DEVICE AND METHOD FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH A LIQUID, IN PARTICULAR FOR BOTTLING

Abstract

A device for filling containers with a liquid, in particular for bottling, including a filling unit; an elevating mechanism; and optionally a conveyor suitable to support and have said containers advance in succession to said filling unit. The filling unit includes connections connectable/connected to a source of the liquid, a source of an inert gas and a suction device; a pipe comprising a first tube and a second tube, wherein the first tube is arranged as a central tube essentially coaxially inside the second tube creating between the first tube and the second tube a corresponding interstice, or wherein the first and the second tubes extend separately, for example in parallel; and a retainer to hold said containers in said filling unit. The elevating mechanism is necessary to vary the depth with which the pipe and/or at least one of the tubes is inserted in the container. A method for filling containers with a liquid is also provided, wherein the liquid and an inert gas are injected simultaneously through two separate tubes. The tubes are each connectable/connected to one of the connections connectable/connected to a source of liquid, a source of an inert gas and to a suction device.

Claims

1. A device for filling containers with a liquid, comprising: a filling unit, comprising, connections connectable/connected to a source of the liquid, a source of an inert gas and a suction device; a pipe comprising a first tube and a second tube, wherein the first tube is arranged as a central tube essentially coaxially inside said second tube creating between said first tube and said second tube a corresponding interstice, or wherein said first tube and said second tube extend separately from each other; and a retainer to hold said containers in the filling unit; an elevating mechanism configured to vary the depth with which said pipe and/or at least one of said tubes is inserted in said container; and optionally a conveyor suitable to support and have said containers advance in succession to said filling unit, wherein said tubes are each connectable/connected to one of said connections connectable/connected to a source of liquid, a source of an inert gas and to a suction device.

2. The device for filling containers with a liquid according to claim 1, wherein said elevating mechanism is suitable to move the pipe and/or at least one of said tubes in an axial direction and/or said elevating mechanism is suitable to raise and to lower a support onto which said container is positioned in said filling unit.

3. The device for filling containers with a liquid according to claim 1, wherein said filling unit is suitable to close the container so as to create through said suction device a negative pressure or a vacuum.

4. The device for filling containers with a liquid according to claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to maintain said pipe and/or at least one of said tubes at a determined distance from the level of the liquid residing in said container.

5. The device for filling containers with a liquid according to claim 1, wherein one of the tubes is connected to the connection connectable/connected to said source of liquid and the other tube is connected to the connection connectable/connected to said source of inert gas.

6. The device for filling containers with a liquid according to claim 5, further comprising a third pipe for the application of vacuum, located in a position which allows the vacuum application in the upper part of the container.

7. A method for filling containers with a liquid, comprising the following step: filling said container simultaneously with said liquid and an inert gas through a pipe which comprises a first tube and a second tube, wherein the first tube is arranged as a central tube essentially coaxially inside said second tube creating between said first tube and said second tube a corresponding interstice, wherein said liquid runs down through said central tube and said inert gas through said external tube or vice versa, or wherein said first tube and said second tube extend separately from each other, wherein said inert gas runs down through one of said two tubes and said liquid through the other tube.

8. The method for filling containers with a liquid according to claim 7, wherein said step of filling said container is preceded by the following step: creating a vacuum in said container.

9. The method for filling containers with a liquid according to claim 7, wherein prior to said step of filling said container is inserted the following step: introducing said inert gas into said container.

10. The method for filling containers with a liquid according to claim 7, wherein in said step of filling said container is simultaneously applied a vacuum so to create an inert gas cushion on the bottom of the container or on the level of the liquid if already residing in the container.

11. The method for filling containers with a liquid according to claim 7, wherein in said step of filling said container, the injection of an inert gas and the application of a vacuum are carried out in an alternating manner.

12. The method for filling containers with a liquid according to claim 9, further comprising the step of: raising said pipe or at least the tube through which said liquid is injected; and/or lowering said container during the filling, wherein said pipe or at least the tube through which said liquid is injected during the filling of said container with said liquid is not in contact with the level of the liquid poured into the container.

13. The method for filling containers with a liquid according to claim 7, wherein said method is implemented using a device for filling containers with a liquid, comprising: a filling unit, comprising: connections connectable/connected to a source of the liquid, a source of an inert gas and a suction device; a pipe comprising a first tube and a second tube, wherein the first tube is arranged as a central tube essentially coaxially inside said second tube creating between said first tube and said second tube a corresponding interstice, or wherein said first tube and said second tube extend separately from each other; and a retainer to hold said containers in the filling unit; an elevating mechanism configured to vary the depth with which said pipe and/or at least one of said tubes is inserted in said container; and optionally a conveyor suitable to support and have said containers advance in succession to said filling unit, wherein said tubes are each connectable/connected to one of said connections connectable/connected to a source of liquid, a source of an inert gas and to a suction device.

14. The device for filling containers with a liquid according to claim 2, wherein said filling unit is suitable to close the container so as to create through said suction device a negative pressure or a vacuum.

15. The device for filling containers with a liquid according to claim 2, further comprising a controller configured to maintain said pipe and/or at least one of said tubes at a determined distance from the level of the liquid residing in said container.

16. The device for filling containers with a liquid according to claim 3, further comprising a controller configured to maintain said pipe and/or at least one of said tubes at a determined distance from the level of the liquid residing in said container.

17. The device for filling containers with a liquid according to claim 2, wherein one of the tubes is connected to the connection connectable/connected to said source of liquid and the other tube is connected to the connection connectable/connected to said source of inert gas.

18. The device for filling containers with a liquid according to claim 3, wherein one of the tubes is connected to the connection connectable/connected to said source of liquid and the other tube is connected to the connection connectable/connected to said source of inert gas.

19. The device for filling containers with a liquid according to claim 4, wherein one of the tubes is connected to the connection connectable/connected to said source of liquid and the other tube is connected to the connection connectable/connected to said source of inert gas.

20. The method for filling containers with a liquid according to claim 8 wherein prior to said step of filling said container is inserted the following step introducing said inert gas into said container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view, partially in vertical section and with removed parts for clarity, of an exemplary embodiment of a filling unit in a first operating position.

[0058] FIG. 2 shows the filling unit of FIG. 1 in a second operating position;

[0059] FIG. 3 shows the filling unit of FIG. 1 in a third operating position;

[0060] FIG. 4 shows the filling unit of FIG. 1 in a fourth operating position;

[0061] FIG. 5 shows the filling unit of FIG. 1 in a fifth operating position;

[0062] FIG. 6 shows the filling unit of FIG. 1 in a sixth operating position;

[0063] FIG. 7 shows the filling unit of FIG. 1 in a seventh operating position.

[0064] FIG. 8 shows in two details the retaining means with elements for the application of a vacuum and the pipe of the filler unit of FIG. 1, respectively from FIG. 9.5.

[0065] FIG. 9 shows a schematic form of an alternative succession of filling phases with respect to that shown in FIGS. 1 to 7.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT EXAMPLES

[0066] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, U generally refers to a filling unit of bottles B with wine V, which is part of a generally known bottling facility 1M, which substantially comprises a filling station S, in correspondence of which the filling unit U is positioned, conveyor means C capable of supporting and advancing in succession the bottles B below the filling unit U itself, and retaining means T of the neck N of each bottle B.

[0067] The filling unit U comprises a filling assembly 1 defined by a dispenser tap/dispenser 5, by a guide unit 2, of which an attachment portion 3 is adapted to be arranged, when in use, in correspondence of the inlet mouth I of each bottle B, and then brought into contact and in closed position therewith, at the upper outer end of the neck N of the bottle B itself (FIGS. 2 to 5).

[0068] Coaxially within the guide unit 2, an injecting pipe 4 is slidingly arranged in an axially vertical direction to and from the inside and the bottom F of each bottle B through controlled electromechanical axis (not shown), said pipe consisting of a central tube 4a coaxially internal to a second tube 4b which holds it with a suitable interstice 4c between the two tubes 4a and 4b (FIG. 8).

[0069] The tubes 4b and 4a, i.e. the interstice 4c and the tube 4a, are connected alternatively and selectively by means of suitable ducts and known valve means (not shown) to a supply tank (not shown) of wine V and a source of inert gas G. In addition to the retaining means T, it is provided a suction group (not shown) to create a vacuum inside the bottle B.

[0070] In use, the filling unit U is suitable for the bottling procedure of bottles B with wine V. An exemplary bottling sequence is shown in FIGS. 1 to 7: [0071] In FIG. 1, in correspondence of the station S, each empty bottle B, held by the neck N by the retaining means T, is intercepted by the filling unit U, whose pipe 4 is slid onto the guide unit 2 to be inserted inside the bottle B until arriving with the opening close to the bottom F of the bottle B itself. The injecting of inert gas G is activated through the pipe 4 inside the bottle B so that the inert gas, flowing at appropriate pressure from the bottom F of the bottle B, is able to fully fill the bottle B (point-dash area inside the bottle) progressively ejecting completely the air A (dotted area inside the bottle) initially present inside the bottle B with a continuous and constant push from bottom to top allowing the total outflow of air A through spaces or gaps left free from the pipe 4 or the retaining means T and/or the attachment portion on the mouth I of the bottle (arrows f1 and f2 in FIG. 1) or, alternatively, by means of a suction group located in the retaining means T. In this way, the oxygen inside the bottle is eliminated and replaced with inert gas G. [0072] In FIG. 2, the attachment portion 3 of the guiding unit is in contact and sealed to the mouth I of the bottle B which is filled with inert gas G (point-dash area within the bottle). [0073] In FIG. 3, the step of injection of wine V in the bottle B is activated. The pipe 4, positioned with the opening next to the bottom F of the bottle B, is connected whit one of its tubes 4a and 4b to the wine V supply tank, simultaneously creating a slight vacuum with the suction group. The vacuum has the dual function of assisting the wine V flow and aspirating the gas G that the wine should gradually replace in the bottle B. At the same time, through the tube not used by wine, an inert gas may optionally be introduced. [0074] In FIGS. 4 and 5 it is seen that, as the wine V flows into the bottle B, the pipe 4 rises simultaneously and accordingly to the progressive rise of wine V, thereby maintaining a constant distance and no contact with the liquid. The rise from the bottom F arrives next to the neck N (arrow K) so as to completely fill the bottle B until reaching the desired final/predefined level, precisely determined by an electronic photocell or camera electronic system W. Advantageously, the wine V comes out of the central tube 4a, while the inert gas and, in variants of the device, the vacuum are applied to the interstice 4c. The filling from the bottom and not from above along the walls (umbrella filling) of the bottle causes wine V to be poured into the bottle without stress and without foam, thus greatly limiting the absorption of oxygen which is instead maximized by turbulence, resulting in foam, which is created in the traditional umbrella filling along the bottle walls. In addition, at this stage and in any other part of the filling process, the pipe 4 never comes into contact with the poured wine, which is important to avoid possible bacterial contaminations or re-introduction of oxygen between the wine and the pipe head, which during the production process comes into contact with air and is exposed to pollution when passing from a bottle to another. Very likely pollution, being the pipe 4 always wet with wine if in contact with the level of the liquid. The control of the final level of bottle B next to the neck N by means of a photocell or camera system W coupled to electronic volumetric filling, ensures the constant level in the production process without allowing the pipe 4 to come into contact with the wine as is usually the case of the filling heads of the traditional systems, wherein the pouring of wine is always carried out with the contact of the wine in the bottle. [0075] In FIG. 6, the attachment portion 3 of the guide unit 2 is removed from the mouth I of the bottle, also by a relative and progressive downward movement of the conveyor means C supporting the bottle B itself, and preferably with simultaneous injection of inert gas G through the pipe 4 in the neck N of the bottle B. [0076] In FIG. 7, the bottle B filled in this way with wine V, is further moved down (arrow Z) so as to release it from the retaining means T. The bottle is then ready to be fed to a subsequent capping step, while the filling unit U is ready to receive a new empty bottle and to start a new filling cycle with wine.

[0077] FIG. 8 shows a detail of the filling unit U of FIG. 1 (referring to FIG. 9.5), and specifically of the retaining means T and of the pipe 4. The retaining means T comprise spaces 10 for the release of the gas G (arrow f) surrounding the pipe 4 in a coaxial form, thus creating a triple tube at the top of the pipe 4. The pipe 4 is clearly a double tube in which a central tube 4a is coaxially housed within an outer tube 4b with a greater diameter creating an interstice 4c between the tubes. Wine and gas are simultaneously and separately injected through the two tubes 4a and 4b (advantageously, the wine through the central tube 4a in order to reduce turbulences). The wine descends from the central tube 4a (arrow a) and the inert gas from the tube 4b (arrow b), i.e. from the interstice 4c.

[0078] Finally, FIG. 9 shows an additional variant for a container filling procedure. In FIG. 9.1 it is possible to see the bottle B filled with air A, thereby containing oxygen. The retaining means T are not yet fixed on the neck N of the bottle. In the following step (FIG. 9.2), the neck N of the bottle is hermetically sealed. A vacuum is applied at neck N height, while at the same time the double-tube pipe 4 drops. The air is extracted through the retaining means T. The symbol A now means a less dense air, since a vacuum has been applied. In FIG. 9.3, the pipe 4 is next to the bottom F of the bottle B and the step of injecting inert gas through the interstice 4c or the tube 4b of the pipe 4 is initiated, simultaneously a vacuum is being applied, the balance between gas and vacuum injection causes a gas G cushion inside the bottle B to be created. The symbol A now means a mixture of air and inert gas, wherein the air constantly decreases. In FIG. 9.4, the simultaneous injection of inert gas (through the interstice 4c) and wine (through the central tube 4a) begins. The simultaneous application of a vacuum keeps the gas cushion constant, always covering and protecting the wine V. The cushion system allows great gas savings. Although the space called A still needs to contain air (mixed with inert gas and liquid vapour), the liquid V is however protected by the inert gas cushion. In FIG. 9.5 it is still shown the filling of the bottle B with wine and gas with vacuum application, wherein the pipe 4 rises as the wine level rises to avoid a contact between wine and pipe. At the end of the filling, clear from FIG. 9.6, the volume above the wine is filled with inert gas resulting from the above cushion.

[0079] During operation, further embodiment modifications or variants of the device and method for filling containers with a liquid, in particular for bottling, subject-matter of the invention and not described herein, may be implemented. If such modifications or such variants should fall within the scope of the following claims, they should all be considered protected by the present patent.