Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PACKAG~ FIILING ~rHo~ A~ ~PPA~A~S
Field of_The Invention
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for filling packa~es,
such as pouches, with liquids and preventing a splashing of the filling
substance. In particular, this invention relates to a nozzle ~hich
includes means to prevent excess liquid from flowing in-to the pouch or
bottle and means to maintain the exit of the nozzle above the level of the
liquid in the pouch or bottle during filling, and the method o using this
valve to fill pouches and bottles.
_ackground of The Invention
Many problems are confronted in the filling of pouch containers. One
of these problems is the splashing of the liquid as it is being filled into
the container. Another problem is a dripping from the nozzle after the
container has been filled. Such splashing and dripping will result in a
contamination of the seal area of the container. E~cessive splashing can
also result in the con-tainer having less than the stated amount of the
liquid. When the container is a pouch, the problem is more the
contamination of the seal area. This is the case since in many instances
the pouch is being formed and filled in the same sequence. That is, the
pouch is formed from a sheet of film, and when formed to a point having a
sealed bottom and seale~ sides, it is filled. Then the top is sealed.
A problem arises if the region that is to comprise the top seal has
become coated with the substance being filled into the pouch container.
This is caused by a turbulent flow splashing of the substance in the pouch
during filling and a dripping from the nozzle at the termination of
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filling. Elowever, regardless of the exact cause of the coating
of the interior surface with product, it is known to be
deleterious to the subsequent formation of good seals. It is
therefore an objective to minimize this splashing and the
dripping from a nozzle after a filling cycle.
Summar~_of the Inventlon
The present invention is directed to a method and
apparatus for filling container packages, and in particular for
filling flexible film pouches.
The invention provides an anti-drip nozzle for filling
containers with liquids comprising an elongated tubular member
having an aperture therethrough for the flow of a liquid, means
at the upper end o~ said tubular member for the introduction of
a liquid, at least one screen means at the other end of said
tubular member to direct flow and to decrease drip formation,
at least one suction means in the region adjacent to said screen
to remove excess liquid on said screen, and means to raise said
tubular member during the filling of said container to maintain
the screen on the other end of said tubular member above the
level of the liquid in the container being filled.
From another aspect, the invention provides a method
of filling a container with a liquid comprising: (a) providing
an elongated tubular nozzle having a channel therethrough for the
delivery of a li~uid to a container including a plurality of
screens and suction means adjacent to said screens; (b) moving
said nozzle into a container to adjacent the bottom of said
container; (c) flowing a liquid through said nozzle and moving
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the exit end of said nozzle to maintain said nozzle exit end
above the level of the liquid in the con~ainer; (d) ceasing the
flow of liquid from said nozzle; and (e) activating said suction
means to remove liquid from the region of said screens.
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When a pouch i~ ~eing f illed, the nozzLe wl l l ~p~ly be ~ p~lrt of a
form/f ill sequence . When the pouch has been forrned to a point where there
are sealed bottom and sides, the pouch is in a condition for filling. At
this point, the nozzle is near the bottorn of the pouch. The nozzle is
activated to f low a given amount of liquid into the pouch . Concurrently
the nozzle is raised to maintain the nozzle above the level of the liquid
f lowing into the pouch . When the given arnount of liquid has f lowed into
the pouch the flow ceases and by means of suction excess liquid in the
region of the one or more screens of the nozzle is rernoved by means of the
suction. This reduces drip forrnation upon the cessation of the flow of
liquid .
Brief Description of The Drawings
Figure 1 is an elevational view in section of the f ill nozzle assernbly
in a closed position.
Figure 2 is an elevational view in section of the f ill nozzle assernbly
in an open position.
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the f ill nozzle assernbly of
Figure 1 along line 3-3.
Figure 4 is an elevational view of the f ill nozzle at the start of the
f illing of a container .
Figure 5 is an elevational view of the f ill nozzle with the container
above half full.
Figure 6 is an elevational view of the f ill nozzle with the container
having been f illed .
Detailed Description of The Invention
In Figure 1, the f ill nozzle 10 is shown in a closed position. In
this position, no liquid can exit through opening 23 of the nozzle 10. The
nozzle consists of body 14 which receives liquid through channel 12 of
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c~nduit 11. Liqui~,,is received fr~m conduit ~6 thrGya~ opening 35. This
conduit 11 also supports the nozzle and provides the means for raising arld
lowering the nozzle during container filling cycles. Conduit 11 threadl~
engages nozzle body 14 by means of threads 13. Conduit 15 in the nozzle
body permits liquid to flow into valve stem housing 16 and to the area of
the valve seat 17 of the nozzle. The liqui~ pa6ses around valve stem guide
26 of valve stem 18 to the region of valve seat 17. The lower part of the
valve stem contacts the valve seat when the valve is in a closed position.
This will stop the flow of liquid. When in an open position as shown in
Figure 2, the conduit 15 will communicate with'chamber 21 with liquid
flowing from conduit 15 into chamber 21. At the lower part of chamber 21,
there are one or more screens 22 adapted to induce a laminar flow to the
liquid that is being flowed. After flowing through the screen the liquid
will exit the nozzle through aperture 23. Com~unicating with chamber 21
are one or more conduits 20 which serve to re~ove any excess liquid from
chamber 21 after the flow of liquid from conduit 15 to chamber 21 ceases.
This liquid is removed by means of a suction drawn on conduits 20.
The nozzle 10 is preferably an electro~echanical device, but it could
be a mechanical device. As an electromechanical nozzle, a magnetic field
induced in coils 25 causes the magnet 27 to move upwardly. The magnet is
an integral part of valve stem guide 26. Stops 28 as well as the seat 18
will limit the movement of stem 17.
Figure 2 shows the nozzle in an open position. The valve stem is in a
downward position thus permitting liqui-d'to flow through conduit 15 to
chamber 21. The li~uid will flow through screen 22 and exit via aperture
23. When the nozzle again closes, a suction is drawn on conduits 20 in
order to remove excess liquid from chamber 21.
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- Figure 3 shows! a cross-section of the nozzle a1p~cl line 3--3 of Plgur~
1. Here there is shown nozzle body 1~, chamber 21, valve stem 17 ~1hd
suction conduits 20.
Figures 4 to 6 show the nozzle filling a container. In Figure 4,
nozzle 10 is shown to be fully within container 30 and filling the liquid
31 into the container. Th0 liquid flows from nozzle 10 in an essentially
laminar flow. This is the result of having passed through the screen. In
Figure 5, the container 30 is shown to be about half full of liquid. In
this view, the nozzle 10 has moved upwardly to keep the aperture 23 of the
nozzle just above the level of the liquid 31 in the container. In Figure
6, the container 30 is shown to be full. The nozzle is located above the
level of the liquid and the flow oE liquid from -the nozzle has ceased. ~t
this point, a suction is drawn on conduits 20 so as to remove e~cess liquid
from the lower part of the nozzle, i.e., from the region of the screen or
screens.
The primary functions of the screen or screens 22 are to impart a
laminar flow to the liquid exiting the no7zle and to aid in preventing drip
from the nozzle when it is in a closed position. This screen can be a
single screen or a plurality of stacked screens. It is preferred that a
single screen be used and that it have a thickness of about 0.1 mm
(milimeters) to 10 mm and preferably about 0.2 mm to 5mm. The screen will
have a mesh opening of about 0.1 to 5 mm, and preferably about 0.5 to 2.5
mm. This will be sufficient to produce channels through which the liquid
will flow thus inducing an essentially laminar flow.
It is also preferred that the nozzle be of a diameter to essentially
fill the cross-section of the container during filling. For a pouch, this
will be about 60 to 90 percent of the diameter of the container. When the
container is a jar, this will be about 60 to 90 percent of the neck opening
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of the jar. A larg~ diam~ter nozzle ~liLL pr~c1uce L~$5 spl~shig since the
liquid will flow at a lower velocity. In addition, the risk of hiyhly
turbulent flow is minimized. In this way splashing and the conta~ination
of the inner walls of the container is reduced.
The nozzle lO is moved upwardly and downwardly either mechanically,
hydraulically or pneumatically. In hydraulic or pneumatic actuation, there
will be a piston directly or indirectly affixed to conduit ll. A liquid or
a gas acting on this piston will raise and lower nozzle lO. In a
mechanical operation, the conduit ll can have a gear such as a rack gea~ as
a part of its exterior surface. Then a gear me~hing with this rack will
raise and lower the nozzle. Other mechanical arran~ements can also be
used. In Figure 1, there is shown an hydraulic or pneumatic technique for
raising and lowering nozzle lO. There is shown here bar 37 which is
connected to piston rod 38 of piston 3~ which moves in cylinder 40.
Cylinder 40 is braced on support 41. A fluid or a gas is pumped into
aperture 42' or aperture 42" in order to move the piston and thus valve lO.
A mechanical technique is shown in Figure 2. Here gear rack 43 is rigidly
attached to conduit ll. The rota-tion of gear 44 causes the nozzle lO to
move upwardly and downwardly.
In filling a film pouch, the nozzle is move~ do~nwardly to near the
bottom of the pouch and liquid flow into the pouch is ini-tiate~. As the
liquid flows into the pouch, the nozzle is moved upwardly in order to
maintain the bottom of the nozzle above the level of the liquid in the
pouch. When the given amount of liquid has been flowed into the pouch, the
flow of liquid ceas~s and a suction is drawn on the bottom portion of the
valve in order to prevent drip formation. Excess liquid is drawn from the
area of the one or more screens of the nozzle into a recycle tank. The
suction is then ter~nated and no~le is ready to b~ b ~ ~(ar~ ~ ~other
cycle commenced.
A prime objective of this filling nozzle is to prevent the liquid that
is being filled into pouches and other containers from splashing up around
the fill nozzle and wetting the film in the area where a seal will have to
be made in a subsequent step. If the area that is to comprise -the seal has
been wetted with product, there is the potential for a weaker seal being
formed.
The foregoing sets out the preferred modes of the present invention.
Modifications and variations can be made to suit~ particular purposes.
However, such modifications and variations would constitute a practice of
the present invention.
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