WO2008056245A2

WO2008056245A2 - Method for filling bottles with a liquid for alimentary use in an aseptic environment

Info

Publication number: WO2008056245A2
Application number: PCT/IB2007/003427
Authority: WO
Inventors: Enrico Zoppas
Original assignee: Acqua Minerale San Benedetto S.P.A.
Priority date: 2006-11-10
Filing date: 2007-11-09
Publication date: 2008-05-15
Also published as: WO2008056245A3; ITTV20060202A1

Abstract

Described herein is a method for filling bottles (35) in an aseptic environment via at least one filling valve (20) that comprises a body (21), which extends along a longitudinal axis (L) and terminates at an axial end (33) thereof in a delivery- nozzle (24), which is structured for projecting the liquid on the outside of the filling valve (20) according to a path substantially describing a truncated cone; the method comprises the steps of positioning the filling valve (20) above a bottle (35) at a pre-set distance (D) from the filling mouth (36) of the bottle (35) itself so that the filling valve (20) does not have any point of contact with the bottle (35).

Description

METHOD FOR FILLING BOTTLES WITH A LIQUID FOR ALIMENTARY USE IN AN ASEPTIC ENVIRONMENT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method for filling bottles with a liquid for alimentary use in an aseptic environment.

In particular, the present invention regards a method for filling bottles with liquids for alimentary use preferably comprising non-effervescent beverages, i.e., beverages not containing carbon dioxide, such as for example fruit juices or drinks, to which the ensuing treatment will make explicit reference without this implying any loss in generality.

BACKGROUND ART

Known to the art are methods for filling bottles in an aseptic environment using valves basically provided with a tubular outer body, provided within which is a rectilinear pipe terminating with an external nozzle, through which, during filling of the bottle, the liquid is made to flow away, and an open/close body set within the rectilinear pipe, which is designed to move away from and towards a position of closing of the rectilinear pipe for activating or deactivating delivery of the liquid through the nozzle.

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an operation of filling envisaged by the aforesaid filling method. In particular, the method envisages a first step, in which the valve 1 of the type described above is located immediately above a bottle 2 in such a way as to keep its own external body Ia and its own delivery nozzle 3 set at a distance from the filling mouth 4 of the bottle 2 itself, i.e., not in contact with the latter.

A second step of the method, illustrated in detail in Figure 1, envisages opening of the open/close element of the valve 1 (not illustrated) . In this step, the liquid flows away from the valve 1 through the delivery nozzle 3 in a vertical direction.

In particular, the flow of liquid delivered by the valve 1 follows a rectilinear direction along the longitudinal axis A of the valve 1 and traverses the neck 5 of the bottle without impinging upon the internal surface thereof, and then projects frontally onto the bottom wall 6 of the bottle 2 itself, or, following upon partial filling, onto the free surface of the liquid being introduced.

The aforesaid method presents the drawback that delivery of the jet of liquid directly on the bottom 6 of the bottle 2 by the filling valve 1 leads to a high production of froth, which, as is known, involves a non-negligible reabsorption time for completion of filling of the bottle 2. Said deceleration limits the speed of filling of each bottle consequently leading to obvious drawbacks from the standpoint of the productive efficiency of bottling plants as regards the number of bottles per hour that can be filled.

In order to overcome the aforesaid drawback, there have been provided filling valves that have a delivery nozzle provided with a deflector element, which is able to intercept the flow of liquid coming out of the delivery nozzle itself in such a way as to generate a jet deviated by a certain angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the valve.

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of an operation of filling envisaged by the filling method using the valve with nozzle provided with deflector element.

During the step of filling, the method envisages that the valve 7 described above (illustrated partially in Figure 2) will be positioned with an annular end portion 9 of its own cylindrical body 10 bearing upon the filling mouth 11 of an underlying bottle 12 so that the nozzle 13 of the valve 7 penetrates completely within the bottle 12 moving with its own free end into a position corresponding to the containment portion 14 (illustrated with a thick dashed line) of the bottle 12 immediately underneath the neck 15 thereof (illustrated with a dashed line).

Said positioning of the valve 7 enables delivery of a deviated jet so that the liquid will impinge directly upon the side walls 14a of the containment portion 14 of the bottle 12. In this way, the liquid drops towards the bottom of the bottle 12 running along the internal side walls thereof, consequently reducing the production of froth by the liquid.

Even though it is efficient as regards the reduction of froth, the filling method described above increases the risk of contamination of the liquid/bottles by germs and/or bacteria.

In fact, the temporary contact between the outer body of the filling valve 7 and the filling mouth 11 of the bottle 12 is extremely inconvenient in so far as in the case where there occurs filling of a bottle infected by germs and/or bacteria, the filling valve 7 becomes an element of transmission of germs/bacteria towards bottles filled after the contaminated bottle, with obvious consequences from the standpoint of alimentary safety.

Furthermore, the operations of insertion/extraction of the nozzle 13 of the valve 7 into/from the bottle 12 weigh heavily on the overall times of filling thereof. In fact, the filling method described above envisages : setting the valve 7 in a position so that it shares the axis of the bottle 12 in such a way as to guarantee insertion of the nozzle 13 within the bottle 12; lowering of the valve 7 with respect to the bottle 12 so that the corresponding nozzle 13 penetrates into the bottle 12; and, at the end of filling, axial raising of the valve 7 in such a way as to extract the nozzle 13 completely from the bottle 12. It is evident that the various operations of insertion and extraction of the valve into/from the bottle envisaged by the filling method described above, in addition to being complex, lengthen the times of filling, having a marked effect on the productive capacity of the filling plant.

Finally, the maximum level of filling of the bottle obtainable by means of the method using the valve 7 described above is constrained by the depth of penetration of the nozzle 13 within the bottle measured starting from the filling mouth thereof .

The method thus proves far from versatile in so far as it does not enable a level of filling of the bottle to be obtained different from what is imposed by the depth of penetration of the nozzle into the bottle. Said constraint is extremely inconvenient in that, as the capacity of the bottles to be filled varies, it is necessary to use valves having nozzles of different lengths to guarantee a maximum level of liquid in each of them each time.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is consequently to provide a method for filling bottles in an aseptic environment, which on the one hand will enable a low generation of froth and on the other will be able to guarantee a high degree of asepsis of the filling process from germs or bacteria.

Provided according to the present invention is a method for filling bottles in an aseptic environment as specified in Claim 1 and preferably, but not necessarily, in any one of the dependent claims . BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described with reference to the annexed plates of drawings, which illustrate a non- limiting example of embodiment thereof and in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic view of an operative step of filling of a bottle envisaged by a first filling method implemented according to the known art;

- Figure 2 is a schematic view of an operative step of filling of a bottle envisaged by a second filling method implemented according to the known art;

- Figures 3 and 4 show two operative steps of the filling method provided according to the dictates of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention is essentially based upon the idea of setting a filling valve above a bottle in a position so that it shares a longitudinal axis of the bottle, in such a way as not to make any contact with the bottle itself, and delivering from the filling valve a flow of liquid in a direction substantially describing a truncated cone, centred on the longitudinal axis, in such a way as to project the liquid onto the internal wall of the neck of the bottle.

With reference to Figures 3 and 4, the number 20 designates as a whole a filling valve, structured for delivering, upon command, a flow of liquid in a direction substantially describing a truncated cone. In particular, the liquids that can be delivered by the filling valve may correspond to liquids for alimentary use, preferably beverages not containing carbon dioxide, such as, for example, fruit juices, drinks, or any other type of similar non-effervescent beverage .

The filling valve 20 comprises a body 21 of a preferably cylindrical shape, which extends along a longitudinal axis L and is provided with a main pipe 22 designed to contain temporarily the liquid to be delivered.

The main pipe 22 shares the same longitudinal axis L and terminates at one axial end 23 of the body 21 in a delivery nozzle 24 designed to project on the outside of the valve 20 a jet of liquid in a direction substantially describing a truncated cone, centred on the longitudinal axis L itself.

The main pipe 22 moreover communicates with a system for supply of the liquid (not illustrated) through an inlet pipe 25 made on the body 21 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis L.

The valve 20 moreover comprises an open/close member 26 mounted axially mobile within the main pipe 22 between a position of closing (illustrated in Figure 3), in which the open/close member 26 obstructs the end of the main pipe 22 in such a way as to prevent the liquid from coming out, and a position of maximum opening (illustrated in Figure 4), in which the open/close member 26 enables delivery of the liquid through the nozzle 24 at the maximum flow rate allowed.

The valve 20 moreover comprises an actuator assembly 27, which is able to move the open/close member 26 along the longitudinal axis L between the position of closing and that of opening. The actuator assembly 27 can be constituted by a pneumatic actuator device of a known type and consequently not described in detail.

The open/close member 26 comprises a stem 28, which is mounted axially so that it can slide within the main pipe 22 and has a top stretch fitted mechanically to the actuator assembly 27, and a bottom stretch, mounted on which is an open/close body 29, which is shaped in such a way as to close the main pipe 22 in a sealed way when the open/close member 26 is in the corresponding position of closing.

The main pipe 22 moreover has, in a position corresponding to its bottom end, an annular recess 30, set bearing upon which is the open/close body 29 when the open/close member 26 is brought into in the position of closing (Figure 3) .

The stem 28 is moreover provided with an internal pipe 31, which shares the same longitudinal axis L and communicates with a discharge pipe 32, which, is made on the top portion of the body 21 and is connected in turn to a discharge unit (not illustrated) , which is designed to expel the air received towards the outside of the aseptic environment.

The bottom end of the stem 28 is prolonged partially on the outside of the main pipe 22 and has its own axial end 33, external to the main pipe 22 itself, shaped substantially like a truncated cone so as to cause a deflection of the jet of liquid coming out of the main pipe 22 with respect to the longitudinal axis L. In the case in point, in use, when the open/close member 26 is brought from the closing position (Figure 3) into the opening position (Figure 4), the stem 28 is translated upwards along the longitudinal axis L, thus bringing about raising of the open/close body 29, which enables the liquid to come out from the main pipe 22 through the nozzle 24. In this step, the liquid delivered by the nozzle 24 is deflected, with respect to the longitudinal axis L, by the axial end 33 shaped like a truncated cone, consequently following a direction of projection substantially describing a truncated cone open downwards.

With reference to Figures 3 and 4, there will now follow a description of the filling method according to the present invention in which it is assumed that the open/close member 26 of the filling valve 20 is in a position of closing. The method for filling a bottle 35 starts with activation of a movement member (not illustrated) , which performs a relative displacement of the filling valve 20 and/or of the bottle 35: in particular, the movement member sets the filling valve 20 above the bottle 35 with its own longitudinal axis L coaxial to the longitudinal axis B of the bottle 35 itself.

In greater detail, in this step the filling valve 20 is positioned with its own axial end 23 at a distance D from the bottle 35 so that the axial "deflecting" end 33 of the stem 28 will face and be external to the filling mouth 36 of the bottle 35 (Figure 3).

It should be pointed out that the distance D is established so that the filling valve 20 and the bottle 35 do not have any point of contact between them.

Following upon completion of the positioning of the filling valve 20, a control unit (not illustrated) activates the actuator assembly 27, which translates the actuator member 26, bringing it into the opening position (Figure 4) .

In this step the open/close body 29 is "raised", and the liquid contained in the main pipe 22 is delivered by the nozzle 24 and deviated by the axial end 33 of the stem 28 in a direction substantially describing a truncated cone so that the liquid itself will impinge only upon the internal wall 38a of the neck 38 of the bottle 35.

The cone of liquid delivered by the filling valve 20 is thus projected on the internal wall 38a of the neck 38 with a given angle with respect to the surface of the wall 38a itself, and drops progressively along the inner surface of the bottom containment portion 37 of the bottle 35 (illustrated with a thick dashed line in Figure 4) in such a way as to fill the bottle 35. In this step, the progressive increase of the liquid within the bottle 35 brings about a progressive reduction of the free containment space present within the bottle 35, causing a forced expulsion of the air contained in the bottle 35 itself, through the internal pipe 31 of the stem 28, towards the outside of the aseptic environment. In particular, during expulsion, the air contained in the bottle 35 traverses the internal pipe 31 of the stem 28 in such a way as to be discharged outside the aseptic environment by the discharge unit (not illustrated) connected to the discharge pipe 32.

Filling terminates when the control unit (not illustrated) of the actuator assembly 27, following upon a given interval of time from start of filling, appropriately sized on the basis of the containment volume of the bottle, controls, through the actuator assembly 27 itself, closing of the filling valve 20.

The filling method described above presents the advantages outlined in what follows. In the first place, the possibility of transmission of bacteria or germs present in a bottle to other bottles through the filling valve 20 is eliminated completely. In fact in its operative steps, the method keeps the filling valve 20 completely separate from the bottles to be filled, thus eliminating any possibility of contagion of the germs towards and from the filling valve 20 itself.

In the second place, the method is extremely versatile and adaptable to any type of bottles irrespective of the dimensions of the bottles themselves. In fact, thanks to the projection of the "cone" of liquid on the neck of the bottle and not on the bottom containment portion, and by virtue of the fact that bottles of different format have necks having the same internal diameter, it is possible to use the same filling valve for filling bottles of different capacities, the latter condition not being implementable via the methods of filling in which the liquid is emitted on the bottom containment portion of the bottle. In the latter methods, in fact, to ensure proper projection of the liquid onto the internal wall of the containment portion, and not onto the bottom wall, it is necessary to adapt each time the angle of projection of the liquid emitted, according to the capacity and/or diameter of the containment portion of the bottle itself. Consequently, in the known methods that use filling valves with emission of liquid deflected it is necessary to use different filling valves as the capacity and/or internal diameter of the bottles to be filled varies.

Furthermore, the method is extremely advantageous in so far as, during filling, the cone of liquid performs the function of a temporary bottle top on the mouth of the bottle, which prevents the air contained in the bottle itself from coming into contact with the air present in the aseptic environment, consequently eliminating any risk of contamination of the latter in the case where the air or the internal walls of the bottle are contaminated by germs or bacteria. In fact, thanks to the discharge effected directly through the stem, all the air contained in the bottle and the possible germs are expelled outside the aseptic environment, without any possibility of contamination of the latter.

Finally, thanks to the maintenance of the delivery nozzle of the valve on the outside of the bottle, it is possible to adjust, as desired, the level of maximum filling of the bottle irrespective of the capacity thereof.

Finally, it is clear that modifications and variations can be made to the filling method described and illustrated herein, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention defined in the annexed claims.

Claims

1. A method for filling bottles (35) in an aseptic environment via at least one filling valve (20) that comprises a body

(21), which extends along a longitudinal axis (L) and terminates at an axial end thereof (23) in a delivery nozzle

(24), which is structured for projecting the liquid on the outside of the filling valve (20) according to a path substantially describing a truncated cone; said method being characterized in that it comprises the steps of: - positioning the filling valve (20) above a bottle (35) at a pre-set distance (D) from the filling mouth (36) of the bottle

(35) itself so that said delivery nozzle (24) is on the outside of the bottle (35), so that said axial end (23) of said valve (20) does not present any point of contact with the bottle (35) itself, and so that the liquid delivered by said delivery nozzle (24) on the outside of the filling valve (20) will follow said path describing a truncated cone so as to impinge only upon the internal wall (38a) of the neck (38) of the bottle (35) .

2. The method according to Claim 1, in which said delivery nozzle (24) is designed to deliver the liquid on the outside of the filling valve (20) in a direction describing a truncated cone centred on the longitudinal axis (L) of the filling valve itself (20) .

3. The method according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which said delivery nozzle (24) is designed to deliver the liquid on the outside of the filling valve (20) in a direction describing a truncated cone centred on a point of the longitudinal axis L of the valve (20) , positioned on the outside of the filling mouth (36) of said bottle (35) .

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the step of positioning the filling valve (20) so that the liquid delivered by said delivery nozzle (24) on the outside of the filling valve (20) itself will follow said path shaped like a truncated cone so as not to impinge upon the containment portion (38) of the bottle (35) present underneath said neck (38) of the bottle (35).