FILLING APPARATUS FOR CONTAINERS AND A PROCESS FOR SANITISING FILLING DEVICES FOR CONTAINERS

Abstract

 A filling apparatus (10) for containers (100), comprising:
- a plurality of filling devices (1), each of which comprises a dispensing nozzle for dispensing (2) a fluid;
- a plurality of dummy bottle prints (11), each dummy bottle print (11) being associated with one of the filling devices (1) and being movable at least between a first position, in which it is located below the corresponding dispensing nozzle (2), and a second position, in which it is moved away from the dispensing nozzle (2);
- confining means (30) bounding an environment (31) in which the prints (11) are located;
- a discharge conduit (12) comprising a plurality of conduits (13), which is configured to place the dummy bottle prints (11) in fluid communication with the environment (31) in which they are located.

Description

[0001] The object of the present invention relates to a filling apparatus for containers and a process for sanitising filling devices for containers.

[0002] The invention has application in the packaging of a food-grade fluid product (beverage), possibly containing solid pieces.

[0003] One of the reference sectors is the bottling of so-called "sensitive" food products, i.e. products that are particularly sensitive to bacteriological contamination and oxidation, such as, for example, isotonic drinks, juices, nectars, soft drinks, tea, milk-based drinks, coffee-based drinks, soups, broths, etc., for which the prevention of possible microbiological contamination throughout all packaging steps is of fundamental importance.

[0004] Beyond the various existing solutions, a filling machine comprises a plurality of stations for filling containers, in which a dosing device is present with a shutter which puts the product tank in selective communication with the dispensing nozzle.

[0005] Periodically, the inner parts of the dosing device have to be subjected to a sanitising treatment.

[0006] For example, a known solution supplies the dosing device with a sanitising fluid whilst below the dispensing nozzle a dummy bottle (or print) is positioned that is traversed by this fluid. This fluid is guided within a closed return path to the centre of the machine.

[0007] During the steps of filling with a food-grade fluid, the dummy bottle is moved away from the dispensing nozzle, for example by means of a specific lever mechanism (see patent EP 0780338 in the name of the Applicant).

[0008] Another solution, proposed in document EP 2409948, applies below the dispensing nozzle a plate provided with a hole for discharging freely - i.e. in a non-guided manner - the sanitising fluid during the cleaning step. The sanitising fluid then drips from the perforated plate to the clean chamber underneath. The hole is calibrated to maintain back pressure when it has a reduced diameter, so it could be subjected to obstruction.

[0009] Further, the vapour condensate is discharged onto the gripping members below.

[0010] In this context, the technical task underpinning the present invention is to provide a filling apparatus for containers and a process for sanitising filling devices for containers which obviate the drawbacks of the prior art as cited above.

[0011] In particular, an object of the present invention is to propose a filling apparatus for containers that can be sanitised in an effective manner, avoiding at the same time an increase in the overall dimensions and/or the structural complexity thereof.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to propose a process for sanitising devices for filling containers that is easily actuatable and is reliable.

[0013] The stated technical task and specified aims are substantially achieved by a filling apparatus for containers, comprising:

• a plurality of filling devices, each of which comprises a dispensing nozzle for dispensing a fluid;
• a plurality of dummy bottle prints, each dummy bottle print being associated with one of the filling devices and being movable at least between a first position, in which it is located below the corresponding dispensing nozzle, and a second position, in which it is moved away from the dispensing nozzle;
• confining means bounding an environment in which the prints are located,
• a discharge circuit comprising a plurality of conduits, the discharge circuit being configured to place the dummy bottle prints in fluid

communication with the environment in which they are housed. According to one embodiment, the confining means comprises a box-shaped body bounding the environment in which the prints are located.

[0014] According to another embodiment, the confining means comprises a microbiological isolator. In this case, the environment bounded thereby is a controlled-contamination environment.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, each dummy bottle print has a through hole to enable fluid communication with the corresponding conduit.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the through hole is obtained laterally on the corresponding dummy bottle print.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the through hole is made on the bottom of the corresponding dummy bottle print.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, each filling device is configurable at least in:

• a filling status, in which the corresponding dummy bottle print is in the second position and the filling device receives a food fluid and dispenses it by means of the corresponding dispensing nozzle to one of the containers;
• a sanitisation status, in which the corresponding dummy bottle print is in the first position and the filling device receives a sanitising fluid and dispenses it to the dummy bottle print by means of the corresponding dispensing nozzle.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the filling apparatus further comprises a tank for a fluid. The tank is in fluid communication with the filling devices.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the discharge circuit further comprises a manifold. Each of the conduits has a first end in fluid communication with one of the dummy bottle prints and a second end in fluid communication with the manifold.

[0021] For example, each of the conduits comprises a first rigid section and a second flexible section.

[0022] Preferably, the second (flexible) section of each conduit leads into the manifold.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, the discharge circuit further comprises a valve device operatively active on the manifold to enable a selective fluid communication thereof with the environment in which the prints are located.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the filling apparatus further comprises a rotating carousel on which the filling devices are mounted. Preferably, the manifold has an annular extension that follows the circumferential extension of the rotating carousel.

[0025] The defined technical task and the specified objects are substantially reached by a process for sanitising devices for filling containers, in which each filling device comprises a dispensing nozzle. The process comprises the steps of:

• positioning a dummy bottle print below each dispensing nozzle;
• supplying the filling devices with a sanitising fluid;
• configuring the filling devices in a sanitisation status so that the sanitising fluid traverses internally the filling devices and is dispensed by the dispensing nozzles to the underlying dummy bottle prints;
• collecting the sanitising fluid coming from the dummy bottle prints in a discharge circuit in fluid communication with the dummy bottle prints;
• placing the discharge circuit in fluid communication with an environment in which the dispensing nozzles are arranged.

[0026] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the sanitising fluid comprises vapour. Preferably, the discharge conduit comprises a manifold in which the vapour is left to condense.

[0027] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will more fully emerge from the approximate and thus non-limiting description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a filling apparatus for containers, and of a process for sanitising devices for filling containers, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

• figure 1 illustrates a filling apparatus for containers that is inserted into a bottling line according to the present invention, in a plan view;
• figures 2 and 3 illustrate a filling station of the apparatus of figure 1, in a sectioned side view, respectively in two different statuses of the filling device.

[0028] With reference to the figures, number 10 indicates a filling apparatus for containers 100, made of plastic (e.g. PET) or of glass or of another material.

[0029] The filling apparatus 10 comprises a plurality of filling stations, in each of which a filling device 1 is located comprising a fluid-dispensing device 2. According to one aspect of the invention, each filling device 1 comprises a valve body 3 which mainly extends along a longitudinal direction AA in which a passage 4 for a fluid is obtained.

[0030] This passage 4 is obtained between an inlet 5 for the fluid and a fluid-dispensing nozzle 2.

[0031] The fluid is supplied to the inlet 5 of each filling device 1 from a tank 20. The tank 20 can contain a food fluid or a sanitising fluid, according to the status of the filling device 1.

[0032] In accordance to one aspect of the invention, the sanitising fluid is gaseous, preferably vapour.

[0033] According to one embodiment, a sterilising agent such as H₂O₂ is added to the vapour.

[0034] Alternatively, the sanitising fluid is liquid.

[0035] A valve means 6 configured to establish a selective communication between the inlet 5 and the dispensing nozzle 2 is operatively active on the passage 4.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the valve means 6 comprises:

• a slider 7, having an elongated shape and extending parallel to the longitudinal direction AA, which is slidably inserted into the valve body 3, in particular into the passage 4 between the inlet 5 and the dispensing nozzle 2;
• a shutter 8 solidly fixed to the slider 7 near the dispensing nozzle 2.

[0037] Preferably, the shutter 8 has an ogival conformation and can adopt a configuration for closing the dispensing nozzle 2, in which the dispensing of the fluid is prevented, and a configuration for opening the dispensing nozzle 2, in which the fluid is dispensed at an adjustable flow rate.

[0038] Preferably, a flow rate selector 9 is present that is solidly fixed to the slider 7, upstream of the shutter 8 with respect to the flow of fluid to be dispensed.

[0039] Due to the sliding of the slider 7 in the valve body 3, during filling of the container, the flow rate selector 9 can adopt different configurations so as to engage in a passage 4 defining a more or less wide gap, which corresponds to a different flow rate.

[0040] According to one aspect of the invention, the valve means 6 is actuated - thus the slider 7 is moved - by a pneumatic, magnetic or electric control. The filling apparatus 10 further comprises a plurality of dummy bottle prints 11, each of which is associated with one of the filling devices 1.

[0041] Each dummy bottle print 11 is movable at least between:

• a first position in which it is located below the corresponding dispensing nozzle 2 (see figure 3), and
• a second position in which it is moved away from the dispensing nozzle 2 (see figure 2).

[0042] According to one embodiment, each dummy bottle print 11 has a concave shape.

[0043] When it is in the first position, the dummy bottle print 11 has the concavity facing the dispensing nozzle 2 so as to receive the fluid coming from the latter.

[0044] The filling apparatus 10 further comprises confining means 30 bounding an environment 31 in which the prints 11 are located.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the confining means 30 comprises a box-shaped body (or cabin) bounding the environment 31 in which the prints 11 are located.

[0046] According to another embodiment, the confining means 30 comprises a microbiological isolator. In this case, the environment 31 bounded thereby is a controlled-contamination environment.

[0047] The dispensing nozzles 2 are located in the environment 31 as defined by the confining means 30.

[0048] Also the dummy bottle prints 11 are arranged in this environment 31. Each filling device 1 is configurable at least in:

• a filling status, in which the corresponding dummy bottle print 11 is in the second position and the filling device 1 receives the food fluid and dispenses it by means of the corresponding dispensing nozzle 2 to a container 100 placed below the nozzle in the filling station (see figure 2);
• a sanitisation status, in which the corresponding dummy bottle print 11 is in the first position and the filling device 1 receives the sanitising fluid (e.g. vapour) and dispenses it to the dummy bottle print 11 by the corresponding dispensing nozzle 2 (see figure 3).

[0049] Originally, the filling apparatus 10 comprises a discharge conduit 12 comprising a plurality of conduits 13.

[0050] The discharge conduit 12 is configured to establish a fluid communication between the dummy bottle prints 11 and the environment 31.

[0051] According to one aspect of the invention, the discharge conduit 12 further comprises a manifold 14 into which the conduits 13 of the filling devices 1 open.

[0052] According to one aspect of the invention, each conduit 13 has a first end 13a in fluid communication with one of the dummy bottle prints 11 and a second end 13b in fluid communication with the manifold 14.

[0053] According to one embodiment, each conduit 13 comprises a first rigid section 131 and a second flexible section 132.

[0054] In particular, the second flexible section 132 of each conduit 13 leads into the manifold 14.

[0055] According to one aspect of the invention, the discharge conduit 12 further comprises a valve device 15 operatively active on the manifold 14 to enable a selective communication thereof with the environment 31 in which the prints 11 are located.

[0056] The valve device 15 is of known type and will not be further described. According to the embodiment described and illustrated herein, the filling apparatus 10 is of the rotating carousel type 40.

[0057] The filling stations, with the relative filling devices 1, are thus distributed along the circumferential extension of the rotating carousel 40.

[0058] The manifold 14 is thus preferably an annular manifold that follows the circumferential extension of the rotating carousel 40. The conduits 13 of the filling devices 1 open into the annular manifold 14. In particular, it is the flexible sections 132 of the conduits 13 that lead directly into the annular manifold 14.

[0059] According to one aspect of the invention, each dummy bottle print 11 has a through hole 16 to enable the fluid communication with the corresponding conduit 13.

[0060] According to the illustrated embodiment, the through hole 16 is obtained laterally on the corresponding dummy bottle print 11.

[0061] According to a variant embodiment (not illustrated), the through hole 16 is made on the bottom of the corresponding dummy bottle print 11.

[0062] In the filling status, the tank 20 contains a food fluid (for example a beverage) and the valve means 6 is in an open configuration (corresponding to the configuration for opening the dispensing nozzle 2) to enable the food fluid to pass through the valve body 3 of the various filling devices 1 and be dispensed by the dispensing nozzles 2.

[0063] For each filling station, below the dispensing nozzle 2 the container 100 to be filled is present, which receives the food fluid. The container 100 can be in contact with the dispensing nozzle 2 or be spaced apart from the latter.

[0064] The dummy bottle prints 11 are in the second position, so they do not interfere with the dispensing of the food fluid to the containers 100.

[0065] In the sanitisation status, the tank 20 contains a sanitising fluid, preferably vapour.

[0066] The valve means 6 is always in the open configuration so that the vapour passes inside the filling device 1 lapping the internal walls that bound the passage 4, the valve means 6 and reaching the dispensing nozzle 2.

[0067] The dummy bottle prints 11 are located in the first position, i.e. below the corresponding dispensing nozzles 2, whereby the vapour is collected in these prints 11 and discharged into the environment 31 through the discharge conduit 12.

[0068] In particular, the vapour passes through the through hole 16 of each dummy bottle print 11, thus reaching the conduit 13 and the manifold 14. The vapour waits temporarily in the manifold 14, in which condensation forms that is discharged into the environment 31 via the valve device 15. From the description given, the features of a filling apparatus for containers and a process for sanitising devices for filling containers according to the present invention appear clear, as do the advantages thereof.

[0069] Owing to the fact that the sanitising fluid received in the dummy bottle print is discharged by a path guided by suitable conduits into the bounded environment that contains the prints and the nozzles, the structural complexity that is typical of the dummy bottle return closed path is avoided.

[0070] Further, the fluid is not discharged directly into the environment by dripping from above, but is conveyed by the discharge conduit.

[0071] Lastly, the condensate is not discharged onto the underlying gripping members but to a far zone so as not to interfere with these members.

Claims

1. A filling apparatus (10) for containers (100), comprising:

- a plurality of filling devices (1), each of which comprises a dispensing nozzle (2) for dispensing a fluid;

- a plurality of dummy bottle prints (11), each dummy bottle print (11) being associated with one of said filling devices (1) and being movable at least between a first position, in which it is located below the corresponding dispensing nozzle (2), and a second position, in which it is moved away from said dispensing nozzle (2);

- confining means (30) bounding an environment (31) in which said dummy bottle prints (11) are located,

characterised in that it comprises a discharge circuit (12) comprising a plurality of conduits (13), said discharge circuit (12) being configured to place the dummy bottle prints (11) in fluid communication with said environment (31).

2. The filling apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein each of said dummy bottle prints (11) has a through hole (16) to enable fluid communication with the corresponding conduit (13).

3. The filling apparatus (10) according to claim 2, wherein the through hole (16) is obtained laterally on the corresponding dummy bottle print (11).

4. The filling apparatus (10) according to claim 2, wherein the through hole (16) is obtained on the bottom of the corresponding dummy bottle print (11).

5. The filling apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each filling device (1) is configurable at least in:

- a filling status, in which the corresponding dummy bottle print (11) is in the second position and the filling device (1) receives a food fluid and dispenses it by means of the corresponding dispensing nozzle (2) to one of said containers (100);

- a sanitisation status, in which the corresponding dummy bottle print (11) is in the first position and the filling device (1) receives a sanitising fluid and dispenses it to said dummy bottle print (11) by the corresponding dispensing nozzle (2).

6. The filling apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a tank (20) for a fluid, said tank (20) being in fluid communication with said filling devices (1).

7. The filling apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said discharge circuit (12) further comprises a manifold (14), each of said conduits (13) having a first end (13a) in fluid communication with one of the dummy bottle prints (11) and a second end (13b) in fluid communication with said manifold (14).

8. The filling apparatus (10) according to claim 7, wherein each of said conduits (13) comprises a first rigid section (131) and a second flexible section (132).

9. The filling apparatus (10) according to claim 8, wherein the second flexible section (132) of each conduit (13) opens in said manifold (14).

10. The filling apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein said discharge circuit (12) further comprises a valve device (15) operatively active on said manifold (14) to enable a selective fluid communication thereof with the environment (31) in which said dummy bottle prints (11) are located.

11. The filling apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, further comprising a rotating carousel (40) on which the filling devices (1) are mounted, said manifold (14) having an annular extension that follows the circumferential extension of the rotating carousel (40).

12. The filling apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said confining means (30) comprises a box-shaped body bounding said environment (31).

13. The filling apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said confining means (30) comprises a microbiological isolator, said environment (31) being a controlled-contamination environment.

14. A process for sanitising filling devices (1) for containers (100), each filling device (1) comprising a dispensing nozzle (2), said process comprising the steps of:

- positioning a dummy bottle print (11) below each dispensing nozzle (2);

- supplying the filling devices (1) with a sanitising fluid;

- configuring the filling devices (1) in a sanitisation status so that the sanitising fluid traverses internally the filling devices (1) and is dispensed by the dispensing nozzles (2) to the underlying dummy bottle prints (11);

- collecting the sanitising fluid coming from the dummy bottle prints (11) in a discharge circuit (12) in fluid communication with said dummy bottle prints (11);

- placing said discharge circuit (12) in fluid communication with an environment (31) in which the dispensing nozzles (2) are arranged.

15. The sanitising process according to claim 14, wherein the sanitising fluid comprises vapour, said discharge circuit (12) comprising a manifold (14) in which the vapour is left to condense.

Drawing