Filling method, filling line and filling kit for filling container with viscous fluid, in particular battery with electrolyte

Abstract

The invention relates to a filling method and a filling line (1) in which a plurality of filling units (2) are recirculated in the filling line (1) along a closed path (P2), each filling unit (2) being adapted to contain a required volume of fluid for filling a respective container (C), the plurality of filling units (2) being temporarily integral with the respective container (C) along a portion of the closed path (P2), and the respective containers (C) are autonomously filled at a buffer station (110) for a longer time than is required for filling the same volume of fluid into the filling unit, so that the filling unit can be filled at a filling station (13) separate from the buffer station (110) at a normal production speed of the line. Downstream of the buffer station (110), the emptied filling unit is separated from the respective filled container (C) and is filled with a new volume of fluid in order to transfer it autonomously at the buffer station (110) to another respective container (C).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a filling method and a filling line for filling a container with a fluid that is slowly introduced into the container, for example with a dense fluid, a semi-liquid (gel) or any fluid for which the container offers a resistance to filling, for example because the container is provided with a plurality of voids inside that are to be filled with the fluid. In particular, the invention is suitable for filling batteries with electrolytes.

[0002] In the field of filling containers with liquids or semi-liquids, a filling station may be required to operate at a preset production speed, so that the filling station can be inserted into a production line operating at this speed.

[0003] However, certain, particularly high production rates, for example of the order of magnitude of several hundred containers per minute, cannot always be achieved if the actual time required to fill a container with the required volume of fluid is significantly longer than the time theoretically required to meet the production rate required by the filling station.

[0004] Such a difference between the actual filling time and the required theoretical time may occur, for example, when the filling fluid is dense and / or viscous (e.g. if it is semi-liquid) and / or when the container contains internal voids that need to be filled. A typical case is a battery, which needs to be filled with an electrolyte solution and contains electrodes that divide the internal volume of the container into various voids, which are sometimes very thin.

[0005] One example of such a battery is a cylindrical battery, which includes a cylindrical container body containing a membrane (anode, cathode, and insulator) wound in a reel, and the time for filling it with electrolyte is about several minutes, for example, 10 minutes.

[0006] If the production line requires a filling rate of N containers per minute, the filling station of the production line will need to have a number of filling taps equal to N*t, where "t" is the time required for filling a single container, expressed in minutes. In the example of batteries, when it takes 10 minutes to fill each container with electrolyte, in order to fill 300 batteries per minute, 3000 taps are required, for example arranged around a continuously rotating filling carousel.

[0007] It is obvious that such solutions require a considerable footprint and such high costs and complexity that they are not practically possible to provide a high-speed filling station when the time required for filling a container is long, in particular of the order of several minutes.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a filling method and a filling line which are able to improve the prior art in one or more of the above aspects.

[0009] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to fill containers at a high rate, in particular in the order of hundreds of containers per minute (for example between 100 and 600 containers per minute), even if the time required for filling a single container is high, in particular in the order of several minutes (for example 2 to 10 minutes).

[0010] A specific object of the invention is to perform the above filling while keeping the space occupation of the filling station substantially small, for example by using a filling carousel of a diameter and a number of taps that are common in the filling carousel sector (for example in the order of several dozen taps).

[0011] Another object is to enable the line to be used for filling different volumes of fluid, for example based on the capacity of the container to be filled or based on the type of fluid.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the background art in a way that replaces any existing solutions.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a filling method and a filling line which are highly reliable, easy to implement and low in cost.

[0014] This object and these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a method according to claim 1 , optionally provided with one or more of the features of the dependent claims.

[0015] This aim and purpose of the invention is likewise achieved by a filling line according to claim 8 and a filling kit, in particular for a buffer station, according to claim 19 , optionally provided with one or more of the features of the dependent claims.

[0016] In short, a plurality of filling units, each of which is suitable for containing the volume of fluid required to fill a respective container, recirculates in a filling line along a path (preferably closed), temporarily becoming integrated with the respective containers along a portion of this path and filling these containers autonomously at a buffer station of the line, in a longer time than would be required to fill each of said filling units with the same volume of fluid. Thus, the filling units can be filled at a filling station in the same line at a preset production speed that the line needs to have. Downstream of the buffer station, the emptied filling unit is separated from the respective filling container and can be filled with a new volume of fluid at the aforementioned filling station in order to autonomously transfer such volume again at the buffer station to another respective container.

[0017] An “off-line” filling kit may be defined essentially by a filling unit together with a puck for conveying the containers and mutual fixing means temporarily integrating the filling unit and the puck.

[0018] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 Shows a filling line according to the present invention; - Figure 2a-2b They are shown respectively Figure 1 the paths of the containers and the paths of the filling units in the working line; - Figure 3 is a perspective view of a filling kit according to a first embodiment of the present invention; - Figure 4 yes Figure 3 An axial cross-sectional view of the kit in FIG. - Figure 5 Corresponding to the previous figure, but with the filling unit fixed to the disc containing the container; - Figure 6 Corresponding to the previous figure, but with the fixing means activated to form an integral assembly according to the first embodiment of the invention; - Figure 7 is a perspective view of the overall assembly at the end of filling of the container; - Figure 8 is another perspective view of the overall assembly of the previous figure; - Fig. 9 yes Figure 7 An axial cross-sectional view of the overall assembly; - Fig.10 is an axial cross-sectional view when a filling unit of a kit according to a second embodiment of the invention is associated with a filling nozzle; - Fig.11 is a cross-sectional view of the filling unit of the previous figure during its filling; - Fig.12 is a cross-sectional view of the filling unit in the previous figure at the end of its filling; - Fig.13 is an axial cross-sectional view of a filling unit received from a coupling station in a second embodiment of the present invention; - Fig.14 is an axial cross-sectional view of the integrated assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention during the generation of a vacuum in a container; - Fig.15 is a cross-sectional view of the whole assembly of the preceding figure at the end of the step of creating a vacuum; - Fig.16 is a cross-sectional view of the overall assembly of the previous figure during the injection of pressurized gas into the filling unit; - Fig.17 is a cross-sectional view of the overall assembly of the previous figure at the end of the filling of the container and before the step of separation from the filling unit.

[0019] With reference to the accompanying drawings, a filling line according to the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 1, comprises a first path P1 for conveying a series of containers C to be filled, preferably in a continuous motion, from an inlet 10, where they enter the line, to an outlet 11, where they leave the line 1, filled with a predetermined volume of fluid (also indicated herein as C'). The inlet 10 and the outlet 11 are traversed by linear conveyors 10a and 11a, respectively, known per se, such as belt conveyors, chain conveyors or screw feeders.

[0020] The filling fluid may be any liquid or semi-liquid and may be dense and / or viscous. However, the invention is particularly suitable for filling fluids that are slowly introduced into the container C due to a specific density / viscosity of the fluid or due to the presence of obstacles and / or voids in the container that slow down its filling. The density may be, for example, 1.2 g / cm 3 and 1.3 g / cm 3 between.

[0021] The container C may also be of any type, but in particular it may be of a type comprising in its interior a plurality of obstacles, compartments and / or voids which slow down the filling of the container with the fluid.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fluid is an electrolyte for a battery, such as an electrolytic gel, and the container C supplied at the inlet 10 is a container for a battery (e.g., for a cylindrical, prismatic or pouch-shaped battery), which has anode and cathode plates inside and other materials and components that optionally occupy the space inside the container C, thereby hindering the rapid introduction of the original electrolyte. The container C can have a cylindrical shape with a circular base, as shown in the drawings, or a prismatic or pouch shape, in which plates (not shown) of anode, cathode and other materials (e.g., insulator) are rolled to form a single multilayer roll inside the container C.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each container C along the first path P1 is advantageously housed in a respective transport disc 3 or 3', which is a beaker-shaped body open above at its edge 31 or 31', so as to allow the container C to slide (automatically) into the disc through the edge 31, 31', leaving its upper inlet 30 exposed, and to be stable during the various operations along the entire first conveying path P1. The disc 3, 3' is preferably suitable for being integral with the container C along the entire first path P1 by means of an interference fit coupling and / or a form fit coupling with the outer surface of the container C, but preferably leaving at least one transverse gap 36, 36', so as to allow the creation of a vacuum in the container C before filling it and / or so as to allow the cleaning of the container C before and / or after filling it with a fluid. For example, the disc 3, 3' may also have a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0024] The disk 3, 3' may have a fixing surface on its side surface, for example in the form of at least one recess 32, 32' which, in the embodiment shown, is coaxial with the central axis of the disk and is advantageously annular. The fixing surface 32, 32' is preferably arranged near the upper edge 31, 31' of the disk 3, 3'.

[0025] In the second embodiment of the invention, the upper edge 31 ' of the disc 3' may further comprise a first gasket 37', such as a lip gasket, adapted to provide a gastight seal, such as an axial seal, against the filling unit 2' as will be described below with reference to the second embodiment.

[0026] On the end axially opposite to the edge 31, 31', the disc 3, 3' has a base 33, 33' suitable for providing internal support to the container C and / or in any case externally providing a resting surface for conveying the disc and therefore the container C along at least the first conveying path P1 or some sections thereof. The base 33, 33' may have at least one through hole 34, 34', for example in the center, to provide an optional access for cleaning the container C after it has been filled, or an optional ventilation opening during the insertion / removal of the container C relative to the disc 3, 3' and / or during the creation of a vacuum in the container C before it has been filled, as described below.

[0027] The base 33 of the disc 3 may optionally have an axial distance from the edge 31 that is smaller than the axial dimension of the container C, so as to optionally expose a portion of the side surface of the container C when the container C is fully slid into the disc 3. In a second embodiment of the invention, the axial distance between the base 33' and the edge 31' is substantially equal to the height of the container C and / or such that the container C does not protrude axially beyond the disc 3'.

[0028] The side surfaces of the disks 3, 3' may have enlarged radial portions 35, 35' which essentially act as radial spacers when the disks are placed side by side, in particular on a buffer station 110 described below.

[0029] The filling line 1 also comprises a second path P2 for conveying a series of filling units 2 or 2', according to which embodiments of the line are considered. The filling units 2, 2' are essentially taps, which can be moved along the second path P2, which is preferably a closed path and in any case at least partially superimposed on the first conveying path P1, so that in the superimposed section, the filling units 2, 2' and the corresponding containers C are superimposed on each other in the axial direction, i.e. parallel to a (vertical) direction substantially perpendicular to the floor on which the line 1 is installed. The filling units 2, 2' are preferably conveyed in a continuous movement along at least a part of the second path P2, in particular in the production assembly 100.

[0030] Each filling unit 2, 2' basically comprises a syringe-like body provided with a reservoir 21, 21' suitable for containing, in its internal first chamber 21a, 21a', a predetermined volume of fluid to be transferred to the respective container C. To this end, the reservoir 21, 21' comprises a bottom opening 20, 20' for the passage of the fluid, which bottom opening 20, 20' may have (but not necessarily) a diameter of the order of a few millimeters (e.g. 2-3 mm) and which may advantageously be connected to an upper inlet 30 of the respective container C, for example by providing the opening 20, 20' with a spout 20a, 20a' protruding outwardly from the reservoir 21, 21'.

[0031] In the first embodiment shown, the reservoir 21 is associated with a plunger 22 which can be axially moved relative to the reservoir 21 by means of a guide body 24 which is fixed to the reservoir 21, for example by means of a flange coupling as in the embodiment shown. In particular, the guide body 24 of the plunger 22 is provided with a tubular guide 242 which is coaxial with the reservoir 21 but outside the reservoir 21 and in which the plunger 22 is associated so that it can slide.

[0032] The plunger 22 comprises a piston 23 fixed thereto or integral therewith and which can slide in an airtight manner along the inner side wall of the reservoir 21 and divide the internal space of the reservoir into a first chamber 21a for containing the fluid to be transferred to the container C and a second chamber 21b for containing a pressurized gas (e.g. air) adapted to move the piston 23 in a direction of expanding the volume of the second chamber 21b by its expansion, while reducing the volume of the first chamber 21a of the reservoir 21, in such a way that the fluid leaves the opening 20. To this end, the plunger 22 comprises an internal coaxial channel 25 connected to the second chamber 21b and closed at the other end along the axis of the plunger 22 by a non-return valve 28 which can only be opened mechanically in order to introduce or discharge the gas into or out of the second chamber 21b of the reservoir 21.

[0033] In the second embodiment shown, the reservoir 21 ′ of the filling unit 2 ′ is associated with an internal rod 22 ′ which is axially movable relative to the reservoir 21 ′ and which passes through a guide body 24 ′ externally associated with the reservoir 21 ′.

[0034] The guide body 24' of the second embodiment is a substantially cylindrical rigid body mounted on the reservoir 21' so that the reservoir 21' is completely housed inside the guide body 24' and is slidably guided inside the guide body 24'. In particular, the guide body 24' is provided with a tubular guide 242' coaxial with and outside the tubular protrusion 210 of the reservoir 21', in which the rod 22' is slidably associated. The tubular protrusion 210 of the reservoir 21' passes through the tubular guide 242' until it protrudes axially out of such tubular guide 242'.

[0035] The tubular projection 210 also includes a retaining portion 211 that radially projects from a portion of the projection 210 that is outside the guide body 24'. The retaining portion 211 is adapted to be grasped by a mechanical lifting element 52, such as a cam surface that is in a fixed position relative to the filling carousel 130 (described below), or a lifting gripper that rotates integrally with the filling carousel 130.

[0036] The function of the rod 22' is to close the opening 20' of the reservoir 21' and, for this purpose, the rod 22' comprises a blocking end 22a' adapted to block the opening 20'. In contrast, the opposite end of the rod 22' comprises a radial protrusion 22b' adapted to be engaged on means for lifting the rod 22', such as another cam surface 51 arranged in a fixed position around the coupling turntable 140 (described below) or another lifting clamp rotating integrally with the coupling turntable 140.

[0037] The first piston 23' is slidably mounted on the rod 22' so as to be axially movable along the rod 22' and is adapted to provide a gas-tight seal against the inner surface of the reservoir 21 '.

[0038] The rod 22' further comprises a second piston 29' fixed thereto or integral therewith, coupled in an airtight manner to the inner surface of the reservoir 21' and positioned along the rod 22' such that the first piston 23' is inserted between the second piston 29' and the bottom of the reservoir 21' provided with the opening 20'.

[0039] In this way, the following are defined in the reservoir 21': a substantially cylindrical first chamber 21a' between the bottom of the reservoir 21' and the first piston 23', which is suitable for containing the fluid to be transferred to the container C; a substantially cylindrical second chamber 21b' between the two pistons 23' and 29', which is suitable for containing a pressurized gas (for example, pressurized air); and a substantially cylindrical third chamber 21c' between the second piston 29' and the tubular protrusion 210 of the reservoir 21', which is suitable for allowing the axial travel of the rod 22' away from the opening 20' of the reservoir 21'. In other words, when the blocked end 22a' of the rod 22' is axially separated from the opening 20' so as to make it free, the volume of the third chamber 21c' is reduced or substantially eliminated.

[0040] The sliding connection between the first piston 23' and the rod 22' allows pressurized gas to expand in the second chamber 21b' while the gas expands to move the two pistons 23' and 29' away from each other, thereby expanding the volume of the second chamber 21b' and reducing the volume of the first chamber 21a' and optionally the third chamber 21c' of the reservoir 21'.

[0041] To this end, the rod 22' comprises an internal coaxial channel 25' which is connected to the second chamber 21b' and which is closed at the other end along the axis of the rod 22' by a non-return valve 28' which can only be opened mechanically in order to introduce or discharge pressurized gas into the second chamber 21b' of the reservoir 21'.

[0042] In the second embodiment shown, the inner channel 25' of the rod 22' leads to the second chamber 21b' through a radial tube 251, which is preferably arranged adjacent to the lower surface of the second piston 29'. The first piston 23' advantageously comprises a sleeve 231 for guiding the piston 23' along the rod 22' and, on the top of the sleeve 231, is provided with one or more channels 232 for the passage of pressurized gas, which channels 232 are suitable for not hindering the communication of the second chamber 21b' with the channel 25', in particular when the first piston 23' is in (end stop) abutment against the second piston 29', i.e. when the first chamber 21a' is completely filled with the volume of fluid to be transferred to the container C or when the volume of the second chamber 21b' is minimal.

[0043] The rod 22' is also advantageously spring-loaded towards the opening 20', so as to keep it closed, for example using a first contrast spring 220 acting between the second piston 29' and an abutment 212 situated inside the tubular projection 210 of the reservoir 21' and outside the rod 22'.

[0044] A second radial sealing gasket 38 ′ may be interposed between the guide body 24 ′ and the reservoir 21 ′.

[0045] At least one second opposing spring 213 , for example of helical shape, may be located between the reservoir 21 ′ and the guide body 24 ′ in order to spring-load the reservoir 21 ′ axially away from the guide body 24 ′.

[0046] The kit formed by the filling unit 2 or 2 ′ and by the corresponding disc 3 or 3 ′ also comprises means for removably fixing 27 suitable for temporarily integrating the filling unit 2, 2 ′ and the container C with each other, and more particularly the filling unit 2, 2 ′ and the disc 3, 3 ′ (if present) with each other, and thus forming an integral assembly 4 or 4 ′, e.g. Figure 6-Figure 9 or Figure 14-17 The one shown in .

[0047] Means for removably fixing 27 (parts of which are indicated in the figures by the same reference numerals in view of their similarity in the two embodiments shown) are preferably associated with each packing unit 2 or 2', as in the embodiment shown, but they may alternatively be provided on the disc 3 or 3', if present.

[0048] The means 27 for removably fixing may be provided with one or more claws 271 , for example with a gripper formed by a plurality of said claws 271 which can be moved towards / away from each other around a central axis of the filling unit 2 or 2 ′.

[0049] In other embodiments not shown, the means for removably securing may use other snap-acting coupling means or perform securing by interference or by friction (eg, using a threaded coupling).

[0050] In the embodiment shown, each claw 271 is a rocker with a fulcrum 276, so as to swing relative to a horizontal axis, the fulcrum 276 being provided, for example, on a corresponding pair of lugs 26a-26b protruding from the reservoir 21 in the first embodiment, or on the outside of the guide body 24' in the second embodiment. Each claw 271 may have a hook 272 at one end, which is suitable for grasping the recess 32, 32' of the disc 3, 3', or directly grasping the container C in an embodiment in which no disc 3, 3' is used.

[0051] Each claw 271 can also be pivoted relative to the fulcrum 276 to a corresponding link 273 at the opposite arm. The link 273 is in turn hinged on a corresponding hinge eye 277 of a drive slide 274, which can advantageously move in a direction coaxial with the filling unit 2, 2'. For example, in a first embodiment, the drive slide 274 is mounted on a tubular guide 242 so as to be able to slide axially towards / away from the reservoir 21, i.e. relative to a flange of the guide body 24 fixed to the reservoir 21. In a second embodiment, the drive slide 274 is mounted on a tubular guide 242' of the guide body 24' so as to be able to slide axially towards / away from the reservoir 21'.

[0052] The mutual approach and spacing between the driving slider 274 and the guide body 24 (or 24') along the axial direction respectively cause the separation and fixation between the filling unit 2 (or 2') and the disc 3 (or 3'), that is, the mutual spacing and approach of the hooks 272 of the claws 271 along the corresponding axial planes respectively.

[0053] Furthermore, elastic return means are preferably provided for keeping the fixing means 27 elastically loaded in a locked state relative to the container C or relative to the disc 3, 3'. This makes it possible to couple the filling unit 2, 2' with the disc 3, 3' (if present) or with the container C by a snap-action, simply by bringing them together in the axial direction and thus obtaining an integral assembly 4, 4'.

[0054] In a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the present invention, in which the fixing device 27 is implemented by means of a gripper, the locked state is a state of minimum mutual distance between the hooks 272 relative to the central axis of the filling unit 2, 2', and the elastic return device is essentially composed of a compression spring 275, which is inserted between the drive slider 274 and the guide body 24 or 24' so as to prevent the drive slider 274 and the guide body 24 or 24' from approaching each other.

[0055] The drive slide 274 is advantageously realized with a multi-blade plate, so that the compression spring 275 is inserted between the respective blade of the slide 274 and the guide body 24, 24'. In addition, the blades of the drive slide 274 are optionally offset relative to the eyelets 277 for the articulated connecting rod 273, so that the area between one blade and the next does not hinder the movement of the pivot point of the connecting rod 273 and the respective claw 271 away from the guide body 24 or 24'.

[0056] According to a particular aspect of the invention, the conveying paths P1 and P2 pass through an assembly 100 for producing filled containers C filled with a predetermined volume of fluid and a buffer station 110 .

[0057] The production assembly 100 comprises a separation station 12, a filling station 13 for filling the filling units, downstream of the separation station (indicated by the arrow of the second path P2 with respect to the transport direction of the filling units 2), and a coupling station 14 downstream of the filling station 13. The stations 12-14 respectively comprise at least one separation carousel 120, at least one filling carousel 130 and at least one coupling carousel 140, each carousel being able to rotate around a central rotation axis 121, 131, 141, respectively, preferably in a continuous motion.

[0058] Each carousel 120, 130, 140 is provided with a plurality of gripping means 122, 132, 142 arranged along a peripheral area and adapted to hold at least one respective filling unit 2 or 2' (depending on the embodiment under consideration) during a rotation of the respective carousel. The gripping means 122, 132, 142 are angularly equidistant from one another around the respective central axis of rotation 121, 131, 141 so as to form a circumference. The pitch of the gripping means 122, 132, 142 around the respective central axis of rotation 121, 131, 141 is preferably equal for all carousels.

[0059] Turntables having gripping devices along their circumference are well known per se in the bottling industry.

[0060] Advantageously, transfer star wheels 101-106 are also arranged upstream and downstream (with respect to the transport direction of the paths P1 and / or P2) of each of the carousels 120, 130, 140. The transfer star wheels 101-106 also rotate, preferably in a continuous motion, about a respective rotation axis parallel to the central rotation axes 121, 131, 141 of the carousels 120, 130 and 140. The transfer star wheels 101-106 may be of the type having spigots arranged at a constant pitch about the rotation axis of the respective star wheel in order to entrain objects received from an upstream carousel or conveyor and to provide them to a downstream carousel or conveyor.

[0061] Intermediate transfer star wheels 102 and 103 are inserted between the turntables 120 and 130 and between the turntables 130 and 140, respectively, in order to transfer at least the filling units 2, 2' between one turntable and the next.

[0062] The first inlet star wheel 101 is arranged upstream of the separation turntable 120 (relative to the transport direction of the second path P2) and downstream of the unloading conveyor 108 for the integral components 4, 4', which connects the outlet of the buffer station 110 to the production component 100 so as to return the integral components 4, 4' after the corresponding container C is filled.

[0063] The second inlet star wheel 106 is instead arranged downstream of the linear conveyor 10a and preferably upstream of the coupling carousel 140 (with respect to the transport direction of the first path P1) in order to feed the containers C to be filled (optionally accommodated in respective discs 3, 3') to the coupling carousel 140. Alternatively, the second inlet star wheel 106 may be located upstream of the filling carousel 130 (with respect to the transport direction of the first path P1).

[0064] The first unloading star wheel 105 is arranged downstream (with respect to the transport direction of the second path P2 ) of the coupling carousel 140 and upstream of the feed conveyor 107 for feeding the monolithic assemblies 4 , 4 ′ to the buffer station 110 .

[0065] The second unloading star wheel 104 is instead arranged downstream (with respect to the transport direction of the first path P1 ) of the separation carousel 120 and upstream of the unloading conveyor 11 a for unloading filled containers C′ optionally contained in respective discs 3 , 3 ′.

[0066] The first conveying path P1 and the second conveying path P2 comprise arcs of the circumference ideally drawn by the gripping devices 122, 142 and, for P2, 132, by their rotation about the respective central rotation axes 121, 141 and 131. The arcs of the first path P1 and the second path P2 are preferably superimposed along the circumference ideally drawn / traced by the gripping devices 122 and 142 of the separation carousel 120 and the coupling carousel 140, respectively.

[0067] Further overlapping sections between the first path P1 and the second path P2 are provided along the buffer station 110 and along the feed conveyor 107 and the discharge conveyor 108 for transporting the monolithic assemblies 4 , 4 ′ to and from the buffer station 110 .

[0068] At a constant advancement speed along the (closed) second path P2 , the length of the section (or arc) of the second path P2 at the filling station 13 is preferably smaller than the length of the overlapping section of the first and second paths P1 and P2 at the buffer station 110 .

[0069] The clamping device can be in the form of a clamp, for example. In the separation carousel 120, the clamping device 122 can be formed by two pairs of clamps superimposed in a direction parallel to the rotation axis 121, so as to clamp the filling unit 2, 2' and the container C (or the disc 3 or 3', if any) of the integral assembly 4, 4', respectively. Such pairs of clamps can be moved relative to each other in the axial direction (for example using a jack associated with each pair of superimposed clamps) so as to space the filling unit 2, 2' and the container C from each other, or to keep them separated from each other.

[0070] Advantageously, the clamping device 122 or a suitable inclined cam fixed around the central axis 121 of the separation carousel 120 may include a thrust surface suitable for pushing the drive slide 274 towards the guide body 24, 24', thereby opening the claw 271 and allowing the filling unit 2, 2' to be separated from the rest of the integral assembly 4, 4' during rotation around the axis 121.

[0071] Also in the coupling turntable 140, the clamping device 142 can be formed by two pairs of clamps superimposed in a direction parallel to the rotation axis 141, so as to clamp the filling unit 2 or 2' and the disc 3 or 3' (or the container C), respectively, and such pairs of clamps can be moved relative to each other (for example using corresponding jacks) parallel to the rotation axis 141, so as to combine the filling unit 2 or 2' and the corresponding container C with each other in the axial direction so as to form an integral assembly 4, 4' in which the filling unit 2, 2' and the corresponding container C are in fluid communication. If the fixing device 27 is of the snap-fit ​​type, as in the example of the gripper shown, the integral assembly 4, 4' is obtained by simply moving them close to each other as above.

[0072] The coupling station 14 may also include a pressurizing device for pressurizing the filling unit 2, 2', which is suitable for opening the one-way valve 28, 28' of the internal channel 25, 25' and injecting a pressurized gas (e.g., air) into the second chamber 21b, 21b', which is gradually expanded by translating the piston 23, 23' toward the bottom of the reservoir 21, 21'. The pressurizing device may include a plurality of needles 144, which are integrally rotated with the coupling turntable 140 and are optionally connected to a compressor (not shown) by inserting a valve. The needles 144 are arranged equidistantly from each other along the peripheral area of ​​the coupling turntable 140, so that each needle 144 is superimposed on the corresponding clamping device 142 and can be communicated with the channel by opening the one-way valve 28, 28' above the channel 25, 25' of the filling unit 2, 2' of the corresponding integral assembly 4, 4'. Each pressurizing needle 144 and the clamping device 142 of the filling unit 2 , 2 ′ associated therewith can be mutually moved in a direction parallel to the central rotation axis 141 so as to be moved towards / away from each other, for example using a jack.

[0073] Optionally, each gripping device 142 of the coupling station 140 may comprise vacuum generating means, for example a suction nozzle 145 , for generating a vacuum in the container C of the monolithic assembly 4 , 4 ′ before receiving the fluid volume contained in the respective filling unit 2 , 2 ′.

[0074] With particular reference to the second embodiment shown, the vacuum bell is substantially obtained by means of a guide body 24' which is coupled end to end to the disc 3' by the insertion of a first gas-tight gasket 37'. The monolithic assembly 4' has, between the opening 20' of the reservoir 21' and the inlet 30 of the container C, an exhaust void 39' which advantageously has a height that varies with the axial displacement of the reservoir 21' relative to the guide body 24'. The exhaust void 39' is connected to at least one lateral void 36' and to the through hole 34' of the disc 3', so as to allow the air inside the container C to escape towards the through hole 34' during the creation of a vacuum in the container C. The second opposing spring 213 is suitable for maintaining the volume of the exhaust void 39' at a substantially minimum or zero value.

[0075] In contrast to the second spring 213 , the volume of the void 39 ′ can be increased mechanically by means of a mechanical lifting element 52 acting on the retaining portion 211 of the tubular projection 210 of the reservoir 21 ′.

[0076] A suction nozzle 145 , which may be provided on the base of a clamping device 142 for supporting the monolithic assembly 4 ′, may be coupled to the hole 34 ′ of the disc 3 ′ so as to be able to suck air out of the container C through its inlet 30 and the interstices 36 ′ and 39 ′.

[0077] After evacuating the air from container C, suction of nozzle 145 causes axial translational movement of reservoir 21 ′ toward container C, opposite second spring 213 , and substantially eliminates the volume of venting gap 39 ′, thereby forming an airtight connection between reservoir 21 ′ and container C.

[0078] As the filling unit 2, 2' is released from the coupling station 14, the non-return valve 28, 28' will be closed, trapping the pressurized gas in the second chamber 21b, 21b'.

[0079] In an alternative embodiment, a pressurizing device may be provided at the buffer station 110 by providing a plurality of pressure taps at the buffer station 110, which are automatically connected to the plunger 22 of the monolithic assembly 4 (or the rod 22' of the monolithic assembly 4') transported at the accumulator 110. The pressure taps are then automatically removed before the monolithic assembly leaves the accumulator 110.

[0080] In other alternative embodiments of the present invention, the plunger 22 can be electrically actuated (e.g., using a linear motor) or mechanically actuated (e.g., using a spring or using an inclined cam surface that interacts with the plunger 22 to axially move the plunger 22 as the overall assembly moves forward in the buffer station 110) rather than using pneumatic actuation achieved by gas expansion.

[0081] The filling station 13 comprises, at each gripping device 132, means for introducing a predetermined volume of fluid into the filling unit, in particular a tap 134 and a filling nozzle 135 for each gripping device 132, which are connected to the main reservoir of the line 1, which contains the fluid for filling the containers C. The tap 134 and the filling nozzle 135 are mounted along the peripheral area of ​​the filling carousel 130 so as to rotate integrally with such a carousel around its own central axis of rotation 131. The filling nozzle 135 can be mounted below the gripping device 132 and oriented upwards so as to be able to cooperate with the bottom opening 20, 20' of the filling unit 2 held by the corresponding gripping device 132. Optionally, each filling nozzle 135 can be connected to a venting valve or a snifter 136.

[0082] When a predetermined volume of fluid is delivered from the filling nozzle 135 to the filling unit 2, 2', its first chamber 21a, 21a' is gradually filled with fluid, thereby moving the piston 23, 23' in a direction to reduce the volume of the second chamber 21b, 21b'.

[0083] The buffer station 110 is arranged along the overlapping sections of the paths P1 and P2 from the connection station 140 to the separation station 120, and is associated with a feeding conveyor 107 and an unloading conveyor 108 of the integral components 4, 4', which feed the integral components 4, 4' to the buffer station 110 and unload them from the buffer station 110 at the production speed of the operating line 1, respectively.

[0084] The buffer station 110 is an accumulator of the FIFO (first in, first out) type and can be a component of an accumulator table or an accumulator conveyor. The FIFO accumulator can have one or more moving mats, conveyor belts, motorized roller conveyors or sliding surfaces, which can optionally be arranged to form a serpentine path and in any case are suitable for accumulating (a large number of) monolithic assemblies 4 or 4' (in particular N*t monolithic assemblies, where N is the production speed of the line 1 in containers per minute and t is the time in minutes to fill a single container C with a predetermined volume of fluid) by distributing them over a sufficient surface or making them travel a tortuous and / or extended path, so that they stay in the buffer station 110 for a period of time necessary for the containers C of the monolithic assemblies to be filled with the corresponding predetermined volume of fluid.

[0085] Accumulator tables or accumulator conveyors themselves are known, for example, from US Pat. No. 5,282,525 or EP Pat. No. 1,144,285.

[0086] The monolithic assemblies 4 , 4 ′ preferably arrive at the buffer station 110 successively in neat rows and are optionally spaced apart from one another at the same pitch as between the gripping devices 122 , 132 , 142 of the carousel and between the sockets of the transfer star wheels 101 - 106 .

[0087] The buffer station 110 is suitable for advancing the monolithic assembly 4 or 4' arriving from the feed conveyor 107 towards the unloading conveyor 108 at a speed and a path length defined by the time (t) required to fill a single container C with a predetermined volume of fluid. Such an incoming monolithic assembly 4 or 4' each comprises a filling unit 2 or 2' substantially filled with a predetermined volume of fluid and containers C not yet filled with this volume.

[0088] Utilizing the pressure exerted by the gas within the second chamber 21b or 21b', a certain volume of fluid is slowly transferred to the container C of the integral assembly 4, 4', and the container C can continue to remain on the accumulator table throughout the time required to complete the transfer of the certain volume of fluid from the filling unit 2, 2' to the container C of the integral assembly 4, 4'.

[0089] By means of the buffer station 110, the production assembly 100 can operate at a high production speed N (e.g. between 100 and 600 containers C per minute) by being able to quickly fill the filling units 2 or 2' with a carousel 13 having a limited number of gripping devices 132 and filling nozzles (e.g. in the order of a few multiples of 10, for example between 30 and 60). At the buffer station 110, each filling unit 2 or 2' then autonomously fills the corresponding container C of the monolithic assembly 4 or 4' within the (longer) time t required by the internal characteristics of the container C and / or the nature of the fluid, by transferring to the container C within a time t (e.g. 10 minutes) a predetermined volume of fluid received by the filling unit 2 or 2' from the filling station 13 of the production assembly 100 within a much shorter time (e.g. 5 seconds). Therefore, the filling station 13 can have a relatively small number of filling nozzles and taps (e.g. between 30 and 60 on the carousel 130).

[0090] The operation of the present invention is apparent from the foregoing description.

[0091] The containers C are conveyed in batches along a first conveying path P1 between the inlet 10 and the outlet 11 of the production assembly 100 at a certain desired (high) production rate N corresponding to the rate of the production line into which the filling line 1 is inserted. For example, the rate N at which the filled containers C' leave the outlet 11 of the production assembly 100 is several hundred containers per minute (for example, between 100 and 600 containers per minute).

[0092] Along their conveying path P1 , the containers are fixed to respective “mobile taps” represented by filling units 2 or 2 ′ which have previously been filled in a filling station 13 at a speed N with the volume of fluid required to fill the container C and which have been pressurized in a coupling station 14 .

[0093] In particular, in the filling station 13 , the filling units 2 , 2 ′ are gripped by respective gripping devices 132 of the filling carousel 130 and brought to respective filling nozzles 135 coupled to the openings 20 , 20 ′ of the reservoirs 21 , 21 ′.

[0094] During the rotation of the filling carousel 130, in the first embodiment, the fluid injected into the reservoir 21 from the opening of the tap 134 of the nozzle 135 lifts the piston 23 to a height determined by the amount of injected fluid, which is determined based on the predetermined amount required to fill the container C. In the example shown in the drawings, the amount of fluid is the maximum value allowed, and filling the first volume 21a of the reservoir 21 thus lifts the piston 23 to the stroke limit.

[0095] Subsequently, each filling unit 2 is transferred (via the intermediate star wheel 103) to the coupling turntable 140, where it is coupled to the corresponding disc 3 so as to form an integral assembly 4, and to the corresponding pressurizing needle 144, which injects pressurized gas (air) into the second chamber 21b. The pressurized gas begins to descend the piston 23 and transfer the fluid into the container C. The vacuum generating device 145 (if present) is able to evacuate the air displaced by the filling fluid from the interior of the container C.

[0096] In the second embodiment, during the rotation of the filling carousel 130, the rod 22' of the filling unit 2' is lifted by the lifting device 51 to leave / clear the opening 20'. The fluid injected into the reservoir 21' through the opening of the tap 134 of the nozzle 135 passes through the opening 20' and lifts the first piston 23' to a height determined by the predetermined amount of fluid injected. In the example shown in the figures, the predetermined amount of fluid is the maximum value allowed, and the first volume 21a' of the filling reservoir 21' thus lifts the piston 23' to the stroke limit, i.e. against the second piston 29'. The second chamber 21b' can optionally be vented in the filling station 130 using a vertically movable venting needle 133, which is integral with the rotation of the clamping device 132 (around the central axis 131) and acts on the non-return valve 28'.

[0097] Before the filling unit 2' is released from the filling carousel 130, the rod 22' is disengaged from the lifting device 51 and the first opposing spring 220 returns the rod 22' to its position closing the opening 20'. The exhaust valve 136 sucks away any excess filling fluid accumulated between the plugging end 22a' and the filling nozzle 135.

[0098] Subsequently, each filling unit 2 ′ is transferred to a respective gripping device 142 of a coupling carousel 140 (via an intermediate star wheel 103 ) and is fixed to a respective disc 3 ′ originating from a conveyor 10 a and coupled to a suction nozzle 145 , so as to form an integral assembly 4 ′.

[0099] Advantageously, during the first section of rotation of the monolith 4' about the central axis 141 of the filling carousel and before the activation of the vacuum generating means 145, the mechanical lifting element 52 takes the reservoir 21' away from the container C of the monolith 4', while the guide body 24' remains fixed in an airtight manner on the disc 3' by means of the fixing means 27. In this way, a vacuum is generated in the container C and in the gap 39' thereby generated between the container C and the reservoir 21'.

[0100] The tubular projection 210 is then separated from the lifting element 52 and the second spring 213 returns the reservoir 21 ′ to a position against the container C in which the spout 20 a ′ of the opening 20 ′ is coupled to the inlet 30 of the container C.

[0101] Subsequently, pressurized gas is introduced which, through the pressurization needle 144 and the channels 25' and 251, begins to fill the second chamber 21b' with pressurized gas (air). The gas injected into the second chamber 21b' initially begins to push the second piston 29' away from the first piston 23', thereby lifting the rod 22' and thus clearing the opening 20' so that the fluid then flows out of the reservoir 21' to the container C. After the monolithic assembly 4' is separated from the corresponding pressurization needle 144 and released from the coupling carousel 140 onto the feeding conveyor 107 by the first unloading star wheel 105, the expansion of the gas continues, and the expansion continues for the duration of the monolithic assembly 4' stay at the buffer station 110, so that the first piston 23' moves towards the bottom of the reservoir 21' with the opening 20'.

[0102] In the two embodiments of the filling kit shown, the container C then continues to travel along the path P1 again at the production speed N of the assembly 100, while the filling unit 2 or 2' connected thereto completely fills the container C with fluid by means of the expansion of the pressurized gas in the second chamber 21b, 21b'. The container C remains at the buffer station 110 for a predetermined time required for it to be filled, for example at least 2 minutes. Optionally, in addition to the time that the container C remains in transport in the buffer station 110, the time t for filling the container C can also include the time for conveying the entire assembly 4, 4' along the sections of the conveyors 107 and 108, along which the filling can start and continue respectively.

[0103] When the monolithic assemblies 4, 4' reach the outlet of the buffer station 110, for example when they are on the unloading conveyor 108, the respective containers C are already completely filled with a predetermined volume of fluid. The unloading conveyor 108 advances the monolithic assemblies 4, 4' at the high production speed required for producing the assembly 100. At the separation station 12, after optionally exhausting the gas through the valves 28, 28', the drive slide 274 is mechanically activated in order to separate the emptied filling units 2, 2' from the filled containers C, and each filled container is brought by a respective gripping device 122 (e.g., the lower part) of the separation carousel 120 to the second unloading star wheel 104, which conveys them to the unloading conveyor 11a.

[0104] The filling unit 2 or 2' is then continuously recirculated in the filling line 1 along the closed path P2, along a section of which the filling unit 2 or 2' is temporarily integrated again with the corresponding container C (thereby forming a corresponding independent integral component 4 or 4') so as to be able to fill the container C mainly at the buffer station 110 within a time t (which can be very long), which is longer than the time required to fill the filling unit with the same volume of fluid to ensure a preset production rate N of filled containers C in the output from the line 1.

[0105] It has thus been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.

[0106] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, all the details may be replaced by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0107] In practice, the materials used, as well as the possible shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements and the state of the art.

[0108] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102022000012958 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0109] In case technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, these reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and therefore, these reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by these reference signs by way of example.

Claims

1. A method for filling containers (C) with a fluid in a filling line, in which the containers (C) are transported in batches along a first transport path (P1) between an inlet (10) for empty containers (C) and an outlet (11) for filled containers (C), the method comprising the following steps: - conveying a series of filling units (2, 2') along a second conveying path (P2), said first path (P1) and said second path (P2) at least partially overlapping each other; - filling each filling unit (2, 2') with said predetermined volume of fluid along a portion of said second path (P2); - temporarily integrating each filling unit (2) with a respective one of the containers (C) along an overlapping section between the first conveying path (P1) and the second conveying path (P2) so as to form an integral assembly (4, 4') in which the filling unit (2, 2') and the respective container (C) are in fluid communication; The method is characterized in that the method further comprises the following steps: - bringing together the monolithic assembly (4, 4') in a buffer station (110) in which the filling unit (2, 2') delivers the volume of fluid to the container (C); - at the end of the transfer of the volume of fluid, the container (C) thus filled is separated from the filling unit (2, 2') thus emptied and the container thus filled is conveyed towards the outlet (11).

2. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein: The second delivery path (P2) is a closed path, and the filling unit (2, 2') filled with the volume of fluid in the filling step is a filling unit previously separated from the integral assembly (4, 4') in the separation step.

3. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein: The time for filling each filling unit (2, 2') with the volume of fluid is shorter than the time (t) for transferring the volume of fluid from the filling unit (2, 2') to the container (C).

4. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein: The first conveying path (P1) and the second conveying path (P2) continuously pass through at least one separation station (12) for separating the filling unit (2, 2') from the container (C) of the integral assembly (4, 4'), a filling station (13) for filling the filling unit (2, 2'), a coupling station (14) for coupling the filling unit (2, 2') to the container (C), and the buffer station (110), wherein the separation station (12), the filling station (13) and the coupling station (14) are connected to the container (C). The receiving stations (14) each respectively comprise at least one separation turntable (120), at least one filling turntable (130) and at least one coupling turntable (140), each of the turntables (120, 130, 140) preferably rotating in a continuous motion around a respective central rotation axis (121, 131, 141), and being provided with a plurality of gripping devices (122, 132, 142) angularly equidistant from one another around the central rotation axis (121, 131, 141).

5. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein: At least one of the filling unit (2, 2') and the container (C) or a disc (3, 3') suitable for containing the container (C) comprises a device (27) for removably fixing, the device (27) for removably fixing being able to be activated according to a command, and the step of temporarily becoming one comprises the steps of bringing the filling unit (2, 2') and the container (C) closer to each other and activating the device (27) for removably fixing so that the container (C) becomes one with the filling unit (2, 2').

6. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein: The containers (C) along the first path (P1) are housed in respective discs (3, 3'), the step of temporary integration comprising a direct connection between the discs (3, 3') and means (27) for removably fixing, the means (27) for removably fixing being associated with the filling unit (2, 2') or the discs (3, 3').

7. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein: The step of temporarily integrating the filling unit (2, 2') and the container (C) comprises: - a step of airtight fixing between said filling unit (2, 2') and the disc (3, 3') containing said container (C); and - A step of creating a vacuum in said container (C) by sucking air from said discs (3, 3').

8. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein: The fluid used for filling is the electrolyte for the battery.

9. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein: The container (C) is a container for a battery, which internally accommodates an anode plate and a cathode plate and optionally other materials and components.

10. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein: The volume of fluid used to fill the tank has a mass density of 1.2 g / cm 3 and 1.3 g / cm 3 between.

11. A filling line (1) for carrying out the method according to one or more of the preceding claims, said filling line (1) comprising an inlet (10) for empty containers (C), an outlet (11) for filled containers (C), and a first conveying path (P1) for said containers between said inlet (10) and said outlet (11), characterised in that The filling operation line comprises: - a second conveying path (P2) for a series of filling units (2), said first path (P1) and said second path (P2) at least partially overlapping each other; - a separation station (12), a filling station (13) for filling the filling unit (2) downstream of the separation station (12), a coupling station (14) downstream of the filling station (13), and a buffer station (110) between the coupling station (14) and the separation station (12), the stations (12, 13, 14, 110) being traversed by at least the second conveying path (P2), the first conveying path (P1) and the second conveying path (P2) being superimposed on each other at least at the coupling station (14) and the buffer station (110); - means (135) for introducing, at said filling station (13), into each of said filling cells (2, 2'), a predetermined volume of fluid to be injected into said container (C); - the coupling station (14) is suitable for connecting, for each of the containers (C), a respective one of the filling units (2, 2') arriving from the filling station (13), so as to form an integral assembly (4, 4') in which the filling unit (2, 2') and the respective container (C) are in fluid communication; - the working line (1) comprises an actuating device (23, 23') for actuating a filled filling unit (2, 2') of the integral assembly (4, 4') in order to transfer the volume of fluid from the filling unit (2, 2') to the container (C) of the corresponding integral assembly (4, 4') at the buffer station (110), the integral assembly (4, 4') consisting of an empty filling unit (2, 2') and a filled container (C) at the end of the transfer; The separation station (12) is suitable for disassembling the monolithic assemblies (4, 4') leaving or coming from the buffer station (110), separating the emptied filling units (2) of each monolithic assembly (4) from the corresponding filled containers (C).

12. Filling line according to the preceding claim, wherein: The second conveying path (P2) is a closed path, so that the filling unit (2, 2') filled with the volume of fluid in the filling station (13) is a filling unit that arrives from the buffer station (110) through the separation station (12).

13. A filling line according to one or more of claims 11-12, wherein: The separation station (12), the filling station (13) and the coupling station (14) respectively comprise at least one separation turntable (120), at least one filling turntable (130) and at least one coupling turntable (140), each of the turntables (120, 130, 140) being preferably rotatable in a continuous motion around a corresponding central rotation axis (121, 131, 141), and being provided with a plurality of clamping devices (122, 132, 142), the clamping devices being angularly equidistant from each other around the central rotation axis, the first conveying path (P1) and the second conveying path (P2) comprising arcs drawn by the rotation of at least the clamping devices (122, 142) of the separation turntable (120) and the coupling turntable (140) around the corresponding central rotation axis (121, 141) of the turntables.

14. A filling line according to one or more of claims 11-13, wherein: At least one of the filling unit (2) and the container (C) or a disc (3, 3') suitable for containing the container (C) comprises means (27) for removably fixing that can be activated on command, and the coupling station (14) is suitable for activating the means (27) for removably fixing so that the container (C) is integrated with the corresponding filling unit (2, 2') to form the integral assembly (4, 4').

15. Filling line according to the preceding claim, wherein: The first path (P1) is configured so that the container (C) can be housed in a corresponding disc (3, 3'), the means (27) for removably fixing being suitable for generating a snap-fit ​​connection between the disc (3, 3') and the filling unit (2, 2') of the integral assembly.

16. A filling line according to one or more of claims 14-15, wherein: The means (27) for removably securing comprises a gripper.

17. Filling line according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein: Each of the filling units (2, 2') comprises a syringe-like body, comprising a reservoir (21, 21') provided with an opening (20, 20') for the passage of a fluid and at least one first piston (23, 23'), the first piston (23, 23') being movable in the reservoir (21, 21') and dividing the reservoir (21, 21') into a first chamber (21a, 21a') adapted to contain a predetermined volume of fluid and a second chamber (21b, 21b') adapted to contain a pressurized gas, the pressurized gas being adapted to move the first piston (23, 23') towards the opening (20, 20') by means of expansion of the gas.

18. Filling line according to the preceding claim, wherein: The filling unit (2') further comprises a rod (22') which passes through the reservoir (21, 21') until it closes the opening (20') and is axially movable to leave / block the opening (20'), and the first piston (23') is slidable along the rod (22').

19. Filling line according to the preceding claim, wherein: The rod (22') includes a second piston (29') fixed to or integral with the rod (22'), coupled to the inner surface of the reservoir (21') in an airtight manner, and positioned along the rod (22') such that the first piston (23') is inserted between the second piston (29') and the opening (20').

20. The filling line according to one or more of claims 18-19, wherein: The rod (22') includes a coaxial channel (25') communicating with the second chamber (21b') and the outside of the filling unit for injecting or exhausting the pressurized gas.

21. A filling kit for use in a filling line according to one or more of claims 11 to 20, characterized in that The filling kit includes: - a disc (3, 3') suitable for containing a container (C) to be filled with a predetermined volume of fluid; - a filling unit (2, 2') comprising a reservoir (21, 21') adapted to contain said predetermined volume of fluid in a first chamber (21a, 21a') thereof, and a first piston (23, 23') movable in said reservoir (21, 21') and adapted to discharge said fluid from said first chamber (21a) through an opening (20, 20') of said reservoir (21, 21'); - means for removably fixing (27) suitable for making the filling unit (2, 2') and the disc (3, 3') integral with each other.

22. Kit according to the preceding claim, wherein The means (27) for removably securing comprises a gripper.

23. A kit according to one of claims 21 or 22, wherein: The filling unit (2, 2') further comprises a rod (22') which passes through the reservoir (21') until the rod closes the opening (20') and the rod (22') is axially movable to leave / block the opening (20'), and the first piston (23') is slidable along the rod (22') to increase / decrease the volume of the first chamber (21a').

24. Kit according to the preceding claim, wherein The rod (22') includes a second piston (29') fixed to or integral with the rod (22'), coupled to the inner surface of the reservoir (21') in an airtight manner, and positioned along the rod (22') such that the first piston (23') is inserted between the second piston (29') and the opening (20').

25. The kit according to one or more of claims 21-24, wherein: The first piston (23') divides the reservoir into the first chamber (21a, 21a') and a second chamber (21b, 21b'), the second chamber being adapted to contain a pressurized gas so as to move the first piston (23, 23') towards the opening (20') of the reservoir (21') by means of expansion of the gas.

26. A kit according to claims 24 and 25, characterised in that The second chamber (21b') is defined in the reservoir (21') between the first piston (23') and the second piston (29'), and the rod (22') includes a coaxial channel (25') which communicates with the second chamber (21b') and the outside of the filling unit (2, 2') for injecting or exhausting pressurized gas.

Images