MACHINE AND METHOD FOR FILLING CONTAINERS
First Claim
1. A machine for filling containers, each container having a longitudinal axis, the machine comprising:
- a conveying device;
at least one handling unit configured to be fed by the conveying device along a transfer path, the at least one handling unit including a support device configured to receive and retain a container and at least one filling device selectively activated for feeding a pourable product into the container while the at least one handling unit travels along the transfer path;
a pressurizing circuit selectively in communication with the container advancing along the transfer path to feed an operative fluid that is pressurized at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure into the container;
a decompression circuit selectively in communication with the container advancing along the transfer path to discharge excess pressure with respect to the atmospheric pressure, after completion of the filling of the container with the pourable product;
at least one actuating device selectively switched to an active state to rotate the container about the longitudinal axis while the container is advanced along the transfer path; and
a control unit configured to;
control activation and deactivation of the at least one filling device and the at least one actuating device;
control connection of the pressurization circuit and the decompression circuit with the container; and
simultaneously maintain the at least one actuating device in an active state while the decompression circuit is in communication with the container so as to rotate the container about the longitudinal axis during decompression.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A machine for filling containers, each container having a longitudinal axis, the machine comprising: a conveying device; at least one handling unit including a support device configured to receive and retain a container and at least one filling device selectively activated for feeding a pourable product into the container while the at least one handling unit travels along the transfer path; a pressurizing circuit; a decompression circuit; at least one actuating device; and a control unit configured to: control activation and deactivation of the at least one filling device and the at least one actuating device; control connection of the pressurization circuit and the decompression circuit with the container; and simultaneously maintain the at least one actuating device in an active state while the decompression circuit is in communication with the container so as to rotate the container about the longitudinal axis during decompression.
6 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A machine for filling containers, each container having a longitudinal axis, the machine comprising:
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a conveying device; at least one handling unit configured to be fed by the conveying device along a transfer path, the at least one handling unit including a support device configured to receive and retain a container and at least one filling device selectively activated for feeding a pourable product into the container while the at least one handling unit travels along the transfer path; a pressurizing circuit selectively in communication with the container advancing along the transfer path to feed an operative fluid that is pressurized at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure into the container; a decompression circuit selectively in communication with the container advancing along the transfer path to discharge excess pressure with respect to the atmospheric pressure, after completion of the filling of the container with the pourable product; at least one actuating device selectively switched to an active state to rotate the container about the longitudinal axis while the container is advanced along the transfer path; and a control unit configured to; control activation and deactivation of the at least one filling device and the at least one actuating device; control connection of the pressurization circuit and the decompression circuit with the container; and simultaneously maintain the at least one actuating device in an active state while the decompression circuit is in communication with the container so as to rotate the container about the longitudinal axis during decompression. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for filling containers, each container having a longitudinal axis, the method comprising:
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advancing at least one handling unit along a transfer path; feeding a container to the handling unit to be retained and advanced along the transfer path; filling the container with a pourable product by activating at least one filling device of the handling unit while the handling unit is advanced along the transfer path; pressurizing the container to a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure while the handling unit is advanced along the transfer path; performing decompression of the container by discharging excess pressure with respect to the atmospheric pressure while the handling unit is advanced along the transfer path and after completion of the filling of the container with the pourable product; and rotating the container about the longitudinal axis during decompression. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A machine for filling containers, each container having a longitudinal axis, the machine comprising:
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a conveying device; at least one handling unit configured to be fed by the conveying device along a transfer path, the at least one handling unit including a support device configured to receive and retain a container, and at least one filling device selectively activated for feeding a pourable product into the container while the handling unit travels along the transfer path; and at least one actuating device for rotating the container about the longitudinal axis while the container is advanced along the transfer path and is filled with the pourable product; wherein the filling device includes a hollow supporting element, secured to the conveying device, and a filling head configured to pour the pourable product into the container and coupled to the hollow supporting element in a rotatable manner about a rotation axis coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the container; wherein the handling unit further includes a shutter engaging the hollow supporting member in an axially displaceable manner, defining with an inner surface of the hollow supporting member a product feeding conduit and including, on an outer surface, a first elastomeric gasket configured to cooperate with a narrow inner section of the inner surface of the hollow supporting member in a closing position of the shutter so as to seal the product feeding conduit; wherein the filling head has a second elastomeric gasket configured to cooperate with, and to externally seal, a mouth of the container; and wherein the filling head cooperates with an outer surface of the hollow supporting member through a third elastomeric gasket axially interposed between the first and second elastomeric gaskets.
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Specification