WO2021223864A1 - Hot filling machine and method - Google Patents

Hot filling machine and method Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021223864A1
WO2021223864A1 PCT/EP2020/062625 EP2020062625W WO2021223864A1 WO 2021223864 A1 WO2021223864 A1 WO 2021223864A1 EP 2020062625 W EP2020062625 W EP 2020062625W WO 2021223864 A1 WO2021223864 A1 WO 2021223864A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
filling
channel
depressurization
container
phase
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2020/062625
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Simone Campi
Giovanni MALPELI
Original Assignee
Sidel Participations
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 Sidel Participations filed Critical Sidel Participations
Priority to EP20724796.6A priority Critical patent/EP4146583A1/en
Priority to PCT/EP2020/062625 priority patent/WO2021223864A1/en
Publication of WO2021223864A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021223864A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/06—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus using counterpressure, i.e. filling while the container is under pressure
    • B67C3/10—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus using counterpressure, i.e. filling while the container is under pressure preliminary filling with inert gases, e.g. carbon dioxide
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/06—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus using counterpressure, i.e. filling while the container is under pressure
    • B67C3/14—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus using counterpressure, i.e. filling while the container is under pressure specially adapted for filling with hot liquids

Definitions

  • the machine 1 comprises a pressurization circuit 7.
  • the pressurization circuit 7 is hydraulically interposed between the source 6 and the device 2.
  • the machine by means of the pressurization circuit 7, is configured to carry out a pressurization phase.
  • the container is pressurized with the pressurized fluid fed by the pressurization source 6.
  • the pressurization phase occurs while the device 2 is travelling along the first sector SI.
  • the pressurization phase occurs before the filling phase and after the device 2 has received the container at the input 31.
  • the pressurization circuit 7 is schematized in Figures 2 and 3.
  • the recirculation circuit 10 comprises a first recirculation channel 101.
  • the first recirculation channel 101 is schematized in Figures 2 and 3 and showed at least in part in Figure 6.
  • a longitudinal section of the first recirculation channel 101 can be seen.
  • the first recirculation channel 101 ia hydraulically interposed between the device 2 and the chamber 110.
  • the first recirculation channel 101 is in fluid communication on one respective end with said device 2 and on the opposite respective end with said chamber 111.
  • the conveyor system for example can comprise a carousel 33.
  • the carousel 33 is indicated in Figure 4.
  • the axis X can be a central axis for the rotation of the carousel 33.
  • the movement of the device can be a circular movement around the axis X.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)

Abstract

Present description relates to a pressurized hot filling method for filling a container with a pourable product, which allows to make simpler the structure of the machine (1) used for carrying out the method and/or to better maintain the high temperature of the product after the end of the filling phase of a container and the start of the filling phase of the subsequent container by the same filling device of the machine. Present description relates also to a hot filling machine (1) configured to carry out the pressurized hot filling method.

Description

HOT FILLING MACHINE AND METHOD
TECHNICAL FIELD
Present description relates to a pressurized hot filling method for filling a container with a pourable product, which allows to make simpler the structure of the machine used for carrying out the method and/or to better maintain the high temperature of the product after the end of the filling phase of a container and the start of the filling phase of the subsequent container by the same filling device of the machine. Present description relates also to a hot filling machine configured to carry out the pressurized hot filling method.
BACKGROUND ART
In the general field of filling containers with pourable products, it is known a filling method called "hot filling method" according to which, during the delivering of the product in the container, the product is in a hot condition due to a previous heating. The high temperature of the product allows for obtaining the pasteurization of the container by means of the same product.
A machine configured to carry out that hot filling method can be considered as a hot filling machine.
A hot filling machine is known which comprises a rotating carousel and a plurality of filling devices mounted on the periphery of the carousel. The hot filling machine must be provided also with a heating circuit for heating the product. The heating circuit increases the complexity of the machine. It is known also that, in the case of carbonated products, the filling method is a pressurized filling method, according to which, during the delivering of the product in the container, the container is at a pressure greater than the atmospheric pressure.
The Applicant found that the pressurization can be beneficial also during the hot filling method, in order to reduce the formation of foam and/or the splashing of the product. Also, the pressurization can help in recovering before the filling and/or maintaining during the filling the correct shape of the container if the same has been subjected to a previous undesired deformation. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
A hot filling method according to the present description and/or according to any of the appended method claims allows to reduce the complexity of the filling machine by means of which the method is carried out, while simultaneously ensuring that, during the delivery of the pourable product in the container, the product is heated and the container is pressurized above the atmospheric pressure.
A hot filling machine according to present description is configured to carry out a hot filling method according to present description. A hot filling machine according to any of the appended machine claims is configured to carry out an hot filling method according to any of the appended method claims.
The features of a filling machine and a filling method according to the present description will be clarified by the following not limiting description of respective exemplary embodiments of said machine and method according to present description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows from above a schematic view of a first path and a second path followed by a container during a possible exemplary embodiment of a filling method according to present description;
Figure 2 shows a block diagram of some circuits of a possible exemplary embodiment of a filling machine according to present description, while the filling machine is adopting a first operative condition; Figure 3 shows a block diagram of some circuits of a possible exemplary embodiment of a filling machine according to present description, while the filling machine is adopting a second operative condition;
Figure 4 shows said embodiment of the machine from above; Figure 5 shows a close-up perspective view of a filling device of the machine of Figure 4 and of a part of a structure of the machine of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a cut view of said part of the structure of Figure 5 to show a chamber defined by said structure; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the filling device of Figure 5;
Figure 8 is a perspective view from below of a portion of the machine to show a component of the machine;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of the part of the structure of Figure 5 and of the device of Figure 4 which are cross sectioned to better show some components of the device and of the structure;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of the part of the structure of Figure 5 and of the device of Figure 4 which are cross sectioned to better show other components of the device and of the structure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
This description refers to a possible exemplary embodiment of a filling machine according to the present description. In the following, said exemplary embodiment of the filling machine will be defined simply as "machine" or "filling machine".
This description refers to a possible exemplary embodiment of a filling method according to the present description. In the following, said exemplary embodiment of the filling method will be defined simply as "method" or "filling method" The machine is indicated with 1 in Figure 4.
The machine 1 for filling a container with a pourable product. The pourable product can be a food pourable product, for example water or any other kind of beverage or a pulp. The machine 1 comprises at least a filling device 2.
The machine comprises a conveyor system 3. The conveyor system is configured to carry out transporting phase during which the device 2 is subjected to a movement along subsequently a first path PI and a second path P2. The first path PI and the second path P2 are indicated in Figure 1. The first path PI extends from an input 31, where the filling device 2 receives the container, and an output 32, where the filling device releases the container. The input 31 and the output 32 are indicate in Figure 1. The first path PI comprises subsequently a first sector SI, a second sector S2, a third sector S3. The first sector SI, the second sector S2 and the third sector S3 are showed in Figure 1.
The second path P2 extends from said output 32 to said input 31. The second path P2 is distinct with respect to the first path PI.
The machine comprises a heater 4. The heater 4 is configured to heat the product. The heater 4 can be a pasteurizer. The heater 4 is schematized in Figures 2 and 3. The machine 1 comprises a filling circuit 5. The filling circuit 5 is hydraulically interposed between the heater 4 and the device 2. The machine 1, by means of the filling circuit 5, is configured to carry out a filling phase. During the filling phase, the container is filled with the product heated by the heater 4. The filling phase occurs while the device 2 is travelling along the second sector S2. The filling circuit 5 is schematized in Figures 2 and 3.
The filling phase can be a contact filling phase or a contactless filling phase. Therefore the filling device 2 can be a contact filling device and/or a contactless filling device.
Therefore, the machine 1 is a hot filling machine, and the method is an hot filling method. This because the product is delivered to the container through the device 2 while being in a hot condition.
The machine comprises a pressurization source 6. The pressurization source 6 can be configured to feed a pressurized fluid. The pressurized fluid is at a pressure greater than the atmospheric pressure. The pressurization source is schematized in Figures 2 and 3.
The machine 1 comprises a pressurization circuit 7. The pressurization circuit 7 is hydraulically interposed between the source 6 and the device 2. The machine, by means of the pressurization circuit 7, is configured to carry out a pressurization phase. During the pressurization phase, the container is pressurized with the pressurized fluid fed by the pressurization source 6. The pressurization phase occurs while the device 2 is travelling along the first sector SI. The pressurization phase occurs before the filling phase and after the device 2 has received the container at the input 31. The pressurization circuit 7 is schematized in Figures 2 and 3.
Therefore the filling phase is carried out the filling phase while the container is pressurized. That means that the filling phase is carried out while the container is maintained at a pressure greater than the atmospheric pressure.
Therefore the method is a pressurized hot filling method. The machine comprises a discharge 8. The discharge 8 is configured to collect or discharge the pressurization fluid. The discharge 8 is schematized in Figures 2 and 3.
The machine comprises a depressurization circuit 9. The depressurization circuit 9 is hydraulically interposed between the device 2 and the discharge 8. The machine is configured, by means of the depressurization circuit 9, to carry out a depressurization phase. During the depressurization phase, the container is depressurized. The depressurization phase occurs while the device 2 is travelling along the third sector S3. The depressurization phase occurs after the filling phase and before the container is released by the device 2 at the output 32. The depressurization circuit 9 is schematized in Figures 2 and
3.
The machine comprises a recirculation circuit 10. The recirculation circuit 10 is hydraulically interposed between the device 5 and the heater 4. The machine 1 is configured, by means of the recirculation circuit 10, to carry out a recirculation phase. During the recirculation phase, the product is recirculating between the device 2 and the heater 4. The recirculation phase occurs while the device 2 is travelling along the second path P2. The recirculation phase occurs after the device 2 has released the container.
The depressurization circuit 9 and the recirculation circuit 10 shares a common hydraulic element 11. The common hydraulic element 11 is hydraulically interposed between the device 2 and the heater 4 and between the device 2 and the discharge 8.
In this way the depressurization phase and the recirculation phase are carried out both through at least the same common hydraulic element 11.
In this way there is a save of material and/or of structural complexity of the machine 1, because at least a part of the recirculation circuit 10 and at least a part of the depressurization circuit 9 is provided by the same common hydraulic element 11 for both the recirculation circuit 10 and the depressurization circuit 9.
Therefore is provided an machine configured to fill a container with a pourable product while the product is in an hot condition and the container is at a pressure greater than the atmospheric pressure, with a reduced complexity from a structural or mechanical point of view. Moreover, thanks to the recirculation phase, the temperature of the product can be better maintained before each filling phase carried out by the same filling device 2. In fact, the recirculation phase allows for better maintaining the temperature of the product while the device 2 is along the second path P2 and therefore while the device 2 is without any container.
The machine is configured to adopt a first operative condition. According to the first operative condition, the fluid communication between said common hydraulic member 11 and said discharge 8 is opened and the fluid communication between the said common hydraulic member 11 and said heater 4 is closed. Figure 2 shows the first condition. The first conditions serves to carry out the depressurization phase. The machine 1 is configured to adopt a second operative condition. According to the second operative condition, the fluid communication between said common hydraulic member 11 and said discharge 8 is closed and the fluid communication between the said common hydraulic member 11 and said heater 4 is opened. Figure 3 shows the second condition. The second conditions serves to carry out the recirculation phase.
The common hydraulic element 11 can be a part of the conveyor system 3. The common hydraulic element 111 can be integral with the movement of the device 2.
The common hydraulic element 11 comprises a collection chamber 111. The chamber 111 can be integral with said movement of the device 2. The chamber 111 is schematized in Figures 2 and 3 and showed at least in part in Figures 6, 9 and 10.
The chamber 111 can be a part of the conveyor system 3. In this way the chamber 111 is integral with the movement of the device 2.
The depressurization circuit 9 comprises a first depressurization channel 91. The first depressurization channel 91 is schematized in Figures 2 and 3 and showed at least in part in Figure 6. In Figure 9 a longitudinal section of the first depressurization channel 91 can be seen. The first depressurization channel 91 is hydraulically interposed between the device 2 and the chamber 111. The first depressurization channel 91 is in fluid communication on one respective end with said device 2 and on the respective opposite end with said chamber 111.
The recirculation circuit 10 comprises a first recirculation channel 101. The first recirculation channel 101 is schematized in Figures 2 and 3 and showed at least in part in Figure 6. In Figure 10 a longitudinal section of the first recirculation channel 101 can be seen. The first recirculation channel 101 ia hydraulically interposed between the device 2 and the chamber 110. The first recirculation channel 101 is in fluid communication on one respective end with said device 2 and on the opposite respective end with said chamber 111.
The first depressurization channel 91 and said first recirculation channel 101 are distinct to each other. The first depressurization channel 91 and the first recirculation channel 101 are made through a wall 111a delimiting said chamber 111. This improves the compactness and the mechanical simplicity of the machine 1. The wall 111a is cross sectioned in Figures 6, 9 and 10.
The first depressurization channel 91 and the first recirculation channel 101 are in fluid communication to each other trough said chamber 111. In this way the same chamber 111 can receive both the pressurized fluid coming from the first depressurization channel 91, during the depressurization phase, and the product coming from the first recirculation channel 101, during the recirculation phase. The conveyor system 3 is configured to carry out said transporting phase by a motion which comprising a rotating component around an axis X. The axis X is indicated in Figure 4 and in Figure 1. The axis X is orthogonal to the plane of Figure 1 and to the plane of Figure 4.
The conveyor system for example can comprise a carousel 33. The carousel 33 is indicated in Figure 4. The axis X can be a central axis for the rotation of the carousel 33. The movement of the device can be a circular movement around the axis X.
The carousel 33 comprises a structure 331. The structure 331 defines the chamber 111. The structure 331 comprises the wall 111a. The structure 331 is indicate in Figures 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10. In Figures 5 and 8 it can be seen a part of the structure 331. In Figures 6, 9 and 10 said part of the structure 331 is cut to show the chamber 111.
The first depressurization channel 91, to be in fluid communication with said chamber 111, opens out in the chamber 111 at a first height with respect to said axis X.
The first recirculation channel 101, to be in fluid communication with the chamber 111, opens out in the chamber 111 at a second height with respect to said axis X. The second height is different with respect to said first height. In this way a common chamber 111 can be used for both a part of the depressurization circuit 9 and a part of the recirculation circuit 10 without the risk that residuals of product interfere with the pressurized fluid coming in the chamber 110 from the first depressurization channel 91. This thanks to the fact that, considering the axis X parallel to the gravity and considering the height increasing in the opposite direction of gravity, the first height can be selected to be greater with respect to the second height. In this way the first pressurization channel 91 opens out in the chamber 110 at an upper level with respect to the first recirculation channel 101.
The same chamber ill is a part of both the depressurization circuit 9 and the recirculation circuit 10. In this way the depressurization phase and the recirculation phase are carried out both through at least the same chamber ill.
The recirculation circuit 10 comprises a second recirculation channel 102 in fluid communication with said heater 4. The second recirculation channel 102 is schematized in Figure 3.
The depressurization circuit 9 comprises a second depressurization channel 92 in fluid communication with said discharge 8. The second depressurization channel 92 is schematized in Figure 2.
The common hydraulic element 11 is hydraulically interposed between the first recirculation channel 101 and the second recirculation channel 102 and between the first depressurization channel 91 and the second depressurization channel 92. The common hydraulic element 11 comprises a collection conduit 112 in fluid communication with the chamber 111. The collection conduit 112 is showed in part from below in Figure
8. The machine 1 is configured so that in said first condition, the fluid communication between the collection conduit 112 and the second depressurization channel 92 is opened and the fluid communication between the collection conduit 112 and the second recirculation channel 102 is closed. This situation is showed in Figure 2, in which the second recirculation channel is not showed.
The machine 1 is configured so that, in said second condition, the fluid communication between the collection conduit 112 and the second depressurization channel 92 is closed and the fluid communication between the collection conduit 112 and the second recirculation channel 102 is opened. This situation is showed in Figure 3, in which the second depressurization channel is not showed.
In this way it is improved the speed of switching between the first condition and the second condition, so as to improve the capacity of the machine of carrying out the depressurization phase and the recirculation phase. In particular, it is to be noted that the recirculation phase is to maintain the temperature of the product before the next filling phase. Therefore it is furtherly improved the capacity of the machine to maintain the temperature of the product while the device 2 is without any container.
The device 2 comprises a filling channel 21 for delivering the product to the container. The filling channel 21 is indicated in Figures 7, 9 and 10. In Figures 9 and 10 a longitudinal section of the filling channel 21 can be seen. In Figure 7 only an outlet of the filling channel 21 is visible.
The device 2 comprises a first duct 22. The first duct 22 is hydraulically interposed between the filling channel 21 and the first depressurization channel 91. In Figure 9 a longitudinal cross section of the first duct 22 is visible. One valve or more than one valves can be placed along the first duct 22. In Figure 7 it is showed, as regards the first duct 22, the end that is in fluid communication with the first depressurization channel 91.
The device 2 comprises a second duct 23. The second duct 23 is hydraulically interposed between the filling channel 21 and the first recirculation channel 101. In Figure 10 a longitudinal cross section of the second duct 23 is visible. One valve or more than one valves can be placed along the second duct 23. In Figure 7 it is showed, as regards the second duct 23, the end that is in fluid communication with the first recirculation channel 101. The first duct 22 is in fluid communication on one respective end with said filling channel 21. The first duct 22 is in fluid communication, on the opposite respective end and at said first height, with said first depressurization channel 91. This allows for the first depressurization channel 91 to be obtained radially with respect to the axis X of the conveyor system, making the manufacturing simpler. In fact, in this way, the first depressurization channel 91 can be located entirely at the same first height with respect to said axis X, because the outlet of the first duct 22 which is in fluid communication with the first depressurization channel 91 is already at the first height.
The second duct 23 is in fluid communication on one respective end with said filling channel 21. The second duct 23 is in fluid communication, on the opposite respective end and at said second height, with said first recirculation channel 101. This allows for the first recirculation channel 101 to be obtained radially with respect to the axis X of the conveyor system, making the manufacturing simpler. In fact, in this way, the first recirculation channel 101 can be located entirely at the same second height with respect to said axis X, because the outlet of the second duct 23 which is in fluid communication with the first recirculation channel 101 is already at the second height.
Therefore present description provides a machine 1 configured to carry out a pressurized hot filling method for filling a container with a pourable product, which has a simpler structure and is more suited to better keep the high temperature of the product after the end of the filling phase of a container and the start of the filling phase of the subsequent container by the same filling device of the machine.
In fact, along the path P2 from the output 32 to the input 31, the recirculation allows for better maintaining the temperature of the product, before the device 2 receives the subsequent container.
The container can be any kind of container or recipient, like for example a bottle.
In particular the compactness can be improved if the chamber 110 is a part of the conveyor system 3 and conveyor system is a carousel 33.
The filling device 2 can be a contact and/or contactless filling device.
It is to be noted that Figures 2, 3, 5 and 7 are referred to one filling device 2. In Figure 4 and 8 several filling devices are showed and two filling device 2 are indicated. This because the machine 1 can comprise a plurality of filling devices. Any filling device of the plurality can have one or more or all of the features of the filling device 2 to which Figures 2, 3, 5 and 7 are referred. Said plurality can comprise any number of filling devices.
Clearly, changes may be made to the hot filling method and to the hot filling machine, as described herein, without, however, departing from the scope of protection as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. Hot filling machine (1) for filling a container with a pourable product, comprising:
- a filling device (2); - a conveyor system (3) to carry out transporting phase during which the device (2) is subjected to a movement along:
- a first path (PI) from an input (31), where the filling device (2) receives the container, and an output (32), where the filling device releases the container, said first path (PI) comprising subsequently a first sector (SI), a second sector (S2), a third sector (S3),
- a second path (P2), from said output (32) to said input (31);
- a heater (4) to heat the product; - a filling circuit (5) hydraulically interposed between said heater (4) and said device (2) to carry out a filling phase, during which the container is filled with the product heated by the heater (4), while the device (2) is travelling along the second sector (S2); - a pressurization source (6) for feeding a pressurization fluid;
- a pressurization circuit (7) hydraulically interposed between said source (6) and said device (2) to carry out, before the filling phase and after the device (2) has received the container at the input (31), a pressurization phase, during which the container is pressurized with the pressurized fluid, while the device (2) is travelling along the first sector (SI);
- a discharge (8); - a depressurization circuit (9) hydraulically interposed between the device (2) and the discharge (8) to carry out, after the filling phase and before the container is released by the device (2) at the output (32), a depressurization phase, during which the container is depressurized while the device (2) is travelling along the third sector (S3);
- a recirculation circuit (10) hydraulically interposed between said device (2) and said heater (4) to carry out, after the device (2) has released the container at the output (32), a recirculation phase, during which the product is recirculating between the device (2) and the heater (4) while the device (2) is travelling along the second path (P2); wherein the depressurization circuit (9) and the recirculation circuit (10) share a common hydraulic element (11). 2. Machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein:
- the common hydraulic element (11) comprises a collection chamber (111) integral with said movement;
- the depressurization circuit (9) comprises a first depressurization channel (91) hydraulically interposed between said device (2) and said chamber (111), said first depressurization channel (91) being in fluid communication on one respective end with said device (2) and on the respective opposite end with said chamber (111);
- the recirculation circuit (10) comprises a first recirculation channel (101) hydraulically interposed between said device (2) and said chamber (111), said first recirculation channel (101) being in fluid communication on one respective end with said device (2) and on the opposite respective end with said chamber (111); said first depressurization channel (91) and said first recirculation channel (101) being distinct to each other and made through a wall (111a) delimiting said chamber (111).
3. Machine (1) according to claim 2, wherein:
- the conveyor system (3) is configured to carry out said transporting phase by a motion which comprises a rotating component around an axis (X), the chamber (111) being a part of the conveyor system (3);
- the first depressurization channel (91), to be in fluid communication with said chamber (111), opens out in the chamber (111) at a first height with respect to said axis (X);
- the first recirculation channel (101), to be in fluid communication with the chamber (111), opens out in the chamber (111) at a second height with respect to said axis (X), said second height being different with respect to said first height.
4. Machine (1) according to claim 3, wherein the device (2) comprises:
- a filling channel (21) for delivering the product to the container;
- a first duct (22) hydraulically interposed between said filling channel (21) and said first depressurization channel (91);
- a second duct (23) hydraulically interposed between said filling channel (21) and said first recirculation channel
(101); wherein:
- said first duct (22) is in fluid communication on one respective end with said filling channel (21); - said first duct (22) is in fluid communication, on the opposite respective end and at said first height, with said first depressurization channel (91);
- said second duct (23) is in fluid communication on one respective end with said filling channel (21); - said second duct (23) is in fluid communication, on the opposite respective end and at said second height, with said first recirculation channel (101).
5. Machine (1) according to claim 2 or 3 or 4, wherein the first depressurization channel (91) and the first recirculation channel (101) are in fluid communication to each other trough said chamber (111) so that the same chamber (111) can receive both the pressurized fluid coming from the first depressurization channel (91), during the depressurization phase, and the product coming from the first recirculation channel (101), during the recirculation phase.
6. Machine (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the machine (1) is configured to adopt:
- a first operative condition according to which the fluid communication between said common hydraulic member (11) and said discharge (8) is opened and the fluid communication between the said common hydraulic member (11) and said heater (4) is closed;
- a second operative condition according to which the fluid communication between said common hydraulic member (11) and said discharge (8) is closed and the fluid communication between the said common hydraulic member (11) and said heater (4) is opened.
7. Machine (1) according to claims 2 and 6, wherein:
- the recirculation circuit (10) comprises a second recirculation channel (102) in fluid communication with said heater (4);
- the depressurization circuit (9) comprises a second depressurization channel (92) in fluid communication with said discharge (8); the common hydraulic member (11) comprises a collection conduit (112) in fluid communication with the chamber (111);
- the machine (1) is configured so that:
- in said first condition, the fluid communication between the collection conduit (112) and the second depressurization channel (92) is opened and the fluid communication between the collection conduit (112) and the second recirculation channel (102) is closed;
- in said second condition, the fluid communication between the collection conduit (112) and the second depressurization channel (92) is closed and the fluid communication between the collection conduit (112) and the second recirculation channel (102) is opened.
8. Hot filling method (1) for filling a container with a pourable product, comprising: - a transporting phase during which a filling device (2) is subjected to a movement along:
- a first path (PI) from an input (31), where the filling device (2) receives the container, and an output (32), where the filling device releases the container, said first path (PI) comprising subsequently a first sector (SI), a second sector (S2), a third sector (S3),
- a second path (P2), from said output (32) to said input (31);
- a filling phase, during which the container is filled with the product heated by an heater (4), while the device (2) is travelling along the second sector (S2) and by means a filling circuit (5) hydraulically interposed between the heater (4) and said device (2);
- before the filling phase and after the device (2) has received the container at the input (31), a pressurization phase, during which the container is pressurized with a pressurized fluid fed by a pressurization source (6), while the device is travelling along the first sector (Si) and by means of a pressurization circuit (7) hydraulically interposed between said source (6) and said device;
- after the filling phase and before the container is released by the device (2) at the output (32), a depressurization phase, during which the container is depressurized, while the device (2) is travelling along the third sector (S3), by means of a depressurization circuit (9) hydraulically interposed between the device (2) and the discharge (8);
- after the device (2) has released the container at the output (32), a recirculation phase, during which the product is recirculating between the device (2) and the heater (4), while the device (2) is travelling along the second path (P2), by means of a recirculation circuit (10) hydraulically interposed between said device (2) and said heater (4); wherein the depressurization phase and the recirculation phase are carried out both through at least one common hydraulic element (11).
9. Method according to claim 8, wherein said transporting phase is carried out by a motion of a conveyor system, said motion comprising a rotating component around an axis (X), the common hydraulic (11) element being integral with said movement.
PCT/EP2020/062625 2020-05-06 2020-05-06 Hot filling machine and method WO2021223864A1 (en)

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1207817B (en) * 1964-08-05 1965-12-23 Enzinger Union Werke Ag Process and device for cold or hot filling of carbonated liquids such as beer and lemonade
DE102007024106A1 (en) * 2007-05-22 2008-11-27 Khs Ag filling system
EP2641863A1 (en) * 2012-03-19 2013-09-25 Sidel S.p.a. Con Socio Unico Filling device

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1207817B (en) * 1964-08-05 1965-12-23 Enzinger Union Werke Ag Process and device for cold or hot filling of carbonated liquids such as beer and lemonade
DE102007024106A1 (en) * 2007-05-22 2008-11-27 Khs Ag filling system
EP2641863A1 (en) * 2012-03-19 2013-09-25 Sidel S.p.a. Con Socio Unico Filling device

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