Nozzle Cleaner Patents (Class 141/90)
  • Patent number: 11971119
    Abstract: A pinch valve assembly has opposing pinch members for pinching oppositely against a fluid conduit sleeve and a hydraulic displacement mechanism acting on the opposing pinch members. The hydraulic displacement mechanism a hydraulic displacement push rod coupled to a first pinch member at one end and penetrating a hydraulic reservoir at an opposite end to displace hydraulic fluid therein and a pinch member push rod penetrating the hydraulic reservoir at one end and coupled to a second pinch members at an opposite end. As the first pinch member moves towards the sleeve to pinch against one side of the sleeve, the at least one hydraulic displacement push rod moves into the hydraulic reservoir to displace hydraulic fluid therein to cause the pinch member push rod to be pushed from the hydraulic reservoir under pressure to push against the second pinch member to pinch against an opposite side of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Inventors: Adam Miners, Allan Miners
  • Patent number: 11952252
    Abstract: Techniques regarding multi-hole nozzle architectures and/or manufacturing methods are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can comprise a multi-hole nozzle component for a filling machine, the multi-hole nozzle component having a periphery, an inlet side having a surface, and an outlet side having a surface. The nozzle component can further comprise a plurality of separate passageways extending through the nozzle component from adjacent its inlet side to its outlet side. Also, the passageways can form a plurality of openings in the surface of the outlet side of the nozzle component. Further, each of the separate passageways can have a diameter of from about 1 mm to about 3 mm and a length of from about 5 mm to about 1.5 m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Ryan Scott Goecke
  • Patent number: 11873203
    Abstract: A cleaning method of a heat sterilization system includes: a step of causing a fluid formed of a cleaning liquid or a rinse liquid to flow through the heat sterilization system; a step of supplying hot water to a second-stage heating unit to heat the second-stage heating unit; and a step of measuring fluid temperatures of the fluid at the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the second-stage heating unit, and medium temperatures of the hot water at a medium inlet of the second-stage heating unit and a medium outlet of the second-stage heating unit. An overall heat transfer coefficient (U value) of a heating pipe of the second-stage heating unit is calculated based on the fluid temperatures at the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the second-stage heating unit and the medium temperatures at the medium inlet and the medium outlet of the second-stage heating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Kuwano
  • Patent number: 11840441
    Abstract: Described herein is a coupling device configured to be mechanically coupled to a cap of a container to be in a coupled configuration. Also described herein are a corresponding method and a corresponding system. In one embodiment, the coupling device is used in combination with a crop protection spray system. The coupling device includes a single probe and a first and a second mechanical mechanism. The first and the second mechanical mechanisms are independent from each other. The first mechanism allows drawing the cap and the container towards the coupling device thereby sealing and locking the cap and the coupling device into a desired position. The second mechanism facilitates actually moving the probe thereby lifting the probe with the closure insert into the container. The coupling device may be embodied as a first, second and third tube which are arranged concentrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Inventors: Juan Sasturain, Peter Lischetzki, Robert Huber
  • Patent number: 11738983
    Abstract: A bottle filling arrangement for filling bottles and similar containers, such as glass bottles, with a beverage, and a method of operating a bottle filling arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Ludwig Clüsserath
  • Patent number: 11717005
    Abstract: A system and method for treating a portion of a food flow path in a food processor having a freezer chamber includes imparting a continuous flow of solution through a portion of the food flow path with sufficient flow rate, temperature and flow duration to impart at least one of (i) impart at least a 6 log reduction in inoculum count and (ii) extend the necessary time for manual cleaning of the portion of a food flow path exposed to the continuous flow of solution to at least 7 days.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Tuchrelo, Nathan E. Smith
  • Patent number: 11528922
    Abstract: A system, machines and consumables for the preparation of portioned amount of a cooled edible product constituting a defined number of servings which may be 1, 2, 3, etc. are provided. One example of such an edible product is ice cream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Solo Gelato Ltd.
    Inventor: Barak Beth Halachmi
  • Patent number: 11529597
    Abstract: The present invention provides a turntable color machine includes a rack, a controller is arranged on the rack, a wheel-type turntable that rotates vertically is arranged on the rack, a plurality of color paste bags are arranged on the wheel-type turntable, the color paste bags are evenly arranged along the circumference of the wheel-type turntable, the color paste bags are connected with a piston pump that is driven by a lifting mechanism to perform constant volume injection via a valve body, and a material receiving device that moves up and down is arranged at the middle of the wheel-type turntable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: ZHENGZHOU SANHUA TECHNOLOGY & INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ruhua Shen, Huan Li
  • Patent number: 11518562
    Abstract: Described herein is a method of forming individual tubes or sachets containing fluent material, and a packaging machine for doing so, are described. The side of the foil which will be in contact with the fluent material when the package is formed is exposed to plasma in mist or aerosol form as the tube or sachet is formed from a strip of laminate material (1), which is folded about a former (2) into a closed tube or sachet which passes over the open end of a dispensing tube (3) from which the fluent material is dispensed. A mist of plasma is injected into the interior of the material tube as it is formed, extracted from the area once it has passed over the interior walls of the laminate tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Inventors: Paul Newman, Mark Blackman
  • Patent number: 11472108
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a material container having a hollow interior configured to receive a material and an extruder connected below the material container to receive the material from the material container. The additive manufacturing apparatus includes a material removal device including an actuator configured to activate the material removal device to dislodge retained material from within the hollow interior of the material container and a drain passage configured to receive the dislodged material and guide the material to an exterior of the additive manufacturing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: THERMWOOD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian S. Smiddy, Scott G. Vaal
  • Patent number: 11021356
    Abstract: A bottle closing device for placing press-fit closures, such as crown corks, crown caps, and similar closures, on bottles or similar containers. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: KHS GMBH
    Inventor: Matthias Naaber
  • Patent number: 9828170
    Abstract: An aerosol product comprising an aerosol container comprising a container body and an aerosol valve fixed to an opening of the container body, and an aqueous concentrate and a propellant being filled in the aerosol container, wherein the aqueous concentrate comprises an active ingredient having reactivity with oxygen, and an inert ingredient is present in at least a part of an injection passage of the aerosol valve, even though the aqueous concentrate comprising an active ingredient having reactivity with oxygen is filled, oxidation of the active ingredient is inhibited in the aerosol valve, and an aerosol product that can be stored stably for a long period of time and a method for manufacturing the same can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Daizo Corporation
    Inventors: Kayo Nomura, Takashi Otomo, Shinya Takemoto, Satoshi Mekata
  • Patent number: 9546083
    Abstract: An apparatus for filling containers with a filling material includes a transport element that rotates in a transport direction, filling positions formed on the transport element, and a common carrier common to all positions and moving with the transport element. Each filling position has a filling element, a weighing cell secured to the carrier, a container carrier, and a functional element assigned to the filling position on the common carrier. The common carrier is adjustable to move by an adjustment unit either in or opposite to the transport direction. The adjustment unit corresponds to a distance between functional elements of filler positions that are adjacent to each other in the transport direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Jonathan Lorenz, Andreas Fahldieck
  • Patent number: 9340402
    Abstract: A supporting-and-lifting device for filling stations on a filling machine has a base element, a container carrier including a component that moves parallel to a filling-element axis, an auxiliary lifting element integrated in the container carrier, and a further piston mounted centrally in the auxiliary lifting element. The piston has a head plate. The auxiliary lifting element has, at its upper end, a container plate made from its collar-shaped upper and the head plate. The lifting element can be raised for cleaning or disinfecting. The lifting element is movable by the filling element into a sealed position. The piston is movable independently of the lifting element in a direction parallel to the filling element axis. In a work position, which represents a vertically lower end position, the piston and the lifting element in the sealed position define a rinse sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Ludwig Clusserath
  • Patent number: 8944121
    Abstract: A machine for filling containers, including a plurality of filling spouts, and a cleaning device comprising a plurality of individual tubular collecting elements rigidly mounted on a collection tube, and a device for moving the collection tube between a retracted position and a service position in which the collecting elements are in contact, via the upstream ends thereof, with the filling spouts. The collection tube laterally supports the collecting elements, such that, in the retracted position, the collecting elements are arranged between the filling spouts. The moving device capable of moving the collection tube from the retracted position thereof to the service position thereof by at least one downward vertical translational movement, followed by a horizontal movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventors: Mickael Huitorel, Eric Le Berre
  • Patent number: 8910833
    Abstract: A one-way valve is connectable in fluid communication with a fluid-receiving chamber, such as a dilution chamber or a mixing chamber for diluting or mixing a perishable food product, such as a milk product or chocolate product, and forming a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween. The valve comprises a relatively rigid valve seat, and a relatively flexible valve member overlying the valve seat and forming an axially-elongated, normally-closed valve opening therebetween defining an inlet at one end of the valve seat, an outlet at an opposite end of the valve seat, and an axially-extending seal therebetween that forms a fluid-tight seal between the inlet and outlet of the normally-closed valve opening. An axially-extending valve body is radially spaced relative to the valve member and forms a space therebetween allowing fluid-flow therethrough for cleaning the valve and the fluid-receiving chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: ALPS, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Py
  • Publication number: 20140216597
    Abstract: A filling machine for filling containers includes a rotor, a transport element, a vertical machine axis, and filling positions, each of which comprises a filling element, a container support, and a closure element, and a common actuating drive for all closure elements of the filling machine. The transport element revolves on the rotor about the machine axis. The filling positions are on the transport element. The closure element is a rinsing cap or a rinsing sleeve. Each closure element is movable by the common actuating drive between a parking position and a working position. In the parking position, the closure element is within a movement path of the filling elements. In the working position, the closure element is coaxial with the associated filling element and below the filling element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Dieter-Rudolf Krulitsch
  • Patent number: 8776842
    Abstract: A container filling arrangement and a method of operating a container filling arrangement, which container filling arrangement comprises a filling element, a closure element, a supply of cleaning and/or sterilization medium, and a control element. During a cleaning and/or sterilizing operation of the filling element, cleaning and/or sterilization medium is conducted from the supply of cleaning and/or sterilization medium to the filling element. The control element is operatively connected to the closure element and is actuatable, by fluid pressure of the cleaning and/or sterilization medium in the filling element, to increase the force of engagement of the closure element during the cleaning and/or sterilizing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Ludwig Clüsserath
  • Patent number: 8757216
    Abstract: A device for bottling liquids into containers with at least one filling member for filling liquids into the containers includes a covering device, which covers the filling member at least temporarily in order to prevent egress of liquid from the filling member. The covering device is both pivotable about a pre-set pivot axis (X) and is displaceable about a pre-set displacement direction (S), and has at least one driving device for producing movements of the covering device. The driving device serves to produce both the pivoting movement and the displacement movement of the covering device, and is designed in such a way that the pivoting movement and the displacement movement take place in an at least partially staggered manner time-wise with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Rupert Meinzinger, Josef Knott, Stefan Koller, Stefan Poeschl
  • Patent number: 8757225
    Abstract: An apparatus for filling containers with liquids and in particular with beverages may include a filling device, which fills the liquid into the container. The filling device has a valve device for controlling the liquid flow into the container including a first supply line for supplying a first liquid to the filling device and comprising a second supply line for supplying a second liquid to the filling device, wherein the first supply line and the second supply line are separate from one another at least in some sections. The apparatus may have a control device configured in such a way that, at the start and at the end of a filling process for a container, this container is filled only with the first liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Erwin Knieling
  • Patent number: 8596313
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for filling food pots (2), for example yoghurt pots, comprising a plurality of nozzles (10) for filling the pots with a food product, said nozzles (10) each being mounted in a nozzle body (30), characterized in that the device comprises means for applying to each of the nozzles (10) a translational movement along the axis (A) of the nozzle, optionally combined with a rotational movement about this axis, independently of the nozzle body (30), in such a way that the same nozzle (10) can both carry out the filling action and stop the filling. The invention also relates to a method for filling food pots using a device of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: A.R.C.I.L.
    Inventor: Paul Le Roi
  • Patent number: 8505594
    Abstract: A container filling element for filling containers with a liquid. The filling element has two liquid ducts and two separate discharge openings in a housing, as well as separate valves which control the flow of liquid for each liquid duct and discharge opening. A gas shutoff element is disposed in one of the liquid ducts and is positioned adjacent to each of the discharge openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter-Rudolf Krulitsch
  • Patent number: 8480390
    Abstract: In a device for producing and filling containers, one tube of plastic can be extruded in an open form (17). A filling device (9) having several individual functional channels (21, 39) enables the filling material to be introduced into the container by a filling mandrel (11) associated with a related form (17). A mandrel cover (27) has at least one functional space (31, 35) and establishes a media-guiding connection between its functional space (31, 35) and the associated functional channel (21, 39) of the filling device (9) for cleaning and/or sterilizing and/or drying, in its functional position, and is removed from its functional position during the production and filling of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Bernd Hansen
  • Publication number: 20130153086
    Abstract: A product filler assembly (i.e., fill valve) configured for use in association with any number of flowable material, however, it is particularly well suited for flowable material that is otherwise difficult to fill due to viscosity, surface tension and/or poor separation characteristics. Most preferably, the device is configured to provide a laminar flow of the product being filled, proportional to the size of the package. The product filler assembly includes a nozzle cutoff assembly which directs air or other fluids at the opening of the product filler assembly to separate the flowable material from the filler assembly and to reduce seal contamination of packages or containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventor: Steven Davis
  • Patent number: 8459315
    Abstract: Container filling arrangement in which a first flow channel connects a first portion of a liquid channel, adjacent a liquid valve, and a collecting channel. A second flow channel connects the first flow channel and a second portion of the liquid channel adjacent a dispensing opening. A first valve in the first flow channel may be closed upon the liquid valve being opened during container filling, and is designed to be forced open by an increase to a first pressure in the first flow channel generated by a closing of the liquid valve. The second valve is designed to be closed until forced open by an increase to a second pressure, greater than the first pressure, in the first and second flow channels. The second pressure may be generated during a cleaning and/or sterilizing of the container filling arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Ludwig Clüsserath, Dieter-Rudolf Krulitsch
  • Patent number: 8387668
    Abstract: A container filling machine includes at least one filling spout, and a cleaning device including a stationary collecting member with a passage opening, a sealing member that can be displaced between a retracted position and a service position in which said sealing member is capable of tightly sealing the passage opening, and displacement means for displacing said sealing member between the retracted position and the service position thereof. The sealing member includes an elastically deformable membrane mounted on a holder and forming therewith a tight deformation chamber capable of receiving a pressurized fluid in order to deform the deformable membrane for sealing the passage opening when said holder is displaced into the service position by the displacement means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventors: Philippe Macquet, Jean-Marie Maubois
  • Patent number: 8376189
    Abstract: A one-way valve is connectable in fluid communication with a fluid-receiving chamber, such as a dilution chamber or a mixing chamber for diluting or mixing a perishable food product, such as a milk product or chocolate product, and forming a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween. The valve comprises a relatively rigid valve seat, and a relatively flexible valve member overlying the valve seat and forming an axially-elongated, normally-closed valve opening therebetween defining an inlet at one end of the valve seat, an outlet at an opposite end of the valve seat, and an axially-extending seal therebetween that forms a fluid-tight seal between the inlet and outlet of the normally-closed valve opening. An axially-extending valve body is radially spaced relative to the valve member and forms a space therebetween allowing fluid-flow therethrough for cleaning the valve and the fluid-receiving chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: ALPS LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Py
  • Publication number: 20130008559
    Abstract: Device for dispensing a liquid under pressure where said device comprises connection means for connecting said device to the source of liquid, and where the device in the opposite end of the connection means has an outlet body which outlet body may be brought into a closed position where no liquid is dispensed, and an open position where liquid is dispensed, which outlet body incorporates a separate valve body cooperating with a valve seat, where said valve body has a head portion and a stem portion, where said stem portion in the closed position extends out of an opening in said outlet body, and where a lower surface of said head portion in the closed position is in contact with said valve seat and in said open position is out of contact with said valve seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: JENS KSA HOLDING APS
    Inventor: Jens Kristian Stig Andersen
  • Patent number: 8312901
    Abstract: An open-jet filling system, a method of filling containers by means of such an open-jet filling system used for contactless filling a container, and a corresponding filling machine, with the open-jet filling system provided with a filling level probe. For always obtaining the same filling height in the containers and for simultaneously realizing hygienic filling, a centering unit is arranged below the open-jet filling element in a vertically movable manner such that it can be moved onto a container mouth, the filling level probe being arranged on the centering unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Christian Goldbrunner
  • Patent number: 8291945
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning device for a receptacle filling machine comprising a plurality of filling spouts, and a corresponding machine. In an embodiment, the cleaning device comprises a plurality of cleaning agent recovery tubes, each recovery tube being movable between a service position in which the tube is able to recover a cleaning agent delivered by a spout, and a retracted position in which the tube is at a distance from the spout, collection apparatus to which the tubes are connected, displacement apparatus for moving the tubes between their service position and their retracted position, and sealing apparatus comprising tubular adaptors designed to fit between the spouts and the upper ends of the tubes in their service position, and to reduce axially in length, in an elastic manner, to absorb the height differences between the spouts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Maubois, Gilbert Piton
  • Patent number: 8261783
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container filling machine including at least one filling spout, and a cleaning device including a stationary collecting member with a passage opening, a sealing member that can be displaced between a retracted position and a service position in which said sealing member is capable of tightly sealing the passage opening of the collecting member for carrying out cleaning operations, and displacement means capable of displacing the sealing member from the retracted position to the service position thereof through at least one downward vertical translation displacement parallely to the longitudinal axis of the filling spout, followed by a horizontal displacement, perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the filling spout, such that the sealing member is substantially centered along the longitudinal axis of the filling spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventors: Philippe Macquet, Jean-Marie Maubois
  • Patent number: 8201594
    Abstract: A system (10) and method for substantially automatically aseptically or non-aseptically filling a container with a fluid. The transfer of fluid occurs via a movable nozzle mechanism (20) substantially automatically inserted into a side opening (32) in a connector (12) attached to the container. More specifically, the side opening (32) in the connector (12) is exposed, the nozzle mechanism (20) is moved into the side opening (32), the fluid is transferred into the container via the nozzle mechanism (20) and the connector (12), the nozzle mechanism (20) is removed from the side opening (32) in the connector (12), and the side opening (32) in the connector (12) is closed. The aseptic transfer of fluid includes a substantially automatic sterilization procedure accomplished by both spray and contact components (54,56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Scientifics, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl Martin
  • Patent number: 8002900
    Abstract: A method and apparatus 30 are provided for cleaning of bottle filling equipment 10 that has a plurality of elevated valves 18, each valve being in flow communication with filling liquid supply means 14. The method includes storing a manifold 32 that has a plurality of cleaning openings 42 in a configuration resembling that of the valves, in a position that allows clear visibility and access to the operation of the valves. The manifold 32 is lowered relative to the valves 18, so that it is below the valves and is positioned underneath the valves, with each cleaning opening 42 in flow communication with a valve. The valves 18 are rinsed with liquid flowing through the filling liquid supply 14, the valves and the manifold 32. Afterwards, the manifold 32 is removed from the valves 18 and returned to its stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: Etienne Le Roux
  • Publication number: 20110056586
    Abstract: A system (1) is for release or movement of a fluid-dispensing head (2) positioned within a dispenser (6) of fluids. The system (1) houses the fluid-dispensing head (2), which has nozzles (3) for the supply of fluids. The system (1) includes a release (7, 10, 20) for release and movement of the fluid-dispensing head (2) configured for enabling movement of the delivery head (2) between a first position of use, in which the nozzles (3) deliver fluids into a container (4), and a cleaning position or second position of use (set facing the operator) or third position of use (facing upwards), distinct from the first position of use, in which they are accessible for being cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Mario Drocco, Luca Drocco
  • Patent number: 7850788
    Abstract: A clean in place gassing manifold comprises a gassing module comprising a hub, the gassing module and the hub being formed as a unitary device; and a complimentary clean in place module for coupling the gassing module, the complimentary clean in place module comprising a head that inserts into the hub of the gassing module. The gassing module coupled with the complimentary clean in place module allow a cleaning solution to be pumped through the coupled modules at and above a minimum flow rate and a minimum velocity for effective cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Hopkins, Kevin G. Mellor
  • Publication number: 20100243101
    Abstract: A quantitation setup mechanism (58) is composed of a piston (62) which is incorporated into a quantitation tank (61) to define therein a metering chamber (63), a quantitation setup portion (65) for presetting a quantity of paint replenishment, and a sensor (66) adapted to detect a displacement of the piston (62) preset by the quantitation setup portion (65). In this instance, paint is replenished into a paint chamber (19) of a cartridge (16) by means of a paint feed mechanism (32). In the course of the paint replenishment, an equivalent amount of an extruding liquid is displaced and discharged from an extruding liquid chamber (20). The displaced extruding liquid is introduced into the metering chamber (63) of the quantitation setup mechanism (58), detecting a quantity of displacement of the extruding liquid by replenished paint by the sensor (66) through the piston (62) to exactly quantitate the paint replenishment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: ABB K.K.
    Inventor: Tomohiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7743798
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid filling nozzle 12 with at least one net-like body 23 provided at a discharge port 22 of a nozzle main body 21, in which the net-like body 23 is provided on an external side of the discharge port 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Kunii, Tsutomu Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7735687
    Abstract: An object is to smoothly clean a nozzle portion of a beverage dispenser, the beverage dispenser discharges and supplies beverage ingredients from beverage supplying nozzles, and comprises a cleaning device to clean the beverage supplying nozzles, and this cleaning device executes a cleaning operation including: a steam jetting step of jetting high-temperature steam to the beverage supplying nozzles; a water jetting step of jetting water or hot water to the beverage supplying nozzles; and a drying step of drying the surfaces of the beverage supplying nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoto Fukushima, Hiroshi Yamamoto, Takeshi Ishil
  • Patent number: 7686043
    Abstract: A container filling apparatus includes a fill nozzle for directing a liquid product into a container and an adaptor including a nozzle interface to engage the fill nozzle for a cleaning operation. An expandable member is configured to expand into a gap between the adaptor and the fill nozzle to form a seal between the nozzle interface and the fill nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Evergreen Packaging Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald Paul Berger
  • Patent number: 7632457
    Abstract: An oral feeding bottle includes a feed container with an open end and surfaces adapted to come into contact with a liquid feed in the container, a teat releasably connected to the open end and adapted to contact both the liquid feed and a person or animal feeding from the bottle, and a cap with two modes of operation, where in the first mode, the teat is connected to the container and the cap is adapted to fit over, enclose the teat, and be releaseably connected to the feed container, and where in the second mode, the cap includes a means for stowing the teat in a non-dispensing position spaced from the container, where the teat and the surfaces that contact the liquid feed are in fluid communication so that the teat and the feed container are sterilized with a fluid sterilizing medium disposed in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: MRDC limited
    Inventors: John Richard Calvert, Martyn Omar Rowlands, Michael Anthony Hobbs
  • Patent number: 7584771
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus includes a supply line (22) between a source of liquid paint (64) and an applicator (62) having at least two pigs (20A and 20B) and a source of liquid solvent (60) which delivers solvent (60) between the two pigs (20A and 20B) and the pigs (20A and 20B) are driven by paint (80) from adjacent the paint source (64) to the applicator (62). The apparatus further includes a second source of liquid solvent (60) which delivers solvent (60) between the pigs (20A and 20B) adjacent the applicator (62) and the pigs (20A and 20B) are returned through the supply line (22), thereby flushing the supply line (22). In the disclosed embodiment, the source of liquid paint (64) is a piston dosing device (70) which receives paint (80) from a color changer or the like and delivers a predetermined volume of paint (80) to the applicator (62). The delivery line (22) preferably includes a friction resistant inner layer, an intermediate dielectric layer and a protective outer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Durr Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Herre, Rainer Melcher, Herbert Martin, Michael Baumann, Richard M. Ostin, Robert F. Heldt, Manfred Michelfelder, Joachim Hering
  • Patent number: 7581571
    Abstract: A manually operated seal/closure system for a fluid dispenser manifold is disclosed. The manifold includes at least one nozzle and, more typically, a plurality of nozzles ranging from more than one to twelve or more. The manifold housing includes a sidewall or other stationary structure. The stationary sidewall is pivotally connected to an arm. The sidewall further includes a lateral slot and a curved slot. The arm includes a proximal end pivotally connected to the sidewall and a distal end with an elongated slot disposed therebetween. The closure system also includes a bracket for supporting a cup and a seal. The bracket is coupled to the arm and the sidewall by a first pin that extends from the bracket through the lateral slot in the sidewall and through the elongated slot of the arm. The brackets also coupled to the sidewall by a second pin that extends through the lateral slot of the sidewall and laterally between the first pin and the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Fluid Managment Operations, LLC
    Inventors: John Hsing, Christopher Khoo
  • Patent number: 7571749
    Abstract: Filling valve (7) for the aseptic filling of alimentary liquids characterized by the fact that the product stream flowing from the valve, in the area near by the filling mouth of the container underneath, is isolated from the atmosphere through a coaxial flow of sterile and/or inert gas (10) fed by an auxiliary circuit (2) surrounding the outlet conduit of the flowing product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: STK Stocchi Progetti SRL
    Inventor: Gabriele Stocchi
  • Patent number: 7530374
    Abstract: A system (10) and method for substantially automatically aseptically or non-aseptically filling a container with a fluid. The transfer of fluid occurs via a movable nozzle mechanism (20) substantially automatically inserted into a side opening (32) in a connector (12) attached to the container. More specifically, the side opening (32) in the connector (12) is exposed, the nozzle mechanism (20) is moved into the side opening (32), the fluid is transferred into the container via the nozzle mechanism (20) and the connector (12), the nozzle mechanism (20) is removed from the side opening (32) in the connector (12), and the side opening (32) in the connector (12) is closed. The aseptic transfer of fluid includes a substantially automatic sterilization procedure accomplished by both spray and contact components (54,56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Advanced Scientifics, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl Martin
  • Patent number: 7513279
    Abstract: A rotary beverage filling machine for filling cans with a liquid beverage. The rotary beverage filling machine comprises rinsing cap structures for closing the dispensing openings of the filling elements to permit cleaning of the filling elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: KHS Maschinen- und Anlagenbau AG
    Inventors: Herbert Bernhard, Timo Jacob
  • Patent number: 7478737
    Abstract: An apparatus allowing the automatic drawing out of beverages from bottles (wherein the bottles are kept in their vertical position) comprising a drawing tap (12) which permits the entering of the gas in the bottle, the drawing of the liquid and the cleaning of the spout channel (19) and allows an easy and hygienic substitution of the empty bottles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Inventors: Riccardo Gosi, Guido Torri, Marco Degl'lnnocenti, Lorenzo Bencista′
  • Patent number: 7350546
    Abstract: A filling valve apparatus having a flange for mounting to a beverage filling machine. A shank extends through the flange and is mounted to the beverage filling machine. A locking device is coupled to the shank with the locking device having an unlocked position loosely connected to the shank and a locked position with at least a portion of the locking device wedged between the flange and the shank for fixedly securing the filling valve apparatus to the beverage filling machine. The subject invention also includes a servicing kit for servicing the filling valve apparatus. The servicing kit includes the shank, the locking device, and a wrench assembly as well as other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: ADCOR Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Demetrios Stavrakis, Edwin K. Ruble, Michael J. Brown
  • Patent number: 7143793
    Abstract: An automatic cleaning apparatus and/or method for periodically cleaning a filling machine during a filling cycle without the need for human interaction to initiate the cleaning process. In some embodiments, a controller automatically initiates a cleaning sequence at predetermined intervals. The predetermined intervals can be a time interval, such as every thirty minutes for example, or based upon filling characteristics, such as after a predetermined number of containers are filled or a predetermined amount of product has flowed through the filling machine. In some embodiments, the controller performs many operations during the cleaning process. For example, the controller can prevent containers from entering the filling machine and control the operation of a cleaning manifold. Upon completion of the cleaning operation, the controller waits a predetermined period while filing operations commence before automatically initiating the next cleaning operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: JohnsonDiversey, Inc.
    Inventor: Clifford E. Vaughn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7108024
    Abstract: An automated apparatus for the simultaneous filling of precise quantities of viscous liquid material to a plurality of containers in a sanitary environment, including a sanitary pump for delivering under pressure the viscous liquid material to a viscous liquid material manifold, a pump pulsation dampening assembly for dampening any pulsating output produced by the sanitary pump, and a plurality of fill valves for simultaneously dispensing a precise amount of viscous liquid material to the containers during a filling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Cott Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramon M. Navarro
  • Patent number: 6996956
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser generally includes a housing and a valving rod disposed in and movable within the housing, the valving rod including a central bore, at least one inlet for receiving a cleaning solvent, and one or more outlet ports in fluid communication with the bore, wherein the outlet ports are capable of directing cleaning solvent radially outwards from the bore and against an interior surface of the dispenser to facilitate the removal of at least a portion of any fluid product or derivatives thereof that may be in adherence with such interior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Charles R. Sperry, Neil E. Rice, Jr., Suzanne Scott