[0001] The present invention relates to a position control system for an article-handling
machine.
[0002] The present invention also relates to a method for controlling the position of an
article fillable with a pourable food product.
[0003] Article-handling machines are known which comprise a plurality of units for carrying
out respective operations on articles, in particular containers filled with a pourable
food product.
[0004] In greater detail, known article-handling machines substantially comprise:
- a rinsing unit for rinsing containers;
- a filling unit for filling containers with a pourable food product;
- a capping unit for capping the containers; and
- a labelling unit for applying labels onto respective containers.
[0005] Still more precisely, the above-identified units comprise, each, :
- a carousel which rotates about a first axis, receives the containers at an input station,
conveys the containers along an arc-shaped path and outputs containers at an output
station; and
- a plurality of operating elements which are driven in rotation by carousel and are
adapted to carry out respective operations on the containers travelling along the
arc-shaped path.
[0006] With reference to the filling unit, the operating elements are filling valves supported
by the carousel in radially external position with respect to the rotation axis of
this carousel.
[0007] The filling unit also comprises:
- a tank filled with the pourable food product; and
- a plurality of handling devices associated to respective filling valves.
[0008] Each filling valve is adapted to fill a relative container with the pourable product
and substantially comprises:
- a fixed body connected to the carousel and provided with a washer;
- a duct downwardly protruding from the body; and
- a shutter movable between an open position and a closed position.
[0009] In greater detail, when the shutter is arranged in the open position, it allows the
pourable product to flow from the tank to the opening of the duct.
[0010] Differently, when the shutter is arranged in the closed position, it prevents the
pourable product from flowing from tank to the opening of the duct.
[0011] Each handling device is driven in rotation by the carousel about the first axis and
moves alternatively between a lowered and a raised position along a respective second
axis parallel to and radially staggered from the first axis of the carousel.
[0012] In order to move the handling devices along the respective second axes, the filling
unit comprises:
- a fixed cam which interacts with a plurality of cam followers carried by respective
handling devices, in order to raise the latter from the lowered position to the raised
position; and
- a plurality of pneumatic devices which downwardly thrust respective handling devices
from the raised position to the lowered position.
[0013] Each handling device is set in the lowered position at the inlet and the outlet station
and reaches the raised position between the inlet station and the outlet station.
[0014] When each handling device is in the raised position, the duct passes through the
mouth of the respective container and is partially housed inside the inner volume
of the same container.
[0015] At this stage, the shutter is arranged in the open position and the container is
filled with the pourable food product.
[0016] Filling units are required to carry out different kind of filling operation.
[0017] In particular, in case of still food products, i.e. of food products without gas,
filling unit may either carry out a "contact" filling or a "contactless" filling.
[0018] In the first case, a mouth of the container is tight-fluidly pressed against the
washer of relative filling valve, whereas in the second case the mouth of the article
is axially spaced from the washer.
[0019] Accordingly, the raised positions of the containers vary, on the basis of the nature
of food product.
[0020] In case of carbonated products, i.e. of products with carbon dioxide dissolved, the
filling unit generally carries out a contact filling.
[0021] However, in case of products particularly sensible to the oxidation, e.g. beer, the
filling unit flows a gas, e.g. carbon dioxide, inside the containers and before the
filling thereof, in order to reduce as far as possible the risk of oxidation of the
food product.
[0022] When the gas is flown in the container, the mouths of the latter can be selectively
arranged either in tight-fluid contact with the washers or axially spaced from the
washer of the respective filling valves.
[0023] In the light of the above, it is evident that the containers need to be arranged
in a wide range of raised positions, depending on a number of parameters, e.g. the
nature of the food product, on the format of the container, on the modality of filling.
[0024] It is therefore required to change the cam, when the raised position must be changed,
i.e. when nature of the food product and/or on the format of the container and/or
on the modality of filling changes.
[0025] The replacement of the cam is costly and time-consuming.
[0026] A need is therefore felt to arrange the containers in a wide range of raised positions,
without incurring the cost and the time losses connected with the replacement of the
cam.
[0027] Furthermore, in case of "contactless" filling of still products, it is important
to prevent the pourable product from contacting the outer surface of the ducts, during
the filling of the respective containers.
[0028] As a matter of fact, the action of food products could cause the oxidation of the
ducts, thus affecting the sterility of the food product flowing inside the duct and
intended to fill the containers.
[0029] Accordingly, the containers must be arranged in different raised positions, depending
on the format of the same containers.
[0030] A need is therefore felt within the industry to fill containers of different format
with a still food product, while minimizing the costs and time losses connected with
the change of format of the containers.
[0031] Furthermore, the labelling units are known which apply a heat-sealed tubular sleeve-labels
onto respective containers.
[0032] In greater detail, the carousel comprises a plurality of carrier elements which are
arranged on the periphery of the same carousel.
[0033] Each carrier element feeds a respective article between an input station, where the
articles are fed onto the conveyor wheel, and an output station, where the articles
are fed off the carousel.
[0034] Each carrier unit comprises a tubular upright fixed to the carousel, and having a
third longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the first axis; a supporting spindle,
which engages the upright in rotary and axially-sliding manner, has a top end defining
a substantially horizontal supporting surface for a respective article, and is bounded
externally by a cylindrical lateral surface connectable to a pneumatic suction device;
and a top retaining member, which cooperates with the spindle to keep the article
upright on the supporting surface.
[0035] The spindle is movable axially between a lowered position - in which the spindle
is substantially housed inside the upright, so the carrier elements can receive an
article at the input station and release the article at the output station - and a
raised position - in which the spindle projects from the upright, so the lateral surface
of the spindle can receive and retain a label.
[0036] The spindle also rotates about the third axis, to wind the label completely about
the spindle into a tubular configuration having a longitudinal overlap defined by
superimposed portions of the label, and which is heat sealed longitudinally by a heat-seal
bar associated with the carrier unit.
[0037] In other words, the heat-seal bars can be regarded as the operating elements while
the spindles can be regarded as the handling device, which both rotate and axially
displace the containers.
[0038] The movement of spindles from the lowered positions to the raised positions is caused
by the interaction of a fixed cam with a plurality of cam followers carried by respective
spindles.
[0039] The return of spindles from the raised position to the lowered positions is caused
by respective springs.
[0040] When it is necessary to vary the length of the stroke of the spindles between the
lowered position and the raised position, it necessary to re-design and change the
cam, thus generating inevitable costs and time losses.
[0041] In particular, the length of the stroke of the spindles could be changed in order
to vary the throughput of the labelling machine on the basis of the throughput of
the upstream filling machine.
[0042] A need is therefore felt to reduce as far as possible the costs and the time losses
associated with the variation of the length of the stroke of the spindle, for example
in order to align the throughput of the labelling unit with the throughput of the
filling unit.
[0043] It is an object of the present invention to provide a position control unit for an
article-handling machined, which meets at least one of the above requirements.
[0044] The aforementioned object is achieved by the present invention as it relates to a
position control system for an article-handling machine, as claimed in claim 1.
[0045] The present invention also relates to a method for controlling the position of an
article fillable with a pourable food product, as claimed in claim 12.
[0046] Two preferred embodiments are hereinafter disclosed for a better understanding of
the present invention, by way of non-limitative example and with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 is a frontal view of a filling unit with a plurality of position control
systems in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
- Figure 2 shows the position control system of Figure 1, during a contact filling step
of the relative container;
- Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of a position control system of Figure 1, during
a contactless flowing step of a gas inside the relative container;
- Figure 4 shows the position control system of Figures 3, during a contact filling
step of the relative container; and
- Figure 5 shows the position control system of Figures 3 and 4, during a pressurizing
step of the relative container.
[0047] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, numeral 1 indicates a first embodiment of a filling
unit for filling containers 2 with a pourable food product.
[0048] Non-limitative examples of the pourable food product are fruit juices, tea, beer
or energy drinks.
[0049] Filling unit 1 is adapted to be incorporated in an article-handling machine which
may comprise one or more of the following:
- a rinsing unit (not-shown) for rinsing empty containers 2 before the filling thereof;
- a capping unit (not-shown) for applying a plurality of caps onto respective filled
containers 2; and
- a labelling unit (not-shown) for applying a plurality of labels onto respective empty
or filled containers 2.
[0050] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, each container 2 is made of glass and
substantially comprises:
- a mouth 3 adapted to allow the filling of the same container 2 by means of filling
unit 1 and the following pouring of the food product from container 2;
- a bottom wall 4 opposite to mouth 3; and
- a neck portion 6 arranged adjacent to mouth 3, and which is limited at its top by
mouth 3.
[0051] Filling station 1 substantially comprises (Figure 1) :
- a tank (not-shown) filled with the pourable food product;
- a carousel 7 rotating about an axis A, vertical in the embodiment shown;
- a plurality of filling valves 8 arranged at the radial outer periphery of carousel
7; and
- a plurality of positioning systems 9 arranged at the radial outer periphery of carousel
7, associated to respective filling valves 8 and adapted to move relative containers
2 along relative axes B towards and away from respective filling valves 8.
[0052] In detail, carousel 7 is fed with empty containers 2 at an input station I, conveys
containers 2 along an arc-shaped path P of centre on axis A, and outputs filled containers
2 at an output station O.
[0053] Each filling valve 8 substantially comprises:
- a body 11 fixed to carousel 7;
- a duct 12 defining a filling opening of valve 8 and downwardly protruding from body
11; and
- a shutter 13 movable between an open position in which it allows the fluidic connection
between the tank and duct 12 and a closed position in which it prevents the fluidic
connection between the tank and duct 12.
[0054] Each filling valve 8 may be controlled, in a known and not-shown way, to cause a
flow of a gas, e.g. carbon dioxide, to enter respective container 2.
[0055] Each filling valve 8 also comprises a washer 35 which is fitted to body 11.
[0056] Advantageously, filling unit 1 comprises:
- a plurality of actuators 15 which are part of respective positioning system 9, and
each of which rotates about axis A integrally with filling valve 8, completely carries
the weight of relative container 2, and is adapted to move respective container 2
along a respective axis B; and
- a common control unit 16 configured for:
i) receiving a control signal associated to one parameter between the nature of the
pourable food product, the format - i.e. the shape, the volume and the material of
container 2, the movement law of container 2 along respective axis B; and
ii) controlling the movement of actuators 15 along respective axis B, on the basis
of the control signal.
[0057] It is important to stress that containers 2 are held by respective positioning systems
9, as they travel along path P and move along relative axes B.
[0058] Furthermore, filling unit 1 comprises a human-machine interface 14, through which
a user can select one or more of the above-identified parameters.
[0059] In other words, the user enters a sort of recipe in human machine interface 14 and
control unit 16 controls positioning systems 9 on the basis of the recipe.
[0060] Axes B are vertical and parallel to axis A, in the embodiment shown, and coincide
with the axes of containers 2.
[0061] In greater detail, each positioning system 9, on the basis of the parameters set
by the user through the human-machine interface 20, moves respective container 2 along
respective axis B and selectively sets respective container 2 in:
- a lowered position (not-shown) at station I, O of path P; and
- a plurality of raised positions (one of which is shown in Figure 2) at intermediate
stations between stations I, O.
[0062] In the raised positions, each container 2 undergoes an operation by relative filling
valve 8.
[0063] The number of those raised positions and the movement law (displacement, speed and
acceleration) of positioning systems 9 along respective axes B is controlled by control
unit 16, on the basis of parameters, i.e. of the recipe, inserted by the user on human
machine interface 14.
[0064] For example, in case of still products, e.g. non-carbonated products, each container
2 is selectively arranged by respective positioning system 9:
- either in a first raised position (not shown), in which respective mouths 3 are axially
spaced by washer 35; or
- in a second raised position (shown in Figure 2), in which respective mouths 3 are
pressed against washer 35.
[0065] In particular, control unit 16 controls, on the basis of the recipe selected by the
user, positioning systems 9 to arrange containers 2 in the respective first raised
positions in case the recipe requires contact-less filling and to arrange containers
2 in the respective second raised positions in case the recipe requires a contact
filling.
[0066] Furthermore, duct 12 of each filling valve 8 enters the inner volume of relative
container 2, in both the first raised position and in the second raised position.
[0067] It is important to stress that control unit 16 can create different movement laws
for actuators 15 and, therefore, for containers 2 along axes B and between respective
lowered positions and respective first raised positions, on the basis of the recipe,
especially in case of still food products.
[0068] In this way, when the format of containers 2 changes, it is not necessary to change
ducts 12 in order to prevent the pourable food product from contacting the outer surface
of ducts 12.
[0069] As a matter of fact, when the format of containers 2 changes, control unit 16 varies
the first raised position, in such a way to avoid the contact of food product with
ducts 12.
[0070] Furthermore, in case of carbonated food product, each container 2 is selectively
arranged by respective positioning system 9:
- in a first raised position, in which respective mouths 3 are axially spaced by washer
35; and/or
- in a second raised position, in which respective mouths 3 are pressed against washer
35.
[0071] Still more precisely, in case of carbonated food product particularly sensible to
the oxidation, e.g. beer, each container 2, on the basis of the recipe selected by
the user, selectively undergoes a gas flowing operation.
[0072] During the gas flowing operation, filling valves 8 generate a flow of gas inside
containers 2 before the filling thereof. That gas is allowed to escape containers
2.
[0073] On the basis of the recipe selected by the user, the flowing operation is carried
out onto containers 2 arranged either in the respective first raised position (Figure
3) or in the second raised position.
[0074] In case the flowing operation is carried out onto containers 2 arranged in the first
raised positions, the gas is allowed to escape through respective mouths 3 which are
spaced from washers 35.
[0075] In case the flowing operation is carried out onto containers 2 arranged in the second
raised position, the gas is allowed to escape through not-shown ducts of respective
filling valves 8.
[0076] In this way, it is possible to vary the flow of gas coming out from containers 2
and, therefore, the throughput of filling unit 1.
[0077] Furthermore, in case of carbonated food products, containers 2 generally undergo
the following operations, when set in the respective second raised positions,:
- a filling operation, in which they are filled with the food product; and
- a pressurization operation, in which relative ducts 12 flow the gas in the inner volume
of container 2, in order to increase the pressure therein.
[0078] Both the filling operation and the pressurization operation are carried out with
containers 2 in the respective second raised positions.
[0079] In the following of the present description, only one positioning system 9 will be
described, being positioning systems 9 identical to each other.
[0080] Actuator 15 substantially comprises:
- a stationary housing 17 fitted to a plate 10 of carousel 7; and
- a carrier 18 movable relative to housing 17 along axis B.
[0081] In particular, plate 10 rotates about axis A and is prevented from translating along
axes B.
[0082] Carrier 18 comprises, in turn, a rod 19 which extends parallel to axis B.
[0083] Housing 17 and rod 19 form a brushless electric motor, which is controlled by control
unit 16.
[0084] In other words, on the basis of a control signal generated by control unit 16, rod
19 slides with respect to housing 17 parallel to axis B.
[0085] In particular, housing 17 defines a not-shown guide, inside which rod 19 slides.
[0086] Carrier 18 also comprises:
- a pair of rods 20 which extend parallel to axis B;
- a top plate 21 which defines a support plane for bottom wall 6 of container 2 and
to which top ends 23, 24 of rods 19, 20 are fitted; and
- a bottom plate 22 to which bottom ends 25, 26, opposite to top ends 23, 24 respectively,
of rods 19, 20 are fitted.
[0087] Rods 20 are driven by rod 19 parallel to axis B and slide inside respective guide
(not-shown) defined housing 17.
[0088] Rods 20 prevent the rotation of container 2 around its own axis, especially when
containers 2 enter or output carousel 7 respectively at station I, O.
[0089] As a matter of fact, rod 19 is free to rotate relative to housing 17 and about axis
B.
[0090] In the embodiment shown, rods 20 are arranged on opposite lateral sides of rod 19.
Still more precisely, one rod 20 is radially inner with respect to rod 19 and other
rod 20 is radially outer with respect to rod 19.
[0091] Rods 19, 20 also slide through respective holes defined by plate 10 of unit 1. Actuator
15 also comprises a thrust device 30 for exerting on container 2 a thrust having a
main component parallel to axis B and directed towards body 11 of filling valve 8.
[0092] In other words, thrust device 30 presses container 2 towards body 11 of filling valve
8, during the pressurization step of container 2.
[0093] Thrust device 30 is configured to generate a thrust, which is enough to balance at
least the sum of:
- the weight of container 2; and
- the thrust exerted by the pressure existing in the inner volume of container 2 on
wall 4, especially when container 2 is pressurized in the second raised position.
[0094] In greater detail, thrust device 30 is configured to generate a thrust onto container
2 which increases as container 2 approaches body 11 of filling valve 8, i.e. as container
2 raises parallel to axis B in the embodiment shown.
[0095] Thrust device 30 comprises, in turn,:
- a magnetic fixed element 31 which is fitted to housing 17; and
- a pair of magnetic movable elements 32 fixed to carrier 18 and, therefore, movable
integrally with container 2 along axis B.
[0096] In the embodiment shown, positioning system 9 further comprises a rod 27 which can
slide parallel to axis B inside a guide defined by element 31.
[0097] Still more precisely, rod 27 is fixed to plates 21, 22 and slides together with rod
19 parallel to axis B.
[0098] Furthermore, elements 32 are fixed to rods 19 and are arranged on the opposite side
of element 31 relative to plate 21 and, therefore, to container 2.
[0099] Furthermore, element 31 has a first magnetic polarity while element 32 has a second
magnetic polarity.
[0100] In this way, when rod 19 drives container 2 and element 32 towards washer 35 of body
11 (upwards in Figure 2), elements 32 approach element 31. The reduction in the distance
between elements 32 and element 31 increases their reciprocal attraction, thus generating
an additional upwards thrust on container 2.
[0101] In other words, thrust device 30 is a sort of magnetic spring, which generates an
upward thrust on container 2 which increases while container 2 approaches body 11
and reaches its maximum value when container 2 is in contact with washer 35.
[0102] In use, the user inserts on interface 14 a plurality of parameters associated at
least to the nature of food product, the size and the material of containers 2, the
kind of filling required and the desired law movement of container 2.
[0103] In other words, the user inserts a recipe in the human-machine interface 14, on the
basis of which control unit 16 controls the movement of actuator 15 and, therefore,
of container 2 along axis B towards and away from washer 35.
[0104] The operation of unit 1 is described with reference to only one container 2 and to
respective only one positioning system 9 and only one filling valve 8.
[0105] Furthermore, the operation of unit 1 is described starting from a situation, in which
positioning system 9 is set in the lowered position at station I and shutter 13 is
in the closed position.
[0106] Carousel 7 rotates about axis A and drives in rotation positioning system 9 about
same axis A.
[0107] When it is in a station intermediate between station I and O, control unit 16 controls
actuator 15 to move, on the basis of the inserted recipe, container 2 along axis B
and towards body 11.
[0108] In detail, control unit 16 controls actuator 15, in such a way that rod 19 slides
relative to housing 17 along axis B and towards body 11.
[0109] On the basis of the recipe inserted by the user positioning system 9 moves container
2 for a given stroke along axis B from the lowered position to the first raised position
and/or the second raised position.
[0110] In particular, the height of first raised position and the second raised position
relative to a fixed part of unit 1, e.g. plate 10, depends on the recipe inserted
by user on interface 14.
[0111] Accordingly, on the basis of the recipe, a wide range of movement law of container
2 as well a wide range of operative steps may be achieved.
[0112] For example, in case of still products, control unit 16 controls, on the basis of
the recipe, actuator 15 in such a way to arrange container 2:
- either in the first raised position, in case of a contactless filling has been required
in the recipe; or
- in the second raised position, in case of a contact filling has been required in the
recipe.
[0113] In particular, during the filling operation, duct 12 passes through mouth 3 and enters
the inner volume of container 2.
[0114] Still more precisely, mouth 3 is in tight-fluid contact with washer 35 in case of
contact filling with carbonated food product whereas it is axially spaced from washer
35 in case of contactless filling with still food product.
[0115] In particular, in case of contactless filling, the distance of first raised position
from a fixed part of unit 1, e.g. plate 10, is associated to the format of the container.
[0116] In other words, control unit 16 raises actuator 15 and, therefore, container 2 for
a given distance which is associated to the format, the shape and the material of
container 2. In this way, it is not necessary to replace duct 12, when the format
of container 2 changes.
[0117] During the contact or contactless filling, shutter 13 is set in the open position
and the pourable product fills container 2.
[0118] Once the filling of container 2 is completed, shutter 13 is set in the closed position.
[0119] In case of carbonated food products particularly sensible to the oxidation, e.g.
beer, filling valve 8 flows gas, e.g. carbon dioxide, inside container 2, before the
latter is filled with the pourable food.
[0120] On the basis of the recipe, the gas is flown with container 2 in the first raised
position (shown in Figure 3, with reference to the second embodiment of the present
invention) or with container 2 in the second raised position (shown in Figure 2).
[0121] Accordingly, on the basis of the recipe, control unit 16 controls actuator 15 in
such a way to arrange container 2 either in the first raised position or in the second
raised position.
[0122] After the gas flowing operation, container 2 is arranged - or remains - in the second
raised position and undergoes a filling operation and a pressurizing operation.
[0123] In particular, duct 12 passes through mouth 3 of container 2 and enters the inner
volume of container 2.
[0124] Furthermore, mouth 3 is in sealing contact with washer 35 in case of contact filling
with carbonated food product whereas it is axially spaced from washer 35 in case of
contactless filling with still food product.
[0125] At this stage, shutter 13 is set in the open position and the pourable product fills
container 2.
[0126] Once the filling of container 2 is completed, shutter 13 is set in the closed position.
[0127] During the pressurization, due to the fact that that mouth 3 is in tight-fluid contact
with washer 35, the gas is prevented from coming out from container 2, thus keeping
the inner volume thereof at a given pressure.
[0128] When container 2 approaches body 11, the distance between elements 32 and element
31 narrows down, thus increasing the magnetic thrust directed along axis B and towards
body 11 and acting on container 2.
[0129] In this way, when mouth 3 is in tight-fluid contact with washer 35, container 2 is
subjected to the maximum magnetic thrust along axis B and towards washer 35. That
thrust balances the sum of the weight of container 2 and of the force generated by
the pressure of gas inside container 2.
[0130] Upstream from station O, control unit 16 controls actuator 15 to move container 2
along axis B and away from washer 35, up to reach the lowered position.
[0131] At station O, container 2 is fed by carousel 7 to a downstream not-shown station.
[0132] With reference to Figures 3 to 5, 9' indicates a second embodiment of positioning
device.
[0133] Positioning system 9' is similar to positioning system 9 and will be disclosed hereinafter
only insofar as it differs from the latter; corresponding parts or equivalents of
positioning systems 9, 9' will be indicated, where possible, by the same reference
numerals.
[0134] Positioning system 9' differs from positioning system 9 in that it operates on containers
2' made of plastic.
[0135] Container 2' is similar to container 2 and will be disclosed hereinafter only insofar
as it differs from the latter; corresponding parts or equivalents of containers 2,
2' will be indicated, where possible, by the same reference numerals.
[0136] In particular, each container 2' is made of plastic material and comprises a ring
5' protruding from neck 6' and at a certain distance from mouth 7'.
[0137] Positioning system 9' differs from positioning device for comprising a pair of jaws
50' hinged to plate 21' about relative axes parallel to each other and vertical, in
the embodiment shown.
[0138] Jaws 50' are movable relative to each other between a closed position (shown in Figures
3 to 5) in which they grip ring 5' of container 2', and an open position (not-shown)
in which they do not contact ring 5'.
[0139] Furthermore, positioning system 9' differs from positioning system 9 in that rod
19 extends along an axis C' parallel and is staggered relative to axis B.
[0140] The operation of positioning system 9' differs from the operation of positioning
system 9 in that jaws 50' are arranged in the open position at station I, O and are
arranged in the closed position along path P.
[0141] Still more precisely, Figure 3 shows container 2 in the first raised position while
undergoes a contact-less flowing of gas, Figure 4 shows container 2 in the second
raised position during the filling thereof, and Figure 5 shows container 2 in the
second raised position during the pressurization thereof.
[0142] From an analysis of the features of positioning systems 9, 9' made according to the
present invention, the advantages it allows to obtain are apparent.
[0143] In particular, the movement of actuators 15 and, therefore of respective containers
2, along axis B is completely controlled by control unit 16 on the basis of the recipe
inserted by the user, without using any mechanical cam and any pneumatic device.
[0144] Accordingly, a wide range of filling modality can be obtained by using the same unit
1, without using any mechanical cam and any pneumatic device.
[0145] In greater detail, on the basis of the recipe, unit 1 can carry out either a contact
filling or a contactless filling, in case of still product, with no need of replacing
a mechanical cam.
[0146] Furthermore, in case of carbonated product, filling unit 1 can, on the basis of the
recipe, either carries out a flowing of the gas inside containers 2 before the filling
thereof or directly fills containers 2 without any gas flowing.
[0147] On the basis of the recipe, unit 1 can flow the gas inside containers 2 before the
filling either with containers 3 in the first raised positions (Figure 3) or with
containers 3 in the second raised positions.
[0148] In other words, the speed of the flowing may be varied by unit 1, simply on the basis
of the recipe.
[0149] Furthermore, in case of contactless filling, actuators 15, on the basis of the format
of containers 2, arrange respective containers 2 at different first raised position
relative to plate 10. In this way, it is possible to prevent the pourable food product
from contacting the outer surface of ducts 12, without replacing ducts 12 every time
the format of containers 2 changes.
[0150] Furthermore, in case of carbonated food product and during the pressurization step
of containers 2, each thrust device 30 is effective in contrasting the weight of relative
container 2 and the pressure existing inside relative container 2.
[0151] Finally, when applied to labelling machines of the kind disclosed in the introductory
part of the present description, positioning systems 9, 9' may completely control
the movement law of spindles both along and around their own axis, without using any
mechanical cam or pneumatic devices.
[0152] In this way, the throughput of labelling unit can be easily varied in accordance
with the throughput of the upstream filling unit 1.
[0153] Finally, it is apparent that modifications and variants not departing from the scope
of protection of the claims may be made to positioning system 9, 9'.
[0154] In particular, positioning system 9, 9' could be applied to a labelling machine of
the kind described in the introductory part of the present description.
[0155] In this case, positioning system 9, 9' would control the movement of spindles both
along their own axes and about their own axes.
[0156] Furthermore, filling valves 8 could not comprise relative ducts 12 and the filling
openings could be defined by body 11.
1. A position control system (9, 9') for controlling the position of an article (2, 2')
fillable with a pourable product with respect to a operating unit (8) of an article-handling
machine (1),
characterized by comprising:
- an actuator (15) which may rotate about a first axis (A) integrally with said operating
unit (8) and completely carries, in use, the weight of said article (2, 2'); said
actuator (15) being further adapted to move said article (2, 2') relative to said
operating unit (8) about and/or along a second axis (B) distinct from said first axis
(A); and
- a control unit (16) configured for:
i) receiving a control signal associated to at least one parameter between the nature
of the pourable product, the format or the material of said article (2, 2'), the movement
law of said article (2, 2') along and/or about said second axis (B) with respect to
the angular position of said actuator (15) about said first axis (A); and
ii) controlling the movement of said actuator (15) on the basis of said control signal.
2. The position control system of claim 1,
characterized in that said actuator (15) comprises:
- a fixed part (17) which is stationary relative to said second axis (B);
- a movable part (18) which may be moved by said control unit (16) relative to said
fixed part (17) and on the basis of said control signal; and
- a handling device (21, 50') operatively connected to said movable part (18) and
connectable to said article (2, 2').
3. The position control system of claim 2, characterized by comprising an electric brushless motor formed at least by said fixed part (17) and
said movable part (18).
4. The position control system of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that said control unit (16) is configured to control said actuator (15) in such a way
to cause said movable part (18) to slide relative to said fixed part (17) along said
second axis (B) only.
5. The position control system of claim 4, characterized by comprising an anti-rotating device (20) for preventing the rotation of said movable
part (18) along said second axis (B).
6. The position control system of any one of claims 2 to 5 characterized in that said control unit (16) is configured for moving said movable part (18) in a first
direction along said second axis (B);
said position control system (9, 9') further comprising a thrust device (30) for exerting
onto said movable part (18) a thrust directed, in use, towards said operating unit
(8) and in a first direction; said thrust being adapted to contrast, in use, the pressure
of an aeriform inside said article (2, 2').
7. The position control system of claim 6, characterized in that said thrust device (30) is configured to exert an increasing thrust onto said movable
part (18), as said movable part (18) moves, in use, in said first direction and towards
said operating unit (8).
8. The position control system of claim 6 or 7,
characterized in that said thrust device (30) comprises:
- at least one first magnetic element (31) fitted to said fixed part (17); and/or
- at least one second magnetic element (32) fitted to said movable part (18);
said first magnetic element and said second magnetic element (31, 32) having such
respective polarities and being arranged in such a mutual position that said movable
part (18) is subject to a thrust in said first direction when moving, in use, in said
first direction.
9. The position control system of any one of the previous claims, characterized by comprising a human-machine interface (14) through which an user can selectively insert
said at least one parameter.
10. A article-handling machine (1),
characterized by comprising:
- a carousel (7) rotatable about said first axis (A) parallel to and staggered from
said second axis (B) and which carries said operating unit (8);
- at least one position control system (9, 9') according to any one of the foregoing
claims; and
- at least one a filling valve (8) or at least one labelling element carried by said
carousel (7) and defined by said operating unit (8).
11. The article-handling machine of claim 10,
characterized in that said operating unit (8) is a filling valve (8), and
in that said control unit (16) is configured for moving said actuator (15) along said second
axis (B) between:
- a lowered position;
- a first raised position, in which, in use, a mouth (3) of said article (2, 2') is
axially spaced from an abutting element (35) of said operating unit (8); and/or
- at least one second raised position, in which, in use, said mouth (3) is in tight-fluid
contact with said filling valve (8);
said first raised position being interposed between said lowered position and said
second raised position along said second axis (B);
said control unit (16) being configured for arranging, on the basis of said control
signal, said article (2, 2') in said first raised position, either when it is required
a contactless filling of said article (2, 2') with a still pourable product or when
it is required a contactless flowing of aeriform before the filling of said article
(2, 2') with a pourable product with aeriform;
said control unit (16) being configured, on the basis of said control signal, for
arranging said article (2, 2') in said second raised position, either when it is required
a contact filling of said article (2, 2') with said still product or when it is required
a contact flowing of said aeriform before the filling of said article (2, 2') with
a pourable product with aeriform.
12. A method for controlling the position of an article (2, 2') fillable with a pourable
product with respect to an operating unit (8) of an article-handling machine (1),
characterized by comprising the steps of:
i) completely carrying the weight of said article (2, 2') by using an actuator (15);
ii) moving an actuator (15) and said article (2, 20) integrally with said operating
unit (8) about a first axis (A);
iii) moving said article (2, 2') relative to said operating unit (8) along and/or
about a second axis (B) distinct from said first axis (A);
iv) receiving a control signal associated to at least one parameter between the nature
of the pourable product, the material or the format of said article (2, 2'), the movement
law of said article (2, 2') along and/or about said second axis (B) with respect to
the position of said actuator (15) about said first axis (A); and
v) controlling the movement of said actuator (15) on the basis of said control signal.
13. The method of claim 12,
characterized by comprising the steps of:
vi) either filling said article (2, 2') with said pourable food product, by using
said operating unit (8); or
vii) labelling said article (2, 2') by using said operating unit.
14. The method of claim 13,
characterized in that step vi) comprises the step viii) of moving said article (2, 2') along said second
axis (B) between:
- a lowered position;
- a first raised position, in which, in use, a mouth (3) of said article (2, 2') is
axially spaced from an abutting element (35) of said filling valve (8); and/or
- a second raised position, in which, in use, said mouth (3) is in tight-fluid contact
with said abutting element (35);
said first raised position being interposed between said lowered position and said
second position along said second axis (B);
said step viii) comprising the steps of:
ix) arranging said article (2, 2') in said first raised position on the basis of said
control signal, either when it is required a contactless filling of said article (2,
2') with a still pourable product or when it is required a contactless flowing of
aeriform before the filling of said article (2, 2') with a pourable product with aeriform;
or
x) arranging said article (2, 2') in said second raised position on the basis of said
control signal, either when it is required a contact filling of said article (2, 2')
with said still product or when it is required a contact flowing of said aeriform
before the filling of said article (2, 2') with a pourable product with aeriform.
15. The method of claim 14,
characterized by comprising the steps of
xi) pressurizing said article (2, 2') when the latter is in the second raised position
and before filling it with said product with aeriform; and
xi) magnetically thrusting said article (2, 2') against said abutting element (35),
in order to contrast the pressure of said aeriform, in order to contrast the pressure
inside said article (2, 2').