flexible collar, the plurality of flaps being biased to a closed state, the flexible mouthpiece sealing the outlet end of the fill pipe when in the closed state, the plurality of flaps being disposed to be moved from the closed state to an open state by liquid food product flowing through the flexible mouthpiece; and

a mesh filter configured to filter liquid food product flowing through the flexible mouthpiece, the mesh filter comprising a bulge protruding into an interior space of the flexible mouthpiece, wherein the bulge comprises a plurality of through holes.
The nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of through holes have a diameter in a range of 0.8 - 1.2 mm.
The nozzle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bulge has a conical shape.
The nozzle according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the bulge has spherical shape.
The nozzle according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein a combined surface area of the plurality of through holes is in a range of 30% to 50% of a total surface area of the bulge.
The nozzle according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the mesh filter is made from a non-flexible material.
The nozzle according to claim 6, wherein the mesh filter comprises a filter collar, wherein the flexible collar is removably connected to the filter collar, and wherein the filter collar comprises a bayonet fitting for removably connecting the nozzle to the fill pipe.
The nozzle according to claim 7, wherein the filter collar and the flexible collar comprises a respective alignment mark.
The nozzle according to claim 8, wherein a diameter of the plurality of the through holes varies such that through holes located relatively closer to the flexible mouthpiece upon the flexible mouthpiece being in the closed state have a relatively larger diameter than through holes located relatively further away from the flexible mouthpiece upon the flexible mouthpiece being in the closed state.
The nozzle according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the liquid food product is milk.
A fill system for a packaging machine for filling containers having a cross-section defined by a plurality of sidewalls, an interior bottom engaging the sidewalls, and an open top with a liquid food product, the fill system comprising:
a fill pump for pumping a liquid food product;

a fill pipe comprising an elongate body having an interior passageway, an inlet end for flow communication of the liquid food product under pressure between the fill pump and the interior passageway, and an outlet end in flow communication with the interior passageway, the outlet end dispensing the liquid food product from the fill pipe into the container; and

a nozzle according to any one of claims 1-10,

wherein the fill pump is configured to pump the liquid food product through the fill pipe under pressure to thereby urge the flaps of the nozzle from the closed state to the open state.
The fill system according to claim 11, wherein the outlet end of the fill pipe has a circular or elliptical cross section, wherein the mesh filter of the nozzle comprises a filter collar having a bayonet fitting for removably connecting the nozzle to outlet end of the fill pipe.
The fill system according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising one or more actuators for relatively moving a container to be filled and the nozzle toward one another at a first position in which the nozzle is disposed in the interior bottom of the container to be filled and a second position in which the nozzle is disposed distal from the interior bottom of the container,
wherein the fill pump is configured to start pumping the liquid food product through the fill pipe under pressure when the container and nozzle are disposed in their relative first position, and

wherein the one or more actuators are configured to relatively move the container to be filled and the nozzle from the first position towards the second position during filling of the container.
The fill system according to any one of claims 11-13, wherein the flaps of the flexible mouthpiece are dimensioned to conform and seal with the sidewalls of the container to be filled when the flaps are urged to the open state.
The fill system according to any one of claims 11-14, configured to fill at least 6500 containers per hours.