TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a flow-rate selector.

In particular, the invention relates to a flow-rate selector for a filling machine and adapted to switch between two different flow-rate values of a flow of a pourable product, such a fruit juice, tea or an energy supplement, with which a container is filled, and which requires to be handled in aseptic conditions.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a flow-rate regulator and a filling machine.

BACKGROUND ART

Filling machines are known, comprising a filling station fed with empty containers and adapted to provide containers filled with the pourable food product.

The filling station substantially comprises a carousel conveyor rotating about a rotation axis, a tank containing the pourable food product, and a plurality of flow-rate regulators which are fluidically independently connected with the tank and are supported by the carousel conveyor in a radially external position with respect to the rotation axis of the carousel conveyor.

Each flow-rate regulator typically comprises a portion for fastening to the carousel defining therein a filling chamber fluidically connected with the tank, and a filling head arranged along a relative direction parallel to the rotation axis of the carousel.

Each filling head comprises a shutter displaceable in the relative filling chamber, between a closed configuration, in which the shutter prevents the product from reaching the mouth of the relative container to be filled, and an open configuration, in which the chamber and the container mouth are fluidically connected, thus allowing the product to fill the container.

Flow-rate regulators are known comprising a sphere- type shutter, which in its simplest form, comprises a substantially spherical body and has a cylindrical cavity directed along an axis substantially coplanar to the axis along which the fluid flows in a duct and such that, in a totally open configuration, the cylindrical cavity of the shutter is substantially coaxial with the duct. The operation of such flow-rate regulators is based on the possibility of rotating the shutter about an axis substantially orthogonal to that for the flowing of the fluid, whereby the free section of the duct can gradually be reduced, even up to a totally closed configuration.

Furthermore, flow-rate regulators are known comprising a shutter of the so-called butterfly type, which shutter comprises an essentially flat body having a surface substantially coincident with the section of the duct within which the fluid flows. This kind of shutter can rotate about an axis orthogonal to the flow axis of the fluid, so as to substantially vary the free section between a completely open configuration and a completely closed configuration.

Each flow-rate regulator is commonly controllable in response to a detection signal of the level reached by the pourable product within the container. For example, this signal can come from an inductive- type probe which directly detects the level of the pourable product within the container, or a signal processed from an indirect measurement, for example, from the detection of the weight of the container during filling, which is a function only of the level reached in the container, the surface of the section of the container and the density of the pourable product being the same.

To fill a container, the shutter of the flow-rate regulator is displaced from the closed position to an at least partially open position.

As the turbulence within the container increases when the level reached by the pourable product approaches a filling condition, in particular in the case in which the container is a bottle and therefore has a tapering of the section and, in any case, in order to avoid the outflow of pourable product from the container during filling, the filling generally comprises a first high speed step and a second low speed step immediately following the first step. Thereby, the outflow of pourable product from the container is substantially avoided and at the same time the volume of the pourable product introduced in the container is controlled precisely. This volume must in most commercially directed cases correspond within strict limits to the nominal volume indicated on the package which is sold.

The first filling step is ended when the level of pourable food product has reached a predetermined level, for example the level of the probe, or the level corresponding to a predetermined weight of the container.

As an alternative, the reaching of this predetermined level in the container can be detected indirectly by continuously measuring the flow-rate of the fluid fed, for example with a flowmeter, and accordingly computing the overall fed volume.

When the pourable product reaches this level in the container, the second step of filling starts. This low speed filling step lasts a range of time required to fill the container with a predetermined amount of pourable food product .

In the specific case in which the pourable product is added with carbon dioxide, as frequently occurs in the food sector with carbonated beverages, before the step of filling, each container is pressurised in order to be taken to the same pressure of the pourable food product during the filling step. In particular, the pressurisation occurs by feeding a fluid, for example carbon dioxide, within the container while the shutter of the flow-rate regulator is in the closed position. At the end of the filling, each container is depressurised so that the pressure over the free surface of the pourable product equals the atmospheric pressure. This depressurising step is carried out by conveying the carbon dioxide, by which each container was pressurised, outside the container.

Given the above disclosed operation conditions, whether or not the pourable product is added with carbon dioxide, it is necessary that the flow-rate regulator used in this filling machine can take three different configurations: i) a totally closed configuration; ii) a first open configuration (which can possibly overlap with the totally open configuration) , corresponding to the fast filling step; and iii) a second open configuration, having a degree of opening smaller than the first open configuration and corresponding to the slow filling step.

In other words, in this kind of filling machine it is necessary to provide a flow-rate regulator adapted to rapidly, precisely, reliably provide the transition between the first and second open configuration. This transition must follow virtually immediately after the pourable product has reached a given threshold level within the container.

The sphere or butterfly shutters disclosed above are theoretically capable of taking any number of positions corresponding to partial opening degrees in the range between the totally closed configuration and the totally open configuration. However, these shutters have a series of disadvantages. In particular, they are difficult to clean given the reduced tolerance between shutter and walls of the duct within which the pourable product flows in use. Furthermore, they imply considerable production costs and, like all mechanical parts rotating or translating reciprocally, are especially wear prone.

It should then be considered that, in order to conveniently manage the operation of a filling machine of the type disclosed, it is essential that the regulator is very rapid in responding to the detection signal of the level reached by the pourable product within the container.

In particular, in order to conveniently switch from the fast filling configuration to the slow filling configuration as previously disclosed, it is recommendable that the regulator comprises an appropriate flow-rate selector adapted to promptly and precisely respond to the detection signal of the level reached by the pourable product within the container.

From this point of view, a sphere or butterfly shutter capable of virtually taking any number of intermediate positions between the open and closed configurations is not convenient from a logic control point of view, since it should, in use, cyclically obtain a rapid rotation about the axis of the shutter, from the first open configuration (possibly totally open) to a predetermined intermediate open position, followed by a just as rapid rotation towards the integrally closed configuration when the desired level of pourable product in the container is reached. It is clear that with these use modes the structure of the shutter is subjected to a considerable mechanical wear and, at the same time, a fine regulation of the controller and of the actuator is necessary as the amplitude of the rotation imposed by the shutter corresponds precisely to a predetermined degree of opening.

The need is therefore felt in the sector to provide a flow-rate selector which is compatible with the specific needs related to the filling of containers with a pourable product in a filling machine of the above disclosed type, in particular in terms of actuation speed in response to a given signal, and therefore of transition from a filling (open) configuration to the other.

Furthermore, the need is felt to provide such a flow- rate selector which allows to limit the production and management costs, in particular as regards the structural complication and the management costs (maintenance, energy- consumption, etc.) In particular, the need is felt in the sector to provide such a flow-rate selector adapted to be used with a pourable product which, by its own nature (physical, organoleptic features etc.) needs to be handled in aseptic conditions.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

At least one of the above needs is satisfied by the present invention, as it relates to a flow-rate selector according to claim 1.

Furthermore, the invention provides a flow-rate regulator according to claim 6 and a filling machine according to claim 7.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment is hereinafter disclosed for a better understanding of the present invention, by mere way of non-limitative example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 diagrammatically shows a flow-rate regulator according to the invention;

- Figure 2 shows a diagrammatic sectional view of a flow-rate selector according to the invention in a high speed filling configuration;

- Figure 3 shows a diagrammatic side view of the flow- rate selector of Figure 1;

- Figure 4 shows a diagrammatic sectional view of the flow-rate selector of Figure 1 in a slow filling configuration;

- Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic side view of the flow- rate selector of Figure 3.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In Figure 1 numeral 1 shows as a whole a flow-rate regulator assembly adapted to be incorporated in a filling station (not shown) of a filling machine for filling containers C with a pourable product.

In particular, filling system 1 disclosed herein is suitable for carrying out filling operations which involve fluids containing suspended solid particles.

This filling station is typically fed with empty containers and fills these containers with the pourable product. For this purpose, the filling station typically comprises a tank S containing the pourable product and, where necessary, a source of fluid, for example carbon dioxide, to pressurise containers C before filling; a carousel rotating about a vertical axis and protrudingly carrying a plurality of flow-rate regulator assemblies 1 and of support elements for the respective containers C.

More precisely, flow-rate regulator assemblies 1 are rotated by the carousel and the support elements are displaceable from and towards flow-rate regulator assemblies 1 along respective vertical axes.

In the following description, for simplicity, reference will be made to only one flow-rate regulator assembly 1 and relative container C.

In particular, flow-rate regulator assembly 1 comprises (see Figure 1) a flow-rate selector 100 selectively and alternatively fluidically connectable with a tank S containing a pourable product to be transferred in a container C.

Furthermore, flow-rate regulator 1 comprises connecting means 2 for fluidically selectively connecting/disconnecting (for example, in an alternated and timed manner) flow-rate selector 100 with container C.

As diagrammatically shown in Figure 1, selective fluidic connecting means 2 are arranged downstream of the flow-rate selector 100 with respect to a feeding direction of the pourable product from tank S towards relative container C. Thereby, selective fluidic connecting means 2 are actuatable so as to selectively and alternatively take: a) an absolute closed configuration, in which they completely intercept the flow of pourable product from the flow-rate selector 100 towards container C; and b) a totally open configuration, in which they allow the free flow of the pourable product from flow-rate selector 100 towards container C.

Advantageously, selective fluidic connecting means 2 are configured to provide a jet for filing container C, for example comprise a nozzle-shaped portion that faces, in use, container C.

Preferably, flow-rate regulator assembly 1 is provided with a flowmeter (not shown) arranged for example upstream of flow-rate selector 100.

Flow-rate selector 100 is now disclosed in greater detail referring to the drawings of Figures from 2 to .

Advantageously, flow-rate selector 100 comprises: a main body 101 defining therein a first and a second duct

102 and 103 through which the pourable product flows and which have a different section; and a shutter body 104 mobile within main body 101 and adapted to selective engage respective mouth portions 1021, 1031 (see, for greater clarity, Figures 2 and 4) of first and second duct 102,

103.

Furthermore, flow-rate selector 100 advantageously comprises actuating means 105 of shutter body 103, such actuation means 105 being completely external to main body 101. In greater detail, body 101 extends from a first upstream end 101A to a second downstream end 101B with respect to a feeding direction of the flow of the pourable product indicated in the figures by means of arrows.

Furthermore, body 101 comprises, between two ends 101A and 101B:

a substantially cylindrical tubular segment 106 having axis A, defining therein a cavity 107 with diameter Dl and fluidically connectable, upstream, with tank S; and - a partitioning element 108 housed fixedly within tubular segment 106 and at least partially defining two ducts 102 and 103.

As stated previously, ducts 102 and 103 have different sections. In particular, in the case shown, duct 102 has a larger section with respect to the section of duct 103.

In other words, the section of duct 102 has an equivalent diameter greater than the equivalent diameter of the section of duct 103.

In the case shown in the Figures, a portion of tubular segment 106 is full. Two through-holes pass through this portion in a longitudinal direction, preferably directed parallel to axis A. Thereby, the full portion of tubular segment 106 forms partitioning element 108, the two through-holes substantially defining two ducts 102 and 103.

Main body 101 and partitioning element 108 identify, on the side of first upstream end 101A, respective mouth portions 1021, 1031 (see, for greater clarity, Figures 2 and 4) of the first and second duct 102, 103. Furthermore, body 101 defines, at the upstream and downstream ends 101A and 101B, respective inlet and outlet openings 109A and

109B for the pourable products.

It will be understood that there are possible alternative embodiments, which differ for the geometry of the partitioning element. In particular, the relative position and the size (the diameter, or equivalent diameter in the case of ducts 102 and 103 having non-circular section) can vary.

In the case shown, body 101 comprises a central portion coinciding with the above disclosed cylindrical segment 106, and two upstream and downstream end portions

110A and HOB extending respectively from central portion

106 to ends 101A and 101B.

Upstream end portion 110A comprises: a tubular segment having a substantially frustoconical internal shape 111A with a smaller diameter D_upstream; and an inlet tubular segment 112A. Inlet opening 109A is defined at the end of inlet tubular segment 119A, opposite to segment 106.

Similarly, downstream end portion HOB comprises a tubular segment having a substantially frustoconical internal shape 111B with a smaller diameter D_downstream; and an outlet tubular segment 112B. Outlet opening 109B is defined at the end of outlet tubular segment 112B, opposite to segment 105.

Advantageously, the upstream and downstream ends 101A and 101B of body 101 are flanged in order to allow an easy mounting of the flow-rate selector 100 along the feeding line of the pourable product.

Advantageously, shutter body 104 comprises ferromagnetic material. Advantageously, shutter body 104 is made of ferromagnetic material. As an alternative, body 104 comprises a ferromagnetic core coated with an external layer, for example a plastic material, which, in use, is directly in contact with the pourable product.

Advantageously, shutter body 104 is substantially spherical. More in particular, shutter body 104 is a sphere having a diameter D4 greater than both respective maximum radial distances D2 and D3 between faces 108T and 108B of partitioning element 108 and the wall of tubular body 106.

Shutter body 104 is housed within cavity 107 of body 101 between partitioning element 108 and upstream end 101A, and is in particular mobile, within cavity 107, between:

- a relative first operative configuration (see Figure 2) , in which shutter body 104 engages mouth portion 1021 of duct 102 and leaves mouth portion 1031 of duct 103 free; and a relative second operative configuration (see Figure 4) , in which shutter body 104 engages mouth portion 1031 of duct 103 and leaves mouth portion 1021 of duct 102 free .

Thereby, shutter body 104 is mobile between a first open configuration of duct 103 and simultaneous closed configuration of duct 102, and a second open configuration of duct 102 and simultaneous closed configuration of duct 103. These first and second configurations correspond, from a functional point of view, respectively to a fast filling configuration and a slow filling configuration of container C arranged downstream of selector 100.

Actuating means 105 of shutter body 103 comprise:

- a pneumatic actuator 113 comprising a piston 114 sliding within a cavity 115 defined internally by a body 116, piston 114 being mobile between relative upstream (see Figures 2 and 3) and downstream (see Figures 4 and 5) stop positions, end 117 of the piston opposite to body 116 being constrained to main body 101 (note that actuator 113 is thus, as a whole, rotatable with respect to main body 101, about an axis orthogonal to axis A and passes through end 117 of the piston) ;

a pair of rocker arm elements 118 arranged symmetrically externally to main body 101 (i.e. laterally with respect to the main body) and the fulcrum 119 of which is fixed to main body 101; rocker arm elements 118 being capable of oscillating between a first and a second maximum oscillating position (cf. Figures 3 and 5) respectively corresponding to the upstream and downstream stop positions of piston 114; body 116 of shutter 113 being constrained rotatably to first ends 120 of rocker arm elements 118; ends 121 opposite to first ends 120 of rocker arm elements bearing respective permanent magnets 112 magnetically coupleable (through main body 101) with shutter body 104.

In practice, permanent magnets 122 are arranged in respective radially external positions with respect to main body 101. Given the symmetry of rocker arm elements 118, also the positions of permanent magnets 122 are advantageously symmetrical with respect to main body 101. More in particular, permanent magnets 122 are arranged at a radial distance with respect to axis A such as to exert, through the walls of main body 101, a magnetic attraction on shutter body 104 such as to conveniently draw the latter in the translation motion thereof.

In virtue of the magnetic coupling between rocker arm elements 118 and shutter body 104 and of the kinematic link between rocker arm elements 118 and piston 114, the pneumatic actuation of actuator 113 - i.e. the resulting translation motion of piston 114 within cavity 115 conveniently determines a corresponding translation of shutter body 104 within main body 101 between respective first and second operative configurations.

In greater detail, since end 117 of the piston opposite to body 116 is constrained to main body 101, and since body 116 fixed with the relative axis rotatable with respect to axis A of main body 101 by means of rocker-arm elements 118, the translation of piston 114 from the relative upstream stop position (Figure 2 and 3) towards the downstream stop position (Figures 2 and 4) translates in the oscillation of rocker arm elements 118 from relative first maximum oscillation position (Figure 3) towards the relative second maximum oscillation position (Figure 5) .

Accordingly, in particular, the motion of ends 121 opposite to first ends 120 of rocker arm elements 118 extends to permanent magnets 122 borne by same rocker-arm elements 118. Permanent magnets 122 draw, internally to main body 101, shutter body 104 in a corresponding motion from relative first operative configuration (Figure 2) to relative second operative configuration (Figure 4).

It will be - understood that the above disclosed mechanism applies identically the other way round.

Flow-rate regulator assembly 1 can also advantageously comprise control means (not shown) adapted to actuate in a structurally independent although functionally associated manner, selective fluidic connecting means 2 and flow-rate selector 100 so as to implement the desired filling procedure .

In use, flow-rate regulator assembly 1 functionally couples selective fluidic connecting means 2 with flow-rate selector 100 of the invention.

Thereby, the actuation of selective fluidic connecting means 2 advantageously allows to rapidly and safely switch between a totally closed configuration of the feeding duct of the pourable product and a delivery configuration of the pourable product.

When selective fluidic connecting means 2 are switched in the delivery configuration, the filling speed of container C is advantageously controlled by the independent actuation of flow-rate selector 100.

In particular, by appropriately controlling actuator

113 - for example in response to a predetermined signal which is a function of the degree of filling of container C - flow-rate selector 100 can be rapidly switched between the respective totally open configuration (Figure 2) and totally closed configuration (fast filling) and partially open configuration (slow filling) and guarantees an aseptic environment in which the pourable product flows .

For example, reaching a given degree of filling of container C can be indirectly detected in an indirect manner by continuously measuring the flow-rate of fluid fed with a flowmeter and accordingly computing the overall volume transferred in container C.

In particular, by switching selective fluidic connecting means 2 to the delivery configuration and flow- rate selector 100 with shutter body 104 to the first operative configuration (Figure 2) , a fast filling step of container C is started. Thereby, shutter body 104 engages duct 103 having a smaller section and the pourable product can flow towards container C at the maximum flow-rate obtainable (corresponding to the section of duct 102) .

At the end of the fast filling step, i.e. as disclosed previously, when a predetermined level of pourable product is reached in container C, a slow filling step of container C is started by acting on actuation means 113 and accordingly taking shutter body 104 to the second operative configuration (Figure 4). Thereby, shutter body 103 engages duct 10 having wider section and the pourable product can flow towards container C at the minimum flow-rate obtainable (corresponding to the section of duct 103) .

When the slow filling step of container C is completed, i.e. when the predetermined level of pourable product is reached, the flow of pourable product through flow-rate regulator assembly 1 is interrupted by switching selective fluidic connecting means 2 to the totally closed configuration, completely interrupting the fluidic connection between tank S and flow-rate selector.

While selective fluidic connecting, means 2 are in the totally closed configuration, by acting on actuating means 113 shutter body 104 is taken back to the first operative configuration (Figure 2) . Thereby, flow-rate regulator assembly 1 is arranged so as to start the filling cycle of a subsequent container C.

From an analysis of the characteristics of flow-rate selector 100 according to the present invention, the advantages it allows to obtain are apparent.

In particular, flow-rate selector 100 allows to fill a container C with a pourable product according to the typical needs of the sector of filling machine, ensuring on one side the desired aseptic conditions and, on the other, very fast response times for switching between the two filling speeds provided by the procedure.

In particular, flow-rate selector 100 allows to promptly and precisely respond to a detection signal of the level reached by the pourable product within container C in order to manage the rapid switching between a fast filling step and a slow filling step.

Furthermore, flow-rate regulator 1 achieves an advantageous functional coupling between selective fluidic connecting means 2 of the type on-off, typically associated to fast response times, with flow-rate selector 100. By the actuation thereof, which is independent structurally although operatively associated, an advantageous management of the automatic filling operation of a container C can be obtained in full respect of the process specifications and features of the pourable product .

Finally, it is clear that modifications and variants not departing from the scope of protection of the independent claims can be made to the disclosed and shown flow-rate selector and flow-rate regulator.

For example, pneumatic actuator 113 can be conveniently replaced by another kind of actuator. Furthermore the magnetic coupling between rocker arm elements 118 and shutter body 104 can be obtained by also providing shutter body 104 with at least one portion of material having magnetic properties, by appropriately arranging the magnetic bodies.