GB2154990A - Filling installation - Google Patents

Abstract

A vacuum filling and level equalisation installation for containers such as bottles, comprises a filling head 2 to centre a bottle and fill it to a given level, supply tubes 31 connecting the filling head to a reservoir 1, and an equalisation tube 4 extending from a bottle to the reservoir, the equalisation tube being movable relative to the filling head along the bottle axis and having a device 8 for moving it relative to the filling head, said device 8 being between the filling head and the reservoir. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Filling installation DESCRIPTION This invention relates to a vacuum filling and level equalization installation for containers such as bottles or flasks or the like, the installation comprising filling elements adapted to co-operate with an empty bottle to centre the same and fill it to an equal level, the filling elements being connected by a supply tube to a reservoir which serves as a buffer reservoir and contains a liquid for filling, a space at a negative pressure being left above the liquid, each filling element having a filling head in the form of a stationary central part having around it an outer sleeve sliding on the last-mentioned part, the outer sleeve being formed at its base with a conical aperture for centring the bottle neck and enabling a sealing connection to be made in respect of the filling head, movement of the sleeve being controlled by the vertical movement of the bottle in the movement thereof through the filling installation so as to open a passage for the liquid, each filling element also having a central equalization tube so disposed in the central part of the filling head as to enter into the bottle during the relative movement between the same and the filling head, the latter tube extending into the buffer reservoir above the level of the liquid therein to aspirate the air from the bottle and to enable the same to be filled and its level equalized.

In a known filling installation of this kind the equalization tube of each filling element is concentric of the filling tube which extends around the equalization tube between the buffer reservoir and the filling head. The equalization tube which is therefore disposed in the supply tube, is secured to the buffer reservoir and to the filling head. The equalization tube extends beyond the filling head by a length corresponding to the height of the liquid level required in the bottle.

The point is that in the known installations the filling elements are either in an in-line arrangement, in which event filling proceeds with intermittent stoppage of the bottles, or on a rotating table or drum or the like, in which event filling proceeds continuously as the drum or table rotates-i.e., without alteration of the rate of movement of the bottle through the complete filling, labelling etc installation.

In both cases, as the bottle passes through the filling installation a relative vertical movement occurs between the filling head (and the equalization tube which moves solidly therewith) and the bottle. In this relative movement the bottle neck moves towards the filling head to be guided by the conical aperture in the outer sleeve until the neck engages the sleeve seal and moves the sleeve relatively to the central and stationary part of the filling head, and the sleeve thus opening a passage for the liquid by this movement. In this relative movement the bottom end of the dosing tube moves axially inside the bottle to a height selected in dependence upon the quantity of liquid to be introduced into the bottle.

Since the top part of the latter tube extends into the buffer reservoir space at a negative pressure, the air present in the now hermetically closed bottle discharges through the equalization tube and liquid enters the bottle through the gap between the neck inner wall and the filling tube outer wall. The liquid fills the bottle up to the bottom orifice of the equalization tube, whereafter the liquid rises there through to the liquid level in the buffer reservoir.

When the bottle is removed from the filling head-i.e., in a vertical movement-the outer sleeve returns to its initial position and stops the flow of liquid. At the same time, the negative pressure in the buffer reservoir aspirates liquid until the liquid level in the bottle registers with the bottom orifice of the equalization tube, whereafter the bottle releases fully from the filling head and is ready for corking and subsequent operations such as labelling.

In these known installations the height of the bottom orifice of the equalization tube is appropriately adjusted in accordance with the quantity of liquid to be introduced into the bottles or flasks or, in more general terms, the containers. The adjustment is on a trial and error basis. Since the equalization tube is not accessible from the top at the level of the buffer reservoir, which would have to be open for that purpose and thus cease to be subject to the negative pressure necessary for operation of the installation even duringlevel adjustments, access to the equalization tube is possible only from its bottom end-i.e., by way of the filling head in the sleeve. This access is fairly delicate.Since the trial and error adjustment has to be carried out for all the filling elements, the adjustm ent work is long and, therefore, expensive and the filling installation has to be inoperative correspondingly. There are also difficulties due to foaming.

It is therefore impossible to adjust all the equalization tubes with complete accuracy, and so since the prescribed or reference filling volume must be observed, the only solution of the problem is to remain above the level corresponding to the required or prescribed volume.

Depending upon the various installations, this means overfilling which in the case of expensive liquids, more particularly comestible liquids such as spirits, oils etc., may lead to substantial losses in view of the very substantial quantities of bottles filled in this way.

It is the object of this invention to provide a filling and level equalization installation comprising discrete filling elements and giving very accurate control of the level of the liquid introduced into a particular kind of bottle or container and to obviate the need for lengthy and expensive alteration or conversion of the installation, with prolonged stoppage thereof, at changeovers between bottle or container types and without the need for complex or bulky means nor for individual adjustment of each filling element.

The invention accordingly relates to an installation of the kind hereinbefore outlined wherein the equalization tube is movable relatively to the filling head so as to be introducible into the bottle neck substantially along the bottle axis and at a height selected in dependence upon the volume of liquid to be introduced into the bottle, the equalization tube having a device for moving it relatively to the filling head, the device being disposed on the equalization tube between the filling head and the buffer reservoir.

Since in most cases the equalization tube is movable relatively to the filling head and its device for moving it relatively thereto is disposed between the buffer reservoir and the filling head, the movement of the equalization tube and, therefore, the level of the liquid in the bottle can be controlled.

A variety of mechanical, electromechanical or fluidic controls can be envisaged which are brought into operation either by a control station controlling an operating cycle in the case of stationary filling elements or when the control means move past a reference position as they move through the installation in the case of mobile filling elements.

For instance, the electromechanical or fluidic control of displacement of the tube and of its guiding system can cause the tube to be lowered once or more when each filling element moves past the reference position. Adjustment of the amplitude of tube movement and more particularly of its bottom limit posi tion-i.e., the position of the level---can be effected either through the agency of the control means for each element or, preferably at the reference position, by means of vertical adjustment of an electromechanical or electromagnetic or fluidic or optic etc. abutment.

The latter suggestion provides accurate control of all the filling elements by adjustment of the single triggering means. Very advantage.

ously, the device controlling the movement of each element comprises a roller and the reference position has a cam which co-operates with the roller to control displacement and adjust the position of the reference level.

The equalization tube extends through the base of the buffer reservoir and through the filling head in each case by way of a seal, the seals applying friction which retards the tube and prevents it from moving abruptly.

According to another very interesting feature, the equalization tube is disposed on the axis X-X of the filling element and the supply tube is so offset from the latter axis as to be disposed laterally of the equalization tube.

This offset leads to a very simple and effective practical construction. The equalization tube can be straight; since the equalization tube is required to be displaceable, the displacements are limited only by the end stop of the equalization tube or of the moving system thereon.

Access to the equalization tube is simple and it can be displaced by any means including mechanical means, since the supply tube is not concentric of the equalization tube but is disposed laterally thereof.

According to a very interesting feature, the supply tube is duplicated and takes the form of two tubes disposed one or either side of the equalization tube, the supply tubes serving as a guideway for the moving system rigidly secured to the equalization tube.

According to another feature of the invention, the said device is a moving system rigidly secured to the equalization tube and displaceable on the supply tubes and comprising at least one roller co-operating with an outer cam disposed on the path of the filling element.

This cam and roller system is very reliable and very accurate and can be adjusted just by altering or adjusting the cam in the light of the level required in each bottle. Also, adjustment is in this case common to all the filling elements.

Very advantageously, the tube and its moving system are guided by guide blocks which bear on the or each supply tube.

In the case of cam and roller actuation, this actuation or control, which is accurate, is used to control the descent of the equalization tube into the bottle neck as far as the dosage level.

Advantageously, the cam and roller contact ensures that the equalization tube remains in this position throughout dosing or dispensing.

The tube can readily be returned to its top position by a return element such as a return spring, the system then just abutting an end stop at the end of its movement; alternatively, a cam can be used for this purpose too.

The filling elements according to the invention also have the advantage of being no wider than the known elements since the cross-section of the filling element is that of the filling head and the displacement producing means do not need to project beyond such width.

Also, the elements are easy to manufacture and to be assembled in a plant. It is also simple to replace a defective element, with the result of very reduced down times in the event of malfunctioning.

The present invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Fig. 1 is a sectioned view of a filling element of a filling installation according to the invention; Figs. 2 and 3 are views in horizontal section and vertical section, respectively, on the lines ll-ll and Ill-Ill of Fig. 1; Figs. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D show the filling and equalization phases, and Figs. 5A, 5B, and 5C are various explanatory diagrams.

The filling and level equalization installation comprises a number of filling elements such as the one shown in Figs. 1-3, the various filling elements being stationary in the case of a fixed-station installation, whereas in the case of a continuously moving roundabout type filling installation the rotating device such as a drum or table has at its periphery a number of filling elements whose between-axes spacing depends upon the size of the filling elements and the cross-sections of the containers to be filled.

The containers pass by on chains and arrive one at a time in the filling installation where they are placed on stools which raise them relatively to the filling element to be described hereinafter for the purpose of centring, filling and emptying them.

Referring to Fig. 1, the filling and equalization element serves to fill bottles. The element is secured below a buffer reservoir 1 and comprises a filling head 2 embodied by a stationary central part 21 and by an outer sleeve 22 displaceable relatively to the part 21. The head 2 is connected to the reservoir 1 by two supply tubes 3 disposed symmetrically of axis X-X of the filling elements, such a xis also being the axis of an equalization tube 4. The same extends at its top end into the reservoir 1 above the level of the liquid; at its bottom end the tube 4 is formed with an orifice 41 which defines the level of the liquid in the container during filling and equalization. The filling tubes 3 are connected to a mounting plate 5 for the head 2, the plate 5 being formed with a continuous central orifice in which a seal 6 is disposed for the sealingtight passage of the tube 4.A similar seal 6 is provided in plate 7 of the reservoir 1 to seal the lead-through of the tube 4.

The outer sleeve 22 can slide to depart from the central part 21 in a sleeve 23 rigidly secured to the central part 21. A spring 24 urges the sleeve 22 towards its bottom position, the opposing movement of the sleeve 22 being produced by the neck of the bottle. The sleeve 22 also has a seal 25 disposed in the top part of a recess 26 receiving the bottle neck, the seal 25 being adapted to engage therewith and provide sealing tightness by contact.

In Fig. 1 the sleeve 22 is shown in its bottom position in the left-hand half of the illustration and in its top position in the righthand half. The bottom position corresponds to the closed position of the filling head whereas the top position corresponds to the filling position, the sleeve 22 having a shoulder 28 which engages with a seal 29 when the sleeve 22 is in the closed position (left-hand part of Fig. 1), whereas in the open position the shoulder 28 disengages from the seal 29 and allows liquid to flow through the gap between the inner or central part 21 and the sleeve 22 towards a labyrinth seal and to discharge between an edge 31 engaging in the neck and the bottom end of the stationary central part 21, such part being shaped as a deflector.

Referring to Fig. 1, the tube 4 is adapted to slide in the two seals 6. Rigidly secured to the tube 4 is a device 8 for moving it, the device 8 comprising two guide blocks 81 engaging with the supply tubes 3 for guidance in displacement, and a roller 82 which is rigidly secured to the blocks 81 and tube 4 and which is actuated by a cam (not shown) on the path of the filling element to lower or raise the tube and introduce the same into a bottle after the filling thereof or to disengage the tube 4 from the bottle upon the completion of filling and level equalization.

Fig. 2 shows in greater detail the construction of the device 8 which slides on the tubes 3, carries the tube 4 and moves together therewith. The members 81 are two shoes formed with substantially hemicylindrical grooves corresponding to the outside surface of the supply tubes 3 and adapted to engage therewith on either side from the inside. The two blocks 8 are kept connected on the tubes 3 by spindle 83 of roller 82. Tube 4 extends through and is rigidly secured to the spindle 83, thus ensuring accurate guidance of the movement of the tube 4.

Other details of the construction of the device 8 and tube 4 are given in Fig. 3, which is a simplified view in section on the line Ill-Ill of Fig. 2.

Figs. 4A dC show different positions taken up by the constituent parts of a filling and dosing element shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

Fig. 4A shows the phase of centring the bottle 100 by its neck 101 which is guided by conical surface 32 of the aperture in the outer sleeve 22 until neck 101 bears on seal 25.

In this position the equalization tube 4 is in its top position; since, as can be seen in Fig.

5A, the tube 4 stays retracted in the inner or central part 21, which is stationary relatively to the filling head, the vertical raising or lowering movement-i.e.,the centring movement + opening movement---of the bottle for its positioning below the filling head is reduced. The height (h + a) over which the bottle must move is the height h necessary to pass below the bottom edge of the outer sleeve 22 and enter the centring cone 32 plus the opening movement or travel a. The travel (h + a) necessary in the prior art device shown in Fig. 5B wherein the equalization tube, which is stationary, extends lengthwise beyond the inner part.Since in this case the equalization tube must be protected against impacts, the outer sleeve must descent sufficiently (travel H) to centre the bottle neck before the equalization tube can enter the same, so that a relatively substantial vertical movement (H + a) is necessary. The relative movement along the axis X-X between the bottle 100 and the filling and level equalization element is still incomplete because the position shown corresponds merely to the bottle neck 101 contacting the seal 25 without any movement of the sleeve 22.

Fig. 4B shows the phase of vacuuming and flow of the liquid. The bottle 100 is first raised relatively to the filling element so that the bottle neck 101 bears on the seal 25 and raises the sleeve 22; surface 28 therefore disengages from seal 29 and liquid can flow into the bottle along the neck walls.

During this filling the air in the bottle is evacuated through the tube 4 whose top end extends into an atmosphere at a pressure below that of the external atmosphere--i.e,, the air pressure originally operative in the bottle 100.

Upon the completion of filling the liquid rises through the equalization tube 4 as far as the level of the liquid in the buffer reservoir 1.

Fig. 4C shows the end of filling, the equalization tube 4 still being in its top position.

The only difference between Figs. 4C and 4B is the column of liquid rising through the tube 4 and reaching the height of the level 43 in the reservoir 1 (meniscus 42 of the column).

Fig. 4D shows the step of level equalization of the liquid in the bottle.

Upon the completion of filling the bottle 100 descends so that the sleeve 22 descends and interruptsthe flow of liquid. The bottle 100 continues to descend and ruptures its sealing tightness with the. seal 25. Simultaneously, the equalization tube 4 descends by the appropriate length into the neck of the bottle 100.

In the level equalization phase the tube 4 descends into the bottle 100 as far as the required level of liquid therein; in a simple manner the bottle moves along a horizontal path and the corresponding part of the cam controlling the movement of the tube 4 is inclined downwardly.

The negative pressure in the buffer reservoir 1 continues to aspirate the liquid in the bottle 100 until such liquid reaches the level NL which is the equalization level. The level of the liquid in the bottle 100 cannot drop below the level NL corresponding to the height of the bottom orifice 41 of the tube 4, for if the level dropped below the level NL, external air would pass through the tube 4 so that the same could no longer aspirate liquid from the bottle 100.

At the end of this phase the tube 4 rises into the position shown in Fig. 4A so that the bottle 100 can be removed, whereafter the bottle descends, then leaves the installation.

The descent of the tube 4 for filling and equalization is controlled by a cam which acts on the roller 82 during the movement of the filling element on its path. The raising of the tube 4 is preferably cam-controlled too. Accuracy is not important so far as the top position is concerned; all that is needed is for the tube 4 to rise at least so as to be flush with the bottom end of the stationary central part 21 to prevent damage in the next cycle (positioning as shown in Fig. 4A). However, the bottom position of the tube 4 and of its orifice 41 is critical since it determines the filling of the bottle 100 to the level NL. Advantageously, this adjustment is provided by means of an adjustable cam. Since all the filling elements are identical, adjustment of the cam is sufficient to adjust the filling level of all the filling elements.

The sequence of relative movements between the bottle 100, sleeve 22 and the equalization tube 4 leads to a very short operating cycle, for since the tube 4 descends into the bottle 100 only in the final phase (Fig. 4D), not only is the vertical movement reduced but also the equalization time is shortened very substantially. The point is (Fig. 5C) that upon the completion of filling (phase shown in Fig. 4C), if the liquid is one which emulsifies, such as warm wine, foam forms which would take a long time to eliminate.

According to the invention, the tube 4 is left retracted in the inner part 21 during filling up to the neck of the bottle 100. The liquid reaches the level M therein and has above it a foam plus which extends almost to the edge of the bottle neck.

When the installation goes into the equalization phase (Figs. 4C and 5C) the bottle disengages from the seal 25 and communicates with atmosphere; simultaneously the tube 4 starts to descend into the bottle.

During this period the tube 4 aspirates the foam, then when the orifice 41 reaches the level M the tube 4 starts to aspirate liquid for as long as it descends into the liquid i.e., as far as the reference level NLwhereafter for reasons already explained, aspiration of the liquid ceases.

Very advantageously, the or each supply tube 3 is calibrated over its whole length to adjust the rate of flow of the liquid and limit emulsifying during the flow into the bottle.

The filling and level equalization installation hereinbefore described for a single filling and equalization element can be used with advantage to control the level of expensive liquids in containers such as bottles or flasks or the like. As areas where the invention can be used with advantage there can be considered comestible liquids such as oils, spirits, etc.

Claims (8)

1. A vacuum filling and level equalization installation for containers such as bottles or flasks or the like, the installation comprising filling elements adapted to co-operate with an empty bottle (100) to centre the same and fill it to an equal level, the filling elements being connected by a supply tube (3) to a reservoir (1) which serves as a buffer reservoir and contains a liquid for filling, a space at a negative pressure being left above the liquid, each filling element having a filling head (2) in the form of a stationary central part (21) having around it an outer sleeve (22) sliding on the last-mentioned part, the outer sleeve being formed at its base with a conical aperture (32) for centring the bottle neck (101) and enabling a sealing connection to be made in respect of the filling head (2), movement of the fleeve (22) being controlled by the vertical movement of the bottle (100) in the movement thereof through the filling installation so as to open a passage for the liquid, each filling element also having a central equalization tube (4) so disposed in the central part (21) of the filling head (2) as to enter into the bottle (100), the latter tube extending into the buffer reservoir (1) above the level of the liquid therein to aspirate air from the bottle and to enable the same to be filled and its level equalized up to the height of an orifice (41) in the tube (4), characterised in that the equalization tube (4) is movable relatively to the filling head (2) so as to be introducible into the bottle neck (101) substantially along the bottle axis (X-X) and at a height (NL) selected in dependence upon the level of the liquid in the bottle (100), the equalization tube (4) having a device (8) for moving it relatively to the filling head (2), the device (8) being disposed on the equalization tube (4) between the filling head (2) and the buffer reservoir (1).

2. An installation according to claim 1, characterised in that the equalization tube (4) is disposed on the axis X-X of the filling element and the supply tube (3) is so offset from the latter axis as to be disposed laterally of the equalization tube (4).

3. An installation according to claim 1, characterised in that the supply tube (3) comprises two parallel tubes (3) arranged one on either side of the equalization tube (3) and serving as guides for the said device (8).

4. An installation according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the said device (8) is a moving system (81, 82, 83) rigidly secured to the equalization tube (4) and displaceable on the supply tubes (3) and comprising at least one roller (82) co-operating with an outer cam disposed on the path of the filling element.

5. An installation according to claim 4, characterised in that the device (8) comprises a cam controlling the lifting movement of the tube (4).

6. An installation according to claim 4, characterised in that the moving system (8) comprises guide blocks (81) co-operating with the supply tubes (3) as guideways.

7. An installation according to claim 1, characterised in that the equalization tube (4) extends through the base of the buffer reservoir (1) and through the filling head in each case by way of a seal (6) serving as friction brake.

8. A process for filling liquid by means of an installation according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the equalization tube (4) stays retracted in the stationary part (21) while the bottle neck (101) is being centred in the filling head and while the bottle is being filled, but in the final phase of equalization the equalization tube (4) is lowered to the required equalization level (NL).