Patents by Inventor Franco Balzarin

Franco Balzarin has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9878891
    Abstract: Machine (1) for filling containers with liquids, which comprises a rotatable carousel (10) equipped with a tank (12) for containing a liquid to be bottled, and a plurality of valve groups (13) peripherally mounted on the rotatable carousel (10) and equipped with a supply duct (14) for the flow of said liquid into containers (2) to be filled, and with an air return cannula (16). Furthermore, each valve group (13) comprises: a collection cup (29), which is connected to the upper end (16?) of the air return cannula (16); a first control valve (34), actuatable to place the collection cup (29) in communication with an atmospherically pressurised evacuation circuit (31); a second control valve (35) actuatable to place the collection cup (29) in communication with a suction circuit (33?, 33?). Furthermore, a logic control unit (100) operatively connected to the first and second control valves (34, 35) of each valve group (13) is provided in order to control the switch of said control valves (34,35).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: MBF S.p.A.
    Inventors: Franco Balzarin, Giuliano Boscaro
  • Publication number: 20130240081
    Abstract: Machine (1) for filling containers with liquids, which comprises a rotatable carousel (10) equipped with a tank (12) for containing a liquid to be bottled, and a plurality of valve groups (13) peripherally mounted on the rotatable carousel (10) and equipped with a supply duct (14) for the flow of said liquid into containers (2) to be filled, and with an air return cannula (16). Furthermore, each valve group (13) comprises: a collection cup (29), which is connected to the upper end (16?) of the air return cannula (16); a first control valve (34), actuatable to place the collection cup (29) in communication with an atmospherically pressurised evacuation circuit (31); a second control valve (35) actuatable to place the collection cup (29) in communication with a suction circuit (33?, 33?). Furthermore, a logic control unit (100) operatively connected to the first and second control valves (34, 35) of each valve group (13) is provided in order to control the switch of said control valves (34,35).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: MBF S.P.A.
    Inventors: Franco Balzarin, Giuliano Boscaro
  • Patent number: 8469179
    Abstract: A machine for treating containers including a turntable rotatably mounted on a frame and holding devices for containers mounted peripherally on the turntable. Each holding device includes a support mechanically connected to the turntable, at least two arms, rotatably connected to the support, with at least one holding body for grasping the container, an actuator mechanically connected to the arms to rotate them around the first rotation axis between an open position, in which the holding bodies are separated to receive or release the container, and a closed position, in which the holding bodies are close to one another to hold therebetween the container. Each holding body is connected to a support body of the respective arm through an articulation suitable for allowing the holding body to rotate around a second rotation axis lying on a plane substantially perpendicular to the first rotation axis of the arms and passing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: MBF S.p.A.
    Inventor: Franco Balzarin
  • Patent number: 8002107
    Abstract: Apparatus for transferring containers, comprising a first turntable (6) centrally fixed onto a first shaft (5) so as to rotate about a vertical axis (Z) and a plurality of first grippers (7) mounted peripherally on the first turntable (6). Each first gripper (7) is provided with at least two first arms (9) which can be actuated by a first actuator (12) so as to rotate about different first pins (10) with first parallel axes (Y, Y?) between at least a first open position, where respective first retaining portions (13) of the first arms (9) are spaced from each other so as to receive or release a container (2), and at least one first closed position, where the first retaining portions (13) are close together so as to hold the container (2) between them. Each first arm (9) of each of the first grippers (7) is provided with a slot (15) aligned with the slot of at least one other first arm (9) of the same first gripper (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: MBF S.p.A.
    Inventors: Franco Balzarin, Giuliano Boscaro
  • Publication number: 20110114454
    Abstract: Apparatus for transferring containers, comprising a first turntable (6) centrally fixed onto a first shaft (5) so as to rotate about a vertical axis (Z) and a plurality of first grippers (7) mounted peripherally on said first turntable (6). Each first gripper (7) is provided with at least two first arms (9) which can be actuated by first actuator means (12) so as to rotate about different first pins (10) with first parallel axes (Y, Y?) between at least a first open position, where respective first retaining portions (13) of the first arms (9) are spaced from each other so as to receive or release a container (2), and at least one first closed position, where the first retaining portions (13) are close together so as to hold the container (2) between them. Each first arm (9) of each of the first grippers (7) is provided with a slot (15) aligned with the slot of at least one other first arm (9) of the same first gripper (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: MBF S.p.A.
    Inventors: Franco BALZARIN, Giuliano BOSCARO
  • Publication number: 20100282364
    Abstract: Machine (1) for treating containers, in particular in a plant for bottling food products, which comprises a turntable (70) rotatably mounted on a support frame and a plurality of holding devices (2) for containers (8) mounted peripherally on such a turntable (70). Each of the holding devices (2) comprises: a support structure (4) mechanically connected to the turntable (70); at least two arms (15) pivoted to the support structure (4) to rotate around its own first rotation axis (Y) and each provided with at least one holding body (20) intended to grasp the container (8); actuator means (18) mechanically connected to the arms (15) to actuate them to rotate around the first rotation axis (Y) between at least one open position, in which the holding bodies (20) are separated from one another so as to receive or release the container (8), and at least one closed position, in which the holding bodies (20) are close to one another to hold the container (8) between them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: MBF S.p.A.
    Inventor: Franco Balzarin
  • Publication number: 20070289665
    Abstract: Container transportation line for bottling plants, comprising transportation means provided with a support surface for receiving, resting thereon, the containers and with a motor-driven chain having, connected thereto, a plurality of ribs with a constant interval delimiting a plurality of first seats for the containers movable on the support surface. Adjustment means are provided for varying the position of the ribs with respect to the first chain depending on the dimensions of the containers, as well as means for performing transfer from the transportation means to at least one operating machine formed by a rotating starwheel associated with the operating machine and provided with a plurality of second seats formed in the recesses of the starwheel and intended to receive in synchronism the containers from the first seats, resting on flanges associated with the seats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: MBF S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni MAZZON, Franco Balzarin, Sergio Ciocchetta