METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FILLING A CONTAINER HAVING A TUBE SPOUT FITMENT

Abstract

A machine and method for filling a container having a tube spout fitment. The machine includes a filling tube interconnected to a first reservoir. The first reservoir holds a product intended to be delivered to the container. The machine preferably a valve controls the delivery of the product from the first reservoir to the container. The fill tube includes an opening configured to fittingly engage the opening of the tube spout fitment. The machine is operable to mount the fill tube onto the tube spout container such that the inner surface of the fill tube is in contact with the outer surface of the tube spout fitment so as to deliver products into the container.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus, such as a machine, and method for filling a container having a tube spout fitment. More specifically the present invention relates to a machine and method for filling the container through the tube spout fitment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Containers with tube spout fitments are currently known and used. Such containers typically hold consumable products such as beverages, powders and the like. These containers come in various sizes and may be formed out of sheets of laminate material such as aluminum or treated polymers. Such containers are commonly mass produced and filled by a filling machine so as to produce a packaged product ready for commercial use. The filling machine may be one of a plurality of machines arranged in an assembly line. The filling machine includes a fill tube in communication with a reservoir.

Currently, containers with tube spout fitments are filled by placing the fill tube within the opening of the tube spout fitment. The fill tube is configured to be placed within the opening of the tube spout such that the outer surface of the filling tube does not touch the inner surface of the tube spout. This configuration prevents contamination of the tube spout fitment.

It is known that the rate at which such a container is filled is limited by the opening of the tube spout fitment. Specifically, the greater the area of the opening the more volume can be poured therethrough. Accordingly it remains desirable to increase the filling rate so as to increase the production rate of the containers. Furthermore, machine imprecision may cause the filling tube to touch the inner surface of the tube spout fitment during filling. Thus, there exists the potential for contaminating the container. Accordingly it is also desirable to have a machine and a method of filling containers with tube spout fitments that allows a manufacturer to produce a filled container at a greater rate without contaminating the containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus and method for filling a container having a tube spout fitment is provided. The apparatus, also referred to as a filling machine, includes a fill tube interconnected with a first reservoir. The first reservoir holds a product intended to be delivered to the container. The filling machine also includes a valve system for controlling the delivery of the product from the first reservoir to the container. The fill tube is interconnected to the first reservoir, and the valve system is mounted between the first reservoir and the fill tube. The filling machine is operable to mount the fill tube onto the tube spout container and deliver the product from the first reservoir into the container through the tube spout fitment. Specifically, the fill tube is mounted onto the tube spout fitment such that the inner surface of the fill tube is in contact with the outer surface of the tube spout fitment. Accordingly the containers may be filled at a greater rate than the prior art as the fill tube has an opening which is greater than the opening of the tube spout fitment. The inner surface of the fill tube may be flushed with a cleanser after filling a predetermined number of containers so as to prevent contamination of the pouch body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an assembly line having a plurality of machines directed towards producing a filled container, the assembly line includes a filling machine operable to fill the container through the tube spout fitment;

FIG. 2 is an isolated view of an embodiment of a filling machine;

FIGS. 3a-3b is an illustration showing an embodiment of a fill tube filling the container through the tube spout fitment;

FIGS. 4a-4c is an illustration of the first preferred embodiment of the fill tube filling a container, the fill tube includes a seal mounted to the inner surface of the fill tube;

FIG. 5a is a perspective view of an illustration of the second preferred embodiment of the fill tube;

FIGS. 5b-5d is an illustration showing how the fill tube of FIG. 5a helps align itself onto the tube spout fitment;

FIG. 6 is a list of the steps for a method of filling a container having a tube spout fitment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a method and machine 10, also referred to herein as filling machine 10, for filling a container 12 having a tube spout fitment 14. The tube spout fitment 14 has an outer surface 18 and a tube spout opening 16 having a first predetermined area 24. The fill tube 20 has an inner surface 26 defining a passageway for product to flow through. The filling machine 10 includes a fill tube 20 having a fill tube opening 22 having a second predetermined area 25.

With reference now to FIGS. 2, 3a and 3b, an illustration of an embodiment of the filling machine 10 is provided. The second predetermined area 25 of the fill tube opening 22 is slightly larger than the first predetermined area 24 of the tube spout opening 16 such that when the fill tube 20 is mounted onto the tube spout fitment 14 the inner surface 26 of the fill tube 20 is in contact with the outer surface 18 of the tube spout fitment 14 so as to prevent products from leaking during filling operations. Thus the fill tube 20 encloses the opening 22 during filling operations. As such, the filling machine 10 and method has the utility of filling containers 12 with tube spout fitments 14 at a greater rate than currently known filling machines, and helps prevent contamination of the container 12.

The filling machine 10 further includes a first reservoir 28 for holding products to be delivered to the container 12. The fill tube 20 is in communication with the first reservoir 28. A valve 30 configured to control the delivery of the product from the first reservoir 28 to the container 12. Preferably the valve 30 is mounted to the fill tube 20 downstream the first reservoir 28. The valve system 30 may be controlled by any programmable controller 32 currently known and used in the art, illustrative including a programmable logic controller. The programmable controller 32 is operable to adjust the valve 30 so as to deliver a predetermined amount of product to the container 12.

The fill tube 20 may be formed of a material of sufficient rigidity such that the fill tube 20 remains generally elongated when slidingly mounted onto the tube spout fitment 14. Specifically, the material must have sufficient rigidity so as to engage the fill tube opening 22 and allow the inner surface 26 of the fill tube 20 to slidingly engage the outer surface 18 of the tube spout fitment 14 and enclose the tube spout fitment 14. Such material may include nylon, metal or a hardened plastic. The tube spout fitment 14 is preferably formed of a material with sufficient rigidity so as to remain generally upright and facilitate the fill tube 20 being fittingly mounted thereon. Any material having sufficient rigidity currently known and used in the art is suitable for use herein, illustratively including hardened polymer.

The filling machine 10 may further include a first drive 34 controlled by the programmable controller 32. The first drive 34 is operable to mount the fill tube 20 onto the tube spout fitment 14 so as to deliver product from the reservoir to the container 12. When mounted the inner surface 26 of the fill tube 20 is flush against the outer surface 18 of the tube spout fitment 14 thus product is prevented from leaking while the container 12 is being filled.

The filling machine 10 may further include a second reservoir 36 containing cleansing fluid. The second reservoir 36 is also connected to the fill tube 20. The valve 30 may also control the release of cleansing fluid from the second reservoir 36. More specifically, the programmable controller is operable to actuate the control valve so as to prevent discharge of product from the first reservoir 28 and to release cleansing fluid from the second reservoir 36. Preferably, cleansing fluid is released each time after a container is filled so as to prevent the containers from being contaminated. Thus, the valve releases the cleansing fluid so as to flush the inner surface of the fill tube 20 free of any residual product.

With reference again to FIG. 2, the fill machine may also include a pump 30a to release the cleansing fluid or the product. Alternatively, the cleansing fluid and product may be delivered through the fill tube with gravity assist.

The fill machine 10 may be equipped with a rail system 38 operable to automatically deliver and align the tube spout fitments 14 to the fill tube 20. The machine 10 is operable to move the container 12 along the rail system 38 and align the tube spout fitment 14 to the fill tube 20 using a rail drive 40 and a first sensor 42. The first sensor 42 is operable to detect the position of the container 12 so as to determine if the tube spout fitment 14 is aligned to receive the fill tube 20. As shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, once the first sensor 42 determines that the tube spout fitment 14 is aligned to receive the fill tube 20 the machine 10 will actuate the first drive 34 so as to mount the fill tube 20 onto the tube spout fitment 14. Such sensors are currently known and used in the art, any of which are adaptable for use herein. Other known and used systems for aligning the tube spout fitments 14 to the fill tube 20 are also suitable for use herein, illustratively including indexing the rail so as to position the container to receive the fill tube 20.

With reference now to FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c, a first preferred embodiment of the fill tube 20 is provided. In the first preferred embodiment the fill tube 20 further includes a seal 44 disposed along the inner surface 26 of the fill tube 20. The seal 44 has a sealing surface 44a that encloses an area slightly greater than the outer surface 18 of the tube spout fitment 14. More specifically, the sealing surface 44a encloses an area of the second predetermined area 25. The fill tube opening 22 of the first preferred embodiment has a third predetermined area 27 that is larger than the second predetermined area 25. Thus, when the fill tube 20 is mounted onto the tube spout fitment 14, the inner surface 26 of the fill tube 20 is spaced apart from the outer surface 18 of the tube spout fitment 14. Additionally, the sealing surface 44a of the seal 44 is flushingly engaged with the outer surface 18 of the tube spout fitment 14.

The seal 44 is made of a pliable material such as a rubber, elastomer, silicon, polyisoprene, or other like polymer. The seal 44 is pressed between the inner surface 26 of the fill tube 20 and the outer surface 18 of the tube spout fitment 14 so as to further prevent products from leaking while the container 12 is being filled. Specifically, as

As the fill tube 20 is engaged onto the tube spout fitment 14 the tube spout opening 16 will come in contact with the seal 44. As the fill tube 20 is further pressed into engagement with the tube spout fitment 14 the seal 44 becomes compressed between the inner surface 26 of the fill tube 20 and the outer surface 18 of the tube spout fitment 14 so as to place the sealing surface 44a into engagement with the outer surface 18 of the tube spout fitment 14 and prevent products from leaking while the container 12 is being filled.

The tube spout fitment 14 may further include a stop 46. The stop 46 extends radially from the outer surface 18 of the tube spout fitment 14. With reference again to FIG. 4c, the machine 10 will continue to press the fill tube 20 onto the tube spout fitment 14 until the distal end 20a of the fill tube 20 comes into contact with the stop 46 of the tube spout fitment 14. Once the fill tube 20 is fully engaged with the tube spout fitment 14, the filling machine 10 delivers product into the container 12.

As clearly seen in FIG. 4c, the third predetermined area 27 of the fill tube opening 22 is larger than the second predetermined area 25 enclosed by sealing surface 44a of the seal 44. Thus the fill tube 20 accommodates greater machine tolerances. Specifically, machine tolerance may be overcome as the third predetermined area 27 of the fill tube opening 22 makes it easier to align and mount the fill tube 20 onto the tube spout fitment 14. Furthermore, increasing the area of the fill tube opening 22 reduces the chances of the inner surface 26 touching the outer surface 18 of the tube spout fitment 14 during mounting operations thereby decreasing the chance of contamination. Yet further, the seal 44 provides a small contact area between the fill tube 20 and the tube spout fitment 14 relative to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, thus further reducing the chance of contamination.

With reference now to FIGS. 5a-5d, a second preferred embodiment of the fill tube 20 is provided. As illustrated by FIGS. 5a-5d, the fill tube 20 is generally cone shaped. The fill tube 20 includes a first end portion 50 opposite the fill tube opening 22. The fill tube 20 further includes a mid-portion 20b spaced apart the fill tube opening 22. The fill tube opening 22 is wider than the mid-portion 20b so as to give the fill tube 20 a generally cone shape. The inner surface 26 of the mid-portion is configured to fittingly enclose the outer surface 18 of the tube spout fitment 20. The fill tube opening 22 is greater than the first predetermined area 24 of the tube spout fitment opening 16. Accordingly, similar to the second preferred embodiment, the fill tube 20 facilitates the engagement of the fill tube 20 onto the tube spout fitment 14. Specifically, the opening 22 narrows to the first predetermined area 24 as the opening 22 proceeds to the mid-portion 20b, forming a general cone shape. The cone shape helps direct to opening 16 of the tube spout fitment 14 into a fitting engagement with the fill tube 20 as the fill tube 20 is mounted thereto.

With reference now to FIG. 5b, the tube spout fitment 14 is shown slightly misaligned to the center of the fill tube 20 so as to represent machine intolerance during mounting operations. The upper opening 16 of the tube spout fitment 14 is pressed against a portion of the inner surface 26 of the fill tube 20. As the fill tube 20 is pressed down, as indicated by the arrow, the tube spout opening 16 slides along the inner surface 26 of the fill tube 20 as shown in FIG. 5C.

The tube spout fitment 14 of the second preferred embodiment may further include a stop 46. The stop 46 extends radially from the outer surface 18 of the tube spout fitment 14. The tube spout fitment opening 16 is guided upwardly along the inner surface 26 of the fill tube 20 until the stop 46 abuts against the inner surface 26 of the fill tube 20. The tube spout fitment opening 16 is spaced a predetermined distance apart from the stop 46 so as to be positioned fittingly within the mid-portion 20b of the fill tube 20. Thus, the tube spout fitment opening 16 is placed in communication with the first reservoir 28 and the container 12 is ready for filling operations.

With reference again to FIG. 1, the operation of the filling machine 10 is illustrated. The filling machine 10 may be stand alone or may be integrated into an assembly line 11. For illustrative purposes, the operation of the filling machine 10 is provided wherein the filling machine 10 is one of a plurality of machines in the assembly line 11. Each machine in the assembly line 11 is configured to perform a specific task so as to sequentially and logically mass produce a packaged product. The assembly line 11 may include a rail system 38 for automatically transferring the containers 12 to each machine within the assembly line 11.

The assembly line 11 may be configured so as to manufacture a packaged product from raw material. For instance, the assembly line 11 may include a sheet cutting machine (not shown) which cuts a roll of laminate material into sheets. A container forming machine (not shown) may be located downstream the sheet cutting machine. The container forming machine seals the edges of two sheets together to form the body of the container 12. A tube spout fitment mounting machine may be located downstream the container forming machine. The tube spout fitment machine is configured to mount a tube spout fitment 14 onto the formed container 12.

The programmable controller 32 is operable to transfer the formed container 12 downstream the rail system 38 to the filling machine 10. The programmable controller 32 actuates the second drive 33 so as to align tube spout fitment 14 with the fill tube 20. The programmable controller 32 then actuates the first drive 34 of the filling machine 10 to mount the fill tube 20 onto the tube spout fitment 14. Specifically, the position sensor 42 detects if the tube spout fitment 14 is in alignment to receive fill tube 20. When the tube spout fitment 14 is properly aligned to the fill tube 20, the first drive 34 lowers the fill tube 20 onto the tube spout fitment 14. Preferably, the filling machine 10 is equipped with a second sensor 52 such as a pressure sensor which can detect when the distal end 20a of the fill tube 20 abuts against the base 46 of the tube spout fitment 14. The second sensor 52 is also in communication with the programmable controller 32 so as to prevent the first drive 34 from continuing to advance the fill tube 20 when the distal end of the fill tube 20 abuts against the base 46 of the tube spout fitment 14. Thus, the second sensor 52 detects when fill tube 20 is fully mounted onto the tube spout fitment 14. After the container 12 is filled with product, the programmable controller 32 may be further operable to actuate the pump 30a so as to draw excess air, gases, or product from the container.

After filling the container 12 the machine 10 will continue to operate in the above fashion so as to fill the next container 12 upstream the rail. The programmable controller 32 further actuates the rail drive 40 so as to transfer the filled container 12 downstream the rail system 38 to where other machines may perform other tasks directed towards producing a packaged product. For instance, a spout rinsing machine, cap installation machine, and a pouch rinsing machine may be located downstream the filling machine 10 so as to perform operations directed towards readying the container for commercial use. Additionally, a tamper seal machine (not shown) may be included that places a tamper evident seal on the tube spout fitment 14. The rail drive is operable to deliver the next unfilled container upstream the filling machine 10 to the fill tube 20 for the filling operations described above.

Upon filling a predetermined number of containers 12 the machine 10 may then actuate the valve 30 so as to dispense the cleansing fluid through the fill tube 20 and clean the fill tube 20 before filling more containers 12. Specifically, the programmable controller 32 actuates the valve 30 so as to release cleansing fluid contained in the second reservoir 36 through the fill tube 20.

With reference now to FIG. 7 a method for filling a container 12 having a tube spout fitment 14 with an outer surface 18 having a second predetermined area 25 and a tube spout opening 16 is provided. The method begins with the step of providing a first reservoir 28 containing product to fill the container 12 with. The method further includes the step of providing a fill tube 20 with an inner surface 26, and a fill tube opening 22 having a first predetermined area 24. The fill tube 20 is interconnected with the first reservoir 28, and the fill tube opening 22 is slightly larger than the tube spout.

The method proceeds to the step of mounting the fill tube 20 onto the tube spout fitment 14 such that the inner surface 26 of the fill tube 20 is in contact with the outer surface 18 of the tube spout fitment 14. The method then proceeds to the step of delivering a predetermined amount of the product contained in the first reservoir 28 to the container 12 through the opening of the tube spout fitment 14. The method may further include the step of providing a seal 44 disposed along the inner surface 26 of the fill tube 20, wherein the seal 44 encloses an area slightly larger than the opening of the tube spout fitment 14.

The method may also include the step of cleaning the fill tube 20 with cleansing fluid. Specifically, a second reservoir 36 containing cleansing fluid is also connected to the fill tube 20. The cleansing fluid may be flushed through the fill tube 20 so as to cleanse the inner surface 26 of the fill tube 20 and prevent contamination of the containers 12.

Claims

1. A machine for filling a container with product, the container having a tube spout fitment having an outer surface and a tube spout opening, the machine comprising:

a fill tube having an inner surface and a fill tube opening, wherein the fill tube opening is configured to slidingly engage the outer surface of the tube spout fitment, and wherein the inner surface of the fill tube is in contact with the outer surface of the tube spout fitment when the fill tube is mounted thereon; and

a first drive for mounting the fill tube opening onto the tube spout fitment so as to deliver product to the container, and wherein the inner surface of the fill tube is flush against the outer surface of the tube spout fitment when the fill tube is mounted onto the tube spout fitment so as to prevent product from leaking while the container is being filled.

2. The machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fill tube is elongated and the inner surface of the fill tube is generally uniform.

3. The machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the tube spout opening has a first predetermined area and the fill tube opening has a second predetermined area.

4. The machine as set forth in claim 1, further including a first reservoir for holding product to be delivered to the container, wherein the fill tube is in communication with the first reservoir.

5. The machine as set forth in claim 4, further including a valve for controlling the delivery of product from the first reservoir to the container, wherein the valve is mounted on the fill tube downstream the first reservoir.

6. The machine as set forth in claim 1, further including a first drive for mounting the fill tube onto the tube spout fitment such that the inner surface of the fill tube slides against the outer surface of the tube spout fitment.

7. The machine as set forth in claim 2, further including a seal disposed along the inner surface of the fill tube, the seal having a sealing surface, and wherein the sealing surface defines an area having the second predetermined area, and wherein the opening of the fill tube has a third predetermined area, wherein the third predetermined area is larger than the second predetermined area so as to place the inner surface of the fill tube apart from the outer surface of the tube spout fitment when the fill tube is mounted thereon, and wherein the seal is pressed between the inner surface of the fill tube and the outer surface of the tube spout fitment so as to place the sealing surface into engagement with the outer surface of the tube spout fitment and prevent products from leaking while the container is being filled.

8. The machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fill tube further includes a mid-portion spaced apart the fill tube opening, and wherein the fill tube opening is wider than the mid-portion so as to give the fill tube a generally cone shape, and wherein the inner surface of the mid-portion is configured to fittingly enclose the outer surface of the tube spout fitment.

9. The machine as set forth in claim 8, wherein the tube spout fitment further includes a stop, the stop extending radially from the outer surface of the tube spout fitment, wherein the stop is spaced apart from the tube spout fitment opening.

10. The machine as set forth in claim 9, wherein the stop is configured to engage the inner surface of the fill tube so as to prevent the fill tube from advancing past a predetermined point, and wherein the opening is fittingly engaged with the mid-portion of the fill tube at the predetermined point.

11. A machine as set forth in claim 7, wherein the seal is made of a pliable material selected from the group consisting of rubber, elastomer, silicon, and polyisoprene.

12. A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fill tube is made of a rigid material selected from the group consisting of nylon, metal, and plastic.

13. A machine as set forth in claim 4, further including a second reservoir containing cleansing fluid, wherein the valve system is operable to release cleansing fluid through the fill tube so as to cleanse the fill tube.

14. A machine as set forth in claim 13, further including a rail system having a rail drive, and a sensor wherein the rail drive is operable to advance a container along the rail, and the sensor is operable to detect the position of the container so as to determine if the tube spout fitment is aligned to receive the fill tube.

15. A method of filling a container with a product, the container having a tube spout fitment having an outer surface and a tube spout opening, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a fill tube having an inner surface, a fill tube opening and a seal, and wherein the fill tube opening is slightly larger than the tube spout opening, wherein the fill tube is interconnected with the first reservoir; and

mounting the fill tube onto the tube spout fitment, wherein the inner surface of the fill tube is in contact with the outer surface of the tube spout fitment so as to prevent the product from leaking while the container is being filled.

16. A method as set forth in claim 15, further including the step of providing a first reservoir containing the product to fill the container with, and delivering the product contained in the first reservoir to the tube spout fitment when the fill tube is mounted thereon.

17. A method as set forth in claim 15, further including the step of providing a seal disposed on the inner surface of the fill tube, wherein the seal is pressed between the inner surface of the fill tube and the outer surface of the tube spout fitment.

18. A method as set forth in claim 15, further including the step of providing a second reservoir interconnected with the fill tube, wherein the second reservoir contains cleansing fluid and is operable to release the cleansing fluid through the fill tube.