WO2023169752A1 - Collecteur hydraulique pour distributeur rotatif d'une machine de remplissage rotative - Google Patents

Collecteur hydraulique pour distributeur rotatif d'une machine de remplissage rotative Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023169752A1
WO2023169752A1 PCT/EP2023/052852 EP2023052852W WO2023169752A1 WO 2023169752 A1 WO2023169752 A1 WO 2023169752A1 EP 2023052852 W EP2023052852 W EP 2023052852W WO 2023169752 A1 WO2023169752 A1 WO 2023169752A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tubular body
manifold
tank
longitudinal axis
feed
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2023/052852
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Marco Minelli
Roberto Germiniasi
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 WO2023169752A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023169752A1/fr

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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
    • B67C3/001—Cleaning of filling devices

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a hydraulic manifold for a rotary distributor of a rotary filling machine adapted to fill a plurality of containers , in particular bottles , flasks or similar, with a pourable product , preferably of the foodstuff type .
  • Filling machines for filling containers such as for example , bottles , containers made of composite material , cans or similar, with a pourable product , in particular a pourable product of the foodstuff type , are known .
  • filling machines of the rotary type which essentially comprise :
  • valve filling devices mounted on a peripheral portion of the carousel in respective radially outer positions with respect to the aforesaid axis .
  • the carousel is configured to support each container in a radial position below a respective filling device .
  • Each filling device is configured to feed a predetermined quantity of pourable product to a respective container, while the container is arranged below the same filling device and is advanced by the carousel along the filling path .
  • the filling machine further comprises a plurality of ducts , each hydraulically connecting a respective filling device to the tank, to determine the feeding of the pourable product from the tank to the same filling device .
  • the pourable product is therefore distributed from the tank to the filling devices , and, through these , dosed into the containers .
  • the tank is hydraulically connectable with a supply system for supplying the pourable product .
  • this supply system comprises , in its terminal part , a feed pipe the free end portion of which engages an upper inlet of the tank and is inserted within the tank through this inlet to feed the pourable product up to a predetermined level .
  • the feed pipe engages the inlet coaxially to the central axis . Therefore , the inlet is axial and the feed pipe is arranged coaxial to the tank .
  • the feed pipe Being structurally connected to the rest of the supply system, the feed pipe is fixed with respect to the aforesaid axis , whereas the tank is rotatable around this axis , as explained above .
  • the need to carry out a washing process of the filling machine is known , during which the tank, the ducts and the filling devices are rinsed with the washing fluid, for example , water .
  • the filling machine also comprises a duct for feeding the washing fluid within the tank, during a washing mode of the filling machine .
  • this duct is typically hydraulically connected to a supply system for supplying the washing fluid and is therefore fixed with respect to the central axis .
  • the aforesaid duct coaxially engages the inlet of the tank and has a free end portion extending within the tank, as explained hereinafter .
  • the machine In order to couple the feed pipe for feeding the pourable product and the feed duct for feeding the washing fluid, which are fixed, to the tank, which is rotatable , the machine also comprises a rotary distributor arranged coaxial to the central axis at the upper inlet of the tank .
  • the rotary distributor has : - a first radially outer part rigidly mounted on the tank, typically on an upper wall thereof , and therefore rotatable integrally to the tank to define a rotor part of the distributor; and
  • the second part of the distributor defines a hydraulic manifold of the rotary distributor .
  • This manifold comprises a hollow tubular body externally coupled to the first part of the distributor by means of rolling interfaces , for example bearings , and by means of dynamic sealing elements , so that the first part may rotate around the central axis , dragged by the rotary motion of the tank, namely the carousel , while the manifold may remain fixed with respect to the central axis .
  • the tubular body internally defines a longitudinal channel , which, in mounting conditions , is coaxial to the central axis and is engaged and crossed by the feed pipe .
  • the tubular body delimits , together with the feed pipe , the aforesaid feed duct for feeding the washing fluid, which is therefore annular with respect to the central axis and typically extends within the tank, through the upper inlet of the latter .
  • the feed duct defines , in cooperation with the feed pipe , an annular chamber for conveying the washing fluid during the aforesaid washing process .
  • the tubular body has , at its end portion inserted within the tank, a plurality of passages orthogonal to the central axis , through which the washing fluid received from the chamber is fed to the tank, for washing the same .
  • An aim of the present invention is to manufacture a hydraulic manifold for a rotary distributor of a rotary filling machine which is of high reliability and low cost and enables to satisfy at least some of the needs specified above and connected to the hydraulic manifolds of the known type .
  • this aim is achieved by a hydraulic manifold as claimed in claim 1 .
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of part of a rotary filling machine including a rotary distributor comprising a hydraulic manifold manufactured according to the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale and with parts removed for clarity, of a tank of the filling machine to which the rotary distributor is fixed comprising the hydraulic manifold according to the invention;
  • FIG. 3 is a partially sectioned side view, on an enlarged scale and with parts removed for clarity, of the filling machine of Figure 1 , with the hydraulic manifold being visible , according to the invention;
  • FIG. 4 is a partially sectioned side view, on an enlarged scale and with parts removed for clarity, of the hydraulic manifold of Figure 3 .
  • 1 indicates overall a filling machine configured to fill containers 2 , for example bottles , flasks or similar, with a pourable product , preferably of the foodstuff type .
  • the filling machine 1 may, for example , be configured to fill bottles manufactured from a thermoplastic polymer such as , for example , polyethylene terephthalate or glass . However, the filling machine 1 may also be configured to fill containers manufactured from and/or comprising different materials such as , for example , a composite material , a multilayer material or similar .
  • the filling machine 1 may be configured to fill the containers 2 with a foodstuff pourable product such as , for example , carbonated liquids (for example , sparkling water, non-alcoholic beverages and beer) , non-carbonated liquids (for example , natural water, fruit juices , wine , milk, tea) , emulsions , suspensions , high-viscosity liquids and beverages containing pulp .
  • a foodstuff pourable product such as , for example , carbonated liquids (for example , sparkling water, non-alcoholic beverages and beer) , non-carbonated liquids (for example , natural water, fruit juices , wine , milk, tea) , emulsions , suspensions , high-viscosity liquids and beverages containing pulp .
  • the machine 1 is of the rotary type (namely, it is a rotary filling machine ) and comprises :
  • carousel 3 adapted to support a plurality of containers 2 to be filled and rotatable around a preferably vertical central axis A for advancing the containers 2 along a filling path shaped like an arc of a circle ;
  • a tank 4 adapted to contain the pourable product and fixed integrally to the carousel 3 coaxially to the axis A for being rotated by the carousel 3 around the same axis A;
  • valve filling devices 5 fixed to a radially peripheral portion 3a of the carousel 3 and each configured to feed a predetermined quantity of pourable product to a respective container 2 , while the container 2 is advanced by the carousel 3 and arranged below it ; and - a plurality of ducts 6 , each hydraulically connecting the tank 4 to a respective filling device 5 , so as to convey the pourable product .
  • each filling device 5 is configured to be selectively controlled, according to a manner known and not described in detail , between a closing position, in which it prevents the pourable product from flowing within the respective container 2 , and an opening position, in which it allows the outflow of the pourable product within the respective container 2 .
  • the pourable product is therefore distributed from the tank 4 to the filling devices 5 , and, through these , dosed into the containers 2 .
  • the tank 4 is hydraulically connectable with a supply system (not shown) for supplying the pourable product , which is preferably part of the machine 1 .
  • this supply system comprises , in its terminal part , a feed pipe 7 .
  • the free end portion of the feed pipe 7 engages an upper inlet 8 of the tank 4 and is inserted within the tank 4 through this inlet 8 , to feed the pourable product up to a predetermined level ( Figures 2 and 3 ) .
  • the inlet 8 is defined by an opening coaxial to the axis A, which is obtained on an upper wall 4a of the tank 4 .
  • the feed pipe 7 engages the inlet 8 coaxially to the axis A . Therefore , the inlet 8 is axial and the feed pipe 7 is coaxial to the axis A .
  • the feed pipe 7 Being structurally connected to the rest of the supply system, the feed pipe 7 is fixed with respect to the axis A, whereas the tank 4 is rotatable around this axis A, being fixed integrally to the carousel 3 .
  • the need to carry out a washing operation of the tank 4 is known .
  • the machine 1 also comprises a hydraulic manifold 10 adapted to feed washing fluid, for example water, within the tank 4 .
  • the manifold 10 comprises a tubular body 11 having a longitudinal axis B .
  • the tubular body 11 internally defines a feed duct 12 for feeding the washing fluid .
  • the feed duct 12 is coaxial to the axis B .
  • the manifold 10 is adapted to be fixed, in a mounting condition of the manifold 10 to the machine 1 , to a supply system 13 for supplying the washing fluid (only partially and schematically illustrated) , which is preferably part of the machine 1 .
  • the manifold 10 is arranged at the inlet 8 of the tank with the axis B coaxial to the axis A . Therefore , the tubular body 11 is coaxial to the axis A .
  • the tubular body 11 is configured to be engaged by, namely, to coaxially receive , the feed pipe 7 , so that the feed duct 12 delimits , in cooperation with the feed pipe 7 , an annular chamber 14 ( Figure 4 ) .
  • the annular chamber 14 develops around the feed pipe 7 and is adapted to convey the washing fluid, from the supply system 13 to the tank 4 .
  • the chamber 14 is annular around the axis B, and therefore around the axis A in the mounting condition .
  • the machine 1 In order to couple the manifold 10 (and in particular the tubular body 11 ) which is fixed, to the tank 4 , which is rotatable , the machine 1 further comprises a rotary distributor 15 of axis B .
  • the distributor 15 is arranged coaxial to the axis A at the inlet 8 .
  • the distributor 15 includes :
  • a radially outer rotor part 16 configured to be rigidly mounted on the tank 4 at the upper wall 4a, integral in rotation with the latter and, therefore , rotatable around the axes A and B;
  • stator part defined by the manifold 10 , more precisely by the tubular body 11 ; the stator part is radially internal , is configured to be rigidly mounted on the supply system 13 and, therefore , is fixed with respect to the axes A and B .
  • the rotor part 16 radially surrounds the stator part or tubular body 11 .
  • the rotor part 16 and the stator part or tubular body 11 are coupled to each other by rotational sliding, in a manner known and not described in detail .
  • bearings 17 and dynamic sealing members 18 are radially interposed between the rotor part 16 and an outer longitudinal wall 19 of the tubular body 11 facing radially towards the side opposite with respect to the feed duct 12 , in order to allow the relative rotation of the rotor part 16 with respect to the fixed tubular body 11 .
  • the outer longitudinal wall 19 defines a coupling interface for the rotational sliding coupling of the tubular body 11 ( stator part ) with the rotor part 16 , in said mounting condition .
  • the feed duct 12 has at least an inlet opening 20 for receiving the washing fluid from the supply system 13 and at least one outlet opening 21 configured to feed the washing fluid to the inlet 8 of the tank 4 .
  • the feed duct 12 comprises a plurality of outlet openings 21 , for example four, angularly distributed around the axis B .
  • the feed duct 12 comprises a first longitudinal axial sector or stretch 22 , with variable cross section .
  • the stretch 22 has a cross section increasing towards the outlet opening 21 .
  • the feed duct 12 also comprises a second longitudinal axial sector or stretch 23 , with constant cross section .
  • the second stretch 23 defines a cylindrical cavity of the tubular body 11
  • the first stretch 22 defines a truncated cone cavity of the tubular body 11 .
  • the first stretch 22 with variable cross section is axially arranged downstream of the second stretch 23 with constant cross section with respect to a conveying direction of the washing fluid within the feed duct 12 .
  • the second stretch 23 is arranged immediately downstream of the inlet opening 20
  • the first stretch 22 is arranged immediately downstream of the second stretch 23 and upstream of the outlet opening 21 .
  • the Applicant has observed, by means of an extensive experimental campaign, that the particular conformation of the feed duct 12 , and therefore of the annular chamber 14 , improves the fluid-dynamic properties of the tubular body 11 , with regard to conveying the washing fluid .
  • the Applicant has found, thanks to the presence of the first stretch 22 , a consistent reduction in pressure losses within the feed duct 12 , thus resulting in an improved distribution of the washing fluid within the tank 4 .
  • the first stretch 22 is tapered so as to define an inclined portion, with respect to the axis B, of an inner longitudinal wall 24 of the tubular body 11 .
  • the inner longitudinal wall 24 defines a side wall of the feed duct 12 .
  • the inner longitudinal wall 24 defines a side wall of the annular chamber 14 .
  • the value of the inclination of the aforesaid inclined portion of the inner longitudinal wall 24 , with respect to the axis B, is comprised between 10 ° and 30 ° , or between 10 ° and 20 ° . This value could correspond to 15 ° .
  • the outlet openings 21 are axial or axially oriented .
  • this configuration of the openings 21 allows to furthermore improve the fluid- dynamic performances of the manifold 10 , with respect , for example , to the case where the outlets for the washing fluid are transverse to the axis B .
  • the inclined portion of the side wall of the feed duct eases the positioning of the axially oriented outlet openings 21 .
  • the tubular body 11 comprises an axial bottom wall 25 , that delimits the (axial ) longitudinal extension of the feed duct 12 .
  • the bottom wall 25 is configured to be arranged, in said mounting condition, at the inlet 8 of the tank 4 , so that the feed duct 12 extends entirely outside the tank 4 .
  • the tubular body 11 (namely, the stator part of the distributor 15 ) , and therefore the manifold 10 , is arranged upstream of the inlet 8 , so that it does not engage the inlet 8 and does not extend within the tank 4 , but rather completely outside of it .
  • the bottom wall 25 extends radially in a cantilever manner from the inner longitudinal wall 24 of the tubular body 11 towards the axis B, so that the bottom wall 25 extends radially towards the feed pipe 7 .
  • the bottom wall 25 may be radially adjacent to the feed pipe 7 without being in contact with the feed pipe 7 , primarily for cleaning reasons .
  • the distributor 15 comprises a plurality of pipes 26 , each fixed to the manifold 10 , in particular to the tubular body 11 , and arranged downstream of a respective outlet opening 21 , for receiving the washing fluid therefrom .
  • each pipe 26 has a first longitudinal end at the respective outlet opening 21 and carries a spraying member 27 at its second longitudinal end .
  • each pipe 26 extends through the inlet 8 within the tank 4 and terminates with an aforesaid spraying member 27 .
  • the feed duct 12 comprises a further longitudinal axial stretch 28 with constant cross section and is axially interposed between the first stretch 22 with variable cross section and the bottom wall 25 .
  • the stretch 28 defines a cylindrical cavity of the tubular body 11 .
  • the stretch 28 has a radial extension corresponding to the radial extension of the bottom wall 25 , with respect to the axis B .
  • the axial openings 21 are obtained at this stretch 28 and through the bottom wall 25 .
  • the presence of the stretch 28 allows to have a stationary portion of the washing fluid upstream of the passage of the fluid through the axial openings 21 .
  • This measure furthermore reduces pressure losses within the fluid, as it determines a fluidic slowing of the fluid, and therefore improves the fluiddynamic performances of the manifold 10 .
  • the first stretch 22 extends (axially) from a smaller cross section, equal to the cross section of the second stretch 23 , to a larger cross section, having a radial extension equal to the radial extension of the bottom wall 25 .
  • the tubular body 11 is made in a single piece without solution of continuity with the bottom wall 25 , so that the bottom wall 25 and the inner longitudinal wall 24 are defined in a single piece without solution of continuity .
  • the tubular body 11 is made by removing material or by a machining technique other than extrusion .
  • the tubular body may be easily machined to adapt the bottom wall 25 to different formats of the feed pipe 7 , so as to increase the flexibility of the production process of the manifold, and/or the inventory costs .
  • the aforesaid coupling interface between the rotor part 16 and the stator part or tubular body 11 comprises a surface portion of the outer longitudinal wall 19 of the tubular body 11 .
  • this surface portion is coated with a ceramic coating .
  • the surface portion is coated with a chromium oxide coating .
  • the feed duct 12 receives the washing fluid, from the supply system 13 , which passes , in sequence , through the second stretch 23 with constant cross section, through the first stretch 22 with variable cross section and through the further stretch 28 with constant cross section, and then passes through the outlet openings 21 and is fed to the pipes 26 and lastly, by means of the spraying members 27 , to the tank 4 .
  • the peculiar conformation of the feed duct 12 , and therefore of the annular chamber 14 , of the manifold 10 manufactured according to the invention improves the fluid-dynamic properties of the tubular body 11 with regard to conveying the washing fluid .
  • the Applicant has noted a consistent reduction in pressure losses within the feed duct 12 , thereby resulting in an improved distribution of the washing fluid within the tank 4 .
  • the peculiar conformation of the feed duct 12 results in a fluid-dynamic slowing of the washing fluid within the annular chamber 14 , which is particularly beneficial and advantageous for the washing operation .
  • the fact that the tubular body 11 is entirely arranged outside the tank 4 results in a compact manifold 10 and in a simplified structural architecture of the machine 1 . This improves the washing of the tank 4 , as the components within it are reduced, improves the hygiene of the filling process , as the pourable product does not reach the feed duct 12 , and also improves the maintenance of the machine 1 and of the distributor 15 , as the manifold 10 is easier to disassemble and replace .

Landscapes

  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)

Abstract

Un collecteur hydraulique (10) pour un distributeur rotatif (15) d'une machine de remplissage rotative (1) conçue pour remplir des contenants (2) avec un produit fluide est décrit, le collecteur (10) comprenant un corps tubulaire (11) ayant un axe longitudinal (B) et définissant intérieurement un conduit d'alimentation (12) pour alimenter un fluide de lavage coaxial à l'axe longitudinal (B) ; le corps tubulaire (11) est conçu pour être fixé, dans un état de montage du collecteur (10) sur ladite machine de remplissage (1), à un système d'alimentation (13) pour fournir le fluide de lavage, le corps tubulaire (11) est conçu pour recevoir coaxialement à l'intérieur du conduit d'alimentation (12), dans ledit état de montage, un tuyau d'alimentation (7) pour alimenter le produit fluide, de telle sorte que ledit conduit d'alimentation (12) délimite, en coopération avec le tuyau d'alimentation (7), une chambre annulaire (14) autour du tuyau d'alimentation (7) conçu pour transporter le fluide de lavage ; le conduit d'alimentation (12) comprend au moins un premier tronçon axial longitudinal (22) à section transversale variable.
PCT/EP2023/052852 2022-03-07 2023-02-06 Collecteur hydraulique pour distributeur rotatif d'une machine de remplissage rotative WO2023169752A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102022000004280 2022-03-07
IT102022000004280A IT202200004280A1 (it) 2022-03-07 2022-03-07 Collettore idraulico per un distributore rotativo di una macchina riempitrice rotativa

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2023169752A1 true WO2023169752A1 (fr) 2023-09-14

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ID=81648872

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2023/052852 WO2023169752A1 (fr) 2022-03-07 2023-02-06 Collecteur hydraulique pour distributeur rotatif d'une machine de remplissage rotative

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Country Link
IT (1) IT202200004280A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2023169752A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1484279A1 (fr) * 2003-06-06 2004-12-08 Filling Systems s.r.l. Machine remplisseuse à carrousel
JP2012158358A (ja) * 2011-01-31 2012-08-23 Seiko Corp 回転式充填装置とその充填及び洗浄方法
US20130000779A1 (en) * 2011-07-01 2013-01-03 Bertrand Gruson Bottling installation including filler spouts fitted with feed-back ducts from the spout bodies
CN207294139U (zh) * 2017-09-26 2018-05-01 廊坊百冠包装机械有限公司 无菌灌装中心进液分配器

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1484279A1 (fr) * 2003-06-06 2004-12-08 Filling Systems s.r.l. Machine remplisseuse à carrousel
JP2012158358A (ja) * 2011-01-31 2012-08-23 Seiko Corp 回転式充填装置とその充填及び洗浄方法
US20130000779A1 (en) * 2011-07-01 2013-01-03 Bertrand Gruson Bottling installation including filler spouts fitted with feed-back ducts from the spout bodies
CN207294139U (zh) * 2017-09-26 2018-05-01 廊坊百冠包装机械有限公司 无菌灌装中心进液分配器

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT202200004280A1 (it) 2023-09-07

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