The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 07, 1992
Filed:
Dec. 15, 1989
Derek Mancini, Uxbridge, CA;
Twinpak, Inc., Dorval, CA;
Abstract
The method of automatically filling and sealing containers comprises a conveyor which advances containers, in series, in a first orientation towards a filling station, with the filling port of the container generally horizontal. The containers are then reorientated prior to filling thereof to a second orientation which positions the filling port of the containers at an upper edge thereof. The containers are then filled in the second orientation by dispensing product through the filling ports of the containers. The filled containers are then advanced in the second orientation to a sealing station where sealing of the filling port is completed. After the containers have been sealed, they are discharged from the conveyor. The invention is also directed to an apparatus for carrying out the above method, which apparatus includes an intermittent movement conveyor formed of a series of plates, with each plate adapted to receive a container. The conveyor is intermittently advanced a fixed distance a multiple of the conveyor plate length in the direction of movement of the conveyor. The plates are rotatable from a first orientation to a second orientation where the plates are placed on edge and are generally perpendicular. Associated with the conveyor is a filling station for filling of the containers and a sealing station downstream of the filling station. The conveyor moves the containers through the filling and sealing stations for completing the respective operations. The conveyor plates include a separate means for rotating thereof from the first orientation to the second orientation for properly positioning the containers for filling and sealing thereof.