US3605826A - Method and apparatus for filling containers - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for filling containers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3605826A US3605826A US33775A US3605826DA US3605826A US 3605826 A US3605826 A US 3605826A US 33775 A US33775 A US 33775A US 3605826D A US3605826D A US 3605826DA US 3605826 A US3605826 A US 3605826A
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- Prior art keywords
- container
- shroud
- filling
- vacuum
- filling head
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
- B65B31/02—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
- B65B31/025—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas specially adapted for rigid or semi-rigid containers
Definitions
- the disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for filling containers with particulate material by at least partially surrounding the container with a shroud which sealingly engages the container to provide a barrier between the shroud and the mouth of the container.
- the container is loaded into a container filling zone, filled, and unloaded from the container filling Zone with the barrier between the shroud and the container, thereby preventing contamination of the shroud interior and the container exterior.
- a dust collecting system is operable to prevent contamination by particle dust and particulate material while loading and unloading containers into and out of the filling zone.
- the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for filling containers with particulate material and more specifically relates to a method and apparatus for filling all types and sizes of containers with particulate material utilizing vacuum filling techniques.
- Contamination may occur if the seal between the container and the filling apparatus or head is broken while particulate material is being dispensed, particularly when a vacuum exists around the exterior of the container and is greater than a vacuum in the interior of the container as is sometimes the case. Contamination may also occur because of inadequate sealing between the container and the filling head which may be caused by slight dents in the lip of the open mouth of the container.
- a first significant method aspect of the present invention involves at least partially surrounding a container with a shroud which cooperates with the container to provide a barrier between the shroud and the open mouth of the container, moving the shroud, while retaining the surrounding relationship and the barrier between the shroud and the container into sealing engagement with a filling head, filling the container with particulate material and, while retaining the surrounding relationship and the barrier between the shroud and the container, removing the shroud and the container from engagement from the filling head.
- Another significant aspect of the present invention is the provision of a novel combination of apparatus means to accomplish, in coordinated relation, the various steps of the first method above described.
- a second significant method aspect of the present invention involves at least partially surrounding the exterior periphery of a container with a generally openended shroud having a member at one end thereof to sealingly engage the open mouth of the container thereby providing a barrier between the shroud and the open mouth of the container, moving the shroud and container into a container filling zone, moving the shroud into sealing engagement with the filling head while retaining the surrounding relationship and the sealing engagement between the shroud and the container, filling the container with particulate material, removing the shroud and container from the container filling zone, and removing the shroud from surrounding relationship and sealing engagement with the container.
- a further significant aspect of the present invention is the provision of a novel combination of apparatus means to accomplish, in coordinated relation, the various steps of the second method above described.
- a third significant method aspect of the present invention involves creating a vacuum in the interior of a container filling zone through a screen means and admitting particulate material into the interior of the container, intermittently admitting a limited quantity of air through the screen means into the interior of the container to clean the screen means, interrupting the creation of the vacuum in the container interior, admitting air into the container through the screen means until the interior of the container is at atmospheric pressure, interrupting the admission of air through the screen means, and, while unloading the container from the container filling zone and while loading a different container into the container filling zone, applying a relatively low vacuum to the screen means to remove particle dust from the container filling zone and to hold accumulated particulate material on the screen means.
- a further aspect of the present invention is the provision of a novel combination of apparatus means to accomplish, in coordinated relation, the various steps of the third method above described.
- a fourth significant method aspect of the present invention involves various novel combinations, in coordinated relation, of the steps of the methods previously described.
- Yet another significant aspect of the present invention is the provision of a novel combination of apparatus means to accomplish, in coordinated relation, the various steps of the novel combinations of the methods above described.
- FIG. 1 is an elevation in partial section of the container filling apparatus of the present invention showing a shroud and a container in the filling position;
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the top of the shroud in the apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the top of the shroud in the apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in surrounding relationship and sealing engagement with a container and in sealing engagement with a filling head;
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the bottom of the shroud in the apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 5 is a plan view of the filling apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of an elevation of the filling head utilized in the apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 7 is an elevation of a container filling system employing the container filling apparatus of FIG. 1. and operable in accordance with the methods of the present invention.
- the filling apparatus of the present invention comprises a support frame 1 having a plurality of vertical members 10 which are interconnected by a plurality of transverse members 12 at the lower ends thereof.
- a support plate 14 is provided to interconnect the upper ends of the vertical members 10 and to provide a support for a filling head 16.
- the support frame is preferably mounted on a weight responsive base comprising a horizontally disposed frame 18 having two vertically disposed frame support members 20 and a vertically disposed weight responsive ele ment 22.
- the frame support members 20 preferably include a vertical beam 24 at the top of which is provided a solid cylindrical member 26, the upper end of which is semi-spherical in shape.
- the weight responsive element 22 may comprise a conventional load cell having a load receiving member 28 which supports the load and causes the load cell to produce an output signal proportional to the weight of the load applied thereto.
- the end of the load receiving member 28 is likewise semispherical in shape.
- Three pads 30 are provided on the underside of the transverse members 12 to pivotally engage the ends of the cylindrical members 26 and the load receiving member 28.
- Each of the pads 30 is provided with a semi spherical depression 32 to receive the similarly shaped ends of the cylindrical member 26 and the load receiving member 28.
- the entire filling apparatus is thus supported on a three point, ball-in-socket type suspension, thus allowing non-restricted pivotal movement of the apparatus as the load cell is depressed in response to an increase in weight during filling.
- the three pivot points provided by the frame support members 20 and the weight responsive element 22 are radially equidistant from a vertical line passing through the approximate center of gravity of a loaded container filling apparatus, i.e. the container filling apparatus with a container positioned for filling as shown in FIG. 1. Due to the relatinship, approximately one third of the total weight of the apparatus is felt at the load receiving member 28 of the weight responsive element or load cell 22.
- an air cylinder 34 supported by the transverse members 12, is connected by way of a piston rod 36 to a substantially flat, horizontally disposed support member or platform 38 which is free to reciprocate vertically in response to the application of air pressure to the cylinder 34.
- a vacuum conduit 40 and a pressurized air conduit 42 connected to the underside of the platform 38, communicate, by way of openings 44 and 46, respectively, with the upper side of the platform 38.
- the conduits 40 and 42 are connected, respectively, to a suitable means for creating a vacuum, e.g. a vacuum pump, and a suitable supply of air pressure, eg the atmosphere (not shown).
- Suitable remotely controlled valves 48 and 50 are provided in the conduits 40 and 42 respectively to control the fiow of air therethrough in response to appropriate control signals.
- the filling head 16 is mounted above the platform 38 and preferably includes a generally fiat, circular plate 51 having a centrally disposed opening 52 extending axially therethrough, i.e. along the axis of the plate 51 normal to the surface thereof, and first and second annular concentric grooves 54 and 56, respectively, disposed in the underside of the plate 51.
- An annular screen 58 generally parallel to the lower surface of the plate, is secured across the first annular groove 54 in a suitable, conventional manner.
- a generally flat annular sealing gasket 60 Disposed in the second annular groove 56 is a generally flat annular sealing gasket 60, the outer surface of which is generally parallel to and flush with the lower surface of the plate 51.
- the annular screen 58 may be any suitable screen which permits the passage of air while preventing the passage of particulate materials. Such screens are entirely conventional and are well known in the art to which the present invention relates.
- the sealing gasket 60 preferably has a sponge rubber base 60A covered by a relatively thin layer of gum rubber 60B on the outwardly facing surface thereof, as illustratcd in FIG. 3. This arrangement provides the necessary resilience as well as a durable sealing surface. Additionally, the sealing gasket 60 preferably provides a sufiiciently wide sealing surface in the underside of the filling head 16 to accommodate a wide range of shroud and therefore container sizes.
- a plurality of openings 62 are provided through the plate 51 of the filling head 16 to provide communication between the upper surface of the plate 51 and the first annular groove 54.
- Each opening 62 is connected to an associated conduit which will hereinafter be described in connection with the operation of the filling head 16.
- the openings 62 since the openings 62 communicate with the first annular groove 54 which is covered by the annular screen 58, the openings 62 will hereinafter be referred to as screened openings.
- the filling head 16 as described above is a preferred embodiment of the filling head of the present invention and is adapted to be used in connection with the filling of generally cylindrical containers.
- the head and groove shapes may, of course, be varied to allow the filling of other container shapes without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
- the filling apparatus also includes an air cylinder 64 connected to a transverse brace 66 and having a curved plate 68 connected to the piston rod thereof.
- the cylinder 64 is mounted so that the direction of the stroke of the piston is substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis of the filling apparatus.
- a horizontally disposed roller 70 is provided to facilitate the loading and unloading of the filling apparatus.
- a container 72 surrounded by and in sealing engagement with a shroud 74, as will hereinafter be described, may be positioned within the filling apparatus in a filling zone generally defined by the filling head 16, the platform 38 and the vertical member 10, as illustrated.
- the shroud 74 is preferably a substantially open-ended cylinder, having a slightly larger diameter than the container 72 and generally conforming in shape to the shape of the exterior periphery of the container 72.
- the shape of the shroud may, of course, be varied to permit the filling of a variety of container shapes without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
- An inner sealing member 76 preferably carried by the shroud 74, is provided between the interior periphery of the upper end of the shroud 74 and a peripherally extending edge 78 defining an open mouth of the container 7 2.
- the inner sealing member 76 is operable to resiliently deform so as to conform to the shape of the peripherally extending edge 78 and is thus adapted to engage the edge 78' of the container 72 to provide a substantially airtight seal between the top of the shroud 74 and the edge 78 defining the open mouth of the container 72.
- This seal provides a barrier between the upper portion of the shroud 74 and the edge 78 of the container 72, thereby preventing the contamination of the interior of the shroud and the exterior of the container by particulate material.
- the shroud 74 and the container 72 are loaded together into the filling zone, while in surrounding relationship and sealing engagement, from a conveyor 80 adjacent the platform 38 of the container filling apparatus. Since the shroud 74 and the container 72 remain in surrounding relationship and sealing engagement during the filling of the container 72 and during the unloading of the shroud 74 and the filled container 72 from the filling zone onto the conveyor 80 after the filling operation, the protective barrier formed by the inner sealing member 76 is operable to prevent the contamination of the interior of the shroud 74 and the exterior of the container 72 while loading, filling, and unloading the container 72. The importance of the prevention of contamination is quite apparent from the standpoint of appearance of the container 72 after filling and the continued efficient operation of the filling apparatus. However, it becomes extremely important to prevent such contamination when handling particulate materials which are toxic.
- the inner sealing member 76 could be provided on the edge 78 of the container 72, the inner sealing member 76 is preferably carried by the shroud 74, as previously described and as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. This arrangement allows the filling apparatus of the present invention to be utilized with commercially available containers.
- the preferred inner sealing member 76 comprises an annular ring-like member 82 connected to the interior of the shroud 74 to form an inwardly projecting shoulder around the interior periphery of the top of the shroud 74.
- the uppermost portion of the annular ring-like member 82 is provided with a sharp corner or edge 84 to provide an airtight seal when the shroud 74 is raised to the filling position and the ring-like member 82 engages the sealing gasket in the filling head 16.
- An annular, resilient inner sealing gasket 86 operable to deform from the flat face configuration of FIG. 2 to conform to the shape of the edge 78 defining the open mouth of the container 72 as shown in FIG.
- the inner sealing gasket 86 is preferably made of soft sponge rubber to permit vertical movement of the container 72 without causing excessive stress in the walls thereof, and to make allowance for slight variations in container height. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the inner sealing gasket 86 also provides a seal which extends around the sides of the edge 78 to protect against air leaks between the interior and exterior of the container 72 due to the irregular shape or damage to the top of the edge 78 defining the open mouth of the container 72.
- the shroud 74 in surrounding relationship with the container 72 and in sealing engagement with the edge 78 defining the open mouth thereof, is carried by the platform 38 while filling the container 72. Since a vacuum must be created in the space between the interior of the shroud 74 and the exterior of the container 72 to prevent the inward collapse of the wall of the container 72 when a vacuum is created in the interior of the container 72 during the filling operation, an outer sealing member 90 is provided between the bottom of the shroud 74 and the upper surface of the platform 38. The outer sealing member 90 cooperates with the inner sealing member 76 to provide a substantially airtight chamber between the interior periphery of the shroud 74 and the exterior periphery of the container 72 as illustrated in FIG. 1.
- the outer sealing member 90 may be carried by either the platform 38 or the shroud 74.
- the outer sealing member 90 is carried by the shroud 74 and comprises a resilient outer sealing gasket 91 carried by a flange 92 on the bottom exterior periphery of the shroud 74.
- the outer sealing gasket 91 extends slightly below the flange 92 and is angled outwardly and downwardly from the wall of the shroud 74 to provide airtight engagement with the platform 38.
- the portion of the outer sealing gasket 91 abutting the platform 38 may be rounded as illustrated to prevent the outer sealing gasket 91 from scuffing against obstacles which may be encountered during the loading and unloading of containers.
- the filling head 16 is provided with a centrally disposed opening 52 providing communication between the top and the underside of the filling head 16, and a plurality of openings 62 providing communication between the top of the filling head and the first annular groove 54 in the bottom surface of the filling head 16.
- the filling head 16 may be a split filling head of the type disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,954,203, assigned to the assignee of the present invention and may be divided into two substantially identical halves A and B along a line 66 for the purpose of description.
- Screen frame members 55 and 57 extending between the screen 58 and an inner surface 59 of the groove 54 may be provided across the groove 54 to divide the groove 54 into two separate compartments, one in each half of the filling head 16.
- a material supply conduit 100 in fluid communication with the opening 52 which is common to both the A and B halves of the filling head 16, is connected to a supply of particulate material.
- a suitable valve 102 is provided in the material supply conduit to control the flow of particulate material through the conduit.
- the valve 102 may be any cornmercially available valve suitable for controlling the flow of particulate material in response to electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic signals.
- pressure conduits 104A and 104B vacuum conduits 106A and 106B and dust collector conduits 108A and 108B, each in fluid communication with an associated one of the screened openings 62 in the respective halves of the filling head 16, are provided.
- the pressure conduits 104A and 104B may be connected to a suitable source of pressure, e.g. atmospheric pressure
- the vacuum conduits 106A and 106B may be connected to a conventional means for creating a vacuum, e.g. a vacuum pump
- the dust collector conduits 108A and 10813 may be connected to a conventional dust collector such as a cyclone dust collector or other low vacuum source.
- Flow through each of the conduits 104A through 108A and 104B through 108B may be selectively controlled by suitable conventional valves 110A through 114A and 110B through 1148, respectively, although it should be noted that flow through the dust collector conduits 108A and 108B may be controlled by a single valve since flow through both dust collector conduits 108A and 108B will be initiated and interrupted simultaneously during a filling operation.
- the container filling apparatus is illustrated with the platform 38 in the down position, ready to be loaded with a container 72 for filling, as shown in phantom.
- a shroud 74 prior to moving a container onto the platform 38, a shroud 74 must be moved into surrounding relationship and sealing engagement with the container 72. This may be accomplished either manually or automatically by a hoist or other lifting device capable of moving the shroud 74 along a vertical path with substantial accuracy.
- the preferred device for accomplishing this movement is illustrated in FIG. 7 and comprises an inflatable member 200 generally conforming to the shape of the outer periphery of the shroud 74 and an air cylinder 202, the piston rod 204 of which is connected through a suitable linkage 206 and a guide member 208 to a retaining member 210 to which the inflatable member 200 is secured.
- the guide member 210 slidably engages a vertically disposed rod 212, secured to a suitable framework, and is driven by the air cylinder 202 along a vertical path defined by the rod 212.
- An air line 214 provides communication between a high pressure air source (not shown) and the inflatable member 200.
- the application of high pressure air to the inflatable member 200 may be controlled either manually or automatically by a suitable conventional valve (not shown) to thereby selectively control the clamping of the shroud 74 by the inflatable member 200.
- air pressure may be continuously applied, by way of the air line 214, to the inflatable member 200 to provide continuous clamping of the shroud 74 when the hoist is in the up position.
- the air cylinder 202 may be manually or automatically actuated to lower the shroud 74 over the container 72.
- the air pressure applied to the inflatable member 200 may then be released to thereby release the shroud, and the air cylinder 202 may be actuated to raise the hoist from the vicinity of the shroud.
- the inflatable member 200 may be lowered over the shroud 74 by actuating the air cylinder 202.
- the inflatable mem ber 200 may then be inflated to clamp the shroud exterior, and the shroud 74 may be raised from surrounding relationship and sealing engagement with the container 72 by actuating the air cylinder 202.
- FIG. 7 the container 72 is conveyed to a predetermined position adjacent the filling apparatus and beneath the shroud 74.
- the air cylinder 202 is actuated to lower the shroud into surrounding relationship with the container 72 and also into sealing engagement with the edge 78 defining the open mouth of the container 72 as illustrated in FIG. 1.
- Suitable, conventional inwardly biased guides 81 may be provided in at least three places around the interior periphery of the shroud 74 to insure proper engagement between the edge 78 of the container 72 and the inner sealing member 76 when the shroud 74 is lowered.
- three spring biased buttons 83 connected to the interior periphery of the shroud 74 at approximately 120 intervals may be provided. These guides tend to center the container 72 within the shroud 74 thereby insuring proper engagement.
- the air pressure applied to the inflatable member 200 is released and the cylinder 202 is actuated to remove the hoist from the vicinity of the shroud 74.
- the curved plate 68 connected to the air cylinder 64 may then be extended into contact with the exterior surface of the shroud 74 and coupled thereto, utilizing a vacuum or other suitable coupling means.
- the shroud 74, while in surrounding relationship and in sealing engagement with the container 72, may then be pulled onto the platform 38, as illustrated in phantom, through retraction of the piston of the cylinder 64.
- an air cylinder 216 having a curved, piston rod carried plate 218 generally conforming to the shape of the exterior periphery of the shroud 74, may be utilized to push the shroud and container onto the platform 38.
- the roller 70 the surface of which preferably extends slightly above the surface of the conveyor 80 and the surface of the platform 38, aids in transferring the shroud and container from the conveyor 80 onto the platform 38.
- the shroud and container When the shroud and container are positioned within the container filling zone on the platform 38, the coupling force between the curved plate 68 and the shroud 74 is released, and the air cylinder 34 is actuated to raise the shroud 74, surrounding the container 72, into sealing engagement with the sealing gasket 60 in the filling head 16 as previously described.
- the air cylinder 34 applies a continuously upward bias to the shroud 74 to ensure proper sealing between the shroud 74 and the filling head 16. Since the shroud 74 is interposed between the platform 38 and the filling head 16 and the container 72 is interposed between the resilient, sponge rubber inner sealing gasket 86 and the platform 38, the shroud 74 accepts substantially all of the axial stress produced between the platform 38 and the filling head 16.
- the dust collector valves 114A and 114B which are open from the previous filling cycle, are closed, and a vacuum is created in the container 72 by opening the valve 112A and in the space between the interior periphery of the shroud 74 and the exterior periphery of the container 72 by opening the valve 48 in the vacuum conduit 40 beneath the platform 38.
- the fill valve 102 in the material supply conduit 100 opens for a predetermined and controlled period, and a first predetermined amount of particulate material is dispensed into the container 72.
- the vacuum valve 112A closes and the vacuum valve 112B opens.
- the pressure valve 110A then opens for a period of time sufiicient to drop the vacuum in the container interior about to inches of mercury, thereby causing a flow of air into the container through the screen 58 on the A side of the filling head 16, removing particulate material which has accumulated thereon.
- This momentary flow of air through the screen 58 for cleaning purposes is preferably always insufiicient to drop the vacuum in the container 72 to zero vacuum, i.e. at atmospheric pressure.
- the fill valve 102 is again opened to dispense a predetermined amount of material into the container 72.
- the fill valve 102 is again closed as is the vacuum valve 112B.
- the vacuum valve 112A is then opened and the pressure valve 110B is opened long enough to drop the vacuum in the container about 5 to 10 inches of mercury to clean the screen 58 on the B side of the head in the manner previously described.
- the cylinder 34 is actuated to lower the shroud 74 and the container 72 and, just as the seal between the shroud 74 and the filling head 16 is broken, the pressure valves 110A and 110B and the pressure valve 50 are closed and the dust collector valves 114A and 114B in the dust collector conduits 108A and 108B are opened providing a relatively low suction in the vicinity of the underside of the filling head 16 and the top of the container 72 and the shroud 74.
- the suction tends to collect any dust in the air exteriorly of the groove 54 and tends to either hold the dust against the screen 58 or transmit the dust to a suitable conventional dust collector.
- the suction additionally prevents material which has accumulated on the screen 58 during the filling operation from dropping onto the platform 38 and into the filling zone when the shroud 74 and container 72 are removed therefrom.
- the air cylinder 64 When the platform 38 reaches the down position, the air cylinder 64 is actuated and the shroud, still in surrounding relationship and in sealing engagement with the container 72, is pushed onto the conveyor 80.
- the inflatable member 200 is then lowered over the shroud 74 and is inflated to engage the exterior periphery of the shroud 74.
- the shroud is then raised clear of the container 72 and the conveyor 80 transports the full container away while simultaneously transporting an empty container to the predetermined position adjacent the filling apparatus and beneath the shroud 74.
- the dust collector valves 114A and 114B remain open until a container and shroud have been moved into the filling apparatus and have been raised into sealing engagement with the filling head 16. These valves are then closed' prior to the commencement of the creation of a vacuum in the space in and around the container 72.
- any material which has been held against the screen 58 by the flow of air through the dust collector conduits 108A and 108B is retained against the screen 58 at all times during the loading and unloading of the filling apparatus and is allowed to drop until the shroud 74 is sealed against the filling head 16.
- the suction created by the dust collector aids the cylinder 34 in sealing the shroud 74 against the filling head 16 thereby permitting the use of a smaller cylinder 34 than would otherwise be required.
- sequence for filling containers with the system of the present invention is as follows:
- Sequence (1) Convey an empty container 72 to a predetermined position adjacent the filling apparatus and beneath the shroud 74;
- a liner may be inserted if desired.
- an impervious bag iiner may be inserted into the interior of the container 72 with the top of the liner drawn over the top edge of the shroud 74 as illustrated in phantom in FIG. 3.
- Air may be removed between the liner and the interior of the container 72 utilizing a system such as that described in the previously referenced United States patent.
- the shape of the inner sealing member 76 may be altered in a manner well known in the art to prevent air leakage around the top of the shroud 74 when filling lined containers with the system of the present invention.
- the present invention may also be employed to fill containers such as plastic bags without the use of a solidwalled container.
- the bag may be inserted into the shroud 74 with the open mouth thereof drawn over the top edge of the sealing member 76.
- the container 72 need not be utilized, in which case the bag may be filled in the same manner in which a solid container is filled.
- the previously described barrier between the shroud 74 and the container is provided, when filling bags, by the cooperation between the open mouth of the bag container and the edge 84 of the sealing member 76.
- the present invention allows a great variety of types and sizes of containers to be filled, even where slight container irregularity or damage has occurred.
- the present invention provides improved sealing with a minimum of container buckling in a relatively simple manner.
- the improved seating is aided by suction created by the dust collector and by the vacuum between the shroud and the container during filling since both the suction and the vacuum tend to raise the upwardly biased platform 38 which in turn increases the sealing force between the shroud 74 and the filling head 16.
- Container buckling is minimized since the shroud accepts most of the axial load between the platform 38 and the filling head 16. Also, since the vacuum around the outside of the container is always equal or exceeds the vacuum in the interior of the container, inward container buckling due to pressure differentials is eliminated.
- Apparatus for filling open mouth containers with particulate material comprising:
- a support member for carrying a container during a filling operation
- a substantially open-ended shroud carried by said support member and at least partially surrounding the exterior periphery of the container;
- first sealing means carried by one of said shroud and the container
- said first sealing means cooperating with the container 12 to provide a barrier between said shroud and the container to prevent the contamination of the interior of said shroud and the exterior of the container during filling, loading and unloading;
- said first sealing means cooperating with said filling head to provide a substantially airtight seal between the exterior of said shroud and the interior of the container;
- said first and second sealing means cooperating to provide a substantially airtight chamber between the interior of said shroud and the exterior periphery of the container.
- said filling head comprises:
- a generally flat plate having a centrally disposed aperture extending axially therethrough;
- a second groove substantially concentric with and outwardly displaced from said first groove, said second groove containing a resilient sealing member generally conforming to the shape of the top edge of said shroud.
- said first sealing means is carried by said shroud and includes:
- a resilient gasket deformable to conform to the shape of the peripherally extending edge defining the open mouth of the container and to sealingly engage the top and the sides of said edge;
- the apparatus of claim 2 further including:
- the apparatus of claim 4 including a resilient sealing member carried by said filling head and generally conforming to the shape of the top peripheral edge of said shroud, said sealing member being less resilient than said resilient gasket to allow said shroud to accept substantially all of the axial load produced between said support member and said filling head during a filling operation.
- Apparatus for filling, with particulate material, containers having a peripherally extending edge defining an open mouth comprising:
- a support member for carrying a container during a filling operation
- first sealing means carried by one of said shroud and the container
- said first sealing means being operable to provide a barrier between said shroud and the peripherally extending edge of the container to prevent-the contamination of the interior of said shroud and the exterior of the container by particulate material while filling, loading and unloading the container;
- said first and second sealing means cooperating to provide a substantially airtight chamber between the interior of said shroud and the exterior periphery of the container;
- said filling head comprises:
- a generally fiat plate having a centrally disposed aperture extending axially therethrough;
- a second groove substantially concentric with and outwardly displaced from said first groove, said second groove containing a resilient sealing member generally conforming to the shape of the top edge of said shroud.
- said first sealing means is carried by said shroud and includes:
- a resilient gasket deformable to conform to the shape of the peripherally extending edge defining the open mouth of the container and to sealingly engage the top and the sides of said edge;
- the apparatus of claim 8 further including:
- the apparatus of claim 10 including a resilient sealing member carried by said filling head and generally conforming to the shape of the top peripheral edge of said shroud, said sealing member being less resilient than said resilient gasket to allow said shroud to accept substantially all of the axial load produced between said support member and said filling head during a filling operation.
- Apparatus for filling with particulate material, containers having an upper portion defining an open mouth comprising:
- filling means operable to transmit particulate material
- support means adapted to support a container beneath said filling means
- a substantially open-ended shroud adapted to at least partially surround the exterior periphery of the container, said shroud being adapted to be carried by said support means;
- sealing means adapted to be connected between said shroud and an upper container portion defining an open month, said sealing means being operable to provide a barrier between said shroud and said container while filling, loading and unloading the container to prevent the contamination of the interior of said shroud and the exterior of the container by particulate material;
- Apparatus for filling open mouth containers with particulate material comprising:
- intermittently operable conveyor means for transporting a container to a predetermined position adjacent a filling apparatus
- a substantially open-ended shroud having a first resilient sealing means disposed around the interior periphery of one end thereof, and a second resilient sealing means disposed around the exterior periphery of the other end thereof, said shroud being operable to surround the exterior periphery of the container and said first sealing means being operable to provide a barrier between the interior periphery of said one end of said shroud and the edge of the open month of the container;
- said filling head includes:
- conduits communicating with a filling zone beneath said filling head
- step of filling the container with particulate material includes the step of: creating a vacuum in the interior of the container 15 and in the space between the container and the shroud to increase the effectiveness of the engagement between the filling head and the shroud and to allow the container to be filled by a vacuum filling technique without buckling the container walls.
- step of removing the shroud, while in surrounding relationship and in sealing engagement with the container, from the container filling zone includes the steps of:
Abstract
Description
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US3377570A | 1970-05-01 | 1970-05-01 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US3605826A true US3605826A (en) | 1971-09-20 |
Family
ID=21872369
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US33775A Expired - Lifetime US3605826A (en) | 1970-05-01 | 1970-05-01 | Method and apparatus for filling containers |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3605826A (en) |
JP (1) | JPS5145273B1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA932710A (en) |
CH (1) | CH539543A (en) |
DE (1) | DE2121469C3 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2090783A5 (en) |
GB (1) | GB1293704A (en) |
NL (1) | NL7105727A (en) |
Cited By (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4458734A (en) * | 1982-01-29 | 1984-07-10 | Scholle Corporation | Apparatus and method for aseptically filling a container |
US5234037A (en) * | 1989-09-15 | 1993-08-10 | B.A.G. Corporation | Vacuum fill system |
US5244019A (en) * | 1989-09-15 | 1993-09-14 | Better Agricultural Goals Corp. | Vacuum fill system |
US5279339A (en) * | 1989-09-15 | 1994-01-18 | B.A.G. Corporation | Full sack compressor |
US5316056A (en) * | 1991-03-14 | 1994-05-31 | L. E. Stott Limited | Powder dispensing apparatus |
US5375631A (en) * | 1992-04-27 | 1994-12-27 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Core material container used for vacuum heat insulators and core-material charging device as well as charging method thereof |
US5447183A (en) * | 1989-09-15 | 1995-09-05 | B.A.G. Corp. | Vacuum fill system |
US5469963A (en) * | 1992-04-08 | 1995-11-28 | Asyst Technologies, Inc. | Sealable transportable container having improved liner |
US5509451A (en) * | 1989-09-15 | 1996-04-23 | B.A.G. Corporation | Vacuum fill system |
US5531252A (en) * | 1989-09-15 | 1996-07-02 | B.A.G. Corporation | Vacuum fill system |
US5538053A (en) * | 1989-09-15 | 1996-07-23 | Better Agricultural Goals Corporation | Vacuum densifier with auger |
ES2253023A1 (en) * | 2003-05-14 | 2006-05-16 | Alberto Miro Diaz | Packaging method for packaging machine involves injecting high pressure air into chamber after creating vacuum in chamber |
CN105584652A (en) * | 2016-02-03 | 2016-05-18 | 广东粤东机械实业有限公司 | Filling device for aged butter |
US20200024013A1 (en) * | 2017-03-31 | 2020-01-23 | Laboratorios Farmacéuticos Rovi, S.A. | Process and Equipment Assembly for Aseptic Gravimetric Filling of Solids into a Container |
EP3686114A1 (en) * | 2017-12-08 | 2020-07-29 | Plf International Limited | Vacuum extraction and sealing of containers |
US11597550B2 (en) | 2018-01-10 | 2023-03-07 | Optima consumer GmbH | Device and method for degassing and gassing containers |
DE102022203817A1 (en) | 2022-04-19 | 2023-10-19 | Optima consumer GmbH | Method and device for filling an open container |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2219873B1 (en) * | 1973-03-02 | 1976-05-21 | Boracier Sa | |
JPS5462663A (en) * | 1977-10-27 | 1979-05-19 | Osamu Takebe | Automatic streamlined jet propelling article cleaning device in washing machine and cleaning machine |
-
1970
- 1970-05-01 US US33775A patent/US3605826A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1971
- 1971-03-22 CA CA108354A patent/CA932710A/en not_active Expired
- 1971-04-19 GB GB25117/71A patent/GB1293704A/en not_active Expired
- 1971-04-27 NL NL7105727A patent/NL7105727A/xx not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1971-04-27 FR FR7114955A patent/FR2090783A5/fr not_active Expired
- 1971-04-29 CH CH635071A patent/CH539543A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1971-04-30 DE DE2121469A patent/DE2121469C3/en not_active Expired
- 1971-04-30 JP JP46028093A patent/JPS5145273B1/ja active Pending
Cited By (30)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4458734A (en) * | 1982-01-29 | 1984-07-10 | Scholle Corporation | Apparatus and method for aseptically filling a container |
US5531252A (en) * | 1989-09-15 | 1996-07-02 | B.A.G. Corporation | Vacuum fill system |
US5234037A (en) * | 1989-09-15 | 1993-08-10 | B.A.G. Corporation | Vacuum fill system |
US5244019A (en) * | 1989-09-15 | 1993-09-14 | Better Agricultural Goals Corp. | Vacuum fill system |
US5275215A (en) * | 1989-09-15 | 1994-01-04 | Better Agricultural Goals Corporation | Vacuum fill system |
US5279339A (en) * | 1989-09-15 | 1994-01-18 | B.A.G. Corporation | Full sack compressor |
US5447183A (en) * | 1989-09-15 | 1995-09-05 | B.A.G. Corp. | Vacuum fill system |
US5538053A (en) * | 1989-09-15 | 1996-07-23 | Better Agricultural Goals Corporation | Vacuum densifier with auger |
US5509451A (en) * | 1989-09-15 | 1996-04-23 | B.A.G. Corporation | Vacuum fill system |
US5513682A (en) * | 1989-09-15 | 1996-05-07 | B.A.G. Corporation | Vacuum fill system |
US5518048A (en) * | 1989-09-15 | 1996-05-21 | B.A.G. Corporation | Full sack compressor |
US5316056A (en) * | 1991-03-14 | 1994-05-31 | L. E. Stott Limited | Powder dispensing apparatus |
US5611452A (en) * | 1992-04-08 | 1997-03-18 | Asyst Technologies, Inc. | Sealable transportable container having improved liner |
US5469963A (en) * | 1992-04-08 | 1995-11-28 | Asyst Technologies, Inc. | Sealable transportable container having improved liner |
US5375631A (en) * | 1992-04-27 | 1994-12-27 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Core material container used for vacuum heat insulators and core-material charging device as well as charging method thereof |
ES2253023A1 (en) * | 2003-05-14 | 2006-05-16 | Alberto Miro Diaz | Packaging method for packaging machine involves injecting high pressure air into chamber after creating vacuum in chamber |
CN105584652A (en) * | 2016-02-03 | 2016-05-18 | 广东粤东机械实业有限公司 | Filling device for aged butter |
US20200024013A1 (en) * | 2017-03-31 | 2020-01-23 | Laboratorios Farmacéuticos Rovi, S.A. | Process and Equipment Assembly for Aseptic Gravimetric Filling of Solids into a Container |
US11827391B2 (en) * | 2017-03-31 | 2023-11-28 | Laboratorios Farmacéuticos Rovi, S.A. | Process and equipment assembly for aseptic gravimetric filling of solids into a container |
US20210387760A1 (en) * | 2017-12-08 | 2021-12-16 | Plf International Limited | Vacuum extraction and sealing of containers |
US11117696B2 (en) | 2017-12-08 | 2021-09-14 | Plf International Limited | Vacuum extraction and sealing of containers |
CN111572858A (en) * | 2017-12-08 | 2020-08-25 | Plf国际有限公司 | Vacuum extraction and sealing of containers |
AU2018379447B2 (en) * | 2017-12-08 | 2021-12-23 | Plf International Limited | Vacuum extraction and sealing of containers |
US11661221B2 (en) * | 2017-12-08 | 2023-05-30 | Plf International Limited | Vacuum extraction and sealing of containers |
AU2021204648B2 (en) * | 2017-12-08 | 2023-07-20 | Plf International Limited | Vacuum extraction and sealing of containers |
EP3686114A1 (en) * | 2017-12-08 | 2020-07-29 | Plf International Limited | Vacuum extraction and sealing of containers |
US11597550B2 (en) | 2018-01-10 | 2023-03-07 | Optima consumer GmbH | Device and method for degassing and gassing containers |
DE102022203817A1 (en) | 2022-04-19 | 2023-10-19 | Optima consumer GmbH | Method and device for filling an open container |
WO2023202832A1 (en) | 2022-04-19 | 2023-10-26 | Optima consumer GmbH | Method and apparatus for filling an open container |
DE102022203817B4 (en) | 2022-04-19 | 2024-03-21 | Optima consumer GmbH | Method and device for filling an open container |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CH539543A (en) | 1973-07-31 |
DE2121469B2 (en) | 1978-07-27 |
DE2121469C3 (en) | 1979-04-12 |
GB1293704A (en) | 1972-10-25 |
NL7105727A (en) | 1971-11-03 |
DE2121469A1 (en) | 1971-11-11 |
FR2090783A5 (en) | 1972-01-14 |
CA932710A (en) | 1973-08-28 |
JPS5145273B1 (en) | 1976-12-02 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: STONE BROWN PAPER, INC., A CORP. OF DE. Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:CHAMPION INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, A CORP.OF N.Y.;REEL/FRAME:004680/0410 Effective date: 19860707 Owner name: CHAMPION INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:ST. REGIS CORPORATION 1/28/85;REEL/FRAME:004679/0807 Effective date: 19850128 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: STONE CONTAINER CORPORATION Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNORS:STONE CONTAINER CORPORATION, A CORP. OF IL, (MERGED INTO);S.C.C. MERGER CORPORATION, A CORP. OF DE, (CHANGED TO);REEL/FRAME:004893/0153 Effective date: 19870515 Owner name: STONE CONTAINER CORPORATION Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:STONE BROWN PAPERS, INC., A DE CORP., (MERGED INTO);REEL/FRAME:004893/0167 Effective date: 19861222 |