FILLING MACHINE

TECHNICAL SECTOR

The present invention relates to a hydraulic manifold for a rotary distributor of a rotary filling machine adapted to fill a plurality of containers , in particular bottles , flasks or similar, with a pourable product , preferably of the foodstuff type .

STATE OF THE ART

Filling machines for filling containers , such as for example , bottles , containers made of composite material , cans or similar, with a pourable product , in particular a pourable product of the foodstuff type , are known .

In particular, filling machines of the rotary type are known which essentially comprise :

- a carousel rotatable around a typically vertical central axis , to advance the containers along a filling path typically shaped like an arc of a circle ;

- a tank containing the pourable product and usually carried coaxially by the carousel and, therefore , rotatable integrally with the latter around the aforesaid axis ; and

- a plurality of valve filling devices , or filling valves , mounted on a peripheral portion of the carousel in respective radially outer positions with respect to the aforesaid axis .

In detail , the carousel is configured to support each container in a radial position below a respective filling device .

Each filling device is configured to feed a predetermined quantity of pourable product to a respective container, while the container is arranged below the same filling device and is advanced by the carousel along the filling path .

The filling machine further comprises a plurality of ducts , each hydraulically connecting a respective filling device to the tank, to determine the feeding of the pourable product from the tank to the same filling device .

In use , the pourable product is therefore distributed from the tank to the filling devices , and, through these , dosed into the containers .

The tank is hydraulically connectable with a supply system for supplying the pourable product .

In particular, this supply system comprises , in its terminal part , a feed pipe the free end portion of which engages an upper inlet of the tank and is inserted within the tank through this inlet to feed the pourable product up to a predetermined level .

Typically, the feed pipe engages the inlet coaxially to the central axis . Therefore , the inlet is axial and the feed pipe is arranged coaxial to the tank .

Being structurally connected to the rest of the supply system, the feed pipe is fixed with respect to the aforesaid axis , whereas the tank is rotatable around this axis , as explained above .

The need to carry out a washing process of the filling machine is known , during which the tank, the ducts and the filling devices are rinsed with the washing fluid, for example , water .

For this purpose , the filling machine also comprises a duct for feeding the washing fluid within the tank, during a washing mode of the filling machine .

In particular, this duct is typically hydraulically connected to a supply system for supplying the washing fluid and is therefore fixed with respect to the central axis .

Similarly to what takes place for the feed pipe , the aforesaid duct coaxially engages the inlet of the tank and has a free end portion extending within the tank, as explained hereinafter .

In order to couple the feed pipe for feeding the pourable product and the feed duct for feeding the washing fluid, which are fixed, to the tank, which is rotatable , the machine also comprises a rotary distributor arranged coaxial to the central axis at the upper inlet of the tank .

In detail , the rotary distributor has : - a first radially outer part rigidly mounted on the tank, typically on an upper wall thereof , and therefore rotatable integrally to the tank to define a rotor part of the distributor; and

- a second radially inner part rigidly mounted on the supply system, and therefore fixed with respect to the central axis to define a stator part of the distributor .

In greater detail , the second part of the distributor defines a hydraulic manifold of the rotary distributor .

This manifold comprises a hollow tubular body externally coupled to the first part of the distributor by means of rolling interfaces , for example bearings , and by means of dynamic sealing elements , so that the first part may rotate around the central axis , dragged by the rotary motion of the tank, namely the carousel , while the manifold may remain fixed with respect to the central axis .

The tubular body internally defines a longitudinal channel , which, in mounting conditions , is coaxial to the central axis and is engaged and crossed by the feed pipe .

In particular, the tubular body delimits , together with the feed pipe , the aforesaid feed duct for feeding the washing fluid, which is therefore annular with respect to the central axis and typically extends within the tank, through the upper inlet of the latter .

Therefore , the feed duct defines , in cooperation with the feed pipe , an annular chamber for conveying the washing fluid during the aforesaid washing process .

The tubular body has , at its end portion inserted within the tank, a plurality of passages orthogonal to the central axis , through which the washing fluid received from the chamber is fed to the tank, for washing the same .

Although the hydraulic manifolds of the type described above for the rotary distributors of the known filling machines are functionally valid, the Applicant has observed how they are susceptible to further improvements , in particular with respect to the fluid-dynamics of the washing fluid being fed to the tank, the compactness and simplification of the architecture and service life .

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aim of the present invention is to manufacture a hydraulic manifold for a rotary distributor of a rotary filling machine which is of high reliability and low cost and enables to satisfy at least some of the needs specified above and connected to the hydraulic manifolds of the known type .

According to the invention, this aim is achieved by a hydraulic manifold as claimed in claim 1 .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred non-limiting embodiment thereof is described in the following, purely by way of example and with the aid of the accompanying drawings , wherein :

- Figure 1 is a perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of part of a rotary filling machine including a rotary distributor comprising a hydraulic manifold manufactured according to the present invention;

- Figure 2 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale and with parts removed for clarity, of a tank of the filling machine to which the rotary distributor is fixed comprising the hydraulic manifold according to the invention;

- Figure 3 is a partially sectioned side view, on an enlarged scale and with parts removed for clarity, of the filling machine of Figure 1 , with the hydraulic manifold being visible , according to the invention; and

- Figure 4 is a partially sectioned side view, on an enlarged scale and with parts removed for clarity, of the hydraulic manifold of Figure 3 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to Figures 1 and 3 , 1 indicates overall a filling machine configured to fill containers 2 , for example bottles , flasks or similar, with a pourable product , preferably of the foodstuff type .

The filling machine 1 may, for example , be configured to fill bottles manufactured from a thermoplastic polymer such as , for example , polyethylene terephthalate or glass . However, the filling machine 1 may also be configured to fill containers manufactured from and/or comprising different materials such as , for example , a composite material , a multilayer material or similar .

The filling machine 1 may be configured to fill the containers 2 with a foodstuff pourable product such as , for example , carbonated liquids ( for example , sparkling water, non-alcoholic beverages and beer) , non-carbonated liquids ( for example , natural water, fruit juices , wine , milk, tea) , emulsions , suspensions , high-viscosity liquids and beverages containing pulp .

The machine 1 is of the rotary type (namely, it is a rotary filling machine ) and comprises :

- a carousel 3 adapted to support a plurality of containers 2 to be filled and rotatable around a preferably vertical central axis A for advancing the containers 2 along a filling path shaped like an arc of a circle ;

- a tank 4 adapted to contain the pourable product and fixed integrally to the carousel 3 coaxially to the axis A for being rotated by the carousel 3 around the same axis A;

- a plurality of valve filling devices 5 fixed to a radially peripheral portion 3a of the carousel 3 and each configured to feed a predetermined quantity of pourable product to a respective container 2 , while the container 2 is advanced by the carousel 3 and arranged below it ; and - a plurality of ducts 6 , each hydraulically connecting the tank 4 to a respective filling device 5 , so as to convey the pourable product .

In detail , each filling device 5 is configured to be selectively controlled, according to a manner known and not described in detail , between a closing position, in which it prevents the pourable product from flowing within the respective container 2 , and an opening position, in which it allows the outflow of the pourable product within the respective container 2 .

In use , the pourable product is therefore distributed from the tank 4 to the filling devices 5 , and, through these , dosed into the containers 2 .

The tank 4 is hydraulically connectable with a supply system (not shown) for supplying the pourable product , which is preferably part of the machine 1 .

In particular, this supply system comprises , in its terminal part , a feed pipe 7 . The free end portion of the feed pipe 7 engages an upper inlet 8 of the tank 4 and is inserted within the tank 4 through this inlet 8 , to feed the pourable product up to a predetermined level (Figures 2 and 3 ) .

More in particular, the inlet 8 is defined by an opening coaxial to the axis A, which is obtained on an upper wall 4a of the tank 4 . Conveniently, the feed pipe 7 engages the inlet 8 coaxially to the axis A . Therefore , the inlet 8 is axial and the feed pipe 7 is coaxial to the axis A .

Being structurally connected to the rest of the supply system, the feed pipe 7 is fixed with respect to the axis A, whereas the tank 4 is rotatable around this axis A, being fixed integrally to the carousel 3 .

The need to carry out a washing operation of the tank 4 is known .

For this purpose , the machine 1 also comprises a hydraulic manifold 10 adapted to feed washing fluid, for example water, within the tank 4 .

In detail , the manifold 10 comprises a tubular body 11 having a longitudinal axis B . The tubular body 11 internally defines a feed duct 12 for feeding the washing fluid . The feed duct 12 is coaxial to the axis B .

In more detail , the manifold 10 is adapted to be fixed, in a mounting condition of the manifold 10 to the machine 1 , to a supply system 13 for supplying the washing fluid (only partially and schematically illustrated) , which is preferably part of the machine 1 .

In the following, the functional and structural characteristics of the manifold 10 will be described, with reference to the aforesaid mounting condition .

The manifold 10 is arranged at the inlet 8 of the tank with the axis B coaxial to the axis A . Therefore , the tubular body 11 is coaxial to the axis A .

In particular, the tubular body 11 is configured to be engaged by, namely, to coaxially receive , the feed pipe 7 , so that the feed duct 12 delimits , in cooperation with the feed pipe 7 , an annular chamber 14 (Figure 4 ) . The annular chamber 14 develops around the feed pipe 7 and is adapted to convey the washing fluid, from the supply system 13 to the tank 4 .

More precisely, the chamber 14 is annular around the axis B, and therefore around the axis A in the mounting condition .

In order to couple the manifold 10 (and in particular the tubular body 11 ) which is fixed, to the tank 4 , which is rotatable , the machine 1 further comprises a rotary distributor 15 of axis B . The distributor 15 is arranged coaxial to the axis A at the inlet 8 .

In detail , the distributor 15 includes :

- a radially outer rotor part 16 , configured to be rigidly mounted on the tank 4 at the upper wall 4a, integral in rotation with the latter and, therefore , rotatable around the axes A and B; and

- a stator part , defined by the manifold 10 , more precisely by the tubular body 11 ; the stator part is radially internal , is configured to be rigidly mounted on the supply system 13 and, therefore , is fixed with respect to the axes A and B .

In detail , the rotor part 16 radially surrounds the stator part or tubular body 11 .

The rotor part 16 and the stator part or tubular body 11 are coupled to each other by rotational sliding, in a manner known and not described in detail .

In particular, bearings 17 and dynamic sealing members 18 are radially interposed between the rotor part 16 and an outer longitudinal wall 19 of the tubular body 11 facing radially towards the side opposite with respect to the feed duct 12 , in order to allow the relative rotation of the rotor part 16 with respect to the fixed tubular body 11 .

Consequently, the outer longitudinal wall 19 defines a coupling interface for the rotational sliding coupling of the tubular body 11 ( stator part ) with the rotor part 16 , in said mounting condition .

The feed duct 12 has at least an inlet opening 20 for receiving the washing fluid from the supply system 13 and at least one outlet opening 21 configured to feed the washing fluid to the inlet 8 of the tank 4 .

In the illustrated case , the feed duct 12 comprises a plurality of outlet openings 21 , for example four, angularly distributed around the axis B .

According to an aspect of the present invention, the feed duct 12 comprises a first longitudinal axial sector or stretch 22 , with variable cross section .

In particular, the stretch 22 has a cross section increasing towards the outlet opening 21 .

In greater detail , the feed duct 12 also comprises a second longitudinal axial sector or stretch 23 , with constant cross section .

Preferably, the second stretch 23 defines a cylindrical cavity of the tubular body 11 , while the first stretch 22 defines a truncated cone cavity of the tubular body 11 .

The first stretch 22 with variable cross section is axially arranged downstream of the second stretch 23 with constant cross section with respect to a conveying direction of the washing fluid within the feed duct 12 .

More precisely, as can be seen in Figure 4 , the second stretch 23 is arranged immediately downstream of the inlet opening 20 , while the first stretch 22 is arranged immediately downstream of the second stretch 23 and upstream of the outlet opening 21 .

The Applicant has observed, by means of an extensive experimental campaign, that the particular conformation of the feed duct 12 , and therefore of the annular chamber 14 , improves the fluid-dynamic properties of the tubular body 11 , with regard to conveying the washing fluid .

In particular, the Applicant has found, thanks to the presence of the first stretch 22 , a consistent reduction in pressure losses within the feed duct 12 , thus resulting in an improved distribution of the washing fluid within the tank 4 .

In light of what has been described above , the first stretch 22 is tapered so as to define an inclined portion, with respect to the axis B, of an inner longitudinal wall 24 of the tubular body 11 . The inner longitudinal wall 24 defines a side wall of the feed duct 12 .

More precisely, in said mounting condition the inner longitudinal wall 24 defines a side wall of the annular chamber 14 .

Conveniently, the value of the inclination of the aforesaid inclined portion of the inner longitudinal wall 24 , with respect to the axis B, is comprised between 10 ° and 30 ° , or between 10 ° and 20 ° . This value could correspond to 15 ° .

The Applicant has observed that these inclination values allow the desired optimal performances to be obtained in terms of fluid-dynamics , consistent with the containment of the radial dimension .

Conveniently, the outlet openings 21 are axial or axially oriented .

The Applicant has observed that this configuration of the openings 21 allows to furthermore improve the fluid- dynamic performances of the manifold 10 , with respect , for example , to the case where the outlets for the washing fluid are transverse to the axis B . The inclined portion of the side wall of the feed duct eases the positioning of the axially oriented outlet openings 21 .

As can be seen in Figure 4 , the tubular body 11 comprises an axial bottom wall 25 , that delimits the (axial ) longitudinal extension of the feed duct 12 .

In particular, the bottom wall 25 is configured to be arranged, in said mounting condition, at the inlet 8 of the tank 4 , so that the feed duct 12 extends entirely outside the tank 4 .

In other words , the tubular body 11 (namely, the stator part of the distributor 15 ) , and therefore the manifold 10 , is arranged upstream of the inlet 8 , so that it does not engage the inlet 8 and does not extend within the tank 4 , but rather completely outside of it .

Thanks to this configuration, it is possible to obtain a manifold 10 having a compact structure . This improves the washing of the tank 4 , as the components within it are reduced, improves the hygiene of the filling process , as the pourable product does not reach the feed duct 12 , and also improves the maintenance of the machine 1 and of the distributor 15 , as the manifold 10 is easier to disassemble and clean or replace . Conveniently, the bottom wall 25 extends radially in a cantilever manner from the inner longitudinal wall 24 of the tubular body 11 towards the axis B, so that the bottom wall 25 extends radially towards the feed pipe 7 . In particular, the bottom wall 25 may be radially adjacent to the feed pipe 7 without being in contact with the feed pipe 7 , primarily for cleaning reasons .

In this manner, the feeding of the washing fluid to the tank 4 takes place solely through the outlet openings 21 .

In particular, the distributor 15 comprises a plurality of pipes 26 , each fixed to the manifold 10 , in particular to the tubular body 11 , and arranged downstream of a respective outlet opening 21 , for receiving the washing fluid therefrom .

More in particular, each pipe 26 has a first longitudinal end at the respective outlet opening 21 and carries a spraying member 27 at its second longitudinal end .

In essence , each pipe 26 extends through the inlet 8 within the tank 4 and terminates with an aforesaid spraying member 27 .

Conveniently, the feed duct 12 comprises a further longitudinal axial stretch 28 with constant cross section and is axially interposed between the first stretch 22 with variable cross section and the bottom wall 25 .

Preferably, the stretch 28 defines a cylindrical cavity of the tubular body 11 . In detail , the stretch 28 has a radial extension corresponding to the radial extension of the bottom wall 25 , with respect to the axis B .

The axial openings 21 are obtained at this stretch 28 and through the bottom wall 25 .

The presence of the stretch 28 allows to have a stationary portion of the washing fluid upstream of the passage of the fluid through the axial openings 21 . The Applicant has observed that this measure furthermore reduces pressure losses within the fluid, as it determines a fluidic slowing of the fluid, and therefore improves the fluiddynamic performances of the manifold 10 .

As can be seen in Figure 4 , the first stretch 22 extends (axially) from a smaller cross section, equal to the cross section of the second stretch 23 , to a larger cross section, having a radial extension equal to the radial extension of the bottom wall 25 .

Advantageously, the tubular body 11 is made in a single piece without solution of continuity with the bottom wall 25 , so that the bottom wall 25 and the inner longitudinal wall 24 are defined in a single piece without solution of continuity .

Preferably, the tubular body 11 is made by removing material or by a machining technique other than extrusion .

In this manner, the production process of the manifold 10 is simplified, and furthermore the ease of maintenance thereof is increased . In particular, the tubular body may be easily machined to adapt the bottom wall 25 to different formats of the feed pipe 7 , so as to increase the flexibility of the production process of the manifold, and/or the inventory costs .

The aforesaid coupling interface between the rotor part 16 and the stator part or tubular body 11 comprises a surface portion of the outer longitudinal wall 19 of the tubular body 11 .

Advantageously, this surface portion is coated with a ceramic coating .

Preferably, the surface portion is coated with a chromium oxide coating .

Thanks to this measure , the wear of the tubular body 11 at the coupling interface is reduced, thereby resulting in an increase in the service life of the manifold 10 .

The operation of the machine 1 and in particular of the manifold 10 according to the present invention will be described in the following, with particular reference to a condition in which the stopping of the filling process of the containers 2 and the starting of the washing process of the tank 4 are controlled .

In this condition, the feed duct 12 receives the washing fluid, from the supply system 13 , which passes , in sequence , through the second stretch 23 with constant cross section, through the first stretch 22 with variable cross section and through the further stretch 28 with constant cross section, and then passes through the outlet openings 21 and is fed to the pipes 26 and lastly, by means of the spraying members 27 , to the tank 4 .

From an examination of the characteristics of the manifold 10 manufactured according to the present invention, the advantages it allows to obtain are evident .

In particular, the peculiar conformation of the feed duct 12 , and therefore of the annular chamber 14 , of the manifold 10 manufactured according to the invention improves the fluid-dynamic properties of the tubular body 11 with regard to conveying the washing fluid .

In particular, the Applicant has noted a consistent reduction in pressure losses within the feed duct 12 , thereby resulting in an improved distribution of the washing fluid within the tank 4 .

Furthermore , the peculiar conformation of the feed duct 12 results in a fluid-dynamic slowing of the washing fluid within the annular chamber 14 , which is particularly beneficial and advantageous for the washing operation .

Furthermore , the fact that the tubular body 11 is entirely arranged outside the tank 4 , results in a compact manifold 10 and in a simplified structural architecture of the machine 1 . This improves the washing of the tank 4 , as the components within it are reduced, improves the hygiene of the filling process , as the pourable product does not reach the feed duct 12 , and also improves the maintenance of the machine 1 and of the distributor 15 , as the manifold 10 is easier to disassemble and replace .

It is clear that modifications and variations may be made to the manifold 10 described and illustrated herein without thereby departing from the scope defined by the claim .