WO2009001208A1 - System and process for automatic bottling - Google Patents

System and process for automatic bottling Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009001208A1
WO2009001208A1 PCT/IB2008/001705 IB2008001705W WO2009001208A1 WO 2009001208 A1 WO2009001208 A1 WO 2009001208A1 IB 2008001705 W IB2008001705 W IB 2008001705W WO 2009001208 A1 WO2009001208 A1 WO 2009001208A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bottles
bottling
heating
bottling system
microwave
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2008/001705
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Stefano Boido
Original Assignee
Stefano Boido
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Stefano Boido filed Critical Stefano Boido
Publication of WO2009001208A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009001208A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
    • B65C9/0015—Preparing the labels or articles, e.g. smoothing, removing air bubbles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
    • B65C9/0015—Preparing the labels or articles, e.g. smoothing, removing air bubbles
    • B65C2009/0059—Preparing the articles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system and a process for automatic bottling, particularly/ but not exclusively, for bottling wine in glass bottles, said system comprising a filling machine, a corking machine, a heating apparatus, and a labelling machine set in series with respect to one another.
  • Bottling systems of the above type typically have a production capacity of several millions of bottles each year and are used for large-scale production of wine.
  • the wine prior to bottling the wine is refrigerated to -5°C, -6 0 C for cold stabilization and deposit of tartrates. Said refrigeration is performed in heat-conditioned autoclaves, in which the wine remains for approximately 24-48 hours. Following upon refrigeration, the wine is bottled at a temperature of between 1°C and 3 0 C. After filling, the bottles are immediately corked and labelled.
  • a film of condensate is formed on the outer surface of the bottles.
  • the film of condensate prevents application of the labels or considerably worsens the aesthetic result.
  • a heating apparatus is set between the corking machine and the labelling machine.
  • the heating apparatus has the purpose of bringing the temperature of the bottles close to that of the environment, to prevent formation of condensate on the outer surfaces of the bottles.
  • a spray heater comprises a system for delivery of a spray of heated water at approximately 5O 0 C, which is collected in a tank situated underneath the path of advance of the bottles. Also provided downstream of the spray heater is a system of fans for drying the bottles prior to labelling.
  • a first problem deriving from the use of spray heaters regards their encumbrance.
  • Said apparatuses normally extend for 9-10 metres in the direction of advance of the bottles and require various accessory systems, amongst which the boiler for the production of the hot water. Further problems derive from the running and maintenance costs of said heating apparatuses.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a bottling system and process that will overcome said problems .
  • the above purpose is achieved by a bottling system and process having the characteristics forming the subject of Claims 1 and 15.
  • the present invention is based upon the principle of carrying out heating of the bottles by means of microwave heating devices. As compared to a traditional system of spray heating, a microwave heating apparatus is much more compact and has decidedly lower management and maintenance costs.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a bottling system
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a heating apparatus according to the invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a front view of the heating apparatus of Figure 2;
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view at an enlarged scale of the detail indicated by the arrow VI in Figure 4;
  • FIG. 7 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a heating apparatus according to the invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a view in elevation according to the arrow VIII of Figure 7;
  • FIGS 9 and 10 are perspective views of a heating unit indicated by the arrow IX in Figure 7, in a closed position and an open position, respectively.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a bottling system for bottles of wine.
  • the bottling system comprises a filling machine in which empty bottles preliminarily washed inside are conveyed.
  • the filling machine receives wine, which is introduced into the bottles at a temperature usually comprised between 1°C and 3 0 C.
  • a conveyor device for example a conveyor belt, conveys the full bottles into a corking machine, which closes the bottles.
  • Set downstream of the corking machine is a heating apparatus for administering heat to the bottles in order to reduce the thermal gap between the temperature of the bottles and the temperature of the surrounding environment, thus preventing formation of condensate on the outer surface of the bottles.
  • the labels are applied on the bottles by means of a labelling machine.
  • the bottles of wine are ready to be packaged and dispatched.
  • the bottling system can comprise other machines or apparatuses, such as for example a machine that applies heat-shrinkable caps on the top ends of the necks of the bottles, a machine for application of metal cages or a machine for external washing of the bottles.
  • the heating apparatus 10 comprises a substantially parallelpipedal base 12, which has a main direction and rests on the ground by means of height- adjustable feet 14. Fixed on top of the base 12 is a frame 16 of similar dimensions, which carries shielding meshes 18. The frame 16 is traversed by a conveyor belt 20 that extends in the main direction of the base 12. The arrows 22 indicate the direction of advance of the conveyor belt during normal operation.
  • the conveyor belt 20 is of a known type and enables a practically continuous feed of bottles through the heating apparatus .
  • a heating tunnel 24 that extends in the main direction of the base 12.
  • the heating tunnel 24 is delimited at the bottom by the conveyor belt 20 and comprises two side walls 26 and a top covering element 28.
  • each microwave generator 30 has a body 32 having a top portion 32a, provided in which is a waveguide 34 shaped like a cavity of the body 32.
  • the waveguide 34 communicates with the inside of the heating tunnel 24 by means of a respective opening made in the side wall 26.
  • each microwave generator Housed in the body 32 of each microwave generator is a magnetron 36 having an antenna 38 with one end set substantially at the centre of the waveguide 34.
  • the magnetron 36 is connected to an electric-supply control unit 42 by means of electric cables 40.
  • the electric cables 40 extend through a bottom portion 32b of the body 32.
  • the covering element 28 comprises a mobile structure 44 that can be adjusted in height by means of adjustment screws 46.
  • the structure 44 comprises a horizontal element 44a that extends in the direction of advance and has threaded holes for co-operating with the adjustment screws 46.
  • the structure 44 further comprises vertical rods 44b that traverse the cover 28 and that support, in an area corresponding to their bottom end, plates 44c, which have the purpose of shielding the top portions of the bottles .
  • the bottles rest on the conveyor belt 20 and are fed in a practically continuous way to the heating apparatus 10.
  • An auger feed C which can be provided before entry of the bottles into the heating apparatus 10, enables the bottles to be set at regular distances apart on the conveyor belt 20.
  • the bottles first enter the frame 16 through an opening made in the screening mesh 18 and then enter the heating tunnel 24. Inside the heating tunnel 24 the bottles are subjected to a microwave field that heats the wine contained in the bottles.
  • the intensity of the microwave field can be varied by acting on the current for supplying the magnetron, and it is thus possible to administer more or less heat to the bottles.
  • the heating tunnel 24 is sized so as to raise the temperature of the bottles up to a value such as to prevent formation of the condensate on the glass surfaces in the time taken by the bottles to pass through the tunnel.
  • the increase in temperature is comprised between 1O 0 C and 20 0 C.
  • the intensity of the microwave field within the tunnel depends upon numerous factors, amongst which the number of microwave generators 30, the rate of advance of the bottles on the conveyor belt 20 and the environmental conditions (for example, the humidity of the air) .
  • the structure 44 can be positioned so as to shield the top portions of the bottles in order to prevent exposure of the cork to the microwave field.
  • a preferred embodiment comprises, in addition to what is described above, an infrared temperature sensor set upstream of the heating device 24.
  • the aforesaid infrared temperature sensor measures the temperature of the bottles at input in such a way as to inform the control unit 42 that supplies the magnetron 36.
  • the control unit 42 will partialize the supply of the magnetron to abate the electromagnetic field.
  • a by-pass path parallel to the conveyor belt 20 and associated to a selector.
  • the selector is mobile between a first position that directs the bottles onto the conveyor belt 20, which then traverse the heating tunnel 24, and a second position that directs the bottles towards the by-pass stretch that by-passes the heating tunnel 24.
  • Said configuration in combination with the infrared temperature sensor, enables deflection of the bottles that have already an adequate temperature onto the by-pass stretch, so preventing unnecessary heating thereof.
  • FIG. 7 to 10 Illustrated in Figures 7 to 10 is a second embodiment of a heating apparatus according to the present invention.
  • the elements corresponding to the ones described previously are designated by the same reference numbers.
  • the heating apparatus 10 of this second embodiment comprises a rotating structure 48 with a carousel configuration, carried by a central shaft 50, which turns about a vertical axis.
  • the rotating structure 48 carries a plurality of microwave heating devices 52 set at angular distances apart from one another.
  • each heating device 52 comprises a container 54 and a microwave generator 56.
  • Each microwave generator 56 comprises a body 32, which has a waveguide 34 and housed in which is a magnetron 36 having an antenna 38.
  • Each container 54 is made of material for shielding microwaves (for example, sheet metal) and is designed to receive a respective bottle.
  • Each container 54 has: a horizontal base wall 57, on which a bottle is to rest; a vertical rear wall 58; two plane side walls 60 orthogonal to the rear wall and to the base wall 56; a hemicylindrical front wall 62, that radiuses the side walls 60 together; and a top horizontal wall 64.
  • the waveguide 34 of the microwave generator 56 is connected to an opening of the rear wall 58 situated in the vicinity of the base wall 57.
  • the walls 57 and 58 are fixed with respect to the rotating structure 48, whilst the walls 60, 62 and 64 form an openable part, that is mobile between an open position and a closed position, illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, respectively.
  • the open position enables entry and exit of the bottles into/from the container 52.
  • the openable part of the container 54 can be mobile in a vertical direction, and said vertical movement could be governed by a respective actuator or by a cam system.
  • the heating apparatus 10 comprises an electric- supply control unit 66 that is connected electrically to the microwave generators 56 via a rotating collector mounted on the central shaft 50 of the rotating structure 48.
  • the rotating structure 48 is associated to a conveyor belt 20, which supplies the bottles to be heated to the rotating structure 48 and receives the heated bottles therefrom.
  • a conveyor belt 20 which supplies the bottles to be heated to the rotating structure 48 and receives the heated bottles therefrom.
  • an auger feed 68 which sets the bottles at a distance from one another and feeds them in phase with the rotation of the structure 48.
  • a first wheel 70 picks the bottles off the conveyor belt 20 and transfers them to respective containers 54, which, in the proximity of the wheel 70, are in an open position. After receiving a bottle, the container 54 closes, and the respective microwave generator is activated.
  • Each container is re-opened at an unloading station, where a second wheel 72 transfers the heated bottles from the containers 54 to the conveyor 20.
  • the microwave-heating treatment has a duration equal to the time taken by each container 54 to pass from the loading station to the unloading station.
  • the rotating structure 48 turns at a constant rate.
  • a temperature sensor could be provided for measuring the temperature of the bottles upstream of the heating apparatus 10 for driving the microwave generators according to the temperature detected.
  • a by-pass path for preventing passage, into the heating apparatus, of bottles that already happened to be at a sufficient temperature.

Abstract

An automatic bottling system, in particular for bottling wine in glass bottles, comprises a filling machine, a corking machine, a heating apparatus (10), and a labelling machine, set in series with respect to one another. The heating apparatus (10) comprises at least one microwave heatin device 52.

Description

System and process for automatic bottling
* * *
The present invention relates to a system and a process for automatic bottling, particularly/ but not exclusively, for bottling wine in glass bottles, said system comprising a filling machine, a corking machine, a heating apparatus, and a labelling machine set in series with respect to one another.
Bottling systems of the above type typically have a production capacity of several millions of bottles each year and are used for large-scale production of wine.
The process of large-scale production of wine envisaged in the past a treatment of pasteurization of the wine after bottling. This treatment, however, had an adverse effect on the organoleptic characteristics of the product .
Currently, prior to bottling the wine is refrigerated to -5°C, -60C for cold stabilization and deposit of tartrates. Said refrigeration is performed in heat-conditioned autoclaves, in which the wine remains for approximately 24-48 hours. Following upon refrigeration, the wine is bottled at a temperature of between 1°C and 30C. After filling, the bottles are immediately corked and labelled.
Given that the wine just bottled is at a temperature that is considerably lower than the surrounding environment, a film of condensate is formed on the outer surface of the bottles. The film of condensate prevents application of the labels or considerably worsens the aesthetic result.
In order to prevent this problem, in bottling systems of a known type a heating apparatus is set between the corking machine and the labelling machine. The heating apparatus has the purpose of bringing the temperature of the bottles close to that of the environment, to prevent formation of condensate on the outer surfaces of the bottles.
The heating apparatuses normally used are of the hot-water spray type. A spray heater comprises a system for delivery of a spray of heated water at approximately 5O0C, which is collected in a tank situated underneath the path of advance of the bottles. Also provided downstream of the spray heater is a system of fans for drying the bottles prior to labelling.
A first problem deriving from the use of spray heaters regards their encumbrance. Said apparatuses normally extend for 9-10 metres in the direction of advance of the bottles and require various accessory systems, amongst which the boiler for the production of the hot water. Further problems derive from the running and maintenance costs of said heating apparatuses.
The object of the present invention is to provide a bottling system and process that will overcome said problems .
According to the present invention, the above purpose is achieved by a bottling system and process having the characteristics forming the subject of Claims 1 and 15.
The present invention is based upon the principle of carrying out heating of the bottles by means of microwave heating devices. As compared to a traditional system of spray heating, a microwave heating apparatus is much more compact and has decidedly lower management and maintenance costs.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the ensuing description, with reference to the annexed drawings, which are provided purely by way of non-limiting example and in which:
- Figure 1 is a block diagram of a bottling system;
- Figure 2 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a heating apparatus according to the invention;
- Figures 3 and 4 are sections according to the lines III-III and IV-IV of Figure 2;
- Figure 5 is a front view of the heating apparatus of Figure 2;
- Figure 6 is a perspective view at an enlarged scale of the detail indicated by the arrow VI in Figure 4;
- Figure 7 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a heating apparatus according to the invention;
- Figure 8 is a view in elevation according to the arrow VIII of Figure 7; and
- Figures 9 and 10 are perspective views of a heating unit indicated by the arrow IX in Figure 7, in a closed position and an open position, respectively.
Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a bottling system for bottles of wine. The bottling system comprises a filling machine in which empty bottles preliminarily washed inside are conveyed. The filling machine receives wine, which is introduced into the bottles at a temperature usually comprised between 1°C and 30C. A conveyor device, for example a conveyor belt, conveys the full bottles into a corking machine, which closes the bottles. Set downstream of the corking machine is a heating apparatus for administering heat to the bottles in order to reduce the thermal gap between the temperature of the bottles and the temperature of the surrounding environment, thus preventing formation of condensate on the outer surface of the bottles. Finally, the labels are applied on the bottles by means of a labelling machine. At output from the system, the bottles of wine are ready to be packaged and dispatched. Of course, the bottling system can comprise other machines or apparatuses, such as for example a machine that applies heat-shrinkable caps on the top ends of the necks of the bottles, a machine for application of metal cages or a machine for external washing of the bottles.
With reference to Figures 2-5, designated by 10 is a first embodiment of a heating apparatus according to the invention. The heating apparatus 10 comprises a substantially parallelpipedal base 12, which has a main direction and rests on the ground by means of height- adjustable feet 14. Fixed on top of the base 12 is a frame 16 of similar dimensions, which carries shielding meshes 18. The frame 16 is traversed by a conveyor belt 20 that extends in the main direction of the base 12. The arrows 22 indicate the direction of advance of the conveyor belt during normal operation. The conveyor belt 20 is of a known type and enables a practically continuous feed of bottles through the heating apparatus .
Set on top of the base 12, in the space defined by the frame 16, is a heating tunnel 24 that extends in the main direction of the base 12. The heating tunnel 24 is delimited at the bottom by the conveyor belt 20 and comprises two side walls 26 and a top covering element 28.
Set in an area corresponding to a side wall 26 of the heating tunnel 24 is at least one microwave generator 30. In the embodiment illustrated is a plurality of microwave generators 30 is provided (four in the example illustrated) set at a distance from one another in the direction of advance of the bottles. With reference to Figure 6, each microwave generator 30 has a body 32 having a top portion 32a, provided in which is a waveguide 34 shaped like a cavity of the body 32. The waveguide 34 communicates with the inside of the heating tunnel 24 by means of a respective opening made in the side wall 26.
Housed in the body 32 of each microwave generator is a magnetron 36 having an antenna 38 with one end set substantially at the centre of the waveguide 34. The magnetron 36 is connected to an electric-supply control unit 42 by means of electric cables 40. The electric cables 40 extend through a bottom portion 32b of the body 32.
The covering element 28 comprises a mobile structure 44 that can be adjusted in height by means of adjustment screws 46. The structure 44 comprises a horizontal element 44a that extends in the direction of advance and has threaded holes for co-operating with the adjustment screws 46. The structure 44 further comprises vertical rods 44b that traverse the cover 28 and that support, in an area corresponding to their bottom end, plates 44c, which have the purpose of shielding the top portions of the bottles .
In operation, the bottles rest on the conveyor belt 20 and are fed in a practically continuous way to the heating apparatus 10. An auger feed C, which can be provided before entry of the bottles into the heating apparatus 10, enables the bottles to be set at regular distances apart on the conveyor belt 20. The bottles first enter the frame 16 through an opening made in the screening mesh 18 and then enter the heating tunnel 24. Inside the heating tunnel 24 the bottles are subjected to a microwave field that heats the wine contained in the bottles. The intensity of the microwave field can be varied by acting on the current for supplying the magnetron, and it is thus possible to administer more or less heat to the bottles. The heating tunnel 24 is sized so as to raise the temperature of the bottles up to a value such as to prevent formation of the condensate on the glass surfaces in the time taken by the bottles to pass through the tunnel. Indicatively, the increase in temperature is comprised between 1O0C and 200C.
The intensity of the microwave field within the tunnel depends upon numerous factors, amongst which the number of microwave generators 30, the rate of advance of the bottles on the conveyor belt 20 and the environmental conditions (for example, the humidity of the air) .
The structure 44 can be positioned so as to shield the top portions of the bottles in order to prevent exposure of the cork to the microwave field.
A preferred embodiment (not represented) comprises, in addition to what is described above, an infrared temperature sensor set upstream of the heating device 24. The aforesaid infrared temperature sensor measures the temperature of the bottles at input in such a way as to inform the control unit 42 that supplies the magnetron 36. In this way, it is possible to optimize heating and prevent excessive heating of bottles that were to enter the tunnel at a temperature higher than the normal one, which could occur, for example, in the case where a bottle already at ambient temperature is set on the conveyor belt 20 upstream of the heating apparatus 10. In this case, the control unit 42 will partialize the supply of the magnetron to abate the electromagnetic field.
In a further embodiment, there can be provided a by-pass path parallel to the conveyor belt 20 and associated to a selector. The selector is mobile between a first position that directs the bottles onto the conveyor belt 20, which then traverse the heating tunnel 24, and a second position that directs the bottles towards the by-pass stretch that by-passes the heating tunnel 24. Said configuration, in combination with the infrared temperature sensor, enables deflection of the bottles that have already an adequate temperature onto the by-pass stretch, so preventing unnecessary heating thereof.
Illustrated in Figures 7 to 10 is a second embodiment of a heating apparatus according to the present invention. The elements corresponding to the ones described previously are designated by the same reference numbers.
The heating apparatus 10 of this second embodiment comprises a rotating structure 48 with a carousel configuration, carried by a central shaft 50, which turns about a vertical axis. The rotating structure 48 carries a plurality of microwave heating devices 52 set at angular distances apart from one another.
With reference to Figures 9 and 10, each heating device 52 comprises a container 54 and a microwave generator 56. Each microwave generator 56 comprises a body 32, which has a waveguide 34 and housed in which is a magnetron 36 having an antenna 38. Each container 54 is made of material for shielding microwaves (for example, sheet metal) and is designed to receive a respective bottle. Each container 54 has: a horizontal base wall 57, on which a bottle is to rest; a vertical rear wall 58; two plane side walls 60 orthogonal to the rear wall and to the base wall 56; a hemicylindrical front wall 62, that radiuses the side walls 60 together; and a top horizontal wall 64. The waveguide 34 of the microwave generator 56 is connected to an opening of the rear wall 58 situated in the vicinity of the base wall 57.
The walls 57 and 58 are fixed with respect to the rotating structure 48, whilst the walls 60, 62 and 64 form an openable part, that is mobile between an open position and a closed position, illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, respectively. The open position enables entry and exit of the bottles into/from the container 52. The openable part of the container 54 can be mobile in a vertical direction, and said vertical movement could be governed by a respective actuator or by a cam system.
The heating apparatus 10 comprises an electric- supply control unit 66 that is connected electrically to the microwave generators 56 via a rotating collector mounted on the central shaft 50 of the rotating structure 48.
With reference to Figures 7 and 8, the rotating structure 48 is associated to a conveyor belt 20, which supplies the bottles to be heated to the rotating structure 48 and receives the heated bottles therefrom. Along the conveyor 20 there may be set an auger feed 68, which sets the bottles at a distance from one another and feeds them in phase with the rotation of the structure 48.
In a loading station, a first wheel 70 picks the bottles off the conveyor belt 20 and transfers them to respective containers 54, which, in the proximity of the wheel 70, are in an open position. After receiving a bottle, the container 54 closes, and the respective microwave generator is activated.
Each container is re-opened at an unloading station, where a second wheel 72 transfers the heated bottles from the containers 54 to the conveyor 20. The microwave-heating treatment has a duration equal to the time taken by each container 54 to pass from the loading station to the unloading station. Preferably, in operation the rotating structure 48 turns at a constant rate.
Also in this second embodiment, a temperature sensor could be provided for measuring the temperature of the bottles upstream of the heating apparatus 10 for driving the microwave generators according to the temperature detected. There could also be provided a by-pass path for preventing passage, into the heating apparatus, of bottles that already happened to be at a sufficient temperature.

Claims

CIAIMS
1. An automatic bottling system, in particular for bottling wine in glass bottles, comprising a filling machine, a corking machine, a heating apparatus (10), and a labelling machine, set in series with respect to one another, said bottling system being characterized in that said heating apparatus (10) comprises at least one microwave heating device (24, 25) .
2. The bottling system according to Claim 1, characterized in that said heating apparatus (10) comprises a rotating structure (48), which turns about a vertical axis and carries a plurality of microwave heating devices (52) set at an angular distance apart from one another, each of said microwave heating devices (52) being designed to receive a respective bottle.
3. The bottling system according to Claim 2, characterized in that each of said microwave heating devices (52) comprises a container (54) having a shielding function in regard to microwaves and a microwave generator (56), said container (54) being openable for receiving a respective bottle to be heated and for unloading the heated bottle.
4. The bottling system according to Claim 3, characterized in that the rotating structure (48) is associated to a loading device (70) , designed to pick up the bottles advancing on a conveyor (20) and to transfer the bottles into respective containers (54).
5. The bottling system according to Claim 3, characterized in that the rotating structure is associated to an unloading device (72) , designed to pick up the bottles from the respective containers (54) and to transfer the bottles onto a conveyor (20) .
6. The bottling system according to Claim 2, characterized in that each of said containers (54) has a horizontal base wall (57), a vertical rear wall (58), two plane side walls (60) orthogonal to the rear wall (60) and to the base wall (56), a hemicylindrical front wall (62) that radiuses said side walls (60) together, and a top wall (64) .
7. The bottling system according to Claim 6, characterized in that said side walls (60), said front wall (62), and said top wall (64) form a part that is mobile with respect to said rear wall (58) and said base wall (57 ).
8. The bottling system according to Claim 6, characterized in that the microwave generator (56) of each heating device (52) has a waveguide (34) connected to an opening formed in said rear wall (58) and situated in the vicinity of said base wall (57) .
9. The bottling system according to Claim 2, characterized in that said microwave generators are connected to an electric-supply control unit (60) via a rotating collector.
10. The bottling system according to Claim 1, characterized in that the microwave heating device (24) has a tunnel-like conformation, with two parallel side walls (26), a top covering element (28), and a bottom conveyor device (20) .
11. The bottling system according to Claim 10, characterized in that said heating device (24) comprises at least one microwave generator (30) set in an area corresponding to one of said side walls (26) .
12. The bottling system according to Claim 1, characterized in that the heating apparatus (10), comprises, upstream of the heating device (24), an infrared sensor for measuring the temperature of each bottle.
13. The bottling system according to Claim 12, characterized in that the heating apparatus (10) comprises a control device (42) for governing supply of the heating device (24) in response to a measurement of the temperature of the bottle.
14. The bottling system according to Claim 12, characterized in that the heating apparatus (10) comprises a by-pass stretch for by-passing of the heating device (24) .
15. A bottling process, in particular for bottling wine in glass bottles, comprising, in succession, the steps of:
- filling the bottles;
- corking the bottles;
- heating the bottles;
- labelling the bottles; said process being characterized in that the step of heating the bottles is performed by means of at least one microwave heating device (24, 52) .
PCT/IB2008/001705 2007-06-28 2008-06-19 System and process for automatic bottling WO2009001208A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITTO2007A000467 2007-06-28
ITTO20070467 ITTO20070467A1 (en) 2007-06-28 2007-06-28 "SYSTEM AND AUTOMATIC BOTTLING PROCEDURE"

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DE102009052289A1 (en) * 2009-11-09 2011-05-12 Krones Ag Apparatus and method for labeling filled containers
EP2447173A1 (en) 2010-11-02 2012-05-02 Stefano Boido Apparatus for heating containers
EP2447172A1 (en) 2010-11-02 2012-05-02 Stefano Boido Apparatus for heating containers
EP2657180A1 (en) * 2012-04-24 2013-10-30 Krones AG Filling of cooled products
US20160340627A1 (en) * 2015-05-20 2016-11-24 Francesc Xavier Carretero Pena Process for preparing sparkling wine cocktails
US20160340628A1 (en) * 2015-05-20 2016-11-24 Francesc Xavier Carretero Pena Process for preparing sparkling wine cocktails containing edible gold

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102009052289A1 (en) * 2009-11-09 2011-05-12 Krones Ag Apparatus and method for labeling filled containers
EP2447173A1 (en) 2010-11-02 2012-05-02 Stefano Boido Apparatus for heating containers
EP2447172A1 (en) 2010-11-02 2012-05-02 Stefano Boido Apparatus for heating containers
US20120103976A1 (en) * 2010-11-02 2012-05-03 Microwine S.r.l. Apparatus for heating containers
CN102452490A (en) * 2010-11-02 2012-05-16 麦克维恩有限责任公司 Apparatus for heating containers
EP2657180A1 (en) * 2012-04-24 2013-10-30 Krones AG Filling of cooled products
US9561946B2 (en) 2012-04-24 2017-02-07 Krones Ag Filling of cooled products
US20160340627A1 (en) * 2015-05-20 2016-11-24 Francesc Xavier Carretero Pena Process for preparing sparkling wine cocktails
US20160340628A1 (en) * 2015-05-20 2016-11-24 Francesc Xavier Carretero Pena Process for preparing sparkling wine cocktails containing edible gold

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