Filling device for filling machine

A filling device for a filling machine configured to fill receptacles with a pourable product, the filling device comprising:

• a filling valve configured to control feeding of the pourable product and having a tubular body extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the tubular body has an outlet opening at an axial end thereof;
• a support configured to support a receptacle coaxially with the outlet opening of the tubular body;
• a channel defined within the tubular body and including a tapered-section portion tapering inward from a first end thereof to a narrowed-section zone at a second end thereof, the tapered-section portion spaced apart from the outlet opening;
• an exhaust conduit formed in the tubular body and arranged on one side of the channel;
• and
• a shutter slideably and coaxially mounted within the channel and provided with a closing head, the closing head having a sealing surface configured to seal the tapered-section portion of the channel, wherein the shutter is configured to move within the channel between a closed position, in which the closing head of the shutter closes the tapered-section portion to interrupt flow of the pourable product towards the outlet opening, and an open position in which the shutter delimits, with the tapered-section portion, an annular passage communicating with the outlet opening,
• wherein the channel includes:
• an enlarged-section portion located immediately adjacent to the narrowed-section zone of the tapered-section portion, and
• a reduced-section end portion extending between the enlarged-section portion and the outlet opening, the reduced-section end portion tapering inward from a first end thereof to the outlet opening of the tubular body at a second end thereof,
• wherein the enlarged-section portion has a larger diameter than the narrowed-section zone of the tapered-section portion and the first end of the reduced-section end portion for preventing residue from the exhaust conduit from falling into the receptacle,
• wherein the enlarged-section portion defines an expansion chamber,
• wherein the expansion chamber includes:
• a lower surface,
• an upper surface parallel to the lower surface, and
• an outer circumferential wall perpendicular to the lower surface and the upper surface, the outer circumferential wall interconnecting the lower surface and the upper surface and defining a constant height of the expansion chamber,
• wherein the exhaust conduit includes a lower exhaust conduit end configured to open into the expansion chamber, and
• wherein the lower surface of the expansion chamber extends in a radial direction from the outer circumferential wall towards the longitudinal axis, the lower surface of the expansion chamber underlying the lower exhaust conduit end.

A filling device for a filling machine configured to fill receptacles with a pourable product, the filling device comprising:

• a filling valve configured to control feeding of the pourable product and having a tubular body, the tubular body extending along a longitudinal axis and having an outer surface and an outlet opening at an axial end thereof;
• a support configured to support a receptacle coaxially with the outlet opening of the tubular body;
• a channel defined within the tubular body and including a tapered-section portion tapering inward from a first end thereof to a narrowed-section zone at a second end thereof, the narrowed-section zone spaced apart from the outlet opening of the tubular body;
• an exhaust conduit formed in the tubular body and arranged on one side of the channel, the exhaust conduit having a lower exhaust conduit end;
• a valve connected to the exhaust conduit and configured to assume an open position in which gas present in the receptacle is allowed to be discharged during filling of the receptacle, and a closed position in which gas discharge through the exhaust conduit is prevented;
• a shutter slideably and coaxially mounted within the channel and including a main portion and a closing head, the closing head having a sealing surface configured to seal the tapered-section portion of the channel, the shutter configured to move within the channel between:
• a closed position, in which the closing head of the shutter closes the tapered-section portion to interrupt flow of the pourable product towards the outlet opening, wherein the shutter is configured to be in the closed position thereof when the valve connected to the exhaust conduit is in the closed position thereof, and
• an open position, in which the shutter delimits, with the tapered-section portion, an annular passage fluidly communicating with the outlet opening, wherein the shutter is configured to be in the open position thereof when the valve connected to the exhaust conduit is in the open position thereof;
• a permanent magnet unit provided in the main portion of the shutter;
• and
• an actuator including a magnetic movable member coaxially and slideably connected to the outer surface of the tubular body, the actuator configured to move the shutter between the closed position and the open position via magnetic coupling between the permanent magnet unit and the magnetic movable member,
• wherein the channel includes:
• an enlarged-section portion located immediately adjacent to the narrowed-section zone of the tapered-section portion;
• and
• a reduced-section end portion extending between the enlarged-section portion and the outlet opening, the reduced-section end portion tapering inward from a first end thereof to the outlet opening of the tubular body at a second end thereof,
• wherein the enlarged-section portion has a larger diameter than the narrowed-section zone of the tapered-section portion and the first end of the reduced-section end portion for preventing residue from the exhaust conduit from falling into the receptacle,
• wherein the enlarged-section portion defines an expansion chamber having a lower surface, an upper surface parallel to the lower surface, and an outer circumferential wall extending about the longitudinal axis and upon which the lower exhaust conduit end of the exhaust conduit is arranged, the expansion chamber defining an axial height and a constant diameter along the axial height for allowing expansion of gas and thereby attenuating turbulence and foaming when feeding the pourable product into the receptacle, and
• wherein the lower surface of the expansion chamber extends in a radial direction from the outer circumferential wall towards the longitudinal axis, the lower surface of the expansion chamber underlying the lower exhaust conduit end to thereby prevent the residue from the pourable product in the exhaust conduit from falling into the receptacle.