Equipment for processing containers filled with liquid or powder products

Abstract

 Containers are sterilized, filled with a liquid or powder product and capped by equipment (1) that includes at least one carousel (6) furnished with a number of peripheral spaces (7) accommodating the single containers (2) and rotating about a vertical axis (8), also a star wheel (9) operating at an infeed station (10), by which containers (2) are directed onto the carousel (6), a star wheel (11) operating at an outfeed station (12), by which containers are taken up from the carousel (6), and a drive system (13) by which the carousel (6) and the star wheels (9, 11) are set in rotation. The carousel (6), infeed star wheel (9) and outfeed star wheel (11) are modular units interconnected rigidly by a skeleton frame (27) composed of tubular members (38) housing power transmission components (41) coupled to the drive system (13) and to each of the various units making up the equipment (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to equipment for processing containers filled with liquid or powder products.

[0002] The invention finds application to advantage in the art field of carousel type machines used for sterilizing, filling and closing containers with a neck and a cap, as employed typically for packaging a variety of different substances, including liquid food products such as milk or fruit juices, also mineral lubricating oils, detergents, etc.

[0003] Carousel equipment of conventional design is set on a single bed, preassembled at the premises of the constructor. The equipment presents a plurality of bays serving each to accommodate a respective carousel on which the containers are processed, for example sterilized, filled with a selected product and closed with a cap. Also mounted to the bed are devices for transferring the containers from one carousel to the next, as well as infeed and outfeed devices with relative motors, or a single motor, by which the containers are conveyed into and directed away from the train of carousels.

[0004] Owing to the notable size of the bed, which has to carry one or more carousels of large diameter, the operation of transporting the equipment from the premises of the constructor to the installation site is rendered problematic, and a sizeable space is needed in which to store the assembled item when ready for shipment and commissioning. Similarly, the transport operation calls for articulated motor vehicles capable of carrying abnormal loads, which are notoriously slow and costly.

[0005] An additional drawback is that the design and construction of any individual machine bed will be conditioned by the given layout, type and number of carousels and/or devices it has to accommodate.

[0006] The object of the present invention, accordingly, is to provide equipment for processing containers filled with liquid or powder products, such as will be unaffected by the drawbacks mentioned above.

[0007] One object of the invention, in particular, is to provide equipment for processing containers filled with liquids or powders that is easily transported to the site of installation and can be stored in a relatively compact space prior to being erected.

[0008] A further object of the invention is to set forth carousel type equipment of modular conception, such as will allow a reduction in design, construction and maintenance costs.

[0009] The stated objects are realized in equipment according to the present invention for processing containers filled with liquid or powder products, comprising at least one carousel affording a plurality of peripheral spaces to accommodate respective containers for processing and set in rotation about a respective vertical axis, a device operating at an infeed station, by which containers are directed onto the carousel, a device operating at an outfeed station, by which containers are taken up from the carousel, and drive means by which motion is induced in the at least one carousel, the infeed device and the outfeed device, characterized in that it further comprises a skeleton frame by which the at least one carousel, the infeed device and the outfeed device are rigidly interconnected.

[0010] The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

• figure 1 is a plan view of equipment according to the present invention for processing containers filled with liquid or powder products;
• figure 2 is a view of the equipment as in figure 1 with certain parts omitted and certain illustrated in phantom lines, to reveal others beneath;
• figure 3 shows a first portion of the equipment in figure 1, viewed in elevation and partly in section;
• figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the first portion in figure 3;
• figure 5 shows a second portion of the equipment in figure 1, viewed in elevation and partly in section.

[0011] Referring to figure 1 of the drawings, numeral 1 denotes equipment, in its entirety, for processing containers 2 in which liquid or powder products are packaged; each container 2 presents a neck 3 and a filler mouth 4 closed by fitting a cap 5 (as shown more clearly in figures 3 and 4).

[0012] Essentially, the equipment 1 comprises at least one carousel 6, serving for example to sterilize, fill or cap the containers 2, affording a plurality of peripheral spaces 7 in which respective containers 2 are accommodated and processed as the carousel rotates about a vertical axis 8.

[0013] The equipment 1 further comprises a feed device 9 by which containers 2 are directed singly onto the carousel 6 at an infeed station 10, and a device 11 by which these same containers 2 are taken up at an outfeed station 12. The carousel 6, feed device 9 and take-up device 11 are set in motion by drive means denoted 13.

[0014] In the example of the accompanying drawings, which implies no limitation in scope of the present invention, the equipment 1 presents a first carousel 6a that consists in a filling unit by which liquid or powder products are dispensed into each container 2 by way of the filler mouth 4.

[0015] As discernible in figure 3 and 4, the filling unit 6a carries supporting and weighing means 14 of familiar type, illustrated schematically and as disclosed for example in patent EP 974548 filed by the present applicant, on which to stand and weigh a plurality of containers 2 as these are filled with a product, proceeding along a circular filling path P1 that extends about the vertical axis 8 aforementioned.

[0016] The first carousel 6a carries a tank 15 holding the product and carrying a plurality of dispensing nozzles 16 ordered around the axis 8 of rotation, from which containers 2 placed on the supporting means 14 are filled as they revolve about the vertical axis 8.

[0017] The first carousel 6a receives containers 2 singly and in succession at the infeed station 10 from the feed device 9, which is illustrated as a star wheel conveyor, for example as disclosed in a patent application published under n° EP 1498371, filed by the present applicant.

[0018] The star wheel 9 turns on a relative axis 17 parallel to the axis 8 of the first carousel 6a and is positioned to take up containers 2 advancing along a horizontal infeed channel equipped with a feed screw 18 driven by a respective motor 19.

[0019] Also forming part of the equipment is a transfer device 20, illustrated likewise as a star wheel turning on a relative axis 21, by which the containers 2 are directed onto a second carousel 6b that consists in a capping unit equipped with a plurality of capping heads 22 associated with a carrier assembly 23 set in rotation by the second carousel 6b about a relative vertical axis 8.

[0020] As shown to advantage in figures 3 and 4, the capping unit 6b also carries supporting means 24 on which to stand the containers 2 as they are closed with respective screw caps 5 while advancing along a circular path P2 that extends around the relative vertical axis 8. A capping unit 6b of the type in question is disclosed in a PCT patent application published under n° WO 2005007556, filed by the present applicant.

[0021] The aforementioned take-up device 11 operating at the outfeed station 12 consists in a further star wheel conveyor turning on a relative axis 25 parallel to the axes 8 of the carousels 6a and 6b, by which the filled and capped containers 2 are transferred into an outfeed channel 26.

[0022] In the equipment 1 disclosed, the carousels 6a and 6b, the star wheels 9, 11 and 20 and, in the example illustrated, the outfeed channel 26 and the feed screw 18, are connected rigidly one to another by a frame 27 of skeleton construction interlinking the pedestals 28 of the various units (figure 2).

[0023] The skeleton frame 27 consists, by definition, in a plurality of members 29 connected one to another and/or to the pedestals 28 in such a way as will afford an appreciable measure of rigidity to the structure while also allowing the single components to be transported separately and assembled at the site of installation.

[0024] In the example illustrated, the two carousels 6a and 6b and the three star wheels 9, 11 and 20 each comprise a respective pedestal 28 appearing as a base 30 with four splayed legs 31 terminating in four feet 32 planted on the floor.

[0025] The pedestal 28 presents a tubular body 33 rising vertically from the base 30 and carrying a relative carousel 6a or 6b or star wheel 9, 11 or 20 rotatably at the top end 34.

[0026] Whilst in the following description, reference is made explicitly to the pedestal 28 of the filling unit 6a, the pedestals carrying the remaining unit and devices 6b, 9, 11 and 20 will be similar in every respect.

[0027] The tubular body 33 of the pedestal accommodates a shaft 35 rigidly associated with the carousel 6a and aligned on the vertical axis 8 of rotation, which turns in a pair of bearings 36 set in relative blocks 37 rigidly associated with the ends of the tubular body 33. The shaft 35 is coupled to the drive means 13, which are thus able to set the carousel 6a in rotation.

[0028] The skeleton frame 27 is connected to the vertical tubular bodies 33 of the carousels 6a and 6b and of the star wheels 9, 11 and 20, as well as to the pedestals (not illustrated) of the feed screw 18 and the outfeed channel 26.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the skeleton frame 27 will consist in a plurality of tubes 38 connected one to another or, as illustrated, to the vertical tubular bodies 33, by way of flanges 39 welded to the ends 40 of the selfsame tubes 38 and welded or bolted to the element with which they are joined. The adoption of bolts as a means of connecting the members will have the additional advantage that the frame 27 can be dismantled entirely or in part for the purposes of carrying out maintenance, replacing parts or moving the equipment 1. Moreover, the modular nature of the assembly guarantees greater flexibility in embodiment of the equipment 1, with the result that design and construction costs can also be reduced. In effect, the same tubes can be used to assemble the equipment 1 in a variety of differing configurations.

[0030] Certain of the tubes 38 illustrated communicate internally by way of their respective ends 40 with lateral openings 33a afforded by the vertical tubular bodies 33, and are equipped internally with a power transmission component 41 connected to the shafts 35 rotating within the selfsame tubular bodies 33. With this arrangement, accordingly, it becomes possible to use just one motor, mounted for example to one of the carousels 6a or 6b, as a prime mover from which drive is transmitted to all of the various units, and at the same time to shield the transmission components 41.

[0031] In the example of figures 2, 3 and 5, the transmission component 41 comprises a belt 42, preferably a timing belt, looped around pulleys 43 keyed to the vertical shafts 35.

[0032] In particular, as illustrated in figures 2 and 3, the shaft 35 of the filling unit 6a carries two pulleys 43, upper and lower, each engaged by a relative belt 42. The pulley 43 uppermost is linked to the shaft 35 of the capping unit 6b, whilst the pulley 43 beneath is linked to the star wheel 9 operating at the infeed station 10.

[0033] Moreover, and referring to figure 5, the drive means 13 comprise a single motor 44, for example of brushless design, positioned above the pedestal 28 supporting the transfer device 20 and coupled directly to the vertical shaft 35 of the relative star wheel. The pulleys 43 mounted to the shaft 35 of the transfer device 20 transmit power to the star wheel devices 9 and 11 operating at the infeed station 10 and the outfeed station 12 (figure 2).

[0034] The motor 44, in any event, could be installed under any of the aforementioned units or devices.

[0035] As illustrated in the alternative embodiment of figure 4, which presents neither pulleys 43 nor belts 42, the transmission component 41 consists in a drive shaft 45 of which the opposite ends 46 carry gears 47, for example bevel gears, in mesh with matching gears 48 keyed to the vertical shafts 35.

[0036] The shaft 45 in question extends coaxially within the tube 38 it occupies and is carried by a pair of bearings 49 located at the opposite ends 40 of the selfsame tube 38.

[0037] In the example of figure 4, the shaft 35 of the filling unit 6a carries a single bevel gear 48 in mesh with two bevel gears 47 mounted to respective drive shafts 45.

[0038] The drive system thus outlined could be designed so as to transmit power to the feed screw 18, thereby dispensing with a dedicated motor 19, and possibly to a conveyor belt operating internally of the outfeed channel 26.

[0039] Adopting an alternative solution not illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the equipment 1 could be assembled without transmission components 41 linking the various devices, but with a plurality of single motors each driving a group of devices or an individual device, synchronized in operation by a single control unit to which all are interlocked.

[0040] Finally, the frame 27 is enclosed advantageously by a perimeter guard 50 composed of panels 51 surrounding the selfsame frame 27 completely. The panels 51 of the structure 50 will be assembled on site, hence easily transportable and requiring minimal storage space, and removable entirely or in part to provide access for maintenance purposes.

Claims

1. Equipment for processing containers filled with liquid or powder products, comprising at least one carousel (6) affording a plurality of peripheral spaces (7) to accommodate respective containers for processing and set in rotation about a respective vertical axis (8), a device (9) operating at an infeed station (10), by which containers (2) are directed onto the carousel (6), a device (11) operating at an outfeed station (12), by which containers are taken up from the carousel (6), and drive means (13) by which motion is induced in the at least one carousel (6), the infeed device (9) and the outfeed device (11),
characterized
in that it further comprises a skeleton frame (27) by which the at least one carousel (6), the infeed device (9) and the outfeed device (11) are rigidly interconnected.

2. Equipment as in claim 1, wherein the at least one carousel (6) comprises a floor-standing pedestal (28) presenting a vertical tubular body (33) and is set in rotation by a shaft (35) housed within the selfsame tubular body (33), aligned on the axis (8) of rotation and coupled to the drive means (13).

3. Equipment as in claim 1 or 2, wherein the infeed device (9) and the outfeed device (11) consist in respective star wheel conveyors, each comprising a floor-standing pedestal (28) presenting a vertical tubular body (33) and set in rotation by a shaft (35) housed within the selfsame tubular body (33), aligned on a respective axis (17, 25) of rotation and coupled to the drive means (13).

4. Equipment as in claim 3, wherein the skeleton frame (27) is connected to the vertical tubular bodies (33) of the carousel (6) and the star wheel conveyors (9, 11, 20).

5. Equipment as in claim 4, wherein the skeleton frame (27) comprises a plurality of tubes (38).

6. Equipment as in claim 5, wherein each tube (38) communicates by way of its opposite ends (40) with respective vertical tubular bodies (33) and houses a power transmission component (41) connectable to the shafts (35) rotating within the selfsame tubular bodies (33).

7. Equipment as in claim 6, wherein the power transmission component (41) comprises a drive shaft (45) of which the opposite ends carry respective gears (47) in mesh with matching gears (48) mounted on the rotating vertical shafts (35).

8. Equipment as in claim 6, wherein the power transmission component (41) comprises a belt (42) looped around pulleys (43) mounted on the rotating vertical shafts (35).

9. Equipment as in claim 6, wherein drive means (13) comprise a motor (44) coupled directly to one of the rotating vertical shafts (35).

10. Equipment as in claim 1, wherein drive means (13) comprise a plurality of motors coupled respectively to the at least one carousel (6), to the infeed device (9) and to the outfeed device (11), and a control unit governing the operation of the motors.

11. Equipment as in claim 5, wherein each tube (38) of the skeleton frame (27) is connected to the respective vertical tubular bodies (33) by way of welded or bolted flanges (39).

12. Equipment as in claim 1, wherein the carousel (6) is a unit (6a) by which the containers (2) are filled.

13. Equipment as in claim 1, wherein the carousel (6) is a capping unit (6b) by which the containers (2) are closed with respective caps (5).

14. Equipment as in claim 1, wherein the carousel (6) is a unit by which the containers (2) are sterilized.

15. Equipment as in claim 10, further comprising an enclosing structure (50) with panels (51), positioned around the skeleton frame (27).

Drawing