WO2023094106A1 - Apparatus for filling containers with a pourable product - Google Patents

Apparatus for filling containers with a pourable product Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023094106A1
WO2023094106A1 PCT/EP2022/080064 EP2022080064W WO2023094106A1 WO 2023094106 A1 WO2023094106 A1 WO 2023094106A1 EP 2022080064 W EP2022080064 W EP 2022080064W WO 2023094106 A1 WO2023094106 A1 WO 2023094106A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
unit
product
filling
cooler
pourable product
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2022/080064
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Stefano ROSINI
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
Publication of WO2023094106A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023094106A1/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
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
    • A23L2/00—Non-alcoholic beverages; Dry compositions or concentrates therefor; Their preparation
    • A23L2/42—Preservation of non-alcoholic beverages
    • A23L2/46—Preservation of non-alcoholic beverages by heating
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
    • A23L2/00—Non-alcoholic beverages; Dry compositions or concentrates therefor; Their preparation
    • A23L2/52—Adding ingredients
    • A23L2/54—Mixing with gases

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for filling containers with a pourable product.
  • the present invention will refer, without losing generality, to an apparatus for filling containers with a pourable product of the foodstuff type, the apparatus being adapted to operate according to at least one cold filling mode and a hot filling or "hotfill" mode.
  • Packaging assemblies are known for the packing of pourable products, preferably of the foodstuff type, such as, for example, water, wine, milk, beer, fruit juices, yoghurt, emulsions, sport drinks, tea or the like.
  • Such assemblies include various apparatuses, such as:
  • an apparatus for producing the containers for example a blower, in the case where the containers are defined by plastic bottles;
  • an apparatus for rinsing the containers for example a rinser, in the case where the containers are defined by glass bottles;
  • filling apparatuses for filling containers such as bottles, small bottles, small jars or the like, with a predetermined amount of pourable product are known.
  • a typical filling apparatus comprises a filling unit receiving, at the inlet, the preferably sterilized containers to be filled, and adapted to fill them with the pourable product.
  • the packaging assemblies also include a capping apparatus receiving, at the inlet, the full containers and are adapted to apply a cap onto each individual container and to feed the containers thus filled and closed to an outlet device for the subsequent possible labelling, packaging and storage operations.
  • a typical filling apparatus also comprises a carbonation unit for feeding the gas, for example, carbon dioxide, to the pourable product, in a position upstream of the filling unit, and thereby carbonate it before the filling into the containers.
  • a carbonation unit for feeding the gas, for example, carbon dioxide, to the pourable product, in a position upstream of the filling unit, and thereby carbonate it before the filling into the containers.
  • a pasteurization unit which usually comprises, in operative sequence: a preheater for preheating the pourable product; a heater for heating the pourable product to a pasteurization temperature; a thermal resting area for keeping the pourable product at the pasteurization temperature for a pre-established time; a precooler; and a cooler for bringing the pourable product back to a pre-established filling temperature.
  • the product is sent to the carbonation unit and, subsequently, to the filling unit to be packed into the containers.
  • First apparatuses of the type described above are configured to operate according to a cold filling mode, known per se and not described in detail.
  • a first type of apparatus is configured to operate according to a carbonated pasteurized product cold filling mode, whereby the product passes through all the components mentioned above.
  • a second type of apparatus is configured to operate according to a carbonated and unpasteurized product cold filling mode, whereby this type of apparatus is not provided with the pasteurization unit.
  • a third type of apparatus is configured to operate according to a non-carbonated pasteurized product cold filling mode, whereby this type of apparatus is not provided with the carbonation unit.
  • Second apparatuses are instead configured to operate according to a non-carbonated pasteurized product hot filling mode, known per se and not described in detail. These apparatuses are not provided with the carbonation unit and the cooler; the pourable product, exiting the thermal resting area, is fed to the precooler and then directly to the filling unit at a temperature much higher than room temperature, normally comprised between 70°C and 90°C.
  • the aim of the present invention is to achieve an apparatus for filling containers with a pourable product which is of high reliability and limited cost, and allows to overcome at least some of the drawbacks specified above and those connected with apparatuses of a known type.
  • this aim is achieved by a filling apparatus as claimed in claim 1.
  • FIG. 1 is a hydraulic diagram of a filling apparatus produced according to the present invention, in a first operating condition
  • Figure 1 in a second operating condition - Figure 3 is a hydraulic diagram of the apparatus of Figure 1 in a third operating condition.
  • FIG. 4 is a hydraulic diagram of the apparatus of Figure 1 in a fourth operating condition.
  • number 1 designates as a whole an apparatus for filling containers 2 with a pourable product.
  • the present invention will make reference, without losing generality, to an apparatus 1 for filling containers 2 with a pourable product of the foodstuff type, the apparatus 1 being adapted to operate according to at least one cold filling mode and one hot filling or "hotfill" mode.
  • hot filling means a filling in which the temperature of the pourable product is comprised between 80°C and 95°C
  • cold filling means a filling in which the temperature of the pourable product is comprised between 1°C and 20°C, or a filling at room temperature, wherein the above-mentioned temperature is comprised between 20°C and 30°C.
  • the apparatus 1 is configured to selectively operate in:
  • the apparatus 1 comprises:
  • a filling unit 4 for feeding a predefined amount of pourable product into each container 2;
  • a pasteurization unit 6 operatively interposed, along the convey line 5, between the inlet 3 and the filling unit 4.
  • the filling unit 4 includes a tank 4a and a rotatable carousel 4b of the known type and peripherally carrying a plurality of filling devices or filling valves (not illustrated) for cyclically feeding an amount of pourable product into respective containers 2 advanced by the carousel 4b.
  • the convey line 5 comprises, in particular is defined by, a plurality of ducts (illustrated schematically in the attached figures) which hydraulically connect the various units and the various components of the apparatus 1 together.
  • the pourable product will pass through a different set of ducts of the convey line 5.
  • the ducts of the convey line 5, passed through by the pourable product in a given configuration of the apparatus 1 are represented by a continuous line, whereas the ducts that are not passed through by the pourable product in a given configuration of the apparatus 1 are represented by a dashed line.
  • the pasteurization unit 6 comprises:
  • cooler 8 arranged operatively downstream of the heater 7 and configured to cool the pasteurized product to a pre-established filling temperature.
  • the pasteurization unit 6 comprises:
  • thermal resting area 10 arranged downstream of the heater 7 and upstream of the cooler 8, and configured to keep the pourable product at the pasteurization temperature for a pre-established period of time, so as to cause the pasteurization of the pourable product at the pre- established temperature applied through the heater 7;
  • precooler 11 arranged downstream of the thermal resting area 10 and upstream of the cooler 8, for precooling the pasteurized product prior to its cooling.
  • the precooler 11 increases the overall efficiency of the pasteurization process.
  • the cooler 8 is arranged downstream of the thermal resting area 10, in particular downstream of the precooler 11.
  • the pasteurization unit 6 further comprises at least one preheater 12 arranged operatively upstream of said heater 7, and being configured to preheat the pourable product along a first preheating path A.
  • the preheater 12 increases the overall efficiency of the pasteurization process.
  • the pasteurization unit 6 includes a buffer tank 13, arranged operatively downstream of the cooler 8, and configured to receive and accumulate the pasteurized and cooled product.
  • the pasteurization unit 6 can operate continuously, despite the fact that the filling unit 4 has an oscillating and/or variable product requirement. In particular this occurs in the cold filling mode. Therefore, the cooler 8 and the buffer tank 13 allow the continuous operation of the pasteurization unit 6 to be adapted to the oscillating or variable requirement of the filling unit 4, thus preventing the product from remaining at too high a temperature for too long a time.
  • the pasteurization unit 6 would not be able to adapt to the transients of the product requirement of the filling unit 4, and the buffer tank 13 is configured to allow the pasteurization unit to better adapt to these transients. These transients can be due to, for example, a variation in production speed, a shutdown of the filling unit 4 or, for example, at least one missing container.
  • the apparatus 1 furthermore comprises a carbonation unit 14, comprising a gas inlet 15 for introducing gas, for example carbon dioxide, into the convey line 5 at a carbonation station G arranged operatively downstream of the buffer tank 13 and upstream of the filling unit 4.
  • a carbonation unit 14 comprising a gas inlet 15 for introducing gas, for example carbon dioxide, into the convey line 5 at a carbonation station G arranged operatively downstream of the buffer tank 13 and upstream of the filling unit 4.
  • the apparatus 1 comprises a further cooler 16, arranged operatively along the convey line 5, upstream of the carbonation station G and downstream of the buffer tank 13.
  • the cooler 16 is configured to control the temperature of the pourable product entering the carbonation station G as a function of a physical quantity correlated to the temperature of the pourable product upstream of the cooler 16 itself or downstream of the buffer tank 13.
  • the apparatus 1 comprises a first cooler 8, arranged inside the pasteurization unit 6, and a second cooler 16 arranged externally to the pasteurization unit 6. Thanks to the configuration described above, the carbonation of the pourable product can be carried out at an optimal temperature. In fact, the resting time of the product in the buffer tank 13 can cause a temperature variation of the accumulated product, thus making the cooling carried out by the first cooler 8 inefficient or insufficient, or in any case causing a non-optimal temperature in the carbonation station G.
  • the second cooler 16 acts downstream of the tank 13, bringing the product back to an optimal temperature for the carbonation by means of compensation of the thermal effect correlated to the resting time of the product in the buffer tank 13.
  • the presence of the buffer tank 13 allows the adaptability of the apparatus to be increased, as the pasteurization unit 6 can operate continuously despite the variable requirement of the filling unit 4.
  • the coolers 8, 16, the heater 7, the preheater 12 and the precooler 11 are defined by heat exchangers defining respective heat exchange interfaces between the convey line 5, namely between the respective duct of the line 5 that passes through the relative exchanger, and a respective circulation circuit for a heating or cooling fluid.
  • the apparatus 1 is configured so that the second cooler 16 automatically influences the temperature of the pourable product at the carbonation station G, as a function of a physical quantity correlated to the temperature of the pourable product detectable upstream of the second cooler 16 itself or downstream of the buffer tank 13.
  • the apparatus 1 comprises:
  • a temperature sensor 17 interposed, along the convey line 5, between the buffer tank 13 and the second cooler 16, and is configured to detect a temperature of the pourable product
  • control unit (known per se and not illustrated) configured to receive from the temperature sensor 17 a signal correlated to the temperature detected by the latter, and to control the second cooler 16 as a function of said signal.
  • the temperature sensor 17 is arranged operatively between the pasteurization unit 6 and the second cooler 16.
  • both the second cooler 16 and the temperature sensor 17 are arranged externally to the pasteurization unit 6.
  • the apparatus 1 is capable of, namely is configured to, fill, by means of the carbonation unit 14 and the pasteurization unit 6, the containers 2 according to the above-mentioned carbonated pasteurized product cold filling mode.
  • the apparatus 1 comprises a valve device 18, for example a three-way valve manifold, operatively interposed, along the convey line 5, between the pasteurization unit 6 and the carbonation unit 14 and between the pasteurization unit 6 and the filling unit 4.
  • a valve device 18 for example a three-way valve manifold, operatively interposed, along the convey line 5, between the pasteurization unit 6 and the carbonation unit 14 and between the pasteurization unit 6 and the filling unit 4.
  • valve device 18 is also operatively interposed between the carbonation unit 14 and the filling unit 4.
  • the valve device 18 is controllable, preferably automatically by means of the control unit, in:
  • valve device 18 allows the apparatus 1 to operate selectively in the above-mentioned two different cold filling modes.
  • valve device 18 is also operatively interposed between the heater 7 and the first cooler 8, in particular between the thermal exchange area 10 and the first cooler 8, more particularly between the precooler 11 and the first cooler 8.
  • valve device 18 is advantageously controllable in a third position, in which it hydraulically connects the heater 7, in particular the thermal exchange area 10, more particularly the precooler 11, to the filling unit 4 bypassing the first cooler 8, the buffer tank 13, the second cooler 16, and the carbonation unit 14, thereby determining the direct passage of the (heated and pasteurized, but not cooled) pourable product from the heater 7 to the filling unit 4, and defining a hot filling mode of the apparatus ( Figure 3).
  • valve device 18 by controlling the valve device 18 in the third position, the above-mentioned non-carbonated pasteurized product hot filling mode of the apparatus 1 is defined.
  • the apparatus 1 is configured to operate selectively in at least three different filling modes, two cold filling modes (carbonated and pasteurized product, or non-carbonated and pasteurized product) and one hot filling mode (non- carbonated and pasteurized product).
  • the apparatus 1 comprises a further valve device 19 operatively interposed, along the convey line 5, between the inlet 3 and the pasteurization unit 6 and between the inlet 3 and the carbonation unit 14.
  • valve device 19 is also operatively interposed between the pasteurization unit 6 and the carbonation unit 14.
  • the valve device 19 is controllable, preferably automatically by means of the control unit, in:
  • valve device 18 when the valve device 19 is controlled in the second position, the valve device 18 is controllable in a fourth position (visible in Figure 4) defining a simple passage of the pourable product from the carbonation unit 14 to the filling unit 4, without any further deviation.
  • the fourth position of the valve device 18 can be the same as the first position of the valve device 18.
  • the apparatus 1 is configured to selectively operate in the fourth mode mentioned above. Namely, it is possible to carry out four different filling modes of the containers 2 with a single apparatus 1 according to the present invention.
  • control unit controls the valve device 18 in the first position and the valve device 19 in the second position;
  • the control unit controls the valve device 18 in the second position and the valve device 19 in the first position (the valve device 18 being in the second position, the carbonation unit 14 is in any case bypassed and the pourable product does not reach the valve device 19 after having passed through the pasteurization unit 6);
  • the control unit controls the valve device 18 in the third position and the valve device 19 in the first position (the valve device 18 being in the third position, the carbonation unit 14 is in any case bypassed and the pourable product does not reach the valve device 19 after having passed through the pasteurization unit 6);
  • control unit controls the valve device 18 in the fourth position and the valve device 19 in the second position.
  • the apparatus could be configured so that the carbonated unpasteurized product cold filling mode is obtained by means of the first position of the valve device 18 and the second position of the valve device 19, as in the second position of the valve device 19 the pasteurization unit is in any case bypassed.
  • the pasteurization unit 6 comprises at least one preheater 12 for preheating the pourable product along the first preheating path A.
  • the pasteurization unit 6 also comprises a further preheater 20 arranged operatively upstream of the heater 7 and configured to preheat the pourable product along a second preheating path B.
  • the apparatus 1 comprises a first preheater 12 and a second preheater 20.
  • the apparatus 1 is configured to selectively activate the first preheater 12 or the second preheater 20 in either one of said cold filling modes or in said hot filling mode, respectively.
  • control unit is configured to:
  • the Applicant has observed, by means of an extensive experimental campaign, that the presence of a preheater 20, dedicated for the hot filling mode, increases the efficiency of the hot filling mode.
  • the apparatus 1 comprises a third valve device 21, arranged within the pasteurization unit 6 and controllable to selectively allow the fluidic passage of the pourable product along the first path A, and therefore the first preheater 12, or along the second path B, and therefore the second preheater 20.
  • the pasteurization unit 6 comprises a heat recovery circuit 23 adapted to convey a thermal exchange fluid through the first preheater 12, the second preheater 20 and the precooler 11.
  • the heat recovery circuit 23 advantageously includes an additional heater 24 hydraulically interposed between the precooler 11 and the preheaters 12 and 20, along the heat recovery circuit 23, for additionally heating the exchange fluid before its passage in the preheaters 12 or 20, respectively.
  • the apparatus 1 comprises a pourable product recirculation line 22 for conveying the pourable product from the filling unit 4 to the pasteurization unit 6.
  • the recirculation line 22 hydraulically passing through the valve device 18 and, selectively by controlling the latter in the third position, the first cooler 8 and the buffer tank 13.
  • valve device 18 is also configured, when controlled in the third position, to allow the passage of the pourable product along the recirculation line 22 from the filling unit 4 to the pasteurization unit 6 and through the first cooler 8 and the buffer tank 13.
  • the apparatus 1 comprises a balancing tank 25 arranged along the convey line 5 downstream of the inlet 3, for receiving the pourable product therefrom.
  • the balancing tank 25 is also arranged along the recirculation line 22 upstream of the pasteurization unit 6, for receiving the recirculated product from the filling unit 4, in particular from the buffer tank 13.
  • the recirculation line 22 is configured to dose the recirculated product into the pourable product inside the balancing tank 25.
  • the recirculation line 22 extends from the filling unit 4 to the pasteurization unit 6, passing through, in operating sequence: the valve device 18, the first cooler 8, the buffer tank 13, again through the valve device 18 and, lastly, the balancing tank 25.
  • the "new" pourable product arriving from the inlet 3 is mixed with the recirculated product.
  • the recirculated product can be reintroduced into the pasteurization unit 6 together with the new pourable product, without the need of a dedicated line for the pasteurization.
  • the two products reach compatible temperatures, as the recirculated product passes through the first cooler 8 before reaching the balancing tank 25 itself.
  • the apparatus 1 also comprises a pourable product production unit 26, arranged, along the convey line 5, upstream of the inlet 3.
  • the convey line 5 extends from the production unit 26.
  • the production unit 26 includes a primary product inlet 27, namely the base product from which the pourable product will be obtained, and a primary product tank 28.
  • the production unit 26 comprises a fluid inlet 29, for example water, and a two-stage deaerator 30.
  • a two-stage deaerator 30 allows implementation of a single deaerator 30 and not two or more deaerators.
  • Figure 1 illustrates the configuration of the apparatus 1 in the carbonated pasteurized product cold filling mode.
  • the pourable product obtained in the production unit 26 flows along the convey line 5, through the inlet 3 and the valve device 19 controlled in the first position; the product therefore reaches the balancing tank 25. From here, the product enters the pasteurization unit 6, and flows through the first preheater 12, the heater 7, the thermal resting area 10, the precooler 11, the valve device 18 controlled in the first position, the first cooler 8 and the buffer tank 13.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the configuration of the apparatus 1 in the non-carbonated pasteurized product hot filling mode.
  • the pourable product obtained in the production unit 26 flows along the convey line 5, through the inlet 3 and the valve device 19 controlled in the first position, and reaches the balancing tank 25.
  • the product enters the pasteurization unit 6, and flows through the second preheater 20, the heater 7, the thermal resting area 10, the precooler 11, the valve device 18 controlled in the third position, and the filling unit 4, whereas the carbonation unit 14 is bypassed.
  • the recirculated product flows along the recirculation line 22 inside the valve device 18 and, through the latter, in the first cooler 8, in the buffer tank 13 and lastly in the balancing tank 25, where it is dosed into the new pourable product.
  • Figure 2 illustrates the configuration of the apparatus 1 in the non-carbonated pasteurized product cold filling mode.
  • the path of the pourable product corresponds to that of the configuration of Figure 1 from the inlet 3 up to the outlet of the pasteurization unit 6, namely up to the outlet of the buffer tank 13. From here, the product flows in the valve device 18 controlled in the second position, therefore the carbonation unit 14 is bypassed and the product flows directly towards the filling unit 4.
  • Figure 4 illustrates the configuration of the apparatus 1 in the carbonated unpasteurized product cold filling mode.
  • the product flows from the inlet 3 into the valve device 19 controlled in the second position.
  • the pasteurization unit 6 is therefore bypassed and the product passes through the second cooler 16 and the carbonation station G, to then reach, through the valve device 18 controlled in the fourth position, the filling unit.
  • the presence of the buffer tank 13 allows the adaptability of the apparatus 1 to be increased, as the pasteurization unit 6 can operate continuously despite the variable requirement of the filling unit 4.
  • the efficiency of the carbonation operation is improved, despite the presence of the buffer tank 13.
  • the valve device 18, and particular also the valve device 19 it is possible to carry out different filling modes (in particular, three cold filling modes and one hot filling mode) with a single apparatus 1, as it is sufficient to switch the position of the valve devices 18, 19.
  • the efficiency of the hot filling mode is improved.
  • the presence of the balancing tank 25 allows to furthermore improve the efficiency of the hot filling mode.
  • the efficiency of the hot filling mode is furthermore improved.

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for filling containers (2) with a pourable product is described, the apparatus comprises: an inlet (3) for the pourable product; a filling unit (4) for feeding a predefined amount of pourable product into each container (2); a pourable product convey line (5) hydraulically connecting the inlet (3) to the filling unit (4); and a pasteurization unit (6) operatively interposed, along the convey line (5), between the inlet (3) and the filling unit (4); the pasteurization unit (6) comprises: a heater (7) for heating the pourable product to a pre-established pasteurization temperature; a first cooler (8), arranged operatively downstream of the heater (7), and which is configured to cool the pasteurized product to a pre-established filling temperature; and a buffer tank (13), arranged operatively downstream of the first cooler (8), and which is configured to receive and accumulate the pasteurized and cooled product; the apparatus (1) also comprises: a carbonation unit (14), comprising a gas inlet (15) for introducing gas into the convey line (5) at a carbonation station (G) arranged operatively downstream of the pasteurization unit (6) and upstream of the filling unit (4); and a second cooler (16), arranged operatively, along the convey line (5), upstream of the carbonation station (G) and downstream of the buffer tank (13); the second cooler (16) is configured to control the temperature of the pourable product entering the carbonation station (G) as a function of a physical quantity correlated to the temperature of the pourable product upstream of the second cooler (16) itself.

Description

"APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH A POURABLE PRODUCT"
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an apparatus for filling containers with a pourable product.
In particular, the present invention will refer, without losing generality, to an apparatus for filling containers with a pourable product of the foodstuff type, the apparatus being adapted to operate according to at least one cold filling mode and a hot filling or "hotfill" mode.
STATE OF THE ART
Packaging assemblies are known for the packing of pourable products, preferably of the foodstuff type, such as, for example, water, wine, milk, beer, fruit juices, yoghurt, emulsions, sport drinks, tea or the like.
Such assemblies include various apparatuses, such as:
- an apparatus for producing the containers, for example a blower, in the case where the containers are defined by plastic bottles;
- an apparatus for rinsing the containers, for example a rinser, in the case where the containers are defined by glass bottles;
- a filling apparatus;
- a labelling apparatus for applying labels onto containers;
- a final wrapping apparatus for grouping together a certain number of containers and wrapping them in a film of packaging material.
In particular, filling apparatuses for filling containers, such as bottles, small bottles, small jars or the like, with a predetermined amount of pourable product are known.
For this purpose, a typical filling apparatus comprises a filling unit receiving, at the inlet, the preferably sterilized containers to be filled, and adapted to fill them with the pourable product.
Conveniently, the packaging assemblies also include a capping apparatus receiving, at the inlet, the full containers and are adapted to apply a cap onto each individual container and to feed the containers thus filled and closed to an outlet device for the subsequent possible labelling, packaging and storage operations.
The need is felt in the sector to pack a carbonated product into containers, namely a pourable product to which a gas is added to make it carbonated and/or sparkling, for example, carbon dioxide.
For this purpose, a typical filling apparatus also comprises a carbonation unit for feeding the gas, for example, carbon dioxide, to the pourable product, in a position upstream of the filling unit, and thereby carbonate it before the filling into the containers.
The need is also felt in the sector to increase the shelf life of the pourable products inside the containers.
For this purpose, it is known to dose preservative products into the containers.
However, there is a growing interest in decreasing the use of these preservatives in order to improve the quality of the packed foodstuff pourable products and their healthiness.
For this purpose, it is known to provide the filling apparatuses with a pasteurization unit, which usually comprises, in operative sequence: a preheater for preheating the pourable product; a heater for heating the pourable product to a pasteurization temperature; a thermal resting area for keeping the pourable product at the pasteurization temperature for a pre-established time; a precooler; and a cooler for bringing the pourable product back to a pre-established filling temperature.
Once cooled to the filling temperature, the product is sent to the carbonation unit and, subsequently, to the filling unit to be packed into the containers.
First apparatuses of the type described above are configured to operate according to a cold filling mode, known per se and not described in detail. In particular, a first type of apparatus is configured to operate according to a carbonated pasteurized product cold filling mode, whereby the product passes through all the components mentioned above.
A second type of apparatus is configured to operate according to a carbonated and unpasteurized product cold filling mode, whereby this type of apparatus is not provided with the pasteurization unit.
A third type of apparatus is configured to operate according to a non-carbonated pasteurized product cold filling mode, whereby this type of apparatus is not provided with the carbonation unit.
Second apparatuses are instead configured to operate according to a non-carbonated pasteurized product hot filling mode, known per se and not described in detail. These apparatuses are not provided with the carbonation unit and the cooler; the pourable product, exiting the thermal resting area, is fed to the precooler and then directly to the filling unit at a temperature much higher than room temperature, normally comprised between 70°C and 90°C.
Although the filling apparatuses of the type described above are functionally valid, the Applicant has observed how they are susceptible to further improvements, in particular concerning their flexibility, adaptability and the interchangeability of the above-mentioned apparatuses to different production needs.
Furthermore, the Applicant has noted how the efficiency of the carbonation operation can be improved.
In addition, the Applicant has noted how the efficiency of the hot filling mode can be furthermore improved.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aim of the present invention is to achieve an apparatus for filling containers with a pourable product which is of high reliability and limited cost, and allows to overcome at least some of the drawbacks specified above and those connected with apparatuses of a known type.
According to the invention, this aim is achieved by a filling apparatus as claimed in claim 1.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present invention, some preferred non-limiting embodiments thereof are described below, purely by way of example and with the aid of the attached drawings, wherein:
- Figure 1 is a hydraulic diagram of a filling apparatus produced according to the present invention, in a first operating condition;
- Figure 2 is a hydraulic diagram of the apparatus of
Figure 1 in a second operating condition; - Figure 3 is a hydraulic diagram of the apparatus of Figure 1 in a third operating condition; and
- Figure 4 is a hydraulic diagram of the apparatus of Figure 1 in a fourth operating condition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
With reference to the attached drawings, number 1 designates as a whole an apparatus for filling containers 2 with a pourable product.
In particular, the present invention will make reference, without losing generality, to an apparatus 1 for filling containers 2 with a pourable product of the foodstuff type, the apparatus 1 being adapted to operate according to at least one cold filling mode and one hot filling or "hotfill" mode.
Typically, "hot filling" means a filling in which the temperature of the pourable product is comprised between 80°C and 95°C; "cold filling" means a filling in which the temperature of the pourable product is comprised between 1°C and 20°C, or a filling at room temperature, wherein the above-mentioned temperature is comprised between 20°C and 30°C.
More particularly, and thanks to the particular configuration illustrated below, the apparatus 1 is configured to selectively operate in:
- a carbonated pasteurized product cold filling mode; a carbonated non-pasteurized product cold filling mode;
- a pasteurized flat product cold filling mode; and
- a pasteurized flat product hot filling mode.
The apparatus 1 comprises:
- an inlet 3 for the pourable product;
- a filling unit 4 for feeding a predefined amount of pourable product into each container 2;
- a pourable product convey line 5 hydraulically connecting the inlet 3 to the filling unit 4; and
- a pasteurization unit 6 operatively interposed, along the convey line 5, between the inlet 3 and the filling unit 4.
Preferably, the filling unit 4 includes a tank 4a and a rotatable carousel 4b of the known type and peripherally carrying a plurality of filling devices or filling valves (not illustrated) for cyclically feeding an amount of pourable product into respective containers 2 advanced by the carousel 4b.
The convey line 5 comprises, in particular is defined by, a plurality of ducts (illustrated schematically in the attached figures) which hydraulically connect the various units and the various components of the apparatus 1 together.
As better described below, according to the operating mode of the apparatus 1, the pourable product will pass through a different set of ducts of the convey line 5.
In particular, in the attached figures, the ducts of the convey line 5, passed through by the pourable product in a given configuration of the apparatus 1, are represented by a continuous line, whereas the ducts that are not passed through by the pourable product in a given configuration of the apparatus 1 are represented by a dashed line.
The pasteurization unit 6 comprises:
- a heater 7 for heating the pourable product, received from the inlet 3, at a pre-established pasteurization temperature; and
- a cooler 8 arranged operatively downstream of the heater 7 and configured to cool the pasteurized product to a pre-established filling temperature.
Conveniently, the pasteurization unit 6 comprises:
- a thermal resting area 10 arranged downstream of the heater 7 and upstream of the cooler 8, and configured to keep the pourable product at the pasteurization temperature for a pre-established period of time, so as to cause the pasteurization of the pourable product at the pre- established temperature applied through the heater 7; and
- a precooler 11 arranged downstream of the thermal resting area 10 and upstream of the cooler 8, for precooling the pasteurized product prior to its cooling.
The precooler 11 increases the overall efficiency of the pasteurization process.
In light of what has been described above, the cooler 8 is arranged downstream of the thermal resting area 10, in particular downstream of the precooler 11.
Preferably, the pasteurization unit 6 further comprises at least one preheater 12 arranged operatively upstream of said heater 7, and being configured to preheat the pourable product along a first preheating path A.
The preheater 12 increases the overall efficiency of the pasteurization process.
Advantageously, the pasteurization unit 6 includes a buffer tank 13, arranged operatively downstream of the cooler 8, and configured to receive and accumulate the pasteurized and cooled product.
In this manner, the pasteurization unit 6 can operate continuously, despite the fact that the filling unit 4 has an oscillating and/or variable product requirement. In particular this occurs in the cold filling mode. Therefore, the cooler 8 and the buffer tank 13 allow the continuous operation of the pasteurization unit 6 to be adapted to the oscillating or variable requirement of the filling unit 4, thus preventing the product from remaining at too high a temperature for too long a time. In general, the pasteurization unit 6 would not be able to adapt to the transients of the product requirement of the filling unit 4, and the buffer tank 13 is configured to allow the pasteurization unit to better adapt to these transients. These transients can be due to, for example, a variation in production speed, a shutdown of the filling unit 4 or, for example, at least one missing container.
The apparatus 1 furthermore comprises a carbonation unit 14, comprising a gas inlet 15 for introducing gas, for example carbon dioxide, into the convey line 5 at a carbonation station G arranged operatively downstream of the buffer tank 13 and upstream of the filling unit 4.
Advantageously, the apparatus 1 comprises a further cooler 16, arranged operatively along the convey line 5, upstream of the carbonation station G and downstream of the buffer tank 13. According to the invention, the cooler 16 is configured to control the temperature of the pourable product entering the carbonation station G as a function of a physical quantity correlated to the temperature of the pourable product upstream of the cooler 16 itself or downstream of the buffer tank 13.
In other words, the apparatus 1 comprises a first cooler 8, arranged inside the pasteurization unit 6, and a second cooler 16 arranged externally to the pasteurization unit 6. Thanks to the configuration described above, the carbonation of the pourable product can be carried out at an optimal temperature. In fact, the resting time of the product in the buffer tank 13 can cause a temperature variation of the accumulated product, thus making the cooling carried out by the first cooler 8 inefficient or insufficient, or in any case causing a non-optimal temperature in the carbonation station G. The second cooler 16 acts downstream of the tank 13, bringing the product back to an optimal temperature for the carbonation by means of compensation of the thermal effect correlated to the resting time of the product in the buffer tank 13.
The efficiency of the carbonation operation is therefore improved, despite the presence of the buffer tank 13.
Furthermore, the presence of the buffer tank 13 allows the adaptability of the apparatus to be increased, as the pasteurization unit 6 can operate continuously despite the variable requirement of the filling unit 4.
According to the non-limiting preferred embodiment described and illustrated herein, the coolers 8, 16, the heater 7, the preheater 12 and the precooler 11 are defined by heat exchangers defining respective heat exchange interfaces between the convey line 5, namely between the respective duct of the line 5 that passes through the relative exchanger, and a respective circulation circuit for a heating or cooling fluid.
These circulation circuits are of the known type and therefore only illustrated schematically in the attached figures, in the form of dashed lines passing through the various exchangers.
In light of what has been described above, the apparatus 1 is configured so that the second cooler 16 automatically influences the temperature of the pourable product at the carbonation station G, as a function of a physical quantity correlated to the temperature of the pourable product detectable upstream of the second cooler 16 itself or downstream of the buffer tank 13.
For this purpose, the apparatus 1 comprises:
- a temperature sensor 17 interposed, along the convey line 5, between the buffer tank 13 and the second cooler 16, and is configured to detect a temperature of the pourable product; and
- a control unit (known per se and not illustrated) configured to receive from the temperature sensor 17 a signal correlated to the temperature detected by the latter, and to control the second cooler 16 as a function of said signal.
In greater detail, the temperature sensor 17 is arranged operatively between the pasteurization unit 6 and the second cooler 16.
Therefore, both the second cooler 16 and the temperature sensor 17 are arranged externally to the pasteurization unit 6.
In light of what has been described above, the apparatus 1 is capable of, namely is configured to, fill, by means of the carbonation unit 14 and the pasteurization unit 6, the containers 2 according to the above-mentioned carbonated pasteurized product cold filling mode.
Advantageously, the apparatus 1 comprises a valve device 18, for example a three-way valve manifold, operatively interposed, along the convey line 5, between the pasteurization unit 6 and the carbonation unit 14 and between the pasteurization unit 6 and the filling unit 4.
Appropriately, the valve device 18 is also operatively interposed between the carbonation unit 14 and the filling unit 4.
The valve device 18 is controllable, preferably automatically by means of the control unit, in:
- a first position, in which it hydraulically connects the buffer tank 13 to the carbonation unit 14 and the carbonation unit 14 to the filling unit 4, in particular the carbonation unit 14 to the tank 4a, defining the carbonated pasteurized product cold filling mode of the apparatus (Figure 1); and - a second position, in which it hydraulically connects the buffer tank 13 to the filling unit 4, in particular in which it hydraulically connects the buffer tank 13 to the tank 4a, bypassing the carbonation unit 14, thereby determining the direct passage of the pourable product from the pasteurization unit 6 to the filling unit 4 and defining the above-mentioned non-carbonated pasteurized product cold filling mode of the apparatus (Figure 2).
Therefore, the valve device 18 allows the apparatus 1 to operate selectively in the above-mentioned two different cold filling modes.
Conveniently, the valve device 18 is also operatively interposed between the heater 7 and the first cooler 8, in particular between the thermal exchange area 10 and the first cooler 8, more particularly between the precooler 11 and the first cooler 8.
Consequently, the valve device 18 is advantageously controllable in a third position, in which it hydraulically connects the heater 7, in particular the thermal exchange area 10, more particularly the precooler 11, to the filling unit 4 bypassing the first cooler 8, the buffer tank 13, the second cooler 16, and the carbonation unit 14, thereby determining the direct passage of the (heated and pasteurized, but not cooled) pourable product from the heater 7 to the filling unit 4, and defining a hot filling mode of the apparatus (Figure 3).
In particular, by controlling the valve device 18 in the third position, the above-mentioned non-carbonated pasteurized product hot filling mode of the apparatus 1 is defined.
Thanks to the configuration described above, the apparatus 1 is configured to operate selectively in at least three different filling modes, two cold filling modes (carbonated and pasteurized product, or non-carbonated and pasteurized product) and one hot filling mode (non- carbonated and pasteurized product).
Therefore, it is possible to carry out three different filling modes of the containers 2 with a single apparatus 1 according to the present invention.
Advantageously, the apparatus 1 comprises a further valve device 19 operatively interposed, along the convey line 5, between the inlet 3 and the pasteurization unit 6 and between the inlet 3 and the carbonation unit 14.
Appropriately, the valve device 19 is also operatively interposed between the pasteurization unit 6 and the carbonation unit 14.
The valve device 19 is controllable, preferably automatically by means of the control unit, in:
- a first position, in which it hydraulically connects the inlet 3 to the pasteurization unit 6 and the pasteurization unit 6 to the carbonation unit 14, thus defining the above-mentioned carbonated pasteurized product cold filling mode of the apparatus (Figure 1); and
- a second position in which it hydraulically connects the inlet 3 to the carbonation unit 14 bypassing the pasteurization unit 6, thereby determining the direct passage of the pourable product from the inlet 3 to the carbonation unit 14, and defining the above-mentioned carbonated unpasteurized product cold filling mode of the apparatus (Figure 4).
Conveniently, when the valve device 19 is controlled in the second position, the valve device 18 is controllable in a fourth position (visible in Figure 4) defining a simple passage of the pourable product from the carbonation unit 14 to the filling unit 4, without any further deviation. The fourth position of the valve device 18 can be the same as the first position of the valve device 18.
Thanks to the presence of the further valve device 19, in combination with the valve device 18, the apparatus 1 is configured to selectively operate in the fourth mode mentioned above. Namely, it is possible to carry out four different filling modes of the containers 2 with a single apparatus 1 according to the present invention.
More precisely: to define/carry out the carbonated pasteurized product cold filling mode (Figure 1), the control unit controls the valve device 18 in the first position and the valve device 19 in the second position;
- to define/carry out the non-carbonated pasteurized product cold filling mode (Figure 2), the control unit controls the valve device 18 in the second position and the valve device 19 in the first position (the valve device 18 being in the second position, the carbonation unit 14 is in any case bypassed and the pourable product does not reach the valve device 19 after having passed through the pasteurization unit 6);
- to define/carry out the non-carbonated pasteurized product hot filling mode (Figure 3), the control unit controls the valve device 18 in the third position and the valve device 19 in the first position (the valve device 18 being in the third position, the carbonation unit 14 is in any case bypassed and the pourable product does not reach the valve device 19 after having passed through the pasteurization unit 6); and
- to define/carry out the carbonated unpasteurized product cold filling mode (Figure 4), the control unit controls the valve device 18 in the fourth position and the valve device 19 in the second position.
The apparatus could be configured so that the carbonated unpasteurized product cold filling mode is obtained by means of the first position of the valve device 18 and the second position of the valve device 19, as in the second position of the valve device 19 the pasteurization unit is in any case bypassed.
As described above, the pasteurization unit 6 comprises at least one preheater 12 for preheating the pourable product along the first preheating path A.
Advantageously, the pasteurization unit 6 also comprises a further preheater 20 arranged operatively upstream of the heater 7 and configured to preheat the pourable product along a second preheating path B.
Therefore, the apparatus 1 comprises a first preheater 12 and a second preheater 20.
According to the invention:
- the first path A hydraulically bypasses the second preheater 20 and the second path B hydraulically bypasses the first preheater 12; and
- the apparatus 1 is configured to selectively activate the first preheater 12 or the second preheater 20 in either one of said cold filling modes or in said hot filling mode, respectively.
More precisely, the control unit is configured to:
- activate the first preheater 12 and deactivate the second preheater 20, to preheat the pourable product along the first path A when the apparatus 1 operates in one of the cold filling modes; and
- activate the second preheater 20 and deactivate the first preheater 12, to preheat the pourable product along the second path B when the apparatus 1 operates in the hot filling mode.
The Applicant has observed, by means of an extensive experimental campaign, that the presence of a preheater 20, dedicated for the hot filling mode, increases the efficiency of the hot filling mode.
Conveniently, the apparatus 1 comprises a third valve device 21, arranged within the pasteurization unit 6 and controllable to selectively allow the fluidic passage of the pourable product along the first path A, and therefore the first preheater 12, or along the second path B, and therefore the second preheater 20.
Preferably, the pasteurization unit 6 comprises a heat recovery circuit 23 adapted to convey a thermal exchange fluid through the first preheater 12, the second preheater 20 and the precooler 11.
The heat recovery circuit 23 advantageously includes an additional heater 24 hydraulically interposed between the precooler 11 and the preheaters 12 and 20, along the heat recovery circuit 23, for additionally heating the exchange fluid before its passage in the preheaters 12 or 20, respectively.
The Applicant has noted that this configuration furthermore increases the efficiency of the preheating within the pasteurization unit 6.
Advantageously, the apparatus 1 comprises a pourable product recirculation line 22 for conveying the pourable product from the filling unit 4 to the pasteurization unit 6.
The recirculation line 22 hydraulically passing through the valve device 18 and, selectively by controlling the latter in the third position, the first cooler 8 and the buffer tank 13.
According to an aspect of the present invention, the valve device 18 is also configured, when controlled in the third position, to allow the passage of the pourable product along the recirculation line 22 from the filling unit 4 to the pasteurization unit 6 and through the first cooler 8 and the buffer tank 13.
Thanks to the (partial) recirculation of the pourable product, it is possible, in the case of hot filling, to try to maintain the temperature of the pourable product at the nominal filling value as far as possible.
Advantageously, the apparatus 1 comprises a balancing tank 25 arranged along the convey line 5 downstream of the inlet 3, for receiving the pourable product therefrom. The balancing tank 25 is also arranged along the recirculation line 22 upstream of the pasteurization unit 6, for receiving the recirculated product from the filling unit 4, in particular from the buffer tank 13.
According to an aspect of the present invention, the recirculation line 22 is configured to dose the recirculated product into the pourable product inside the balancing tank 25.
In practice, the recirculation line 22 extends from the filling unit 4 to the pasteurization unit 6, passing through, in operating sequence: the valve device 18, the first cooler 8, the buffer tank 13, again through the valve device 18 and, lastly, the balancing tank 25. Here, the "new" pourable product arriving from the inlet 3 is mixed with the recirculated product.
Thanks to the configuration described above, the recirculated product can be reintroduced into the pasteurization unit 6 together with the new pourable product, without the need of a dedicated line for the pasteurization.
In fact, in the balancing tank 25, the two products reach compatible temperatures, as the recirculated product passes through the first cooler 8 before reaching the balancing tank 25 itself.
This avoids an undesired pre-pasteurization or thermal pre-treatment of the new pourable product by the recirculated product, which could diminish the efficiency of the subsequent pasteurization and the quality of the new pourable product.
According to this preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the apparatus 1 also comprises a pourable product production unit 26, arranged, along the convey line 5, upstream of the inlet 3.
Preferably, the convey line 5 extends from the production unit 26.
Preferably the production unit 26 includes a primary product inlet 27, namely the base product from which the pourable product will be obtained, and a primary product tank 28.
The production unit 26 comprises a fluid inlet 29, for example water, and a two-stage deaerator 30.
The Applicant has observed, by means of an extensive experimental campaign, that the use of a two-stage deaerator 30 increases the overall efficiency of the apparatus 1.
Furthermore, the use of a two-stage deaerator 30 allows implementation of a single deaerator 30 and not two or more deaerators.
The operation of the apparatus 1 according to the present invention will be described below, with particular reference to the attached figures and to the various filling modes.
Figure 1 illustrates the configuration of the apparatus 1 in the carbonated pasteurized product cold filling mode.
In this configuration, the pourable product obtained in the production unit 26 flows along the convey line 5, through the inlet 3 and the valve device 19 controlled in the first position; the product therefore reaches the balancing tank 25. From here, the product enters the pasteurization unit 6, and flows through the first preheater 12, the heater 7, the thermal resting area 10, the precooler 11, the valve device 18 controlled in the first position, the first cooler 8 and the buffer tank 13.
Then, the product re-enters the valve device 18, which directs it towards the carbonation unit 14, through the valve device 19 always controlled in the first position. At this point, the sensor 17 detects the temperature of the product upstream of the second cooler 16. The control unit controls the activation of the latter, according to the detected temperature. After which, the product is carbonated at the carbonation station G and subsequently, by passing through the valve device 18 again, reaches the filling unit 4 in order to be fed to the containers 2 by the carousel 4b. Figure 3 illustrates the configuration of the apparatus 1 in the non-carbonated pasteurized product hot filling mode.
In this configuration, the pourable product obtained in the production unit 26 flows along the convey line 5, through the inlet 3 and the valve device 19 controlled in the first position, and reaches the balancing tank 25. From here, the product enters the pasteurization unit 6, and flows through the second preheater 20, the heater 7, the thermal resting area 10, the precooler 11, the valve device 18 controlled in the third position, and the filling unit 4, whereas the carbonation unit 14 is bypassed. From the filling unit 4, the recirculated product flows along the recirculation line 22 inside the valve device 18 and, through the latter, in the first cooler 8, in the buffer tank 13 and lastly in the balancing tank 25, where it is dosed into the new pourable product.
From here, the path begins again through the pasteurization unit 6 onwards.
Figure 2 illustrates the configuration of the apparatus 1 in the non-carbonated pasteurized product cold filling mode.
In this configuration, the path of the pourable product corresponds to that of the configuration of Figure 1 from the inlet 3 up to the outlet of the pasteurization unit 6, namely up to the outlet of the buffer tank 13. From here, the product flows in the valve device 18 controlled in the second position, therefore the carbonation unit 14 is bypassed and the product flows directly towards the filling unit 4.
Figure 4 illustrates the configuration of the apparatus 1 in the carbonated unpasteurized product cold filling mode.
In this configuration, the product flows from the inlet 3 into the valve device 19 controlled in the second position. The pasteurization unit 6 is therefore bypassed and the product passes through the second cooler 16 and the carbonation station G, to then reach, through the valve device 18 controlled in the fourth position, the filling unit.
From an examination of the characteristics of the apparatus 1 achieved according to the present invention the advantages that it allows to obtain are evident.
In particular, the presence of the buffer tank 13 allows the adaptability of the apparatus 1 to be increased, as the pasteurization unit 6 can operate continuously despite the variable requirement of the filling unit 4.
Furthermore, thanks to the presence of the second exchanger 16, the efficiency of the carbonation operation is improved, despite the presence of the buffer tank 13. In addition, thanks to the presence of the valve device 18, and particular also the valve device 19, it is possible to carry out different filling modes (in particular, three cold filling modes and one hot filling mode) with a single apparatus 1, as it is sufficient to switch the position of the valve devices 18, 19.
Furthermore, thanks to the recirculation of the pourable product, the efficiency of the hot filling mode is improved.
The presence of the balancing tank 25 allows to furthermore improve the efficiency of the hot filling mode.
Lastly, thanks to the presence of the first preheater 12 and the second preheater 20, the efficiency of the hot filling mode is furthermore improved.
It is clear that modifications and variations can be made to the apparatus 1 described and illustrated herein without thereby departing from the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1.- Apparatus (1) for filling containers (2) with a pourable product, the apparatus comprising:
- an inlet (3) for the pourable product;
- a filling unit (4) for filling the containers with the pourable product;
- a pourable product convey line (5) hydraulically connecting the inlet (3) to the filling unit (4); and
- a pasteurization unit (6) operatively interposed, along the convey line (5), between the inlet (3) and the filling unit (4); the pasteurization unit (6) comprising:
- a heater (7) to heat the pourable product;
- a first cooler (8), operatively arranged downstream of the heater (7), and which is configured to cool the pasteurized product; and
- a buffer tank (13), operatively arranged downstream of the first cooler (8), and which is configured to receive and accumulate the pasteurized and cooled product; the apparatus (1) further comprising:
- a carbonation unit (14), comprising a gas inlet (15) to introduce gas into the convey line (5) at a carbonation station (G) arranged operatively downstream of the buffer tank (13) and upstream of the filling unit (4); and
- a second cooler (16), operatively arranged upstream of the carbonation station (G) and downstream of the buffer tank (13); the second cooler (16) being configured to control the temperature of the pourable product in input to, or upstream of, the carbonation station (G) as a function of a physical quantity correlated to the temperature of the pourable product upstream of the second cooler (16) itself; wherein: the apparatus comprises a valve device (18) operatively interposed, along the convey line (5), between the pasteurization unit (6) and the carbonation unit (14) and between the pasteurization unit (6) and the filling unit (4), and which is controllable in:
- a first position, in which it hydraulically connects the buffer tank (13) to the carbonation unit (14) and the carbonation unit (14) to the filling unit (4), defining a carbonated pasteurized product cold filling mode of the apparatus; and
- a second position, in which it hydraulically connects the buffer tank (13) to the filling unit (4) bypassing the carbonation unit (14), thus determining the direct passage of the pourable product from the pasteurization unit (6) to the filling unit (4), and defining a non-carbonated pasteurized product cold filling mode of the apparatus; wherein the valve device (18) is also operatively interposed between said heater (7) and said first cooler (8), and is controllable in a third position, in which it hydraulically connects the heater (7) to the filling unit (4) bypassing the first cooler (8), the buffer tank
(13), the second cooler (16) and the carbonation unit
(14), thus determining the direct passage of the pourable product from the heater (7) to the filling unit (4), and defining a hot filling or hotfill mode of the apparatus.
2.- Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus (1) is configured so that the second cooler (16) automatically influences the temperature of the pourable product at the carbonation station (G) as a function of a physical quantity correlated to the temperature of the product pourable detectable upstream of the second cooler (16) itself.
3.- Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, and comprising:
- a temperature sensor (17) interposed, along the convey line (5), between the buffer tank (13) and the second cooler (16), and configured to detect a temperature of the pourable product; and
- a control unit configured to receive from the temperature sensor (17) a signal correlated to the temperature detected by the latter, and to control the second cooler (16) as a function of said signal.
4.- Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second cooler (16) is arranged externally to the pasteurization unit (6); and wherein the temperature sensor (17) is operatively arranged between the pasteurization unit (6) and the second cooler (16).
5.- Apparatus as claimed in any of the previous claims, wherein the pasteurization unit (6) comprises:
- a first preheater (12) operatively arranged upstream of said heater (7), the first preheater (12) being configured to preheat the pourable product along a first preheating path (A);
- a second preheater (20) operatively arranged upstream of said heater (7), the second preheater (20) being configured to preheat the pourable product along a second preheating path (B); wherein the first path (A) hydraulically bypasses the second preheater (20) and the second path (B) hydraulically bypasses the first preheater (12); and wherein the apparatus (1) is configured to selectively activate the first preheater (12) or the second preheater (20) in one of said cold filling modes or in said hot filling mode, respectively.
6.- Apparatus as claimed in any of the previous claims, and comprising a pourable product recirculation line (22) for conveying the pourable product from the filling unit (4) to the pasteurization unit (6), the recirculation line (22) hydraulically passing through the valve device (18) and, selectively by controlling the latter in the third position, through the first cooler (8) and through the buffer tank (13); and wherein the valve device (18) is further configured, when controlled in the third position, to allow the passage of the pourable product along the recirculation line (22), from the filling unit (4) to the pasteurization unit (6) and through the first cooler (8) and the buffer tank (13).
7.- Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, and comprising a balancing tank (25) arranged along the convey line (5) downstream of said inlet (3), for receiving the pourable product therefrom; wherein the balancing tank (25) is also arranged along the recirculation line (22) upstream of the pasteurization unit (6), for receiving the recirculated product from the filling unit (4), and wherein the recirculation line (22) is configured for dosing the recirculated product into the pourable product inside the balancing tank (25).
8.- Apparatus as claimed in any of the previous claims, and comprising a further valve device (19) operatively interposed, along the convey line (5), between said inlet (3) and the pasteurization unit (6) and between said inlet (3) and the carbonation unit (14), and which is controllable in:
- a first position, in which it hydraulically connects the inlet (3) to the pasteurization unit (6) and the pasteurization unit (6) to the carbonation unit (14), defining said carbonated pasteurized product cold filling mode of the apparatus; and
- a second position, in which it hydraulically connects the inlet (3) to the carbonation unit (14) bypassing the pasteurization unit (6), thus determining the direct passage of the pourable product from the inlet (3) to the carbonation unit (14) and defining a non-pasteurized carbonated product cold filling mode of the apparatus.
9.- Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, and comprising a pourable product production unit (26) arranged, along the convey line (5), upstream of said inlet (3); wherein the production unit (26) includes a two- stage deaerator (30).
second cooler (16) is configured to control the temperature of the pourable product entering the carbonation station (G) as a function of a physical quantity correlated to the temperature of the pourable product upstream of the second cooler (16) itself.
Main figure: 1
PCT/EP2022/080064 2021-11-25 2022-10-27 Apparatus for filling containers with a pourable product WO2023094106A1 (en)

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Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2015223150A (en) * 2014-05-29 2015-12-14 三菱重工食品包装機械株式会社 Liquid treatment apparatus
EP3578503A1 (en) * 2017-02-02 2019-12-11 Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. Beverage aseptic filling system and carbonated beverage aseptic filling system

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2015223150A (en) * 2014-05-29 2015-12-14 三菱重工食品包装機械株式会社 Liquid treatment apparatus
EP3578503A1 (en) * 2017-02-02 2019-12-11 Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. Beverage aseptic filling system and carbonated beverage aseptic filling system

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