Abstract: A filling apparatus for serially filling multiple lanes of containers includes a plurality of piston pumps which receive flowable product from an associated source. Each pump includes a reciprocably movable pump piston, which can “float” upwardly during a filling stroke, as each pump is filled with product delivered thereto under pressure. The pump pistons can move upwardly independently, until each reaches a predetermined position, corresponding to the quantity of product with which each container is to be filled. After all of the pistons reach their respective predetermined positions, valves of the pumps are simultaneously operated, and the pistons simultaneously stroked so that respective containers are filled with the flowable product. The multiple lanes of containers are thereafter indexed, and the filling cycle repeated.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling containers including a pump housing having a pump chamber, a product inlet in communication with a supply of product under pressure, a product outlet and a piston positioned therein. The piston is movable by the supply of product under pressure between advancing and retracting positions where product is discharged from the chamber and through the outlet during the advancing stroke and the chamber is filled with product during the retracting stroke. A first valve is included to regulate the flow of product through the outlet and a second valve is included to regulate the flow of product between opposite sides of the piston. By controlling the opening and closing of the first and second valves, the pressure of the product enables movement of the piston to eject product and fill the chamber as desired.

Abstract: An intermittently operated, indexing container conveying system is particularly configured for versatile use with an associated container filling apparatus. In distinction from previous arrangements, the present system includes a servo-drive motor for effecting intermittent indexing movement of a container-carrying endless conveyor. Programmable controls of the system facilitate operation of the system for optimizing efficiency, facilitating use of the system with containers of differing configurations, and with food products exhibiting varying physical properties (i.e., such as viscosities). The present system permits acceleration and deceleration rate of the conveyor to be selectively varied, as well as selective variation of indexing pitch and stop points of the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling containers includes a food product fill pump having a valve member and pump piston operated by respective cam drives. A servo-controlled drive motor drives the cams, whereby the speed of the pump operation can be controlled independently of an associated container conveyor. Significantly, the servo-control of the apparatus permits the pump piston of the food pump to be operated during its container-filling advancing stroke at a substantially constant speed, while the pumping cycle time is selectively varied by selectively varying the speed of the piston retraction stroke.

Abstract: An ice cream filling apparatus for simultaneously filling multiple ice cream containers as they move along a predetermined path of travel extending between a receiving station and a discharge station and a method of operating the filling apparatus in a manner controlling the volumetric fill of each container as a function of the speed that the container moves along its predetermined path of travel. The filling apparatus includes a transport and filling mechanism which quickly and easily adapts to different size and shape containers and includes a series of cantilevered container supports. Each container support individually holds and positions an ice cream container beneath a filling nozzle in a manner facilitating clean operation of the filling apparatus and such that board caliper and bouncing of the container have an inconsequential effect on volumetric fill accuracy of the filling apparatus.

Abstract: A valve assembly having a diaphragm valve configured for efficient cleaning and sterilization, and a method for operating the valve assembly in a manner controlling the fluid material flow therethrough and for effecting cleaning thereof. The valve assembly includes a valve body defining inlet and outlet ports. The diaphragm valve is operably arranged between the ports. An actuator mechanism selectively positions the diaphragm valve relative to a valve seat defined by the valve body. A selectively operated clamping mechanism arranged on one side of the diaphragm valve develops a clamping force which is used to seal the diaphragm valve against an annular sealing surface area defined by the valve body. A cleaning system arranged on an opposite side of the diaphragm valve facilitates internal cleaning of the valve assembly, including the diaphragm valve and the annular sealing surface area upon release of the clamping force acting against the diaphragm valve.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for destacking and dispensing cup-like containers, such as for use in association with an automated product packaging machine, are disclosed. The apparatus includes pairs of upper and lower jaws associated with each stack of containers received by the apparatus. Both the upper and lower jaws are mounted for movement inwardly and outwardly relative to each stack, with the lower jaws further mounted for vertical movement relative to the upper jaws. By this arrangement, the lower jaws can be operated to destack and separate the lowermost container of each stack, so that the separated container is received on a product conveyor of the packaging machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming a package of alternately inverted containers, wherein an array of the containers is formed with adjacent containers relatively inverted. In accordance with the invention, a supply of containers is formed into first and second product streams, with each of the containers in the second product stream inverted. The containers are presented by an indexing mechanism to a reciprocating diverting gate mechanism, wherein the forward-most container of each product stream is diverted. In this manner, a pair of further product streams are formed, wherein the containers of each stream are alternately inverted. The containers are subsequently collated for heat-shrink packaging.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming tamper-evident, sealed containers are disclosed. A plurality of filled containers are respectively fitted with generally annular, heat-shrinkable seal members, with the seal members heated by passage through a heat tunnel so that they shrink into conformance with the respective containers. In order to further conform the heat-shrinkable members to the containers, the containers are passed beneath a rotatably driven, resiliently deformable foam roller assembly, which engages each seal member, and urges it downwardly into further conformance with its respective container. In the preferred form, the roller assembly is driven so that its peripheral speed is less than the speed at which the sealed containers are moved therebeneath.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for preforming a heat-shrinkable member to a pre-selected configuration which may at least partially conform to a container to which the member is to be applied. The preformed member is subsequently applied to the container so that the member is retained in association therewith, such as for tamper-indication. The heat-shrinkable member is initially preformed by the use of a preforming mandrel which may be at least partially configured like the configuration of the container. After the member has been heat-shrunk on the preforming mandrel, it is positioned in association with the container, and thereafter heated so as to further conform the heat-shrinkable member to the configuration of the container. By this technique, hightly desirable control of the heat-shrinking process is achieved, thus assuring proper conformance of the heat-shrinkable member to its associated container.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for continuously applying heat-shrinkable members to containers, such as for formation of tamper-evident seals, protective sleeves, labels, or the like. The apparatus includes a conveyor for carrying and moving the containers, and further includes an inclined gravity feed magazine for holding a quantity of the annular-shaped heat-shrinkable members. The apparatus includes a transfer mechanism which uniquely functions to apply a suction to each of the heat-shrinkable members received from the feed magazine so that each member is releasably retained at an acute angle with respect to the direction of movement of the containers on the conveyor. In this way, each container engages its respective one of the heat-shrinkable members to move it from the transfer mechanism into association with the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for formation of tubular segments from a generally continuous tube of material by internally cutting the tube of material. The apparatus of the present invention includes a forming mandrel upon which the tube of material to be cut is carried, and upon which the tube is preferably spirally wound. The apparatus further includes a rotary cutter assembly mounted within the forming mandrel. The cutter assembly includes a cutter arbor and a blade actuating rod, with one or more cutting blades of the cutter assembly operatively associated with the actuating rod and the arbor such that relative axial movement of the actuating rod and the cutter arbor moves the cutting blades inwardly and outwardly of the forming mandrel of the apparatus. A cam mechanism is provided for effecting this desired relative axial movement.