WO2024110549A1 - Filling device for filling containers with liquid products - Google Patents

Filling device for filling containers with liquid products Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024110549A1
WO2024110549A1 PCT/EP2023/082739 EP2023082739W WO2024110549A1 WO 2024110549 A1 WO2024110549 A1 WO 2024110549A1 EP 2023082739 W EP2023082739 W EP 2023082739W WO 2024110549 A1 WO2024110549 A1 WO 2024110549A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sterile fluid
sterile
filling
supply line
nozzle
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2023/082739
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Matteo Ronchini
Original Assignee
Alfa Laval Corporate Ab
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 Alfa Laval Corporate Ab filed Critical Alfa Laval Corporate Ab
Publication of WO2024110549A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024110549A1/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
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C3/26—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks
    • B67C3/2608—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks comprising anti-dripping means

Definitions

  • the present invention refers in general to the aseptic filling of containers containing liquid products and, more specifically, to a filling device for filling container assemblies with tubular neck delimiting a product passage for containing liquid food products in sterile conditions.
  • Liquid food products such as wine, milk, juices, beverages, etc.
  • the container spout provides an opening through which the liquid product is dispensed during the container filling operation.
  • the container is typically filled in a filling machine, through a machine filling valve provided with at least one nozzle.
  • the nozzle is inserted into the container spout, causing the liquid product to flow through the nozzle into the container.
  • the flow of liquid product is stopped and the nozzle is withdrawn from the container spout, usually by moving the valve away from the container.
  • the container spout is then sealed to prevent liquid product from leaking out of the container during transporting and handling.
  • a drawback of the technical solutions according to the prior art is due to a poor or absent drainability, as well as an extended time needed to achieve the drainage. Additionally, in the prior art filling devices the anti-drip systems are often installed outside of the sterile area. However, drainability is strictly related to cleanability and consequently to sterility, because one of the necessary conditions to grant an efficient sterilization is to secure that all the components of the filling device are properly cleaned first. Time needed to remove residual product from the filling valve at the end of the filling step is a key factor on the overall speed of the filling machine, so minimizing the nozzle cleaning time leads to better performance of the filling machine in terms of output. Anti-drip systems installed outside of the sterile area could suck in airborne contaminants in case of gasket failure or loosening of components.
  • One object of the present invention is therefore to provide a filling device for filling containers containing liquid products, in particular but not exclusively liquid food products, which is capable of resolving the drawbacks of the prior art in a simple, inexpensive and particularly functional manner.
  • one object of the present invention is to provide a filling device for filling containers containing liquid products which is capable of avoiding, or at least minimizing, the dripping of the respective filling valve by means of full drainability of the filling device.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a filling device for filling containers containing liquid products wherein the anti-drip system is installed into the sterile area of the filling device.
  • the sterile area is an area where external contaminants are prevented from entering. This can be obtained for example by using an overpressure of sterile fluid or media (air/nitrogen/steam/inert gas filtered to a sterile state).
  • the sterile area may be an air-tight, gasketed or insulated area filled with sterile fluid, e.g. sterile air, steam, or an inert gas such as nitrogen.
  • the filling device comprises at least one filling valve, which is provided upstream with at least one liquid product supply line, for supplying at least one liquid product to the filling valve, and which is provided downstream with at least one nozzle, for dispensing the liquid product to a container.
  • the filling device also comprises at least one sterile fluid supply line, which is hydraulically connected with the filling valve for supplying at least one sterile fluid to the nozzle.
  • the filling device also comprises at least one sterile fluid connection conduit, which hydraulically connects the sterile fluid supply line to the filling valve, for supplying to the nozzle the sterile fluid flowing through the sterile fluid supply line.
  • the filling device further comprises at least one fluid drainage conduit, which is hydraulically connected downstream of the sterile fluid supply line.
  • At least a portion of the sterile fluid supply line, the sterile fluid connection conduit, at least a portion of the filling valve comprising the nozzle, and at least a portion of the fluid drainage conduit form a sterile area of the filling device.
  • At least one venturi is placed at an intersection point between the sterile fluid supply line, the sterile fluid connection conduit, and the fluid drainage conduit.
  • the venturi hydraulically connects with venturi effect the sterile fluid supply line with the fluid drainage conduit.
  • the venturi comprises at least one converging channel, which is placed downstream of the sterile fluid supply line, at least one diverging channel, which is placed downstream of the converging channel and upstream of the fluid drainage conduit, and at least one connection channel, which is placed between the converging channel and the diverging channel, and which hydraulically connects the venturi with the sterile fluid connection conduit.
  • the length of the diverging channel is greater than the length of the converging channel.
  • connection channel is a channel with a constant internal cross-sectional area.
  • the fluid connection conduit is hydraulically connected with the filling valve at the nozzle.
  • At least one first flow control valve is preferably placed along the fluid connection conduit, between the venturi and the filling valve. At least one second flow control valve is preferably placed along the fluid drainage conduit, downstream of the venturi.
  • the sterile fluid is generated by at least one sterile fluid source, which is hydraulically connected with the sterile fluid supply line and is arranged to inject the sterile fluid into the sterile fluid supply line.
  • the sterile fluid is steam. In another possible embodiment, the sterile fluid is sterile air.
  • the sterile fluid is an inert gas, such as nitrogen.
  • the invention is also directed towards a method for operating the filling device described above.
  • the method comprises the steps of:
  • Figure 1 is a schematic view of the main components of the filling device for filling containers containing liquid products according to the present invention, wherein the filling device is shown in a first operative condition;
  • Figure 2 is another schematic view of the main components of the filling device for filling containers containing liquid products according to the present invention, wherein the filling device is shown in a second operative condition;
  • Figure 3 is a three-dimensional schematic view of some components of the filling device for filling containers containing liquid products according to the present invention
  • Figure 4 is another three-dimensional schematic view of some components of the filling device for filling containers containing liquid products according to the present invention.
  • the filling device 10 is designed to be a part of a filling machine (not shown) for filling containers containing liquid products.
  • each container may be of the flexible type, having at least one spout through which the liquid product is dispensed during the container filling operation.
  • the filling device 10 comprises at least one filling valve 12, which is provided upstream with at least one liquid product supply line 14 for supplying at least one liquid product P to the filling valve 12.
  • the liquid product P is a liquid food product, such as wine, milk, juices, beverages, etc.
  • the filling valve 12 is also provided downstream with at least one nozzle 16 for dispensing the liquid product P to a container.
  • the filling valve 12 may be of any type known in the state of the art and will therefore not be described in detail hereinafter.
  • the filling device 10 also comprises at least one sterile fluid supply line 18, which is hydraulically connected with the filling valve 12 for supplying at least one sterile fluid S to the nozzle 16.
  • the sterile fluid S can be generated by at least one sterile fluid source 38, which is hydraulically connected with the sterile fluid supply line 18 and is arranged to inject the sterile fluid S into the sterile fluid supply line 18.
  • the sterile fluid S can be steam.
  • the steam can be injected into the sterile fluid supply line 18 at a pressure comprised between 2 bar and 2.5 bar.
  • the sterile fluid S can be sterile air, or any other suitable sterile fluid, like for example an inert gas such as nitrogen, for flushing filling valves capable of delivering liquid food product.
  • the filling device 10 comprises at least one sterile fluid connection conduit 20, which hydraulically connects the sterile fluid supply line 18 to the filling valve 12, for supplying to the nozzle 16 the sterile fluid S flowing through the sterile fluid supply line 18, and at least one fluid drainage conduit 22, which is hydraulically connected downstream of the sterile fluid supply line 18.
  • the fluid drainage conduit 22 can hydraulically connect the sterile fluid supply line 18 to a drainage system 24 of known type, such as a drainage tank or a sewage system.
  • the sterile fluid supply line 18, the sterile fluid connection conduit 20, at least a portion of the filling valve 12 comprising the nozzle 16, and at least a portion of the fluid drainage conduit 22 form a sterile area A of the filling device 10, wherein potential contamination of the liquid product P must be avoided.
  • the sterile area may be provided by a controlled flow of sterile air to provide a certain amount volume changes per minute. The number of volume changes may be more than 3 volume changes per minute. Also, the design of the sterile area can be provided so as to prevent the creation of vortices or turbulence.
  • the sterile area can be obtained by providing a presterilization sequence, which may be accomplished by holding a sterile fluid inside the sterile area at a certain temperature for a certain time, for example steam at a temperature of at least 121 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes or more.
  • venturi 26 is placed at an intersection point between the sterile fluid supply line 18, the sterile fluid connection conduit 20, and the fluid drainage conduit 22.
  • the venturi 26 hydraulically connects with venturi effect the sterile fluid supply line 18 with the fluid drainage conduit 22.
  • the venturi 26 is thus installed into the sterile area A of the filling device 10, very close to the nozzle 16 of the filling valve 12, to minimize the connection piping length, in particular the length of the sterile fluid connection conduit 20.
  • At least one first flow control valve 34 is placed along the fluid connection conduit 20, between the venturi 26 and the filling valve 12.
  • at least one second flow control valve 36 is placed along the fluid drainage conduit 22, downstream of the venturi 26.
  • the venturi 26 can comprise at least one converging channel 28, which is placed downstream of the sterile fluid supply line 18, and at least one diverging channel 30, which is placed downstream of the converging channel 28 and upstream of the fluid drainage conduit 22. Additionally, the venturi 26 can comprise at least one connection channel 32, which is placed between the converging channel 28 and the diverging channel 30. This connection channel 32 hydraulically connects the venturi 26 with the sterile fluid connection conduit 20. This position and configuration of the venturi 26 is such that, when the filling valve 12 is in its “after filling” position (see, for example, Figure 2), there is a full drainability of the nozzle 16, since there is a slope from the nozzle 16 to the drainage system 24.
  • the length L1 of the diverging channel 30 of the venturi 26 is greater than the length L2 of the converging channel 28 of said venturi 26.
  • the connection channel 32 is a channel with a constant internal cross-sectional area.
  • the connection channel 32 can be a conventional tubular channel.
  • the venturi 26 can have any other shape and/or size different from those shown drawings, according to requirements of the filling valve 12 and/or the filling machine, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.
  • the fluid connection conduit 20 can be hydraulically connected with the filling valve 12 at the respective nozzle 16. In this way, the full drainability of the nozzle 16 may be improved.
  • the venturi 26 Being installed into the sterile area A of the filling device 10, where the sterile fluid S (sterile air, steam, or an inert gas such as nitrogen) flows, in case of gasket failure or loosening parts, the venturi 26 would not suck in potential contaminants, maximizing food safety in case of delivering of liquid food product.
  • the advantages of the presence, in the filling device 10 according to the invention, of the venturi 26, as well as its specific position into the sterile area A of this filling device 10, are the full drainability and cleanability of the piping, a high anti-dripping effectiveness of the filling valve 12 and a high-speed cycling of the filling device 10.
  • a first step i.e. , the filling step, consists in tightly inserting at least the nozzle 16 of the filling valve 12 into a container (not shown).
  • the liquid product P supplied by the liquid product supply line 14, can then be delivered into the container.
  • the nozzle 16 of the filling valve 12 is closed, while said filling valve 12 is still tightly inserted into the container. In this way, the supplying of the liquid product P into the container is blocked.
  • the nozzle 16 Before pulling up the nozzle 16 of the filling valve 12 from the container, the nozzle 16 needs to be cleaned of residual liquid product P.
  • the first flow control valve 34 is thus opened, while the second flow control valve 36 is closed (see the first operative condition of the filling device 10 shown in Figure 1 ).
  • this operative condition the passage of the sterile fluid S through the sterile fluid supply line 18 and the sterile fluid connection conduit 20 is thus allowed, so as to deliver said sterile fluid S to the nozzle 16 of the filling valve 12.
  • vacuum V is generated into the sterile fluid connection conduit 20, by keeping the first flow control valve 34 open and opening the second flow control valve 36 too.
  • the nozzle 16 is dried by removing residual product and/or condensate drops from said nozzle 16.
  • the dry nozzle 16 of the filling valve 12 can be removed from the container, so as to avoiding the risk of dripping into said container and/or into the sterile area A. If the container is a flexible container provided with a cap, the cap can be placed on the respective spout to seal the container. The residual product and/or the condensate drops are then discharged, through the venturi 26 and the fluid drainage conduit 22, into the drainage system 24.
  • the filling device for filling containers containing liquid products of the present invention thus conceived is susceptible in any case of numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the same inventive concept; in addition, all the details can be substituted by technically equivalent elements.
  • the materials used, as well as the shapes and size can be of any type according to the technical requirements.
  • A sterile area

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

Abstract

A filling device (10) for filling containers containing liquid products is disclosed. The filling device (10) comprises: at least one filling valve (12), which is provided upstream with at least one liquid product supply line (14), for supplying at least one liquid product (P) to the filling valve (12), and which is provided downstream with at least one nozzle (16), for dispensing the liquid product (P) to a container; at least one sterile fluid supply line (18), which is hydraulically connected with the filling valve (12) for supplying at least one sterile fluid (S) to the nozzle (16); at least one sterile fluid connection conduit (20), which hydraulically connects the sterile fluid supply line (18) to the filling valve (12), for supplying to the nozzle (16) the sterile fluid (S) flowing through the sterile fluid supply line (18); and at least one fluid drainage conduit (22), which is hydraulically connected downstream of the sterile fluid supply line (18). At least a portion of the sterile fluid supply line (18), the sterile fluid connection conduit (20), at least a portion of the filling valve (12) comprising the nozzle (16), and at least a portion of the fluid drainage conduit (22) form a sterile area (A) of the filling device (10). At least one venturi (26) is placed at an intersection point between the sterile fluid supply line (18), the sterile fluid connection conduit (20) and the fluid drainage conduit (22). The venturi hydraulically connects with venturi effect the sterile fluid supply line (18) with the fluid drainage conduit (22).

Description

FILLING DEVICE FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH LIQUID PRODUCTS
DESCRIPTION
Field of the invention
The present invention refers in general to the aseptic filling of containers containing liquid products and, more specifically, to a filling device for filling container assemblies with tubular neck delimiting a product passage for containing liquid food products in sterile conditions.
Background of the invention
Liquid food products, such as wine, milk, juices, beverages, etc., are sometimes packaged in flexible containers having at least one spout. The container spout provides an opening through which the liquid product is dispensed during the container filling operation. The container is typically filled in a filling machine, through a machine filling valve provided with at least one nozzle. The nozzle is inserted into the container spout, causing the liquid product to flow through the nozzle into the container. When the container is full, the flow of liquid product is stopped and the nozzle is withdrawn from the container spout, usually by moving the valve away from the container. The container spout is then sealed to prevent liquid product from leaking out of the container during transporting and handling.
Dripping must be avoided on filling valves, as any residual liquid product on the container and/or in the sterile area could lead to potential contamination due to spoilage. Several technical solutions are therefore known in the prior art for avoiding or minimizing dripping. For example, known anti-drip nozzles for filling valves are disclosed in documents EP-A-919472 and US-A-6311742 respectively.
A drawback of the technical solutions according to the prior art is due to a poor or absent drainability, as well as an extended time needed to achieve the drainage. Additionally, in the prior art filling devices the anti-drip systems are often installed outside of the sterile area. However, drainability is strictly related to cleanability and consequently to sterility, because one of the necessary conditions to grant an efficient sterilization is to secure that all the components of the filling device are properly cleaned first. Time needed to remove residual product from the filling valve at the end of the filling step is a key factor on the overall speed of the filling machine, so minimizing the nozzle cleaning time leads to better performance of the filling machine in terms of output. Anti-drip systems installed outside of the sterile area could suck in airborne contaminants in case of gasket failure or loosening of components.
Summary of the invention
One object of the present invention is therefore to provide a filling device for filling containers containing liquid products, in particular but not exclusively liquid food products, which is capable of resolving the drawbacks of the prior art in a simple, inexpensive and particularly functional manner.
In detail, one object of the present invention is to provide a filling device for filling containers containing liquid products which is capable of avoiding, or at least minimizing, the dripping of the respective filling valve by means of full drainability of the filling device.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a filling device for filling containers containing liquid products wherein the anti-drip system is installed into the sterile area of the filling device. The sterile area is an area where external contaminants are prevented from entering. This can be obtained for example by using an overpressure of sterile fluid or media (air/nitrogen/steam/inert gas filtered to a sterile state). The sterile area may be an air-tight, gasketed or insulated area filled with sterile fluid, e.g. sterile air, steam, or an inert gas such as nitrogen.
These and other objects are achieved according to the present invention by providing a filling device for filling containers containing liquid products as set forth in the attached claims.
Further features of the invention are underlined by the dependent claims, which are an integral part of the present description.
The filling device according to the present invention comprises at least one filling valve, which is provided upstream with at least one liquid product supply line, for supplying at least one liquid product to the filling valve, and which is provided downstream with at least one nozzle, for dispensing the liquid product to a container.
The filling device also comprises at least one sterile fluid supply line, which is hydraulically connected with the filling valve for supplying at least one sterile fluid to the nozzle.
The filling device also comprises at least one sterile fluid connection conduit, which hydraulically connects the sterile fluid supply line to the filling valve, for supplying to the nozzle the sterile fluid flowing through the sterile fluid supply line.
The filling device further comprises at least one fluid drainage conduit, which is hydraulically connected downstream of the sterile fluid supply line.
At least a portion of the sterile fluid supply line, the sterile fluid connection conduit, at least a portion of the filling valve comprising the nozzle, and at least a portion of the fluid drainage conduit form a sterile area of the filling device.
At least one venturi is placed at an intersection point between the sterile fluid supply line, the sterile fluid connection conduit, and the fluid drainage conduit. The venturi hydraulically connects with venturi effect the sterile fluid supply line with the fluid drainage conduit.
In a preferred embodiment, the venturi comprises at least one converging channel, which is placed downstream of the sterile fluid supply line, at least one diverging channel, which is placed downstream of the converging channel and upstream of the fluid drainage conduit, and at least one connection channel, which is placed between the converging channel and the diverging channel, and which hydraulically connects the venturi with the sterile fluid connection conduit.
Preferably, the length of the diverging channel is greater than the length of the converging channel.
Also preferably, the connection channel is a channel with a constant internal cross-sectional area.
According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the fluid connection conduit is hydraulically connected with the filling valve at the nozzle.
At least one first flow control valve is preferably placed along the fluid connection conduit, between the venturi and the filling valve. At least one second flow control valve is preferably placed along the fluid drainage conduit, downstream of the venturi.
Preferably, the sterile fluid is generated by at least one sterile fluid source, which is hydraulically connected with the sterile fluid supply line and is arranged to inject the sterile fluid into the sterile fluid supply line.
In a possible embodiment, the sterile fluid is steam. In another possible embodiment, the sterile fluid is sterile air.
In a further possible embodiment, the sterile fluid is an inert gas, such as nitrogen.
The invention is also directed towards a method for operating the filling device described above. The method comprises the steps of:
- tightly inserting at least the nozzle of the filling valve into a container;
- delivering the liquid product, supplied by the liquid product supply line, into the container;
- closing the nozzle of the filling valve while it is still tightly inserted into the container, so as to block the supplying of the liquid product into the container;
- allowing passage of the sterile fluid through the sterile fluid supply line and the sterile fluid connection conduit, so as to deliver the sterile fluid to the nozzle;
- generating vacuum into the sterile fluid connection conduit, so as to drying the nozzle by removing residual product and/or condensate drops from the nozzle;
- removing the dry nozzle of the filling valve from the container, so as to avoiding the risk of dripping into the container and/or into the sterile area; and
- discharging the residual product and/or condensate drops, through the venturi and the fluid drainage conduit.
Brief description of the drawings
The features and advantages of a filling device for filling containers containing liquid products according to the present invention will be clearer from the following exemplifying and non-limiting description, with reference to the enclosed schematic drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic view of the main components of the filling device for filling containers containing liquid products according to the present invention, wherein the filling device is shown in a first operative condition;
Figure 2 is another schematic view of the main components of the filling device for filling containers containing liquid products according to the present invention, wherein the filling device is shown in a second operative condition;
Figure 3 is a three-dimensional schematic view of some components of the filling device for filling containers containing liquid products according to the present invention; and Figure 4 is another three-dimensional schematic view of some components of the filling device for filling containers containing liquid products according to the present invention.
Detailed description of the invention
With reference to the Figures, a filling device 10 is shown. The filling device 10 is designed to be a part of a filling machine (not shown) for filling containers containing liquid products. For example, each container may be of the flexible type, having at least one spout through which the liquid product is dispensed during the container filling operation.
The filling device 10 comprises at least one filling valve 12, which is provided upstream with at least one liquid product supply line 14 for supplying at least one liquid product P to the filling valve 12. For example, the liquid product P is a liquid food product, such as wine, milk, juices, beverages, etc. The filling valve 12 is also provided downstream with at least one nozzle 16 for dispensing the liquid product P to a container. The filling valve 12 may be of any type known in the state of the art and will therefore not be described in detail hereinafter.
The filling device 10 also comprises at least one sterile fluid supply line 18, which is hydraulically connected with the filling valve 12 for supplying at least one sterile fluid S to the nozzle 16. The sterile fluid S can be generated by at least one sterile fluid source 38, which is hydraulically connected with the sterile fluid supply line 18 and is arranged to inject the sterile fluid S into the sterile fluid supply line 18. For example, the sterile fluid S can be steam. Preferably but not exclusively, the steam can be injected into the sterile fluid supply line 18 at a pressure comprised between 2 bar and 2.5 bar. Alternatively, the sterile fluid S can be sterile air, or any other suitable sterile fluid, like for example an inert gas such as nitrogen, for flushing filling valves capable of delivering liquid food product.
Additionally, the filling device 10 comprises at least one sterile fluid connection conduit 20, which hydraulically connects the sterile fluid supply line 18 to the filling valve 12, for supplying to the nozzle 16 the sterile fluid S flowing through the sterile fluid supply line 18, and at least one fluid drainage conduit 22, which is hydraulically connected downstream of the sterile fluid supply line 18. For example, as shown in any of Figures 1 to 4, the fluid drainage conduit 22 can hydraulically connect the sterile fluid supply line 18 to a drainage system 24 of known type, such as a drainage tank or a sewage system. As shown in particular in Figures 1 and 2, at least a portion of the sterile fluid supply line 18, the sterile fluid connection conduit 20, at least a portion of the filling valve 12 comprising the nozzle 16, and at least a portion of the fluid drainage conduit 22 form a sterile area A of the filling device 10, wherein potential contamination of the liquid product P must be avoided. In the present filler, the sterile area may be provided by a controlled flow of sterile air to provide a certain amount volume changes per minute. The number of volume changes may be more than 3 volume changes per minute. Also, the design of the sterile area can be provided so as to prevent the creation of vortices or turbulence. Vortices and turbulence can be unpredictable and could create low pressure zones where contaminants could be sucked in, which is not desirable. The sterile area can be obtained by providing a presterilization sequence, which may be accomplished by holding a sterile fluid inside the sterile area at a certain temperature for a certain time, for example steam at a temperature of at least 121 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes or more.
According to the invention, at least one venturi 26 is placed at an intersection point between the sterile fluid supply line 18, the sterile fluid connection conduit 20, and the fluid drainage conduit 22. The venturi 26 hydraulically connects with venturi effect the sterile fluid supply line 18 with the fluid drainage conduit 22. The venturi 26 is thus installed into the sterile area A of the filling device 10, very close to the nozzle 16 of the filling valve 12, to minimize the connection piping length, in particular the length of the sterile fluid connection conduit 20.
Preferably, at least one first flow control valve 34 is placed along the fluid connection conduit 20, between the venturi 26 and the filling valve 12. Also preferably, at least one second flow control valve 36 is placed along the fluid drainage conduit 22, downstream of the venturi 26.
As shown in any of Figures 1 to 4, the venturi 26 can comprise at least one converging channel 28, which is placed downstream of the sterile fluid supply line 18, and at least one diverging channel 30, which is placed downstream of the converging channel 28 and upstream of the fluid drainage conduit 22. Additionally, the venturi 26 can comprise at least one connection channel 32, which is placed between the converging channel 28 and the diverging channel 30. This connection channel 32 hydraulically connects the venturi 26 with the sterile fluid connection conduit 20. This position and configuration of the venturi 26 is such that, when the filling valve 12 is in its “after filling” position (see, for example, Figure 2), there is a full drainability of the nozzle 16, since there is a slope from the nozzle 16 to the drainage system 24.
Preferably, as shown in particular in Figures 1 and 2, the length L1 of the diverging channel 30 of the venturi 26 is greater than the length L2 of the converging channel 28 of said venturi 26. Also preferably, the connection channel 32 is a channel with a constant internal cross-sectional area. For example, the connection channel 32 can be a conventional tubular channel. However, it should be pointed out that the venturi 26 can have any other shape and/or size different from those shown drawings, according to requirements of the filling valve 12 and/or the filling machine, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.
Advantageously, the fluid connection conduit 20 can be hydraulically connected with the filling valve 12 at the respective nozzle 16. In this way, the full drainability of the nozzle 16 may be improved.
Being installed into the sterile area A of the filling device 10, where the sterile fluid S (sterile air, steam, or an inert gas such as nitrogen) flows, in case of gasket failure or loosening parts, the venturi 26 would not suck in potential contaminants, maximizing food safety in case of delivering of liquid food product. Summarizing, the advantages of the presence, in the filling device 10 according to the invention, of the venturi 26, as well as its specific position into the sterile area A of this filling device 10, are the full drainability and cleanability of the piping, a high anti-dripping effectiveness of the filling valve 12 and a high-speed cycling of the filling device 10.
With specific reference to Figures 1 and 2, the filling device 10 according to the present invention described so far works in the following way. A first step, i.e. , the filling step, consists in tightly inserting at least the nozzle 16 of the filling valve 12 into a container (not shown). The liquid product P, supplied by the liquid product supply line 14, can then be delivered into the container.
At the end of the filling step, the nozzle 16 of the filling valve 12 is closed, while said filling valve 12 is still tightly inserted into the container. In this way, the supplying of the liquid product P into the container is blocked.
Before pulling up the nozzle 16 of the filling valve 12 from the container, the nozzle 16 needs to be cleaned of residual liquid product P. The first flow control valve 34 is thus opened, while the second flow control valve 36 is closed (see the first operative condition of the filling device 10 shown in Figure 1 ). In this operative condition the passage of the sterile fluid S through the sterile fluid supply line 18 and the sterile fluid connection conduit 20 is thus allowed, so as to deliver said sterile fluid S to the nozzle 16 of the filling valve 12.
In the next step (see the second operative condition of the filling device 10 shown in Figure 2), vacuum V is generated into the sterile fluid connection conduit 20, by keeping the first flow control valve 34 open and opening the second flow control valve 36 too. In this way, the nozzle 16 is dried by removing residual product and/or condensate drops from said nozzle 16. At the same time, the dry nozzle 16 of the filling valve 12 can be removed from the container, so as to avoiding the risk of dripping into said container and/or into the sterile area A. If the container is a flexible container provided with a cap, the cap can be placed on the respective spout to seal the container. The residual product and/or the condensate drops are then discharged, through the venturi 26 and the fluid drainage conduit 22, into the drainage system 24.
It is thus seen that the filling device for filling containers containing liquid products according to the present invention achieve the previously outlined objects.
The filling device for filling containers containing liquid products of the present invention thus conceived is susceptible in any case of numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the same inventive concept; in addition, all the details can be substituted by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as the shapes and size, can be of any type according to the technical requirements.
The scope of protection of the invention is therefore defined by the enclosed claims. List of references
10: filling device;
12: filling valve;
14: one liquid product supply line;
16: nozzle;
18: sterile fluid supply line;
20: sterile fluid connection conduit;
22: fluid drainage conduit;
24: drainage system;
26: venturi;
28: venturi converging channel;
30: venturi diverging channel;
32: venturi connection channel;
34: first flow control valve;
36: second flow control valve;
38: sterile fluid source;
L1 : venturi diverging channel length;
L2: venturi converging channel length;
A: sterile area;
P: liquid product;
S: sterile fluid;
V: vacuum.

Claims

1 . A filling device (10) for filling containers containing liquid products, the filling device (10) comprising:
- at least one filling valve (12), which is provided upstream with at least one liquid product supply line (14), for supplying at least one liquid product (P) to said filling valve (12), and which is provided downstream with at least one nozzle (16), for dispensing said liquid product (P) to a container;
- at least one sterile fluid supply line (18), which is hydraulically connected with said filling valve (12) for supplying at least one sterile fluid (S) to said nozzle (16);
- at least one sterile fluid connection conduit (20), which hydraulically connects said sterile fluid supply line (18) to said filling valve (12), for supplying to said nozzle (16) said sterile fluid (S) flowing through said sterile fluid supply line (18); and
- at least one fluid drainage conduit (22), which is hydraulically connected downstream of said sterile fluid supply line (18), wherein at least a portion of said sterile fluid supply line (18), said sterile fluid connection conduit (20), at least a portion of said filling valve (12) comprising said nozzle (16), and at least a portion of said fluid drainage conduit (22) form a sterile area (A) of the filling device (10), said filling device (10) being characterized in that at least one venturi (26) is placed at an intersection point between said sterile fluid supply line (18), said sterile fluid connection conduit (20), and said fluid drainage conduit (22), wherein said venturi (26) hydraulically connects with venturi effect said sterile fluid supply line (18) with said fluid drainage conduit (22).
2. The filling device (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said venturi (26) comprises:
- at least one converging channel (28), which is placed downstream of said sterile fluid supply line (18);
- at least one diverging channel (30), which is placed downstream of said converging channel (28) and upstream of said fluid drainage conduit (22); and
- at least one connection channel (32), which is placed between said converging channel (28) and said diverging channel (30), and which hydraulically connects said venturi (26) with said sterile fluid connection conduit (20).
3. The filling device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the length (L1 ) of said diverging channel (30) is greater than the length (L2) of said converging channel (28).
4. The filling device (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said connection channel (32) is a channel with a constant internal cross-sectional area.
5. The filling device (10) according to anyone of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said fluid connection conduit (20) is hydraulically connected with said filling valve (12) at said nozzle (16).
6. The filling device (10) according to anyone of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one first flow control valve (34) is placed along said fluid connection conduit (20), between said venturi (26) and said filling valve (12).
7. The filling device (10) according to anyone of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one second flow control valve (36) is placed along said fluid drainage conduit (22), downstream of said venturi (26).
8. The filling device (10) according to anyone of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said sterile fluid (S) is generated by at least one sterile fluid source (38), which is hydraulically connected with said sterile fluid supply line (18) and is arranged to inject said sterile fluid (S) into said sterile fluid supply line (18).
9. The filling device (10) according to anyone of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said sterile fluid (S) is steam.
10. The filling device (10) according to anyone of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said sterile fluid (S) is sterile air.
11 . The filling device (10) according to anyone of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said sterile fluid (S) is an inert gas, such as nitrogen.
12. A method for operating a filling device (10) according to anyone of claims 1 to 11 , the method comprising the steps of:
- tightly inserting at least the nozzle (16) of said filling valve (12) into a container;
- delivering the liquid product (P), supplied by said liquid product supply line (14), into said container;
- closing the nozzle (16) of said filling valve (12) while it is still tightly inserted into said container, so as to block the supplying of said liquid product (P) into said container;
- allowing passage of said sterile fluid (S) through said sterile fluid supply line (18) and said sterile fluid connection conduit (20), so as to deliver said sterile fluid (S) to said nozzle (16);
- generating vacuum (V) into said sterile fluid connection conduit (20), so as to drying said nozzle (16) by removing residual product and/or condensate drops from said nozzle (16);
- removing the dry nozzle (16) of said filling valve (12) from the container, so as to avoiding the risk of dripping into said container and/or into said sterile area (A); and
- discharging said residual product and/or condensate drops, through said venturi (26) and said fluid drainage conduit (22).
PCT/EP2023/082739 2022-11-25 2023-11-22 Filling device for filling containers with liquid products WO2024110549A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22425056.3A EP4375230A1 (en) 2022-11-25 2022-11-25 Filling device for filling containers with liquid products
EP22425056.3 2022-11-25

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2024110549A1 true WO2024110549A1 (en) 2024-05-30

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2023/082739 WO2024110549A1 (en) 2022-11-25 2023-11-22 Filling device for filling containers with liquid products

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EP (1) EP4375230A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2024110549A1 (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1171295B (en) * 1962-03-14 1964-05-27 Holstein & Kappert Maschf Process and filling element for filling liquids
EP0919472A1 (en) 1997-11-28 1999-06-02 Sasib Processing & Seaming Machinery S.p.a. Anti-drip nozzle in a filling machine for oily liquid products
EP0906888B1 (en) * 1997-09-18 2001-07-11 SEZ Semiconductor-Equipment Zubehör für die Halbleiterfertigung AG Device for preventing dripping of liquid from a dispensing orifice
US6311742B1 (en) 1997-09-01 2001-11-06 Opw Fueling Components Europe B.V. Fuel dispensing nozzle with anti-drip valve and venturi located in downstream end of the nozzle
EP1731426B1 (en) * 2005-06-10 2007-08-22 INDAG Gesellschaft für Industriebedarf mbH & Co. Betriebs KG Method and apparatus for filling liquids into plastic bags with a spout

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1171295B (en) * 1962-03-14 1964-05-27 Holstein & Kappert Maschf Process and filling element for filling liquids
US6311742B1 (en) 1997-09-01 2001-11-06 Opw Fueling Components Europe B.V. Fuel dispensing nozzle with anti-drip valve and venturi located in downstream end of the nozzle
EP0906888B1 (en) * 1997-09-18 2001-07-11 SEZ Semiconductor-Equipment Zubehör für die Halbleiterfertigung AG Device for preventing dripping of liquid from a dispensing orifice
EP0919472A1 (en) 1997-11-28 1999-06-02 Sasib Processing & Seaming Machinery S.p.a. Anti-drip nozzle in a filling machine for oily liquid products
EP1731426B1 (en) * 2005-06-10 2007-08-22 INDAG Gesellschaft für Industriebedarf mbH & Co. Betriebs KG Method and apparatus for filling liquids into plastic bags with a spout

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