Machine, system, and method for filling container with pourable product
First Claim
1. A filling system for filling a container with a pourable product, comprising:
- a tank configured to be filled with the pourable product;
at least one filling device including a local control unit having a control module configured to selectively allow filling of the container with the pourable product, wherein the local control unit is configured to receive a control signal for filling of the container with the pourable product from a central control unit;
at least one duct interposed between the tank and the filling device; and
at least one vortex flowmeter disposed along the duct and configured to generate a pulse-train detection signal as a function of a flow rate of the pourable product along the duct,wherein the local control unit of the filling device includes a processing module configured to process the detection signal from the at least one vortex flowmeter and to process the control signal from the central control unit, in order to determine an amount of the pourable product flowing into the container, as a function of a number of pulses of the detection signal and as a function of the control signal from the central control unit.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A filling system for filling a container with a pourable product, comprising: a tank configured to be filled with the pourable product; at least one filling device including a local control unit having a control module configured to selectively allow filling of the container with the pourable product; at least one duct interposed between the tank and the filling device; and at least one vortex flowmeter disposed along the duct and configured to generate a pulse-train detection signal as a function of a flow rate of the pourable product along the duct, wherein the local control unit of the filling device includes a processing module configured to process the detection signal from the at least one vortex flowmeter in order to determine an amount of the pourable product flowing into the container, as a function of a number of pulses of the detection signal.
11 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A filling system for filling a container with a pourable product, comprising:
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a tank configured to be filled with the pourable product; at least one filling device including a local control unit having a control module configured to selectively allow filling of the container with the pourable product, wherein the local control unit is configured to receive a control signal for filling of the container with the pourable product from a central control unit; at least one duct interposed between the tank and the filling device; and at least one vortex flowmeter disposed along the duct and configured to generate a pulse-train detection signal as a function of a flow rate of the pourable product along the duct, wherein the local control unit of the filling device includes a processing module configured to process the detection signal from the at least one vortex flowmeter and to process the control signal from the central control unit, in order to determine an amount of the pourable product flowing into the container, as a function of a number of pulses of the detection signal and as a function of the control signal from the central control unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16)
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12. A method for filling a container with a pourable product, comprising:
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filling the container with the pourable product, via a filling device including a local control unit having a control module configured to selectively allow the filling of the container with the pourable product, wherein the local control unit is configured to receive a control signal for filling of the container with the pourable product from a central control unit; feeding the pourable product contained in a tank, via a duct, towards the filling device, wherein filling the container includes measuring the flow rate of the pourable product, via a vortex flowmeter disposed along the duct and generating a pulse-train detection signal as a function of a flow rate of the pourable product along the duct; and processing, via the local control unit of the filling device, the detection signal and the control signal from the central control unit in order to determine an amount of the pourable product flowing into the container as a function of a number of pulses of the detection signal and as a function of the control signal from the central control unit. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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17. A filling machine for filling containers with a pourable product, comprising:
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a rotating conveyor configured to transport containers to be filled and rotatable about an axis; a plurality of filling systems connected to the rotating conveyor and configured to move about the axis along a path; a tank for a pourable product connected to each filling system through a corresponding duct; a filling valve provided in each filling system and having an opening and a shutter element, the shutter element configured to move between a closed position, in which the filling valve prevents pourable product from flowing from the corresponding duct to a respective container on the conveyor through the opening, and an open position, in which the filling valve allows the pourable product to flow from the corresponding duct and through the opening into the container on the conveyor during movement of the respective filling system along the path; a vortex flowmeter interposed along each duct between the tank and the filling valve, the vortex flowmeter configured to generate a pulse-train detection signal as a function of a flowrate of the pourable product through the duct when the shutter element is in the open position; a central control unit configured to provide control signals for actuation of the filling valves for filling the containers with the pourable product; and a local control unit associated with each filling system and operably connected to the central control unit through a communication bus, wherein each local control unit is configured to control actuation of the filling valve based on the pulse-train detection signal from the respective vortex flowmeter and the control signals from the central control unit. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification