WO2010076816A1

WO2010076816A1 - Filling valve

Info

Publication number: WO2010076816A1
Application number: PCT/IT2008/000804
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lucio Conforti
Original assignee: Sidel S.P.A.
Priority date: 2008-12-29
Filing date: 2008-12-29
Publication date: 2010-07-08
Also published as: CN102333720A; BRPI0823401A2; MX2011007023A; EP2373569A1; CN102333720B

Abstract

There is disclosed a filling valve (10, 10') for filling a container (4) with a pourable food product, comprising a filling head (12) displaceable from and towards the container (4) along an axis (A) between a filling position and a resting position, and defining a first fluidic line (19, 24), through which the pourable food product may flow and which is fluidically connectable to a filling mouth (5) of the container (4); a second fluidic line (39b) fluidically connectable with the mouth (5) of the container (4) and through which an air flow from the container (4) may flow; a flange (20, 20' ) connected in a releasable manner with the filling head (12), defining a through hole (35) for the pourable food product within the container (4); the through hole (35) being fluidically connectable in a selective manner with the first fluidic line (19, 24); and a distributor (40, 40') adapted to interact with the pourable food product and through which the pourable food product may flow; the distributor (40, 40') is borne by the flange (20, 20') and engages through hole (35).

Description

FILLING VALVE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a filling valve adapted to fill containers with a pourable food product, for instance fruit juices, tea or energy drinks.

BACKGROUND ART

Filling machines are known, comprising a filling station fed with empty containers and adapted to provide containers ^'filled with the pourable food product.

The filling station substantially comprises a carousel rotating about a rotation axis, a tank containing the pourable food product, and a plurality of filling valves which are fiuidically connected with the tank and are supported by the carousel in a radially external position with respect to the rotation axis of the carousel.

In greater detail, the carousel is fitted with a plurality of support elements for the containers provided to arrange container mouths in a position below the respective valves and handle the containers along an arc-shaped path about said rotation axis integrally with the respective valves. Each filling valve substantially comprises a carousel fastening body and a filling head which may slide from and towards the fastening body along a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the carousel to move towards and away from the container.

The filling head of each valve comprises a filling duct fluidically connected with the tank, a flange defining an opening facing the mouth of the respective container and cooperating with a neck portion of the respective container, and a shutter element displaceable within the duct between a closed position, in which it prevents the pourable food product from reaching the opening and an open position, in which it fluidically connects the duct and the opening allowing the pourable food product to reach the opening.

In greater detail, the shutter element is provided on its outer surface with a plurality of walls twisted with respect to an axis of the shutter element and projecting within the duct. Tnese walls are adapted to ensure that even particularly viscous food products adhere to the outer walls of the container, thus leading the filling of the container to be particularly effective . In use, the filling head of each valve translates towards the corresponding container with the shutter element in the closed position until the filling mouth of the corresponding container is centred on the flange.

Subsequently, the shutter element is displaced in the open position and the corresponding container is filled.

During the step of filling the container,' the air contained in the container flows through a through-hole defined by the shutter element and reaches the tank.

Once the filling is completed, the shutter element is shifted in the open position and the filling head moves away from the corresponding container. The valves of the known type perform a so-called "contact" filling of the containers. In other terms, the shutter element is in contact with the viscous food product at least upon completion of the filling process. This limits the use of the filling valves of the aforementioned type to the filling of "hot" food products, i.e. at temperatures in the range between sixty and ninety degrees centigrade upon filling. As a matter a fact, the impurities which could remain in the pourable food product due to the contact with the shutter element are sterilized at these temperatures.

A need is felt in the industry to provide filling valves ensuring a correct filling of the containers and, at the same time, to make the filling machines especially flexible in respect of at least one parameter between filling temperature of the aforementioned pourable food product and configuration of a neck portion defining the mouth of the container.

DISCLOSUKfci Ui:¹ HNVbNl¹IUN It is the object of the present invention to provide a filling valve allowing to meet the aforementioned need in a simple and cost-effective manner. The aforementioned object is achieved by the present invention as it relates to a filling valve as defined in claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Two preferred embodiments are hereinafter disclosed for a better understanding of the present invention, by way of non-limitative example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - figures 1 to 3 are diagrammatic views of a first embodiment of a filling valve made according to the invention in subsequent operative positions;

- figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of a second embodiment of a filling valve made according to the invention;

- figures 5 and 6 are perspective views according to different visual angles of the first embodiment of the filling valve of figures 1 to 3, with parts removed for clarity; and - figures 7 and 8 are perspective views according to different visual angles of the second embodiment of the filling valve according to the invention, with parts removed for clarity.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to figures 1 to 3, numeral 1 indicates a filling machine limitedly to a station for filling containers 4 with a pourable food product. In greater detail, the filling station is fed with empty containers 4 and fills them with the pourable food product .

The filling station comprises: - a tank 2a containing a pourable food product;

- a tank 2b containing a recirculating fluid, for example air;

- a carousel rotating about a vertical axis and bearing a protruding plurality of support elements 3, such as arms, (only one of which is f shown) for respective containers 4; and

- a plurality of filling valves 10 (only one of which is shown in figures 1 to 3) adapted to fill respective containers 4 with the pourable food product and rotated by the carousel.

Non-limitative examples of the pourable food product consist of fruit juices, tea or energy drinks. In particular, each container 4 comprises: a mouth 5 adapted to allow the filling of container 4 by means of the filling machine and the following pouring of the food product from container 4;

- a bottom wall 8 opposite to mouth 5; and

- a neck portion 6 arranged adjacent to mouth 5, aiiu which is limited at its top by the mouth 5 and at its base by a ring I₁ so that the ring 7 of each container 4 is arranged below mouth 5.

Non-limitative examples of the material containers 4 are glass or plastic or carton. Each support element 3 comprises, in particular, an appendix 9 with a gripping part or a holding part arranged to partially surround neck portion 6 of container 4 so as to support ring 7 of container 4. Gripping part or holding part of appendix 6 of each support element 3 maintains the respective containers 4 in an upright position below valve 10. Thereby, the filling of containers 4 takes place by gravity.

In a preferred embodiment, appendices 9 are housed in an aseptic environment, so that said respective containers 4 are filled in an aseptic environment.

For the sake of simplicity, in the following description, reference will be made to a single valve 10. Valve 10 substantially comprises a plate 11 borne by a radial arm of the carousel, a filling head 12 slideable with respect to the plate along an axis A parallel with respect to the axis of the carousel so as to move towards or away from container 4, and a flange 20 connected in a releasable manner with filling head 12 and intended to be centred on neck portion 6 of container 4.

Filling head 12 substantially comprises: an element 15 slidingly and sealingly housed along axis A within a cavity 16 defined by a plate 17 which is fixed with respect to axis A;

- a main body 18 elastically connected to -plate 11, defining a duct 19 fluidically connected with tank 2a, and having a first axial end connected (not shown) with element 15 and a second axial end, opposite to the first axial end, connected in a releasable manner with flange 20; and - a shutter element 21 slideable with respect to main body 18 and elastically connected to a cross member 22 of main body 18.

More precisely, cavity 16 is connected with first feeding means for a pressurised fluid by means of a duct 17' passing tnrougn piate 17, and element 15 closes cavity 16 on the side of flange 20.

Thereby, when the pressure in cavity 16 is increased, filling head 12 and flange 20 move- towards container 4 translating in a direction parallel to axis A until they reach a lowered position shown in figures 2 and 3.

Similarly, when the pressure in cavity 16 decreases, filling head 12 and flange 20 move away from container 4 translating parallelly to axis A until they reach a lifted position shown in figure 1.

Main body 18 substantially and integrally comprises :

- cross member 22;

- a main portion 23 of axis A delimited by cross member 22 and flange 20 respectively on the side of element 15 and on the opposite side of element 15; and a C-shaped end portion 25 arranged on the opposite side of cross member 22 with respect to main portion 23, and connected with element 15.

Duct 19 protrudes from main portion 23 laterally to axis A.

Cross member 22 and main portion 23 define a cavity 24 slidingly engaged by shutter element 21, fluidically connected with tank 2b by means of duct 19, and intended to be filled with the pourable food product.

Cavity 24 is open on the opposite side of cross member 22 and substantially comprises, from cross member 22 towards flange 20:

- a main cylindrical segment 26; a frustoconical segment 27 tapered on the opposite side of segment 26; and

- a pair of cylindrical segments 29a, 29b (Figures 1 to 6) .

In particular, segment 29a has a diameter shorter than segment 29b and is joined to segment 29b by means of a bevel shown in figures 5 to 8.

End 25, in particular, comprises a first wall parallel to and spaced from axis A, a second wall perpendicular to axis A and through which axis A passes, and a third wall parallel to the first wall and shorter than the first wall.

Main portion 23 further defines a shoulder 13 connected to plate 11 by means of a helical spring 14 having axis A.

Flange 20 extends symmetrically with respect to axis A. Flange 20 further substantially comprises a head surface 31a housed within segment 29b, a side surface 32 radially external with respect to axis A, and a radially internal side surface 33. Internal side surface 33 comprises, in particular, an alternating plurality of radial projections 49 adapted to cooperate with a threading of neck portion 6 of container 4 and of through-slots 50 adapted to allow the outflow of the air contained in container 4 outside flange 20 during the step of filling (figures 5 and 6) .

Flange 20 further comprises a shoulder 38 protruding from head surface 31 towards cross member 22, engaging the axial end of main portion 23 opposite to cross member 22 and defining a through-hole 35 fluidically communicating with cavity 24.

Flange 20 finally comprises a head surface 31b opposite to head surface 31a.

Internal side surface 33 defines a cavity 36 arranged on the opposite side of hole 35 with respect to main portion 23. In particular, cavity 36 is open towards hole 35 and on the side opposite to hole 35 and has a greater radial size with respect to axis A than hole 35.

Shutter element 21 comprises a stem 34 that passes through a hole of cross member 22 and is elastically connected to cross member 22 by means of a helical spring 47 having axis A, and an element 48 integral with stem 34 and slideable within a cavity 37 defined by end portion 25 of main body 18.

Stem 34 has an end 39a opposite to element 48 having a frustoconical configuration tapered towards flange 20 and corresponding to segment 27 of cavity 24. Stem 34 is also adapted to sealingly abut against the surface of main portion 23 delimiting segment 27.

Stem 34 is hollow and an air extraction duct 39b connected with tank 2b (only diagrammatically shown) ^"coaxially passes through stem 34. Cavity 37 is connected with second feeding means for a pressurised fluid by means of a duct passing through end portion 25 and element 48 is arranged on the side of cavity 16 facing towards container 4.

In this manner, when the pressure in cavity 37 is increased, shutter element 21 moves towards container 4 translating in a direction parallel to axis A until a closed position is reached (figure 2) . In this closed position, end 39a of stem 34 sealingly comes in abutment against segment 27 of cavity 24. In this situation, the pourable food product may not flow from cavity 24 towards flange 20.

Similarly, when the pressure in cavity 37 decreases, shutter 21 moves away from container 4 translating parallelly to axis A until an open position is reached (figure 3), in which it allows the pourable food product to flow from "cavity 24 towards flange 20.

Duct 19 and cavity 24 define a first fluidic line for the pourable food product. This first fluidic line is fluidically connected with mouth 5 of container 4 during the step of filling the same, i.e. when filling head 12 is in the lowered position and shutter element 21 is in the open position. Otherwise, when shutter element 21 is in the closed position, it prevents the pourable food product from flowing from the first fluidic line to mouth 5 of container 4.

Duct 39b defines a second fluidic line, through which the air contained in container 4 flows during the step of filling the_^same, i.e. when filling head 12 is in the lowered position and shutter element 21 is in the open position.

Each valve 10 comprises a distributor 40, through which the pourable food product may flow.

Advantageously, distributor 40 is borne by flange 20 and engages hole 35.

In the case shown, distributor 40 is tubular and made of plastic material, and flange 20 is made of steel.

In particular, distributor 41) is delimited in a radially external position with respect to axis A by a tubular wall 41 having axis A and in a radially internal position with respect to axis A by a cylindrical wall 42 also having axis A (figures 5 or 6) .

Distributor 40 further comprises a pair of cylindrical walls 43 having axis A, arranged radially internal to axis A with respect to wall 41, and arranged radially external to axis A with respect to wall 42.

Distributor 40 further comprises a plurality of walls 44 radial with respect to axis A and extending from wall 42 to wall 41.

The intersection of walls 41, 42, 43 with wall 44 defines a plurality of through-meshes 45, through which the pourable food product flows, when shutter element 21 is in the open position. Preferably, meshes 45 have a size such as to allow a homogeneous flow of pourable food product when shutter 21 is in the open position and filling head 12 is in the lowered position. Meshes 45 have a size such as to also trap, in virtue of their surface tension, the drops of pourable food product just after shutter element 21 has reached the closed position.

The axial extent of distributor 40 in an axial direction is shorter than the axial extent of flange 20. Flange 20 is further configured so that, when shutter 21 is in the open position and filling head 12 is in the lowered position, cavity 36 is at least partially- engaged by neck portion 6 of container 4 and distributor 40 is placed above and at a distance from mouth 5 of container 4 in a direction parallel to axis A (figures 5 and 6) .

In this manner, distributor 40 is never in contact with the pourable food product contained in container 4 during the filling of container 4. Therefore, distributor 40 allows to perform a "contact-free" filling of container 4, especially suitable to fill container 4 with a room-temperature pourable food product. Distributor 40 and flange 20 are reciprocally connected in a releasable manner.

More precisely, wall 41 further comprises a main cylindrical portion 46 and a shoulder 51 having a radial size slightly greater than the radial size of portion 46 and intended to cooperate with a stop edge (not shown) of hole 35 to lock distributor 40 within the hole itself.

The operation of valve 10 is disclosed from a condition shown in figure 1 in which filling head 12 is in the lifted position and shutter element 21 is in the closed position.

Subsequently, the first feeding means of a pressurised fluid increase the pressure in cavity 16 determining the translation of filling head 12 along axis A towards container 4.

During this translation, spring 14 shortens whereas shutter element 21 remains in the closed position.

When the translation is completed, the filling head is in the lowered position (figure 2), in which flange 20 is centred on neck portion 6 of container 4 and distributor 40 is axially spaced from mouth 5 of container 4.

At this point, the second feeding means of a pressurised fluid reduce the pressure in cavity 37, determining the lifting along direction A of shutter element 21 with respect to filling head 12.

This lifting determines the shortening of spring 47 and fluidically connects cavity 24 with meshes ₁45 of distributor 40, allowing the pourable food product to flow through mouth 5 and fill container 4.

During the filling of container 4, air flows out of the circular crown of mouth 5 positioned radially external to distributor 40 with respect to axis A and escapes by means of slots 50 of flange 20.

With reference to figures 4, 7 and 8, numeral 10' indicates a filling valve according to another embodiment of the invention. Valve 10' is similar to valve 10 and will be disclosed hereinafter only insofar as it differs from the latter; corresponding parts or equivalents of valves 10,, 10' will be indicated, where possible, by the same reference numerals. Valve 10' differs from valve 10 in that distributor 40' substantially comprises: a cylindrical duct 42' with axis A having a segment 44' engaging duct 39b and a second segment 45', axially opposite to segment 44', housed within neck portion 6 of container 4, when filling head 12 is in the lowered position and shutter element 21 is in the closed position (figures 7 and 8); a tubular wall 43' engaging hole 35 and surrounding a segment 46' axially interposed between segments 44', 45' of duct 42' at a distance; and

- a plurality of walls 47' protruding from segments 45' , 46' on the opposite side of axis A.

Each wall 47' substantially comprises:

- a portion 48' lying on a plane parallel and skew with respect to axis A, and interposed between segment 46' and wall 43' ; and - a portion 49' protruding from segment 45', lying on a plane inclined with respect to portion 48' and transversal with respect to axis A.

Each consecutive pair of walls 47' thereby defines a duct 50' through which the pourable food product flows from cavity 24 to container 4. Each duct 50' extends partially parallel to axis A and partially transversal to axis A. Ducts 50' are also angularly equally spaced with respect to axis A.

The axial extent of segment 45' is such that a first axial end of segment 45' opposite to segment 44' is slightly above head surface 31b of flange 20' opposite to head surface 31a.

Therefore, when filling head 12 is in the lowered position, the first axial end of segment 45' is within neck portion 6 and below mouth 5. Once the filling of container 4 has been completed, the first axial end of segment 45' is in contact with the pourable food product contained in container 4. In other terms, distributor 40' allows to perform a

"contact" filling of container 4. This "contact" filling is especially suitable to fill container 4 with hot pourable food products, i.e. at temperatures in the range between ^80 and 95 degrees centigrade.

Wall 43' further comprises a main cylindrical portion 49' and a shoulder 51' having a radial size slightly greater than the radial size of portion 49' and intended to cooperate with hole 35 to lock distributor 40' within hole 35.

Flange 20' differs from flange 20 in that it comprises a gasket 52' (figure 7) housed in cavity 36 and sealingly cooperating with wall 43' .

Valve 10 may easily be converted to valve 10' replacing flange 20 and distributor 40 respectively with flange 20' and distributor 40' .

The operation of valve 10' is disclosed only insofar as it differs from the operation of valve 10.

In particular, when filling head 12 is in the_' lowered position, side surface 33 of flange 20' couples with the threading_' of neck portion 6 of container 4 and the first axial end of segment 45' is within neck portion 6 and at a level below mouth 5.

During the step of filling container 4, i.e. when filling head 12 is in the lowered position and shutter element 21 is in the open position, the pourable food product flows through ducts 50' whereas the air contained in container 4 flows through duct 42' and reaches extraction duct 39b.

Thereby, when filling of container 4 has been completed, the first axial end of segment 45' is in contact with the pourable food product in container 4.

In particular, the configuration of ducts 50' allows to bring even very viscous products in contact with the side surface of container 4, thus optimising the filling of container 4. From an analysis of the features of filling valves 10, 10' made according to the present invention, the advantages it allows to obtain are apparent.

In particular, filling valves 10, 10' make filling machine 1 particularly flexible both in respect of the temperature of the pourable food product during the step of filling containers 4 to be filled and in respect of the size of neck portion 6 of containers 4 to be filled.

As a matter a fact, in virtue of the fact that distributor 40, 40' is borne by flange 20, 20', container 4 may be filled both with a pourable food product at room temperature according to the "contact- free" mode and with a food product at a high temperature employing the same feeding head 12 according to the "contact" mode. As a matter a fact, when container 4 must be filled with a pourable food product -at room temperature, distributor 40 is fixed to flange 20. ϊn this case, container 4 is filled according to a "contact-free" mode .

Differently, when container 4 must be filled with a pourable food product at a high temperature, distributor 40' is fixed to flange 20' . In this case, container 4 is filled according to a "contact" mode.

Furthermore, the same filling head 12 may be used to fill containers 4 having neck portions 6 with different size and configuration.

For this purpose, it is sufficient to mount flange^"" 20, 20' with distributor 40, 40' having size suitable to fill container 4 on filling head 12.

Finally, the configuration of meshes 45 allows to maintain the flow of the pourable food product homogeneous enough during the step of filling container 4 and to trap the surface product within meshes 45 just after shutter element 21 reaches the closed position.

Finally, it is apparent that modifications and variants not departing from the scope of protection of the claims may be made to filling valve 10, 10' . In particular, flange 20 could only surround neck portion 6 at a distance instead of being centred thereon.

Claims

1. A filling _^valve (10, 10') for filling a container (4) with a pourable food product, comprising:

- a filling head (12) displaceable from and towards said container (4) along an axis (A) between a filling position and a resting position, and defining a first fluidic line (19, 24), through which said pourable food product may flow and which may be fluidically connected to a filling mouth (5) of said container (4); a second fluidic line (39b) fluidically connectable to said mouth (5) of said container (4) and through which an air flow from the container (4) may flow;

- a flange (20, 20') connected in a releasable manner to said filling head (12) and defining a through hole (35) for said pourable food product within said container (4); said through hole (35) being fluidically connectable in a selective manner with said first fluidic line (19, 24); and - a distributor (40, 40') adapted to interact with said pourable food product and through which said pourable food product may flow; characterised in that said distributor (40, 40' ) is borne by said flange (20, 20' ) and engages said through hole (35).

2. The filling valve according to claim 1, characterised in that said distributor (40, 40') engages in a releasable manner said through hole (35) of said flange (20, 20' ) .

3. The filling valve according to claim 2, characterised in that said distributor (40, 40' ) comprises a main portion (46, 49') engaging said through hole (35) and a shoulder (51, 51') adapted to abut against a stop surface defined by said flange (20, 20' ) .

4. The filling valve according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said distributor (40, 40') is made of plastic material.

5. The filling valve according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that, in said filling position of said filling head (12), said flange (20) is adapted to surround a neck portion (6) of said container (4) defining said mouth (5); and in that said distributor (40) is housed within said flange (20) so that it is spaced from said pourable food product during the whole filling of said container (4).

6. The filling valve according to claim 5, characterised in that said distributor (40) comprises a plurality of meshes (45), through which said pourable food product may flow; each of said meshes (45) being delimited by a pair of segments of respective cylindrical walls (41, 42, 43) coaxial to said axis (A) and by a pair of flat walls (44) which are radial with respect to said axis (A) .

7. The filling valve according to claim 6, characterised in that it comprises a shutter element (21) displaceable in a closed position, in which it prevents the fluidic connection between said distributor

(40) and said first fluidic line (19, 24); said mesh

(45) having a size such as to allow a homogeneous flow of said pourable food product during the filling of said container (4) and to trap said pourable food product after said shutter element (21) has reached said closed position.

8. The filling valve according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that, in said filling position of said filling head (12), said flange (20') is couplable with said container (4); said distributor (40') being housed within said flange (20' ) so as to be in contact with said pourable food product contained within said container (4) at least upon completion of said filling of the container [Af) .

9. The filling valve according to claim 8, characterised • in that said second fluidic line (39b) comprises at least one first duct (39b) fluidically connectable with said through hole (35), and in that said distributor (40') comprises a second duct (42') fluidically connectable with said first duct (39b) and said mouth (5) of said container (4) so as to allow the extraction of said air flow from said container (4), and at least one third duct (50') fluidically connectable with said first fluidic line (19, 24) and said mouth (5) to allow the filling of said container (4) .

10. The filling valve according to claim 9, characterised in that said third duct (50') comprises a first portion parallel to said first axis (A) and a second portion transversal to said first axis (A) .

11. The filling valve according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that said third duct (50' ) is arranged radially external to said second duct (42' ) with respect to said first axis (A) .

12. The filling valve according to claim 10 or 11,; characterised in that said second duct (42' ) is partially housed within said first duct (39b) and partially housable within said mouth (5) of said container (4 ) .

13. A filling machine (1) for filling containers (4) with a pourable food product, comprising:

- a station for filling said containers (4) with a pourable food product; a plurality of support elements (3) for respective containers (4); and - a plurality of filling valves (10, 10') according to any of claims 1 to 4 ; each of said containers (4) comprising a bottom wall (8)_, opposite to said mouth (5) ; each of said elements (3) being adapted to support, at said filling station, said respective container (4) and in a position in which said distributor (40, 40') of said respective filling valve

(10, 10' ) is arranged above said bottom wall (8) .

14. The filling machine according to claim 13, characterised in that said distributor (40, 40') is selected between a first distributor (40) housed within said flange (20) so as to be spaced from said pourable food product during the whole filling of said container (4), and a second distributor (40') housed within said flange (20' ) so as to be in contact with said pourable food product contained within said container (4) at least upon completion of said filling of the container (4).

15. The machine according to claim 13 or 14, characterised in that said flange (20) is selected so as to couple with a neck portion (6) of said respective container (4) having a specific diameter; said neck portion (6) defining said mouth (5).