Patent Publication Number: US-2023160509-A1

Title: Pipe and container treatment facility comprising such a pipe

Description:
The present invention relates to the field of circuits for transporting fluids, and more particularly for transporting liquids. The invention also relates to the field of processing containers, And by way of example, such processing may comprise totally or partially filling the container with a liquid, or spraying a liquid into the container. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There exist fluid transport circuits that include at least one pipe having a first end connected to a first element and a second end connected to a second element that is movable relative to the first element. 
     Thus, in certain container-filling installations, a pipe has a first end connected to a tank at a fixed height, and a second end connected to a filler nozzle with a plunger spout that is movable relative to the tank. On each container-filling cycle, the spout is inserted into the container down to the vicinity of a bottom of the container before beginning to deliver the liquid, and then the spout is raised progressively as the liquid is filling. The pipe is thus subjected to repeated movements so as to enable the plunger spout to move down each time over a height that is greater than the height of the container. 
     In such applications, it is known to have recourse to pipes that are elastically deformable or that are hinged. 
     Using elastically-deformable pipes presents drawbacks, in particular in high-speed installations having rotary platforms, with rotation of the platforms also giving rise to deformation of the pipes. The range of materials that can be selected for making the pipe is also restricted, in particular because of the material must withstand the liquids being transported and must be chemically inert relative to those liquids. Also, in certain applications associated in particular with transporting liquids that are perishable, it is necessary for the pipes to be cleaned or even sterilized periodically by using a liquid at a relatively high temperature that the pipe material must be capable of withstanding. As a result, pipes of that type are relatively fragile and needed to be changed relatively frequently. 
     A hinged pipe generally comprises a first segment and a second segment that are connected together by a hinge of axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the segments. The hinge comprises a first tubular element with a bend, which element is secured to one end of the first segment, and is pivotally connected to a second tubular element with a bend that is secured to an end of the second segment. A flat sealing gasket is pressed between two bearing surfaces belonging respectively to the first element and to the second element, and it allows the bearing surfaces to pivot relative to each other, and thus allows angular deflection of the first segment relative to the second segment. That type of hinge is relatively fragile, and the sealing tends to degrade relatively quickly when the relative movements of the segments are abrupt and numerous. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     A particular object of the invention is to provide a pipe that allows relative movements between its ends and that remedies the above-mentioned drawbacks, at least in part. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To this end, according to invention, there is provided a pipe comprising at least a first segment and a second segment connected together by a hinged element allowing a predetermined angular deflection of the first segment relative to the second segment under a predetermined minimum force. The hinged element comprises two endpieces connected respectively to the first segment and to the second segment and hinged to each other to allow the angular deflection, and a tube having ends connected to the endpieces in order to be elastically deformable under the predetermined force over the predetermined angular deflection, the segments and the endpieces themselves being rigid under the predetermined minimum force. 
     Thus, the pipe is generally rigid except at the hinged element. This provides greater latitude in selecting the materials to be used for making the rigid segments and endpieces of the pipe. Also, hinging the endpieces together and fastening them to the segments limits the stresses to which the tube is subjected, thereby improving the reliability of the connection between the segments while allowing the required deflection. In particular, it is possible to use a commercially available tube of appropriate diameter that is merely adjusted to the appropriate length in order to be housed between the endpieces. 
     Preferably, the tube possesses longitudinal elasticity and has two mutually opposite ends, each provided with a transverse terminal face; and each endpiece has an annular bearing surface against which a respective one of the terminal faces of the tube is kept pressed under the effect of the longitudinal elasticity of the tube. 
     The invention also provides a container-processing installation, the installation comprising a movable support having mounted thereon a liquid delivery circuit and delivery spouts that are vertically movable and that are connected to the liquid delivery circuit by pipes of the above-described type. 
     Other characteristics and advantages of the invention appear on reading the following description of a particular and nonlimiting embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a fragmentary diagrammatic view in perspective of a pipe in a first embodiment of the invention, while in a rectilinear state; 
         FIG.  2    is a fragmentary diagrammatic view in perspective of the same pipe in a rectilinear state, shown in section on the longitudinal midplane II of  FIG.  1    and without the tube; 
         FIG.  3    is a view analogous to the view of  FIG.  2    showing the same pipe in a rectilinear state together with the tube; 
         FIG.  4    is a view analogous to the view of  FIG.  1    showing the same pipe, but in a curved state; 
         FIG.  5    is a view analogous to the view of  FIG.  3    showing the same pipe in a curved state together with the tube; 
         FIG.  6    is a view analogous to the view of  FIG.  2    showing a variant of the first embodiment, the pipe being shown in a curved state and without the tube; 
         FIG.  7    is a fragmentary diagrammatic view in perspective of a pipe in a second embodiment, in a rectilinear state, shown in section on the longitudinal midplane and with the tube; 
         FIG.  8    is a view analogous to the view of  FIG.  7    showing the same pipe, but in a curved state; 
         FIG.  9    is a diagrammatic elevation view of a container-filling installation having a plurality of pipes. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1  to  6   , the pipe in the first embodiment comprises at least a first segment 1, a second segment 2, and a hinged element, given overall reference  10 , connecting together the first and second segments 1 and 2. 
     The hinged element  10  comprises a first tubular endpiece  11  connected to the first segment 1 and a second tubular endpiece  12  connected to the second segment 2 and hinged to the first endpiece  11 . 
     The first endpiece  11  has a first end  11 . 1  engaged in the segment 1 and a second end  11 . 2  arranged to receive a first end  13 . 1  of a tube  13 . For this purpose, the second end  11 . 2  includes a counterbore  11 . 3  that is defined by a cylindrical wall and that possesses an annular end wall  11 . 4  forming a bearing surface for a terminal face of the first end  13 . 1  of the tube  13 . The end wall  11 . 4  is of convex frustoconical shape so as to penetrate a little into the first end  13 . 1  of the tube  13 , thereby enhancing contact of the tube  13  against the side wall of the counterbore  11 . 3 . The counterbore  11 . 3  possesses an inlet opening surrounded by a terminal edge  11 . 5  made up of two sloping surfaces converging towards two lugs  11 . 6 , each of which is provided with a hole. The holes are on the same axis. It should be observed that the counterbore  11 . 3  in this example is stepped and comprises both an end segment (adjacent to the end wall  11 . 4 ) of diameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of the tube  13 , and also an inlet segment (adjacent to the terminal edge  11 . 5 ) of diameter greater than the diameter of the end segment. 
     The second endpiece  12  has a first end  12 . 1  engaged in the segment 2 and a second end  12 . 2  arranged to receive a second end  13 . 2  of the tube  13 . For this purpose, the second end  12 . 2  includes a counterbore  12 . 3  that is defined by a cylindrical wall and that possesses an annular end wall  12 . 4  forming a bearing surface for a terminal face of the second end  13 . 2  of the tube  13 . The end wall  12 . 4  is of convex frustoconical shape so as to penetrate a little into the second end  13 . 2  of the tube  13 , thereby enhancing contact of the tube  13  against the side wall of the counterbore  12 . 3 . The counterbore  12 . 3  possesses an inlet opening surrounded by a terminal edge  12 . 5  made up of two sloping surfaces converging towards two lugs  12 . 6 , each of which is provided with a hole. The holes are on the same axis. It should be observed that the counterbore  12 . 3  in this example is stepped and comprises both an end segment (adjacent to the end wall  12 . 4 ) of diameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of the tube  13 , and also an inlet segment (adjacent to the terminal edge  12 . 5 ) of diameter greater than the diameter of the end segment. 
     The hinged element  10  has at least one spacer  14  that extends between the endpieces  11  and  12  and around the tube  13 . The spacer  14  is annular in shape and has two terminal edges  14 . 1  and  14 . 2 , each made up of two sloping semi-annular surfaces converging towards two lugs  14 . 3  and  14 . 4 , each of which is provided with a hole. The holes are on the same axis. 
     The spacer  14  is connected to the first endpiece  11  by two first hinge pins A1 passing through the lugs  14 . 3  and  11 . 6 , and to the second endpiece  12  by two second hinge pins A2 passing through the lugs  14 . 4  and  12 . 6 . 
     The tube  13  is elastically deformable so as to allow a predetermined angular deflection a of the first endpiece  11  relative to the second endpiece  12  under a predetermined minimum force. In contrast, the segments 1 and 2, the spacer  14 , and the endpieces  11  and  12  are rigid under the predetermined minimum force. 
     Thus, opposite from the lugs  14 . 3  and  14 . 4 , the spacer  14  possesses two diametrically-opposite portions between the endpieces  11  and  12 , which portions form abutments for the endpieces  11  and  12  so as to prevent the predetermined angular deflection a being exceeded. It should be observed that the maximum predetermined angular deflection (shown in  FIGS.  4  and  5   ) is defined by:
         the angles relative to the central axes as formed by the terminal edges  11 . 5  and  12 . 5  of the endpieces  11  and  12  where they face said abutment-forming portions; and   the angle formed between the terminal edges  14 . 1  and  14 . 2 .       

     It can be understood that the tube  13  is preferably maintained in a state in which it is lightly compressed longitudinally between the end walls  11 . 4  and  12 . 4  that form annular bearing surfaces against which the terminal faces of the tube are kept pressed because of the longitudinal elasticity of the tube  13 . When the endpieces  11  and  12  are connected to the spacer  14 , the end walls  11 . 4  and  12 . 4  are spaced apart by a distance that is slightly shorter than the length of the tube  13  at rest so that the tube is lightly compressed axially (i.e. longitudinally). The longitudinal compression of the tube  13  preferably remains within its elastic domain so that the longitudinal elasticity of the tube  13  tends to keep the terminal faces pressed against the end walls  11 . 4  and  12 . 4 , thereby providing contact sealing between said terminal faces and the end walls  11 . 4  and  12 . 4 . Account should be taken of the pressure of the fluid in the pipe in order to determine the compression needed for maintaining sealing. 
     Sealing can be reinforced by the tube  13  pressing against the side walls of the counterbores  11 . 3  and  12 . 3  (i.e. the walls extending parallel to the central axis), but that is not essential. 
     In the variant shown in  FIG.  6   , the pipe comprises, as above, two segments 1 and 2 connected together by a hinged element  10  that, as above, comprises two endpieces  11  and  12  and a spacer  14 . 
     In this variant, the hinged element  10  further comprises a second spacer  24  adjacent to the spacer  14 . 
     The spacer  24  extends around the tube  13  between the spacer  14  and the endpiece  12 . The spacer  24  is annular in shape and has two terminal edges  24 . 1  and  24 . 2 , each made up of two sloping semi-annular surfaces converging towards two lugs  24 . 3  and  24 . 4 , each of which is provided with a hole. The holes lie on the same axis, and the lugs  24 . 3  are inwardly offset relative to the lugs  24 . 4  so that they can be inserted between the lugs  14 . 4 . 
     The spacer  14  is connected to the first endpiece  11  by two first hinge pins A1 passing through the lugs  14 . 3  and  11 . 6 , and to the endpiece  24  by two third hinge pins A3 passing through the lugs  14 . 4  and  24 . 3 . The spacer  24  is connected to the second endpiece  12  by two second hinge pins A2 passing through the lugs  24 . 4  and  12 . 6 . 
     This arrangement serves to limit the radius of curvature of the tube  13 . 
     In the second embodiment shown in  FIGS.  7  and  8   , the pipe comprises a first segment 1 and a second segment 2 that are connected together by a hinged element  50 . 
     In the second embodiment, The hinged element  50  comprises a first tubular endpiece  51  connected to the first segment 1 and a second tubular endpiece  52  connected to the second segment 2 and hinged to the first endpiece  51 . 
     The first endpiece  51  has a first end  51 . 1  engaged in the segment 1 and a second end  51 . 2  arranged to receive a first end  13 . 1  of a tube  13 . For this purpose, the second end  51 . 2  includes a counterbore  51 . 3  that is defined by a cylindrical wall and that possesses an annular end wall  51 . 4  forming a bearing surface for a terminal face of the first end  13 . 1  of the tube  13 . The end wall  51 . 4  is of convex frustoconical shape so as to penetrate a little into the first end  13 . 1  of the tube  13 , thereby enhancing contact of the tube  13  against the wall of the counterbore  51 . 3 . Opposite from the end wall  51 . 4 , the counterbore  51 . 3  opens out into a housing  51 . 5  possessing an inlet opening that is surrounded by a terminal edge  51 . 6  on which there is fastened a ring  53  having a frustoconical internal edge  53 . 1  facing towards the inside of the housing  51 . 5 ). It should be observed that the counterbore  51 . 3  has a diameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of the tube  13  and the housing  51 . 5  has a diameter greater than the diameter of the counterbore  51 . 3 . 
     The second endpiece  52  has a first end  52 . 1  engaged in the segment 2 and a second end  52 . 2  arranged to receive a second end  13 . 2  of the tube  13 . For this purpose, the second end  52 . 2  includes a counterbore  52 . 3  that is defined by a cylindrical wall and that possesses an annular end wall  52 . 4  forming a bearing surface for a terminal face of the second end  13 . 2  of the tube  13 . The end wall  52 . 4  is of convex frustoconical shape so as to penetrate a little into the second end  13 . 2  of the tube  13 , thereby enhancing contact of the tube  13  against the side wall of the counterbore  52 . 3 . The counterbore  12 . 3  has a diameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of the tube  13 . The second end  52 . 2  of the second endpiece  52  is received in the housing  51 . 5  of the first endpiece  51 , and it is provided on the outside with a rounded bearing surface  52 . 5  with its convex face facing towards the first end  52 . 1 . The rounded bearing surface  52 . 5  is in the shape of a spherical cap and it bears both against the wall of the housing  51 . 5  and also against the edge  53 . 1  of the ring  53  that partially closes the housing  51 . 5  and that prevents said end  52 . 2  from being extracted out from the housing  51 . 5 . The housing  51 . 5 , the edge  53 . 1 , the end  52 . 2 , and the rounded bearing surface  52 . 5  are shaped and sized so as to form a ball joint between the endpiece  51  and the endpiece  52  that allows the predetermined angular deflection of the second endpiece  51  relative to the first endpiece  52 . 
     With reference to the diagram of  FIG.  9   , there follows a description of the pipe of the invention being used in a filler installation for filling containers R. 
     The filler installation, given overall reference  100 , comprises a stand  101  having mounted thereon a movable support  102 , specifically in the form of a rotary platform. The movable support carries a liquid delivery circuit  103 , specifically in the form of a tank mounted in a central position, and filler spouts  104  (only one of which is shown in  FIG.  9   ) arranged at the periphery of the movable support  102 . The filler spouts  104  are mounted on columns  105  so as to be vertically movable between a low position and a high position. Vertically in register with each filler spout  104 , the movable support  102  carries a container-gripper device  106 , specifically a clamp, in such a manner that when the filler spout  104  is in its high position, it extends entirely outside the container R, and when it is in its low position, the bottom end of the filler spout  104  is in the vicinity of the bottom of the container R. 
     Each filler spout  104  has a top end connected to the delivery circuit  103  by a pipe that, in this example, comprises:
         a first hinged element  10  connected to the delivery circuit  103 ;   a segment 1 connected to the first hinged element  10  and to a second hinged element  10 ;   a segment 2 connected to the second hinged element  10  and to a third hinged element  10 ;   a segment 1 connected to the second hinged element  10  and to the top end of the filler spout  104 .       

     It can be understood that the successive angular deflections allowed by the hinged elements  10  enable the filler spout  104  to move vertically relative to the delivery circuit  103 , which is itself at a fixed height. 
     The delivery circuit  103  is arranged to convey either liquid for filling the containers R or else cleaning and/or sterilizing and/or decontaminating liquids for cleaning/sterilizing/decontaminating the delivery circuit  103 , the pipes, and the filler spouts  104 . 
     The components of the pipes must therefore be made out of materials that are chemically compatible both with the liquid for packaging and also with the cleaning and/or sterilizing and/or decontaminating liquids that are used. For example, the segments 1 and 2, and the endpiece is 11 and 12 are made of stainless steel, and the tube  13  is made of silicone. 
     Also, the components of the pipes must thus be made of materials having properties that enable them to withstand the conditions under which the cleaning and/or sterilizing and/or decontaminating liquids are used, in particular in terms of temperature. 
     Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but covers any variant coming within the ambit of the invention as defined by the claims. 
     In particular, the endpieces may be male/male, female/female, or male/female endpieces (and the tube  13  may be connected to a female portion or to a male portion). 
     The annular bearing surfaces  11 . 4 ,  12 . 4 ,  51 . 4 , and  51 . 5  of the endpieces may have surfaces that are plane instead of frustoconical. 
     In the first embodiment, the spacer is optional and serves merely to limit the radius of curvature of the tube. The endpieces  11  and  12  may be connected to each other directly by a hinge pin. Conversely, the hinged element may have more than two spacers. 
     The spacer  14  and need not be annular in shape, and for example it could comprise a pair of connecting links. The spacer could be partially annular in shape so as to have only one portion interposed between the endpieces  11  and  12  in order to form an abutment. 
     In the second embodiment, the edge  53 . 1  may be in the shape of a spherical cap. 
     In a variant, the rounded bearing surface  52 . 5  may be partially cylindrical in shape around a transverse axis of the second endpiece  52  and the ring  53  may include a surface portion of complementary shape to form a pivot connection about that axis instead of a ball joint. 
     Sealing elements may be provided to provide sealing between the endpieces and the ends of the tube independently of any axial compression of the tube. 
     The processing installation may be of a structure that is different from that described, and by way of example it may have a support that is movable in translation and not in rotation, or it may be arranged to sterilize containers. 
     The invention is applicable to other installations for transferring liquids.