A device, a machine and a method of filling a container

Abstract

A liquid foodstuff container filling device (14) has a liquid foodstuff supply channel (19); a ventilation channel (20) coaxial to, and arranged within, the supply channel (19); a liquid shutter (24), which is arranged at the lower end of the supply channel (19) to selectively open and close a supply port; and a divider body (28), which is adjacent to the liquid shutter (24), is configured to angularly delimit the supply port, and is provided with an opening (29) to fluidically connect the ventilation channel (20) and the interior of the container (11), when the liquid shutter (24) is in the open position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102024000011227 filed on May 17, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to a filling device for filling bottles and containers with liquid foodstuffs, such as, in particular, still wines, sparkling wines, beer, juices, water, etc., and more specifically to a filling device intended to be installed on a filling machine.STATE OF THE ART

[0003] As is known, the filling of bottles with liquid foodstuffs is generally classified into two categories based on the technology used to detect that the right amount of liquid has been supplied, and precisely, filling by level and filling by volume.

[0004] Filling by level can be achieved by inserting a ventilation tube inside the bottle. The ventilation tube commonly referred to in English terminology as the "vent tube" allows the gas to exit the container during the filling and causes the filling to stop at a certain level, corresponding to the height at which the ventilation tube is inserted into the bottle neck.

[0005] Alternatively, filling by level can be achieved by means of a sensor, which is introduced into the bottle to the desired level; when the liquid reaches the sensor, the liquid supply is cut off.

[0006] Filling by volume can be achieved with several alternative methods.

[0007] A first method of filling by volume comprises pre-filling a known-volume chamber and then transferring the volume of liquid from the chamber into the container / bottle. This method is known in the industry as "piston filler".

[0008] A second method of filling by volume comprises measuring the weight of the container / bottle by means of a load cell during filling and stopping the liquid supply when the desired weight is reached.

[0009] A third method of filling by volume comprises using a flow meter, which stops the liquid supply when the desired volume or mass is reached inside the container. In practice, magnetic-inductive flow meters are used for filling with conductive liquids or mass flow meters are used for filling with conductive and non-conductive liquids.

[0010] The filling device which is an object of the present invention belongs to the category of filling by level with a ventilation tube and, in particular, of the type described in patent EP 2,958,851 B1 in the name of the applicant. Some peculiarities of the filling device 1 described in the above patent are shown in the attached

[0011] Figures 1 to 3 in the respective steps of filling a bottle 2. The aforementioned filling device 1 comprises a liquid supply pipe 3 and a respective liquid shutter 4 located at the lower end of a ventilation tube 5 arranged concentrically within the supply pipe 3. A rod 6 is located inside the ventilation tube 5 to control a gas shutter 7.

[0012] Specifically, the liquid shutter 4 is integral with the lower end of the ventilation tube 5 to close the supply pipe 3 at its lower end, and the gas shutter 7 is integral with the lower end of the rod 6 to close the ventilation tube 5 at its lower end.

[0013] This solution has proven to be very advantageous and reliable but can be improved both in terms of the accuracy of the fill level and in terms of the regularity of the liquid outflow.

[0014] With regard to level accuracy, the supply of liquid into the bottle 2 is automatically cut off when the level of the liquid in the bottle 2 reaches the lower end of the ventilation tube 5 and obstructs it (Fig. 2 - level X) preventing further gas from exiting the bottle 2, and therefore, further liquid from entering the bottle 2. For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that at the end of the filling the liquid rises inside the ventilation tube 5 until it reaches approximately the level in the filling tank, not shown and located above the supply pipe 3 and in communication with the ventilation tube 5. In fact, the liquid level in the ventilation tube 5 remains slightly below level L due to load losses in the ventilation tube 5. In practice, a slightly different behaviour was observed from that described above. The difference in behaviour is due to the strong attraction bonds in the liquid, the presence of foam, and the proximity of the walls of the bottle 2 to the area where the liquid enters the bottle 2, which results in a rapid level change in the bottle, rising to level Y at the lower end of the supply pipe 3, as shown in Figure 3, whereas it should have stopped at the lower end of the ventilation tube 5 which is arranged below the end of the supply pipe 3 and should theoretically define the level (Fig. 2 - level X). In practice, the attraction bonds in the liquid cause compression of the gas between the level generated in the container and the mouth of the container, reducing its volume and allowing more liquid to enter the container without any more gas escaping. This phenomenon is random and causes an error in determining the level in the various containers: sometimes the level stops at the lower end of the ventilation tube 5 (Fig. 2 - level X), sometimes at the lower end of the supply pipe 3 (Fig. 3 - level Y). The resulting error is approximately 3-4 mm.

[0015] As regards the irregularity in the liquid outflow, it should be recalled that the liquid shutter 4 and the corresponding gasket are shaped to "rapidly" divert the liquid arriving from the supply pipe 3 towards the wall of the bottle through an annular-shaped port, in this case the inner face of the neck of the bottle 2. In this way, the liquid fills the bottle 2 by flowing down the walls thereof, which has the advantage of reducing the speed of the fall and thus limiting the impact with the liquid already present in the bottle, in order to reduce foaming and the inclusion of gas bubbles in the liquid. The port between the liquid shutter 4 and the supply pipe 3 has an extension of 360°; this generates a liquid veil V from the annular port towards the walls of the container which has a bell shape with an angular extension of 360°, as shown in Figure 1. This liquid veil S creates a separation between the gas above it and the gas below it. The area below the liquid veil V is connected to the above-mentioned tank via the ventilation tube 5, whereas the area above the liquid veil V is isolated from the above-mentioned tank. The separation of the two areas results in different pressures P1 and P2 in the lower area and the upper area, respectively. At the beginning of the filling step, the pressures P1 and P2 are the same, and then while the filling continues (the filling step takes a considerable amount of time, approximately 8-10 seconds for a 0.75-litre bottle) they may differ due to pressure variations in the aforementioned tank due to the objective difficulty of perfectly stabilizing the pressure in the tank during production. The difference in pressure between the two areas causes continuous movements of the liquid veil V ("it rises and falls") and, beyond certain values, also the passage of gas from one environment to the other. As a result, the liquid outflow becomes irregular and increases foaming and the inclusion of gas bubbles in the liquid, resulting in a loss of filling yield.OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The object of the present invention is to provide a filling device which improves filling accuracy compared to the prior art.

[0017] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a container filling device, in particular for filling bottles with liquid foodstuffs, which has: a supply channel extending along a longitudinal axis to feed the liquid into the container; a ventilation channel coaxial to, and arranged within, the supply channel to evacuate the gas in the container; a liquid shutter, which is arranged at the lower end of the supply channel to selectively open and close a supply port; a gas shutter, which is arranged at the lower end of the ventilation channel for selectively opening and closing a ventilation port, the filling device being characterised by comprising: a divider body, which is adjacent to the liquid shutter, is configured to angularly delimit the supply port, and is provided with an opening to fluidically connect the ventilation channel and the interior of the container, when the liquid shutter is in the open position.

[0018] The divider body allows the liquid veil to assume an annular sector configuration, thereby allowing the gas above and below the liquid veil to communicate and allowing the gas above the liquid veil to be in communication with the channel for gas evacuation through the opening.

[0019] In this way, above and below the liquid veil, the gas is at the same pressure, the liquid veil has a stable shape, and the filling level is determined by the upper end of the opening.

[0020] In addition, the gas is evacuated both through the ventilation port and through the opening for the benefit of the evacuation speed. It should be noted that reaching the level in the container implies that the liquid rises towards the filling tank. Subsequently, the liquid shutter and the gas shutter are closed again.

[0021] During the initial step of filling a new container, the gas shutter and the liquid shutter are opened in succession so as to allow the ventilation channel to be emptied of the liquid before opening the supply channel and said opening.

[0022] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the divider body extends about the longitudinal axis at a progressively increasing angle up to a maximum value at the liquid shutter, in particular the maximum value of the extension sector of the divider body is in the range between 15° and 45°.

[0023] Tests carried out by the applicant have shown that an angle within this range equalizes the pressure above and below the liquid veil for liquid foodstuffs, such as for example wine and beer, without negatively affecting the time required for filling the containers.

[0024] In particular, the filling device comprises: a supply pipe, which extends along a longitudinal axis, and is configured to be arranged at least partially within the container; a ventilation tube, which is coaxial to the supply pipe, is arranged within the supply pipe so as to define the supply channel of annular shape, and protrudes with respect to the lower end of the supply pipe; a rod, which is coaxial to the ventilation tube, is arranged inside the ventilation tube so as to give the ventilation channel an annular configuration, and protrudes with respect to the ventilation tube; the liquid shutter being arranged at the lower end of the ventilation tube and movable along the longitudinal axis integral with the ventilation tube with respect to the supply pipe to selectively open and close the supply port and said opening; and a gas shutter, which is arranged at the lower end of the rod and is movable along the longitudinal axis integral with the rod with respect to the ventilation tube to selectively open and close the ventilation port.

[0025] In practice, the ventilation of the gas present in the container occurs through the opening and the ventilation port.

[0026] From the constructional point of view, the divider body is integral with the liquid shutter and is slidingly coupled to the supply pipe.

[0027] Conveniently, the opening is arranged in a position such that, when the liquid shutter is arranged in the closed position, the opening is occluded by the supply pipe.

[0028] In particular, the divider body has a cylindrical wall in sliding contact with the supply pipe in order to close said opening.

[0029] In accordance with the invention, the ventilation tube comprises spacer bodies slidingly coupled to the supply pipe, said divider body being integral with one of said spacer bodies. In fact, the divider body also acts as a spacer.

[0030] The filling device comprises a drive mechanism to control the liquid shutter and the gas shutter. The drive mechanism may be of the mechanical and / or pneumatic and / or electrical type.

[0031] One object of the present invention is to provide a liquid foodstuff container filling machine, which mitigates the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0032] A filling machine is provided in accordance with the present invention, the filling machine comprising: a filling device as previously identified; and a filling tank, which is in fluidic communication with the annular supply channel and the annular ventilation channel.

[0033] In practice, the filling tank feeds the liquid foodstuff by gravity to the container and receives the gas evacuated from the container.

[0034] In particular, the filling machine comprises a shutter device configured to be arranged tightly against the mouth of the container and allow fluidic communication between the container and the filling tank via the annular supply channel and the annular ventilation channel.

[0035] In this way, the filling tank, the supply channel, the ventilation channel and the container define a closed system that does not communicate with the external environment.

[0036] A further object of the present invention is to provide a method of filling a container with a liquid foodstuff, which is free from the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0037] In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided for filling a container with a liquid foodstuff, the method comprising: supplying the liquid foodstuff within the container through an annular supply channel extending along a longitudinal axis and a supply port extending around the longitudinal axis along an angle of between 315° and 345° at a liquid shutter configured to selectively open and close said supply port; evacuating the gas present in the container by means of an annular ventilation channel coaxial to the supply channel through a ventilation port at a gas shutter and an opening (29) formed in a divider body for fluidically connecting the annular ventilation channel with the interior of the container when the liquid shutter is open; and selectively opening and closing a ventilation port by means of a gas shutter, which is arranged at the lower end of the annular ventilation channel.

[0038] This stabilizes the liquid veil during the filling step and keeps the filling level in the container constant and reproducible.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0039] The attached Figures 1 to 3 are sectional views, with parts removed for clarity, of a filling device in accordance with the state of the art described in EP 2,958,851 B1.

[0040] The invention will now be described with reference to the attached Figures 4 to 10, which illustrate a nonlimiting embodiment of the present invention, in particular: Figure 4 is a sectional view, with parts removed for clarity, of a filling machine made in accordance with the present invention; Figures 5 and 6 are sectional views, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of a filling device of the machine in Figure 4 in an open configuration and a closed configuration, respectively; Figure 7 is a perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of a ventilation tube of the filling device which is an object of the present invention; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view, with parts removed for clarity, of a filling device made in accordance with the present invention and inserted inside a container; and Figures 9 and 10 are longitudinal sectional views, with parts removed for clarity, of a filling device in accordance with the present invention in two respective operating steps. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0041] With reference to Figure 4, number 10 indicates, as a whole, a machine for filling containers 11, in this case bottles, with liquid foodstuffs. The filling machine 10 comprises a frame 12; a filling tank 13 configured to be fed with the liquid; a filling device 14; and a shutter device 15 for occluding the containers 11.

[0042] The filling device 14 extends partly into the filling tank 13 and partly beneath the filling tank along a substantially vertical longitudinal axis A and is in fluidic communication with the filling tank 13.

[0043] The filling device 14 comprises a lower portion configured to be selectively inserted into a container 11 to feed the liquid into the container 11 and expel the gas present in the container 11.

[0044] The shutter device 15 comprises a centring cone 16; a respective gasket 17 configured to be placed in contact with the mouth of the container 11; and a drive mechanism 18 which allows the centring cone to be moved along the longitudinal axis A. The centring cone 16 has a central opening through which the filling device 14 extends in a liquid-tight manner.

[0045] With reference to Figure 5, the filling device 14 is provided with a supply channel 19 to transfer the liquid from the filling tank 13 to the container 11, and a ventilation channel 20 to transfer the gas present in the container 11 to the filling tank 13 (Figure 4) above the liquid level.

[0046] The lower part of the filling device 14 designed to be arranged inside the container 11 comprises a supply pipe 21, which extends along the longitudinal axis A; a ventilation tube 22, which is coaxial with the supply pipe 21, is arranged inside the supply pipe 21 so as to define the annular supply channel 19, and protrudes with respect to the lower end of the supply pipe 21; a rod 23, which is coaxial with the ventilation tube 22, is arranged inside the ventilation tube 22 so as to define the ventilation channel 20 and protrudes with respect to the ventilation tube 21.

[0047] The filling device 14 comprises a liquid shutter 24, which is arranged at the lower end of the ventilation tube 22 and is movable along the longitudinal axis A integral with the ventilation tube 22 with respect to the supply pipe 21 to selectively open and close (Figure 6) a liquid passage port; and a gas shutter 25, which is arranged at the lower end of the rod 23 and is movable along the longitudinal axis A integral with the rod 23 with respect to the ventilation tube 22 to selectively open and close the ventilation channel 20.

[0048] The ventilation tube 22 has spacers 26 arranged in the radial direction to keep the supply pipe 21 and the ventilation tube coaxial with each other and define the annular-shaped supply channel 19. Similarly, the rod has spacers 27 to keep the ventilation tube 22 and the rod coaxial with each other and give the ventilation channel 20 an annular shape.

[0049] The filling device 14 comprises a divider body 28, which is adjacent to the liquid shutter 24, is configured to partially occlude the annular supply channel 19 when the liquid shutter 24 is in the open position and is provided with an opening 29 to fluidically connect the annular ventilation channel 20 and the outside of the supply pipe 21, when the liquid shutter 24 is in the open position.

[0050] In the present case, the divider body 28 is integral with the liquid shutter 24 and the ventilation tube 22 and is slidingly coupled to the supply pipe 21 in order to give the liquid passage port an annular sector configuration.

[0051] The opening 29 is arranged in a position such that, when the liquid shutter 24 is arranged in the closed position (Figure 6), the opening 29 is occluded by the inner face of the supply pipe 21.

[0052] With reference to Figure 7, the divider body 28 has a cylindrical wall configured to be arranged in sliding contact with the supply pipe 21 (Figure 6).

[0053] The divider body 28 extends about the longitudinal axis A at a progressively increasing angle up to a maximum value at the liquid shutter 24, in particular the maximum value of the extension sector of the divider body is in the range between 15° and 45° so that the liquid passage port extends along an annular sector of between 315° and 345°.

[0054] As shown in Figure 7, the divider body 28 is integral with the ventilation tube 22, the shutter 24 and one of the spacers 26 and originates from said spacer 26.

[0055] With reference to Figure 4, the filling device 14 comprises the drive mechanism 30 to control the liquid shutter 24 and the gas shutter 25. The drive mechanism may indifferently be of the mechanical and / or pneumatic and / or electrical type.

[0056] In use, a container 11 is placed in contact with the centring cone 16 and the lower part of the filling device 14 is inserted into the container 11, as shown in Figure 4.

[0057] When the liquid shutter 24 and the gas shutter 25 are opened, the liquid foodstuff is delivered into the container through the annular supply channel 19 and a passage port extending along an angle of between 315° and 345° at the liquid shutter 24, and the gas present in the container 11 is evacuated via the annular ventilation channel 20 coaxial with the supply channel through a further port at a gas shutter to selectively open and close the further port and an opening 29 arranged directly above the liquid shutter 24, as shown in Figure 9.

[0058] As shown in Figure 8, the divider body 28 produces a liquid veil V which extends around the longitudinal axis A at an angle of less than 360°, while the opening 28 provides an additional connection between the container 11 and the filling tank 13 (Figure 4).

[0059] In this way, as shown in Figure 9, the gas pressure during the filling step on either side of the liquid veil V is the same.

[0060] In addition, the filling level in the container 11 is defined reproducibly by the edge of the end of the supply pipe 19, at which the upper end of the opening 29 is arranged, as shown in Figure 10.

[0061] The device 14, the machine 10 and the method described above include variants falling within the scope of protection of the following claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0041]With reference to Figure 4, number 10 indicates, as a whole, a machine for filling containers 11, in this case bottles, with liquid foodstuffs. The filling machine 10 comprises a frame 12; a filling tank 13 configured to be fed with the liquid; a filling device 14; and a shutter device 15 for occluding the containers 11.

[0042]The filling device 14 extends partly into the filling tank 13 and partly beneath the filling tank along a substantially vertical longitudinal axis A and is in fluidic communication with the filling tank 13.

[0043]The filling device 14 comprises a lower portion configured to be selectively inserted into a container 11 to feed the liquid into the container 11 and expel the gas present in the container 11.

[0044]The shutter device 15 comprises a centring cone 16; a respective gasket 17 configured to be placed in contact with the mouth of the container 11; and a drive mechanism 18 which allows the centring cone to be moved along the longitudinal axis A. The cen...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102024000011227 filed on May 17, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to a filling device for filling bottles and containers with liquid foodstuffs, such as, in particular, still wines, sparkling wines, beer, juices, water, etc., and more specifically to a filling device intended to be installed on a filling machine.STATE OF THE ART

[0003] As is known, the filling of bottles with liquid foodstuffs is generally classified into two categories based on the technology used to detect that the right amount of liquid has been supplied, and precisely, filling by level and filling by volume.

[0004] Filling by level can be achieved by inserting a ventilation tube inside the bottle. The ventilation tube commonly referred to in English terminology as the "vent tube" allows the gas to exit the container during the filling and causes the filling to stop at a certain level, corresponding to the height at which the ventilation tube is inserted into the bottle neck.

[0005] Alternatively, filling by level can be achieved by means of a sensor, which is introduced into the bottle to the desired level; when the liquid reaches the sensor, the liquid supply is cut off.

[0006] Filling by volume can be achieved with several alternative methods.

[0007] A first method of filling by volume comprises pre-filling a known-volume chamber and then transferring the volume of liquid from the chamber into the container / bottle. This method is known in the industry as "piston filler".

[0008] A second method of filling by volume comprises measuring the weight of the container / bottle by means of a load cell during filling and stopping the liquid supply when the desired weight is reached.

[0009] A third method of filling by volume comprises using a flow meter, which stops the liquid supply when the desired volume or mass is reached inside the container. In practice, magnetic-inductive flow meters are used for filling with conductive liquids or mass flow meters are used for filling with conductive and non-conductive liquids.

[0010] The filling device which is an object of the present invention belongs to the category of filling by level with a ventilation tube and, in particular, of the type described in patent EP 2,958,851 B1 in the name of the applicant. Some peculiarities of the filling device 1 described in the above patent are shown in the attached

[0011] Figures 1 to 3 in the respective steps of filling a bottle 2. The aforementioned filling device 1 comprises a liquid supply pipe 3 and a respective liquid shutter 4 located at the lower end of a ventilation tube 5 arranged concentrically within the supply pipe 3. A rod 6 is located inside the ventilation tube 5 to control a gas shutter 7.

[0012] Specifically, the liquid shutter 4 is integral with the lower end of the ventilation tube 5 to close the supply pipe 3 at its lower end, and the gas shutter 7 is integral with the lower end of the rod 6 to close the ventilation tube 5 at its lower end.

[0013] This solution has proven to be very advantageous and reliable but can be improved both in terms of the accuracy of the fill level and in terms of the regularity of the liquid outflow.

[0014] With regard to level accuracy, the supply of liquid into the bottle 2 is automatically cut off when the level of the liquid in the bottle 2 reaches the lower end of the ventilation tube 5 and obstructs it (Fig. 2 - level X) preventing further gas from exiting the bottle 2, and therefore, further liquid from entering the bottle 2. For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that at the end of the filling the liquid rises inside the ventilation tube 5 until it reaches approximately the level in the filling tank, not shown and located above the supply pipe 3 and in communication with the ventilation tube 5. In fact, the liquid level in the ventilation tube 5 remains slightly below level L due to load losses in the ventilation tube 5. In practice, a slightly different behaviour was observed from that described above. The difference in behaviour is due to the strong attraction bonds in the liquid, the presence of foam, and the proximity of the walls of the bottle 2 to the area where the liquid enters the bottle 2, which results in a rapid level change in the bottle, rising to level Y at the lower end of the supply pipe 3, as shown in Figure 3, whereas it should have stopped at the lower end of the ventilation tube 5 which is arranged below the end of the supply pipe 3 and should theoretically define the level (Fig. 2 - level X). In practice, the attraction bonds in the liquid cause compression of the gas between the level generated in the container and the mouth of the container, reducing its volume and allowing more liquid to enter the container without any more gas escaping. This phenomenon is random and causes an error in determining the level in the various containers: sometimes the level stops at the lower end of the ventilation tube 5 (Fig. 2 - level X), sometimes at the lower end of the supply pipe 3 (Fig. 3 - level Y). The resulting error is approximately 3-4 mm.

[0015] As regards the irregularity in the liquid outflow, it should be recalled that the liquid shutter 4 and the corresponding gasket are shaped to "rapidly" divert the liquid arriving from the supply pipe 3 towards the wall of the bottle through an annular-shaped port, in this case the inner face of the neck of the bottle 2. In this way, the liquid fills the bottle 2 by flowing down the walls thereof, which has the advantage of reducing the speed of the fall and thus limiting the impact with the liquid already present in the bottle, in order to reduce foaming and the inclusion of gas bubbles in the liquid. The port between the liquid shutter 4 and the supply pipe 3 has an extension of 360°; this generates a liquid veil V from the annular port towards the walls of the container which has a bell shape with an angular extension of 360°, as shown in Figure 1. This liquid veil S creates a separation between the gas above it and the gas below it. The area below the liquid veil V is connected to the above-mentioned tank via the ventilation tube 5, whereas the area above the liquid veil V is isolated from the above-mentioned tank. The separation of the two areas results in different pressures P1 and P2 in the lower area and the upper area, respectively. At the beginning of the filling step, the pressures P1 and P2 are the same, and then while the filling continues (the filling step takes a considerable amount of time, approximately 8-10 seconds for a 0.75-litre bottle) they may differ due to pressure variations in the aforementioned tank due to the objective difficulty of perfectly stabilizing the pressure in the tank during production. The difference in pressure between the two areas causes continuous movements of the liquid veil V ("it rises and falls") and, beyond certain values, also the passage of gas from one environment to the other. As a result, the liquid outflow becomes irregular and increases foaming and the inclusion of gas bubbles in the liquid, resulting in a loss of filling yield.OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The object of the present invention is to provide a filling device which improves filling accuracy compared to the prior art.

[0017] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a container filling device, in particular for filling bottles with liquid foodstuffs, which has: a supply channel extending along a longitudinal axis to feed the liquid into the container; a ventilation channel coaxial to, and arranged within, the supply channel to evacuate the gas in the container; a liquid shutter, which is arranged at the lower end of the supply channel to selectively open and close a supply port; a gas shutter, which is arranged at the lower end of the ventilation channel for selectively opening and closing a ventilation port, the filling device being characterised by comprising: a divider body, which is adjacent to the liquid shutter, is configured to angularly delimit the supply port, and is provided with an opening to fluidically connect the ventilation channel and the interior of the container, when the liquid shutter is in the open position.

[0018] The divider body allows the liquid veil to assume an annular sector configuration, thereby allowing the gas above and below the liquid veil to communicate and allowing the gas above the liquid veil to be in communication with the channel for gas evacuation through the opening.

[0019] In this way, above and below the liquid veil, the gas is at the same pressure, the liquid veil has a stable shape, and the filling level is determined by the upper end of the opening.

[0020] In addition, the gas is evacuated both through the ventilation port and through the opening for the benefit of the evacuation speed. It should be noted that reaching the level in the container implies that the liquid rises towards the filling tank. Subsequently, the liquid shutter and the gas shutter are closed again.

[0021] During the initial step of filling a new container, the gas shutter and the liquid shutter are opened in succession so as to allow the ventilation channel to be emptied of the liquid before opening the supply channel and said opening.

[0022] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the divider body extends about the longitudinal axis at a progressively increasing angle up to a maximum value at the liquid shutter, in particular the maximum value of the extension sector of the divider body is in the range between 15° and 45°.

[0023] Tests carried out by the applicant have shown that an angle within this range equalizes the pressure above and below the liquid veil for liquid foodstuffs, such as for example wine and beer, without negatively affecting the time required for filling the containers.

[0024] In particular, the filling device comprises: a supply pipe, which extends along a longitudinal axis, and is configured to be arranged at least partially within the container; a ventilation tube, which is coaxial to the supply pipe, is arranged within the supply pipe so as to define the supply channel of annular shape, and protrudes with respect to the lower end of the supply pipe; a rod, which is coaxial to the ventilation tube, is arranged inside the ventilation tube so as to give the ventilation channel an annular configuration, and protrudes with respect to the ventilation tube; the liquid shutter being arranged at the lower end of the ventilation tube and movable along the longitudinal axis integral with the ventilation tube with respect to the supply pipe to selectively open and close the supply port and said opening; and a gas shutter, which is arranged at the lower end of the rod and is movable along the longitudinal axis integral with the rod with respect to the ventilation tube to selectively open and close the ventilation port.

[0025] In practice, the ventilation of the gas present in the container occurs through the opening and the ventilation port.

[0026] From the constructional point of view, the divider body is integral with the liquid shutter and is slidingly coupled to the supply pipe.

[0027] Conveniently, the opening is arranged in a position such that, when the liquid shutter is arranged in the closed position, the opening is occluded by the supply pipe.

[0028] In particular, the divider body has a cylindrical wall in sliding contact with the supply pipe in order to close said opening.

[0029] In accordance with the invention, the ventilation tube comprises spacer bodies slidingly coupled to the supply pipe, said divider body being integral with one of said spacer bodies. In fact, the divider body also acts as a spacer.

[0030] The filling device comprises a drive mechanism to control the liquid shutter and the gas shutter. The drive mechanism may be of the mechanical and / or pneumatic and / or electrical type.

[0031] One object of the present invention is to provide a liquid foodstuff container filling machine, which mitigates the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0032] A filling machine is provided in accordance with the present invention, the filling machine comprising: a filling device as previously identified; and a filling tank, which is in fluidic communication with the annular supply channel and the annular ventilation channel.

[0033] In practice, the filling tank feeds the liquid foodstuff by gravity to the container and receives the gas evacuated from the container.

[0034] In particular, the filling machine comprises a shutter device configured to be arranged tightly against the mouth of the container and allow fluidic communication between the container and the filling tank via the annular supply channel and the annular ventilation channel.

[0035] In this way, the filling tank, the supply channel, the ventilation channel and the container define a closed system that does not communicate with the external environment.

[0036] A further object of the present invention is to provide a method of filling a container with a liquid foodstuff, which is free from the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0037] In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided for filling a container with a liquid foodstuff, the method comprising: supplying the liquid foodstuff within the container through an annular supply channel extending along a longitudinal axis and a supply port extending around the longitudinal axis along an angle of between 315° and 345° at a liquid shutter configured to selectively open and close said supply port; evacuating the gas present in the container by means of an annular ventilation channel coaxial to the supply channel through a ventilation port at a gas shutter and an opening (29) formed in a divider body for fluidically connecting the annular ventilation channel with the interior of the container when the liquid shutter is open; and selectively opening and closing a ventilation port by means of a gas shutter, which is arranged at the lower end of the annular ventilation channel.

[0038] This stabilizes the liquid veil during the filling step and keeps the filling level in the container constant and reproducible.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0039] The attached Figures 1 to 3 are sectional views, with parts removed for clarity, of a filling device in accordance with the state of the art described in EP 2,958,851 B1.

[0040] The invention will now be described with reference to the attached Figures 4 to 10, which illustrate a nonlimiting embodiment of the present invention, in particular: Figure 4 is a sectional view, with parts removed for clarity, of a filling machine made in accordance with the present invention; Figures 5 and 6 are sectional views, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of a filling device of the machine in Figure 4 in an open configuration and a closed configuration, respectively; Figure 7 is a perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of a ventilation tube of the filling device which is an object of the present invention; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view, with parts removed for clarity, of a filling device made in accordance with the present invention and inserted inside a container; and Figures 9 and 10 are longitudinal sectional views, with parts removed for clarity, of a filling device in accordance with the present invention in two respective operating steps. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0041] With reference to Figure 4, number 10 indicates, as a whole, a machine for filling containers 11, in this case bottles, with liquid foodstuffs. The filling machine 10 comprises a frame 12; a filling tank 13 configured to be fed with the liquid; a filling device 14; and a shutter device 15 for occluding the containers 11.

[0042] The filling device 14 extends partly into the filling tank 13 and partly beneath the filling tank along a substantially vertical longitudinal axis A and is in fluidic communication with the filling tank 13.

[0043] The filling device 14 comprises a lower portion configured to be selectively inserted into a container 11 to feed the liquid into the container 11 and expel the gas present in the container 11.

[0044] The shutter device 15 comprises a centring cone 16; a respective gasket 17 configured to be placed in contact with the mouth of the container 11; and a drive mechanism 18 which allows the centring cone to be moved along the longitudinal axis A. The centring cone 16 has a central opening through which the filling device 14 extends in a liquid-tight manner.

[0045] With reference to Figure 5, the filling device 14 is provided with a supply channel 19 to transfer the liquid from the filling tank 13 to the container 11, and a ventilation channel 20 to transfer the gas present in the container 11 to the filling tank 13 (Figure 4) above the liquid level.

[0046] The lower part of the filling device 14 designed to be arranged inside the container 11 comprises a supply pipe 21, which extends along the longitudinal axis A; a ventilation tube 22, which is coaxial with the supply pipe 21, is arranged inside the supply pipe 21 so as to define the annular supply channel 19, and protrudes with respect to the lower end of the supply pipe 21; a rod 23, which is coaxial with the ventilation tube 22, is arranged inside the ventilation tube 22 so as to define the ventilation channel 20 and protrudes with respect to the ventilation tube 21.

[0047] The filling device 14 comprises a liquid shutter 24, which is arranged at the lower end of the ventilation tube 22 and is movable along the longitudinal axis A integral with the ventilation tube 22 with respect to the supply pipe 21 to selectively open and close (Figure 6) a liquid passage port; and a gas shutter 25, which is arranged at the lower end of the rod 23 and is movable along the longitudinal axis A integral with the rod 23 with respect to the ventilation tube 22 to selectively open and close the ventilation channel 20.

[0048] The ventilation tube 22 has spacers 26 arranged in the radial direction to keep the supply pipe 21 and the ventilation tube coaxial with each other and define the annular-shaped supply channel 19. Similarly, the rod has spacers 27 to keep the ventilation tube 22 and the rod coaxial with each other and give the ventilation channel 20 an annular shape.

[0049] The filling device 14 comprises a divider body 28, which is adjacent to the liquid shutter 24, is configured to partially occlude the annular supply channel 19 when the liquid shutter 24 is in the open position and is provided with an opening 29 to fluidically connect the annular ventilation channel 20 and the outside of the supply pipe 21, when the liquid shutter 24 is in the open position.

[0050] In the present case, the divider body 28 is integral with the liquid shutter 24 and the ventilation tube 22 and is slidingly coupled to the supply pipe 21 in order to give the liquid passage port an annular sector configuration.

[0051] The opening 29 is arranged in a position such that, when the liquid shutter 24 is arranged in the closed position (Figure 6), the opening 29 is occluded by the inner face of the supply pipe 21.

[0052] With reference to Figure 7, the divider body 28 has a cylindrical wall configured to be arranged in sliding contact with the supply pipe 21 (Figure 6).

[0053] The divider body 28 extends about the longitudinal axis A at a progressively increasing angle up to a maximum value at the liquid shutter 24, in particular the maximum value of the extension sector of the divider body is in the range between 15° and 45° so that the liquid passage port extends along an annular sector of between 315° and 345°.

[0054] As shown in Figure 7, the divider body 28 is integral with the ventilation tube 22, the shutter 24 and one of the spacers 26 and originates from said spacer 26.

[0055] With reference to Figure 4, the filling device 14 comprises the drive mechanism 30 to control the liquid shutter 24 and the gas shutter 25. The drive mechanism may indifferently be of the mechanical and / or pneumatic and / or electrical type.

[0056] In use, a container 11 is placed in contact with the centring cone 16 and the lower part of the filling device 14 is inserted into the container 11, as shown in Figure 4.

[0057] When the liquid shutter 24 and the gas shutter 25 are opened, the liquid foodstuff is delivered into the container through the annular supply channel 19 and a passage port extending along an angle of between 315° and 345° at the liquid shutter 24, and the gas present in the container 11 is evacuated via the annular ventilation channel 20 coaxial with the supply channel through a further port at a gas shutter to selectively open and close the further port and an opening 29 arranged directly above the liquid shutter 24, as shown in Figure 9.

[0058] As shown in Figure 8, the divider body 28 produces a liquid veil V which extends around the longitudinal axis A at an angle of less than 360°, while the opening 28 provides an additional connection between the container 11 and the filling tank 13 (Figure 4).

[0059] In this way, as shown in Figure 9, the gas pressure during the filling step on either side of the liquid veil V is the same.

[0060] In addition, the filling level in the container 11 is defined reproducibly by the edge of the end of the supply pipe 19, at which the upper end of the opening 29 is arranged, as shown in Figure 10.

[0061] The device 14, the machine 10 and the method described above include variants falling within the scope of protection of the following claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0041]With reference to Figure 4, number 10 indicates, as a whole, a machine for filling containers 11, in this case bottles, with liquid foodstuffs. The filling machine 10 comprises a frame 12; a filling tank 13 configured to be fed with the liquid; a filling device 14; and a shutter device 15 for occluding the containers 11.

[0042]The filling device 14 extends partly into the filling tank 13 and partly beneath the filling tank along a substantially vertical longitudinal axis A and is in fluidic communication with the filling tank 13.

[0043]The filling device 14 comprises a lower portion configured to be selectively inserted into a container 11 to feed the liquid into the container 11 and expel the gas present in the container 11.

[0044]The shutter device 15 comprises a centring cone 16; a respective gasket 17 configured to be placed in contact with the mouth of the container 11; and a drive mechanism 18 which allows the centring cone to be moved along the longitudinal axis A. The cen...

Claims

1. A container filling device, in particular for filling bottles with liquid foodstuffs, comprises: - a supply channel (19) to feed the liquid into the container (11); - a ventilation channel (20) coaxial to, and arranged within, the supply channel (19) to evacuate the gas in the container (11); - a liquid shutter (24), which is arranged at the lower end of the supply channel (19) to selectively open and close a supply port; - a gas shutter (25), which is arranged at the lower end of the ventilation channel (20) for selectively opening and closing a ventilation port, the filling device (14) being characterised by comprising: - a divider body (28), which is adjacent to the liquid shutter (24), is configured to angularly delimit the supply port, and is provided with an opening (29) to fluidically connect the ventilation channel (20) and the interior of the container (11), when the liquid shutter (24) is in the open position.

2. The filling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the divider body (28) extends about the longitudinal axis (A) at a progressively increasing angle up to a maximum value at the liquid shutter (24), in particular the maximum value of the extension sector of the divider body (28) is in the range between 15° and 45°.

3. The filling device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 and comprising: - a supply pipe (21), which extends along a longitudinal axis (A), and is configured to be arranged at least partially within the container (11); - a ventilation tube (22), which is coaxial to the supply pipe (21), is arranged within the supply pipe (21) so as to define the supply channel (19) of annular shape, and protrudes with respect to the lower end of the supply pipe (21); - a rod (23), which is coaxial to the ventilation tube (22), is arranged inside the ventilation tube (22) so as to give the ventilation channel (20) an annular configuration, and protrudes with respect to the ventilation tube (22); - the liquid shutter (24) being arranged at the lower end of the ventilation tube (22) and movable along the longitudinal axis (A) integral with the ventilation tube (22) with respect to the supply pipe (21) to selectively open and close the supply port and said opening (29); and - a gas shutter (25), which is arranged at the lower end of the rod (23) and is movable along the longitudinal axis (A) integral with the rod (23) with respect to the ventilation tube (22) to selectively open and close the ventilation port.

4. The filling device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the divider body (28) is integral with the liquid shutter (24) and is slidingly coupled to the supply pipe (21).

5. The filling device as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the opening (29) is arranged in a position such that, when the liquid shutter (24) is arranged in the closed position, the opening (29) is occluded by the supply pipe (21).

6. The filling device as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the divider body (28) has a cylindrical wall in sliding contact with the supply pipe (21).

7. The filling device as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the ventilation tube (22) comprises spacer bodies (26) slidingly coupled to the supply pipe (21), said divider body (28) being integral with one of said spacer bodies (26).

8. The filling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and comprising at least one drive mechanism (30) for controlling the liquid shutter (24) and the gas shutter (25).

9. A liquid foodstuff container filling machine, the filling machine (10) comprising: - a filling device (14) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims; and - a filling tank (13), which is in fluidic communication with the annular supply channel (19) and the annular ventilation channel (20).

10. The filling machine as claimed in claim 9 and comprising a shutter device (15) configured to be arranged tightly against the mouth of the container (11) and allow fluidic communication between the container (11) and the filling tank (13) via the annular supply channel (19) and the annular ventilation channel (20).

11. A method of filling a container with a liquid foodstuff, the method comprising: - supplying the liquid foodstuff within the container (11) through an annular supply channel (19) extending along a longitudinal axis (A) and a supply port extending around the longitudinal axis (A) along an angle of between 315° and 345° at a liquid shutter (24) configured to selectively open and close said supply port; - evacuating the gas present in the container (11) by means of an annular ventilation channel (20) coaxial to the supply channel (19) through a ventilation port at a gas shutter (25) and an opening (29) formed in a divider body (28) for fluidically connecting the annular ventilation channel (20) with the interior of the container (11) when the liquid shutter (24) is open; and - selectively opening and closing a ventilation port by means of a gas shutter (25), which is arranged at the lower end of the annular ventilation channel (20).

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