Rotary filling machine for filling containers with liquids

Abstract

Rotary filling machine for filling containers with liquids, which comprises a rotating carousel ( 4 ) having, mounted along its periphery, a plurality of filling valves ( 6 ). Each filling valve ( 6 ) has an outer pipe ( 7 ) for supplying the liquid from a storage tank ( 20 ) to a container ( 30 ) to be filled with said liquid, and an inner compensation pipe ( 8 ) for defining the liquid level inside said container ( 3 ) mounted concentrically with the outer pipe ( 7 ). Actuator means are envisaged for each filling valve ( 6 ) and, by means of transmission means ( 101 ), vary simultaneously and in an adjustable manner the vertical position of the compensation pipes ( 8 ) of all the filling valves ( 6 ) with respect to the position of a seal ( 13 ) mounted underneath the tank ( 20 ) so as to receive against it the mouth of the containers ( 3 ).

1 . Rotary filling machine for filling containers with liquids, which comprises:
 a rotating carousel ( 4 ) having, mounted along its periphery, a plurality of filling valves ( 6 ), each of which has:   at least two coaxial pipes ( 7 ,  8 ), i.e. an outer pipe ( 7 ) for supplying the liquid from a storage tank ( 20 ) to a container ( 30 ) to be filled with said liquid; and an inner compensation pipe ( 8 ) for defining the liquid level inside said container ( 3 );   at least one seal ( 13 ) mounted underneath the tank ( 20 ) and arranged concentrically and externally with respect to said pipes and able to receive against it the mouth of said container ( 3 );   characterized in that it comprises first actuator means acting on at least said inner compensation pipe ( 8 ) of each filling valve ( 6 ) by means of transmission means ( 101 ) so as to vary simultaneously in an adjustable manner the vertical position of said compensation pipes ( 8 ) of all the filling valves ( 6 ) with respect to said seal ( 13 ).   
   
   
       2 . Rotary filling machine according to  claim 1 , in which said coaxial pipes ( 7 ,  8 ) define between them a duct for conveying liquid between said storage tank ( 20 ) and said container ( 3 ) and in which said coaxial pipes ( 7 ,  8 ) are movable slidably with respect to each other so as to open and close a closing member ( 120 ) arranged between them. 
   
   
       3 . Rotary filling machine according to  claim 2 , in which said transmission means comprise at least one regulating ring ( 17 ) fixed by means of mechanical transmissions ( 10 ) to the outer liquid supply pipe ( 7 ) of each of said filling valves ( 6 ). 
   
   
       4 . Rotary filling machine according to  claim 1 , in which said coaxial pipes ( 7 ,  8 ) pass through the lid ( 105 ) and the bottom ( 106 ) of said tank ( 20 ), there being provided at least one upper seal ( 106 ) and at least one bottom seal ( 107 ) through which said pipes ( 7 ,  8 ) slide following operation of said first actuator means ( 100 ). 
   
   
       5 . Rotary filling machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises an extension guide ( 11 ) fixed underneath to the bottom ( 20 ) of said tank ( 20 ) concentrically and externally with respect to said pipes ( 7 ,  8 ) and having said seal ( 130 ) fixed to its bottom, end. 
   
   
       6 . Rotary filling machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that each valve comprises second actuator means ( 28 ) supported by said outer pipe ( 7 ) and movable therewith, being able to act on the top end of said inner compensation pipe ( 8 ) so as to vary its relative position with respect to said outer pipe ( 7 ), causing opening of said closing member ( 120 ). 
   
   
       7 . Rotary filling machine according to  claim 3 , characterized in that said outer pipe ( 7 ) has, at its top end, a widened part ( 102 ) for fastening to the corresponding transmission ( 110 ) of said transmission means ( 101 ). 
   
   
       8 . Rotary filling machine according to  claim 6 , characterized in that each said filling valve ( 6 ) including said coaxial pipes ( 7 ,  8 ), said second actuator means ( 28 ), said closing member ( 120 ) and at least one valve ( 12 A,  12 B) arranged so as to intercept said inner compensation pipe ( 8 ) is operated to move vertically in a controlled manner by said first actuator means ( 100 ). 
   
   
       9 . Rotary filling machine according to  claim 6 , characterized in that it is equipped with a logic control unit able to store the heightwise positions of said pipes ( 7 ,  8 ) corresponding to different formats of containers ( 3 ) and reproduce them by operating said first actuator means ( 100 ). 
   
   
       10 . Rotary filling machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a pressurised circuit ( 29 ) intercepted by a second valve ( 19 ) mounted on said extension guide ( 11 ) at the bottom end in the vicinity of the receiving cone of said container ( 3 ) and able to blow inert gas into said container ( 3 ) through holes formed in said seal ( 13 ), and at least one third valve mounted so as to intercept said compensation pipe ( 8 ), said pressure circuit ( 29 ) with said second and third valves open being able to force, with the inert pressurised gas, the excess liquid level contained inside said container ( 3 ) through said compensation pipe ( 8 ), inside said tank ( 20 ) or into a separate recovery circuit ( 16 ). 
   
   
       11 . Rotary filling machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said second actuator means ( 28 ) consist of a pneumatic cylinder ( 28 ) for each valve ( 6 ). 
   
   
       12 . Rotary filling machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said concentric pipes ( 7 ,  8 ) can be operated by said first actuator means ( 100 ) so as to move upwards until they are retracted completely inside said extension guide ( 11 ), so as to form, with a closing lid ( 32 ), a closed receptacle ( 16 ) suitable for allowing recirculation of a flushing product both inside and outside the surface of the filling valve ( 6 ).