Installation for packaging a liquid product in receptacles

An installation for packaging a product in receptacles. The installation includes a series of filler stations each having a filler spout having a spout body with a top end connected to a filler spout feed duct and a bottom end provided with an orifice fitted with a controlled valve. The filler spout is fitted with a looping duct opening into the spout body above the controlled valve and connected by a link member to a general feed duct at a point between a stop valve and an isolation valve. A purge valve is connected to the general feed duct between the isolation valve and the link member.

The present invention relates to an installation for packaging a liquid product in receptacles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Product-packaging installations are known that comprise a series of filler stations each having a filler spout and a support member for supporting a receptacle beneath the filler spout, in order to enable receptacles to be filled in succession with a predetermined quantity of liquid product.

In such installations, the filler spout comprises a spout body having a top end connected to a feed duct and a bottom end provided with an orifice fitted with a controlled valve.

When the installation is started up for packaging a new product, it is necessary initially to ensure that the spout bodies are filled. Given the structure of the filler spouts, that requires the filler spouts to be fed while keeping their bottom orifices open until the ducts and the spout bodies have been completely purged of the air they contained initially, i.e. until a liquid that does not contain any bubbles of air flows out through the orifices. The liquid produce flowing out through each bottom orifice is collected in a collector adjacent to said orifice. In order to ensure that bubbles of air do not rise in the filler spout feed duct, it is necessary to allow the product to flow for a relatively long length of time during which the installation is not being used for packaging the product in receptacles.

In addition, for reasons of compactness, the collector used for recovering the product during the initial filling of the filler spout is generally also used for recovering the liquid used for washing and rinsing the filler spout, which means that it is not possible to envisage reusing the product that flows out during the initial filling of the filler spouts. This thus represents a loss, not only in terms of the cost of the unused product, but also in terms of the additional cost involved in processing the various fluids recovered by the collector.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to propose an installation for packaging a product in receptacles that enables the product to be changed quickly while minimizing the quantity of product that is lost during such a change.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve this object, the invention provides a packaging installation of the above-specified type in which the filler spout is fitted with a looping duct opening out into the spout body above the controlled valve and adapted to be connected selectively by a link member to the general feed duct between a stop valve and an isolation valve, and a purge duct fitted with a purge valve is connected to the general feed duct between the isolation valve and the link member.

Thus, during initial filling, the body of the filler spout is fed by the looping duct, such that the product flows in the same direction as the air held captive in the filler spout, and it suffices to deliver to the duct a quantity of product that is only very slightly greater than the combined volume of the duct and of the filler spout body to ensure that the installation is purged of the air it contained initially. This initial filling is therefore very quick and the quantity of product that is discarded is very small.

Preferably, the purge duct is connected to the general feed duct at a point immediately adjacent to the isolation valve. This minimizes the risk of any air becoming trapped in a segment of the general feed duct.

According to another aspect of the invention, the installation includes an accumulation path connected in parallel with the feed duct and including an accumulator member. This makes it possible to regulate the flow rate in the feed duct for the filler spout of each filler station, regardless of the number of filler stations in the installation.

According to another aspect of the invention, the installation includes a multiport link member comprising a first link duct connected to the general feed duct and opening out into a first chamber to which the filler spout feed duct is connected, a second link duct connected to the accumulator member and opening out into a second chamber separated from the first chamber by an intermediate partition including a communication orifice and to which the looping duct is connected, and a switch member mounted in the second chamber to move between two positions for closing either the looping duct or the communication orifice, the switch member being pierced by an opening in register with the second link duct.

It is thus possible with a single multiport link member to establish either a looped connection, or else parallel feed of the feed duct for the filler spout of each filler station both via a direct connection and via a connection passing through the accumulator member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference toFIG. 1, the filler installation shown comprises in conventional manner a rotary carousel comprising a rotary structure1having filler stations mounted thereon, each comprising a filler spout2and a support member3for supporting a receptacle4under the filler spout, each support member4being associated with a weighing member5serving to control the corresponding filler spout in association with a control unit, not shown.

Each filler spout2comprises a spout body6having a top end connected to a filler spout feed duct7and a bottom end provided with an orifice8fitted with a controlled valve9.

According to the invention, each filler spout2is also fitted with a looping duct10having one end secured to the spout body6and opening out into the spout body above the valve9, and an opposite end connected to a multiport link member11of structure that is described below with reference toFIG. 2. The multiport link member11is connected both to a general feed duct12itself connected to a feed vessel (not shown), and also to an accumulation path connected in parallel with the feed duct12and including an accumulator member13. The general feed duct12is fitted with a stop valve14and an isolation valve15connected between the stop valve14and the multiport link member11.

A purge duct16is connected to the general feed duct12between the isolation valve15and the multiport link member11at a point that is immediately adjacent to the isolation valve15. The purge duct16is fitted with a purge valve17via a T-connection having a branch opposite to the connection between the purge duct16and the general feed duct12carrying a valve18that is mounted on a wash loop duct19connected to a wash pump20. A duct21for feeding air under pressure is also connected to the wash loop duct19via a valve22.

The accumulation path comprises a first duct23having a top end connected to the general feed duct12between the stop valve14and the isolation valve15, and a bottom end connected to the bottom end of the accumulator member13via two valves24connected in parallel in the duct23. At its top end, the accumulator member13is connected to a duct25for feeding air under pressure via a valve26. The accumulator member13is fitted at its top end with a first pressure gauge27and at its bottom end with a second pressure gauge28. The accumulation path further comprises a second duct29having one end connected to the bottom end of the accumulator member13and an opposite end connected to a cross connection30. The cross connection30is connected to the multiport link member11by a third duct31having a valve32mounted therein. A purge duct33is also connected to the cross connection30via a valve34.

The wash circuit further comprises a second duct35connected both to the pump20and to the cross connection30via a valve36. The wash circuit also comprises a third duct37having one end connected to the duct35between the wash pump20and the valve36, and a second end connected firstly to a washing liquid feed duct38via a valve39and secondly to a wash head40via a T-connection with the branch connected to the wash head40being fitted with a valve41.

With reference toFIG. 2, the multiport link member11comprises in conventional manner a first circular chamber42to which the feed ducts7for the filler spouts2of the various filler stations are connected in a regular distribution around an axis of symmetry of the multiport link member11. Also in conventional manner, the first chamber42is connected via a first link duct43to the general feed duct12via a rotary coupling44.

According to the invention, the link member further comprises a second chamber45on the same axis as the first chamber42and extending under the first chamber, being separated therefrom by an intermediate partition46. A second link duct48is secured to the intermediate partition46and extends coaxially inside the first link duct43. The bottom end of the duct48is secured to the intermediate partition46by radial arms that define around the duct48an opening49through the intermediate partition46. The top end of the duct48is connected to the inside of the rotary coupling44so as to provide a connection with the duct31of the accumulation path. The looping ducts10from the various filler spouts open out into the bottom wall of the second chamber45. A switch member in the form of a circular plate50is mounted concentrically inside the second chamber45and has on its bottom face projecting studs51extending in register with each of the looping ducts10. The position of the switch member50inside the second chamber45is determined by a control rod52whose top end is connected to a control member53and whose bottom end is connected to the switch member by radial arms defining an opening54through the switch member in register with the bottom end of the second link duct48. The top face of the switch member50presents an annular surface55closing the opening49in leaktight manner when the switch member50is in a high position, pressed against the intermediate wall46.

When the installation is started, all of the valves are closed. Starting from this position, the valve26is opened to admit air under pressure into the accumulator member13and the valves24are also opened. The product stop valve14is opened and liquid product under pressure is admitted into the accumulator member13by passing through the valves24. The accumulator member13becomes filled progressively with liquid and the depth of the product in the accumulator member is determined by the pressure difference as measured by the pressure gauges27and28. When the product reaches a predetermined level in the accumulator member13, represented by a dashed line inFIG. 1, and corresponding to the total volume of the filler spout bodies6and of the filler spout ducts, the stop valve14is reclosed. The valve32on the accumulation path and the purge valve17are both opened and the switch member50is in its high position, i.e. a looped connection is provided in the spout bodies6between the duct31of the accumulation path, the looping duct10of the filler spouts, the feed duct7of the filler spouts, and the general feed duct12. The liquid product under pressure flows initially in the duct31expelling the air it contains, and then passes into the second link duct48of the link member11, filling successively the looping ducts10, the filler spout bodies6, the filler spout feed ducts7, the first link duct43of the link member11, the general feed duct12as far as the isolation valve15, and the purge duct16as far as the purge valve17. When the product in the accumulator member13reaches a level (as determined by the pressure difference between the pressure gauges27and28) that corresponds to the ducts and the filler spout bodies being filled, the purge valve17is closed. This level is determined so that a small quantity of product has passed through when the purge valve17is closed, thus guaranteeing satisfactory purging of the installation. The installation is then ready to package the product in the receptacles.

The switch member50of the link member11is then lowered so as to close the ends of the looping ducts10. The filler spout feed ducts7are then connected in parallel firstly to the general feed duct12by the first link duct43and the first chamber42, and secondly to the duct31of the accumulation path by the second link duct48, the second chamber45, the opening49, and the first chamber42, as shown by bold arrows inFIG. 2. The product stop valve14is again opened as is one of the valves24. The accumulator member13fills again to a point where there is equilibrium between the pressure of the liquid product in the ducts and the pressure of the air in the accumulator member13. The isolation valve15is then opened and filling can be performed in conventional manner by controlling the valve9in each of the filler spouts. While product is being packaged in the receptacles, the flow rate in the filler spout feed ducts7can be adjusted by the extent to which the isolation valve15is opened, and also by the air pressure in the accumulator member13. Variation in the total flow rate through the filler spout ducts7is compensated by variation in the level of product in the accumulator member13so that the flow rate is substantially constant in each of the filler spout feed ducts7. The speed of adaptation is determined by the flow through the valves24. In order to avoid any surge phenomenon, it is preferable for only one valve24to be open during this stage of operation of the installation.

When it is desired to change product, the product stop valve14is closed and a number of receptacles corresponding substantially to the volume of the product contained in the accumulator member13are filled while using the filler spouts in conventional manner. Thereafter, the isolation valve15is closed and then the second purge valve34is opened as are the air admission valves22and18, while the valve26is closed. Air under pressure is sent into the general feed duct12. Simultaneously, the switch member50of the link member11is returned to its high position so that the air under pressure progressively expels the product so as to purge progressively the general feed duct12, the first link duct43of the link member11, the first chamber42, the filler spout feed ducts7, the filler spout bodies6, the looping ducts10, the second chamber45, the second link duct48, and the duct31of the accumulation path. After a sufficient length of time has elapsed for said purging to take place, the valve32is closed and the isolation valve15is opened, thereby putting the pressurized air feed into communication with the duct23of the accumulation path, the two valves24then being in the open position. Air under pressure thus expels the product contained in the duct23and in the accumulator member13. The valves18,22, and34are then reclosed.

If the new product for packaging is compatible with the preceding product or is a neutral product, then the initial filling of the installation and product packaging are performed as described above.

If it is desired to wash the installation, the washing liquid feed valve39is opened as are the valves41and the second purge valve34. The wash head40then causes the inside of the accumulator member13to be cleaned and the washing liquid flows via the purge duct33.

The valve41is then closed as are the valves24, while the valve36is opened and air under pressure is admitted into the accumulator member13by opening the valve26. The washing liquid thus penetrates into the accumulator member until it reaches a level that leads to equilibrium with the pressure of the air compressed in the accumulator member13. The valves36and39are closed and then the valve32is opened together with the top purge valve17. The washing liquid thus fills in succession the duct31, the ducts and the chambers of the link member11, the looping ducts10, the filler spout bodies6, the filler spout feed ducts7, and the general feed duct12as far as the isolation valve15. The valve32is then closed while the valves24are opened together with the isolation valve15, thus enabling the duct23and the general feed duct12to be filled with the washing liquid.

The valves24are then reclosed while the valve36is opened as is the valve18. The washing liquid thus fills the duct19of the washing circuit.

The valve36is then reclosed while the valve41is opened. The wash circulation pump20then causes the wash fluid to flow around a closed loop in the circuit comprising the ducts35and37, the wash head40, the accumulator member13, the duct23, a segment of the general feed circuit12extending between the duct23and the valve18, and the duct19. The valves41,24, and15are then closed while the valve36is opened. A new closed loop washing circuit is then established in the duct31, the link member11through the filler spouts passing via the looping ducts10, the segment of the general feed duct12, the valve18, and the duct19.

Once washing has been completed, the ducting is purged by reopening the valve22for admitting air under pressure and the bottom purge valve34, while also closing the valve18. Initially the valve36is opened while the valve41is kept closed, thus ensuring that the ducts35and37are emptied. The valve36is then closed while the valve18is opened as are the isolation valves15and the valves24in order to purge the duct23. The valves24are then reclosed while the valve32is opened in order to perform purging from the general feed duct12as far as the duct31of the accumulation path. The valve32is then reclosed while the valve41is opened again to purge the accumulator member13.

If necessary, the filler spout endpieces are washed prior to purging the filler spouts by putting the switch member50of the link member11back into its low position while opening the valve24and the isolation valve15and also the valve9of the filler spouts.

The installation can be rinsed and purged under the same conditions as it is washed. The installation is then ready for packaging a new product delivered in conventional manner from a feed vessel connected in parallel to the stop valve14via appropriate separation valves in order to avoid communication between the feed valves.

Naturally, the invention is not restricted to the embodiment described above, and variant embodiments can be provided without going beyond the ambit of the invention as defined by the claims.

In particular, although the installation is described with reference to product being metered by weight with receptacles being supported from below, the invention also applies to filler spouts associated with supports that hold receptacles by the neck, and/or with devices for metering by volume.

Although the multiport link member of the invention is described in association with an application to looping a filler spout, the multiport link member could equally well be used in other applications, for example by connecting the duct12to a feed vessel for feeding a first product for packaging and the duct to a vessel containing a second product for packaging while the ducts7and10are both connected to the top portions of the filler spouts, thus enabling the receptacles to be filled at will with one or the other of the products or with a mixture thereof.

Although the configuration of an accumulation path is described in association with the multiport link member of the invention enabling a series of filler spouts to be fed simultaneously, the invention can also be implemented on a single filler spout associated with a set of simple valves associated with a network of suitably-interconnected ducts.