Filling device for long tube contact filling with long dummy bottle

Abstract

It is described a filling device (1) for filling containers (B1, B2) with a carbonated pourable product, comprising: - a dispensing valve group (2) for dispensing the product; - a delivery tube (3) for delivering the dispensed product into the container (B1; B2); - an auxiliary valve group (4) at least for evacuating a gas from the container during the product delivery, said delivery tube (3) passing through said auxiliary valve group (4); - a first support (5) for keeping the container (B1; B2) in a contact position with respect to said auxiliary group (4) during the product delivery; said auxiliary valve group (4) being movable along said tube (3), with respect to said dispensing valve group (2), so that an operative position of the auxiliary valve group (4) can be varied to select a respective operative condition of the filling device (1); - a tube shaped dummy bottle (8);- a second support (9) for keeping the dummy bottle (8) in a contact position during a cleaning of the filling device (1), in which the dummy bottle (8) is in a sealed fluid communication with said auxiliary group (4) and a terminal sector (31) of the tube (3), which is opposite with respect to the dispensing valve group (2), is inserted in the dummy bottle (8) during said cleaning.

Description

[0001] FILLING DEVICE FOR LONG TUBE CONTACT FILLING WITH LONG

[0002] DUMMY BOTTLE

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present invention relates to filling device for filling containers with a pourable product , which allows to have a faster format changeover .

[0005] BACKGROUND ART

[0006] In the field of packaging carbonated pourable products by means of containers , it is known to use a type of filling device for filling the container with the product , which is configured for a contact and long tube filling process . This type of filling device comprises a dispensing valve group for dispensing the product , and a tube for trans ferring the product from the dispensing valve group into the container while the container is in contact with the filling device . In this way, a reduction of the risk of foam formation can be obtained, because the tube is long enough to ensure that the outlet of the tube is immersed in the product itsel f during at least one part of the filling process . In particular, the product contributes to the evacuation of the gas during the delivery of the product , to increase the stability of the filling process .

[0007] Upon a change of container format , the tube is to be changed . The change of the tube requires a relevant time interval for completing the changeover operation . Moreover, performing a cleaning process for cleaning the dispensing group and the tube can be di f ficult .

[0008] DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0009] A filling device according to present description or according to any of the appended device claims is configured for filling containers by means of a long tube filling process , and allows to perform an ef ficient cleaning process for improving the cleaning of the tube , in particular, for example , in case the filling process is a long tube contact filling process .

[0010] A filling machine according to present description or according to any of the appended machine claims comprises a filling device according to present description or according to any of the appended device claims .

[0011] The following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention are referred to an example embodiment of a filling device according to present description and to an example embodiment of a filling machine according to present description .

[0012] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The following detailed description will be referred to the accompanying drawings , in which : Figure 1 is a partially sectioned side view of the device in a first operative condition during production;

[0014] Figure 2 is a partially sectioned view of the device in a second operative condition during production;

[0015] Figure 3 is a detailed view of a portion of the device in the first operative condition;

[0016] Figure 4 is a close up view of a sealing system which is part of the device , in a sealing condition;

[0017] Figure 5 , is a partially sectioned view of the device in a cleaning condition;

[0018] Figure 6 , is a closes up view of the sealing system in a no sealing condition .

[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The filling device 1 is configured for filling containers with a pourable product . The product can be for example a carbonated pourable food product , like for example sparkling water or beer or another carbonated beverage . The containers can be for example bottles or cans . The containers can be for example PET bottles or glass bottles .

[0021] The device 1 comprises a dispensing valve group 2 for dispensing the product .

[0022] The device 1 comprises a delivery tube 3 for delivering the dispensed product into the container . Figures 1 and 3 are referred to a situation in which a container of a first format Bl is filled . Figure 2 is referred to a situation in which a container of a second format B2 is filled, which is di f ferent with respect to the first format . The variation of the format between container of the first format Bl and container of the second format B2 corresponds at least in a variation of the height of the container .

[0023] The device 1 comprises an auxiliary valve group 4 . The auxiliary valve group 4 is configured at least for evacuating a gas from the container during the product delivery . The delivery tube 3 is passing through said auxiliary valve group 4 . In fact , i f the product is carbonated, the container to be filled is pressuri zed by means of a pressuri zing gas before the delivery of the product . This pressuri zing gas can be for example carbon dioxide . This pressuri zing gas must be evacuated at least partially from the container during the delivery of the product . The auxiliary valve group 4 can be configured also for depressuri zing the container after the delivery of the product .

[0024] The filling device 1 comprises a first support 5 for keeping the container Bl or B2 in a contact position with respect to the auxiliary group 4 during the product delivery . In the contact position of the container Bl or B2 , the container Bl or B2 is in sealed fluid communication with the auxiliary group 4 , and a terminal sector 31 of the tube 3 , which is opposite with respect to the dispensing valve group 2 , is inserted in the container Bl or B2 during the product delivery . In this way the product , for at least a part of the filling process , is released by the tube 3 through an outlet which is immersed in the product already delivered . In this way the filling device 1 is configured for performing a long tube contact filling process , to optimi ze the process in terms of stability and reduction or elimination of foam .

[0025] At least in Figures 1 , 2 and 3 , the container Bl or B2 adopts the respective contact position .

[0026] The auxiliary valve group 4 is movable along the tube 3 , with respect to the dispensing valve group 2 , so that an operative position of the auxiliary valve group 4 can be varied to select a respective operative condition of the filling device 1 . Therefore , the operative condition of the filling device 1 can be varied by varying the operative position of the auxiliary valve group 4 along the tube 3 , so that the filling device 1 can be adapted to the speci fic format of the container to be filled, without the need of changing the delivery tube 3 . In fact , by varying the height of the auxiliary group 4 along the tube 3 , the position of the tube 3 with respect to the container, while the container adopts the contact position, can be maintained correct also upon a format variation . In particular, the correctness of the position of the tube 3 with respect to the container is related to the distance between the outlet of the tube 3 , which is part of the terminal portion 31 , and the bottom of the container . By varying the position of the auxiliary group 4 along the tube 3 , the correctness of this distance can be maintained also with a new format , without the need to change the tube 3 when there is a change in the container format .

[0027] In Figures 1 and 3 , the filling device 1 adopts a first operative condition for filling a container of the first format Bl . In Figure 2 , the filling device 1 adopts a second operative condition for filling a container of the second format Bl . In Figures 1 and 3 , the auxiliary group 4 adopts a first position along the tube 3 , which corresponds to the first operative condition of the filling device 1 . In Figure 2 , the auxiliary group 4 adopts a second position along the tube 3 , which corresponds to the second operative condition of the filling device 1 . In each of Figures from 1 to 3 , the container Bl or B2 adopts the respective contact position .

[0028] The device 1 comprises a sealing system 7 which can adopt a sealing condition, in which it establishes a sealing of the auxiliary group 4 around the tube 3 , in the selected operative condition, and a no sealing condition . By means of the sealing system 7 being able to adopt that sealing condition, a correct contact filling process for filling the container with a carbonated pourable product can be performed by the filling device 1 , with the increase in flexibility arising from the mobility of the auxiliary group 4 . Figure 4 shows a close up view of the sealing system 7 adopting the sealing condition . In Figure 6 , the sealing system 7 adopts the no sealing condition . The sealing system 7 is part of the auxiliary group 4 .

[0029] The movement of the auxiliary group 4 along the tube 3 is allowed at least in said no sealing condition of the sealing system 7 . In particular, when the sealing system 7 adopts the no sealing condition, the auxiliary group 4 can slide along the tube 3 , to regulate the position of the auxiliary group 4 along the tube 3 , and therefore to select the operative condition of the filling device 1 as a function of the format of the container .

[0030] A speci fic operative condition of the device 1 is selected as a function of the format of the container, and in particular as a function of the height of the container along the extension of the tube 3 . When the selected operative condition is reached, the sealing system 7 is switched from the no sealing condition to the sealing condition . During the filling process , the speci fic operative position of the auxiliary group 4 , which corresponds to the selected operative condition of the device 1 , can be locked or kept fixed by means of suitable locking or blocking means .

[0031] Therefore , the filling device 1 is configured so that said operative position of the auxiliary group 4 , and the corresponding operative condition of the filling device 1 , can vary as a function of the height of the container along a direction parallel to the tube 3 . In this way the filling device 1 can easily adapt to the format of the container, and in particular to the height of the container, without the need to change the tube 3 .

[0032] The sealing system 7 comprises a membrane sealing element 72 .

[0033] The sealing system comprises a circuit 71 for setting the sealing element 72 in an active condition corresponding to said sealing condition of the sealing system 7 . The circuit 71 is part of the auxiliary group 4 .

[0034] The circuit 71 is configured for setting the sealing element 72 selectively in said active condition corresponding to said sealing condition, or in an inactive condition corresponding to said no sealing condition of the sealing system 7 . In this way the auxiliary group 4 defines the circuit 71 , to enhance the compactness of the filling device 1 .

[0035] The circuit 71 can be a pneumatic circuit , to inflate the membrane sealing element 72 .

[0036] The tube 3 defines a vertical direction . The auxiliary group 4 is vertically movable along the tube 3 with respect to the dispensing valve group 2 . The operative position of the auxiliary valve group 4 can be varied to select a respective operative condition of the filling device 1 , as a function of the vertical height of the container Bl or B2 .

[0037] The filling device 1 comprises a tube shaped dummy bottle 8 which can adopt a contact position during a cleaning of the filling device . In the contact position of the dummy bottle 8 , the dummy bottle 8 is in a sealed fluid communication with the auxiliary group 4 . In the contact position of the dummy bottle 8 , a terminal sector 31 of the tube 3 is inserted in the dummy bottle 8 . The terminal sector 31 which is inserted in the dummy bottle 8 is opposite with respect to the dispensing valve group 2 . In Figure 5 , the dummy bottle 8 adopts the respective contact position .

[0038] The filling device 1 comprises a second support 9 for keeping the dummy bottle 8 in the respective contact position during said cleaning . The filling device 1 is configured so that , during said cleaning, the auxiliary group 4 adopts a contact position with respect to the dispensing valve group 2 . In the contact position of the auxiliary group 4 , the auxiliary group 4 is in sealed fluid communication with the dispensing group 2 , for the recirculation of the cleaning fluid dispensed by the dispensing valve group 2 . The contact position of the auxiliary group 4 corresponds to the closest position of the auxiliary group 4 with respect to the dispensing valve group 2 .

[0039] In Figure 5 , the auxiliary group 4 adopts the respective contact position .

[0040] In this way, the tube 3 can be cleaned along at least a maj or part of the longitudinal extension of the tube 3 , and, preferably, the tube 3 can be cleaned along the whole longitudinal extension of the tube 3 . Therefore , a filling device 1 is provided, which is configured for a long tube filling process , with an improved ability to be cleaned, to improve also the sustainability of the filling device 1 .

[0041] The filling device 1 is configured so that , during said cleaning, the sealing system 7 adopts said no sealing condition . In this way, the cleaning fluid recirculates by flowing in the gap between the tube 3 and the dummy bottle 8 . The path of the cleaning f luid is from the dispensing valve group 2 , through the interior of the tube 3 , through the gap between the tube 3 and the dummy bottle 8 , and again through recirculation means which are made in the dispensing valve group 2 .

[0042] Figure 5 shows the filling device 1 during the cleaning, with the dummy bottle 8 adopting the respective contact position and the auxiliary group 4 adopting the respective contact position .

[0043] The contact position of the auxiliary group 4 corresponds to the vertically highest position of the auxiliary group 4 .

[0044] The filling device 1 comprises a motor 10 for moving the container Bl or B2 to the contact position by moving the first support 5 .

[0045] The filling device 1 comprises a structural element 6 which can adopt a connecting position . In the contact position of the container Bl or B2 , the first support 5 5 is clung to the auxiliary group 4 by means of the structural element 6 adopting the connecting position . In this way, the motor 10 can be less active or also switched of f , during the filling process , because the first support 5 is kept in the correct position by means of the structural connection provided by the structural element 6. In this way, energy consumption ais reduced .

[0046] The motor 10 is preferably an electrical or electromagnetic motor .

[0047] The first support 5 can be a gripper .

[0048] The second support 9 can be a lower bracket .

[0049] The second support 9 can be configured for moving the dummy bottle to the respective contact position by avoiding interference with the first support 5 .

[0050] The filling device 1 can be part of a filling machine 1 . The filling machine is for filling containers with a pourable product . The filling machine comprises a plurality of filling devices 1 . The filling devices are supported on the periphery of a carousel . The machine comprises the carousel , and the carousel is rotatable around a central axis which is parallel to the vertical direction .

Claims

CLAIMS1. Filling device (1) for filling containers (Bl,B2 ) with a carbonated pourable product, comprising:- a dispensing valve group (2) for dispensing the product ;- a delivery tube (3) for delivering the dispensed product into the container (Bl; B2) ; an auxiliary valve group (4) at least for evacuating a gas from the container during the product delivery, said delivery tube (3) passing through said auxiliary valve group (4) ;- a first support (5) for keeping the container (Bl; B2) in a contact position with respect to said auxiliary group (4) during the product delivery, in which the container (Bl; B2) is in a sealed fluid communication with said auxiliary group (4) and a terminal sector (31) of the tube (3) , which is opposite with respect to the dispensing valve group (2) , is inserted in the container (Bl; B2) during the product delivery; said auxiliary valve group (4) being movable along said tube (3) , with respect to said dispensing valve group (2) , so that an operative position of the auxiliary valve group (4) can be varied to select a respective operative condition of the filling device (1) ;- a tube shaped dummy bottle (8) ;- a second support (9) for keeping the dummy bottle (8) in a contact position during a cleaning of the filling device (1) , in which the dummy bottle (8) is in a sealed fluid communication with said auxiliary group (4) and a terminal sector (31) of the tube (3) , which is opposite with respect to the dispensing valve group (2) , is inserted in the dummy bottle (8) during said cleaning.

2. Filling device (1) according to Claim 1, configured so that, during said cleaning:- the auxiliary group (4) adopts a contact position with respect to the dispensing valve group (2) , in which the auxiliary group (4) is in a sealed fluid communication with said dispensing group (2) for the recirculation of a cleaning fluid dispensed by the dispensing valve group (2) , said contact position of the auxiliary group (4) corresponding to the closest position of the auxiliary group (4) with respect to the dispensing valve group (2) .

3. Filling device (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the auxiliary group (4) comprises a sealing system (7) which can adopt a sealing condition, in which it establishes a sealing of the auxiliary group (4) around the tube (3) , in the selected operative condition of the filling device (1) , and a no sealing condition, in which it does not establish said sealing of the auxiliary group(4) around the tube (3) ; wherein the device (1) is configured so that, during said cleaning, the sealing system (7) adopts said no sealing condition.

4. Filling device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the filling device (1) is configured so that the movement of the auxiliary group (4) along the tube (3) is allowed at least in said no sealing condition of the sealing system ( 7 ) .

5. Filling device (1) according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein the filling device (1) is configured so that said operative position of the auxiliary group (4) and the corresponding operative condition of the filling device (1) can vary as a function of the height of the container (Bl; B2) along a direction parallel to the tube (3) .

6. Filling device (1) according to any of the previous claims from 3 to 5, wherein said sealing system (7) comprises: a membrane sealing element (72) ; a circuit (71) for setting the sealing element (72) in an active condition corresponding to said sealing condition of the sealing system (7) , the circuit (71) being part of the auxiliary group (4) .

7. Filling device (1) according to Claim 6, wherein the circuit (71) is configured for setting the sealingelement (72) selectively in said active condition corresponding to said sealing condition, or in an inactive condition corresponding to said no sealing condition of the sealing system (7) .

8. Filling device (1) according to any of the previous Claims from 3 to 7, wherein the tube (3) defines a vertical direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the tube (3) , the auxiliary group (4) being vertically movable along said tube (3) with respect to said dispensing valve group (2) , so that said operative position of the auxiliary valve group (4) can be varied to select a respective operative condition of the filling device (1) , as a function of the vertical height of the container (Bl; B2) , the contact position of the auxiliary group (4) corresponding to the vertically highest position of the auxiliary group (4) .

9. Filling device (1) according to any of the previous Claims from 3 to 8, comprising:- a motor (10) for moving the container (Bl; B2) to the respective contact position by moving the first support ( 5 ) ; a structural element (6) which can adopt a connecting position, in the contact position of the container (Bl; B2) , in which the first support (5) is clung to the auxiliary group (4) by means of thestructural element (6) adopting the connecting position.

10. Filling device (1) according to any of the previous Claims, wherein:- the product is carbonated pourable food product, like for example sparkling water or beer or another carbonated beverage.

11. Filling machine for filling containers with a pourable product, comprising a plurality of filling devices, each filling device being according to any of the previous claims.

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