An aseptic filler device of containers provided with a filler mouth closed by a removable cap

Abstract

An aseptic filler device of containers provided with a filler mouth closed by a removable cap includes a tubular element having an open end, able to be inserted with radial play on the cap of the container to be filled and able to go into contact with the mouth and extend the mouth axially, a first radial opening, associated to a branch conduit connectable to a supply line of a product and to a source line of a sterilizing fluid via a selection valve, and a second radial opening, associated to a discharge conduit provided with opening and closing valves; and a gripping element of the cap of the container inserted internally of the tubular element and mobile between a neared position to the open end of the tubular element and a distanced position therefrom.

1 . An aseptic filler device of containers provided with a filler mouth closed by a removable cap, said aseptic filler device comprising:
 a tubular element comprising:
 an open end, able to be inserted with radial play on the cap of the container to be filled and able to go into contact with the mouth and extend the mouth axially; 
 a first radial opening, associated to a branch conduit connectable to a supply line of a filler fluid of the container and to a source line of a sterilizing fluid via a selection valve, for selective supply into the tubular element of the filler fluid and the sterilizing fluid; and 
 a second radial opening, associated to a discharge conduit provided with opening and closing valves operable to open and close the discharge conduit; and 
   a gripping element of the cap of the container inserted internally of the tubular element and mobile between a neared position to the open end of the tubular element and a distanced position therefrom respectively for closing and opening the mouth,   wherein when the gripping element is in the neared position, the first radial opening is in communication with the second radial opening via a gap defined between a portion of the cap inserted in the tubular element and the tubular element itself and, when the gripping element is in the distanced position, the first radial opening is in communication with the internal volume of the container via the open end of the tubular element.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein when the gripping element is in the distanced position the opening and closing valves close the discharge conduit. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping element comprises a linear actuator provided with a cylinder and a mobile stem with respect to the cylinder and inserted at least slidably internally of the tubular element, wherein a first cradle is associated to the free end of the mobile stem, which first cradle is for accommodating an axial portion of the cap, coaxial to the open end of the tubular element and configured so as to axially constrain the cap. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a support plate mobile with respect to the tubular element and provided with a second cradle, for accommodating an axial portion of the mouth, coaxial to the open end of the tubular element and configured so as to axially constrain the mouth. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the support plate is solidly associated in translation to the cylinder of the linear actuator. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the selection valve comprises a check valve comprising a valve body provided with at least two inlets, of which a first inlet in communication with the supply line and a second inlet in communication with the source line, and an outlet in communication with the branch conduit, in which valve body at least an obturator is mobile, the obturator being configured for selectively occluding one from between the first inlet and the second inlet or both the inlets. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a seal is defined between the open end of the tubular element and the mouth. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular element comprises at least an annular seal arranged axially on the opposite side of the open end with respect to the first and second radial opening and configured such as to be radially compressed between the gripping element and the tubular element, when the gripping element is in the neared position, and between the cap and the tubular element, when the gripping element is in the distanced position. 
     
     
         9 . A filling plant comprising:
 a filling machine of recipients supplied by a supply line of a product for filling the recipients,   wherein the filler device according to  claim 1  for filling containers is positioned on the supply line.   
     
     
         10 . A method for aseptic filling of containers provided with a filler mouth closed by a removable cap by means of the device according to  claim 1 , which comprises steps of:
 arranging the mouth closed by the cap coaxially to the tubular element, so that the mouth goes into contact with the open end of the tubular element;   maintaining the gripping element in a neared position, so as to keep the mouth closed by means of the cap;   opening the opening and closing valves of the discharge conduit;   via the branch conduit, dispensing sterilising fluid into the internal gap of the internal cavity defined between the tubular element and the cap;   discharging the sterilising fluid via the discharge conduit;   closing the opening and closing valves of the discharge conduit;   bringing the gripping element into a distanced position, so as to open the mouth;   via the branch conduit, supplying filler fluid into the container by means of the open mouth;   carrying out a return run for the gripping element towards the neared position, so as to re-close the mouth.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , which comprises steps of:
 halting the return run in at least an intermediate position between the neared position and the distanced position, where the cap is only partly entered into the mouth;   repeating the dispensing of sterilising fluid, via the branch conduit, into the gap defined between the tubular element and the cap; and   thereafter, completing the return run up to the complete insertion of the cap in the mouth.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the support plate is solidly associated in translation to the cylinder of the linear actuator. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein a seal is defined between the open end of the tubular element and the mouth. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein a seal is defined between the open end of the tubular element and the mouth. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein a seal is defined between the open end of the tubular element and the mouth. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein a seal is defined between the open end of the tubular element and the mouth. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein a seal is defined between the open end of the tubular element and the mouth. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the tubular element comprises at least an annular seal arranged axially on the opposite side of the open end with respect to the first and second radial opening and configured such as to be radially compressed between the gripping element and the tubular element, when the gripping element is in the neared position, and between the cap and the tubular element, when the gripping element is in the distanced position. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the tubular element comprises at least an annular seal arranged axially on the opposite side of the open end with respect to the first and second radial opening and configured such as to be radially compressed between the gripping element and the tubular element, when the gripping element is in the neared position, and between the cap and the tubular element, when the gripping element is in the distanced position. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the tubular element comprises at least an annular seal arranged axially on the opposite side of the open end with respect to the first and second radial opening and configured such as to be radially compressed between the gripping element and the tubular element, when the gripping element is in the neared position, and between the cap and the tubular element, when the gripping element is in the distanced position.