GB2577266A

GB2577266A - Nozzle assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2577266A
Application number: GB1815212.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Jenkins David
Original assignee: ADELPHI MASTERFIL Ltd
Current assignee: ADELPHI MASTERFIL Ltd
Priority date: 2018-09-18
Filing date: 2018-09-18
Publication date: 2020-03-25
Anticipated expiration: 2038-09-18
Also published as: GB2577266B; GB201815212D0

Abstract

A nozzle assembly 1 for a bottle filling machine comprising: a body 7 comprising an inlet 20 and an outlet 14; a nozzle 5 connectable to the outlet; and a clamp assembly 19, wherein the clamp assembly is for securing the nozzle into engagement with the body. The clamp assembly comprises an abutment member 8 for abutment with the body, a lever 3 and one or more linking members 2a, 2b for linking the lever to the abutment member, said lever comprising one or more engagement means 9a, 9b for engagement with the nozzle. When the abutment member is placed in abutment with the body and the one or more engagement means are positioned into engagement with the nozzle the lever is movable between a first position and a second position. The first position is a loose position allowing the nozzle to be removed from the body and the second position is a clamped position wherein the nozzle is clamped into engagement with the body. The invention allows for the quick and easy removal and installation of a nozzle assembly from and to a bottle filling machine.

Description

NOZZLE ASSEMBLY

The present invention relates to a nozzle assembly in particular to a nozzle assembly for a bottle filling machine.

Filling machines such as bottle filling machines tend to comprise many small moving parts which can make maintenance a difficult and time-consuming task. Due to the function of such machines i.e. dispensing liquids through an outlet, it is required that parts of the machine are regularly dismantled for cleaning purposes. However, these same parts must also be securely fastened in their working positions to prevent leakages, meaning their separation is often a relatively lengthy procedure. This both wastes the time of the person tasked with dismantling and cleaning the relevant components and increases the time for which the machine must be shut down to allow cleaning to take place.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to seek to alleviate the above identified problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provide a nozzle assembly for a bottle filling machine comprising: (i) a body comprising an inlet and an outlet; (ii) a nozzle connectable to the outlet; and (iii) a clamp assembly, wherein the clamp assembly is for securing the nozzle into engagement with the body, the clamp assembly comprising an abutment member for abutment with the body, a lever and one or more linking members for linking the lever to the abutment member, said lever comprising one or more engagement means for engagement with the nozzle, wherein when the abutment member is placed in abutment with the body and the one or more engagement means are positioned into engagement with the nozzle the lever is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is a loose position allowing the nozzle to be removed from the body and the second position is a clamped position wherein the nozzle is clamped into engagement with the body.

Remarkably, the arrangement of the present invention allows the quick and easy removal of a nozzle assembly from a bottle filling machine and the quick and easy installation of a nozzle assembly to a bottle filling machine. This is achieved without the need for tools and represents a significant improvement over known arrangements. Movement of the lever between the clamped and loose (unclamped) positions can be performed with ease. In addition, the present invention provides a repeatable pre-determined clamping force which reduces the risk of incorrect installation and the concomitant risk of leaks or damage to the apparatus.

Preferably, the lever is rotatable between said first and second positions.

Preferably, the one or more engagement means comprise a first mating part and the nozzle comprises one or more second mating parts, wherein said first mating part is for mating with a second mating part on the nozzle.

When the lever is in the clamped position described above, the nozzle is in secure engagement with the outlet of the body such that any liquid or solid passing through the body is transferred directly to the nozzle with no leakage. The nozzle is urged into engagement with the body by the one or more engagement means when the lever is moved from the first position to the second position. Movement of the lever from the second position to the first position releases the engagement means allowing the nozzle to be moved out of engagement with the body.

Preferably, the lever comprises two engagement means.

Preferably, a first engagement means is positioned on a first side of the lever and a second engagement means is positioned on a second side of the lever.

Preferably, the first and second sides are opposing sides.

Preferably, the first mating part is a female mating part and the second mating part is a male mating part.

Alternatively, the first mating part is a male mating part and the second mating part is a female mating part.

Preferably, the female mating part comprises a recess and the male mating part comprises a protrusion. Preferably, the recess is substantially semi-circular.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the one or more engagement means comprise a recess on the lever for engagement with a protrusion on the nozzle.

Preferably, the first and second engagement means comprise first mating parts for connection with second mating parts on the nozzle.

Preferably, the first mating parts are positioned on opposing sides of the lever and the second mating parts are positioned on opposing sides of the nozzle.

Preferably, the nozzle comprises one or more second mating parts for engagement with said one or more first mating parts on the lever.

Preferably, the nozzle comprises second mating parts positioned on opposing sides of the nozzle for engagement with first mating parts on the lever.

Preferably, the lever comprises first and second recesses for engagement with first and second protrusions on the nozzle. Alternatively, the lever comprises first and second protrusions for engagement with first and second recesses on the nozzle.

Preferably, the first and second recesses are positioned on opposing sides of the lever.

Preferably, the first and second protrusions are positioned on opposing sides of the nozzle.

Preferably, the clamping assembly comprises two linking members.

Preferably, the one or more linking members are rotatably connected to the lever.

Preferably, the one or more linking members are rotatably connected to the abutment member.

Most preferably, the one or more linking members are rotatably connected to the lever and the abutment member. Preferably, the one or more linking members are connected to the lever at or near a first end of the one or more linking members and to the abutment member at or near a second end of the one or more linking members.

Preferably, the one or more linking members are elongate. Preferably, the one or more linking members are elongate bars.

Preferably, one or more of the one or more linking members is shaped to pass around the body when the lever is in a clamped position. Preferably, at least a part of said linking member is C-shaped, preferably angular C-shaped. Preferably, said linking member is C-shaped, preferably angular C-shaped.

Preferably, the body comprises a part of reduced diameter and one or more of the one or more linking members is shaped to pass around said part of reduced diameter when the lever is in a clamped position.

This is particularly advantageous because it reduces the overall size of the nozzle assembly, allowing multiple nozzle assemblies to be positioned side by side in close proximity.

Preferably, one or more of the one or more linking members is shaped to pass around a second mating part on the nozzle when the lever is in a clamped position. Preferably, at least a part of said linking member is C-shaped. Preferably, the first half of said linking member is straight and the second half of said linking member is C-shaped.

In particularly preferred embodiments, the nozzle assembly comprises a first linking member shaped to pass around a part of the body having a reduced diameter and a second linking member shaped to pass around a second mating part on the nozzle, when the lever is in a clamped position.

Preferably, the part of the body having a reduced diameter is adjacent the inlet of the body.

Preferably, the clamping assembly comprises two linking members connected to opposing sides of the abutment member.

Preferably, the clamping assembly comprises two linking members connected to opposing sides of the lever.

Preferably, the nozzle comprises an elongate cylindrical tube with an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end.

Preferably, the second mating parts comprise one or more protrusions on the outer surface of the nozzle. More preferably, the nozzle comprises two protrusions located on opposing sides of its outer surface.

Preferably, the nozzle comprises a first protrusion for engagement with a first engagement means and a second protrusion for engagement with a second engagement means.

Having an engagement means engage with the nozzle on opposing sides of the nozzle provides for a more secure engagement when the lever is in a clamped position. The security of the clamped position is increased because both the first and second engagement means must be disengaged at the same time to return the lever to its loose position.

Preferably, the second mating parts are located at or near the inlet of the nozzle.

Preferably, the second mating parts are cylindrical protrusions.

When the lever is in a clamped position, the nozzle assembly is arranged such that the body is positioned between the abutment member and the nozzle i.e. the inlet of the nozzle is engaged with the outlet of the body, while the abutment member abuts a surface of the body opposite the outlet.

Preferably, the lever comprises one or more grips.

Preferably, the one or more grips comprise one or more protrusions, preferably flaps, on the lever.

Preferably, the lever comprises two grips.

Preferably, the grips protrude in a direction away from the nozzle when the lever is in a clamped position.

The grips are particularly useful when moving the lever between the first and second positions.

Preferably, the abutment member comprises an aperture for receiving a rod therethrough. In this way, a rod for controlling opening and closing of the nozzle outlet can be positioned through the abutment member.

Preferably, the body comprises an abutment member recess for receiving at least a portion of the abutment member.

Preferably, the abutment member recess is disposed on the opposite side of the body to the outlet of the body.

Preferably, the body, most preferably the abutment member recess, comprises an aperture for receiving a rod therethrough.

Preferably, the body, most preferably the abutment member recess, and the abutment member each comprise an aperture for receiving a rod therethrough, wherein said apertures are aligned when the abutment member is clamped to the body.

Preferably, the outlet of the body comprises a recess for receiving the inlet of the nozzle.

Preferably, the abutment member comprises a plug for insertion into a recess on the body.

Preferably, the abutment member is cylindrical.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bottle filling machine comprising one or more nozzle assemblies as described herein.

Preferably, the bottle filling machine comprises a plurality of nozzle assemblies as described herein.

It will be appreciated that reference to "one or more" includes reference to "a plurality".

Within this specification embodiments have been described in a way which enables a clear and concise specification to be written, but it is intended and will be appreciated that embodiments may be variously combined or separated without parting from the invention. For example, it will be appreciated that all preferred features described herein are applicable to all aspects of the invention described herein and vice versa.

Within this specification, the term "about" means plus or minus 20%, more preferably plus or minus 10%, even more preferably plus or minus 5%, most preferably plus or minus 2%.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which Figure 1 shows a first perspective view of a nozzle assembly of the present invention connected to a bottle filling machine, with the lever in a clamped position; Figure 2 shows a second perspective view of a nozzle assembly of the present invention connected to a bottle filling machine, with the lever in a clamped position; Figure 3 shows a view of the assembled components of the clamp assembly of the present invention without any other components of the bottle filling apparatus; Figure 4 shows a front view of the nozzle assembly of the present invention in a clamped position; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the nozzle assembly of the present invention in a clamped position; Figure 6 shows a further perspective view of the nozzle assembly of the present invention in a clamped position; Figure 7 shows a front view of the nozzle assembly of the present invention in a loose, unclamped position; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the nozzle assembly of the present invention in a loose, unclamped position; Figure 9 shows a further perspective view of the nozzle assembly of the present invention in a loose, unclamped position; Figure 10 shows a perspective view from below the body of the present invention; and Figure 11 shows a perspective view from above the body of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a nozzle assembly for a bottle filling machine, in particular to a nozzle assembly designed to provide secure engagement of components, which can also be easily dismantled for cleaning and maintenance purposes.

Referring to the Figures, a nozzle assembly 1 includes a body 7, a nozzle 5 and a clamp assembly 19. The clamp assembly 19, shown in isolation with reference to Figure 3, includes an abutment member 8 for abutment with the body 7, a lever 3 comprising first and second engagement means 9a and 9b, and first and second linking members 2a and 2b, provided to link the abutment member 8 and the lever 3.

The linking members 2a and 2b are rotatably attached to opposing sides of the curved face of the cylindrical abutment member 8 at attachment points 11a, 11b and to the lever 3 at attachment points 10a, 10b. The first and second engagement means 9a, 9b are formed as curved recesses in the lever 3 and are disposed either side of the lever 3. The lever 3 is rotatably connected to the linking members 2a, 2b below the curved recesses 9a, 9b at attachment points 10a, 10b. The lever 3 is connected to the first and second linking members 2a, 2b at the opposite ends of the linking members 2a, 2b to those which are connected to the abutment member 8. The nozzle 5 comprises cylindrical protrusions 4a and 4b, which are positioned on a thickened wall 20 of the nozzle adjacent the inlet of the nozzle 5. Said protrusions 4a, 4b are for engagement with the first and second engagement means 9a, 9b of the clamp assembly 19.

The recesses 9a, 9b have substantially the same diameter as the nozzle protrusions 4a, 4b so that the protrusions slot into the recesses during engagement with the nozzle 5.

The nozzle assembly is shown in Figures 1 and 2 with the lever 3 in a clamped position. The thickened wall of the nozzle inlet 20 is in engagement with the outlet 14 of the body 7 (shown in Figure 10), while the abutment member 8 abuts the opposing side of the body 7. The recesses 9a, 9b are engaged with the nozzle protrusions 4a, 4b respectively.

In the example shown, whilst the first half of the first linking member 2a is straight, the second half is an angular C-shape. This enables the first linking member 2a to be positioned around the protrusion 4a of the nozzle 5 when the lever is in a clamped position. The second linking member 2b is an angular C-shape allowing it to be positioned around a part 24 of the body 7 having a reduced diameter.

With reference to Figures 4 to 6, when the lever is in the clamped position, movement of the nozzle 5 away from the body 7 is prevented by the contact between the recesses 9a, 9b and the protrusions 4a, 4b at either side of each protrusion and the associated "clamping" of both the nozzle 5 and the abutment member 8 on opposing surfaces of the body 7.

As described above, the lever 3 is rotatable about attachment points 10a, 10b relative to the linking members 2a, 2b. Similarly, the abutment member 8 is rotatable about attachment points 11a, 11b relative to the linking members 2a, 2b. When the lever 3 is in the clamped position, it can be rotated together with the linking members 2a, 2b in a single motion, such that the walls of the recesses 9a, 9b are no longer urged into engagement with the nozzle protrusions 4a, 4b. This can be achieved by the user pulling or pushing on grips 6a and 6b to move the lever 3 away from the nozzle 5.

Once the lever 3 has been rotated away from the nozzle, the lever 3 can be moved out of engagement with the nozzle 5 so that the nozzle 5 can be removed.

To reattach the nozzle 5, a user must position the nozzle 5 such that the nozzle inlet 20 is aligned with the outlet 14 of the body 7 and held in place. The abutment member 8 is positioned on the opposing side of the body 7 in recess 21, and the recesses 9a, 9b of the lever 3 are positioned into loose engagement with the protrusions 4a, 4b of the nozzle 5, as shown in Figure 7. A user then pushes or pulls the lever towards the nozzle 5 to the position shown in Figure 4 to clamp the nozzle 5 into engagement with the body 7.

Referring to Figures 10 and 11, the body 7 comprises a tubular inlet 12 for connection to an outlet hose 13 of a bottle filling machine. In use, an outlet hose 13 of a bottling filling machine is attached to the inlet 12 of the body and the nozzle 5 is engaged with the outlet 14 of the body 7 to allow fluids to flow from a bottle filling machine, through the body 7 and into the nozzle 5. The outlet 14 is sized to match the outer diameter of the thickened nozzle inlet 20 and includes a small ridge 18 within a circular recess 21 of the body 7, which the rim of the nozzle inlet 20 abuts when the two are engaged. The opposing face 15 of the body 7 includes a circular recess 16 for receiving a portion of the abutment member 8, as well as an aperture 17 through its centre for receiving a rod 22, which forms part of an opening and closing mechanism of the nozzle 5. The abutment member 8 also includes an aperture 23 for receiving the rod 22 therethrough. The recess 16 on the body 7 has a diameter substantially the same as that of the abutment member 8. As such, the abutment member 8 slots into the recess 16 such that the apertures 23, 17 of the abutment member 8 and recess 16 are aligned, allowing the rod 22 to pass therethrough and into the nozzle 5.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications are covered by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A nozzle assembly for a bottle filling machine comprising: (i) a body comprising an inlet and an outlet; (ii) a nozzle connectable to the outlet; and (iii) a clamp assembly, wherein the clamp assembly is for securing the nozzle into engagement with the body, the clamp assembly comprising an abutment member for abutment with the body, a lever and one or more linking members for linking the lever to the abutment member, said lever comprising one or more engagement means for engagement with the nozzle, wherein when the abutment member is placed in abutment with the body and the one or more engagement means are positioned into engagement with the nozzle the lever is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is a loose position allowing the nozzle to be removed from the body and the second position is a clamped position wherein the nozzle is clamped into engagement with the body.
2. A nozzle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lever is rotatable between said first and second positions.
3. A nozzle assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the one or more engagement means comprise a first mating part and the nozzle comprises one or more second mating parts, wherein said first mating part is for mating with a second mating part on the nozzle.
4. A nozzle assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lever comprises two engagement means.
5. A nozzle assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein a first engagement means is positioned on a first side of the lever and a second engagement means is positioned on a second side of the lever, optionally wherein the first and second sides are opposing sides.
6. A nozzle assembly according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein (i) the first mating part is a female mating part and the second mating part is a male mating part, or (ii) the first mating part is a male mating part and the second mating part is a female mating part.
7. A nozzle assembly according to claim 6, wherein the female mating part comprises a recess and the male mating part comprises a protrusion, optionally wherein the recess is substantially semi-circular, and the protrusion is cylindrical.
8. A nozzle assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein (i) the lever comprises first and second recesses for engagement with first and second protrusions on the nozzle, or (ii) the lever comprises first and second protrusions for engagement with first and second recesses on the nozzle.
9. A nozzle assembly according to claim 8, wherein (i) the first and second recesses are positioned on opposing sides of the lever and the first and second protrusions are positioned on opposing sides of the nozzle, or (H) the first and second recesses are positioned on opposing sides of the nozzle and the first and second protrusions are positioned on opposing sides of the lever.
10. A nozzle assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more linking members are rotatably connected to the lever and/or the abutment member
11. A nozzle assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the clamp assembly comprises two linking members.
12. A nozzle assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more linking members are connected to the lever at or near a first end of the one or more linking members and to the abutment member at or near a second end of the one or more linking members, optionally wherein the one or more linking members are elongate.
13. A nozzle assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the one or more linking members is shaped to pass around the body when the lever is in a clamped position, optionally wherein at least a part of said linking member is C-shaped, preferably angular C-shaped.
14. A nozzle assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the body comprises a part of reduced diameter and one or more of the one or more linking members is shaped to pass around said part of reduced diameter when the lever is in a clamped position, optionally wherein the part of the body having a reduced diameter is adjacent the inlet of the body.
15. A nozzle assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the nozzle comprises an elongate cylindrical tube with an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end.
16. A nozzle assembly according to any of claims 3 to 15, wherein the second mating parts comprise one or more protrusions on the outer surface of the nozzle.
17. A nozzle assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the lever comprises one or more grips.
18. A nozzle assembly according to claim 17, wherein the one or more grips comprise one or more protrusions on the lever, optionally wherein the grips protrude in a direction away from the nozzle when the lever is in a clamped position.
19. A nozzle assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the abutment member comprises an aperture for receiving a rod therethrough.
20. A nozzle assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the body comprises an abutment member recess for receiving at least a portion of the abutment member, optionally wherein the abutment member recess is disposed on the opposite side of the body to the outlet of the body.
21. A nozzle assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the body comprises an aperture for receiving a rod therethrough.
22. A nozzle assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the body and the abutment member each comprise an aperture for receiving a rod therethrough, wherein said apertures are aligned when the abutment member is clamped to the body.
23. A nozzle assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the outlet of the body comprises a recess for receiving an inlet of the nozzle.
24. A bottle filling machine comprising one or more nozzle assemblies according to any preceding claim.
25. A bottle filling machine according to claim 24, comprising a plurality of nozzle assemblies according to any of claims 1 to 23.