Single Serving Beverage Container Filling and Sealing System and Method

Abstract

An apparatus for filling a single serving beverage container comprising a hopper with at least one first hole at a hopper outlet, at least one push block located below the at least one first hole, the at least one push block further comprising at least one tube, and a tray located below the at least one push block, where the tray further comprises at least one second hole configured to retain the single serving beverage container. The hopper further comprises a method for directing a quantity of a material to be output through the at least one first hole into the at least one tube. The tray is structured and arranged to move linearly. A direct contact heat sealing device, further comprising a handle, an induction heat source, a direct contact sealing head, and a base.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C § 119(e) of the prior U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/555,938 filed Sep. 8, 2017 entitled “Induction Heat Sealing Machine with Direct Contact Sealing Head and Cup Holding Tray” and prior U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/508,924 filed May 19, 2017 entitled “Manual Power Filling Machine”, the contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference in their entirety, and are not admitted to be prior art with respect to the present invention by the mention in this cross-reference section.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for filling and sealing single serving beverage containers. More specifically, the present invention is an apparatus that fills single serving beverage containers with accurate portions and reduces buildup for consistent performance, and an induction heat sealing device with a direct contact sealing head for sealing a foil lid on the single serving beverage containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Commonly, granular powder filling machines are manufactured with a hopper, but use a rotating auger where the rate of the powder movement is controlled by the auger speed. In such an arrangement, a sticky powder will adhere to the auger, thereby, variably reducing the quantity of powder fed into the cup. This auger process will fill only one cup at a time. Additionally, other granular powder machines are automated and very expensive to purchase.

Additionally, induction heat sealing machines typically seal bottles and jars that have a cap or lid. The foil lid is placed inside the cap and the cap is screwed onto the bottle or jar. The induction heat sealing machine is then put on top of the cap, not making contact with the foil, to seal the lid in place on the bottle or jar. These types of machines cannot be used to seal foil lids if the container has no cap or lid.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a more efficient way of measuring, filling and sealing a single serving beverage container. The present invention described herein is designed to be more accurate and consistent in filling the container while being fast and affordable for the home, business, or small business operator.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a single serving beverage container filling and sealing system and method. More specifically, the present invention is an apparatus for filling a single serving beverage container comprising a hopper with at least one first hole at a hopper outlet, at least one push block located below the at least one first hole, the at least one push block further comprising at least one tube, and a tray located below the at least one push block, where the tray further comprises at least one second hole configured to retain the single serving beverage container. The hopper further comprises a method for directing a quantity of a material to be output through the at least one first hole into the at least one tube. The tray is structured and arranged to move linearly. Lastly, the at least one first hole is offset from the at least one second hole.

The method for directing a quantity of a material is preferably a paddle wheel extending across an inside of the hopper, where the paddlewheel further comprises an axel, a plurality of paddles, and a handle. The plurality of paddles are preferably coupled to the axel, the axel extends through each side of the hopper, and the handle is attached to the axel outside of the hopper. The at least one tube in the at least one push block is preferably sized to accommodate the precise amount of coffee to fill a common single serving beverage container, such as a k-cup.

The present invention preferably further comprises a direct contact heat sealing device, further comprising a handle, an induction heat source, a direct contact sealing head, and a base. The heat sealing device is structured and arranged to provide heat to seal a foil lid onto the single serving beverage container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a Single Serving Beverage Container Filling and Sealing System according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the Single Serving Beverage Container Filling and Sealing System according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a push block of the Single Serving Beverage Container Filling and Sealing System according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a paddle wheel of the Single Serving Beverage Container Filling and Sealing System according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the Single Serving Beverage Container Filling and Sealing System according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of a heat sealing apparatus of the Single Serving Beverage Container Filling and Sealing System according to the alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a direct contact sealing head of the heat sealing apparatus of the Single Serving Beverage Container Filling and Sealing System according to the alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is provided for purposes of explanation, but not limitation, of the present invention. Specific details set forth in the following embodiments provide for a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details described in the preferred embodiments are not limitations required to practice the present invention, and the present invention may be practiced in embodiments that depart from those described.

Now referring to FIG. 1, the invention described herein is a single serving beverage container filling and sealing system 100 preferably comprising a hopper 110 with at least one first hole 112 at a hopper outlet 114, at least one push block 120 located below the hopper outlet, where the at least one push block 120 further comprises at least one tube 122; and a tray 130 located below the at least one push block 120, where the tray further comprises at least one second hole 132 configured to retain the single serving beverage container 134. Alternately preferably, the hopper 110 further comprises a lid 140.

As shown in FIG. 2, the hopper 110 is preferably structured with the two sides of the hopper vertical 116 and the front and rear sides 118 vertical. Alternately preferably, the hopper 110 is preferably structured with the two sides of the hopper vertical 116 and the front and rear sides 118 angles such that the hopper is wider at a top portion and narrower at a bottom portion.

As further shown in FIG. 1, the at least one push block 120 is preferably structured and arranged to move linearly below the hopper outlet 114 from a filling position to a dispensing position. The filling position preferably aligns the at least one tube 122 with the at least one first hole 112 for the material in the hopper 110 to fill the at least one tube 120. The at least one push block 120 moves into the dispensing position where the at least one tube 122 is lined up with the at least one second hole 132 in the tray 130.

As further shown in FIG. 2, the tray 130 preferably comprises at least one second hole 132 configured to hold a single serving beverage container 134, such as a k-cup for common single serve brewers. The at least one first hole 112 is preferably offset from the at least one second hole 132. The tray 130 preferably further comprises a handle 136 with which to move the tray 130 linearly from a filling position to a sealing position.

As further shown in FIG. 1, the hopper preferably further comprises a lid 140. The lid is preferably removable and fits securely over the top of the hopper 110. Alternately preferably, the lid 140 is hinged along a rear edge of the hopper 110 so that it stays attached to the hopper 110 and merely raises to allow more material to be added to the hopper.

As shown in FIG. 3, the at least one push block 120 further comprises a tube 122 extending vertically through the entire thickness of the at least one push block. The at least one push block 120 preferably further comprises a push block handle 124 extending outwardly. The at least one tube 122 is preferably sized to provide the exact quantity of material to fill the single serving beverage container.

As shown in FIG. 4, the hopper preferably further comprises a method for directing a material into the at least one first hole. The method for directing the material is preferably a paddlewheel 150 extending across an inside of the hopper, where the paddlewheel further comprises an axel 152, a plurality of paddles 154, and a paddlewheel handle 156. The plurality of paddles 154 are preferably coupled to the axel 152, and the axel preferably extends through each side of the hopper such that the handle 156 is preferably attached to the axel 152 outside of said hopper.

As further shown in FIG. 4, the paddlewheel handle 156 is preferably turned manually which in turn preferably turns the paddlewheel 150. The paddlewheel 150 preferably sits within the material within the hopper and preferably pushes a predetermined quantity of the material across the at least one first hole where the quantity of material drops through into the at least one push block. Alternately preferably, the axel 152 is coupled to an electric motor structured to turn the paddlewheel 150.

As shown in FIG. 5, the single serving beverage container refilling system preferably further comprises a direct contact heat sealing device 160 configured to seal a foil lid 170 onto the single serving beverage container to seal the quantity of material within the single serving beverage container. The heat sealing device preferably further comprises a handle 162, an induction heat source 164, a direct contact sealing head 166, and a base 168. The handle, induction heat source, and base are a common hand-held induction heat sealing machine. The induction heat source is preferably attached to a distal end of the handle and a push button is preferably located on a proximate end of the handle. Depressing the button provides power from the base to the induction heat source. The heat energy is preferably transferred through the direct contact sealing head onto the foil lid. In this alternate embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the single serving beverage container refilling and sealing system is preferably configured to sit on the heat sealing device base.

As shown in FIG. 6, the direct contact sealing head preferably further comprises a plurality of holes 172 and an extension 174 structured to fit within the at least one second hole in the tray. The extension 174 is preferably circular and sized to match the top of a single serving beverage container. The direct contact sealing head 166 is preferably configured to removably attach to the induction heat source. Alternately preferably, the direct contact sealing head is removably attached with screws. Alternately preferably, the direct contact sealing head further comprises a riser removably attached to the direct contact sealing head. The riser is preferably a ring configured to fit over the bottom heating surface of the induction heat source.

A method for filling and sealing a single serving beverage container comprises the steps of: pouring a material into a hopper, sliding a push block with at least one tube into a filling position wherein said material drops through at least one first hole located in a hopper outlet at a bottom of said hopper, moving said push block into a dispensing position wherein said material drops into at least one single serving beverage container held within at least one second hole in a tray, sliding said tray outwardly from under said hopper. Alternately preferably, the method for filling and sealing a single serving beverage container further comprises the step of: turning a paddlewheel to direct the material from the hopper into the hopper outlet.

The method for filling and sealing a single serving beverage container further comprises the steps of: placing a foil lid onto said single serving beverage container; fitting a direct contact induction heat device onto said foil lid, wherein said direct contact induction heat device further comprises a handle, an induction heat source, a direct contact sealing head, and a base power unit; activating said direct contact induction heat device to provide heat to said foil lid onto said single serving beverage container.

Although the present invention has been described by way of example, it should be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, where known equivalents exist to specific features, such equivalents are incorporated as if specifically referred to in this specification.

Claims

1. An apparatus for filling a single serving beverage container, comprising:

a hopper with at least one first hole at a hopper outlet;

at least one push block located below said hopper configured to move linearly from a first position and a second position, said at least one push block further comprising at least one tube, and

a tray located below said at least one push block, said tray further comprising at least one second hole configured to retain said single serving beverage container;

wherein said tray is structured and arranged to move linearly; and

wherein said at least one first hole is offset from said at least one second hole.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a method for dispensing a material within said hopper to said at least one first hole into said at least one tube when said tray is in a first position.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said method for dispensing a material is a paddle wheel extending across said hopper, said paddlewheel further comprising an axel, a plurality of paddles, and a handle, wherein said plurality of paddles are coupled to said axel, wherein said axel extends through each side of said hopper, and wherein said handle is attached to said axel outside of said hopper.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a lid structured to cover said hopper.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said paddlewheel is turned manually.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said paddlewheel is turned by an electric motor.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a direct contact heat sealing device, further comprising a handle, an induction heat source, a direct contact sealing head, and a base.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said direct contact sealing head further comprises a plurality of holes and a circular extension configured to make direct contact with and seal a foil lid on top of said single serving beverage container.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a riser configured to fit over said induction heat source, wherein said direct contact sealing is removably attached to said riser.

9. An apparatus for filling and sealing a single serving beverage cartridge, comprising:

a hopper with at least one first hole at a hopper outlet, said hopper further comprising a method for dispensing a quantity of a material through said at least one first hole;

at least one push block located below said hopper, said at least one push block further comprising at least one tube;

a tray located below said at least one push block, said tray further comprising at least one second hole configured to retain said single serving beverage cartridge; and

a heat sealing device structured and arranged to provide heat to seal a foil lid onto said single serving beverage cartridge;

wherein said heat sealing device

wherein said tray is structured and arranged to move linearly; and

wherein said at least one first hole is offset from said at least one second hole

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said method for dispensing a quantity of a material is a paddle wheel extending across said hopper, said paddlewheel further comprising an axel, a plurality of paddles, and a handle, wherein said plurality of paddles are coupled to said axel, wherein said axel extends through each side of said hopper, and wherein said handle is attached to said axel outside of said hopper.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a lid structured to cover said hopper.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said paddlewheel is turned manually.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said paddlewheel is turned by an electric motor.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a riser configured to fit over said induction heat source, wherein said direct contact sealing is removably attached to said riser.

15. A method for filling and sealing a single serving beverage container comprising the steps of:

pouring a material into a hopper;

sliding a push block with at least one tube into a filling position wherein said material drops through at least one first hole located in a hopper outlet at a bottom of said hopper;

pulling said push block into a dispensing position wherein said material drops into at least one single serving beverage container held within at least one second hole in a tray; and

sliding said tray outwardly from under said hopper.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of:

turning a paddlewheel to direct said material from said hopper into said hopper outlet.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprises the steps of:

placing a foil lid onto said single serving beverage container;

fitting a direct contact induction heat device onto said foil lid, wherein said direct contact induction heat device further comprises a handle, an induction heat source, a direct contact sealing head, and a base power unit;

activating said direct contact induction heat device to provide heat to said foil lid onto said single serving beverage container;

removing said direct contact induction heat device from said foil lid; and

removing said single beverage container.