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US 2008/0184668 A1Published application
Machine For Filling And Closing Containers
AssigneeMarchesini Group S.p.A.
InventorGiuseppe MONTI
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AssigneeMarchesini Group S.p.A.
InventorGiuseppe MONTI
Estimating the term…
The machine for filling and closing containers comprises: a conveyor, step-activated in an advancement direction, laterally provided with a plurality of gripping devices which are able to bear containers at an active branch of the conveyor invested by a main gas flow of a sterile substance; a filling station in which a plurality of nozzles operated, for batched filling of the underlying containers, and weighing organs for detecting that a correct filling of the containers has been accomplished; a closing station in which capping organs operate which enable closure of the containers with caps, and sensors able to detect correct closure of the containers by the capping organs; a release station, located downstream of the closing station, in which manipulator organs operate, which manipulator organs are maintained de-activated in order to allow transit of the containers in which incorrect filling and/or closing parameters have been detected, which are released onto a reject conveyor downstream and in line with the active branch; or which manipulator organs are activated transversally to the advancement direction in order to collect the containers which have been passed as having correct filling and closing parameters and release them onto an outlet conveyor, adjacent and parallel to the reject conveyor.
1). A machine for filling and closing containers, characterized in that it comprises:
2). The machine of claim 1, characterized in that it includes a sampling conveyor, located adjacent and parallel to the reject conveyor and the outlet conveyor, for receiving samples of containers from the manipulator organs, which containers are picked up from the active branch and which containers have been found to have correct filling and closing parameters.
3). The machine of claim 1, characterized in that it includes a first sterilizing station, interposed between the gripping station and the filling station, in which, before filling, empty containers borne on the active branch are invested by a first supplementary gas flow, substantially directed vertically, of an inert sterile substance.
4). The machine of claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of nozzles, operating in the first sterilizing station, which dispense the first gas flow at opening mouths of underlying and facing empty containers.
5). The machine of claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a second sterilizing station, interposed between the filling station and the closing station, in which full containers borne on the active branch are, before closure thereof, subjected to a second supplementary gas flow, substantially vertically directed, of an inert sterile substance.
6). The machine of claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of nozzles, operating in the second sterilizing station, which plurality of nozzles dispenses the second gas flow at the mouths of the underlying and facing full containers.
7). The machine of claim 2, characterized in that the outlet conveyor is interposed between the reject conveyor and the sampling conveyor.
8). The machine of claim 2, characterized in that the sampling conveyor is interposed between the reject conveyor and the outlet conveyor.
9). The machine of claim 7, characterized in that it includes a storage station, associated to the outlet conveyor, in which the manipulating organs release the containers into collecting crates, the containers having been picked up from the active branch and having been passed as having correct parameters of filling and closing.
10). The machine of claim 1, characterized in that the store is invested by the main flow of sterile gas.
11). The machine of claim 2, characterized in that it includes a first sterilizing station, interposed between the gripping station and the filling station, in which, before filling, empty containers borne on the active branch are invested by a first supplementary gas flow, substantially directed vertically, of an inert sterile substance.
12). The machine of claim 8, characterized in that it includes a storage station, associated to the outlet conveyor, in which the manipulating organs release the containers into collecting crates, the containers having been picked up from the active branch and having been passed as having correct parameters of filling and closing.