FILLING UNIT

Abstract

A filling unit, in particular for filling containers with a liquid, preferably cartridges for electronic cigarettes includes: a nozzle for dispensing a product; a supporting base having at least one housing seat configured to receive the nozzle; a blocking member mobile between an operative position, in which the blocking member prevents extraction of the nozzle from the housing seat, and an inoperative position, in which the nozzle can be extracted from the housing seat; and a fastening member for fixing the blocking member in the operative position, where the fastening member includes a gripping portion provided for manual command without the use of tools of the fastening member.

Description

FIELD

The present invention regards a filling unit, in particular for filling containers with a liquid, preferably cartridges for electronic cigarettes.

BACKGROUND

In general, units of this type comprise a plurality of nozzles for dispensing the product that are mounted on a supporting base of the filling unit.

During use of the filling unit there may be the need to replace one or more of the dispensing nozzles, for example, with nozzles of a different shape and size, for starting a process of filling with a new product, or else simply with new nozzles of the same type, in the context of an intervention of programmed maintenance of the filling unit.

For filling units of a known type, replacement of the nozzles requires the intervention of a technician specialized in the activity of maintenance and repair of systems, in so far as it is necessary to intervene on the filling unit to dismantle, using specific tools, parts of the filling unit before being able to remove the nozzles to be replaced and mount the new nozzles.

The above operations are relatively complex and impose prolonged machine stoppages.

On the other hand, it is pointed out that usually the aforesaid figure of specialized technician is a person different from the operator responsible for control of the machines so that mere replacement of the nozzles of the filling unit in any case also raises a problem from an organizational standpoint.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY

In this context, the present invention proposes a new filling unit that is able to overcome the aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art.

In particular, the present invention regards a filling unit according to claim 1. Moreover, the present invention regards a method for fast mounting of a nozzle in a filling unit according to claim 9, and a method for fast removal of a nozzle to be replaced from a filling unit according to claim 11.

The claims form an integral part of the teaching provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge clearly from the ensuing description with reference to the annexed drawings, which are provided purely by way of non-limiting example and in which:

FIG. 1 represents an example of the filling unit forming the subject of the present invention;

FIG. 2 represents a detail of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 represents the components of FIG. 2 in a different operating condition;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the components of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view according to the plane V-V of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of successive steps A, B, C of the method described herein for mounting/removing a nozzle in/from a filling unit.

DESCRIPTION

In the ensuing description various specific details are illustrated aimed at enabling an in-depth understanding of the embodiments. The embodiments can be obtained without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, or materials, etc. In other cases, known structures, materials, or operations are not illustrated or described in detail so that various aspects of the embodiment will not be obscured.

The references used herein are provided merely for convenience and hence do not define the sphere of protection or the scope of the embodiments.

With reference to the figures, the filling unit described herein, designated as a whole by the reference number 10, comprises a substantially horizontal supporting base 2, provided in which is an orderly row of openings 2A (see FIG. 5) aligned along a reference axis Y of the filling unit 10. Received within each opening 2A is a housing seat 4 in the form of a hollow body, which is secured via screws to the supporting base 2.

Each housing seat 4 has a generic cylindrical conformation, with flattened cross section, which extends along a (substantially vertical) reference axis Z and is characterized by a top portion 41 and a bottom portion 42 with a cross section smaller than that of the top portion 41.

The top portion 41 has a flanged end 41A, which sets itself against the top surface of the supporting base 2 and through which the housing seat 4 is secured to the supporting base 2 with the aid of screws.

With reference to FIG. 5, the top portion 41 engages via its outer surface 41B the inner wall 2A′ of the opening 2A according to a shape fit so as to guarantee a precise positioning of the housing seat 4 within the filling unit 10 (in particular guarantee a precise positioning of the housing seat 4 with respect to the supporting base 2).

Internally, the top portion 41 defines a cavity 41C, at the bottom of which there depart two parallel cavities 41D 41E, which extend within the bottom portion 42 along the reference axis Z.

The housing seat 4 is configured define two housing seats—constituted by the cavities 41D and 41E—of as many dispensing nozzles 6. Clearly, the configuration of the housing seat 4 may be modified to receive a number of nozzles other than two, for example just one nozzle or else a number of nozzles greater than two.

In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the dispensing nozzles 6 are constituted by dispensing needles. In particular, in one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, each nozzle 6 comprises a needle 6A and a connector 6B of a female type.

The nozzle 6 is received in the cavity 41D or 41E in a condition in which the needle 6A comes out underneath from the bottom portion 42 through an opening 42A made at the bottom of the cavity 41D or 41E, and the connector 6B engages the cavity 41D or 41E according to a shape fit. In particular, the connector 6B comprises an outer surface 61, preferably slightly conical, which is set in direct contact with the inner wall 43 of the cavity 41D or 41E, having a shape corresponding to the outer surface 61 of the connector 6B. Preferably, the connector 6B has a top flanged end 62 that is set bearing upon the bottom of the cavity 41C.

In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the filling unit 10 further comprises a nozzle-carrier element 8. The nozzle 6 is coupled in a removable way, preferably by interference fit, to said nozzle-carrier element 8. The nozzle-carrier element 8 is configured to set the nozzle 6 in fluid communication with a tank 12 containing the liquid product to be dispensed.

In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the nozzle-carrier element 8 is configured to carry a pair of nozzles 6 that are to be received in the two cavities 41D, 41E of a single housing seat 4. Clearly, the nozzle-carrier element 8 may vary its configuration to carry a number of nozzles other than two, preferably according to the number of nozzles envisaged within the single housing seat 4.

In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the nozzle-carrier element 8 is inserted into the housing seat 4 after the two nozzles 6 have been coupled to the nozzle-carrier element 8 itself.

In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the nozzle-carrier element 8 comprises a body 81 that is to be received in the cavity 41C of the housing seat 4, from which there project at the bottom two connectors 82 of a male type that are each to be inserted in the connector 6B of a respective nozzle 6. Preferably, coupling between the connectors 82, 6B is by interference fit.

When the nozzle-carrier element 8 is inserted, together with the two nozzles 6, into the housing seat 4, the connector 6B of each nozzle 6 is gripped between the bottom portion 42 of the housing seat 4 and the connector 82 of the nozzle-carrier element 8.

It should be noted that the shape fit between the housing seat 4 and the nozzle-carrier element 8, and the one between the housing seat 4 and the nozzle 6, guarantee a pre-set, precise and repeatable, positioning of the nozzle 6 within the filling unit 10.

The nozzle-carrier element 8 further comprises a top connector 83, which comes out at the top from the housing seat 4 and is configured to connect the nozzle-carrier element 8 to a supply pipe 14, which is configured to supply to the nozzle-carrier element 8 the liquid product contained in the tank 12. Preferably, the top connector 83 has, on its outer lateral surface, two opposed recessed portions 83A to facilitate gripping thereof by the operator during the process of mounting or removal of the nozzles 6 on or from the filling unit 10 (as described in detail in what follows).

Moreover, the nozzle-carrier element 8 comprises internal ducts 84 for setting the top connector 83 and the two connectors 82 in fluid communication and in this way connecting the supply pipe 14 hydraulically to the two dispensing nozzles 6 (and hend3 the tank 12 to the dispensing nozzle 6).

Preferably, the supply pipe 14 in turn comprises a connector 14A configured to couple with the connector 83 of the nozzle-carrier element 8 by interference fit.

In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, in a position corresponding to where the nozzle-carrier element 8 comes out with its connector 83 from the housing seat 4, secured on the supporting base 2 is an anchorage seat 22. On said anchorage seat 22 a blocking member 24 is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation I that is substantially parallel to the reference axis Y of the filling unit 10. In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the blocking member 24 is constituted by a bracket rotatably mounted about the axis of rotation I at a proximal end thereof 24A and having a free distal end 24B.

In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the blocking member 24 is mobile between an inoperative position (FIG. 3) and an operative position (FIG. 2).

In the operative position, the distal end 24B of the blocking member 24 sets itself over and against a top surface of the connector 83 of the nozzle-carrier element 8 so as to prevent extraction of the nozzle-carrier element 8 from the housing seat 4 and hence removal of the two nozzles 6 from their respective housing seats 41D, 41E.

In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the end 24B of the blocking member 24 has two appendages 24B′ set at a distance apart from one another that set themselves on opposite sides of the connector 14A of the supply pipe 14.

In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the blocking member 24 carries on it a fastening member 26, which performs the function of fixing the blocking member 24 in the aforesaid operative position.

In particular, in one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the fastening member 26 comprises a pipping portion 26A provided for manual control without the use of tools of the fastening member 26.

In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the fastening member 26 (in particular, the gripping portion 26A) comprises a rotatable knob 26A, connected fixedly in rotation to which is a fixing pin 26B, configured to engage a threaded hole 22A made in the anchorage seat 22 so as to fix the blocking member 24 to the supporting base 2. Incidentally, it should be noted that the term “knob” is here to be understood as any gripping portion that can be gripped manually by a user and is configured to be moved, once again by the user and once again manually, according to a movement of rotation.

The fastening member 26 can then be controlled manually and without the use of tools for disengaging the fixing pin 26B from the threaded hole 22A of the anchorage seat 22 in order to release the blocking member 24 from its operative position.

The blocking member 24 can then be shifted from the operative position to the inoperative position; preferably, to reach the aforesaid inoperative position the blocking member 24 is substantially turned upside down. In this second position, its end 24B no longer engages the nozzle-carrier element 8 and preferably comes to occupy a position opposed to the nozzle-carrier element 8 itself with respect to the axis of rotation I.

When the blocking member 24 is in the aforesaid inoperative position, the nozzle-carrier element 8 is free from impediments and can be extracted from the housing seat 4 via a simple action of pulling upwards.

Preferably, the gripping portion 26A of the fastening member 26 constitutes a so-called “unloseable” component; i.e., it is constrained to the blocking member 24 so as to remain stably connected thereto also when the blocking member is in its inoperative position. The fastening member 26 is hence always ready to be controlled manually and without the use of tools.

Thanks to the characteristics referred to above, the filling unit 10 is configured for fast mounting/removal of the nozzles 6.

With reference now to FIG. 6, replacement of the nozzles 6 of the filling unit 10 can hence be carried out through fast removal of the nozzles 6 to be replaced from the filling unit 10, and through subsequent fast mounting of new nozzles 6 into the unit 10 itself.

In general, according to the present invention, the method for fast removal of the nozzle 6 to be replaced from the filling unit 10, comprises the step of controlling the fastening member 26 so as to release the blocking member 24 from the operative position, where the blocking member 24 prevents extraction of the nozzle 6 from the housing seat 4 provided in the supporting base 2 of the filling unit 10.

In detail, the step of controlling the fastening member 26 includes manually gripping, without the use of tools, the gripping portion 26A of the fastening member 26 and, via the gripping portion 26A, operating the fastening member 26 to release the blocking member 24 from the operative position.

In addition, the method for fast removal of the nozzle 6 to be replaced from the filling unit 10 comprises the steps of: bringing the blocking member 24 from the operative position to the inoperative position, where the nozzle 6 can be extracted from the housing seat 4 (FIG. 6A); and extracting the nozzle 6 to be replaced from the housing seat 4.

More in particular, the step of controlling the fastening member 26 comprises the step of manual gripping, without the use of tools, of the gripping portion 26A of the fastening member 26 and/or the step of turning the gripping portion 26A to disengage the threaded pin 26B of the fastening member 26 from the threaded hole 22A of the anchorage seat 22.

Preferably, the step of extracting the nozzle 6 to be replaced from the housing seat 4 comprises the step of extracting a nozzle-carrier element 8 from the housing seat 4 (FIG. 6B).

Furthermore, the method for fast removal of the nozzle 6 that is to be replaced comprises the step of separating the nozzle 6 to be replaced from the nozzle-carrier elements 8 (FIG. 6C).

According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for fast mounting of a nozzle 6 in a filling unit 10. This method of fast mounting comprises the steps of: setting the nozzle 6 in the housing seat 4 provided in the supporting base 2 of the filling unit 10; bringing the blocking member 24 from the inoperative position, where the nozzle 6 can be extracted from the housing seat 4, to the operative position, where the blocking member 24 prevents extraction of the nozzle 6 from the housing seat 4 (FIG. 6A); and controlling the fastening member 26 for fixing the blocking member 24 in the operative position.

In particular, the step of controlling the fastening member 26 includes gripping manually and without the use of tools the gripping portion 26A of the fastening member 26 and, via the gripping portion 26A, operating the fastening member 26 to fix the blocking member 24 in the operative position.

More in particular, the step of setting the nozzle 6 in the housing seat 4 provided in the supporting base 2 of the filling unit 10 envisages the following operations: applying at least one new nozzle 6 on the nozzle-carrier element 8 (FIG. 6C); and inserting the nozzle-carrier element 8 and the new nozzle 6 coupled thereto within the housing seat 4 (FIG. 6B).

Preferably, the step of controlling the fastening member 26 for fixing the blocking member 24 in the operative position comprises the step of turning the gripping portion 26A so as to bring the threaded pin 26B of the fastening member 26 to engage with the threaded hole 22A of the anchorage seat 22.

Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the details of construction and the embodiments may vary, even significantly, with respect to what has been illustrated herein purely by way of non-limiting example, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the annexed claims. For instance, in some embodiments, the nozzle-carrier element 8 might not be envisaged.

Claims

1. A filling unit, in particular for filling containers with a liquid, such as cartridges for electronic cigarettes, comprising:

a nozzle for dispensing a product;

a supporting base having a housing seat configured to receive the nozzle;

a blocking member mobile between an operative position, in which said blocking member prevents extraction of said nozzle from said housing seat, and an inoperative position, in which said nozzle can be extracted from said housing seat; and

a fastening member for fixing said blocking member in said operative position, said fastening member comprising a gripping portion provided for manual command without a use of tools of said fastening member,

wherein said fastening member is carried by said blocking member both when the blocking member is in the operative position and when the blocking member is in the inoperative position.

2. The filling unit according to claim 1, wherein said blocking member is rotatable with respect to the supporting base so as to turn between said operative position and said inoperative position, and vice versa.

3. The filling unit according to claim 1, wherein said gripping portion comprises a knob that is rotatable and wherein the fastening member comprises a fixing pin fixed in rotation with respect to the knob.

4. The filling unit according to claim 3, wherein the supporting base comprises an anchorage seat for anchoring at least one portion of the fastening member, and said fastening member is provided for engaging the anchorage seat when the blocking member is in the operative position.

5. The filling unit according to claim 4, wherein the fixing pin has a threaded end that can be removably coupled to a threaded hole of the anchorage seat.

6. The filling unit according to claim 1, comprising a nozzle-carrier element that can be at least partially inserted, in a removable way, in the housing seat; and wherein the blocking member in the operative position is set over and against said nozzle-carrier element.

7. The filling unit according to claim 6, comprising a tank containing the product to be dispensed, and wherein the nozzle-carrier element comprises an internal duct for passage of the liquid that sets the tank and the nozzle fluid communication.

8. The filling unit according to claim 7, wherein the nozzle-carrier element and the nozzle are removably coupled by interference fit.

9. A method for fast mounting of a nozzle in a filling unit for filling containers with a liquid, such as cartridges for electronic cigarettes, comprising the steps of:

setting the nozzle in a housing seat provided in a supporting base of the filling unit;

bringing a blocking member from an inoperative position, where said nozzle can be extracted from said housing seat, to an operative position, where said blocking member prevents extraction of said nozzle from said housing seat; and

controlling a fastening member for fixing said blocking member in said operative position, wherein said fastening member is carried by said blocking member both when the blocking member is in the operative position and when the blocking member is in the inoperative position;

wherein said step of controlling said fastening member includes gripping manually and without a use of tools, a gripping portion of the fastening member and through said gripping portion operating said fastening member for fixing said blocking member in said operative position.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein setting the nozzle in said housing seat includes coupling said nozzle to a nozzle-carrier element and inserting at least partially said nozzle-carrier element into the housing seat; and wherein the step of bringing the blocking member from the inoperative position to the operative position includes setting said blocking member over and against said nozzle-carrier element.

11. A method for fast removal of a nozzle to be replaced from a filling unit, for filling containers with a liquid, such as cartridges for electronic cigarettes, comprising the steps of:

controlling a fastening member to release a blocking member from an operative position thereof, where said blocking member prevents extraction of the nozzle to be replaced from a housing seat provided in a supporting base of the filling unit;

wherein said step of controlling said fastening member includes gripping manually and without a use of tools, a gripping portion of the fastening member and through said gripping portion operating said fastening member to release said blocking member from said operative position;

bringing said blocking member from the operative position to an inoperative position, where the nozzle to be replaced can be extracted from said housing seat,

wherein said fastening member is carried by said blocking member both when the blocking member is in the operative position and when the blocking member is in the inoperative position; and

extracting said nozzle to be replaced from said housing seat.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein extracting said nozzle to be replaced from the housing seat includes extracting a nozzle-carrier element from the housing seat and uncoupling the nozzle to be replaced from the nozzle-carrier element by puffing said nozzle away from the nozzle-carrier element.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein controlling said fastening member includes engaging or releasing an anchorage seat of the supporting base to or from said fastening member.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein bringing said blocking member from said inoperative position to said operative position, and vice versa, comprises rotating said blocking member with respect to the supporting base.