Rotary Set Of Heads Patents (Class 141/144)
  • Patent number: 11958645
    Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing and inserting a pre-determined number of material-filled pouches into containers are disclosed. A system includes a pouch providing system comprising a plurality of lanes, wherein each one of the plurality of lanes includes a pouch making machine and a hold-back structure. The system also includes a conveyor system structured and arranged to move a plurality of containers into alignment with the plurality of lanes. The system further includes a controller structured and arranged to control the hold-back structure in each one of the plurality of lanes such that the pre-determined pouches are inserted into the plurality of containers when the plurality of containers are aligned with the plurality of lanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: James D. Evans, Herbert Cary Longest, Tamika S. Murrell, Robert V. Powell, Jr., Jeremy Straight, Jarrod Chalkley
  • Patent number: 11419315
    Abstract: The Title of this invention is Tabletop Apparatus for Filling and Sealing Drinking Straws with Honey or Other Viscous Liquids Using Centrifugal Force. This is an apparatus for filling and sealing the ends of drinking straws (or other small round reservoirs) with viscous liquids such as honey, syrup, sauces, and oils. The filled straws will hold about 5 ml of liquid and can be used for samples or snacks. The apparatus is designed in such a manner that particles under 4 mm can also be included in the straws. Examples of such inclusions are poppy seeds, pollen grains, apple bits, sesame seeds, and other. The inclusions are generally edible items. Using a specially designed holder and an impulse sealer the straws are then sealed several at a time on one end only before being inserted into the apparatus. After filling, the second end is sealed using the same method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Inventors: Tony A. Schwager, Terri Lisa Schwager
  • Patent number: 11293797
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide a liquid product dispensing system. Cans are transported onto a weigh plate. The weigh plate is coupled to a dispensing system such that, when the can is filled with product to a predetermined weight, the dispensing system stops the flow of product into the can. A transport system then moves the filled cans from the weigh plate and moves another set of empty cans onto the weigh plate, and the process continues, enabling high-speed production of canned beverages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Fronhofer Design LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Ketchum, Paul Fronhofer
  • Patent number: 11274025
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for processing plastic containers within an open aseptic converter chamber comprising a sanitized environment, a supply line, a sanitizer device, a perforator device, a sealing device, and a conveyer. During operation, the method includes: providing and filling a container with heated or heatable liquid including water; sealing the container with a seal or cap; cooling the container to create a first headspace pressure; enclosing the container within the chamber; creating an opening in the seal or cap within a sanitized environment of the perforator device; increasing the first headspace pressure to a second headspace pressure by introduction of a sanitized fluid; resealing the container within a sanitized environment of the sealing device; and, transporting or conveying the sealed container away from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: David Melrose Design Limited
    Inventors: David Murray Melrose, Campbell Melrose-Allen
  • Patent number: 11247889
    Abstract: An auto-calibration system for a beverage container packaging machine that includes a filler comprising one or more fill heads for filling one or more beverage containers. The filled beverage containers may be weighed at a weigh station of the auto-calibration system. A conveyance mechanism conveys a filled beverage container from the weigh station, wherein the conveyance mechanism may be clocked. The auto-calibration system may also include a control system in electronic communication with the conveyance mechanism and the weigh station. The control system optimizes the operation of the fill heads by tracking each of said one or more filled beverage containers, comparing the weight measured of each of said one or more filled beverage containers to a pre-determined target weight and a minimum weight; and then adjusting the operation of the one or more fill heads if said measured weight varies from said target weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Twin Monkeys Beverage Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian LeFevre, Josh Van Riper
  • Patent number: 11174144
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a storage and distribution unit for a container filling plant and a method for storing and distributing the containers. A store is provided, which comprises storage areas for containers, the storage areas being distributed in a grid pattern, a container feed for connection to a discharge line section of a filling line, and a container outlet for connection to inspection units. The storage and distribution unit comprises a robot for putting filled containers into storage by transferring them from the container feed to the storage areas as well as for taking the containers out of storage by transferring them from the storage areas to the container outlet. Making use of a programmable control unit, the robot can be controlled for selectively taking the containers out of storage independently of the moment in time at which and/or the sequence in which they have been put into storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Markus Zoelfl, Rudolf Fiegler, Stefan Raith, Peter Lindner
  • Patent number: 11148923
    Abstract: A device for filling a container with a filling product, preferably for filling a glass container with a beverage in a bottling plant, comprising a filling valve for introducing the filling product into the container to be filled, a control device for controlling the filling valve, and a filling level sensor which communicates with the control device for detecting the presence of a target filling level (HS) of the filling product in the container, the control device being configured to close the filling valve upon detection of the target filling level (HS), the control device being configured to determine the presence of the target filling level (HS) by means of the filling level sensor again after the filling valve has been closed and to initiate an ejection process for the container if it is detected that the target filling level (HS) has been undershot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Manfred Ziegler, Florian Angerer
  • Patent number: 11014798
    Abstract: A filling system includes a center wheel that conveys vessels, a first filler provided with a plurality of filling heads, a second filler provided with a plurality of filling heads and arranged downstream from the first filler, a first inlet wheel that receives the vessels from the center wheel and supplies the vessels to the first filler, and a second inlet wheel that receives the vessel from the center wheel and supplies the vessels to the second filler. Operation modes are switchable between a first operation mode that conveys the vessels to the first filler and a second operation mode that conveys the vessels to the second filler instead of conveying to the first filler by controlling the reception of the vessels at the first and second inlet wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: SHIBUYA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukinobu Nishino, Katsunori Tanikawa, Koji Kaya, Kengo Ikeda, Shigeki Koishi, Masaaki Eda
  • Patent number: 10815110
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide a liquid product dispensing system. Cans are transported onto a weigh plate. The weigh plate is coupled to a dispensing system such that, when the can is filled with product to a predetermined weight, the dispensing system stops the flow of product into the can. A transport system then moves the filled cans from the weigh plate and moves another set of empty cans onto the weigh plate, and the process continues, enabling high-speed production of canned beverages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Fronhofer Design LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Ketchum, Paul Fronhofer
  • Patent number: 10591370
    Abstract: A dynamometer (5) in a dynamometer device (1) is assembled on the top of a dynamometer-side bed (6), and the dynamometer-side bed (6) is removably attached to a tank-side bed (15) located on the top part of a bed tank (3). Consequently, at the time of the disassembling of the dynamometer device (1) for maintenance or the like, it is possible to easily separate a dynamo body (4) and the bed tank (3) from one another by simply taking down the dynamometer-side bed (6) from the tank-side bed (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: MEIDENSHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Shimizu, Shigeo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10220969
    Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing and inserting a pre-determined number of material-filled pouches into containers are disclosed. A system includes a pouch providing system comprising a plurality of lanes, wherein each one of the plurality of lanes includes a pouch making machine and a hold-back structure. The system also includes a conveyor system structured and arranged to move a plurality of containers into alignment with the plurality of lanes. The system further includes a controller structured and arranged to control the hold-back structure in each one of the plurality of lanes such that the pre-determined pouches are inserted into the plurality of containers when the plurality of containers are aligned with the plurality of lanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: James D. Evans, Herbert Cary Longest, Tamika S. Murrell, Robert V. Powell, Jr., Jeremy Straight, Jarrod Chalkley
  • Patent number: 10016924
    Abstract: A method for operating an apparatus for sterilizing containers where the containers are each held and are transported along a predefined path by means of a movable carrier, and a plurality of sterilization units are arranged on the carrier, each having rod-like bodies that are introduced into the containers and apply charge carriers onto an internal wall of the containers. The charge carriers exit through an exit window of the rod-like bodies, as the charge carriers move in a longitudinal direction relative to the rod-like bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Josef Knott, Guenter Frankenberger, Hans Scheuren
  • Patent number: 9896281
    Abstract: A container-processing machine includes a rotor with processing positions formed thereon, a transfer station, and a static lifting element used by all the processing positions. Each processing position has a processing head and a container carrier. The lifting element is a static lifting element that is used by all of the processing positions. When the processing position is at the transfer station, the lifting element causes relative motion between a container carrier and a processing head of the processing position. This causes the processing position to transition between receiving and discharge states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter-Rudolf Krulitsch
  • Patent number: 9574860
    Abstract: A simple ammunition casing resizer helps eliminate the problem of the casing becoming frictionally stuck with the resizing die. The ammunition casing resizer is a table top secured base that has a die plate located above the base with the resizing die removably secured within the die plate. A resizing frame reciprocates in up and down fashion under the guidance of either a manually controlled handle or an electrical motor. A ram is positioned below the resizing die while a push rod is positioned above the die such that the ram and push rod, each attached to the frame, travel in up and down reciprocating lockstep. As the ram travels upwardly, the ram presses a casing into the die for resizing and as the ram travels downwardly, the push rod passes through the top of the die and into the interior of the casing, pushing the casing out of the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventor: George Wayne Mobley
  • Patent number: 9168223
    Abstract: A system and associated aspects thereof are disclosed regarding custom-compounding of drug products such as pills and polypills for particular patients, herein involving adaptations of “micro-dosing” technology to permit sufficiently small and precise amounts of drug substances or optionally formulations thereof to be controllably and automatably handled and dispensed so as to help create customized drug products that do not necessitate bulking or dilution of the drug substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Tailorpill Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth Mimnaugh Alfano
  • Patent number: 9010387
    Abstract: Method for filling containers with liquids, wherein the containers are filled using a plurality of controllable filling elements and the liquid is fed to these filling elements starting from a reservoir, common to the filling elements, for storing the liquid, wherein during the filling the containers are transported at least in sections along a circular track and wherein the filling of the containers by at least one filling element is controlled as a function of at least one first parameter characteristic of the liquid in the reservoir and this parameter is determined repeatedly at given intervals of time during the filling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Rupert Meinzinger, Stefan Poeschl, Sebastian Baumgartner
  • Patent number: 8991442
    Abstract: A rotary filling machine includes a magnetic funnel attachment that can be easily installed, removed, and reinstalled into the machine for cleaning, changing the size of the funnel, inspecting, or replacing a damaged funnel. The magnetic funnel attachment includes a fill plate segment for receiving one or more funnels, and a funnel for attachment to the fill plate. The fill plate and funnel have mating alignment mechanisms to assist in the correct positioning of the funnel on the fill plate segment, and magnets to assist in the coupling of the funnel to the fill plate segment. This is especially helpful in creating a quick and easy method for funnel installation and removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Spee-Dee Packaging Machinery, Inc.
    Inventors: David Navin, Mark D. Green
  • Patent number: 8944291
    Abstract: A dosing unit includes a piston movable along a first axis in a cavity of a casing, provided with an inlet and with an outlet for a product to be dosed, and in a further cavity of the casing, connected to and substantially coaxial with the cavity and provided with a further outlet for cleaning and/or sterilizing fluids. The casing includes an internal tubular element in which the cavity is made and a covering element that externally envelops the internal tubular element and extends from an end of the internal tubular element in such a way as to form the further cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: IMA Life, S.r.l.
    Inventors: Luca Sassatelli, Claudio Trebbi
  • Patent number: 8936052
    Abstract: A filling machine for the filling of containers with a liquid product, with a plurality of filling elements provided on a rotor or a rotor segment that can be driven in rotation around a vertical machine axis. The surfaces of the filling machine that come into contact with the liquid product between a product storage and a dispensing opening are made of a material which is of a higher grade, such as stainless steel, than the elements of the rotor or rotor segment that support the product bowl and the filling elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Beisel
  • Patent number: 8925597
    Abstract: A beverage fill valve actuator adapted for being sealing mounted thru the wall of a beverage fill tank, the actuator having an elongated housing formed with an axial bore extending completely therethrough and providing a tubulate bearing structure at its inner end, a camshaft rotatably mounted in the bore and having its distal end rotatably mounted within the bearing structure with a predesigned selected clearance therebetween, and wherein the camshaft, bearing and barrel structures allow axial motion of the camshaft within the bore of from about 0.002 in. to about 0.020 in. while maintaining the selected clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Bernie Beringer
  • Patent number: 8925596
    Abstract: A dispensing apparatus including an adjustable intake conveyor assembly, two receiving conveyor assemblies to receive product from the intake conveyor assembly, two rake assemblies for metering the product on the receiving conveyor assemblies, two upper funnels at downstream ends of the receiving conveyor assemblies for containing and redirecting product, two funnel groups to pass product falling from the upper funnels to targets moving below the funnel groups. Each funnel group includes a plurality of dispensing funnels, and each dispensing funnel is connected to adjacent dispensing funnels and moves along a racetrack shaped rail in synchronization with the moving targets below the dispensing funnels. A guide pan lowers and raises the dispensing funnels toward and away from the targets for precise deposits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Mark J. Freudinger
  • Patent number: 8915405
    Abstract: A dosing apparatus includes a dosing unit provided with a casing for supporting or containing a dosing device and a support device that are associated in particular with a filling machine, for supporting and locking the dosing unit in a mounting configuration. The apparatus further includes a coupling device associated with a casing and slidingly insertable into or disconnectable from a guide of the support device along a first direction. The support device further includes a fixing device for reversibly locking the coupling device to the guide in the mounting configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: IMA Life S.R.L.
    Inventors: Luca Sassatelli, Claudio Trebbi
  • Patent number: 8915270
    Abstract: Filler devices having an enclosure sub-assembly are provided herein. Filler devices may include at least one of a reservoir and at least one working valve for dispensing the product into a container. Enclosure sub-assemblies may include an enclosure frame, an enclosure member, at least one hinge, and at least one magnetic latch assembly, wherein the at least one magnetic latch assembly comprises a body having a magnet associated therewith, and wherein the at least one magnetic latch assembly is fixedly secured to one of the enclosure frame or the enclosure member upon displacement of the enclosure member from a closed position to an open position, and releasably, magnetically secured to the other of the enclosure frame or the enclosure member upon displacement of the enclosure member from a closed position to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Fogg Filler Company
    Inventor: Benjamin Fogg
  • Patent number: 8915404
    Abstract: A dosing apparatus includes a dosing unit having a piston movable along a first axis in a cavity of a casing and a joint for removably connecting a first end portion of the piston t to a movement mechanism arranged for moving the piston. The first end portion includes a seat that is suitable for receiving a clutch portion of the joint, that is connectable in and detachable from the seat along a coupling direction that is almost parallel to the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: IMA Life S.r.l.
    Inventors: Alessandro Farne′, Mauro Maccagnani, Luca Sassatelli
  • Patent number: 8866029
    Abstract: A link apparatus supplies objects discharged from a weighing machine to package bags being conveyed successively at a high speed and comprises plural hopper groups each including n hoppers; and plural arms configured to convey an associated hopper group along a revolving path including a first area where the objects are supplied to the hopper group and a second area under which package bags are conveyed successively. The arms convey the hopper groups from the first area to the second area in a predetermined order, the n hoppers sequentially conveyed to the second area are located above the n package bags conveyed to a region under the second area; the hoppers are located above the package bags in the second area, and the hopper groups are stopped in the first area. The hopper groups discharge the objects, when the hopper groups are conveyed in the second area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Shozo Kawanishi
  • Patent number: 8857479
    Abstract: A machine for filling containers in which the filling rate for the products can be varied, thus enabling the filling machine to be used for different filling products, and in particular products having different viscosities. The machine comprises at least one filling station comprising a filling spout provided with a supply opening and a discharge opening, a blocking system mounted in the filling spout, and a supply pipe connected to the supply opening upstream of said blocking system. The supply pipe comprises at least one section made of a flexible tube, the supply apparatus further comprising a clamp adapted to clamp the flexible tube in order to modify the cross-section of the internal passage of the flexible tube, the clamp adapted to move between at least two positions corresponding to different cross-sections of the internal passage of the flexible tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventors: Thierry Loaec, Hervé Saliou, Mickaël Huitorel, Arnaud Pasquet
  • Patent number: 8857478
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating containers may include a treatment chamber in which the containers are treated, and a conveyor unit which transports the containers within the treatment chamber. The treatment chamber can be isolated by means of at least one wall from an environment external of the treatment chamber in such a way that sterile conditions can be achieved in the treatment chamber, and by means of at least one treatment unit which treats the containers within the treatment chamber. At least one wall of the treatment chamber is arranged to be movable. A sealing assembly seals the treatment chamber in an area with regard to elements of the apparatus, which are movable relative to each other, against the environment external of the treatment chamber. The sealing assembly includes a surrounding channel, into which a liquid sealing agent can be introduced, as well as a secondary wall which is arranged within the channel at least in sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Hermann Klarl, Roland Laumer
  • Patent number: 8794275
    Abstract: A filling device for filling containers with a liquid, including several filling elements, each of the filling elements having a filling valve, a filling tube and a return gas tube, where the filling tubes of the filling elements are arranged at a first common support and the return gas tubes of the filling elements are arranged at a second common support, and where the position of the second common support can be adjusted relative to the position of the first common support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Gruber, Walter Neumayer, Erwin Knieling
  • Patent number: 8794273
    Abstract: An intermittent rotating machine for filling capsules with pharmaceutical products is provided. The machine consists of a conveying wheel having a group of pockets distributed according to at least two mutually parallel rows and a feeding device for feeding a capsule into each pocket. The feeding device has a hopper for containing the capsules, at least two rows of extraction channels of the capsules from the hopper, and a plurality of orienting channels adapted to transfer each capsule from the respective extraction channel to the relative pocket. Each oriental channel is provided with at least two respective inlet portions, which are aligned to two extraction channels of two different rows, and are limited by respective bottom walls that are mutually parallel and distinct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: M G 2-S.R.L.
    Inventors: Angelo Ansaloni, Ernesto Gamberini
  • Patent number: 8763654
    Abstract: Filling system for filling bottles or similar containers with a liquid consisting of a main component and at least one additional component, said system comprising a plurality of filling elements in which the additional component(s) is/are supplied in controlled quantities via at least one mixing line per filling element in order to be mixed with the main component in the filling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Norman Gras, Ludwig Clüsserath, Manfred Härtel
  • Patent number: 8695647
    Abstract: A beverage filling assembly and a cam apparatus for a beverage filling machine is disclosed. A cam housing defines a first aperture along a central axis and a second aperture transverse to the central axis with a filling valve aligned with the second aperture. The cam member is rotatably disposed in the first aperture and includes a shaft portion and an eccentric portion aligning with the filling valve. A lever is connected to the cam member for concurrent movement with the cam member. A bearing sleeve defines an orifice for receiving the shaft portion. The bearing sleeve is formed of a self-lubricating material for preventing frictional engagement between the cam housing and the shaft portion. The bearing sleeve includes a flange adjacent the cam housing for preventing movement of the bearing sleeve axially along the central axis during operation. The bearing sleeve is removable from the shaft portion during servicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Adcor Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin K. Ruble
  • Patent number: 8684048
    Abstract: A standalone packaging manipulation apparatus performing predetermined packaging manipulation operations on bags being transported along an arcuate transportation path of a rotary-type bag transportation apparatus, the standalone packaging manipulation apparatus including a main arm that pivots and also extends and retracts in a horizontal plane, a sub-arm provided at a distal end portion of the main arm so as to ascend and descend and to rotate in the horizontal plane, and filling nozzle provided on the sub-arm with a predetermined spacing therebetween and simultaneously filling a plurality of bags with liquid. The operation of these elements is performed by mutually independent servomotors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Toyo Jidoki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shoichi Koga
  • Patent number: 8662114
    Abstract: A device for loss-free filling of continuously mixed media in containers may include a mixing tank, a filler valve, and a connecting line. The mixing tank serves to receive and mix at least two different media, of which at least one medium is a fluid, and has a closing device for closing an outlet from the mixing tank. The filler valve serves for filling the mixed media from the mixing tank in the containers. The connecting line is arranged between the outlet from the mixing tank and the filler valve. Here the closing device has a ventilation line that can be connected with the connecting line to ventilate the connecting line to the filler valve. Also a plant may include such a device and a transport device for transporting the containers to the filler valve of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Rupert Meinzinger
  • Patent number: 8607828
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus useful for filling containers by means of a rotating turret which is configured to rotate the containers through the container-filing apparatus to a dosing portion where they are then are filled with material by way of a tamping mechanism. The container-filling apparatus may also include a container-conveying means to move the containers to the rotating turret. Methods of filling containers by using container-filling apparatuses according to embodiments of the invention are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Catalent CTS (Kansas City), LLC
    Inventors: Todd Stutzman, Robert Muier
  • Patent number: 8479365
    Abstract: A barrel support device supports a barrel rotationally about an axis of the barrel with the axis being arranged vertically and an opening of the barrel through which a plunger rod is inserted being directed upward. A chuck of a plunger rod support device holds the plunger rod in a first holding state in which the plunger rod is prevented from rotating about and sliding along its axis and inserts it into the barrel. Then, the chuck enters a second holding state in which the plunger rod is prevented from rotating about its axis but is not prevented from sliding along its axis. A load application device places a load acting downward on the plunger rod, and a rotation application device rotates the barrel in a direction in which the plunger rod is screwed into a gasket in the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Kyoto Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobutaka Tubota
  • Patent number: 8479782
    Abstract: An apparatus for sterile filling of beverage containers has a first module and a second module. The first module rinses and sterilizes empty containers and delivers the sterilized containers to the second module. The second module fills and caps the containers with beverage product at ambient temperature in an active sterilization zone utilizing an e-beam sterilization unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Stokely-Van Camp, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Mastio, Rei-Young Amos Wu, Michael F. McGowan, Subodh K. Raniwala, Gregory Schimmel, James D. Schuman, Richard O. Powell
  • Patent number: 8479784
    Abstract: A filling line for filling a number of containers. The filing line may include a continuous conveyor, one or more micro-ingredient dosers positioned about the continuous conveyor, and one or more macro-ingredient stations positioned along the continuous conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: James E. Goldman, James LeSage, Donald E. Gruben, Kevin L. Reid, Jonathan Kirschner, Nilang Patel
  • Patent number: 8453687
    Abstract: A device for metering of powdery filling material is proposed, with a filling material container, on the bottom of which at least one metering opening is arranged, with at least one transfer plunger which can be introduced by a movement system into the metering opening in order to transfer the filling material located in the metering opening into a receptacle. In addition to the movement system, a drive unit is provided for applying a force to the transfer plunger in order to assist the transfer of the filling material into the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Schmied, Jens Schlipf, Walter Boehringer
  • Patent number: 8381777
    Abstract: A filling valve includes a hollow housing including a liquid chamber, a gas chamber, and a sliding valve assembly. The sliding valve assembly includes a hollow valve rod with an opening in the gas chamber at an upper end of the valve rod, the valve rod sliding in the housing between an open position where valve rod opens an aperture in the housing allowing liquid to flow from the liquid chamber through the aperture, and a closed position where the valve rod closes the aperture, and a sliding piston disposed in the housing between an open position where a lower end of the piston is spaced from the upper end of the valve rod allowing gas to pass from the gas chamber to the opening in the valve and a closed position where the lower end of the piston contacts the upper end of the valve rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventors: Andrea Lupi, Roberto Cuoghi
  • Publication number: 20130000780
    Abstract: A medicament transport system includes a syringe adapter assembly; and a vial adapter assembly including a base defining an opening having a seal member disposed therewithin, a stem extending from the base and defining a lumen therethrough and an opening through a wall thereof, a needle shuttle valve slidably disposed within the lumen of the stem and supporting a transfer needle and a vacuum needle; and a vacuum cup slidably supported on the stem, wherein a vacuum chamber is defined in the space between the base, the stem and the vacuum cup. The medicament transport system includes a condition where the transfer needle and the vacuum needles penetrate the seal member of the vial adapter assembly, and the vacuum cup is moved to draw a vacuum through the vacuum needle. An automation system is provided that utilizes a medicament transport system for forming a medicament solution from a liquid/non-liquid solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: J & J SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jared GARFIELD, John SLUMP, Gregory LYON
  • Patent number: 8302767
    Abstract: A rotary container handling machine which has a stationary frame and a turntable supported thereby, which turntable has container handling devices for handling containers. The turntable is rotated by a drive. The drive comprises an encircling collar with a plurality of magnets, and at least one stator which overlaps one subsector of the collar to permit rotation of the turntable by an electromagnetic field generated by the at least one stator. The collar is disposed on either the stationary frame or the turntable, while the at least one stator is disposed on the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Lothar Wilhelm, Uwe Wolf, Christian Albrecht, Günter Schmid
  • 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: 8286671
    Abstract: The disclosure pertains to an automated apparatus for filling capped needle syringes. The syringes are held in a rotatable motor controlled carousel. The carousel turns to place a syringe proximate to a dispenser mechanism. A rotatable plate on top of the dispenser mechanism holds an automated cap extractor/installer and at least one inverted vial having a needle perforatable surface. The rotatable plate can also move up and down relative to the top of the dispenser mechanism. The cap can be removed by the automated cap extractor/installer and the rotatable plate rotated to place the inverted vial over the exposed syringe needle. The rotatable plate can descend so that the needle perforates the surface of the vial. A syringe plunger tool of the dispenser mechanism engages the syringe plunger and pulls it downward. The syringe plunger tool can disengage and return to its original position. The rotatable plate can raise to remove the needle from the vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Saverio Roberto Strangis
  • Patent number: 8256474
    Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage, having a flow meter integrated into the filling element and located in the flow path for filling bottles with a liquid beverage and a filling machine having such a filling element. 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: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Stienen
  • Patent number: 8176952
    Abstract: A system for conveying open containers filled with liquid, especially wide-necked containers, whereby the containers can be conveyed in the open state safely and without contamination, including an anti-slosh device which prevents the liquid from sloshing out as the containers are being transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Herr T. Albrecht
  • Patent number: 8151831
    Abstract: Containers for packaging liquid or powder products are directed onto a carousel (1) presenting a support element (9) equipped with a number of peripheral stations (10), each accommodating a relative container (2), and set in rotation about a vertical axis (X) by a drive system (6) housed internally of floor-standing frame (5) on which the carousel (1) is mounted. The support element (9) presents substantially disc-like appearance and is hollow, composed of a top panel (11) and a bottom panel (12) distanced one from another in such a way as to create an annular chamber (13) between the two panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianpietro Zanini, Marco Baroni
  • Patent number: 8109299
    Abstract: A filling valve (12) including: a hollow housing (21); a moving valve assembly (24) slidingly mounted in the housing (21), the moving valve assembly (24) and the hollow housing (21) together defining a liquid chamber (30) and a gas chamber (32); a liquid inlet (46) for putting the liquid chamber (30) into communication with a liquid supply pipe (14); a gas inlet (47) for putting the gas chamber (32) into communication with a gas supply pipe (17); wherein the hollow housing (21) and the moving valve assembly (24) together define a medium chamber the (33) located between the liquid chamber (30) and the gas chamber (32), and wherein the filling valve (12) further comprises: a first diaphragm (35) linking the valve assembly (24) to the housing (21) between the liquid chamber (30) and the medium chamber (33), and a second diaphragm (36) linking the valve assembly (24) to the housing (21) between the gas chamber (32) and the medium chamber (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventors: Andrea Lupi, Roberto Cuoghi
  • Patent number: 8100152
    Abstract: A machine for filling containers with liquid product, comprising a rotating carousel provided with a plurality of filling stations, means adapted to provide selective feeding by means of a hot fluid and by means of the product, and means adapted to collect and evacuate the hot fluid that exits from the faucets, all the walls of the machine designed to be in contact with the hot fluid and the liquid product having high thermal insulation characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Weightpack S.R.L.
    Inventor: Narciso De Antoni Migliorati
  • Patent number: 8096330
    Abstract: Isobaric rotary filling machine for filling containers, has a rotating table supporting a pressurized tank and valve units. Each valve unit has a filling duct for supplying the liquid from the tank to the containers, regulated by a faucet, and an air return pipe associated with a shut-off valve for controlling the pressure balance between the container and the tank. A flushing station, operationally associated with but fixed relative to the rotating table, has a receiving tray connected to a flushing circuit and operable to move between a non-operative position situated outside the travel path of the valve units, and an operative position situated underneath the travel path. The faucets and the shut-off valves open each filling duct and each pipe when the receiving tray is in the operative position and the flushing circuit is connected to the supply line of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: MBF S.p.A
    Inventor: Giovanni Mazzon
  • Patent number: 8096331
    Abstract: A machine for filling containers, comprising dispensing heads, in which each dispensing head comprises at least two ports, which are connected to respective ducts for feeding different liquids, and is provided with elements for controlling the flow of the ducts which are controlled by automatic control elements which act as a function of the quantity of the individual portions of the different liquids that are meant to be introduced in a container, and are adapted to produce a sequential opening of only one of the ports, so as to fill each container by preset portions of the liquids which access sequentially the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Weightpack S.R.L.
    Inventor: Renato Marogna