WO2008078174A2

WO2008078174A2 - Valve for filling a bottle with a liquid, and apparatus and method for filling bottles by means of the filling valve itself

Info

Publication number: WO2008078174A2
Application number: PCT/IB2007/004082
Authority: WO
Inventors: Enrico Zoppas
Original assignee: Acqua Minerale San Benedetto S.P.A.
Priority date: 2006-12-22
Filing date: 2007-12-24
Publication date: 2008-07-03
Also published as: WO2008078174A3; ITTV20060231A1

Abstract

Described herein is a valve (1) for filling a bottle (2) with a liquid; the valve (1) comprises an outer body (3), provided with a main conduit (4) comprising, in turn, a delivery nozzle (5) through which the liquid is delivered into the bottle (2), and an shutter member (6), which is mounted axially mobile inside the main conduit (4) between a resting position and a position of maximum opening, in which the shutter member (6) closes and opens, respectively, the delivery nozzle (5). The valve (1) further comprises a flexible membrane (15), which is set inside the main conduit (4) and is stably fixed to the shutter member (6) and to the outer body (3) in such a way as to divide the main conduit (4) into a first inner chamber (16) containing air at a first pressure (P1), and an injection conduit (18), designed to contain temporarily the liquid to be injected into the bottle (2); the air present in the first inner chamber (16) exerts a force of contrast (FC) on the membrane (15) that regulates the initial instant (t1) in which the shutter member (6), under the action of the pressurized gas delivered into the bottle (2), is displaced axially from the resting position to the position of maximum opening.

Description

"VALVE FOR FILLING A BOTTLE WITH A LIQUID, AND APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FILLING BOTTLES BY MEANS OF THE FILLING VALVE ITSELF"

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a valve for filling a bottle with a liquid, and to an apparatus and a method for filling bottles using the filling valve itself.

In particular, the present invention regards a valve, which is able to fill bottles with a liquid for use as a beverage, adding to the liquid itself a given amount of gas, in particular carbon dioxide, to which the ensuing treatment will make explicit reference without this implying any loss in generality.

BACKGROUND ART

Processes are known for filling bottles with effervescent, or «fizzy», beverages, i.e., beverages obtained by adding a given amount of carbon dioxide to a liquid contained in the bottle, such as, for example, water.

Said processes are implemented via automatic filling apparatuses, which comprise one or more filling valves and a control unit designed to govern each filling valve in such a way as to be able to perform sequentially the following operations: supply of carbon dioxide into the bottle in such a way as to reach a pre-set internal pressure and then injection of liquid into the bottle, once again at a pre-set pressure, typically the same as the pressure of the carbon dioxide injected.

In order to time the instant at which the injection of the liquid into the bottle starts with respect to the instant of start of delivery of the carbon dioxide therein, referred to hereinafter by «delay in delivery of the liquid* , the aforementioned filling valves are equipped with a mechanical system, which automatically starts delivery of the liquid from the valve when the pressure of the carbon dioxide inside the bottle itself reaches a pre-set threshold.

In particular, the aforementioned valves basically comprise an outer body provided with a main conduit, which is designed to contain temporarily the liquid to be delivered and extends coaxially to the valve sharing its longitudinal axis and terminates, in a position corresponding to an axial end of the outer body, into a delivery nozzle, designed to project a jet of liquid into the bottle.

The valve further comprises an shutter member mounted axially mobile inside the main conduit between a resting position, in which the shutter member obstructs the end of the main conduit in such a way as to prevent delivery of the liquid, and an operative position of maximum opening, in which the shutter member enables delivery of the liquid through the nozzle at the maximum flowrate allowed.

Moreover made inside the shutter member is a secondary supply conduit for the carbon dioxide, mounted within which in an axially slidable way is a rod, which, under the control of an actuation member, is displaced between a resting position and an opening position, in which the rod prevents and enables, respectively, expulsion of the carbon dioxide from the secondary conduit into the bottle.

The mechanical system of the valve has the function of opening the shutter member automatically with a pre-set delay in delivery and basically comprises a spiral-shaped metal spring, which is fitted on the body of the shutter member within the main conduit for maintaining the shutter member in the resting position and hence countering the displacement thereof towards the position of maximum opening, which is a displacement caused by the thrust exerted on the shutter member by the pressurized gas injected into the bottle.

In the case in point, the spring is sized in such a way as to enable axial displacement of the shutter member from the corresponding resting position when the force exerted on the shutter member by the carbon dioxide present in the bottle is greater than the elastic force of contrast exerted on the shutter member itself by the spring.

The valves provided in the mechanical system described above present the drawback of not enabling adjustment of the time of delay in delivery of the liquid into the bottle, and of consequently preventing an optimization of the times of filling of the bottles with the liquids, except in the case where different valves are used, i.e., ones provided with metal elastic springs pre-arranged so as to present different forces of contrast .

It is known, in fact, that, in order to optimize the time required for filling the bottles with liquids characterized by a low degree of formation of froth, it is necessary to reduce the delay in delivery, whilst, in the case where the bottles are filled with liquids characterized by a high degree of formation of froth, it is necessary to increase said delay. Consequently, it is evident that the aforesaid valves are far from versatile in so far as they do not enable adaptation of the corresponding delay in delivery to the characteristics of the liquid, i.e., to its degree of formation of froth, thus preventing optimization of the times required for filling the bottles as the liquids vary.

Moreover known is the fact that filling bottles with liquids for use as a beverage requires a periodic process of cleaning of the filling valves, in order to eliminate therefore any possible residue of beverage accumulated in the course of the different cycles of injection. The valves described above present the drawback that, since the metal spring has a complex shape, it is particularly subject to the accumulation of residue of beverages and is consequently difficult to clean during the aforesaid processes.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is consequently to provide a versatile valve, which will enable any variation of the delay in delivery of the liquid in the bottles and at the same time will be easy to clean.

Provided according to the present invention is a valve for filling a bottle with a liquid as specified in Claim 1 and preferably, but not necessarily, in any one of the dependent claims .

Moreover provided according to the present invention is an apparatus for filling bottles as specified in Claim 7 and preferably, but not necessarily, in any one of the claims dependent directly or indirectly upon Claim 7.

Finally, provided according to the present invention is a method for filling bottles as specified in Claim 9 and preferably, but not necessarily, in any one of the claims dependent directly or indirectly upon Claim 9.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side view, with parts removed for reasons of clarity, of a valve for filling a bottle in a resting condition of the corresponding shutter member, i.e., in a condition of non-delivery of the liquid, provided according to the teachings of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view, with parts removed for reasons of clarity, of the valve shown in Figure 1 in a condition of maximum opening of the corresponding shutter member, i.e., in a condition of delivery of the liquid; - Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view, with parts removed for reasons of clarity, of a central portion of the valve shown in Figure 1 in a resting condition;

Figure 4 ^'is a cross-sectional side view, with parts removed for reasons of clarity, of a central portion of the valve shown in Figure 2 in a condition of maximum opening of the shutter member;

Figure 5 is a perspective view, with parts in cross section and parts removed for reasons of clarity, of the central portion of the valve shown in Figure 3 in a resting condition;

Figure 6 is a perspective view, with parts in cross section and parts removed for reasons of clarity, of the central portion of the valve shown in Figure 4, in a condition of maximum opening of the shutter member; - Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus for filling bottles with a liquid for use as a beverage, which uses the valve shown in Figures 1-6; and

Figures 8-11 show as many operating steps of the filling method implemented by the apparatus shown in Figure 7.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, designated as a whole by the number 1 is a filling valve, which is designed to inject a liquid for use as a beverage into a bottle 2 and is designed to add to the liquid itself a given amount of gas, which can preferably, but not necessarily, be carbon dioxide.

The valve 1 basically comprises an outer body 3 of a preferably, but not necessarily, cylindrical shape, which extends along a longitudinal axis L and is provided with a main conduit 4, which is designed to contain temporarily in an internal portion thereof (described in detail hereinafter) the liquid to be delivered.

The main conduit 4 extends coaxial to the filling valve 1 sharing its longitudinal axis L and gives out, in a position corresponding to an axial end of the outer body 3, into an opening 7 defining a delivery nozzle 5, designed to project a jet of liquid into the bottle 2.

The filling valve 1 further comprises an shutter member 6, which is mounted axially mobile inside the main conduit 4 between a resting position (shown in Figure 1) , in which the shutter member 6 obstructs the opening 7 of the main conduit 4 so as to close the delivery nozzle 5, preventing delivery outwards of the liquid present in the main conduit 4, and an operative position of maximum opening (Figure 2), in which the shutter member 6 is displaced axially upwards to enable delivery of the liquid through the delivery nozzle 5 at the maximum flowrate allowed.

Moreover made inside the shutter member 6 is a secondary conduit 8 for supply of the gas, which shares the same longitudinal axis L and has at one end an opening 11 communicating with the outside of the valve 1, and at the opposite end an opening communicating with a chamber 12, designed to contain temporarily the gas to be added to the liquid.

In particular, the chamber 12 is made on the top part of the outer body 3 on the side opposite to the delivery nozzle 5, and is designed to receive the gas from a circuit 50 for supply of the gas (shown in Figure 7) through a transverse supply conduit made on the outer body 3 itself.

The valve 1 further comprises a rod 13, which is mounted in an axially slidable way inside the secondary conduit 8 in such a way as to displace between a resting position (Figure 1) , in which the rod 13 is in a lowered position for obstructing the opening 11 of the secondary conduit 8 thus preventing supply of the gas outwards, and an operative opening position (Figure 2) , in which the rod 13 is displaced axially upwards in such a way as to enable supply of carbon dioxide outwards .

The valve 1 further comprises an actuator member 14 (partially shown in Figures 1 and 2) , which is preferably arranged on the top part of the outer body 3, above the chamber 12, and is mechanically connected to the top end of the rod 13 in such a way as to be able to displace the rod 13 itself axially inside the secondary conduit 8 between the resting position and the opening position. The actuator member 14 is a known device and will consequently not be described any further.

Unlike the valves of a known type, the valve 1 further comprises a membrane 15 made of flexible material, which is set inside the main conduit 4 and is stably fixed to the shutter member 6 and to the outer body 3.

In particular, the membrane 15 corresponds to an annular membrane having an internal perimetral edge 15a of its own, stably fixed on a central portion of the shutter member 6, and an external perimetral edge 15b, which is stably fixed on the outer body 3.

In particular, the membrane 15 is set in such a way as to divide the main conduit 4 into two internal stretches distinct and separate from one another, of which a top stretch defines a chamber 16 designed to receive pressurized air from a supply circuit 51 (shown in Figure 7) through a transverse access hole 17 made on the outer body 3, whilst a bottom stretch defines an injection conduit 18, which is designed to receive the liquid and convey it to the delivery nozzle 5. In the case in point, the injection conduit 18 communicates, at its top part adjacent to the membrane 15, through a transverse access hole 19 made on the outer body 3, with a circuit 52 for delivery of the liquid (shown in Figure 7) from which it receives the liquid to be delivered.

In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the shutter member 6 comprises a tubular stem 20, which extends sharing the same longitudinal axis L in such a way as to present a top axial end 20a, which projects partially inside the chamber 12 so as to enable entry of the gas into the secondary conduit 8, and an opposite axial end 20b, which preferably projects beyond the opening 7.

The stem 20 is shaped in such a way as to present, in a position corresponding to the intermediate stretch thereof, immediately contiguous to the end 20b, an shutter element 20c, which is shaped so that it may bear upon the internal wall of a bottom terminal portion of the injection conduit 18 in such a way as to obstruct in a fluid- tight way the opening 7 in order to prevent delivery of the liquid itself through the delivery nozzle 5 and, alternatively, enable delivery of the liquid when the shutter element 20c is set apart from the bottom terminal portion of the injection conduit 18 itself.

With reference to Figures 3-6, the membrane 15 comprises a disk made of preferably flexible, and/or elastic, and/or impermeable, material, for example, a silicone-based material or any other type of similar material, which has a central through hole and is fitted on the central stretch of the stem 20 in such a way as to set itself in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L in order to define a partition diaphragm having a top side, which defines the bottom internal surface of the chamber 12, and a bottom side, which defines the top internal surface of the injection conduit 18.

The membrane 15 is shaped in such a way as to present a preferably circular shape (Figures 5 and 6) , or else a square or rectangular shape, and has its internal perimetral edge 15a fixed with respect to the central portion of the stem 20 and its external perimetral edge 15b fixed with respect to the outer body 3.

In greater detail, with reference to Figures 3-6, the internal perimetral edge 15a of the membrane 15 is stably trapped between an annular flange 21 present on the central stretch of the stem 20 and a ring-nut 22 screwed on a threaded portion (not illustrated) made on the central stretch of the stem 20, whilst the external perimetral edge 15b is trapped inside an annular cavity 23 made on the internal wall of the outer body 3.

The valve 1 further comprises, preferably, but not necessarily, an annular element 22a made of rigid material, for example metal material, which is fitted on the stem 20 inside the chamber 16 in such a way as to be set between the membrane 15 and the ring-nut 22 and is designed to limit the maximum deformation that can be achieved by the membrane 15 during the axial displacement of the shutter element 6 so as to advantageously prevent tearing of the membrane 15 itself.

In the example shown in Figures 1-6, the outer body 3 is divided into two distinct portions 3a and 3b, which are coupled to one another via known fixing means and are shaped in such a way as to trap between their own coupling ends the external perimetral edge 15b of the membrane 15.

In the case in point, a bottom portion 3a of the outer body 3 comprises the conduit 18 and the transverse access hole 19 and has, in a position corresponding to its own top edge, an annular seat 24 (Figures 3-6), which is designed to receive the external perimetral edge 15b and setting itself bearing upon which is the corresponding bottom edge of the top portion 3b of the outer body 3.

The fixing means are operated for effecting gripping of the bottom edge of the top portion 3b on the top edge of the bottom portion 3a so as to trap the external perimetral edge 15b inside the annular cavity 23 delimited by the annular seat 24 and by the bottom perimetral edge of the top portion 3b.

The membrane 15 thus hermetically closes the chamber 16 in such a way as to define a pneumatic spring (Figures 3 and 4), which is designed on the one hand to counter displacement of the shutter member 6 along the main conduit 4 when the pressure of the gas delivered into the bottle 2 is substantially lower than the pressure of the air inside the chamber 16, hence maintaining the shutter member 6 in its own resting position (Figures 1, 3 and 5), and on the other to undergo elastic deformation to enable displacement upwards of the shutter member 6 along the main conduit 4 when the pressure of the gas inside the bottle 2 is such as to generate a force Fig on the end of the shutter member 6 greater than the force of contrast Fc generated by the pressure of the air inside the chamber 16 on the top side of the membrane 15 itself (Figures 2, 4 and 6) .

In other words, the fluid, i.e. , the air present in the inner chamber 16, exerts a force of contrast FC on the top side of the membrane 15, which regulates the initial instant tl in which an axial displacement of the shutter member 6 from the corresponding resting position occurs, said displacement being caused by the force Fig exerted on the shutter member 6 itself by the pressurized gas present inside the bottle 2 in a direction opposite to the force of contrast Fc.

Consequently, the delay of the instant tl of delivery of the liquid through the delivery nozzle 5 can be modulated as a function of the pressure of the air supplied inside the chamber 16 .

Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus 40 for filling bottles with a liquid for use as a beverage by means of a series of valves 1, just one of which is represented in Figure 1 for reasons of simplicity of description, and to which the ensuing treatment will make explicit reference without this implying any loss of generality.

The apparatus 40 comprises, in addition to the valve 1: a circuit 50 for supply of gas to the chamber 12 of the valve 1; a circuit 51 designed to supply a pressurized fluid, preferably air, into the chamber 16; and a circuit 52 for supplying a liquid for use as a beverage to the injection conduit 18.

In the case in point, the circuit 50 comprises a tank 53 containing a gas, for example, carbon dioxide at a pressure Pl and a conduit 54 for supply of the gas, which connects the tank 53 to the chamber 12 of the valve 1.

The circuit 51 comprises a tank 55 containing a fluid, in particular air, at a pressure P2, a pipe 56 for supply of the fluid, which connects the tank 55 to the chamber 16 of the valve 1, and a solenoid valve 57, which is set along the pipe

56 for opening/closing the latter.

The supply pipe 56, in its final stretch for connection to the valve 1, is connected to a discharge pipe 58 set on which is a solenoid valve 59 having the function of regulating the pressure of the air inside the chamber 16.

The circuit 52 comprises, instead, a tank 60 containing the liquid for use as a beverage at the pressure P3 and a pipe 61 for delivery of the liquid, which connects the tank 60 to the injection conduit 18 of the valve 1. The apparatus 40 further comprises a control device 63, for example, a control keypad or any other similar device designed to enable a user to select the delay in delivery of the liquid, i.e., the instant of start of delivery tl; and an electronic control unit 64, which is able to govern the solenoid valve 57 and the actuator member 14 in such a way as to perform the various steps envisaged during filling of the bottle 2.

The electronic control unit 64 is moreover able to govern the solenoid valve 59 to vary the pressure of the fluid supplied to the chamber 16 of said valve 1 in such a way as to regulate the initial instant tl in which the axial displacement of the shutter member 6 from the resting position to the opening position starts and the injection of liquid into the bottle 2 is activated.

In the case in point, the electronic control unit 64 is designed to receive from the control device 63 the initial instant tl selected by the user and associated to the delay in delivery of the liquid, and governs the solenoid valves 57 and

59 in such a way as to increase/reduce selectively the pressure of the fluid inside said chamber 16 as a function of the initial instant selected.

The apparatus 40 further comprises a pressure sensor 65, which is arranged along the supply pipe 56 for detecting and communicating instant by instant to the electronic control unit 64 the pressure of the fluid, i.e., the pressure of the air present inside the chamber 16 of the valve 1.

On the basis of the delay in delivery set by the user, the electronic control unit 64 is hence advantageously able to regulate the pressure of the air in the chamber 16 and to control appropriately opening and closing of the solenoid valves 57 and 59 set along the supply pipe 56 and the discharge pipe 58.

For example, in the case where a reduction in the delay in delivery, i.e., a reduction in the instant tl, is required, the electronic control unit 64 activates the solenoid valve 59 along the discharge pipe 58 so as to reduce the pressure of the air inside the chamber 16, whilst, if an increase in the delay in delivery is required, the electronic control unit 64 activates the solenoid valve 57 along the supply pipe 56 so as to increase the pressure of the air inside the chamber 16 itself.

With reference to Figures 8-11, the essential steps of a method for filling a bottle 2 with a liquid implemented by the apparatus 40 using the valve 1 (shown in Figure 7) are represented schematically.

Initially, the bottle 2 is set, via a movement device (known and not illustrated) with its own inlet mouth coupled to the valve 1 immediately underneath the delivery nozzle 5.

At this point, the electronic control unit 64 implements the following steps (Figure 8) : - it controls as a function of the instant tl set by the user the supply of the air into the chamber 16 at a pressure Pl correlated to the instant tl itself;

- it controls the delivery of the liquid into the injection conduit 18 of the valve 1; and - it controls the supply of the gas into the chamber 12.

It should be pointed out that in this step the top side of the membrane 15 is subjected to the force of contrast Fc downwards that keeps the shutter member 6 in the corresponding resting position, whilst the rod 13 is kept in the corresponding resting position by the actuator member 14. Consequently, the liquid supplied into the conduit 18 is not delivered into the bottle in so far as the delivery nozzle 5 is closed by the shutter member 6.

Next, following upon completion of these steps, the electronic control unit 64 governs, through the actuator member 14, the displacement of the rod 13 from the resting position to the opening position A, hence activating supply of the gas into the bottle (Figure 9) . In the case in point, the pressurization of the bottle 2 by means of the gas starts when the actuator member 14 displaces the rod 13 upwards, enabling supply of the gas into the bottle 2.

The shutter member 6 remains closed thanks to the combined action of the membrane 15 and of the chamber 16 as long as the force FIg exerted on the end of the shutter member 6 by the gas present in the bottle is lower than the force of contrast FC exerted downwards by the pneumatic spring, i.e., by the membrane 15.

When the condition Flg>Fc occurs, the membrane 15 starts to deform, expanding inside the chamber 16, at the same time causing the progressive axial displacement of the shutter member 6 upwards and hence activating delivery of the liquid into the bottle 2 (Figure 10) .

Delivery of the liquid into the bottle 2 terminates when, following upon filling of the bottle 2, the electronic control unit 64 controls, via the actuator member 14, the displacement B downwards of the rod 13, causing both closing of the secondary conduit 8, and hence the end of supply of the gas, and a displacement downwards of the shutter member 6, which sets itself so that it bears upon the opening 7 of the main conduit 4, hence terminating injection of the liquid into the bottle 2 itself (Figure 11) . It should be pointed out that the electronic control unit 64, as an alternative to the displacement via the rod 13 of the shutter member 6 from the position of maximum opening to the resting position, can issue a command for increase of the pressure in the chamber 16, hence causing the same displacement of the shutter member 6 into the respective resting position.

In this way, in fact, the force of contrast Fc exerted on the membrane 15 by the pressure of the air contained in the chamber 16 is increased in such a way as to displace the shutter member 6 downwards.

The valve described above presents the advantages described in what follows.

In the first place, thanks to the presence of the flexible membrane 15 and to the chamber 16 supplied by pressurized air, it is possible to vary the initial instant tl of start of delivery of the liquid as desired, each time adapting it to the type of the liquid to be injected without the need to perform any replacement of the valve.

In addition, thanks to its disk shape with a smooth and flat surface, the membrane drastically reduces the accumulation of any residue of beverage, simplifies the washing processes, and reduces the corresponding times of execution thereof.

As regards the apparatus, it advantageously enables the user to regulate in a completely automatic way, i.e., without the need to perform any replacement of the valves, the instant of start of delivery of the liquid into the bottle according to the type of liquid to be injected, consequently optimizing the times for filling the bottles.

Finally, it is clear that modifications and variations can be made to the valve, to the apparatus, and to the method described and illustrated herein, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A valve (1) for filling a bottle (2) with a liquid for use as a beverage, said valve (1) comprising: an outer body (3) , which extends along a longitudinal axis (L) and is provided with a main internal conduit (4), which develops so that it shares said longitudinal axis (L) and terminates in a position corresponding to a delivery nozzle (5), through which the liquid in the bottle (2) is delivered; an shutter member (6) , which is mounted axially mobile inside said main conduit (4) between a resting position and a position of maximum opening, in which said shutter member (6) closes and opens, respectively, said delivery nozzle (5) so as to prevent and enable, respectively, injection of the liquid into the bottle (2); and means (8, 13, 14) for supply of a gas into the bottle

(2); said valve being characterized in that it comprises: at least one flexible membrane (15) , which is set inside said main conduit (4) and is stably fixed to said shutter member

(6) and to said outer body (3) in such a way as to divide said main conduit (4) into a first inner chamber (16), containing a fluid at a first pressure (Pl), and an injection conduit (18), designed to contain temporarily the liquid for use as a beverage to be injected into the bottle (2) through said delivery nozzle (5); the fluid present in said first inner chamber (16) exerting a force of contrast (FC) on said membrane (15) that regulates the initial instant (tl) in which the shutter member (6) , under the action of the pressurized gas delivered into said bottle (2) by said supply means (8, 13, 14), displaces axially from the resting position to the position of maximum opening.

2. The valve according to Claim 1, wherein said flexible membrane (15) corresponds to an annular membrane, which has an internal perimetral edge (15a) stably fixed to said shutter member (6) and an external perimetral edge (15b) stably fixed to the outer body (3) .

3. The valve according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said shutter member (6) comprises a stem (20) , which extends sharing said longitudinal axis (L) inside said main conduit (4) , said membrane (15) comprising a flexible disk, which has a central through hole and is fitted on said stem (20) in such a way as to set itself in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (L) so as to define a partition diaphragm, which defines the bottom internal surface of the first inner chamber (16) and the top internal surface of the injection conduit (18) .

4. The valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said means for supply of the gas (8, 13, 14) comprise: a secondary conduit (8) , which is made in the body of said shutter member (6) so as to extend sharing the longitudinal axis (L) and has one end (11) communicating with the outside of the valve (1) ; and a rod (13) , which is mounted in an axially slidable way inside the secondary conduit (8) in such a way as to displace between a resting position and an opening position, in which the rod (13) closes and opens, respectively, the end (11) of said secondary conduit (8) .

5. The valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said membrane (15) is designed to counter the displacement of said shutter member (6) along the main conduit (4) so as to keep the shutter member (6) in the corresponding resting position when the pressure of the gas inside the bottle (2) is substantially lower than the pressure (Pl) of the fluid inside the first inner chamber (16) .

6. The valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said membrane (15) is designed to bend and/or deform elastically for enabling displacement of said shutter member (6) along said main conduit (4) , when the pressure of the gas inside the bottle (2) is such as to generate a force (Fig) on the end of the shutter member (6) substantially greater than the force of contrast (Fc) generated by the pressure of the fluid inside the chamber (16) on one side of said membrane (15) .

7. An apparatus (40) for filling a bottle (2) via a liquid for use as a beverage, characterized in that it comprises:

- at least one valve (1) made according to any one of the preceding claims; and - a control device (63, 64, 65, 57, 59) , which is designed to vary the pressure of the fluid supplied to said first inner chamber (16) of said valve (1) in order to regulate the initial instant (tl) in which axial displacement of the shutter member (6) from the resting position to the position of maximum opening in which the liquid is injected into the bottle (2) starts.

8. The apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein said control device (63, 64, 65, 57, 59) comprises: means (57, 59) for regulating the pressure of the fluid in the first inner chamber (16) of said valve (1); control means (63) designed to enable a user to select said initial instant (tl) of displacement of said shutter member (6); and an electronic control unit (64) , which is designed to receive from said control means (63) said initial instant (tl) and governs said regulator means (57, 59) in such a way as to vary the pressure of the fluid inside said first inner chamber (16) of the valve (1) as a function of the initial instant (tl) selected.

9. A method for filling a bottle (2) with a liquid for use as a beverage by means of at least one valve (1) made according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises the step of varying the pressure of the fluid supplied to said first inner chamber (16) of said valve (1) in such a way as to regulate the initial instant (tl) in which the axial displacement of the shutter member (6) from the corresponding resting position to the position of maximum opening in which the liquid is injected into the bottle (2) starts .

10. The method according to Claim 9, comprising the step of selecting an initial instant of displacement (tl) of said shutter member (6) , and of varying the pressure of the fluid inside said first inner chamber (16) as a function of the initial instant selected (tl) .