WO2002024524A1

WO2002024524A1 - Device for filling liquid with automatic closure

Info

Publication number: WO2002024524A1
Application number: PCT/FR2001/002940
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claude Babot; Philippe Girout
Original assignee: La Girondine S.A.
Priority date: 2000-09-22
Filing date: 2001-09-21
Publication date: 2002-03-28
Also published as: AU2001291968A1; FR2814451B1; FR2814451A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a liquid filling tube, comprising valve levelling means, consisting of a ball (36) arranged in a inner housing (32) provided in the head (12) and emerging into an air exhaust channel (44), the housing being further provided with a lower seat (34) and an upper seat (42). The invention is characterised in that the density of the ball (36) is higher than that of the liquid to be filled; at least two lateral air and liquid circulation channels (40) are arranged in the wall of the head and emerge inside the housing and outside the head; each channel emerges inside the housing opposite the ball (36) in a zone containing the diametrical horizontal plane of the ball (36), when the latter is supported on the lower seat.

Description

AUTOMATIC CLOSING LIQUID FILLING DEVICE.

The subject of the invention is improvements to devices for filling containers with liquid, of the type comprising means making it possible to automatically stop the flow of liquid when the level in the container reaches a predetermined value.

It is particularly applicable to the filling of bottles, such as water bottles in carousel devices making it possible to obtain very high filling rates. In most filling applications, this must be of high precision, while being very rapid. Liquid losses must also be avoided to reduce operating costs and / or to avoid wasting natural resources, which is the case when bottling spring water. The so-called level fillers have been designed to meet these constraints. These fillers have filling spouts comprising means which are adjusted to automatically stop the flow of the liquid when the level in the container reaches a predetermined value. Indeed, for bottles of given shapes and volumes, the filling accuracy is reflected in each container by a level at given height and constant from one container to another.

Known fillers of this type operate according to the following principle: the filling spouts, called spouts in the following description, are placed in communication with a supply tank and are supplied with liquid from this tank, either by gravity, the tank then being in the open air, either by causing a slight overpressure in the tank in order to discharge the liquid towards the spouts.

Such spouts each comprise sealing means with the opening of the container, that is to say the neck also called neck in the case of a bottle, and a filling tube associated with a closure head, this tube being movable between two positions, one open, detached from the head in which the liquid can flow, and the other open, in sealed support on the head, in which the flow cannot take place. It is in fact the establishment of the container which causes the filling tube to be placed in the open position, and its removal which causes it to be placed in the closed position.

However, for the liquid to be possible to flow, it is necessary, in addition to placing the tube in the open position, to allow the air contained in the container to be able to escape therefrom. Indeed the presence of the sealing means between the spout and the container prevents the flow from taking place if the air remains trapped.

To this end, known nozzles include an air exhaust duct which is associated with a valve shutter mechanism: as long as this duct is open, air can escape from the container and the liquid therein penetrate; closing the duct with the valve prevents air from escaping, so that the flow is interrupted. The conduit is closed by the valve which is activated when the level in the container reaches a predetermined value. Thus, it has been proposed that the valve is associated with a float or, more simply, that it is constituted by a float which is moved when the liquid level in the container reaches a predetermined value.

The French patent granted under the number 81 3.31 3 describes such a type of spout. The valve is formed by a ball-shaped float arranged in a cage located in the lower part of the spout, and introduced into the container to be filled. The exhaust duct opens at the top of the cage. When the liquid enters the cage, the ball is raised and goes up to the outlet of the conduit which it comes to close. Such spouts have various advantages: the exhaust of the air through a dedicated conduit on the one hand does not disturb the flow of the liquid, on the other hand prevents the air from going up towards the tank at the risk of pollute; their mechanism is simple, so that machines incorporating them require reduced maintenance; they are perfectly suited for ultra-clean or sterile filling because they can be designed so as to have no retention zone capable of allowing the proliferation of bacteria, and they are easy to clean by a simple passage of disinfectant fluid. However, it has been found that these spouts have some drawbacks, even though the profiles of the air exhaust and liquid inlet circuits are calculated so as not to disturb the filling flow. Thus, it sometimes happens that the ball starts to vibrate during filling, in particular when one seeks to increase the rates, which has the effect of disturbing the exhaust of air and causing turbulence in the flow of filling, so that the desired rate is not reached. This is explained by the fact that the exhaust of air at high speed creates turbulence phenomena which tend to move the ball which rests freely at the bottom of the cavity.

It has even been found that, in certain cases, the ball takes off from the bottom of the cavity and is found pressed against the exhaust duct, while very little liquid has yet arrived in the container. It is in fact the air flow in the container which propels the ball into its cage, long before the liquid reaches it.

The invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

According to the invention, a liquid filling spout, comprising an air exhaust tube and a head integral with this tube, and a coaxial liquid flow tube, these two tubes being movable one with respect to the other so as to assume two positions, one closed, the flow tube being in leaktight contact with the head, the other open in which the liquid can flow, and leveling means with valve , consisting of a ball arranged in an internal housing formed in the head and opening into the air exhaust tube, the housing being also provided with a lower seat and an upper seat, is characterized in that :

- the density of the ball is greater than that of the liquid to be filled;

- At least two lateral air and liquid circulation channels ^' are formed in the wall of the head and open into the housing on the one hand and outside the head on the other hand;

- each channel leads inside the. housing facing the ball in an area containing the diametrical horizontal plane of the ball, when the latter is supported on the lower seat. Surprisingly after tests, it was found that it was not necessary for the valve to float, but that one could very well use a material much denser than the liquid. For example, for water, it is possible to use solid balls made of stainless material, which seems a priori inconceivable. It is in fact the arrangement of the channels relative to the ball at rest which makes it possible to use a ball made of dense material. The arrangement of the ball at rest is such that the air flow passes over it to join the exhaust tube; its mass prevents it from vibrating or coming off. When the liquid arrives in the channels, it is at the same time the push exerted by the latter and the increase in air pressure, since the passage which is offered there is reduced because liquid passes at the same time in the channels, which initiate the upward movement of the ball, then the pressure exerted by the air under the ball keeps it pressed under the upper seat, and the ball does not fall until the pressure is released, that is to say as long as the container is not detached from the spout.

According to another characteristic, the channels are inclined so as to open obliquely into the housing, the outlet of each channel inside the housing being at a height greater than its outlet outside of the head.

According to another characteristic, the angle between the channels and the longitudinal vertical axis of the spout is between 10 ° and 80 °; preferably this angle is between 20 ° and 50 °.

According to another characteristic, the channels are arranged in a regular angular distribution around the wall of the head.

According to another characteristic, the channels are distributed in several series of several juxtaposed channels, said series being arranged in a regular angular distribution around the wall of the head. According to another characteristic, the liquid to be filled being water, the ball is made of a material whose density is between 5 and 10 g / cm ³ ; the ball is made of a material, such as stainless steel.

According to another characteristic, the liquid flow tube is coaxial, outside, with the air exhaust tube. According to another characteristic, the head comprises two cones linked by their bases; one of the cones, upper, has a curved flow ramp leading to a peripheral seal carried by the head and disposed near the connection plane of two cones. According to another characteristic, means for guiding the liquid flow tube relative to the air return tube are fixed to the latter so as to come into sliding contact with the inner wall of the liquid flow tube.

According to another characteristic, the housing comprises an orifice is formed in its lower part, which opens on the one hand into the lower seat, on the other hand outside of the head, on its lowest end.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description of the figures below which respectively illustrate:

- Figure 1, a longitudinal sectional view of the spout according to the invention;

- Figure 2, a view of the spout in Figure 1, after partial rotation about its longitudinal axis; - Figure 3, a cross-sectional view along line 3-3 of Figure 1; FIGS. 4A to 4D, a view of a block diagram of the different stages of operation of the spout of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a liquid flow tube 1 0, a head 1 2 and an air exhaust tube 1 4, as well as means 1 6 for leveling with a valve 1 7.

The liquid flow tube 1 0 is coaxial, outside, with the air exhaust tube 1 4.

In a manner known per se, the liquid flow tube 1 0 is connected to a funnel-shaped membrane 1 8 which guides the liquid

20 coming directly from a feed tank, located above the head and not shown, and the elastic return force for pressing the end of the liquid flow tube 1 0 on the head 1 2, as will be explained later.

The liquid flow tube 1 0 is still secured to retaining means 22 allowing the sealed support of the neck of the bottle, and which ensure, under the effect of displacement of the latter, the movements of the tube 1 0 liquid flow with respect to the head 1 2 and to the air exhaust tube 1 4 against the return force of the membrane. In known manner, the seal when the neck is pressed is provided by the means 22 themselves which have an appropriate structure or by added means, such as a seal, not shown.

The diameter of the liquid flow tube 1 0 is adapted so that the latter cooperates sealingly with the head 1 2 when it is in the closed position.

For this purpose, a peripheral seal 26, carried by the head, serves as a seat at the end of the tube 1 0. Preferably, this seal 26 has a rectangular section.

The head 12 is substantially inscribed in an envelope comprising two cones 28 and 30 linked by their bases. The seal 26 is arranged near the connection plane of these cones. A housing 32 is made partly in the lower cone 28, and for another part in the upper cone 30. The lower part of the housing constitutes a lower seat 34. In the housing is arranged a ball 36, which constitutes the valve as such. An orifice 38 is formed in the lower part of the housing, and opens on the one hand into the lower seat 34, on the other hand outside of the head, on its lowest end. This orifice allows the housing to be drained, as will be explained later.

In addition, channels 40 are formed in the side wall of the housing 32, and put the interior of the housing in communication with the exterior of the head in which this housing is formed.

The housing 32 extends into the upper cone until a higher seat 42 in which opens an inner, central channel 44 formed in the air exhaust tube 1 4. The channels 40 open to the outside of the head through the wall of the lower cone 28. I ls open inside the housing 32 opposite the ball 36 in an area containing the diametrical horizontal plane of the ball, when the latter is supported on the lower seat. In this position of the ball, a slice of the latter containing its horizontal diametrical plane is located opposite the outlet of the channels 40 in the housing 32, without these being closed, so that a passage is offered to the 'air in ^{' direction} of the central channel 44 formed in the air exhaust tube 1 4, and opening into the upper seat 42. Preferably, the channels 40 are inclined so as to open obliquely into the housing 32, the outlet of each channel inside the housing being at a height greater than its outlet outside the head. As will be explained later, this structure promotes the movement of the ball 36 when the level in the container reaches a predetermined value. In addition, the inclination promotes the evacuation of the liquid from the channels at the end of a filling phase, or the evacuation of a cleaning agent.

Preferably, the angle a between the channels and the longitudinal vertical axis of the spout is between 10 ° and 80 °. Tests have shown that an angle between 20 ° and 50 °, in particular an angle of the order of 30 °, makes it possible to obtain excellent results under numerous filling conditions.

Although, in theory, two channels could suffice, provided that they are dimensioned accordingly, it is preferable to provide a larger number. Thus, in the effective embodiment where the internal diameter of the housing is of the order of 10 mm, 10 channels have been arranged in a regular angular distribution around the wall of the head, and the diameter of each channel is of the order of 4 mm.

As a variant, it is possible to produce several series of several juxtaposed channels, the said series being arranged in a regular angular distribution around the wall of the head.

The ball is made of a material having a density. greater than that of the liquid to be filled. For water, beads with a density of 5 to 10 g / cm ^{3 were} successfully and surprisingly tested. For water, preferably, the ball is made of a material, such as steel, stainless.

In the example illustrated, the upper cone 30 has an outer profile in the form of a curved ramp. The bottom of the ramp opens onto seal 26.

Means 48 for guiding the liquid flow tube 1 0 are fixed to the outer periphery of the air exhaust tube 1 4.

In the example illustrated, these guide means comprise a ring 50 supported by wings 52. In the illustrated embodiment, the ring is in the shape of a barrel having a large radius of curvature to ensure limited sliding contact with the interior of the liquid flow tube 1 0 in the middle part of the ring.

The wings 52 and the ring 50 are profiled to avoid disturbing the flow of the liquid. FIG. 3 shows the constituent elements in section which give a good approximation of the ratios, in particular in thickness.

In a variant, not shown, the guide means comprise only the wings 52, which come into sliding contact by their marginal edge with the inner wall of the liquid flow tube 1 0, the ring then being absent.

The upper part of the air exhaust tube 1 4 is provided with fixing means 54, suitable for the relevant spout of the filling machine.

The operation of such a filling spout is now described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4D.

In f igure 4A, the spout is in the standby position. The tube 1 0 filling is supported by its end on the seal 26, which prevents any flow of liquid from the tank.

The container, here a bottle B is waiting, in the axis of the spout. The ball 36 rests by simple gravity in its lower seat 34, formed in the lower cone 28. The ball, which is in the air, is not subject to any other stress. The air exhaust tube 1 4 is preferably connected to a manifold, not shown, which collects the air evacuated from the bottle, for the sake of containment.

The next step shown in FIG. 4B sees a relative movement of the bottle with respect to the spout which causes the neck of the bottle to come into tight contact with the retaining means 22. Therefore the relative movement causes the lifting of the liquid flow tube 1 0 relative to the head, against the elastic return force of the membrane 1 8, which allows the liquid flow, here of water, by gravity, or forced by means of an overpressure.

During the movement of the liquid flow tube 1 0, the guide means comprising the wings 52, or the barrel-shaped ring 50 and the wings, guide it in a direction parallel to the longitudinal, vertical axis, of the beak. Due to the particular conformation of the head 1 2, the admission of the liquid into the bottle takes the form of an umbrella jet, over the entire periphery, with a separation of the vein of liquid on the joint 26, thanks to the ramp 46 of the upper part 30 of the head 1 2.

When the liquid begins to enter the bottle, the ball 36 is supported on the lower seat 34 of the housing and, as already indicated, a portion of the ball, containing its horizontal diametral plane is opposite the outlet of the channels 40 in the housing so that a passage is offered to the air in the upper part of the housing, above the ball, towards the central channel 44 formed in the tube 1 4 air exhaust.

Thus, while the liquid penetrates, the air from the bottle escapes through the central channel 44 of the air exhaust tube 1 4. The air first passes through the lateral channels 40, and passes over the ball before joining the central channel 44. Because of its density, the bil le 36 remains supported on the seat i nférieu r even if the evacuation speed of the air is important and if a vortex is created immediately above the ball .

In the next phase illustrated in Figure 4C, the liquid level arrived at the right of the base of the tube 1 0 filling. Therefore, no only air, but also liquid enters the channels 40, so that the air pressure increases and, under the combined effect of the flow of liquid and the air flow, the ball 36 detaches from the lower seat 34, and is lifted until it comes to settle under the upper seat 42 or it remains due to the overpressure of air existing in the container. Therefore, the ball 36 seals the central channel 44 of the air exhaust tube 44 in a sealed manner. It should also be noted that, in the case of filling bottles, the air pressure may start to increase significantly in the channels 40 before liquid enters it, when the liquid begins to reach the zone. shoulder, of reduced section compared to that of its body, of the bottle. However, the calibration of the channels is such that it prevents the detachment of the ball before the liquid actually enters the channels in turn, further increasing the effect of pressure increase, to allow detachment of the ball .

However, it is easily understood that due to its mass, the ball cannot follow a significant vertical path between the moment when it is detached from the lower seat 34 and that when gravity takes over before it reaches the seat 42 superior. Also, so that the ball can be pressed against the upper seat, the height of the housing is reduced, so as to provide a reduced stroke to the ball. For example, for a ball of the order of 10 mm in diameter, a housing with a height of the order of 1 4 mm is sufficient.

The passage of air being prohibited, the admission of liquid by gravity flow or forced by an overpressure in the tank is interrupted, the liquid flow tube 10 can be closed, by separating the bottle from the spout.

In Figure 4D, the relative descent of the bottle relative to the spout releases the force exerted, which allows the elastic return force of the membrane to be exerted to close the tube 1 0 liquid flow in pressing its end against the seal 26.

During the phase of descent of the bottle, as long as its neck is in leaktight support on the retaining means 22, that is to say at least until the tube 1 0 for liquid flow is closed , there remains an overpressure of air in the container preventing any detachment of the ball 36 of seat 42 upper r. It is only when the neck is released that the internal pressure decreases and the ball 36 falls on the lower seat 34.

In other embodiments with the interposition of a return spring, the operation is strictly the same.

The liquid flow tube 1 0 carries on the seal 26 and provides sealing. Once the neck is clear, the liquid level drops to compensate for the volume of the spout removed. The water contained in the channels 40 escapes therefrom by descending thanks to their oblique position; in addition, the liquid is discharged from the bottom of the housing 32 through the hole 38.

A closure of the spout is thus obtained with a leveling of great precision and this with zero water loss as is qualified in the field of these bottling machines. The absence of water loss is obtained by the presence of the valve, in this case the ball 36 which assu re a sealed closure of the internal air return channel, exactly when the filling level is reached.

Note also that in the embodiment shown, cleaning the spout is facilitated by the absence of corners in which there could be accumulation of particles and other bacteria. The different channels and end holes are indeed swept by the different flows, and are arranged to empty naturally.

Combined with the use of a membrane and the absence of a spring, the arrangement is thus attractive and represents the preferred embodiment. The rates obtained allow filling times of the order of a few seconds to be reached for one and a half liter water bottles.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and specifically claimed; it embraces all the equivalents within the reach of those skilled in the art.

Claims

claims

1. Liquid filling spout, comprising an air exhaust tube (14) and a head (1 2) integral with this tube, and a coaxial fluid flow tube (1 0), these two tubes being movable relative to each other ^"to assume two positions, one closed, the flow tube liq uid being in sealing contact with the head, the other open in which the liquid can s' flow, and valve leveling means, consisting of a ball (36) disposed in an internal housing (32) formed in the head and opening into the air exhaust tube (1 4), the housing being furthermore provided with a lower seat (34) and an upper seat (42), is characterized in that:

- the density of the ball is greater than that of the liquid to be filled; - At least two lateral channels (40) for the circulation of air and liquid are provided in the wall of the head and open out inside the housing on the one hand and outside the head on the other hand;

- Each channel opens into the housing opposite the ball (36) in an area containing the diametrical horizontal plane of the ball, when the latter is supported on the seat (34) lower.

2. liquid filling spout according to claim 1, characterized in that the channels (40) are inclined so as to open obliquely into the housing, the outlet of each channel inside the housing being at a height greater than its outlet outside the head.

3. liquid filling spout according to claim 2, characterized in that the angle between the channels and the longitudinal, vertical axis of the spout is between 10 ° and 80 °.

4. Liquid filling spout according to claim 3, characterized in that the angle between the channels and the longitudinal vertical axis of the spout is between 20 ° and 50 °.

5. liquid filling spout according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the channels (40) are arranged in a regular angular distribution around the wall of the head.

6. liquid filling spout according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the channels (40) are distributed in several series of several juxtaposed channels, said series being arranged in a regular angular distribution around the wall of the head.

7. liquid filling spout according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the liquid to be filled being water, the ball is made of a material whose density is between 5 and 1 0 g / cm ^3,

8. Liquid filling spout according to claim 7, characterized in that the ball is made of a material, such as steel, stainless.

9. Liquid filling spout according to one of claims 1 to

8, characterized in that the liquid flow tube (1 0) is coaxial, external, to the air exhaust tube (1 4).

1 0. liquid filling spout according to one of claims 1 to

9, characterized in that the head comprises two cones (28, 30) linked by their bases and the upper cone (28) has a ramp (46) of curved flow opening onto a peripheral seal (26) carried by the head and disposed near the connection plane of the two cones.

1 1. Liquid filling spout according to claim 9, characterized in that means (48) for guiding the liquid flow tube (1 0) relative to the air exhaust tube (1 4) are fixed to this the latter so as to come into sliding contact with the inner wall of the liquid flow tube.

1 2. liquid filling spout according to one of claims 1 to 1 1, characterized in that the housing (32) has an orifice (38) formed in its lower part, which opens on the one hand into the seat ( 34) lower, on the other hand outside the head, on its lowest end.