APPARATUS TO PRE-SET AND REGULATE FROM THE OUTSIDE THE CAPACITY OF THE VOLUMETRIC CHAMBER OF METERING FILLING DEVICES OF A BOTTLER

Abstract: Apparatus to pre-set and regulate from the outside the volumetric capacity of the metering cylinders of a filler, equipped with a metering free-hanging device (1) without venting tube and equipped with a set of incorporated permanent magnets (2) and (2') the axial positioning of which, inside the volumetric chamber (3) of the metering cylinder (4), is pre-set and regulated without contact by the axial excursions (5) actuated by a corresponding set of permanent magnets (6) and (6') incorporated a cursor (7) sliding from the outside of the metering cylinder (4). The apparatus is without o-rings and during its sanitation the cleaning liquid does not flow through critical interstices.

Description: APPARATUS TO PRE-SET AND REGULATE FROM THE OUTSIDE THE C APACITY OF THE VOLUMETRIC CHAMBER OF METERING FILLING DEVICES OF A BOTTLER. FIELD OF THE ART The invention refers to the technological field of bottling, generally known in the international classification B67c and in particular to the volumetric filling devices. STATE OF THE ART In the literature of prior art are described several types of metering devices (for example patent EP Al 0262258) in which the volumetric chamber includes a mobile cover, sliding inside the transfer chamber, and equipped with o-ring seals. In the patent EP A l 0470398 is shown a piston inside a metering chamber, and the excursions of which, are controlled by an actuating rod. exiting from the chamber, equipped with o-ring seals. Furthermore, in all known systems, the capacity of the volumetric chamber of the metering filling devices, is pre-set and regulated, by excursions of a piston inside the volumetric chamber. Said excursions are actuated by rods that exit to be connected to the cinematic systems. Such rods need to be equipped with o-ring seals at the exit orifice. These o-rings are known to cause problems during the sanitation and cleaning in place. The problem yet to be solved is the realization of a device to actuate the excursions of a sliding body inside the volumetric chamber without employing mechanical devices going through the hermetic cover of said filling chamber. The solution proposed, is to employ a system with permanent magnets, which allows to move from the outside a suspended inside the hermetic chamber. The forces needed to move the inside body can be transferred without contact, using the magnetic fields through the walls of the volumetric chamber. Furthermore it ' s utilized the running slack fit of the inside body to allow the flow of the processing fluids without the use of the traditional venting tube. DESCRIPTION The invention is now described making reference to the attached drawings as a non limitative example: Fig.1 shows the starting of the transfer phase of the processing fluids (16). The fluids coming from the main feeding tank pass through the open valve (12). and from underneath enter into the volumetric chamber (3). It ' s also shown the gas (17) inside the main tank and inside the volumetric chamber. Fig. 2 and Fig.3 show the continuing flow of the transfer phase and evidentiate the higher level of the liquid inside the volumetric chamber. Fig. 4 shows the end of the transfer cycle, when the liquid inside the volumetric chamber (3) has reached the level (10) of the main tank. Fig. 5 shows the starting of the delivery phase from the volumetric chamber and the filling of the bottle. Fig. 6 shows the continuation of filling. Fig. 7 shows the completed phase of filling. In the Fig.5. Fig.6 and Fig.7 it is also shvvn the presence of gas ( 17) - for example carbon dioxide - in the main feeding tank ( 16) and in the volumetric chamber (3). Fig. 8 shows a schematic top view of a rotating filler indicating the several phases of the technological processing of filling. Please note that the phases indicated I. II. III. IV. V. VI. and VII. relate to the Fig.1.2.3.4.5.6 and 7. Fig. 9 shows the lowered level (23) of the liquid inside the main tank and the corresponding lowered position of the sliding body ( l ).when the filler is regulated to fill bottles of reduced capacity. Fig. 10 shows the operation for the sanitation of the filler and evidentiates how the absence of any o-rings facilitates the circulation of the cleaning liquid even in those critical interstices between cylinder and metering piston. In the figures every single detail is indicated as follows: (1 ) shows a free-hanging device that can freely slide inside the volumetric chamber. (2) shows north-magnetic rings incorporated in the device (1). (2') shows south-magnetic rings incorporated in the device ( 1 ) but isolated from the north-magnetic ones. (3) shows the volumetric chamber with a diameter bigger than the sliding device. (4) shows the metering cylinder. (5) shows the maximum axial internal excursion of the free hanging device. (6)and(6') show respectively north-magnets and south-magnets, incorporated on the external side of the sliding device (7). (7) shows the external sliding device. (8) show the centering shoes that guide the sliding movement of the free-hanging body (1 ) inside the volumetric chamber (3). (9) shows the slack fit of the sliding body (1 ) and the inside wall of the volumetric chamber (3): said slack fit is not capillary and substitutes the traditional venting tube an d facilitates the flow of the processing fluids to the volumetric chamber. (10) show the constant level of the processing liquid inside the main feeding tank. ( 1 1 ) shows a connecting pipe between the main feeding tank and the volumetric chamber. ( 12) shows the cutoff valve of the processing liquid. (13) shows the filling valve ( 14) and ( 15) show the tappets for the lifting devices of the bottles. ( 16) shows the processing liquid. (17) shows the gas phase of the process. ( 18) shows the tappet of the filling valve. ( 19) shows the lifting devices of the bottles. (20) shows the level of the liquid inside the volumetric chamber. (21 ) shows the level of the liquid inside the bottle. (22) shows the reduced capacity of the volumetric chamber. (23) shows the reduced level of the processing liquid inside the main tank during the filling process of the bottles with a reduced capacity. (24) show the operation of sanitation, during which the cleaning liquid flows easily, even through the critical interstices, between the sliding device (1 ) and the inside walls of the volumetric chamber (3). (I), (II). (Ill) and (IV) in the Fig.8 show the various phases of the process of transfer of the liquid from the main feeding tank to the volumetric chamber. (V). (VI) and (VII) in the Fig.8 show the various phases of the process of filling of the bottles. The evidence of the drawings points out to the simplicity of the apparatus, which is without a venting valve and o-rings. It is also pointed out that the use of congruent magnets, which attract each other without contacting, allows to manover from the outside the excursion of the device ( 1 ) inside the hermetic cylinder (4), guaranteeing the firm stability of the pre-set balancing positions corresponding to the various capacities of the bottles to be filled. It is also pointed out the fact that the annular shape or the centralsymmetric positioning of the permanent magnets allows to nullify the resultant of the radial forces of magnetic attraction so to render nil the friction between the guide shoes (8) and the internal wall of the volumetric chamber (3). Said lack of friction optimizes the operations of ax i a l positioning of the hanging device ( 1 ). The invention is obviously susceptible to several variants of pratical realization as to what relates to the structural proportioning or the technological choices of the materials to be used. It is also evident that are to be considered as being a part of the present invention all those devices to regulate from the outside the capacity of the volumetric chamber of the metering dev ices of a filler without venting tube and without o-rings. and equipped with magnets, internal and external, to actuate the excursions of the internal piston of a cylindrical volumetric chamber.

Claims: CLAIMS 1 ) Apparatus to regulate and pre-set. from the outside, the volumetric chamber of the metering cylinders of a filler, characterized by the fact that, includes a metering free-hanging device ( 1 ). without venting tube and equipped with a set of incorporated permanent magnets (2) and (2'). the axial position of which, inside the volumetric chamber (3) of the metering cylinder (4). is pre-set and regulated -without contact- by the axial excursions (5) actuated by a corresponding set o f permanent magnets (6) and (6') incorporated in an external cursor (7) sliding on the metering cylinder (4). 2)Apparatus to pre-set and regulate, from the outside, the volumetric chamber of the metering cylinders of a filler, as to claim 1 ). characteried by the fact that the sliding device ( 1 ). without a central venting tube, is equipped periferically with centering shoes (8) which guide the axial sliding float of the free-hanging device (1 ) in the inside of the volumetric chamber. (3) Apparatus to pre-set and regulate, from the outside, the capacity of the volumetric chamber of the metering cylinders, as to claims 1 ). 2) characterized by the fact that the non capillary slack fit of the sliding device ( 1 ) and the intenal wall of the volumetric chamber, allows the transfer of the processing fluids either in the gas phase or liquid phase. 4) Apparatus to pre-set and regulate, from the outside, the volumetric chamber of the metering cylinders of a filler, as to claims 1 ).2).3). characterized by the fact that the permanent magnets have an annular shape or a centralsymmetric positioning to annul the resultant of the radial forces of magnetic attraction as to render nil the friction of the guide shoes (8) and the internal wall of the volumetric chamber (3). Said lack of friction optimizes the axial positioning operations of the free-hanging device (1 ). 5) Apparatus as claimed characterized in that its sanitation is facilitated by the absence of venting tube and o-ring to allow a full circulation of the cleaning liquid through the critical interstices.

Inventors: SIMONAZZI OLIVIA, SIMONAZZI, OLIVIA
Applicants: ALSIM SRL, SIMONAZZI OLIVIA, SIMONAZZI, OLIVIA
Application year: 1995
Main classification: B67C3
IPC codes: B67C3, G01F11, G01F13