Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.a.

Bengt S Andersson

Yutaka Kaneko

Per Brandstrom

Adam M Koller

Rickard Franke

Sven-Arne Andersson

Lasse Andersen

Johan Hegardt

Karl-Erik Mangnsson

Goran T Larsson

Sven Arne Anderssen

A dual-stream filling system is used in a packaging machine to introduce at least two flowable materials into a plastic bottle. The dual-stream filling system defines a material flow path therethrough. The system includes a primary filling tube having an inlet end and a discharge end and defining a primary filling tube internal flow region. A secondary filling tube has an inlet end and an outlet end and defines a secondary filling tube internal flow region. The secondary filling tube is positioned at least in part within the primary filling tube internal flow region, penetrating the primary filling tube through the first opening. The dual-stream fill system includes a valve plug that includes a portion that is movable relative to the secondary filling tube between an opened state wherein flow communication is established between the internal flow regions of the primary and secondary filling tubes and a closed state wherein flow communication is terminated between the internal flow regions of the primary and secondary filling tubes. An actuator is provided for moving the valve plug portion between the opened and closed positions. The actuator is disposed fully external of the secondary filling tube flow region.

Dual-stream filling valve

The fill system provides sterile air to the product tank and the cleaning box which creates a more hygienic environment for the forming, filling and sealing of cartons on a packaging machine. The fill system has a pair of offset reducers for facilitated positioning of the fill pipes in relation to each other. The fill system also has a tank atmospheric valve for maintaining the proper pressure in the product tank. The fill system also has a level probe for measuring the level of product in the product tank during a production cycle, and to measure the level of cleaning solution in the product tank during a cleaning cycle.

Hygienic fill system for a packaging machine

A system to be utilized at a dairy in the distribution of a pumpable food product from a storage tank to a filling machine for dispensing into containers. The system includes a balance tank for storing the product on the filling machine. The balance tank is in flow communication with a storage tank via a product line, and also has a level probe for monitoring the amount of product in the tank. A product pump pumps the food product to a valve mechanism which is also disposed on the product line. A programmable logic controller receives a signal from the probe indicative of the level of the product in the balance tank, and generates a series of signals to the product pump and the valve mechanism to maintain a steady flow of product from the storage tank to the balance tank. In this manner, foaming of the product in the balance tank is eliminated or substantially reduced to acceptable levels.

Fill system equipped with apparatus for continuous controlled inflow to

A controlled flow filling system is used with a flowable product filling apparatus. The filling system includes a first, upstream V-track valve in series with a second, downstream umbrella valve to provide a substantially paraboloid liquid flow profile of the fluid while filling an associated container. The filling system is configured such that a substantial portion of the pressure drop associated with the flowing fluid occurs at the V-track valve cone to reduce spraying and loss of the fluid product at the umbrella valve. The filling system is used in a filling apparatus that uses pumps or a pressured gas blanket to provide motive force to drive the fluid through the apparatus.

Controlled flow filling system

A dual-stream filling system is used in a packaging machine to introduce at least two flowable materials into a container. The dual-stream filling system defines a material flow path therethrough. The system includes a primary filling tube having an inlet end and a discharge end and defining a primary filling tube internal flow region. A secondary filling tube has an inlet end and an outlet end and defines a secondary filling tube internal flow region. The secondary filling tube is positioned at least in part within the primary filling tube internal flow region, penetrating the primary filling tube through the first opening. The dual-stream fill system includes a valve plug that includes a portion that is movable relative to the secondary filling tube between an opened state wherein flow communication is established between the internal flow regions of the primary and secondary filling tubes and a closed state wherein flow communication is terminated between the internal flow regions of the primary and secondary filling tubes. An actuator is provided for moving the valve plug portion between the opened and closed positions. The actuator is disposed fully external of the secondary filling tube flow region.

A dual-stream filling valve is used in a flowable material filling apparatus to introducing at least two flowable materials into a container. The dual-stream filling valve defines a material flow path therethrough. The valve includes a primary filling tube having an inlet end and a discharge end and defining a primary filling tube internal flow region. The primary filling tube defines a first opening therein intermediate the inlet and discharge ends. A secondary filling tube has an inlet end and a discharge end and defines a secondary filling tube internal flow region. The secondary filling tube is positioned at least in part within the primary filling tube internal flow region, penetrating the primary filling tube through the first opening. The dual-stream valve includes a valve plug that includes a portion that is movable relative to the secondary filling tube between an opened state wherein flow communication is established between the internal flow regions of the primary and secondary filling tubes and a closed state wherein flow communication is terminated between the internal flow regions of the primary and secondary filling tubes. An actuator is provided for moving the valve plug portion between the opened and closed positions. The actuator is disposed fully external of the secondary filling tube flow region.

A cleaning box for a liquid food product filling apparatus includes a mounting member from which the plurality of filling tubes depend, and a hollow, shroud-like elliptical cylindrical body extending from the mounting member. The cleaning box is configured to, in part, shroud the filling tubes. The elliptical cylindrical body has a longitudinal axis, and is mounted to the mounting member so as to define an elliptical juncture therebetween. The elliptical cylindrical body terminates at about a free end of the filling tubes so as to define an opening. The opening is formed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis so as to define a circular end profile. The opening is further formed such that the filling tubes are visually perceptible from a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Elliptical cleaning box for filling apparatus

A clean, automated product draining method for a packaging machine is set forth. The method includes the following steps: draining product from a product tank through a filling tube; and controlling a rate at which the product is drained from the product tank with a dispensing mechanism, wherein the product is drained at a slower rate than a rate at which the product is dispensed into a container during a production cycle.

Automated product draining method for a packaging machine

An apparatus for internally venting a product tank in a packaging machine is set forth. The apparatus includes a filling tube having a first end extending from a first opening of the product tank. The apparatus further includes an air collection mechanism having a filling tube opening adapted to receive a second end of the filling tube. The air collection mechanism extends below the second end of the filling tube. A vent pipe is connected to a second opening of the product tank and to a vent pipe opening in the air collection mechanism. The filling tube and the vent pipe are separately connected to both the product tank and the air collection mechanism. Air pressure, arising from operating the packaging machine, directs air from the air collection mechanism through the vent pipe and into the product tank. Such air proceeds through the vent pipe and replaces product in the product tank as the product is dispersed into the carton during filling.

Tank venting apparatus for a packaging machine

An automated sealing apparatus for sealing a packaging machine cleaning environment is set forth. The apparatus includes a retractable cover having first and second ends. The first and second ends of the retractable cover are disposed perpendicular to a direction of movement of the retractable cover. The apparatus further includes a first securing device disposed on the first end of the cover and a second securing device disposed on a top of the cover near the second end of the cover.

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Palatine, IL, United States of America

Bengt S Andersson