System for aseptic filling of big containers with an outlet

Abstract

The invention relates to an aseptic filler system for big containers having an outlet. The system comprises an outlet ( 1 ) which in turn comprises an outlet body ( 1 b ) and a cap ( 1 a ), which is inserted in a hole ( 2 ) of a filler head ( 3 ) provided with a pair of semicircular jaws ( 4 ), which lock about an annular cavity ( 5 ) provided externally of the outlet in order to block the outlet ( 1 ) to the hole ( 2 ). The system has seal means which operate between the outlet body ( 1 b ) and the periphery of the hole ( 2 ) to hermetically close the inside of the filler head when the outlet body is locked between the jaws ( 4 ). The seal means are realised by means of a first seal ring ( 2 a ), fashioned below the perimeter of the hole ( 2 ) and haying an internal diameter which defuses the passage diameter of the hole ( 2 ), and a second seal ring ( 6 ), fashioned externally of the outlet body ( 1 b ) above the annular cavity ( 5 ), the diameter of the upper part thereof being greater than the passage diameter of the hole ( 2 ).

1 ) An aseptic filler system for big containers having an outlet, of a type comprising an outlet ( 1 ) made of a plastic material which comprises an outlet body ( 1   b ) connected to the container, in which a cap ( 1   a ) is inserted; said outlet is inserted in a hole ( 2 ) of a filler head ( 3 ), closed and accessible from outside through the hole ( 2 ), provided with a pair of semicircular jaws ( 4 ), mobile in a radial direction to the outlet and destined to lock, about an annular cavity ( 5 ) provided externally of the outlet and to block the outlet ( 1 ) to the hole ( 2 ), the filler head being further provided with means for extracting the cap ( 1   a ) from the outlet body and for newly introducing it into the outlet body when filling is completed, when the outlet body is locked between the jaws ( 4 ), characterised in that it comprises seal means, operating between the outlet body ( 1   b ) and the periphery of the hole ( 2 ) of the filler head, destined to hermetically close an inside of the filler head when the outlet body is locked between the jaws ( 4 ). 
     
     
         2 ) The system of  claim 1 , characterised in that: the hole ( 2 ) of the filler head comprises a first seal ring ( 2   a ), fashioned below the perimeter of the hole ( 2 ) itself, the internal diameter of which defines the passage diameter of the hole ( 2 ); the outlet body ( 1   b ) comprises a second seal ring ( 6 ), fashioned externally of the outlet body ( 1   b ) above the annular cavity ( 5 ), the diameter of the upper part thereof being greater than the diameter of the passage of the hole ( 2 ). 
     
     
         3 ) The system of  claim 2 , characterised in that the said second seal ring ( 6 ) defines in the upper part thereof the annular cavity ( 5 ) of the outlet body and has a thickness, in an axial direction, equal to about half the axial distance existing between the lower surface of the first seal ring ( 2   a ) and the upper surface of the semi-circular jaws ( 4 ). 
     
     
         4 ) The system of  claim 2 , characterised in that the diameter of the second seal ring ( 6 ) is greater than the diameter of all the remaining outlet elements ( 1 ) which are in a higher position than the second seal ring and which have a smaller diameter than the internal diameter of the hole ( 2 ) of the filler head. 
     
     
         5 ) The system of  claim 1 , characterised in that said second seal ring ( 6 ) has the external radial part tapered such as to define an upper external lip having a smaller thickness than the remaining part of the second seal ring. 
     
     
         6 ) The system of  claim 1 , characterised in that the temperature of the steam present in the internal chamber of the filler head when the outlet ( 1 ) is locked between the jaws ( 4 ) is about 130° C.