|
(11) | EP 3 553 022 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (54) | FILLING MACHINE |
| (57) A filling machine (1) comprising a containment tank which is connected, by way of
supply ducts, to a plurality of dosing valves (3) which are functionally connected
to a device (10) for managing and controlling the opening and the closure of the dosing
valves (3); the dosing valves (3) comprise at least one reference valve (3a) which
is associated with a flowrate measurement device (3b) which is functionally connected
to the managing and controlling device (10) in order to determine the open time of
the reference valve (3a) that corresponds to the dispensing of a predetermined quantity
of liquid, and at least one valve to be calibrated (3c). The filling machine (1) has
a calibration station which comprises at least one tray (20), into which the liquid
dispensed by each valve to be calibrated (3c) can be discharged, the tray (20) being
associated with a device for weighing the liquid discharged in a time that corresponds
to the open time of the reference valve (3a) determined by the managing and controlling
device (10), the managing and controlling means (10) being adapted to detect the difference
between the quantity of liquid contained in the tray and the predetermined quantity
of liquid, and being adapted to generate a correction coefficient for the time that
the valve to be calibrated (3c) is to remain open as a function of such difference
in order to allow the dispensing, by the valve to be calibrated (3c), of the predetermined
quantity of liquid.
|
[0001] The present invention relates to a filling machine and, in particular, a filling machine for liquids using time-controlled dosing valves.
[0002] Filling machines for liquids are known and widely used, which use time-controlled dosing valves in order to produce the quantity of liquid to be introduced into each container.
[0003] Typically, the time necessary to fill each container is found experimentally by way of calibration operations and initial fine-tuning.
[0004] During use however, some fluid dynamic factors or wear factors can lead to a variation of the flow-rate in output from the dosing valves, and this results in the necessity to proceed with a recalibration.
[0005] It is known in fact that the flow-rate of a valve, once the open time is fixed, depends on the outflow speed, and the value of the outflow speed is affected by flow resistances in the circuit.
[0006] The value of the flow resistances is affected by multiple factors such as viscosity, density, temperature, centrifugal force in rotary filling machines, the geometry of the conduits, the level of the liquid, and the pressure in the supply tank.
[0007] In order to solve such problem, the same Applicant filed Patent no. EP1713692 on 1 February 2005.
[0008] The aim of the above invention was to ensure that the variations of the thermal/fluid dynamic parameters would not affect the initial calibration of the filling apparatus.
[0009] In particular, the solution in question discloses a filling machine with time-controlled dosing valves and having at least one master valve provided with an electronic flow meter which is connected to a computer unit, which manages the timing of the operations of dosed filling of at least one master bottle.
[0010] In this manner the time necessary to measure the actual quantity of liquid dispensed from the tank under pressure to each valve and introduced into all the bottles in transit is determined in advance.
[0011] In particular, a throttling diaphragm is applied upstream of each valve which is calibrated with very high flow resistances in order to ensure that the relative variations of all the other parameters that could affect the repeatability of the operating conditions of the dosed flow will not affect such repeatability.
[0012] The solution described above, although being particularly widespread and capable of solving the problems of calibration and of repeatability as the thermal/fluid dynamic parameters vary, results in some factors that are complex from the point of view of construction, given that both a master valve and a plurality of throttling diaphragms need to be provided.
[0013] The aim of the present invention is to provide a filling machine that is capable of improving the known art in one or more of the above mentioned aspects.
[0014] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a filling machine by which it is possible to manage the steps of calibration in a very practical manner.
[0015] Another object of the invention is to provide a filling machine that is highly reliable, easy to implement and at low cost.
[0016] This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a filling machine according to claim 1, optionally provided with one or more of the characteristics of the dependent claims.
[0017] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the filling machine according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a filling machine according to the invention;
Figure 2 is an enlarged-scale perspective view of the calibration station of the filling machine according to the invention.
[0018] With reference to the above figures, the filling machine according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a containment tank which is connected, by way of supply ducts, to a plurality of dosing valves 3, which are functionally connected to a device 10 for managing and controlling the opening and the closure of the above mentioned dosing valves 3.
[0019] According to the present invention, the dosing valves 3 comprise at least one reference valve 3a, which is associated with a flow-rate measurement device 3b.
[0020] If the filling machine 1 has a particularly high number of dosing valves 3, it is possible to have two or more reference valves 3a so as to be able to compensate for any malfunctions of one of such reference valves 3a.
[0021] The flow-rate measurement device 3b is functionally connected to the managing and controlling device 10 in order to determine the open time of the reference valve 3a that corresponds to the dispensing of a predetermined quantity of liquid.
[0023] The filling machine 1 is provided with a calibration station 11, which comprises at least one tray 20 into which the liquid dispensed by the at least one valve to be calibrated 3b can be discharged.
[0024] The tray 20 is associated, in particular, with a device for weighing the liquid discharged into the aforementioned tray 20 by the valve to be calibrated 3c in a time that corresponds to the open time of the reference valve 3a determined by the managing and controlling device 10.
[0025] In detail, the managing and controlling means 10 are adapted to detect the difference between the quantity of liquid discharged into the tray 20 by the valve to be calibrated 3c in a time that corresponds to the open time of the reference valve 3a determined by the managing and controlling device 10, and the aforementioned predetermined quantity of liquid.
[0026] Specifically, the managing and controlling means 10 are functionally connected to the weighing device so that such means can automatically detect the difference between the quantity of liquid discharged into the tray 20 by the valve to be calibrated 3c in a time that corresponds to the open time of the reference valve 3a determined by the device for managing and controlling 10, and the aforementioned predetermined quantity of liquid.
[0027] In particular, the managing and controlling device 10 is adapted to generate a correction coefficient for the time that the respective valve to be calibrated 3c is to remain open as a function of such difference in order to allow the dispensing by the valve to be calibrated 3c, during use of the filling machine 1, of the aforementioned predetermined quantity of liquid.
[0029] In particular, the filling machine 1 is provided with means for positioning, on command, each valve to be calibrated 3c in a calibration position in which the liquid that exits from the valve to be calibrated 3c is discharged into the at least one tray.
[0031] Conveniently, the filling machine 1 comprises a supporting structure 2 for a carousel 4 which can rotatingly move about a vertical axis 100.
[0033] The tray 10, and more generally the calibration station 11, is arranged along the movement trajectory of the dosing valves 3 and, more specifically, at a lower level with respect to that of the dosing valves 3.
[0035] The tray 20 can move on command between an operative position, in which it is arranged below the trajectory of the dosing valves 3 during the calibration operations, and an inoperative position in which it is arranged laterally with respect to the carousel 4 so as not to interfere with the bottles during filling during the normal use of the filling machine 1.
[0036] According to a possible variation of embodiment, the filling machine 1 comprises a containment tank 2 which is connected, by way of supply ducts 2a, to a plurality of dosing valves 3 which are functionally connected to a device 10 for managing and controlling the opening and the closure of the dosing valves 3.
[0038] The filling machine further has a calibration station 11, which comprises at least one tray 20 into which the liquid dispensed by the at least one valve to be calibrated 3c can be discharged.
[0039] The tray 20 is associated with a device for weighing the liquid discharged into the aforementioned tray 20 by the valve to be calibrated 3c in a time determined by the managing and controlling device 10.
[0040] In this manner, it is possible to execute the calibration of the valves to be calibrated even without having a reference valve 3a.
[0041] The filling machine 1 of the type described above is also advantageously provided with means for positioning, on command, each valve to be calibrated 3c in a calibration position in which the liquid that exits from the valve to be calibrated 3c is discharged into the at least one tray 20.
[0042] According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for calibrating dosing valves 3 of a filling machine 1, which comprises:
- a step of setting a reference valve 3a which is associated with a flow-rate measurement device 3b which is functionally connected to the managing and controlling device 10 in order to determine the open time of the reference valve 3a that corresponds to the dispensing of a predetermined quantity of liquid;
- a step of positioning a valve to be calibrated 3c at a calibration station 11 which comprises at least one tray 20 associated with a device for weighing the liquid discharged into the tray 20, into which the liquid dispensed by the valve to be calibrated 3c can be discharged;
- a step of opening the valve to be calibrated 3c for a time that corresponds to the open time of the reference valve 3a determined by the managing and controlling device 10 during the step of setting;
- a step of detecting, by the managing and controlling device 10, the difference between the quantity of liquid discharged into the tray during the step of opening and the predetermined quantity of liquid;
- a step of generating, by the managing and controlling device 10, a correction coefficient for the time that the at least one valve to be calibrated 3c is to remain open as a function of the difference detected during the step of detecting.
[0043] Advantageously, after the step of generating, the method according to the invention entails a step of actuating the valve to be calibrated 3c for a time that corresponds to the open time of the reference valve 3a multiplied by the time correction coefficient and, optionally, a step of discharging the liquid dispensed during the step of actuating into the tray 10.
[0044] In particular, after the step of actuating, there is a step of weighing to control the quantity of the liquid discharged into the tray during the step of actuating and a step of verifying the correspondence between the quantity of liquid discharged into the tray during the step of weighing to control the quantity of the liquid discharged into the tray and the predetermined quantity of liquid.
[0045] Preferably, the method comprises, in succession, a plurality of single steps of opening the valve to be calibrated for a time that corresponds to the open time of the reference valve 3a, and a plurality of respective steps of detecting, by the managing and controlling device, the difference between the quantity of liquid discharged into the tray and the predetermined quantity of liquid.
[0046] The managing and controlling device is adapted to determine the time correction coefficient, if the single quantities of liquid detected in the respective steps of detecting show a percentage deviation with respect to each other that is within the limit that can be preset.
[0047] During the above mentioned step of generating, there is also the step of calculating the average value of the single quantities of liquid detected.
[0048] The step of generating, by the managing and controlling device 10, the open-time correction coefficient uses, in particular, such average value.
[0049] If the quantity of liquid discharged into the tray 20 during the control weighing step deviates from the predetermined quantity of liquid within a percentage that is lower than an acceptable deviation percentage, for example equal to 0.2% or more preferably equal to 0.1%, a step is envisaged of validating the time correction coefficient.
[0050] Conveniently, the method entails a step of emptying the tray 20 when a limit level is exceeded.
[0051] According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for calibrating dosing valves 3 of a filling machine 1, which comprises:
- a step of positioning a valve to be calibrated 3c at a calibration station 11 which comprises at least one tray 20 associated with a device for weighing the liquid discharged into the tray 20, into which the liquid dispensed by the above mentioned valve to be calibrated 3c can be discharged;
- a step of opening the valve to be calibrated 3c;
- a step of detecting the open time of the valve to be calibrated that corresponds to a predetermined quantity of liquid discharged into the tray:
- a step of storing, by a managing and controlling device 10, the respective open time of the valve to be calibrated 3c.
[0052] In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects by providing a filling machine and a method for calibrating dosing valves that are particularly practical and reliable.
[0053] The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.
[0054] In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.
[0055] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102018000004468 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.
[0056] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.
1. A filling machine (1) comprising a containment tank which is connected, by way of
supply ducts (2a), to a plurality of dosing valves (3), which are functionally connected
to a device (10) for managing and controlling the opening and the closure of said
dosing valves (3), characterized in that said dosage valves (3) comprise at least one reference valve (3a) which is associated
with a flow-rate measurement device (3b) which is functionally connected to said managing
and controlling device (10) in order to determine the open time of said reference
valve (3a) that corresponds to the dispensing of a predetermined quantity of liquid,
said dosing valves (3) comprising at least one valve to be calibrated (3c), a calibration
station (11) being provided which comprises at least one tray (20), into which the
liquid dispensed by said at least one valve to be calibrated (3c) can be discharged,
said tray (20) being associated with a device for weighing the liquid discharged into
said at least one tray (20) by said at least one valve to be calibrated (3c) in a
time that corresponds to the open time of said reference valve (3a) determined by
said managing and controlling device (10), said managing and controlling device (10)
being adapted to detect the difference between the quantity of liquid discharged into
said tray (20) by the valve to be calibrated (3c) in a time that corresponds to the
open time of the reference valve (3a) determined by the managing and controlling device
(10) and said predetermined quantity of liquid, and being adapted to generate a correction
coefficient for the time that said at least one valve to be calibrated (3c) is to
remain open as a function of said difference in order to allow the dispensing, by
said valve to be calibrated (3c), of said predetermined quantity of liquid.
2. The filling machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of valves to be calibrated (3c), means being provided for
positioning on command each valve to be calibrated (3c) in a calibration position
in which the liquid that exits from said valve to be calibrated (3c) is discharged
into said at least one tray (20).
3. The filling machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said tray (20) comprises a liquid discharge valve (21).
4. The filling machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a supporting structure (2) for a carousel (4) which can move about a
vertical axis (100) and has, at its peripheral region, said plurality of dosing valves
(3), said tray (20) being arranged along the movement trajectory of said dosing valves
(3) and at a lower level with respect to said dosing valves (3).
5. A filling machine (1) comprising a containment tank which is connected, by way of
supply ducts (2a), to a plurality of dosing valves (3), which are functionally connected
to a device (10) for managing and controlling the opening and the closure of said
dosing valves (3), characterized in that it comprises a plurality of valves to be calibrated (3c), a calibration station (11)
being provided which comprises at least one tray (20), into which the liquid dispensed
by said at least one valve to be calibrated (3c) can be discharged, said tray (20)
being associated with a device for weighing the liquid discharged into said at least
one tray (20) by said at least one valve to be calibrated (3c) in a time determined
by said device for managing and controlling (10).
6. The filling machine (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises means for positioning on command each valve to be calibrated (3c) in
a calibration position in which the liquid that exits from said valve to be calibrated
(3c) is discharged into said at least one tray (20).
7. A method for calibrating dosing valves (3) of a filling machine (1), which comprises:
- a step of setting a reference valve (3a) associated with a flow-rate measurement device (3b) which is functionally connected to said managing and controlling device (10) in order to determine the open time of said reference valve (3a) that corresponds to the dispensing of a predetermined quantity of liquid;
- a step of positioning a valve to be calibrated (3c) at a calibration station (11) which comprises at least one tray (20) associated with a device for weighing the liquid discharged into said at least one tray (20), into which the liquid dispensed by said at least one valve to be calibrated (3c) can be discharged;
- a step of opening said valve to be calibrated (3c) for a time that corresponds to the open time of said reference valve (3a) which is determined by said managing and controlling device (10) during said step of setting;
- a step of detecting, by said device (10) for managing and controlling the difference between the quantity of liquid discharged into said tray (20) and said predetermined quantity of liquid;
- a step of generating, by said managing and controlling device (10), a correction coefficient for the time that said at least one valve to be calibrated (3c) is to remain open as a function of said difference detected during said step of detecting.
8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises, after said step of generating, a step of actuating said valve to be
calibrated (3c) for a time that corresponds to the open time of said reference valve
(3a) multiplied by said time correction coefficient, a step of weighing being provided
for controlling the quantity of said liquid discharged into said tray during said
step of actuating and a step being provided of verifying the correspondence between
the quantity of liquid discharged into said tray during said step of weighing and
said predetermined quantity of liquid.
9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises, in succession, a plurality of single steps of opening said valve to
be calibrated (3c) for a time that corresponds to the open time of said reference
valve (3a), and a plurality of respective steps of detecting, by said managing and
controlling device (10), the difference between the quantity of liquid discharged
into said tray (20) and said predetermined quantity of liquid, said managing and controlling
device (10) being adapted to determine said time correction coefficient by calculating
the average value of the individual quantities of liquid detected, said step of generating,
said managing and controlling device (10), said open-time correction coefficient using
said average value.
10. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises, if the quantity of liquid discharged into said tray (20) during said
step of weighing for controlling deviates from said predetermined quantity of liquid
within a percentage that is lower than an acceptable deviation percentage, a step
of validating said time correction coefficient.
11. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a step of emptying said tray (20) when a limit level is exceeded.
12. A method for calibrating dosing valves (3) of a filling machine (1), which comprises:
- a step of positioning a valve to be calibrated (3c) at a calibration station (11) which comprises at least one tray (20) associated with a device for weighing the liquid discharged into said at least one tray (20), into which the liquid dispensed by said at least one valve to be calibrated (3c) can be discharged;
- a step of opening said valve to be calibrated (3c);
- a step of detecting the open time of said valve to be calibrated that corresponds to a predetermined quantity of liquid discharged into said at least one tray;
- a step of storing, by a device for managing and controlling (10), said respective open time of said at least one valve to be calibrated (3c).
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description