WO2023208605A1 - Filling device for filling containers with a pourable product - Google Patents
Filling device for filling containers with a pourable product Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2023208605A1 WO2023208605A1 PCT/EP2023/059720 EP2023059720W WO2023208605A1 WO 2023208605 A1 WO2023208605 A1 WO 2023208605A1 EP 2023059720 W EP2023059720 W EP 2023059720W WO 2023208605 A1 WO2023208605 A1 WO 2023208605A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- magnetic
- magnetic element
- valve member
- filling device
- flow channel
- Prior art date
Links
- 230000005291 magnetic effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 103
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 claims description 13
- 230000005294 ferromagnetic effect Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000005339 levitation Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000005355 Hall effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 abstract 3
- KRTSDMXIXPKRQR-AATRIKPKSA-N monocrotophos Chemical compound CNC(=O)\C=C(/C)OP(=O)(OC)OC KRTSDMXIXPKRQR-AATRIKPKSA-N 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000036512 infertility Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005429 filling process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 235000015203 fruit juice Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000008267 milk Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000013336 milk Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 210000004080 milk Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 1
- SJKRCWUQJZIWQB-UHFFFAOYSA-N azane;chromium Chemical compound N.[Cr] SJKRCWUQJZIWQB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000013405 beer Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 235000014171 carbonated beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001627 detrimental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013536 elastomeric material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005672 electromagnetic field Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000014101 wine Nutrition 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C32/00—Bearings not otherwise provided for
- F16C32/04—Bearings not otherwise provided for using magnetic or electric supporting means
- F16C32/0406—Magnetic bearings
- F16C32/0408—Passive magnetic bearings
- F16C32/0423—Passive magnetic bearings with permanent magnets on both parts repelling each other
- F16C32/0434—Passive magnetic bearings with permanent magnets on both parts repelling each other for parts moving linearly
-
- 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
- B67C3/22—Details
- B67C3/28—Flow-control devices, e.g. using valves
-
- 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
- B67C3/22—Details
- B67C3/28—Flow-control devices, e.g. using valves
- B67C3/282—Flow-control devices, e.g. using valves related to filling level control
- B67C3/284—Flow-control devices, e.g. using valves related to filling level control using non-liquid contact sensing means
-
- 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
- B67C3/22—Details
- B67C2003/228—Aseptic features
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C2361/00—Apparatus or articles in engineering in general
- F16C2361/91—Valves
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a filling device for filling containers, in particular containers made of plastic or glass, for example bottles or flasks, or made of metallic material, for example cans, with a pourable product, preferably of a foodstuff type such as, for example, water, milk, fruit juices, carbonated or non-carbonated soft beverages, or the like.
- a filling device for filling containers, in particular containers made of plastic or glass, for example bottles or flasks, or made of metallic material, for example cans, with a pourable product, preferably of a foodstuff type such as, for example, water, milk, fruit juices, carbonated or non-carbonated soft beverages, or the like.
- STATE OF THE ART Filling machines are known typically used for filling containers with a pourable product, which essentially comprise a carousel rotating around a vertical axis, a reservoir containing the pourable product and a plurality of valve filling devices, which are carried by the carousel at a radially peripheral portion thereof, are connected to the reservoir by means of respective circuits or ducts and are advanced by the carousel along a substantially circular path.
- These machines also comprise an inlet device, typically an inlet star wheel configured to sequentially feed empty containers to the carousel, and an outlet device, typically an outlet star wheel configured to receive containers filled with the pourable product from the carousel.
- the carousel receives a succession of empty containers from the inlet star wheel and directs the full containers towards the outlet star wheel.
- the carousel generally comprises a plurality of support elements each adapted to receive and maintain in a vertical position, below each filling device, a respective container to be filled.
- Each filling device is adapted to feed, while it is advanced along the aforesaid circular path by means of the rotary movement imparted to it by the carousel, a predetermined volume of pourable product to the relative container.
- the filling devices of the known type essentially comprise: - a hollow tubular body fixed to a peripheral portion of the carousel and internally defining a flow channel to feed the pourable product to a respective container to be filled located underneath the tubular body itself; - a shutter that engages the tubular body in a slidable manner and is movable inside the flow channel so as to selectively allow or prevent the outflow of the pourable product towards the respective container; and - an actuator configured to move the shutter inside the flow channel defined by the tubular body.
- the tubular body has a longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of the carousel and terminates at a lower end thereof with an axial discharge opening fluidly communicating, in use, with an end opening defined by an upper edge of the respective container to be filled.
- the flow channel extends coaxially to the axis of the tubular body and comprises one segment of constant section, usually cylindrical, and at least one segment of variable section, usually truncated-conical, positioned upstream of the discharge opening and narrowing in the direction of the latter, up to a section of minimum diameter.
- the shutter which typically coaxially engages the flow channel, is axially movable inside the flow channel between: - a lower closing position, in which the shutter seals shut the segment of variable section of the channel, so as to interrupt the flow of the pourable product through the discharge opening; and - an upper opening position, in which the shutter delimits together with the segment of variable section an annular passage fluidly communicating with the discharge opening, so as to allow the flow of the pourable product towards the end opening of the respective container.
- the shutter comprises a main body, usually substantially cylindrical in shape, and an interaction portion, for example piston-shaped, extending axially from the main body in the direction of the discharge opening and configured to abut against the segment of variable section of the flow channel when the shutter is in the closing position.
- the interaction portion is adapted to close in a fluid-tight manner the aforesaid section of minimum diameter, when the shutter is in the closing position.
- Actuators of the pneumatic or hydraulic or oleodynamic type are known.
- the actuators of this type are not suitable for the aseptic applications, as they require a complicated separation between the "dirty" actuation components (which must absolutely remain outside the flow channel) and the “clean” components (for example, the shutter) inside the flow channel.
- actuators of the magnetic or electromagnetic type have been widely used: they comprise a driving member outside the flow channel and a driven member integral with the shutter and therefore inside the flow channel.
- the driven member is usually defined by permanent magnets.
- the driving member may be defined by: - permanent magnets; in this case, an axial movement of the driven member will correspond to an axial movement of the driving member, thanks to the magnetic interaction between the two members; or by - an electrically energizable solenoid; in this case, depending on the electric current supplied to the solenoid, an axial movement in one direction or the other of the driven member, and therefore of the shutter, will be determined, thanks to the electromagnetic interaction between the two members. In this manner, the movement of the shutter is obtained without compromising the sterility and/or asepticity of the filling.
- the need to center the shutter inside the flow channel is known, i.e., to maintain coaxiality of the shutter to the flow channel during the movement between the opening position and the closing position, namely during its stroke.
- This need is particularly felt in the case of magnetic or electromagnetic actuators, wherein the shutter is mechanically disconnected from the rest of the actuator.
- these guide elements are arranged in the main body of the shutter and radially protrude from it at two end portions of the shutter axially opposite to each other and having, due to the presence of the guide elements, an external diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the flow channel.
- the guide elements keep the shutter centered inside the flow channel during its stroke, by means of sliding contact with the inner wall of the flow channel.
- the guide elements work by sliding and are thus subject to friction and to wear (as well as the aforesaid inner wall).
- the guide elements are provided with a thin coating, such as for example, Diamond-Like-Carbon (DLC) or chromium nitride, in order to increase the surface hardness and reduce the sliding friction.
- DLC Diamond-Like-Carbon
- chromium nitride chromium nitride
- An object of the present invention is to produce a filling device 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 associated with filling devices of the known type. According to the invention, this object is achieved by a filling device as claimed in claim 1.
- number 1 indicates as a whole a filling machine configured to fill containers 2 with a pourable product, preferably of the foodstuff type, such as for example, water, fruit juices, milk, carbonated or non-carbonated beverages, wine, beer or the like.
- the containers 2 may be defined, for example, by bottles or flasks made of plastic or glass or by cans made of metallic material (aluminium).
- the machine 1 comprises: - a carousel 3 rotatable around an axis X (preferably vertical) and having a plurality of peripheral receiving seats 3a for carrying respective containers 2; - a reservoir (not illustrated) for containing the pourable product; - an inlet star wheel 4 for feeding containers 2 to be filled to the carousel 3; - an outlet star wheel 5 for withdrawing the filled containers 2 from the carousel 3; and - a plurality of valve filling devices 6, carried peripherally by the carousel 3 so as to overlap the seats 3a, each fluidly connected to the reservoir by means of a duct (not illustrated) and each configured to dose a predetermined amount of pourable product to a respective container 2 carried by the underlying seat 3a.
- each filling device 6 is selectively activatable to control the outflow of the pourable product towards a respective container 2 carried by the carousel 3 and placed vertically below the device 6 itself.
- each filling device 6 is selectively activatable to control the outflow of the pourable product towards a respective container 2 carried by the carousel 3 and placed vertically below the device 6 itself.
- the structural and functional characteristics described for this filling device 6 are equally applicable to each filling device 6 of the machine 1.
- the filling device 6 comprises: - a tubular body 7 having a longitudinal axis A, internally defining a flow channel 8 for the pourable product, comprising an inner longitudinal wall 8a delimiting the channel 8, and terminating at one end thereof with a discharge opening 10 for feeding the pourable product towards a respective container 2; and - a valve member, or shutter 11, engaging the channel 8 and axially movable therein between an opening position ( Figure 3), in which the shutter 11 allows a flow of the pourable product through the discharge opening 10, and a closing position ( Figure 2), in which the shutter 11 prevents the flow of the pourable product through the discharge opening 10; and - an actuator 12 of the magnetic or electromagnetic type configured to control the movement of the shutter 11 inside the channel 8.
- the tubular body 7 is substantially cylindrical and the axis A is preferably vertical and parallel to the axis X of the carousel 3.
- the tubular body 7 also has an inlet opening 13 arranged on an axially opposite side with respect to the discharge opening 10, through which the channel 8 receives the pourable product from the reservoir.
- both the inlet opening 13 and the discharge opening 10 are axial.
- the channel 8 extends coaxially to the axis A and comprises: - a segment of constant section, substantially cylindrical and provided with the inlet opening 13; and - a segment of variable section 8b substantially truncated and tapering towards the discharge opening 10, up to a section of minimum diameter corresponding to the discharge opening 10 itself.
- the segment of variable section 8b is arranged downstream of the segment of constant section with respect to a flow direction of the pourable product inside the channel 8.
- the shutter 11 is arranged coaxially to the axis A inside the channel 8 and comprises a main body 11a, having a substantially cylindrical shape, and an interaction portion 11b, for example shaped like a piston, extending axially from the main body 11a in the direction of the discharge opening 10 and configured to abut against the segment of variable section 8b and close the latter in a fluid-tight manner.
- the interaction portion 11b comprises a sealing element, preferably a sealing ring 14 (for example, an O-ring) made of an elastomeric material, fixed to an axial end of the interaction portion 11a facing the discharge opening 10 and intended to selectively cooperate with the segment of variable section 8b, in order to seal it in a fluid-tight manner and prevent the passage of pourable product towards the discharge opening 10.
- a sealing element preferably a sealing ring 14 (for example, an O-ring) made of an elastomeric material, fixed to an axial end of the interaction portion 11a facing the discharge opening 10 and intended to selectively cooperate with the segment of variable section 8b, in order to seal it in a fluid-tight manner and prevent the passage of pourable product towards the discharge opening 10.
- the shutter 11 is axially movable inside the channel 8 between: - the opening position, in which the interaction portion 11b, in particular the sealing ring 14, delimits together with the segment of variable section 8b an annular passage communicating fluidly with the discharge opening 10, so as to allow the flow of the pourable product towards the container 2; and - the closing position, in which the interaction portion 11b cooperates in a fluid-tight manner with the segment of variable section 8b, so as to interrupt the flow of the pourable product through the discharge opening 10.
- the actuator 12 is of the magnetic type and comprises a driving member 15 located outside the channel 8 and a driven member 16 integral with the shutter 11 and configured to magnetically interact with the driving member 15.
- the driven member 16 comprises permanent magnets incorporated in the main body 11a of the shutter 11 at a central portion thereof.
- the driving member 15 surrounds this central portion, is controllable to be axially moved and comprises permanent magnets radially facing the permanent magnets of the driven member 16 with respective magnetic poles of opposite sign to each other. In this manner, an attractive magnetic force is determined between the driving member 15 and the driven member 16, whereby an axial movement of the driven member 16 will correspond to an axial movement of the driving member 15 and, therefore, of the shutter 11 inside the channel 8, thus determining the selection between the opening position and the closing position.
- the driving member 15 comprises permanent magnets organized according to a Halbach array configuration, of the type described and illustrated in the International Application No.
- the actuator 12 is of the electromagnetic type.
- the driving member comprises an electrically energizable solenoid.
- the shutter 11 will be moved to open or close depending on the direction of the electric current.
- the filling device 6 further comprises at least one magnetic linear bearing configured to axially guide and radially support the shutter 11 in levitating manner with respect to the inner wall 8a of the channel 8.
- the at least one linear bearing comprises a first magnetic linear bearing 17b arranged in a position proximal to the discharge opening 10 and distal with respect to the inlet opening 13, and a second magnetic linear bearing 17a arranged in a position proximal to the inlet opening 13 and distal with respect to the discharge opening 10.
- the first bearing 17b and the second bearing 17a are configured to center the shutter 11 inside the channel 8 during its axial movement between the opening position and the closing position.
- each magnetic linear bearing 17a or 17b is configured to keep the shutter 11 at a non-zero distance from the wall 8a and to keep the shutter 11 centered with respect to the axis A, i.e., to keep it coaxial and/or aligned with respect to the axis A. From the foregoing, it can be seen how the magnetic linear bearings 17a and 17b define contactless axial guide elements for the shutter 11. For simplicity, reference will be made in the following to a single magnetic linear bearing 17a or 17b.
- the magnetic linear bearing comprises: - a first magnetic element 18 fixed to the tubular body 7 and arranged externally to the channel 8; and - a second magnetic element 19 which is fixed to or integral with the shutter 11, is arranged inside the channel 8, and magnetically interacting with the first magnetic element 18, so as to cause magnetic levitation of the shutter 11 with respect to the wall 8a.
- the first magnetic element 18 and the second magnetic element 19 are each defined by a respective permanent magnet that extends annularly around the axis A and is radially biased to have a first radially inward magnetic pole and a second radially outward magnetic pole of opposite sign to the first magnetic pole.
- the first magnetic element 18 and the second magnetic element 19 are arranged facing each other radially with respective magnetic poles of equal sign, so as to determine a magnetic repulsion force and cause said magnetic levitation of the shutter 11 with respect to the wall 8a. Therefore, the aforesaid first inner magnetic pole of the first magnetic element 18 has an equal sign to the aforesaid second outer magnetic pole of the second magnetic element 19. A magnetic equilibrium force is therefore determined which allows the shutter 11 to be radially supported and axially guided without any contact with the wall 8a.
- the shutter 11 is movable between the opening position and the closing position by an axial stroke of predetermined length.
- the first magnetic element 18 has an axial extension at least equal to said stroke.
- the second magnetic element 19 has an axial extension smaller than the axial extension of the first magnetic element 18, so as to remain completely radially surrounded by the first magnetic element 18 for the entire length of said stroke.
- the filling device 6 comprises a first ferromagnetic element, for example a ferromagnetic washer 20 which extends annularly around the axis A.
- the washer 20 is fixed to the tubular body 7 and is axially interposed between the discharge opening 10 and the first magnetic element 18 of the aforesaid first magnetic linear bearing 17b.
- the washer 20 is configured to magnetically interact with the second magnetic element 19 of the first magnetic linear bearing 17b and attract it to itself to bias a displacement of the shutter 11 towards the closing position.
- the second magnetic element 19 attracts the washer 20 to itself, which is, however, fixed.
- the result is a displacement of the second magnetic element 19, and therefore of the shutter 11, towards the washer 20 itself.
- the shutter 11 tends to close the discharge opening 10.
- the interaction between the washer 20 and the second magnetic element 19 defines a magnetic spring that tends to close the valve.
- the filling device 6 comprises, in combination with or as an alternative to the washer 20, a second ferromagnetic element, for example a second ferromagnetic washer 21 which extends annularly around the axis A.
- the second washer 21 is fixed to the tubular body 7 and is axially interposed between the inlet opening 13 and the first magnetic element 18 of the aforesaid second magnetic linear bearing 17a.
- the second washer 21 is entirely similar to the first washer 20, except that the magnetic spring defined by the interaction between the second washer 21 and the second magnetic element 19 of the second magnetic linear bearing 17a tends to open the valve, i.e., tends to hold the shutter 11 in the opening position. It is in this manner possible to perform, for example, a cleaning operation ("CIP") of the filling device 6.
- CIP cleaning operation
- This configuration is particularly advantageous in the case where the actuator 12 is of the electromagnetic type: it is in fact possible to keep the shutter 11 in the opening position without excessive use of electrical energy.
- the first washer 20 and/or the second washer 21 are arranged internally to the channel 8, respectively downstream of the bottom dead center and upstream of the top dead center of the relative second magnetic element 19.
- the first washer 20 and/or the second washer 21 are arranged externally to the channel 8.
- the filling device 6 comprises at least one Hall effect position sensor 22, which is arranged at the at least one magnetic linear bearing, for example at the second magnetic linear bearing 17a, in a position radially and/or axially proximal to the first magnetic element 18 of the latter.
- the Hall effect sensor 22 is configured to detect an axial position of the shutter 11 inside the channel 8 by means of the magnetic interaction of the second magnetic element 19 with the first magnetic element 18 during movement of the shutter 11 between the opening position and the closing position.
- the first ferromagnetic element 20 may be considered an upper ferromagnetic ring.
- the second ferromagnetic element 21 may be considered a lower ferromagnetic ring. From an examination of the characteristics of the filling device 6 produced according to the present invention, the advantages that it allows to obtain are evident. In particular, the presence of the magnetic linear bearings 17a, 17b makes it unnecessary to use contact guide elements of the type described above to keep the shutter 11 aligned and/or centered with respect to the channel 8 during its movement.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
Abstract
A filling device (6) for filling containers (2) wit h a pourable product is described, the device (6) compr ises: a tubular body (7) having a longitudinal axis (A), in ternally defining a flow channel (8) for the pourable produc t, comprising an inner longitudinal wall (8a) delimiti ng the flow channel (8), and terminating at one end thereo f with a discharge opening (10) for feeding the pourable pro duct towards a respective container (2); a valve member (11) engaging the flow channel (8) and axially movable t herein between an opening position, wherein the valve memb er (11) allows a flow of the pourable product through the d ischarge opening (10), and a closing position, wherein the v alve member (11) prevents the flow of the pourable produ ct through the discharge opening (10); and an actuator (12) of a magnetic or electromagnetic type for controlling th e axial movement of the valve member (11); the filling devi ce (6) furthermore comprises at least one magnetic linear bearing (17a, 17b) configured to axially guide and radially support the valve member (11) in levitating manner with res pect to said inner wall (8a).
Description
TITLE: “FILLING DEVICE FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH A POURABLE PRODUCT” ***** TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a filling device for filling containers, in particular containers made of plastic or glass, for example bottles or flasks, or made of metallic material, for example cans, with a pourable product, preferably of a foodstuff type such as, for example, water, milk, fruit juices, carbonated or non-carbonated soft beverages, or the like. STATE OF THE ART Filling machines are known typically used for filling containers with a pourable product, which essentially comprise a carousel rotating around a vertical axis, a reservoir containing the pourable product and a plurality of valve filling devices, which are carried by the carousel at a radially peripheral portion thereof, are connected to the reservoir by means of respective circuits or ducts and are advanced by the carousel along a substantially circular path. These machines also comprise an inlet device, typically an inlet star wheel configured to sequentially feed empty containers to the carousel, and an outlet device, typically an outlet star wheel configured to receive containers filled with the pourable product from the carousel.
In particular, the carousel receives a succession of empty containers from the inlet star wheel and directs the full containers towards the outlet star wheel. The carousel generally comprises a plurality of support elements each adapted to receive and maintain in a vertical position, below each filling device, a respective container to be filled. Each filling device is adapted to feed, while it is advanced along the aforesaid circular path by means of the rotary movement imparted to it by the carousel, a predetermined volume of pourable product to the relative container. Typically, the filling devices of the known type essentially comprise: - a hollow tubular body fixed to a peripheral portion of the carousel and internally defining a flow channel to feed the pourable product to a respective container to be filled located underneath the tubular body itself; - a shutter that engages the tubular body in a slidable manner and is movable inside the flow channel so as to selectively allow or prevent the outflow of the pourable product towards the respective container; and - an actuator configured to move the shutter inside the flow channel defined by the tubular body. Generally, the tubular body has a longitudinal axis
parallel to the axis of the carousel and terminates at a lower end thereof with an axial discharge opening fluidly communicating, in use, with an end opening defined by an upper edge of the respective container to be filled. The flow channel extends coaxially to the axis of the tubular body and comprises one segment of constant section, usually cylindrical, and at least one segment of variable section, usually truncated-conical, positioned upstream of the discharge opening and narrowing in the direction of the latter, up to a section of minimum diameter. The shutter, which typically coaxially engages the flow channel, is axially movable inside the flow channel between: - a lower closing position, in which the shutter seals shut the segment of variable section of the channel, so as to interrupt the flow of the pourable product through the discharge opening; and - an upper opening position, in which the shutter delimits together with the segment of variable section an annular passage fluidly communicating with the discharge opening, so as to allow the flow of the pourable product towards the end opening of the respective container. Typically, the shutter comprises a main body, usually substantially cylindrical in shape, and an interaction portion, for example piston-shaped, extending axially from the main body in the direction of the discharge opening and
configured to abut against the segment of variable section of the flow channel when the shutter is in the closing position. In detail, the interaction portion is adapted to close in a fluid-tight manner the aforesaid section of minimum diameter, when the shutter is in the closing position. Actuators of the pneumatic or hydraulic or oleodynamic type are known. The actuators of this type, however, are not suitable for the aseptic applications, as they require a complicated separation between the "dirty" actuation components (which must absolutely remain outside the flow channel) and the "clean" components (for example, the shutter) inside the flow channel. In order to overcome this drawback, actuators of the magnetic or electromagnetic type have been widely used: they comprise a driving member outside the flow channel and a driven member integral with the shutter and therefore inside the flow channel. The driven member is usually defined by permanent magnets. The driving member may be defined by: - permanent magnets; in this case, an axial movement of the driven member will correspond to an axial movement of the driving member, thanks to the magnetic interaction between the two members; or by - an electrically energizable solenoid; in this case, depending on the electric current supplied to the solenoid,
an axial movement in one direction or the other of the driven member, and therefore of the shutter, will be determined, thanks to the electromagnetic interaction between the two members. In this manner, the movement of the shutter is obtained without compromising the sterility and/or asepticity of the filling. The need to center the shutter inside the flow channel is known, i.e., to maintain coaxiality of the shutter to the flow channel during the movement between the opening position and the closing position, namely during its stroke. This need is particularly felt in the case of magnetic or electromagnetic actuators, wherein the shutter is mechanically disconnected from the rest of the actuator. In this regard, it is known to provide the shutter with radial guide elements adapted to axially slide on an inner wall of the tubular body delimiting the flow channel. In detail, these guide elements are arranged in the main body of the shutter and radially protrude from it at two end portions of the shutter axially opposite to each other and having, due to the presence of the guide elements, an external diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the flow channel. Therefore, the guide elements keep the shutter centered inside the flow channel during its stroke, by means of
sliding contact with the inner wall of the flow channel. However, the guide elements work by sliding and are thus subject to friction and to wear (as well as the aforesaid inner wall). In some cases, the guide elements are provided with a thin coating, such as for example, Diamond-Like-Carbon (DLC) or chromium nitride, in order to increase the surface hardness and reduce the sliding friction. However, the presence of the coating increases the total costs and increases the risks of contamination of the pourable product, as even microscopic parts of the coating may progressively detach from the guide elements, affecting the asepticity and/or the sterility of the filling process. Furthermore, the coating may adversely impact the magnetic and/or electromagnetic coupling between the driving member and the driven member. OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to produce a filling device 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 associated with filling devices of the known type. According to the invention, this object is achieved by a filling device as claimed in claim 1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred non-limiting embodiment thereof is described in the following, purely by way of example and with the aid of the accompanying drawings, wherein: - Figure 1 is a schematic top view, with parts removed for clarity, of a filling machine comprising a plurality of filling devices produced according to the present invention; and - Figures 2 and 3 are partially sectioned schematic side views, on an enlarged scale and with parts removed for clarity, of a filling device during two distinct operating conditions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference to Figure 1, number 1 indicates as a whole a filling machine configured to fill containers 2 with a pourable product, preferably of the foodstuff type, such as for example, water, fruit juices, milk, carbonated or non-carbonated beverages, wine, beer or the like. The containers 2 may be defined, for example, by bottles or flasks made of plastic or glass or by cans made of metallic material (aluminium). The machine 1 comprises: - a carousel 3 rotatable around an axis X (preferably vertical) and having a plurality of peripheral receiving seats 3a for carrying respective containers 2;
- a reservoir (not illustrated) for containing the pourable product; - an inlet star wheel 4 for feeding containers 2 to be filled to the carousel 3; - an outlet star wheel 5 for withdrawing the filled containers 2 from the carousel 3; and - a plurality of valve filling devices 6, carried peripherally by the carousel 3 so as to overlap the seats 3a, each fluidly connected to the reservoir by means of a duct (not illustrated) and each configured to dose a predetermined amount of pourable product to a respective container 2 carried by the underlying seat 3a. In particular, each filling device 6 is selectively activatable to control the outflow of the pourable product towards a respective container 2 carried by the carousel 3 and placed vertically below the device 6 itself. For the sake of simplicity, reference will be made in the following to a single filling device 6. However, the structural and functional characteristics described for this filling device 6 are equally applicable to each filling device 6 of the machine 1. With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the filling device 6 comprises: - a tubular body 7 having a longitudinal axis A, internally defining a flow channel 8 for the pourable
product, comprising an inner longitudinal wall 8a delimiting the channel 8, and terminating at one end thereof with a discharge opening 10 for feeding the pourable product towards a respective container 2; and - a valve member, or shutter 11, engaging the channel 8 and axially movable therein between an opening position (Figure 3), in which the shutter 11 allows a flow of the pourable product through the discharge opening 10, and a closing position (Figure 2), in which the shutter 11 prevents the flow of the pourable product through the discharge opening 10; and - an actuator 12 of the magnetic or electromagnetic type configured to control the movement of the shutter 11 inside the channel 8. In detail, the tubular body 7 is substantially cylindrical and the axis A is preferably vertical and parallel to the axis X of the carousel 3. The tubular body 7 also has an inlet opening 13 arranged on an axially opposite side with respect to the discharge opening 10, through which the channel 8 receives the pourable product from the reservoir. In the case illustrated, both the inlet opening 13 and the discharge opening 10 are axial. Conveniently, the channel 8 extends coaxially to the axis A and comprises:
- a segment of constant section, substantially cylindrical and provided with the inlet opening 13; and - a segment of variable section 8b substantially truncated and tapering towards the discharge opening 10, up to a section of minimum diameter corresponding to the discharge opening 10 itself. Hence, the segment of variable section 8b is arranged downstream of the segment of constant section with respect to a flow direction of the pourable product inside the channel 8. The shutter 11 is arranged coaxially to the axis A inside the channel 8 and comprises a main body 11a, having a substantially cylindrical shape, and an interaction portion 11b, for example shaped like a piston, extending axially from the main body 11a in the direction of the discharge opening 10 and configured to abut against the segment of variable section 8b and close the latter in a fluid-tight manner. More precisely, the interaction portion 11b comprises a sealing element, preferably a sealing ring 14 (for example, an O-ring) made of an elastomeric material, fixed to an axial end of the interaction portion 11a facing the discharge opening 10 and intended to selectively cooperate with the segment of variable section 8b, in order to seal it in a fluid-tight manner and prevent the passage of pourable
product towards the discharge opening 10. For this purpose, the shutter 11 is axially movable inside the channel 8 between: - the opening position, in which the interaction portion 11b, in particular the sealing ring 14, delimits together with the segment of variable section 8b an annular passage communicating fluidly with the discharge opening 10, so as to allow the flow of the pourable product towards the container 2; and - the closing position, in which the interaction portion 11b cooperates in a fluid-tight manner with the segment of variable section 8b, so as to interrupt the flow of the pourable product through the discharge opening 10. In the case illustrated, the actuator 12 is of the magnetic type and comprises a driving member 15 located outside the channel 8 and a driven member 16 integral with the shutter 11 and configured to magnetically interact with the driving member 15. In particular, the driven member 16 comprises permanent magnets incorporated in the main body 11a of the shutter 11 at a central portion thereof. The driving member 15 surrounds this central portion, is controllable to be axially moved and comprises permanent magnets radially facing the permanent magnets of the driven member 16 with respective magnetic poles of opposite sign to each other.
In this manner, an attractive magnetic force is determined between the driving member 15 and the driven member 16, whereby an axial movement of the driven member 16 will correspond to an axial movement of the driving member 15 and, therefore, of the shutter 11 inside the channel 8, thus determining the selection between the opening position and the closing position. In an alternative embodiment not illustrated, the driving member 15 comprises permanent magnets organized according to a Halbach array configuration, of the type described and illustrated in the International Application No. WO-A-2021121593, in the name of the same Applicant. In a further alternative embodiment not illustrated, the actuator 12 is of the electromagnetic type. In this case, the driving member comprises an electrically energizable solenoid. The shutter 11 will be moved to open or close depending on the direction of the electric current. According to the invention, the filling device 6 further comprises at least one magnetic linear bearing configured to axially guide and radially support the shutter 11 in levitating manner with respect to the inner wall 8a of the channel 8. Conveniently, the at least one linear bearing comprises a first magnetic linear bearing 17b arranged in a position proximal to the discharge opening 10 and distal with respect
to the inlet opening 13, and a second magnetic linear bearing 17a arranged in a position proximal to the inlet opening 13 and distal with respect to the discharge opening 10. In this manner, the first bearing 17b and the second bearing 17a are configured to center the shutter 11 inside the channel 8 during its axial movement between the opening position and the closing position. In practice, each magnetic linear bearing 17a or 17b is configured to keep the shutter 11 at a non-zero distance from the wall 8a and to keep the shutter 11 centered with respect to the axis A, i.e., to keep it coaxial and/or aligned with respect to the axis A. From the foregoing, it can be seen how the magnetic linear bearings 17a and 17b define contactless axial guide elements for the shutter 11. For simplicity, reference will be made in the following to a single magnetic linear bearing 17a or 17b. The magnetic linear bearing comprises: - a first magnetic element 18 fixed to the tubular body 7 and arranged externally to the channel 8; and - a second magnetic element 19 which is fixed to or integral with the shutter 11, is arranged inside the channel 8, and magnetically interacting with the first magnetic element 18, so as to cause magnetic levitation of the shutter 11 with respect to the wall 8a.
In particular, the first magnetic element 18 and the second magnetic element 19 are each defined by a respective permanent magnet that extends annularly around the axis A and is radially biased to have a first radially inward magnetic pole and a second radially outward magnetic pole of opposite sign to the first magnetic pole. According to the invention, the first magnetic element 18 and the second magnetic element 19 are arranged facing each other radially with respective magnetic poles of equal sign, so as to determine a magnetic repulsion force and cause said magnetic levitation of the shutter 11 with respect to the wall 8a. Therefore, the aforesaid first inner magnetic pole of the first magnetic element 18 has an equal sign to the aforesaid second outer magnetic pole of the second magnetic element 19. A magnetic equilibrium force is therefore determined which allows the shutter 11 to be radially supported and axially guided without any contact with the wall 8a. The shutter 11 is movable between the opening position and the closing position by an axial stroke of predetermined length. Advantageously, the first magnetic element 18 has an axial extension at least equal to said stroke. In particular, the second magnetic element 19 has an
axial extension smaller than the axial extension of the first magnetic element 18, so as to remain completely radially surrounded by the first magnetic element 18 for the entire length of said stroke. In this regard, comparison is made between Figure 2 (closing position) and Figure 3 (opening position). In this manner, the radial support and axial guiding of the shutter 11 are ensured for the entire length of the stroke itself. According to a further aspect of the invention, the filling device 6 comprises a first ferromagnetic element, for example a ferromagnetic washer 20 which extends annularly around the axis A. The washer 20 is fixed to the tubular body 7 and is axially interposed between the discharge opening 10 and the first magnetic element 18 of the aforesaid first magnetic linear bearing 17b. The washer 20 is configured to magnetically interact with the second magnetic element 19 of the first magnetic linear bearing 17b and attract it to itself to bias a displacement of the shutter 11 towards the closing position. Actually, the second magnetic element 19 attracts the washer 20 to itself, which is, however, fixed. The result is a displacement of the second magnetic element 19, and therefore of the shutter 11, towards the washer 20 itself. Thanks to the peculiar positioning of the washer 20, the
shutter 11 tends to close the discharge opening 10. In other words, the interaction between the washer 20 and the second magnetic element 19 defines a magnetic spring that tends to close the valve. This configuration is particularly advantageous in the case where the actuator 12 is of the electromagnetic type: it is in fact possible to keep the shutter 11 in the closing position without excessive use of electrical energy. Advantageously, the filling device 6 comprises, in combination with or as an alternative to the washer 20, a second ferromagnetic element, for example a second ferromagnetic washer 21 which extends annularly around the axis A. The second washer 21 is fixed to the tubular body 7 and is axially interposed between the inlet opening 13 and the first magnetic element 18 of the aforesaid second magnetic linear bearing 17a. The second washer 21 is entirely similar to the first washer 20, except that the magnetic spring defined by the interaction between the second washer 21 and the second magnetic element 19 of the second magnetic linear bearing 17a tends to open the valve, i.e., tends to hold the shutter 11 in the opening position. It is in this manner possible to perform, for example, a cleaning operation ("CIP") of the filling device 6. This configuration is particularly advantageous in the case where
the actuator 12 is of the electromagnetic type: it is in fact possible to keep the shutter 11 in the opening position without excessive use of electrical energy. In an embodiment not illustrated, the first washer 20 and/or the second washer 21 are arranged internally to the channel 8, respectively downstream of the bottom dead center and upstream of the top dead center of the relative second magnetic element 19. Conveniently, the first washer 20 and/or the second washer 21 are arranged externally to the channel 8. In this manner, the fluidic interference of the pourable product within the channel 8 is limited. Advantageously, the filling device 6 comprises at least one Hall effect position sensor 22, which is arranged at the at least one magnetic linear bearing, for example at the second magnetic linear bearing 17a, in a position radially and/or axially proximal to the first magnetic element 18 of the latter. The Hall effect sensor 22 is configured to detect an axial position of the shutter 11 inside the channel 8 by means of the magnetic interaction of the second magnetic element 19 with the first magnetic element 18 during movement of the shutter 11 between the opening position and the closing position. It is thus possible to exploit the presence of the
magnetic linear bearings 17a, 17b in order to know the axial position of the shutter 11, thus avoiding complicated detection systems and decreasing the components and the total costs of the filling device 6. The first ferromagnetic element 20 may be considered an upper ferromagnetic ring. The second ferromagnetic element 21 may be considered a lower ferromagnetic ring. From an examination of the characteristics of the filling device 6 produced according to the present invention, the advantages that it allows to obtain are evident. In particular, the presence of the magnetic linear bearings 17a, 17b makes it unnecessary to use contact guide elements of the type described above to keep the shutter 11 aligned and/or centered with respect to the channel 8 during its movement. In this manner, it is possible to reduce (and in particular eliminate altogether) the friction between the shutter 11 and the tubular body 7. It is no longer necessary to provide a coating of the type mentioned above, which, in addition to being expensive and possibly detrimental to the asepticity/sterility of the filling process, may interfere with the magnetic or electromagnetic field of the actuator 12 and, therefore, with the control of the shutter 11. It is clear that modifications and variations may be
made to the filling device 6 described and illustrated herein without thereby departing from the scope defined by the claims.
Claims
CLAIMS 1.- Filling device (6) for filling containers (2) with a pourable product, the device (6) comprising: - a tubular body (7) having a longitudinal axis (A), internally defining a flow channel (8) for the pourable product, comprising an inner longitudinal wall (8a) which delimits the flow channel (8), and terminating at an end thereof with a discharge opening (10) for feeding the pourable product towards a respective container (2); - a valve member (11) engaging the flow channel (8) and axially movable therein between an opening position, in which the valve member (11) allows a flow of the pourable product through the discharge opening (10), and a closing position, in which the valve member (11) prevents the flow of the pourable product through the discharge opening (10); and - an actuator (12) of the magnetic or electromagnetic type for controlling the axial movement of the valve member (11) and having a driving member (15) located outside the flow channel (8) and a driven member (16) integral with the valve member (11) and configured to interact magnetically or electromagnetically with the driving member (15); wherein the filling device (6) also comprises at least one magnetic linear bearing (17a, 17b) configured
to axially guide and radially support the valve member (11) in levitating manner with respect to said inner wall (8a). 2.- Filling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubular body (7) comprises an inlet opening (13) for receiving the pourable product located on the axially opposite side relative to the discharge opening (10); and wherein the filling device (6) comprises a first magnetic linear bearing (17b) which is arranged in a position proximal to the discharge opening (10) and distal to the inlet opening (13), and a second magnetic linear bearing (17a) which is arranged in a position proximal to the inlet opening (13) and distal to the discharge opening (10); said magnetic linear bearings (17a, 17b) being configured for centering the valve member (11) within the flow channel (8) during said axial movement between the opening position and the closing position. 3.- Filling device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the magnetic linear bearing (17a, 17b) comprises: - a respective first magnetic element (18) fixed to the tubular body (7) and arranged externally to the flow channel (8); and - a respective second magnetic element (19) integral with the valve member (11), arranged inside the flow
channel (8), and interacting magnetically with the first magnetic element (18) so as to cause a magnetic levitation of the valve member (11) with respect to the inner wall (8a). 4.- Filling device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first magnetic element (18) and the second magnetic element (19) are arranged radially facing one another with respective magnetic poles of equal sign, so as to determine a magnetic repulsion force and cause said magnetic levitation. 5.- Filling device as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the valve member (11) is movable between the opening position and the closing position by an axial stroke of predetermined length; and wherein the first magnetic element (18) has an axial extension at least equal to said stroke. 6.- Filling device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second magnetic element (19) has an axial extension smaller than the axial extension of the first magnetic element (18), so as to remain completely radially surrounded by the first magnetic element (18) for the entire length of said stroke. 7.- Filling device as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the first magnetic element (18) and the second magnetic element (19) are defined, each, by a
permanent magnet which extends annularly around the longitudinal axis (A), and which is radially polarized to have a first radially inner magnetic pole and a second radially outer magnetic pole of opposite sign relative to the first magnetic pole; and wherein the first magnetic pole of the first magnetic element (18) has the same sign as the second magnetic pole of the second magnetic element (19). 8.- Filling device as claimed in claim 2 and in any one of claims 3 to 7, and comprising at least one ferromagnetic ring (20, 21) arranged around the longitudinal axis (A), said ferromagnetic ring (20, 21) being fixed to the tubular body (7) and axially interposed between the discharge opening (10) and the first magnetic element (18) of the first magnetic linear bearing (17b) for magnetically interacting with the second magnetic element (19) of the first magnetic linear bearing (17b) and attract it to itself in order to bias a displacement of the valve member (11) towards the closing position, or interposed between the inlet opening (13) and the first magnetic element (18) of the second magnetic linear bearing (17a) for magnetically interacting with the second magnetic element (19) of the second magnetic linear bearing (17a) and attract it to itself in order to bias a displacement of the valve member (11) towards the opening
position. 9.- Filling device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said ferromagnetic ring is arranged externally to the flow channel (8). 10.- Filling device as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 9, and comprising a Hall-effect position sensor (22) arranged in a position radially and/or axially proximal to one first magnetic element (18), and configured to detect an axial position of the valve member (11) inside the flow channel (8) by means of the magnetic interaction of the respective second magnetic element (19) with the first magnetic element (18) during the movement of the valve member (11) between the opening position and the closing position. 11.- Filling machine (1) configured to fill containers (2) with a pourable product and comprising: - a conveyor (3) for advancing the containers (2) along a filling path; - a reservoir for containing the pourable product; - a plurality of filling devices (6) each as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, each fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to dose a predetermined quantity of pourable product to a respective container (2).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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IT102022000008336A IT202200008336A1 (en) | 2022-04-27 | 2022-04-27 | FILLING DEVICE TO FILL CONTAINERS WITH A VERSABLE PRODUCT |
IT102022000008336 | 2022-04-27 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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WO2023208605A1 true WO2023208605A1 (en) | 2023-11-02 |
Family
ID=82308179
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2023/059720 WO2023208605A1 (en) | 2022-04-27 | 2023-04-13 | Filling device for filling containers with a pourable product |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
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IT (1) | IT202200008336A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2023208605A1 (en) |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0322001A2 (en) * | 1987-11-20 | 1989-06-28 | Shikoku Kakoki Co., Ltd. | Apparatus for adjusting level of liquid to be filled into packaging tube |
DE19601541A1 (en) * | 1995-01-27 | 1996-08-01 | Seiko Seiki Kk | Vacuum chamber with vertical handling system and non-return valve |
EP3323773A1 (en) * | 2016-11-21 | 2018-05-23 | Sidel Participations | A filling machine for filling receptacles with a pourable product |
IT201800009247A1 (en) * | 2018-10-08 | 2020-04-08 | Sidel Participations Sas | VALVE FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH A VERSABLE PRODUCT |
WO2021121593A1 (en) | 2019-12-19 | 2021-06-24 | Sidel Participations | Filling device for filling articles with a pourable product |
-
2022
- 2022-04-27 IT IT102022000008336A patent/IT202200008336A1/en unknown
-
2023
- 2023-04-13 WO PCT/EP2023/059720 patent/WO2023208605A1/en unknown
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0322001A2 (en) * | 1987-11-20 | 1989-06-28 | Shikoku Kakoki Co., Ltd. | Apparatus for adjusting level of liquid to be filled into packaging tube |
DE19601541A1 (en) * | 1995-01-27 | 1996-08-01 | Seiko Seiki Kk | Vacuum chamber with vertical handling system and non-return valve |
EP3323773A1 (en) * | 2016-11-21 | 2018-05-23 | Sidel Participations | A filling machine for filling receptacles with a pourable product |
IT201800009247A1 (en) * | 2018-10-08 | 2020-04-08 | Sidel Participations Sas | VALVE FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH A VERSABLE PRODUCT |
WO2021121593A1 (en) | 2019-12-19 | 2021-06-24 | Sidel Participations | Filling device for filling articles with a pourable product |
Also Published As
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IT202200008336A1 (en) | 2023-10-27 |
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