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:
Dec. 08, 1998
Filed:
Mar. 28, 1997
Paul Sundby, Mahtomedi, MN (US);
Don Haslach, Roseville, MN (US);
Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, SA, Pully, CH;
Abstract
A system for facilitating a clean-in-place operation of a filling station of a packaging machine is set forth. The system comprises a fill pipe assembly having a discharge end through which the liquid product may flow into a container disposed therebelow during a production cycle of the machine. A clean-in-place manifold is provided and is adapted to engage and seal with the discharge end of the fill pipe during the clean-in-place operation. A lift mechanism is utilized in a dual function role. The lift mechanism is operated during a container-filling cycle to lift and lower a container toward and away from the discharge end of the fill pipe assembly for filling with product and is operated during the clean-in-place operation to engage the clean-in-place manifold and to secure the clean-in-place manifold in engagement with the discharge end of the fill pipe assembly.