Rotary filling machine for filling containers with liquids

Abstract

Rotary filling machine for filling containers with liquids, which comprises a rotating carousel (4) having, mounted along its periphery, a plurality of filling valves (6). Each filling valve (6) has an outer pipe (7) for supplying the liquid from a storage tank (20) to a container (30) to be filled with said liquid, and an inner compensation pipe (8) for defining the liquid level inside said container (3) mounted concentrically with the outer pipe (7). Actuator means are envisaged for each filling valve (6) and, by means of transmission means (101), vary simultaneously and in an adjustable manner the vertical position of the compensation pipes (8) of all the filling valves (6) with respect to the position of a seal (13) mounted underneath the tank (20) so as to receive against it the mouth of the containers (3).

Description

FIELD OF APPLICATION[0001]The present invention relates to a rotary filling machine for filling containers with liquids, according to the preamble of the main claim.[0002]The machine in question is advantageously intended to be used in industrial bottling plants for filling containers, and preferably bottles, with liquids in particular of the alimentary type, such as beverages, wine, mineral water, etc.[0003]The machine in question can be preferably used in bottling lines comprising typically a rinsing machine, a capping / capsuling machine or also, along the part of the line furthest downstream, a labelling machine and a packaging machine.[0004]More precisely, the machine in question is of the type which is provided, in a per se entirely conventional manner, with a rotating carousel (or turret) having, mounted along its periphery, a plurality of filling valves which are able to convey the liquid contained in a cylindrical tank inside the bottles.STATE OF THE ART[0005]As is known, dep...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0025]In this situation, the main object of the present invention is therefore that of overcoming the drawbacks of the art known hitherto by providing a rotary filling machine for filling containers with liquids, which allows a change in format of the containers to be performed simply and rapidly.

[0026]Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotary filling machine for filling containers with liquids, which allows adjustment of the level in the containers to be performed automatically and with a high degree of precision and reliability.

[0027]Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotary filling machine for filling containers with liquids, which allows changing of the specific settings for each user, relating to the parameters associated with the bottles, the product and the filling temperature.

[0028]Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotary filling machine for filling containers with liquids, which allows optimization of the flushing operations as regards speed and working times and quality of flushing performed.

[0029]Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotary filling machine for filling containers with liquids, which allows the operator to switch over easily via a control panel the operating cycle envisaged between reduced-vacuum filling, reduced-pressure filling and finally gravity filling.

[0030]Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotary filling machine for filling containers with liquids, which is extremely safe for operators and highly reliable in terms of operation.

Problems solved by technology

These adaptation operations performed by the operator result in production downtime, the risk of contaminating the machine and generally allow only separate and not continuous adjustment which is therefore by its nature somewhat imprecise.

This adjustment is achieved by means of overly complex mechanisms which slow down circulation of the liquids, increasing the loss of head therein and basically proving to be too expensive from a cost point of view and operationally disadvantageous.

This fact results in numerous drawbacks, including a loss of productivity due to the momentary stoppage of production along the whole bottling line (until the adjustment operations have been completed) and the risk of contaminating the container filling parts.

Another drawback associated with the format change-over operations consists in the need for the company to provide competent and expert technicians who are able to manage correctly and quickly all the above-mentioned adjustment operations.

Finally a further drawback consists in the risk that the operator may perform inadvertently an incorrect manoeuvre which may result in a major malfunction and therefore also serious damage to the entire line.

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