US20090223168A1 - Equipment for Processing Containers Filled with Liquid or Powder Products - Google Patents
Equipment for Processing Containers Filled with Liquid or Powder Products Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090223168A1 US20090223168A1 US12/227,308 US22730807A US2009223168A1 US 20090223168 A1 US20090223168 A1 US 20090223168A1 US 22730807 A US22730807 A US 22730807A US 2009223168 A1 US2009223168 A1 US 2009223168A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- equipment
- carousel
- panel
- side wall
- vertical axis
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
- B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
- B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
- B67C3/22—Details
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
- B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
- B67C3/001—Cleaning of filling devices
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
- B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
- B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
- B67C3/22—Details
- B67C3/26—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks
- B67C2003/2668—Means for adapting the filling head to various sizes of containers
Definitions
- the present invention relates to equipment for processing containers filled with liquid or powder products.
- the invention finds application advantageously in the art field of carousel type equipment used for sterilizing, filling and closing containers with a capped neck in which a variety of different substances can be packaged, for example liquid food products such as milk or fruit juices, and non-food products such as mineral lubricating oils, detergents, etc.
- the prior art embraces items of equipment comprising a carousel embodied as a rotating platform designed to support containers for processing and mounted on a fixed, floor-standing base frame; the frame generally will house respective drive components by which the platform is set in rotation about a vertical axis.
- Also forming part of the carousel is a frame, positioned above the platform and joined to the selfsame platform by way of a respective drive shaft.
- the frame and the platform are caused by the shaft to rotate as one about the vertical axis.
- the frame carries a plurality of capping and/or filling assemblies arranged around its peripheral edge and operating on respective containers positioned beneath.
- the containers are engaged by the aforementioned assemblies and closed with a cap, in the case of a capping carousel, or filled with a product in the case of a filling carousel.
- the carousel also comprises a device serving to induce vertical motion, by which the frame can be positioned closer to or farther from the platform; thus, the height of the frame relative to the platform is adjustable according to the size of container being processed.
- nozzles are activated to direct a washing liquid onto the carousel, especially onto those areas where the splashes or spills are most heavily concentrated.
- the carousel is housed generally within a protective structure consisting in a side wall, or guard, and a collection tank attached to the underside of the platform.
- the washing liquid is kept in by the side wall, which rises to the full height of the carousel, then collected in the tank and channelled away to a waste pipe.
- the top edge of the side wall is effectively detached from the frame and positioned at a height only a short distance above the carousel, with the result that an opening, hence a passage, is created around the frame.
- the object of the present invention is to provide equipment for processing containers filled with liquid or powder products, such as will be unaffected by the drawbacks mentioned above.
- the object of the invention is to provide equipment for processing containers filled with liquid or powder products, embodied in such a way as to prevent the escape of washing liquids directed at the carousel.
- the stated object is realized in equipment according to the present invention for processing containers filled with liquid or powder products, comprising: a carousel designed to accommodate respective containers for processing; motion-inducing means by which the carousel is set in rotation about a respective vertical axis; and a containing element placed around the carousel, characterized in that it further comprises a covering element associated with the top of the carousel, combining with the containing element to create a chamber internally of which the carousel is housed.
- FIG. 1 illustrates equipment according to the present invention for processing containers filled with liquid or powder products, viewed in a side elevation and partly in section;
- FIG. 2 is a detail of the equipment illustrated in FIG. 1 , viewed in a side elevation and partly in section, and illustrated in a first possible embodiment;
- FIG. 3 is a detail of the equipment, viewed in a side elevation and partly in section, illustrated in a second possible embodiment
- FIG. 4 is a detail of the equipment, viewed in a side elevation and partly in section, illustrated in a third possible embodiment.
- numeral 1 denotes equipment, in its entirety, for processing containers 2 filled with liquid or powder products, each presenting a neck 3 and a filler mouth 4 closable by fitting a cap.
- such equipment 1 comprises at least one carousel 5 for processing containers 2 , operated for example as a sterilizing, filling or capping unit, designed to accommodate and process respective containers 2 while rotating about a vertical axis “X”.
- the carousel 5 is equipped with motion-inducing means 6 , by which it is set in rotation about the aforementioned axis “X”.
- the carousel 5 comprises a platform 7 presenting a plurality of peripheral stations 8 serving to accommodate single respective containers 2 .
- the platform 7 appears as a disc mounted on a floor-standing base 9 that supports the entire carousel 5 .
- the floor-standing base 9 which is of substantially box-like appearance, houses a motor forming part of the aforementioned motion-inducing means 6 and presenting a shaft 10 aligned longitudinally on the vertical axis “X” of rotation
- the shaft 10 is associated with the platform 7 , and with an upper frame 11 positioned at the topmost end of the selfsame shaft 10 , above the platform 7 . Both the platform 7 and the frame 11 are thus set in rotation as one about the vertical axis “X”.
- the carousel is equipped with a plurality of filling and/or capping devices 12 mounted to the periphery of the frame 11 . More exactly, the devices 12 illustrated in the example of the drawings are filling devices 12 only, given that the carousel 5 is a filling carousel, as already intimated. The devices 12 in question are not described and illustrated in detail, being familiar in embodiment.
- Each device 12 is positioned in alignment with a respective peripheral station 8 , so that the container 2 placed thereon can be filled with a liquid or powder product during the synchronous rotation of the platform 7 and the frame 11 .
- the product is delivered to the carousel by suitable connecting pipes 12 a positioned on the frame 11 and supplying each of the devices 12 attached to the frame 11 .
- the carousel 5 shown in FIG. 1 presents a plurality of supporting and weighing devices 13 , each positioned to coincide with a relative station 8 .
- the devices 13 in question likewise conventional and therefore not described in detail, are designed advantageously to weigh the containers 2 during the filling operation.
- the carousel 5 also comprises means 5 a of inducing vertical motion, associated with the platform 7 and the frame 11 and serving to move the frame 11 along the vertical axis “X” toward or away from the platform 7 .
- Such means 5 a are embodied to advantage as a set of cylinders interposed between the frame 11 and the platform 7 , through the agency of which the height of the frame 11 can be adjusted according to the size of container 2 being handled.
- the equipment 1 further comprises a containing element 14 internally of which the carousel 5 is housed.
- the containing element 14 comprises a bottom wall 15 extending around the carousel 5 and presenting a peripheral rim 15 a that compasses the transverse dimension of the carousel 5 .
- the bottom wall 15 is associated with the floor-standing base 9 aforementioned, and presents a substantially concave geometry such as will favour the collection of a washing liquid directed onto the platform 7 and the frame 11 .
- the containing element 14 also presents a side wall 16 issuing from the peripheral rim 15 a of the bottom wall 15 .
- the side wall 16 extends around the carousel 5 , terminating uppermost in a top edge 16 a remote from the peripheral rim 15 a , and presents a planar vertical inner surface 17 directed toward the carousel 5 .
- the equipment 1 further comprises a covering element 18 associated with the top of the carousel 5 and combining with the containing element 14 to create a chamber 19 internally of which the carousel 5 is enclosed.
- the covering 18 element presents a first extremity 18 a associated with the frame 11 and a second extremity 18 b , remote from the first extremity 18 a , slidably engaging the inner surface 17 of the side wall 16 in such a way that the platform 7 and the lower part of the frame 11 remain enclosed internally of the chamber 19 .
- the covering element 18 comprises a panel 20 of substantially annular geometry that presents a flat bottom face 21 positioned internally of the chamber 19 and directed toward the bottom wall 15 .
- the bottom face 21 presents a peripheral portion 22 coinciding with the aforementioned first extremity 18 a of the element 18 , at which the panel 20 presents an internal circular edge.
- the peripheral portion 22 rests on top of a rim 11 a presented by the frame 11 , to which the aforementioned filling devices 12 are attached.
- the equipment comprises first sealing means 23 interposed between the rim 11 a and the peripheral portion 22 of the bottom face 21 , serving to prevent any passage of washing liquid between the frame 11 and the panel 20 .
- Such first sealing means 23 include a flexible element 23 a , consisting advantageously of a flexible ring, associated permanently with the peripheral portion 22 .
- the panel 20 is also associated with slide means 24 designed to allow its movement along the vertical axis “X”, relative to the side wall 16 , toward and away from the bottom wall 15 .
- the slide means 24 are located at the second extremity 18 b of the covering element 18 and comprise a plurality of guide rods 25 spaced apart one from the next, projecting from the top edge 16 a of the side wall 16 .
- the single rods 25 are substantially cylindrical, of circular cross section, each extending vertically along a respective longitudinal axis parallel to the axis “X” of the carousel.
- the rods 25 also occupy respective through holes 26 afforded by the panel 20 , which is able thus to traverse the length of the rods 25 .
- the panel 20 will be seen to lie a short distance above the side wall 16 .
- the covering element 18 further comprises a lateral baffle 27 projecting from the bottom face 21 of the panel 20 and occupying the chamber 19 .
- the baffle 27 is located between the holes 26 and the peripheral portion 22 and presents a substantially cylindrical appearance, having a top edge 28 anchored to the bottom face 21 of the panel 20 and a bottom edge 29 furnished with second sealing means 30 offered to the inner surface 17 of the side wall 16 .
- the baffle 27 presents an outer surface 27 a directed toward the inner surface 17 of the side wall 16 and the associated rods 25 , and an inner surface 27 b directed toward the carousel 5 .
- the second sealing means 30 comprise an annular support 31 attached to the bottom edge 29 of the baffle 27 and presenting a substantially square cross sectional profile that includes a vertical surface 31 a directed toward the inner surface 17 of the side wall 16 .
- the aforementioned vertical surface 31 a affords a groove 32 , likewise annular, in which a flexible sealing element 33 is seated.
- the flexible element 33 takes the form of a ring seal, offered in fluid-tight contact to the inner surface 17 of the side wall 16 .
- the panel 20 remains at a height permanently below the top edge 16 a of the side wall 16 .
- the slide means 24 comprise an annular projection 34 associated rigidly with the side wall 16 and extending transversely to the inner surface 17 of this same wall 16 .
- the annular projection 34 appears substantially rectangular in cross sectional profile and presents a top surface 34 a directed toward the bottom face 21 of the panel 20 .
- the slide means 24 further comprise a plurality of guide rods 25 as described above, spaced apart one from the next and projecting from the top surface 34 a of the annular projection 34 .
- the rods 25 are disposed parallel to the main vertical axis “X” and occupy respective through holes 26 afforded by the panel 20 .
- the top surface 34 of the annular projection 34 presents an annular slot 35 directed toward the bottom face 21 of the panel 20 .
- the lateral baffle 27 projects from the bottom face 21 of the panel 20 and occupies the chamber 19 .
- top edge 28 of the baffle 27 is anchored to the bottom face 21 of the panel 20 , whilst the bottom edge 29 is seated slidably in the aforementioned annular slot 35 .
- the baffle 27 is furnished with second sealing means 30 located between the selfsame baffle 27 and the annular projection 34 .
- the second sealing means 30 comprise a primary flexible element 36 associated with the top surface 34 a of the annular projection 34 and offered to the inner surface 27 b of the baffle 27 .
- the primary flexible element 36 consists in a ring seal of which an inner edge is anchored to the top surface 34 a , adjacent to the slot 35 , and an outer edge engages in fluid-tight contact with the inner surface 27 b of the baffle 27 .
- the second sealing means 30 further comprise a secondary flexible element 37 secured to the bottom edge 29 of the lateral baffle 27 and offered to an inside wall 35 a of the annular slot 35 .
- the secondary flexible element 37 likewise consists in a ring of which an inner edge is anchored to the bottom edge 29 of the baffle, and an outer edge is breasted in fluid-tight contact with the inside wall 35 a of the slot 35 .
- the secondary flexible element 37 engages in sliding contact internally of the slot 35 , maintaining a hermetic seal in similar fashion to the first example illustrated, and disallowing any infiltration of liquid by way of the rods 25 .
- the covering element 18 appears as a tubular housing 38 of annular shape, encompassing a relative internal void 39 .
- the void 39 serves to house components of the frame 11 such as the aforementioned connecting pipes 12 a , or electrical cables needed for the operation of the filler device 12 .
- the tubular housing 38 incorporates the panel 20 already described, and a top 40 , positioned above the panel 20 , similarly presenting a flat and annular appearance.
- the top 40 and the panel 20 are connected one with another at the respective lateral extremities by way of two cylindrical flanks 41 a and 41 b issuing perpendicularly from the panel 20 and combining with the panel 20 and with the top 40 to delimit the void 39 .
- flank 41 a is positioned directly above the frame 11 , whilst the other flank 41 b is breasted with the inner surface 17 of the side wall 16 . Accordingly, when the frame 11 is cause to traverse along the main axis “X”, the tubular housing 38 will accompany the movement vertically, with the outer flank 41 b riding against the inner surface 17 .
- the flexible element 23 a of the first sealing means 23 presents an angled portion 42 engaging the bottom face 21 of the panel 20 and the rim 11 a of the frame 11 .
- the angled portion 42 extends transversely from the bottom face 21 toward the carousel 5 to ensure a better fluid-tight seal during the rotation of the frame 11 .
- the second sealing means 30 consist in a flexible element 43 anchored to the bottom face 21 of the panel 20 and engaging the inner surface 17 of the side wall 16 .
- the flexible element 43 extends transversely from the bottom face 21 toward the surface 17 of the side wall 16 , in such a way as will enable it to slide against the selfsame surface 17 when the frame 11 is traversed along the vertical axis “X”.
- the second sealing means 30 ensure a fluid-tight fit between the covering element 18 and the side wall 16 .
- the covering element 18 prevents any splash or spillage of washing liquid over the side wall 16 .
- the panel 20 projecting sideways from the frame 11 combines with the side wall 16 and the bottom wall 15 to create the aforementioned chamber 19 , internally of which the carousel is housed hermetically.
- washing liquid will always remains within the chamber 19 , and there is no risk of splashing or wetting the top part of the frame 11 , which remains outside the chamber 19 ( FIG. 1 ).
- a further advantage of the invention is that the frame 11 can be moved toward and away from the platform 7 while maintaining a fluid-tight seal at the covering element 18 at all times.
- the covering element 18 can be traversed along the vertical axis “X” of the equipment while maintaining a fluid tight fit between the selfsame element 18 and the side wall 16 .
Landscapes
- Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
- General Preparation And Processing Of Foods (AREA)
Abstract
Equipment (1) for processing containers filled with liquid or powder products comprises a carousel (5) conveying containers (2) for processing, a drive system (6) by which the carousel is set in rotation about a vertical axis (X); a containing element (14) placed around the carousel (5), and a covering element (18) associated with the top of the carousel (5), combining with the containing element (14) to create a fluid-tight chamber (19) internally of which the carousel (5) is housed in its entirety. The covering element (18) is in vertical direction slidably engaged with the side wall for height adjustment of an upper frame (11) according to the size of the container (2).
Description
- This application is the national phase of international application PCT/IB2007/001265 filed May 16, 2007 which designated the U.S. and that international application was published under PCT Article 21(2) in English. This application claims priority to Italian Patent application number B02006A 000376, filed May 17, 2006, which is incorporated by reference herein.
- The present invention relates to equipment for processing containers filled with liquid or powder products.
- The invention finds application advantageously in the art field of carousel type equipment used for sterilizing, filling and closing containers with a capped neck in which a variety of different substances can be packaged, for example liquid food products such as milk or fruit juices, and non-food products such as mineral lubricating oils, detergents, etc.
- The prior art embraces items of equipment comprising a carousel embodied as a rotating platform designed to support containers for processing and mounted on a fixed, floor-standing base frame; the frame generally will house respective drive components by which the platform is set in rotation about a vertical axis.
- Also forming part of the carousel is a frame, positioned above the platform and joined to the selfsame platform by way of a respective drive shaft.
- The frame and the platform are caused by the shaft to rotate as one about the vertical axis.
- The frame carries a plurality of capping and/or filling assemblies arranged around its peripheral edge and operating on respective containers positioned beneath.
- Thus, when the platform and frame are set in rotation, the containers are engaged by the aforementioned assemblies and closed with a cap, in the case of a capping carousel, or filled with a product in the case of a filling carousel.
- The carousel also comprises a device serving to induce vertical motion, by which the frame can be positioned closer to or farther from the platform; thus, the height of the frame relative to the platform is adjustable according to the size of container being processed.
- Conventional units of the type outlined above are washed down periodically so as to remove any splashes or spills of the liquid or powder products with which the containers for processing are filled. During the course of feeding and/or filling operations, in effect, part of the liquid or powder product can escape from the respective containers and foul the surfaces of the carousel.
- At the end of a given production run, accordingly, nozzles are activated to direct a washing liquid onto the carousel, especially onto those areas where the splashes or spills are most heavily concentrated.
- To avoid wetting the area around the equipment, the carousel is housed generally within a protective structure consisting in a side wall, or guard, and a collection tank attached to the underside of the platform.
- In this way, the washing liquid is kept in by the side wall, which rises to the full height of the carousel, then collected in the tank and channelled away to a waste pipe.
- Nonetheless, the top edge of the side wall is effectively detached from the frame and positioned at a height only a short distance above the carousel, with the result that an opening, hence a passage, is created around the frame.
- Consequently, splashes of washing liquid can still fly beyond the wall or guard by way of the aforementioned opening, wetting the area outside the guard and the top surface of the frame.
- In this situation, it will be appreciated that there are components housed on top of the frame, controlling the operation of the capping and/or filling assemblies, which should not be exposed to liquid products of any kind as contact with liquids could result in damage.
- The object of the present invention is to provide equipment for processing containers filled with liquid or powder products, such as will be unaffected by the drawbacks mentioned above.
- In particular, the object of the invention is to provide equipment for processing containers filled with liquid or powder products, embodied in such a way as to prevent the escape of washing liquids directed at the carousel.
- The stated object is realized in equipment according to the present invention for processing containers filled with liquid or powder products, comprising: a carousel designed to accommodate respective containers for processing; motion-inducing means by which the carousel is set in rotation about a respective vertical axis; and a containing element placed around the carousel, characterized in that it further comprises a covering element associated with the top of the carousel, combining with the containing element to create a chamber internally of which the carousel is housed.
- The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 illustrates equipment according to the present invention for processing containers filled with liquid or powder products, viewed in a side elevation and partly in section; -
FIG. 2 is a detail of the equipment illustrated inFIG. 1 , viewed in a side elevation and partly in section, and illustrated in a first possible embodiment; -
FIG. 3 is a detail of the equipment, viewed in a side elevation and partly in section, illustrated in a second possible embodiment; -
FIG. 4 is a detail of the equipment, viewed in a side elevation and partly in section, illustrated in a third possible embodiment. - With reference to
FIG. 1 ,numeral 1 denotes equipment, in its entirety, forprocessing containers 2 filled with liquid or powder products, each presenting aneck 3 and afiller mouth 4 closable by fitting a cap. - In general,
such equipment 1 comprises at least onecarousel 5 forprocessing containers 2, operated for example as a sterilizing, filling or capping unit, designed to accommodate and processrespective containers 2 while rotating about a vertical axis “X”. - By way purely of example, the accompanying drawings provide a detailed illustration of a carousel used for filling
containers 2 with liquid or powder products, introduced through themouth 4 of each one. Nonetheless, the feature to which the invention relates is applicable to any given carousel forming part of theequipment 1. - The
carousel 5 is equipped with motion-inducing means 6, by which it is set in rotation about the aforementioned axis “X”. - In greater detail, the
carousel 5 comprises a platform 7 presenting a plurality ofperipheral stations 8 serving to accommodate singlerespective containers 2. The platform 7 appears as a disc mounted on a floor-standingbase 9 that supports theentire carousel 5. - The floor-standing
base 9, which is of substantially box-like appearance, houses a motor forming part of the aforementioned motion-inducing means 6 and presenting ashaft 10 aligned longitudinally on the vertical axis “X” of rotation - The
shaft 10 is associated with the platform 7, and with anupper frame 11 positioned at the topmost end of theselfsame shaft 10, above the platform 7. Both the platform 7 and theframe 11 are thus set in rotation as one about the vertical axis “X”. - The carousel is equipped with a plurality of filling and/or
capping devices 12 mounted to the periphery of theframe 11. More exactly, thedevices 12 illustrated in the example of the drawings are fillingdevices 12 only, given that thecarousel 5 is a filling carousel, as already intimated. Thedevices 12 in question are not described and illustrated in detail, being familiar in embodiment. - Each
device 12 is positioned in alignment with a respectiveperipheral station 8, so that thecontainer 2 placed thereon can be filled with a liquid or powder product during the synchronous rotation of the platform 7 and theframe 11. - The product is delivered to the carousel by suitable connecting
pipes 12 a positioned on theframe 11 and supplying each of thedevices 12 attached to theframe 11. - It will be seen also that the
carousel 5 shown inFIG. 1 presents a plurality of supporting andweighing devices 13, each positioned to coincide with arelative station 8. Thedevices 13 in question, likewise conventional and therefore not described in detail, are designed advantageously to weigh thecontainers 2 during the filling operation. - The
carousel 5 also comprises means 5 a of inducing vertical motion, associated with the platform 7 and theframe 11 and serving to move theframe 11 along the vertical axis “X” toward or away from the platform 7. -
Such means 5 a are embodied to advantage as a set of cylinders interposed between theframe 11 and the platform 7, through the agency of which the height of theframe 11 can be adjusted according to the size ofcontainer 2 being handled. - The
equipment 1 further comprises a containingelement 14 internally of which thecarousel 5 is housed. - More precisely, the containing
element 14 comprises abottom wall 15 extending around thecarousel 5 and presenting aperipheral rim 15 a that compasses the transverse dimension of thecarousel 5. - In particular, the
bottom wall 15 is associated with the floor-standingbase 9 aforementioned, and presents a substantially concave geometry such as will favour the collection of a washing liquid directed onto the platform 7 and theframe 11. - The containing
element 14 also presents aside wall 16 issuing from theperipheral rim 15 a of thebottom wall 15. - The
side wall 16 extends around thecarousel 5, terminating uppermost in atop edge 16 a remote from theperipheral rim 15 a, and presents a planar verticalinner surface 17 directed toward thecarousel 5. - The
equipment 1 further comprises a coveringelement 18 associated with the top of thecarousel 5 and combining with the containingelement 14 to create achamber 19 internally of which thecarousel 5 is enclosed. - The covering 18 element presents a
first extremity 18 a associated with theframe 11 and asecond extremity 18 b, remote from thefirst extremity 18 a, slidably engaging theinner surface 17 of theside wall 16 in such a way that the platform 7 and the lower part of theframe 11 remain enclosed internally of thechamber 19. - More exactly, and referring to the first embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2 , thecovering element 18 comprises apanel 20 of substantially annular geometry that presents aflat bottom face 21 positioned internally of thechamber 19 and directed toward thebottom wall 15. Thebottom face 21 presents aperipheral portion 22 coinciding with the aforementionedfirst extremity 18 a of theelement 18, at which thepanel 20 presents an internal circular edge. - The
peripheral portion 22 rests on top of arim 11 a presented by theframe 11, to which theaforementioned filling devices 12 are attached. To advantage, the equipment comprises first sealing means 23 interposed between therim 11 a and theperipheral portion 22 of thebottom face 21, serving to prevent any passage of washing liquid between theframe 11 and thepanel 20. - Such first sealing means 23 include a
flexible element 23 a, consisting advantageously of a flexible ring, associated permanently with theperipheral portion 22. - Thus, as the
carousel 5 rotates about its axis “X”, therim 11 a of theframe 11 slides against theflexible element 23 a and maintains a hermetic sealing action. - The
panel 20 is also associated with slide means 24 designed to allow its movement along the vertical axis “X”, relative to theside wall 16, toward and away from thebottom wall 15. - In particular, the slide means 24 are located at the
second extremity 18 b of the coveringelement 18 and comprise a plurality ofguide rods 25 spaced apart one from the next, projecting from thetop edge 16 a of theside wall 16. - The
single rods 25 are substantially cylindrical, of circular cross section, each extending vertically along a respective longitudinal axis parallel to the axis “X” of the carousel. - The
rods 25 also occupy respective throughholes 26 afforded by thepanel 20, which is able thus to traverse the length of therods 25. - With this arrangement, accordingly, the
panel 20 will be seen to lie a short distance above theside wall 16. - The covering
element 18 further comprises alateral baffle 27 projecting from thebottom face 21 of thepanel 20 and occupying thechamber 19. Thebaffle 27 is located between theholes 26 and theperipheral portion 22 and presents a substantially cylindrical appearance, having atop edge 28 anchored to thebottom face 21 of thepanel 20 and abottom edge 29 furnished with second sealing means 30 offered to theinner surface 17 of theside wall 16. Thebaffle 27 presents anouter surface 27 a directed toward theinner surface 17 of theside wall 16 and the associatedrods 25, and aninner surface 27 b directed toward thecarousel 5. - The second sealing means 30 comprise an
annular support 31 attached to thebottom edge 29 of thebaffle 27 and presenting a substantially square cross sectional profile that includes avertical surface 31 a directed toward theinner surface 17 of theside wall 16. - The aforementioned
vertical surface 31 a affords agroove 32, likewise annular, in which aflexible sealing element 33 is seated. Theflexible element 33 takes the form of a ring seal, offered in fluid-tight contact to theinner surface 17 of theside wall 16. Thus, when motion is induced in theframe 11 toward or away from the platform 7, thepanel 20 associated with theframe 11 is raised or lowered, and the same movement is induced in thelateral baffle 27. Accordingly, theflexible element 33 is caused to slide against theinner surface 17, assuring a hermetic sealing action in combination with theside wall 16. - In the second embodiment of
FIG. 3 , thepanel 20 remains at a height permanently below thetop edge 16 a of theside wall 16. - With this solution, moreover, the slide means 24 comprise an
annular projection 34 associated rigidly with theside wall 16 and extending transversely to theinner surface 17 of thissame wall 16. Theannular projection 34 appears substantially rectangular in cross sectional profile and presents atop surface 34 a directed toward thebottom face 21 of thepanel 20. - The slide means 24 further comprise a plurality of
guide rods 25 as described above, spaced apart one from the next and projecting from thetop surface 34 a of theannular projection 34. - As in the solution described previously, the
rods 25 are disposed parallel to the main vertical axis “X” and occupy respective throughholes 26 afforded by thepanel 20. - The
top surface 34 of theannular projection 34 presents anannular slot 35 directed toward thebottom face 21 of thepanel 20. - Likewise in this instance, the
lateral baffle 27 projects from thebottom face 21 of thepanel 20 and occupies thechamber 19. - In particular, the
top edge 28 of thebaffle 27 is anchored to thebottom face 21 of thepanel 20, whilst thebottom edge 29 is seated slidably in the aforementionedannular slot 35. - To advantage, the
baffle 27 is furnished with second sealing means 30 located between theselfsame baffle 27 and theannular projection 34. - In greater detail, the second sealing means 30 comprise a primary
flexible element 36 associated with thetop surface 34 a of theannular projection 34 and offered to theinner surface 27 b of thebaffle 27. In practice, the primaryflexible element 36 consists in a ring seal of which an inner edge is anchored to thetop surface 34 a, adjacent to theslot 35, and an outer edge engages in fluid-tight contact with theinner surface 27 b of thebaffle 27. Thus, when motion is induced in thepanel 20, theinner surface 27 b of thebaffle 27 will slide against the primaryflexible component 36, maintaining a hermetic seal to disallow any infiltration of liquid. - The second sealing means 30 further comprise a secondary
flexible element 37 secured to thebottom edge 29 of thelateral baffle 27 and offered to aninside wall 35 a of theannular slot 35. - The secondary
flexible element 37 likewise consists in a ring of which an inner edge is anchored to thebottom edge 29 of the baffle, and an outer edge is breasted in fluid-tight contact with theinside wall 35 a of theslot 35. - Consequently, the secondary
flexible element 37 engages in sliding contact internally of theslot 35, maintaining a hermetic seal in similar fashion to the first example illustrated, and disallowing any infiltration of liquid by way of therods 25. - In the third embodiment of
FIG. 4 , the coveringelement 18 appears as atubular housing 38 of annular shape, encompassing a relativeinternal void 39. - The void 39 serves to house components of the
frame 11 such as the aforementioned connectingpipes 12 a, or electrical cables needed for the operation of thefiller device 12. - More exactly, the
tubular housing 38 incorporates thepanel 20 already described, and a top 40, positioned above thepanel 20, similarly presenting a flat and annular appearance. The top 40 and thepanel 20 are connected one with another at the respective lateral extremities by way of twocylindrical flanks panel 20 and combining with thepanel 20 and with the top 40 to delimit the void 39. - It will be seen that one
flank 41 a is positioned directly above theframe 11, whilst theother flank 41 b is breasted with theinner surface 17 of theside wall 16. Accordingly, when theframe 11 is cause to traverse along the main axis “X”, thetubular housing 38 will accompany the movement vertically, with theouter flank 41 b riding against theinner surface 17. - To advantage, in this embodiment, the
flexible element 23 a of the first sealing means 23 presents anangled portion 42 engaging thebottom face 21 of thepanel 20 and therim 11 a of theframe 11. Theangled portion 42 extends transversely from thebottom face 21 toward thecarousel 5 to ensure a better fluid-tight seal during the rotation of theframe 11. - Again in this third embodiment, the second sealing means 30 consist in a
flexible element 43 anchored to thebottom face 21 of thepanel 20 and engaging theinner surface 17 of theside wall 16. - The
flexible element 43 extends transversely from thebottom face 21 toward thesurface 17 of theside wall 16, in such a way as will enable it to slide against theselfsame surface 17 when theframe 11 is traversed along the vertical axis “X”. - Likewise in this instance, the second sealing means 30 ensure a fluid-tight fit between the covering
element 18 and theside wall 16. - To advantage, when cleaning operations are carried out on the
carousel 5, the coveringelement 18 prevents any splash or spillage of washing liquid over theside wall 16. - In effect, the
panel 20 projecting sideways from theframe 11 combines with theside wall 16 and thebottom wall 15 to create theaforementioned chamber 19, internally of which the carousel is housed hermetically. - Consequently, the washing liquid will always remains within the
chamber 19, and there is no risk of splashing or wetting the top part of theframe 11, which remains outside the chamber 19 (FIG. 1 ). - A further advantage of the invention is that the
frame 11 can be moved toward and away from the platform 7 while maintaining a fluid-tight seal at the coveringelement 18 at all times. - In effect, by deploying the second sealing means 30 as described above, the covering
element 18 can be traversed along the vertical axis “X” of the equipment while maintaining a fluid tight fit between theselfsame element 18 and theside wall 16.
Claims (22)
1. Equipment for processing containers filled with liquid or powder products, comprising:
a carousel (5) designed to accommodate respective containers (2) for processing;
motion-inducing means (6) by which the carousel is set in rotation about a respective vertical axis (X); and,
a containing element (14) placed around the carousel (5),
characterized in that it further comprises a covering element (18) associated with the top of the carousel (5), combining with the containing element (14) to create a chamber (19) internally of which the carousel (5) is housed.
2. Equipment as in claim 1 , wherein the containing element (14) comprises a side wall (16) presenting a substantially vertical planar inner surface (17) directed toward the carousel (5), and the covering element (18) is slidably engaged with the side wall (16).
3. Equipment as in claim 2 , wherein the containing element (14) further comprises a bottom wall (15) extending around the carousel (5) and presenting a peripheral rim (15 a) compassing the transverse dimension of the carousel (5), the side wall (16) issuing from the peripheral rim (15 a) and presenting a top edge (16 a) remote from the selfsame peripheral rim (15 a).
4. Equipment as in claim 3 , wherein the carousel (5) further comprises a platform (7) presenting a plurality of peripheral stations (8) serving to accommodate respective containers (2) for processing, and an upper frame (11) positioned above and associated with the platform (7), presenting a plurality of filling and/or capping devices (12) each positioned in alignment with a respective peripheral station (8) of the platform (7) and serving to fill the respective container (2) for processing with a product and/or to close the selfsame container (2) with a cap, the covering element (18) presenting a first extremity (18 a) associated with the upper frame (11) and a second extremity (18 b) opposite to the first extremity (18 a), associated with the side wall (16).
5. Equipment as in claim 4 , wherein the carousel (5) further comprises means (5 a) of inducing vertical motion, associated with the platform (7) and with the frame (11), by which the frame (11) is traversed along the vertical axis (X) toward or away from the platform (7).
6. Equipment as in claim 5 , wherein the covering element (18) comprises a panel (20) of substantially annular geometry, presenting a flat bottom face (21) positioned internally of the chamber (19), and a peripheral portion (22) coinciding with the first extremity (18 a) of the selfsame element (18) and resting on a rim (11 a) of the frame (11).
7. Equipment as in claim 6 , further comprising first sealing means (23) interposed between the peripheral portion (22) of the bottom face (21) and the rim (11 a) of the frame (11).
8. Equipment as in claim 7 , wherein first sealing means (23) comprise a flexible element (23 a) anchored permanently to the peripheral portion (22) of the bottom face (21), against which the rim (11 a) of the frame (11) slides during the rotation of the carousel (5) about the vertical axis (X).
9. Equipment as in claim 8 , comprising slide means (24) associated with the side wall (16) and with the panel (20), at the second extremity (18 b) of the covering element (18), enabling movement of the panel (20) relative to the side wall (16) along the vertical axis (X), toward and away from the bottom wall (15).
10. Equipment as in claim 9 , wherein slide means (24) comprise a plurality of guide rods (25) spaced apart one from the next and projecting from the top edge (16 a) of the side wall (16), each extending longitudinally parallel to the vertical axis (X) and occupying a respective through hole (26) afforded by the panel (20).
11. Equipment as in claim 10 , wherein the covering element (18) further comprises a lateral baffle (27) positioned internally of the chamber (19), projecting from the bottom face (21) of the panel (20) between the holes (26) and the peripheral portion (22), of which a cylindrical outer surface (27 a) is directed toward the inner surface (17) of the side wall (16) and toward the guide rods (25), and a cylindrical inner surface (27 b) is directed toward the carousel (5).
12. Equipment as in claim 11 , wherein the lateral baffle (27) presents a top edge (28) anchored to the bottom face (21) of the panel (20), and a bottom edge (29), remote from the top edge (28), furnished with second sealing means (30) offered to the inner surface (17) of the side wall (16).
13. Equipment as in claim 12 , wherein second sealing means (30) comprise an annular support (31) attached to the bottom edge (29) of the baffle (27), also a flexible sealing element (33) seated in a groove (32) afforded by the annular support (31), offered to the inner surface (17) of the side wall (16) and slidable against this same surface in a direction parallel to the vertical axis (X).
14. Equipment as in claim 9 , wherein slide means (24) comprise an annular projection (34) associated rigidly with the side wall (16) and extending from the inner surface (17) of the selfsame wall (16), also a plurality of guide rods (25) spaced apart one from the next and projecting from a top surface (34 a) of the annular projection (34) directed toward the bottom face (21) of the panel (20), each extending longitudinally parallel to the vertical axis (X) and occupying a respective through hole (26) afforded by the panel (20).
15. Equipment as in claim 14 , wherein the covering element (18) further comprises a lateral baffle (27) positioned internally of the chamber (19), projecting from the bottom face (21) of the panel (20) between the holes (26) and the peripheral portion (22), of which a cylindrical outer surface (27 a) is directed toward the inner surface (17) of the side wall (16) and toward the guide rods (25), and a cylindrical inner surface (27 b) is directed toward the carousel (5).
16. Equipment as in claim 15 , wherein the lateral baffle (27) presents a top edge (28) anchored to the bottom face (21) of the panel (20), and a bottom edge (29), remote from the top edge (28), slidable internally of an annular slot (35) afforded by the top surface (34 a) of the annular projection (34) when the panel (20) is traversed along the vertical axis (X).
17. Equipment as in claim 16 , wherein the lateral baffle (27) is furnished with second sealing means (30) located between the selfsame baffle (27) and the annular projection (34).
18. Equipment as in claim 17 , wherein second sealing means (30) comprise a primary flexible element (36) associated with the top surface (34 a) of the annular projection (34) and offered to the cylindrical inner surface (27 b) of the baffle (27), also a secondary flexible element (37) secured to the bottom edge (29) of the lateral baffle (27) and offered to an inside wall (35 a) of the annular slot (35).
19. Equipment as in claim 8 , wherein the covering element (18) presents a tubular housing (38) of substantially annular shape encompassing an internal void (39) delimited by the panel (20) in combination with two cylindrical flanks (41 a, 41 b) issuing from relative opposite lateral extremities of the panel (20), and a top (40) positioned above the panel (20) and associated with the flanks (41 a, 41 b).
20. Equipment as in claim 19 , wherein one of the two flanks (41 a, 41 b) is breasted with the inner surface (17) of the side wall (16) and slidable thus against the selfsame inner surface (17) when the covering element (18) is traversed along the vertical axis (X), relative to the side wall (16), toward or away from the bottom wall (15).
21. Equipment as in claim 20 , further comprising second sealing means (30) interposed between the panel (20) and the inner surface (17) of the side wall (16).
22. Equipment as in claim 21 , wherein second sealing means (30) comprise a flexible element (43) anchored to the bottom face (21) of the panel (20) at the second extremity (18 b) of the covering element (18) and offered to the inner surface (17) of the side wall (16), in such a way as to slide against the selfsame inner surface (17) when the covering element (18) is traversed along the vertical axis (X).
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ITBO2006A000376 | 2006-05-17 | ||
IT000376A ITBO20060376A1 (en) | 2006-05-17 | 2006-05-17 | EQUIPMENT FOR THE TREATMENT OF CONTAINERS WITH LIQUID OR POWDER PRODUCTS. |
PCT/IB2007/001265 WO2007132339A1 (en) | 2006-05-17 | 2007-05-16 | Equipment for processing containers filled with liquid or powder products |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20090223168A1 true US20090223168A1 (en) | 2009-09-10 |
Family
ID=38510341
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/227,308 Abandoned US20090223168A1 (en) | 2006-05-17 | 2007-05-16 | Equipment for Processing Containers Filled with Liquid or Powder Products |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20090223168A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2018344A1 (en) |
IT (1) | ITBO20060376A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2007132339A1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100224283A1 (en) * | 2006-02-14 | 2010-09-09 | Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.P.A. | Carousel for Processing Containers Filled With Liquid or Powder Products |
US20110232233A1 (en) * | 2010-03-26 | 2011-09-29 | Krones Ag | Apparatus for treating containers having a height-adjustable isolator |
US20180222738A1 (en) * | 2015-10-30 | 2018-08-09 | Krones Ag | Device for filling containers with a filling product |
US10287040B2 (en) * | 2017-07-31 | 2019-05-14 | Alpha Brewing Operations | Material saving canning system |
CN111907749A (en) * | 2020-08-10 | 2020-11-10 | 武汉亿维登科技发展有限公司 | Filling device is used in cosmetics production |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ITBO20080255A1 (en) * | 2008-04-23 | 2009-10-24 | Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Spa | COVER STRUCTURE FOR MACHINES AND / OR MACHINE BLOCKS FOR PACKAGING CONTAINERS, IN PARTICULAR FOR CAPPING MACHINES. |
DE102009054314A1 (en) * | 2009-11-24 | 2011-05-26 | Khs Gmbh | Device for the aseptic or sterile treatment of packaging |
DE102010031873A1 (en) * | 2010-07-21 | 2012-01-26 | Krones Aktiengesellschaft | Apparatus and method for filling containers with cleaning device |
JP5700216B2 (en) * | 2011-06-24 | 2015-04-15 | サントリーホールディングス株式会社 | Beverage filling equipment and cleaning and sterilization method |
CN110885051B (en) * | 2019-12-10 | 2021-12-24 | 新疆百禾晶生物科技有限公司 | Anti-leakage device for batch filling of liquid skin care products |
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US3670786A (en) * | 1970-06-02 | 1972-06-20 | American Home Prod | Container filling apparatus |
US5598876A (en) * | 1994-03-28 | 1997-02-04 | Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.P.A. | Powdered material dispensing unit |
US6026867A (en) * | 1997-07-24 | 2000-02-22 | Krones Ag Hermann Kronseder Maschinenfabrik | Rotary filling machine |
US20100147653A1 (en) * | 2006-02-14 | 2010-06-17 | Gianpietro Zanini | Equipment for Processing Containers Filled With Liquid or Powder Products. |
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GB628530A (en) * | 1945-05-30 | 1949-08-31 | Leonard Eugene Cowey | Improvements in bottling machines |
DE10145803C2 (en) * | 2001-09-17 | 2003-10-02 | Alfill Engineering Gmbh & Co K | Container handling machine with closed space |
JP4182280B2 (en) * | 2002-06-07 | 2008-11-19 | 四国化工機株式会社 | Rotary aseptic filling equipment |
-
2006
- 2006-05-17 IT IT000376A patent/ITBO20060376A1/en unknown
-
2007
- 2007-05-16 EP EP07734573A patent/EP2018344A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2007-05-16 WO PCT/IB2007/001265 patent/WO2007132339A1/en active Application Filing
- 2007-05-16 US US12/227,308 patent/US20090223168A1/en not_active Abandoned
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US3670786A (en) * | 1970-06-02 | 1972-06-20 | American Home Prod | Container filling apparatus |
US5598876A (en) * | 1994-03-28 | 1997-02-04 | Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.P.A. | Powdered material dispensing unit |
US6026867A (en) * | 1997-07-24 | 2000-02-22 | Krones Ag Hermann Kronseder Maschinenfabrik | Rotary filling machine |
US20100147653A1 (en) * | 2006-02-14 | 2010-06-17 | Gianpietro Zanini | Equipment for Processing Containers Filled With Liquid or Powder Products. |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100224283A1 (en) * | 2006-02-14 | 2010-09-09 | Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.P.A. | Carousel for Processing Containers Filled With Liquid or Powder Products |
US8151831B2 (en) * | 2006-02-14 | 2012-04-10 | Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.P.A. | Carousel for processing containers filled with liquid or powder products |
US20110232233A1 (en) * | 2010-03-26 | 2011-09-29 | Krones Ag | Apparatus for treating containers having a height-adjustable isolator |
US8857478B2 (en) * | 2010-03-26 | 2014-10-14 | Krones Ag | Apparatus for treating containers having a height-adjustable isolator |
US20180222738A1 (en) * | 2015-10-30 | 2018-08-09 | Krones Ag | Device for filling containers with a filling product |
US10800642B2 (en) * | 2015-10-30 | 2020-10-13 | Krones Ag | Device for filling containers with a filling product |
US10287040B2 (en) * | 2017-07-31 | 2019-05-14 | Alpha Brewing Operations | Material saving canning system |
US10946990B2 (en) | 2017-07-31 | 2021-03-16 | Alpha Brewing Operations | Material saving canning system |
CN111907749A (en) * | 2020-08-10 | 2020-11-10 | 武汉亿维登科技发展有限公司 | Filling device is used in cosmetics production |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ITBO20060376A1 (en) | 2007-11-18 |
EP2018344A1 (en) | 2009-01-28 |
WO2007132339A1 (en) | 2007-11-22 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: AZIONARIA COSTRUZIONI MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE A.C.M.A Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:ZANINI, GIANPIETRO;BARONI, MARCO;REEL/FRAME:021865/0685 Effective date: 20081111 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |