MACHINE FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH LIQUID AND CORRESPONDING FILLING METHOD

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a machine (1) and method for filling containers (100) with a liquid, comprising a filling station (2) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) with a filling nozzle (6) and a support base (8) for a container (100) arranged below the nozzle (6). The invention further comprises an inlet conveying device (10) arranged adjacent to a longitudinal inlet side (12) of the filling station (2), a movable positioning device (14) for transferring the container (100) to the filling station (2) and placing it such that it is centered with respect to said filling nozzle (6). Finally, the invention has an outlet conveying device (16) adjacent to a longitudinal outlet side (18) of said filling station (2) for discharging the full container (100), and a movable extraction device (20) for extracting said at least one container (100) and placing it in the outlet conveying device (16).

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a machine for filling containers having a filling opening with a liquid comprising a filling station extending in a longitudinal direction with at least one filling nozzle for filling at least one container and a support base for supporting said at least one container arranged below said nozzle.

[0002] The invention also relates to a method for filling containers having a filling opening with a liquid comprising the step of filling at least one container in a filling station comprising a filling nozzle.

State of the art

[0003] Machines for filling containers with a liquid in an automated manner are known in the industry, particularly in the food industry. Normally, machines of this type not only fill the container, but they also close it with a cap, for example.

[0004] These machines are extremely common in the food sector, as in the case of bottles for liquids such as water, soft drinks, wine, oil, or the like.

[0005] A first type of machines, known as a linear, has an inlet conveyor belt which directs the containers to a filling station with the containers arranged one after the other. Several filling nozzles are provided in the filling station for filling several containers at the same time. Once the containers have been filled, the conveyor belt moves the containers to a closing station. A new group of containers to be filled already arrives behind the full containers. Therefore, new containers cannot be filled until all the preceding containers have been removed from the filling station. Accordingly, the machine has a slow filling cycle.

[0006] As an alternative, another type of machines, known as rotary machines, is also known. The conveyor belt in such machines feeds a rotating carousel having housings along the entire perimeter thereof with a shape adapted to the outer shape of the container. To assure an efficient filling cycle, the carousel tends to be quite large to receive a large number of bottles. Thus, machines of this type take up a lot of space.

[0007] A particular case in the packaging sector consists of machines intended for small productions with formats which, despite having substantially identical shapes, have different capacities. In machines of this type, the aim is to obtain a high production capacity that comes along, however, with high production flexibility.

Summary of the invention

[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide a machine for filling containers with a liquid of the type indicated above which has a short work cycle but is furthermore compact and flexible.

[0009] This purpose is achieved by means of a machine for filling containers with a liquid of the type indicated at the beginning, characterized in that it further comprises an inlet conveying device for conveying said at least one empty container to said filling station, said inlet conveying device being arranged adjacent to a longitudinal inlet side of said filling station, a movable positioning device for transferring said at least one container from said inlet conveying device to said filling station and placing said at least one container with said opening centered with respect to said filling nozzle, an outlet conveying device for discharging said at least one full container, said outlet conveying device being arranged adjacent to a longitudinal outlet side of said filling station, opposite said inlet side, and a movable extraction device for extracting said at least one container from said filling station and placing said at least one container in said outlet conveying device.

[0010] The machine according to the invention brings together several advantages not found in machines according to the state of the art.

[0011] First, the machine has a shorter filling cycle than the filling cycle of linear machines according to the invention. This is achieved thanks to of various factors. Unlike the linear machines of the state of the art, the filling station, the inlet conveying device, and the outlet conveying device are separate elements arranged adjacent to one another in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, while the containers located in the filling station are being filled, the conveying device can move new empty receptacles forward and leave them on standby, at the same height as the containers which are being filled. Then, when the containers in the filling station are full, the positioning device can transfer the empty containers from the inlet conveying device to the filling station. In a simultaneous movement, the full containers are extracted by the extraction device and positioned in the outlet conveying device to be discharged. Thus, the movement according to the invention is not longitudinal, but rather transverse, and preferably perpendicular, to the longitudinal direction of the filling station, and this movement is therefore much shorter. Thanks to, the work cycle is also quicker than in linear machines of the state of the art.

[0012] Second, unlike rotary machines of the state of the art, the machine, considering an equal capacity of packages to be filled, is more compact.

[0013] In a particularly preferred manner, the machine is provided to work with the containers in the vertical position, i.e., the containers are supported on their base in each and every one of the stations of the machine.

[0014] Furthermore, the invention covers a series of preferred features which are object of the dependent claims and the usefulness of which will be highlighted below in the detailed description of an embodiment of the invention.

[0015] In an embodiment having the objective of simplifying the conveyance of the receptacles, said inlet and outlet conveying devices are a conveyor belt.

[0016] As explained, another objective of the invention consisting of the machine being readily adaptable to different container volumes, said positioning device has a stopping plate with at least one notch with two sides converging together to define at least two points of contact with the perimeter of the cross-section of said at least one container in the area of contact with said positioning device and said positioning device is assembled in said machine for pushing said at least one container through said notch from said inlet conveying device to said filling station. In a particularly preferred manner, the sides of said notch have mirror symmetry and more preferably the sides are straight.

[0017] Also, in a particularly preferred manner the containers according to the invention are bottles and more preferably substantially cylindrical glass bottles.

[0018] Moreover, in order to standardize the capacities of the containers according to the invention the containers preferably have volumes comprised between 30 and 300 cl.

[0019] In another embodiment having the objective of preventing splashes, said support base and said nozzle are movable with respect to one another between a remote position and a close position, so that said nozzle is inserted into said container during the filling of said at least one container. In a particularly preferred manner, said support base and said nozzle are movable with respect to one another in a vertical direction between said remote position with respect to said nozzle and a close position with respect to said nozzle, for optimizing the space taken up by the machine. In a particularly preferred manner, said support base is movable in said vertical direction, whereas said nozzle is stationary.

[0020] In another embodiment, said positioning device and said extraction device are linear-type devices and can be moved in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of said through a servomotor. Thanks to of the servomotors, the machine can be readily adapted to the different volumes of the containers without having to assemble or disassemble tools in/from the machine for adapting to the different formats.

[0021] In another embodiment also having the objective of providing a flexible machine in terms of the closing of the receptacle, said machine comprises, downstream of said outlet conveying device, a closing station for closing by means of a cap, comprising a rotating carousel having a plurality of movable clamps adaptable to the perimeter of said at least bottle, and said clamps can move between an open position and a holding position for holding said at least one container through a pneumatic cylinder and a planetary gear.

[0022] On the other hand, the invention also proposes a filling method for filling a container of the type indicated above, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of previously conveying said at least one empty container to a longitudinal inlet side of said filling station, transferring said at least one container from said inlet conveying step to said filling station and placing said at least one container on a support base with said opening centered with respect to said filling nozzle, once said at least one container has been filled extracting said at least one container from said filling station and placing said at least one container in an outlet conveying step for discharging said at least one full container, said outlet conveying step being arranged adjacent to a longitudinal outlet side of said filling station, opposite said inlet side.

[0023] In another preferred embodiment, the method has a step of moving said support base and said nozzle with respect to one another between a remote position and a close position, so that said nozzle is inserted into said container during said step of filling said at least one container.

[0024] In another alternative embodiment, said step of moving said support base and said nozzle with respect to one another is performed in a vertical direction.

[0025] Finally, in another embodiment said method comprises, downstream of said outlet conveying step, a closing step for closing by means of a cap in a closing station having a closing head, in which there is provided a rotating carousel which rotates about a vertical shaft and has a plurality of movable clamps performing a holding step prior to closing in which said clamps are adaptable to the perimeter of said at least one container, moving between an open position and a holding position for holding said at least one container through a pneumatic cylinder and a planetary gear, and in that it further comprises a step of rotation in which said clamps position the opening of the respective bottle such that it is centered with respect to said closing head for placing said cap.

[0026] Also, the invention also covers other detailed features illustrated in the detailed description of an embodiment of the invention and in the attached drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

[0027] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which, without any limiting character, preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic front view of the machine for filling containers having a filling opening with a liquid.

Figure 2 shows a schematic top plan view of the machine of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the filling station and the closing station of the machine of Figure 1, from the inlet side.

Figure 4 shows a detailed perspective view of the filling station of the machine of Figure 1, from the inlet side.

Figure 5 shows a detailed perspective view of the positioning device of the machine of Figure 1.

Figure 6 show a schematic top plan view of a positioning device of the machine according to the invention.

Figure 7 shows a detailed perspective view of the filling station of the machine of Figure 1, from the outlet side.

Figure 8 shows a detailed perspective view of the extraction device of the machine of Figure 1.

Figure 9 shows a detailed perspective view of the closing station of the machine of Figure 1, from the outlet side.

Figure 10 shows a top plan view of the movable clamps of the closing station of Figure 9.

Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0028] Figures 1 to 10 show a machine 1 according to the invention for filling containers 100 having a filling opening 102 with a liquid. The machine 1 shown is intended for filling still wine glass bottles at a rate of 500 bottles/hour.

[0029] The machine 1 has a filling station 2 extending in the longitudinal direction L which is shown in Figures 1 and 2. This longitudinal direction L corresponds with the forward movement direction of the bottles in the machine 1.

[0030] In this embodiment, the filling station 2 has three filling nozzles 6 for filling three bottles 100 simultaneously. There is provided below the nozzles 6 a support base 8 for supporting each of the bottles during the fill operation. The support base 8 and the nozzle 6 are movable with respect to one another between a remote position and a close position. The nozzles 6 are thereby inserted into each of the bottles 100 during the filling of the bottles 100.

[0031] The machine 1 has, arranged adjacent to a longitudinal inlet side 12 of the filling station 2, an inlet conveying device 10 for conveying empty containers 100 to the filling station 2. In this case, the inlet conveying device 10 is a conveyor belt with articulated links 30. Nevertheless, this feature is not essential and other solutions such as a conventional conveyor belt or other conveying solutions such as rollers or the like can be conceived.

[0032] Furthermore, there is provided on this side of the filling station 2 a movable positioning device 14. This positioning device 14 can transfer three containers 100 from the inlet conveying device 10 to the filling station 2 and position them with the opening 102 centered with respect to the filling nozzle 6.

[0033] Figures 4 to 6 show in detail the structure of the positioning device 14. First, the positioning device 14 has a servomotor 26 and a transmission 28. The transmission 28 is formed by two wheels engaging one another by a belt and drive a vertical shaft 32. The vertical shaft 32 of the transmission is integral with a mechanism consisting of four articulated bars 34. Finally, guides 36 urge a stopping plate 38 move in the direction T transverse to the longitudinal direction L are provided. In this case, the stopping plate 38 has three notches 22 with two sides converging together. Each of these notches 22 defines two points of contact 24a, 24b with the perimeter of the cross-section of each of the bottles 100 in the area of contact with the stopping plate 38 of the positioning device 14. For the sake of clarity, this is schematically depicted in Figure 6 for a single notch 22. The figure shows the points of contact 24a, 24b with the perimeter of the main body of the bottle 100. The sides of the notch 22 are preferably straight and have mirror symmetry. Nevertheless, they may also be symmetrical arches forming a converging notch 22. In any case, thanks to of the notches 22 the machine 1 can be readily adapted to different perimeters of the bottle 100. Moreover, the servomotor 26 assures the correct movement for each different format without having to replace the stopping plate 38. Nevertheless, the bottles 100 are always positioned in the filling station 2 with the opening 102 aligned with the nozzle 6.

[0034] The positioning device 14 is thereby assembled in the machine 1 to push each of the bottles 100 through the notch 22 from the inlet conveying device 10 to the filling station 2 in a movement along a line defined by the guides 36.

[0035] An outlet conveying device 16 for discharging the bottles once they have been filled in the filling station 2 is also arranged adjacent to the longitudinal outlet side 18 of the filling station 2, opposite the inlet side 12. The outlet conveying device 16 is also a conveyor belt formed by links 30.

[0036] Finally, the machine 1 also has a movable extraction device 20 for extracting the three bottles 100 from the filling station 2 and placing them in the outlet conveying device 16. The structure of the extraction device 20 is better seen in Figure 8. Like in the case of the positioning device 14, the extraction device 20 has a servomotor 26, a transmission 28 consisting of two wheels engaging one another by a belt and drive the vertical shaft 32. The vertical shaft 32 of the transmission is integral with a four-bar linkage 34. Also, guides 36 which make an extraction plate 46 move in the direction T transverse to the longitudinal direction L are provided, said plate being moved away from or closer to the filling station along a straight planar path. For picking up the bottles 100, the extraction plate 46 has three suction elements 48 by way of a suction cup which adheres to the main body of each of the respective bottles 100 to perform extraction.

[0037] The machine 1 that has been described thereby allows putting into practice the method according to the invention explained below. In this embodiment, three empty bottles 100 are first conveyed to the longitudinal inlet side 12 of the filling station 2. When they are correctly positioned with respect to the positioning device 14, the bottles 100, being pushed by the stopping plate 38, are transferred from the inlet conveying device 10 to the filling station 2 and positioned on a corresponding support base 8 with the opening 102 centered with respect to the filling nozzles 6.

[0038] At this point, each of the disc-shaped support bases 8 shown in the drawings move vertically to move the filling opening 102 of the bottles closer to the respective nozzle 6, which in this case is stationary. Alternatively, each of the nozzles 6 may move down in the vertical direction V of Figure 4 and be inserted through the filling opening 102. As soon as each nozzle 6 is inserted in the corresponding bottle 100, the filling step in which each bottle 100 is filled in the filling station with a pre-established fill volume begins.

[0039] Then, once the bottles 100 have been filled, the bottles 100 are extracted from the filling station 2 and the three bottles 100 are positioned in the outlet conveying device 16 for discharging the three full bottles 100 through the side opposite the inlet side 12.

[0040] Once the full bottles 100 have been extracted, the positioning device 14 can then position three new bottles 100 to be filled. In order to reduce the cycle time, in a particularly preferred manner the extraction of full bottles from and the positioning of empty bottles in the filling station 2 can be performed simultaneously.

[0041] Finally, the full bottles 100 are discharged with the outlet conveying device 16 to a closing station 4.

[0042] Thus, the machine 1 comprises downstream of the outlet conveying device 16 a closing station 4 for closing by means of a cap. Closing can be performed in several ways, i.e., with cork or plastic cap under pressure, by means of a threaded cap or the like. The closing station 4 has a rotating carousel 40 comprising a plurality of movable clamps 42 adaptable to the perimeter of the respective bottle.

[0043] The clamps 42 are movable between an open position and a holding position for holding the bottle 100 through a pneumatic cylinder and a planetary gear 44. In this case, the machine 1 is not particularly bulky because despite using a carousel 40 for closing the containers 100, there isn't a need to provide a large number of positions in the carousel 40, since the bottleneck of the machine 1, i.e., the point at which an operation takes the longest time to perform, is in the filling station 2. Thus, while three new bottles 100 are being filled, the machine 1 has enough time to close the preceding three bottles 100.

Claims

1. A machine (1) for filling containers (100) having a filling opening (102) with a liquid, comprising:

[a] a filling station (2) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) with

[i] at least one filling nozzle (6) for filling at least one container (100), and

[ii] a support base (8) for supporting said at least one container (100), arranged below said nozzle (6),
characterized in that it further comprises

[b] an inlet conveying device (10) for conveying said at least one empty container (100) to said filling station (2), said inlet conveying device (10) being arranged adjacent to a longitudinal inlet side (12) of said filling station (2),

[c] a movable positioning device (14) for transferring said at least one container (100)

[i] from said inlet conveying device (10),

[ii] to said filling station (2) and placing said at least one container (100) with said opening (102) centered with respect to said filling nozzle (6),

[d] an outlet conveying device (16) for discharging said at least one full container (100), said outlet conveying device (16) being arranged adjacent to a longitudinal outlet side (18) of said filling station (2), opposite said inlet side (12), and

[e] a movable extraction device (20) for extracting said at least one container (100)

[i] from said filling station (2), and

[ii] placing said at least one container (100) in said outlet conveying device (16).

2. The machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said inlet and outlet conveying devices (10, 16) are a conveyor belt.

3. The machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said positioning device (14) has a stopping plate (38) with at least one notch (22) with two sides converging together to define at least two points of contact (24a, 24b) with the perimeter of the cross-section of said at least one container (100) in the area of contact with said positioning device (14) and in that said positioning device (14) is assembled in said machine (1) for pushing said at least one container (100) through said notch (22) from said inlet conveying device (10) to said filling station (2).

4. The machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said support base (8) and said nozzle (6) are movable with respect to one another between a remote position and a close position, so that said nozzle (6) is inserted into said container (100) during the filling of said at least one container (100).

5. The machine (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said support base (8) and said nozzle (6) are movable with respect to one another in a vertical direction between said remote position with respect to said nozzle and a close position with respect to said nozzle.

6. The machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said positioning device (14) and said extraction device (20) can be moved in a direction (T) transverse to the longitudinal direction (L) through a servomotor (26) and a transmission (28).

7. The machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said machine (1) comprises, downstream of said outlet conveying device (16), a closing station (4) for closing by means of a cap, comprising a rotating carousel (40) which rotates about a vertical shaft and has a plurality of movable clamps (42) adaptable to the perimeter of said at least one container (100), and in that said clamps (40) can move between an open position and a holding position for holding said at least one container (100) through a pneumatic cylinder and a planetary gear.

8. A method for filling containers (100) having a filling opening (102) with a liquid, comprising the step of:

[a] filling at least one container (100) in a filling station (2) comprising a filling nozzle (6),
characterized in that it further comprises the steps of:

[b] previously conveying said at least one empty container (100) to a longitudinal inlet side (12) of said filling station (2),

[c] transferring said at least one container (100)

[i] from said inlet conveying step,

[ii] to said filling station and placing said at least one container (100) on a support base (8) with said opening (102) centered with respect to said filling nozzle (6),

[d] once said at least one container has been filled, extracting said at least one container (100)

[i] from said filling station (2), and

[ii] placing said at least one container (100) in an outlet conveying step for discharging said at least one full container (100), said outlet conveying step (16) being arranged adjacent to a longitudinal outlet side (18) of said filling station (2), opposite said inlet side (12).

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized by a step of moving said support base (8) and said nozzle (6) with respect to one another between a remote position and a close position, so that said nozzle (6) is inserted into said container (100) during said step of filling said at least one container (100).

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that said step of moving said support base (8) and said nozzle (6) with respect to one another is performed in a vertical direction.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that said method comprises, downstream of said outlet conveying step, a closing step for closing by means of a cap in a closing station having a closing head, in which there is provided a rotating carousel (40) which rotates about a vertical shaft and has a plurality of movable clamps (42) performing a holding step prior to closing in which said clamps (42) are adaptable to the perimeter of said at least one container (100), moving between an open position and a holding position for holding said at least one container (100) through a pneumatic cylinder and a planetary gear, and in that it further comprises a step of rotation in which said clamps position the opening (102) of the respective bottle (100) such that it is centered with respect to said closing head (50) for placing said cap.

Drawing