WO2009004500A1

WO2009004500A1 - Filling valve for a filling machine

Info

Publication number: WO2009004500A1
Application number: PCT/IB2008/051147
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marco Botti; Gino Orlandini
Original assignee: Sbc Bottling & Canning SpA
Current assignee: Sbc Bottling & Canning SpA
Priority date: 2007-07-04
Filing date: 2008-03-27
Publication date: 2009-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 2010-01-04
Also published as: ITPR20070051A1

Abstract

A filling valve (1) for a filling machine comprises a false bottle (5) movably associated to the valve (1), means for actuating the false bottle (5) between a resting position and a working position, in which the false bottle (5) is coupled to a nozzle (4) of the filling valve to receive a washing fluid expelled from the nozzle (4), said actuating means comprising an elastic element (10) operatively active on the false bottle (5) to thrust is towards the nozzle (4), when the false bottle (5) is in the working position. In the filling valves provided with false bottles permanently associated therewith, known systems for actuating the false bottles are complicated and poorly reliable, therefore they are costly and poorly effective.

Description

FILLING VALVE FOR A FILLING MACHINE

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND ART. The present invention relates to a filling valve for a filling machine, in particular a filling machine able to operate in an aseptic environment. In the bottling industry, filling machines are used which comprise a plurality of filling valves to introduce fluid products into containers to be filled through appropriate nozzles. Within this field, it is also necessary to provide for washing or sanitising the filling valves, to keep them clean and efficient and assure the asepsis of the filling process.

For this purpose, the filling valves are rinsed by making a washing liquid circulate within them and expelling it through the nozzles; in practice, the filling valves are operated as in the actual filling process, but using a washing fluid instead of the filling products.

Said washing fluid (generally a liquid) expelled by the nozzles of the filling valves is collected in appropriate containers, known as false bottles. Generally, said false bottles are constituted by the blanks able to be transformed into bottles by means of a blowing step; said blanks have reduced dimensions relative to treated bottles, but their opening has the size, so they easily couple with the nozzles.

Therefore, when washing the filling valves it is necessary to move a plurality of false bottles, to couple a corresponding false bottle to the nozzle of each filling valve. In this light, several technical solutions have been devised to move the false bottles, e.g. exploiting pincers or other gripping means to draw the false bottles from a magazine and manipulate them.

The patent document EP 0409798 also discloses a technical solution in which the false bottles are associated to the corresponding filling valves, i.e. each filling valve is provided with its false bottle, which remains associated to the respective valve even during the filling step, in position of non interference with the nozzle of the valve itself.

In this case, with regard to actuating the false bottle between a rest position and working position, actuating means are provided that raise and lower the false bottle; said actuating means comprise a hook and a complex system of levers.

Providing a false bottle stably associated to a corresponding filling valve is, in itself, particularly convenient.

However, known technical solutions in this field are disadvantageous because they are particularly complicated and hence costly and poorly inefficient, from the practical standpoint.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the aforesaid drawbacks and to make available a filling valve for a filling machine provided with a false bottle associated therewith, permanently and in such a way as to make the washing process particularly simple and effective.

Said object is fully achieved by the filling valve of the present invention, that is characterised by the content of the appended claim and in particular in that the means for actuating the false bottle comprise an elastic element operatively active on the false bottle to thrust it towards the nozzle, when the false bottle is in the working position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.

This and other characteristics shall become more readily apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment, illustrated purely by way of non limiting example in the accompanying drawing tables, in which:

- figure 1 shows a perspective view of a filling valve according to the present invention, with the false bottle in a resting position; - figure 2 shows the valve of figure 1, with the false bottle in a lateral view, in the resting position;

- figure 3 shows a perspective view of the valve of figure 1, with the false bottle in an intermediate position;

- figure 4 shows a bottom view of the valve of figure 1, with the false bottle in the first intermediate position;

- figure 5 shows a lateral view of the valve of figure 1, with the false bottle in the first intermediate position;

- figure 6 shows a bottom view of the valve of figure 1, with the false bottle rotate relative to the first intermediate position; - figure 7 shows a perspective view of the valve of figure 1, with the false bottle in a second intermediate position;

- figure 8 shows a bottom view of the valve of figure 1, with the false bottle in the second intermediate position;

- figure 9 shows a lateral view of the valve of figure 1, with the false bottle in the second intermediate position; - figure 10 shows a perspective view of the valve of figure 1, with the false bottle in working position;

- figure 11 shows an open lateral view of the valve of figure 1, with the false bottle in working position; - figure 12 shows a lateral view of the valve of figure 1, with the false bottle in working position.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION.

In the figures, the reference number 1 designates a filling valve according to the present invention. The filling valve 1 is applied in particular in a filling machine, according to the prior art.

The filling valve 1 comprises a valve body 2, having an internal passage

3 for a fluid, and a nozzle 4 through which the fluid is ejected outside the valve body 2.

In filling process, the filling valve 1 ejects from the nozzle 4 a filling fluid to insert into a container to be filled, the container being positioned below the nozzle 4, according to the prior art.

In a process of washing the filling valve 1, the filling valve 1 itself ejects a washing fluid from the nozzle 4, cleaning itself, according to the prior art. In this light, the filling valve 1 comprises a false bottle or a dummy bottle 5, able to receive the washing fluid during the washing process, to avoiding dispersing said fluid into the surrounding environment.

The false bottle 5 is associated to the valve body 2, therefore, the false bottle 5 is integrated in the filling body 1 in permanent fashion. The false bottle 5 is associated to the filling valve 1 such as to be movable between a working position, in which it receives the washing fluid ejected from the nozzle 4 in the washing process, and a position of non interference with the filling process. In this light, the filling valve 1 comprising a carriage 6 slidably associated to the valve body 2 and movable along a longitudinal axis of the filling valve 1.

To the carriage 6 is pϊvotally associated a shaft 7, in such a way that the shaft is movable parallel to the axis of the filling valve 1 integrally with the carriage 6 and is simultaneously free to rotate relative to the carriage 6. In this light, note that the filling valve 1 also comprises means for rotating the shaft 7 around an axis, constituted preferably by an electric actuator (not shown because they are known in themselves). At one end of the shaft 7 is made integral a shelf 8 arranged in a transverse plane. The shelf 8 has a recess oriented upwards in the longitudinal direction; said recess, originally, defines the false bottle 5. Therefore, in the preferred embodiment illustrated the false bottle 5 is shaped as a cup incorporated in the shelf 8 integral with the shaft 7. In this light, note that an action of the means for rotating the shaft 7 entails a rotation of the false bottle in a transverse plane. To the carriage 6 is associated a roller 9, that constitutes an abutment able to interact with a cam (which is a part of the filling machine not illustrated, according to a technique known in itself) to cause the lowering of the carriage 6 itself. Moreover, the filling valve 1 originally comprises an elastic element 10 (constituted for example by a spring) interposed between the valve body 2 and the carriage 6 in such a way as to exert an upward thrust on the carriage 6.

In this way, the lowering of the carriage 6 entails a crushing of the elastic element 10, i.e., the lowering of the carriage 6 by the cam interacting with the roller 9 overcomes the action of the elastic element 10.

Note that the carriage 6, the roller 9, the shaft 7 and the elastic element

10 constitute means for actuating the false bottle 5 between the resting position and the working position.

Originally, when the false bottle 5 is in the working position, the elastic element 10 is operatively active on the false bottle 5 itself to thrust it towards the nozzle 4. The elastic element 10 thrusts the carriage 6 and the false bottle therewith upwards against the nozzle 4.

This enables, advantageously, to obtain a particularly effective and simple closure of the nozzle 4. In particular, the cup shape of the false bottle 5 enables, originally, the include the nozzle 4 in a closed volume, under the received thrust of the elastic element 10, when the false bottle 5 is in the working position.

In this light, note that the filling valve 1 also comprises, in the preferred embodiment illustrated, a ring surface 11 positioned around the nozzle 4. Said ring surface 11 interacts with the false bottle 5 when the false bottle is in the working position to close in sealed fashion around the nozzle 4 the volume defined by the false bottle 5 itself.

Moreover, originally, when the false bottle 5 is in the resting position, the elastic element 10 is operatively active on the false bottle 5 itself to maintain it in a position of non interference with the nozzle 4, preferably flanking the valve body 2 at a higher level than that of the nozzle. The elastic element 10 thrusts the carriage 6 and the false bottle therewith upwards, in the absence of the action of the cam. Hereafter, the operation of the filling valve 1 is described. During the filling process, the false bottle 5 is kept in position of non interference with said process (hence with the nozzle 4) by the action of the elastic element 10.

During the washing process, the false bottle 5 is actuated from the resting position to the working position, synchronously relative to the expulsion of the washing fluid; subsequently, the false bottle 5 is returned from the resting position to the working position. The actuation of the false bottle 5 from the resting position to the working position takes place in through successive steps. In a first step, the false bottle 5 is actuated from the resting position (shown in figures 1 and 2) to a first intermediate lowered position (shown in figures 3, 5 and 5). Said actuation takes place by effect of the action of the cam on the carriage 6.

In a second step, the false bottle 5 is actuated from the first intermediate position to a second intermediate position (shown in figures 7, 8 and 9). Said actuation takes place by effect of the action of the actuator on the shaft 7. In the first intermediate position, the shelf 8 is positioned in such a way that it can be lifted at the flank of the valve body, in raised position (e.g. in the resting position). In the second intermediate position, the false bottle 5 is rotated integrally with the shelf 8 (relative to the first intermediate position) in such a way as to be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the filling valve 1, i.e. with the axis along which the washing fluid is expelled from the nozzle 4.

Note that figure 6 shows a transitory position in the passage from the first to the second intermediate position. In a third step, the false bottle 5 is actuated from the second intermediate position to the working position (shown in figures 10, 11 and 12). Said actuation takes place by effect of the action of the elastic element 10, which, exerting a return force on the carriage 6, thrusts the false bottle 5 upwards, so that an upper edge of the false bottle 5 presses against the ring surface 11.

In this way, in the working position, the false bottle 5 encloses the nozzle in sealed fashion in said closed volume, by means of the pressure exerted by the false bottle 5, by effect of said return force, on the ring surface 11 of the filling valve 1. Therefore, the present invention also makes available a method for washing the filling valve 1 in a filling or rinsing machine or in another similar machine. Said method comprises the following steps.

- actuating the false bottle 5 from a raised resting position to a first lowered intermediate position contrasting the action of the elastic element 10, by translating the false bottle 5 in the longitudinal direction, i.e. along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filling valve 1 (hence of the nozzle 4);

- actuating the false bottle 5 from the first intermediate position to the second intermediate position, in which the false bottle 5 is aligned with the axis of the nozzle 4 and at a predetermined distance therefrom (e.g., a few millimetres), by rotating the false bottle 5 around an axis parallel to the axis of the nozzle 4 (in particular the axis of the shaft 7); - actuating the false bottle 5 from the second intermediate position to the raised working position, in which the false bottle 5 is coupled to the nozzle 4 enclosing it in a closed volume, by effect of the return force exerted by the elastic element 10.

Note that said first and second intermediate position are lowered position relative to the resting position, in which the false bottle 5 is flanked to the side of the valve body 2. In the working position, the false bottle is at a lower level relative to the resting position, but higher relative to the first and second intermediate position. Note that said levels should be seen to refer to the longitudinal axis of the filling valve 1, which, in the preferred embodiment illustrated, is vertical. Note that the present invention also makes available a filling machine comprising a plurality of filling valves 1, each of said filling valves being the filling valve described above.

Claims

1. A filling valve (1) for a filling machine, comprising:

- a false bottle (5) movable associated to the valve (1);

- means for actuating the false bottle (5) between a resting position and a working position, in which the false bottle (5) is coupled to a nozzle (4) of the filling valve to receive a washing fluid expelled from the nozzle

(4), characterised in that the actuating means comprise an elastic element (10) operatively active on the false bottle (5) to thrust it towards the nozzle (4) when the false bottle (5) is in the working position.

2. Filling valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the false bottle (5) is so shaped as to include the nozzle (4) in a closed volume, under the received thrust of the elastic element (10) when it is m the working position.

3. Filling valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the false bottle (5) is positioned flanking a valve body (2) at a higher level than the nozzle (4), when it is in the resting position.

4. Filling valve as claimed in claim 3, wherein the elastic element (10) is operatively active on the false bottle (5) to maintain it at said higher level than the nozzle (4) when the false bottle (5) is in the resting position.

5. Filling valve as claimed in claim 1, comprising:

- a valve body (2);

- a carriage (6) slidably associated to the valve body (2) and provided with an abutment (9) able to interact with a cam causing the lowering of the carriage (6) itself, the false bottle (5) being associated to the carriage (6) and movable integrally therewith from the resting position to a first intermediate position, lowered relative to the resting position.

6. Filling valve as claimed in claim 5, wherein the false bottle (5) is pivotally associated to the carriage (6) and the means for actuating the false bottle comprise an actuator for rotating the false bottle (5) from the first intermediate position to a second intermediate position, wherein the false bottle (5) is aligned with an axis of the nozzle (4) at a predetermined distance therefrom.

7. Filling valve as claimed in claim 5, wherein the elastic element (10) has a first end connected to the valve body (2) and a second end connected to the carriage (6).

8. Filling valve as claimed in claim 2 comprising a surface (11) defining a ring positioned around the nozzle (4) and interacting with the false bottle (5) when said false bottle is in the working position to close said volume in sealed fashion around the nozzle.

9. Filling machine comprising a plurality of filling valves, characterised in that each of said filling valve is a filling valve (1) as claimed in any of the previous claims.

10. Method for washing a filling valve (1) in a filling machine, the filling valve (1) being provided with a nozzle (4) for expelling a washing fluid and a false bottle (5) movably associated to the valve (1), characterised in that it comprises the following steps: - actuating the false bottle (5) from a raised resting position to a first lowered intermediate position contrasting the action of an elastic element (10), by translating the false bottle (5) along an axis parallel to the axis of the nozzle (4). - actuating the false bottle (5) from the first intermediate position to a s second intermediate position, in which the false bottle (5) is aligned with the axis of the nozzle (4) and at a predetermined distance therefrom, by rotating the false bottle (5) around an axis parallel to the axis of the nozzle (4), said first and second intermediate position being lowered positions relative to the resting position; o - actuating the false bottle (5) from the second intermediate position to a raised working position, in which it is coupled to the nozzle (4) enclosing it in a closed volume, by effect of the return force exerted by said elastic element (10).

11. Method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the step of actuating thes false bottle (5) from the second intermediate position to the working position comprises enclosing the nozzle (4) in sealed fashion in said closed volume, by means of a pressure exerted by the false bottle (5) by effect of said return force, on a surface (11) of the filling valve (1) defining a ring positioned around the nozzle (4).