ES2238921B1 - BOTTLE FILLING SYSTEM WITH ELECTRONIC REGULATION OF THE LIQUID LEVEL. - Google Patents

Abstract

Bottle filling system with electronic liquid level regulation. It is applicable for filling bottles from a tank (1). The system incorporates a probe for measuring the temperature of the filling liquid, sensors for the detection of the dimensions of the bottles (4) and an electronic control system that, based on the values obtained determines the appropriate height of the Cuba (1), acting for its regulation, on the corresponding engine. The system also includes an extra-long cannula (8), between 65 and 75 mm., The mobile tank with a vertical displacement whose stroke determines the amplitude of the regulation of the liquid level, a select one on which the bottles (4) are mounted. , whose compensation travel is greater than the amplitude of regulation of the liquid level and a sliding cam of the wheel of the seleta, of the same height as the length of the cannula tip.

Description

Bottle filling system with regulation liquid level electronics.

Object of the invention

The system for filling bottles subject to invention is applicable in filling machines of the type of which are composed of a tank that contains the liquid to fill and in whose bottom a series of pipes for filling are arranged automatic bottles mounted on select ones vertically movable for coupling and decoupling under the pipes.

The object of the invention is a filling system which allows electronic regulation of the final level of liquid in the bottle, depending on the temperature of the filling liquid and of the type and / or size of bottle used, by adjusting Various machine elements.

Background of the invention

Filling machines are used for filling bottles of various shapes and sizes, with all kinds of liquids, so it is usual that, in each case, the liquid filling up to a certain level in the neck of the bottle.

For example, when filled with liquids hot, must be filled to a higher level of the final level that is desired since when the liquid cools, the volume of the same and, consequently, lowers its level. On the contrary, if the liquid is cold it must be filled with a  lower level since its subsequent expansion will raise the Liquid level in the bottle.

These filling machines are composed usually by a container containing the liquid to be filled which is movable in height and at the bottom of which a series of pipes for the automatic filling of the bottles. The bottles they enter the filling machine mounted on select ones that move vertically following a cam profile that determines the position of the bottles in each of the filling phases. The  select have a stem that can retract, against the action of a spring, when the bottle is placed and allow a coupling, with sufficient force under the pipes of the Filling machine.

In Utility Model 9401678, belonging to the same applicant of the present invention, the operation of a pipe for filling machines of the type described Also, in Spanish Patent 200101460 a self-cleaning system of pipes of this type.

These types of pipes are composed fundamentally by a retractable membrane, joined by one of its ends at the bottom of the tank, while on the other is embedded in an internally movable ring to the spout that It ends in a discharge tube that rests on a central diffuser, closing the liquid outlet from the tank. During the filling of the bottles, the end of the discharge tube is inserted into the bottle neck, while this, driven by the select, contact with the retractable structure of the pipe, causing the ascent of the discharge tube and leaving free the passage of liquid to through the diffuser inside the bottle.

These types of pipes incorporate an inner tube or cannula that extends from the tank or tank, crossing the diffuser, to allow the evacuation of the air contained in the bottle during the operation of filling it.

Once the bottle is filled, a aspiration of air and liquid through the cannula to remove the leftover liquid and get a bottle filling until the desired level Obviously, the level of filling of the bottles corresponds to the position of the tip or lower end of the cannula, since the cannula aspirates all the liquid contained in the inside the bottle that is located above its hole lower.

Therefore, in order to vary the level of filling the bottles, the relative position of the cannula tip inside the bottle neck, currently using certain devices complexity.

In a system currently used, the level regulation is achieved by a pinion mounted on each spout and bushes with anti-rotation system, all of them moved by a large central pinion that produces the elevation or lowering of the pipe to obtain variations in the liquid level which can range between 0 and 15 mm. In addition, this central pinion It is not automated and is regulated manually.

It is also known to use cannulas of great path that vary your position to suck the liquid left over, with the drawback that they are very long cannulas that easily deform, the joints wear out losing tightness so that it can contaminate the product kept in the tank of the filler

The possibility of developing a system that allow to achieve a wide range of regulation of the final level of filling of the bottles constitutes the object of the invention that described below.

Description of the invention

The bottle filling system is based on the use of an electronic control system, a sensor that measures the temperature of the filling liquid and sensors that determine the type and / or size of the bottle, such that, in based on the parameters programmed in the control system for different bottles and liquids, a regulation value is obtained which determines the distance or separation that must exist between the gasket of the filling spout and the neck of the bottle, before coupling of this driven by the corresponding select, determining the position of the cannula tip inside the bottle and, consequently, the level of filling thereof.

In this way, the level of filling that is you get is different in each case and it depends on the type of bottle and of the temperature of the liquid used to fill it.

To allow the mentioned operation, the machine must also incorporate a series of modifications in its most important elements such as the cannula tip, the select ones or the sliding cam.

Specifically, the machine elements Filler that have been modified are the following:

-

The Cannula tip has a longer length, between 65 and 75 mm. (extra long cannula tip).

-

The liquid container tank is mobile, being able to move vertically a length that determines the amplitude of the regulation of the liquid level, that is, the difference between the minimum and maximum level of filling that can be obtained with the machine.

-

The select have a compensated course, whose career is greater than the amplitude of regulation of the liquid level.

-

The wheel slide cam the seleta has a tour similar in height to the length of the tip of the cannula.

Therefore, the filling procedure of bottles according to the system of the invention is based on the temperature capture of the filling liquid, through the corresponding temperature probe, and the size or type of the bottle used, from magnetic detectors of high precision, values that are sent to the electronic system of control that, based on the parameters programmed for the different bottles and liquids obtains a value that determines the position in height of the tank which, through a programmable automaton, activates the regulating motor of the tank causing it to rise or fall, with which the extra long cannula will be introduced more or less in the bottle, according to the level of filling programmed in the system control.

The tank can move an amplitude equivalent to the maximum regulation distance planned for the level of filling liquid, such that the lowest position of the tank corresponds to the minimum level of filling, while the highest position of the tank corresponds to the maximum level of fill.

Specifically, the minimum level of filling comes determined by the length of the extra long cannula tip, and coincides in dimension with the length of the cannula tip, put that the Cuba occupies its lowest position, while the level maximum and intermediate levels correspond to the length of the cannula tip minus the displacement made by the tank.

The machine also incorporates select compensated for longer travel that ensure the coupling of the bottle under the spout even in the highest position of the tank. He offset travel of the select must be slightly higher than the maximum regulation distance to allow decoupling of the pipe, prior to the aspiration leveling phase through the cannula

The system is complemented with a socket bottom of wide path that acts as a centering element and allows the introduction of bottles with different necks diameters This cap pushed by the device bowl cleaning acts on the retractable element of the pipe for produce its opening and the subsequent entry of liquid from cleaning.

With the system of the invention it is possible reach filling levels between 65 and 75 mm, from the edge of the bottle neck.

Description of the drawings

To complement the description that is being performing and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to an example preferred practical implementation of it, is accompanied as integral part of that description, a set of drawings where with an illustrative and non-limiting nature, what has been represented next:

Figure 1.- Shows a schematic view of the filling process corresponding to the maximum filling level.

Figure 2.- Shows a schematic view of the filling process corresponding to the minimum filling level.

Figure 3.- Shows a sectional view of the pipe which shows the extra long cannula and the wash bowl retractable

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

The process of filling bottles with regulation of the level of liquid described in this invention is of application to bottle filling machines of the type of which they have a tank (1) container of the liquid to be filled which is movable in height and in whose bottom (2) a series of pipes (3) for automatic filling of bottles (4) that are mounted on select (5) endowed with body (5.1) and stem (5.2), the which move vertically by the action of a cam (6), mounted on a rotating base, cam (6) that affects its rotation on a lower wheel (7) associated with the body (5.1) of the select (5) determining the vertical displacement of the bottle (4) to its coupling and decoupling under the pipes (3), according with the different phases of filling the machine.

The rod (5.2) of the selector (5) is mounted on a spring that allows its retraction or compensation when the bottle is placed on the select, for its attachment, under pressure, under the corresponding pipe.

It is also noteworthy that the pipe (3) incorporates a cannula (8) that sucks air and excess liquid of the bottle (4), once it has been filled, leaving it flush at a height corresponding to the position that occupies the lower end of the tip of the cannula (8) in the inside of the bottle neck.

With this type of machines, filling the Bottles are made according to a series of phases or cycle of operation, described in figures 1 and 2 and, in particular:

(I)

low position of the select (5), without bottle,

(II)

start of the filling phase, with bottle positioning, driven by the select under the spout correspondent. The bottle produces a retraction or compensation of the select

(III)

end of the ascent filling cycle from the body of the seleta (5) to the coupling of the bottle (4) under the pipe (3) and start of filling,

(IV)

descent of the select (5) until the bottle is disengaged from the spout, its closing occurs and the liquid leveling phase occurs by aspiration through of the cannula.

(V)

descent of the seleta to the lower position, with the bottle completely removed about the pipe.

Well, from this basic constitution The invention focuses on a filling system that, following the process phases mentioned above, allows to regulate the level of filling liquid in the bottles depending on the temperature of the filling liquid and the type and / or size of the bottle, by conjunction or combination of the following elements:

-

A electronic control system that, depending on the temperature of the liquid and size of the bottle, and based on the parameters programmed and stored for the different bottles and liquids, obtains a value that determines the height position of the tank respect the neck of the bo-tella.

-

A temperature sensor for liquid temperature collection filling.

-

One o several magnetic detectors for the capture of the height and dimensions of the bottles.

-

A programmable automaton that, from the values determined by The electronic control system acts on the motor Cuba regulation (3).

-

A extra long cannula tip (8), with a length between 65 and 75 mm., which allows to obtain a regulation of liquid with a minimum level from 65 to 75mm. from the edge of the bottle neck.

-

A select (5) compensated long haul, whose compensation is greater than the regulation distance between the level minimum and maximum level of regulation. The compensation of the select (5) has to be slightly greater than the distance of regulation, so that the bottle fits under the spout with sufficient force as to cause the opening of the same.

-

A movable tank (3) whose path determines the amplitude that the maximum regulation distance to be obtained, that is, the difference between the maximum level and the minimum level of liquid, in such a way that the highest position in the tank determines the highest level of liquid and the lowest position, the lowest level of liquid, achieving intermediate filling levels according to the position that occupy the tank (3).

-

A sliding cam (6) of the wheel (7) of the selector (5) with a path similar to the length of the cannula tip that allows its extraction from the neck of the bottle.

Therefore, the filling of bottles according to the system of the invention comprises temperature pickup of the filling liquid, through the corresponding probe, of the bottle size or type, from magnetic detectors high precision, so that with these values the system electronic control, by comparison with the values it has stored for different temperatures and bottles, determines the position to be occupied by the tank (1).

The value obtained by the control system is sent to a programmable automaton that acts on the motor of adjustment of the height of the tank (1) causing it to rise and go down to the determined distance that establishes a separation concrete between the spout (3) and the bottle neck (4), separation that causes the extra long cannula (8) to enter  greater or lesser extent in the bottle.

A case is represented in Figures 1 and 2 Concrete regulating the level of filling of bottles, according with the system of the invention, in which they are represented, respectively, the positions of minimum filling level and maximum level of filling of the bottles.

Figure 1 shows the tank in its lowest position, using a 70 mm cannula tip, a cam movement wheel of the select also 70 mm. Y select ones with a offset travel of 70 mm. The profile of Cam during the filling phase has a height of 120 mm.

With these parameters, in phase 3 filling corresponding to the coupling of the bottle under the spout for filled, the select has been retracted or offset a length of 40 mm

In phase 4 corresponding to the leveling of the liquid level, the select is on the cam profile of height 70 mm., a 50 mm travel descent has occurred. which causes the separation of the bottle, with respect to the spout, a dimension corresponding to 10 mm. which causes its closure and allows the aspiration of the excess liquid with the pipe closed. The cannula tip is fully inserted into the bottle neck, setting the minimum level of liquid corresponding to 70 mm. from the edge of the neck of the bottle.

In the final phase 1, the select has already left the cam profile being at its lowest point that allows the complete extraction of the cannula tip with respect to the bottle.

Figure 2 shows, for a machine with the same parameters as in figure 1, the maximum position liquid level in which the cuba has ascended its entire route, set in this case at 30 mm.

In this case, in phase 3 corresponding to the bottle coupling under the spout, the select has withdrawn a length of 10 mm.

In phase 4 corresponding to the leveling of the liquid level, the bottle is decoupled from the spout and cannula tip inserted into the bottle neck a length equivalent to that of the cannula tip minus the displacement of the tank, leaving the tip of the cannula, for the Case represented, entered 40 mm. on the bottle neck, setting in that magnitude the level of liquid filling.

In intermediate positions, not represented, the compensation of the soletas would correspond to 40 mm. minus the displacement of the tank and the introduction of the cannula tip, during the leveling phase, and therefore, the liquid level is set as the length of the cannula tip (70 mm.) less the displacement of the tank.

The system also incorporates a bushing (9), which is available at the bottom of the pipe, with the possibility of sliding internally to the spout and extending beyond the lower end of the cannula tip (8), socket (9) than at being pushed by a bowl (10) of the cleaning system ascends until pushing against the retractable element of the pipe causing the opening of the latter and the passage of the cleaning liquid.

In addition, the bushing (9) has a large inner diameter at its lower end to allow introduction of bottles with a large diameter neck, as well as interior ramp walls that produce a reduction in diameter of the bushing acting as a centering element for the bottles

Claims (7)

1. Bottle filling system with electronic regulation of the liquid level, for application to bottle filling machines of the type that have a tank (1) containing the liquid to be filled, which is movable in height and at the bottom (2 ) there are a series of pipes (3) for automatic filling of bottles (4) that are mounted on select (5) equipped with body (5.1) and rod (5.2), which move vertically by the action of a cam ( 6), mounted on a rotating base, cam (6) that affects its rotation on a lower wheel (7) associated with the body (5.1) of the selector (5) determining the vertical displacement of the bottle (4) for coupling and decoupling under the pipes (3), as well as being equipped with a cannula (8) inside the pipe (3) that sucks the air and the excess liquid from the full bottle (4) leaving it flush at the level of the position of the lower end of the tip of the cannula (8), characterized in that it is based in the incorporation of a temperature probe, for the detection of the temperature of the filling liquid, sensors that determine the type and / or size of the bottle, and an electronic control system that, from the values obtained by the sensors and based on the parameters programmed for the different bottles and liquids, it obtains a value that determines the position in height of the tank with respect to the neck of the bottle, to act, through a programmable automaton on a motor of regulation of the height of the tank (1), the machine being provided to incorporate an extra long cannula tip, a sliding cam (6) of the wheel (7) of the select (5) with the longest travel and a select (5) of the largest compensation career 2. Bottle filling system with electronic regulation of the liquid level, according to claim 1, characterized in that the extra long cannula tip (8) has a length between 65 and 75 mm., Which allows to obtain a minimum liquid level of 65 to 75 mm from the edge of the bottle neck (4). 3. Bottle filling system with electronic regulation of the liquid level, according to claim 1, characterized in that the displacement of the tank (1) has an amplitude equivalent to the maximum regulation distance provided for the filling liquid, such that the highest position of the tank (1) corresponds to the highest level of liquid and the lowest position with the lowest level of liquid, achieving variable filling levels, according to the position occupied by the tank, defined by the length of the cannula tip minus the vertical displacement of the tank in each case. 4. Bottle filling system with electronic regulation of the liquid level, according to claim 1, characterized in that the slide cam (6) of the wheel (7) of the selector (5) has a height travel similar to the length of the tip of the cannula, to allow its extraction with respect to the neck of the bottle, after the aspiration phase. 5. Bottle filling system with electronic regulation of the liquid level, according to claim 1, characterized in that the selects have a compensated travel slightly greater than the maximum amplitude of regulation existing between the minimum level and the maximum level of liquid, in order that the bottle fits under the pipe (3), even in the highest position of the tank. 6. Bottle filling system with electronic regulation of the liquid level, according to claim 1, characterized in that the spout incorporates a lower sleeve (9), which is arranged in the lower part of the spout, with the possibility of sliding inside the spout and that extends beyond the lower end of the cannula tip (8), bushing (9) which when pushed by a bowl (10) of the cleaning system ascends until it pushes against the retractable element of the pipe causing the opening of this and the cleaning fluid step. 7. Bottle filling system with electronic regulation of the liquid level according to claim 2, characterized in that the lower bushing (9) has a large inner diameter at its lower end to allow the introduction of bottles with a large diameter neck, as well as some ramp interior walls that produce a reduction in the diameter of the bushing acting as a centering element for the bottles.