U.S. patent application number 11/198240 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-08 for container filling device.
Invention is credited to Luis Alves.
Application Number | 20070029009 11/198240 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37716572 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070029009 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Alves; Luis |
February 8, 2007 |
Container filling device
Abstract
A container filling device fills containers, in particular wine
bottles and bag-in-box type containers, with fluid from a supply
reservoir, for example a reservoir for containing homemade wine.
The device includes a nozzle fixed above a movable carrier which
supports the container to be filled thereon. The nozzle receives
fluid from a pump controlled by a mechanism which dispenses a
controlled volume of fluid into the container. The carrier is
movable from a bottle position for supporting a wine bottle between
the nozzle and carrier and a bag mode in which a bag holder is
supported on the carrier which supports a bag from a bag-in-box
container thereon with the spout of the bag in alignment with the
nozzle.
Inventors: |
Alves; Luis; (Thunder Bay,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ryan W. Dupuis;Ade & Company
1700 - 360 Main Street
Winnipeg
MB
R3C 3Z3
CA
|
Family ID: |
37716572 |
Appl. No.: |
11/198240 |
Filed: |
August 8, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/391 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67C 3/02 20130101; B65B
3/045 20130101; B67C 3/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/391 |
International
Class: |
B65B 1/04 20060101
B65B001/04 |
Claims
1. A container filling device for filling a container with fluid
from a supply reservoir, the device comprising: a nozzle for
dispensing the fluid therefrom into the container; a pump including
an intake hose for communication with the supply reservoir and an
outlet hose for communication with the nozzle; and a carrier for
supporting the container below the nozzle; the carrier being
operable in either a bottle mode in which the container comprises a
conventional wine bottle supported between the nozzle and the
carrier and a bag mode in which the container comprises a
conventional wine bag having a spout supported in alignment with
the nozzle.
2. The device according to claim 1 wherein there is provided a
control mechanism for operating the pump to dispense a control
volume of fluid through the nozzle upon activation.
3. The device according to claim 1 wherein there is provided a
pressure relief valve coupled to the nozzle for shutting off flow
to the nozzle when a prescribed pressure is exceeded,
representative of the container being filled.
4. The device according to claim 2 wherein the controlled volume of
fluid is adjustable.
5. The device according to claim 4 wherein there is provided an
override switch for operating the pump directly instead of through
the controlled mechanism.
6. The device according to claim 1 wherein the carrier is biased
upwardly toward the nozzle.
7. The device according to claim 1 wherein the carrier comprises a
bottle guide including means for locating a bottle thereon
concentrically with the nozzle.
8. The device according to claim 1 wherein the carrier generally
comprises a horizontal plate for supporting the container thereon
to be moveable relative to the nozzle which is fixed in relation to
the pump.
9. The device according to claim 1 wherein the carrier includes a
bag holder selectively supported thereon in the bag mode, the bag
holder comprising a base member and a spout support supported
spaced above the base.
10. The device according to claim 9 wherein there is provided a
height extension member for supporting the bag support on the
carrier spaced upwardly towards the nozzle.
11. The device according to claim 10 wherein the carrier comprises
a substantially horizontal plate supported on a post and wherein
the height extension comprises a channel for slidably receiving the
plate therein and a slot for slidably receiving the post
therein.
12. The device according to claim 1 wherein the nozzle is
surrounded by frusto conical shaped sealing member.
13. The device according to claim 3 wherein the pressure relief
valve includes an overflow hose to which flow is directed when the
nozzle is closed.
14. The device according to claim 13 wherein there is provided a
bottle holder for supporting a conventional wine bottle therein for
receiving the overflow hose.
15. A container filling device for filling a bag, having a spout
and being supportable in a box, with fluid from a supply reservoir,
the device comprising: a nozzle for dispensing the fluid therefrom;
a pump including an intake hose for communication with the supply
reservoir and an outlet hose for communication with the nozzle; a
carrier for supporting a bag thereon such that the spout is
supported below the nozzle in alignment therewith; and a control
mechanism for operating the pump to dispense a controlled volume of
fluid through the nozzle upon activation.
16. The device according to claim 15 wherein the control mechanism
comprises a timer for operating the pump for a prescribed duration
corresponding to a prescribed volume of fluid to be dispensed.
17. The device according to claim 15 wherein the control volume of
fluid of the controlled mechanism is adjustable.
18. The device according to claim 15 wherein the nozzle is fixed in
relation to the pump and the carrier is biased upwardly towards to
nozzle.
19. The device according to claim 15 wherein the controlled
mechanism includes reset means for dispensing a subsequent
controlled volume of fluid through the nozzle upon activation.
20. The device according to claim 15 wherein the carrier is
operable in a bottle mode in which the container comprises a
conventional wine bottle supported between the nozzle and the
carrier and a bag mode in which the container comprises a
conventional wine bag having a spout supported in alignment with
the nozzle.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a container filling device
for filling a container with fluid from a supply reservoir, and
more particularly relates to a device for filing bag-in-box type
containers of the type commonly used for storing wine therein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Wine is commonly available in either bottles or bag in box
type containers in which a bag having a spout is supported in a
surrounding box. Various known equipment exists for filling
containers of the type commonly available for wine, however these
devices in general typically involve a production line rather then
being reduced to a sufficiently small scale for personal use by
persons making their own wine and subsequently packaging the
wine.
[0003] Various examples of filling devices relating to bag in box
type containers or bottles are described in the following
documents: U.S. Pat. No. 3,299,606; U.S. Pat. No. 3,377,775; U.S.
Pat. No. 3,447,281; U.S. Pat. No. 3,927,700; U.S. Pat. No.
4,077,182; U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,203; U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,674; U.S.
Pat. No. 4,452,030; U.S. Pat. No. 4,530,202; U.S. Pat. No.
4,534,154; U.S. Pat. No. 4,840,017; PCT/AU82/00089 (Quinsee);
PCT/AU95/00879 (Astrapak Limited); U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,324
(Masahiko et al); JP2000168704 (Hirolo); JP2003026101 (Hirokazu et
al); JP11171101 (Norisane); JP8183504 (Akihiro); JP8151003
(Satsuki); and JP619516 (Satsuki et al).
[0004] The known devices for filling containers with wine and the
like are generally too complex for individual or personal use. In
particular, none provide a simple means of metering the volume of
fluid to be dispensed into a particular type or size of bag for
bag-in-box type containers. Furthermore, none provide the ability
to interchangeably fill either bottles or bags as desired by the
user. Accordingly the purchase of separate equipment is cost
prohibitive for persons who make their own wine or require small
scale use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a
container filling device for filling a container with fluid from a
supply reservoir, the device comprising:
[0006] a nozzle for dispensing the fluid therefrom into the
container;
[0007] a pump including an intake hose for communication with the
supply reservoir and an outlet hose for communication with the
nozzle; and
[0008] a carrier for supporting the container below the nozzle;
[0009] the carrier being operable in either a bottle mode in which
the container comprises a conventional wine bottle supported
between the nozzle and the carrier and a bag mode in which the
container comprises a conventional wine bag having a spout
supported in alignment with the nozzle.
[0010] By providing a container filling device having a carrier
which is operable in either a bag mode or a bottle mode provides
the convenience of packages liquids in either bottles or bag in box
type containers in a manner which is affordable to users at home.
By further providing a control mechanism in a device for filling a
wine bag in box type container, a controlled volume of fluid can be
dispensed into the bag which corresponds to the recommended volume
for a particular bag type.
[0011] There may be provided a control mechanism for operating the
pump to dispense a control volume of fluid through the nozzle upon
activation wherein the controlled volume of fluid is preferably
adjustable.
[0012] There may be provided an override switch on the control
mechanism for operating the pump directly instead of through the
controlled mechanism in a bottle mode.
[0013] Preferably there is provided a pressure relief valve coupled
to the nozzle for shutting off flow to the nozzle when a prescribed
pressure is exceeded, representative of the container being filled
during the bottle mode of operation.
[0014] Preferably the carrier is biased upwardly toward the
nozzle.
[0015] The carrier generally comprises a horizontal plate for
supporting the container thereon to be moveable relative to the
nozzle which is fixed in relation to the pump.
[0016] The carrier may further comprise a bottle guide including
means for locating a bottle thereon concentrically with the
nozzle.
[0017] In addition, the carrier preferably includes a bag holder
selectively supported thereon in the bag mode, the bag holder
comprising a base member and a spout support supported spaced above
the base.
[0018] Preferably a height extension member is used for supporting
the bag support on the carrier spaced upwardly towards the
nozzle.
[0019] When the carrier comprises a substantially horizontal plate
supported on a post, the height extension preferably comprises a
channel for slidably receiving the plate therein and a slot for
slidably receiving the post therein.
[0020] The nozzle is preferably surrounded by a frusto conical
shaped sealing member.
[0021] The pressure relief valve may include an overflow hose to
which flow is directed when the nozzle is closed. There may be
provided a bottle holder for supporting a conventional wine bottle
therein for receiving the overflow hose.
[0022] According to a second aspect of the present invention there
is provided a container filling device for filling a bag, having a
spout and being supportable in a box, with fluid from a supply
reservoir, the device comprising:
[0023] a nozzle for dispensing the fluid therefrom;
[0024] a pump including an intake hose for communication with the
supply reservoir and an outlet hose for communication with the
nozzle;
[0025] a carrier for supporting a bag thereon such that the spout
is supported below the nozzle in alignment therewith; and
[0026] a control mechanism for operating the pump to dispense a
controlled volume of fluid through the nozzle upon activation.
[0027] The control mechanism preferably comprises a timer for
operating the pump for a prescribed duration corresponding to a
prescribed volume of fluid to be dispensed.
[0028] Preferably the control mechanism includes reset means for
dispensing a subsequent controlled volume of fluid through the
nozzle upon activation.
[0029] One embodiment of the invention will now be described in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the container filling device
in a bottle mode.
[0031] FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are respective side elevational,
front elevational and top plan views of the device in the bottle
mode.
[0032] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the device in a bag mode of
operation.
[0033] FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are respective side elevation,
front elevational and top plan views of the device in the bag
mode.
[0034] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the biasing mechanism
supported within the housing for biasing the carrier upwardly
towards the nozzle.
[0035] FIG. 10 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating how the
device dispenses fluid into a container from a supply
reservoir.
[0036] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the electrical components of
the controller.
[0037] In the drawings like characters of reference indicate
corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] Referring to the accompanying figures there is illustrated a
container filling container device generally indicted by reference
numeral 10. The device 10 is particularly suited for filling
bottles, bag in box type containers, or any other suitable
container for packaging a liquid therein.
[0039] The bag in box type containers to which the invention is
particularly suited generally comprise a bag having a spout which
snaps into a spout opening in a side of the bag. The bag then fits
within a box having an opening for receiving the spout therethrough
adjacent the bottom end of the box.
[0040] The device 10 fills a container 12 from a supply reservoir
14 using a pump 16 controlled by a suitable controller 18 as
described herein. The device 10 includes a carrier 20 which
supports the container 12 thereon below a nozzle 22 receiving fluid
from the outlet hose 24 of the pump 16. The corresponding intake
hose 26 of the pump comprises an elongate flexible hose which is
simply inserted through the open top end of the reservoir 14. A
pressure relief valve 28 is coupled between the pump 16 and the
nozzle 22 for controlling flow to an overflow container 30.
[0041] The device 10 includes a platform base 32 suitable for
mounting on a countertop or other horizontal supporting surface. A
rectangular housing 34 extends upwardly from the platform base 32
at one end thereof for supporting the carrier 20 thereon spaced
above the platform. The housing additionally supports the nozzle 22
directly above the carrier 20. The pump 16 is mounted on top of the
housing near the nozzle 22.
[0042] The carrier 20 generally comprises a circular plate 36 which
is oriented horizontally on the free end of a support arm 38. The
support arm 38 projects horizontally from a track 40 mounted
vertically within the housing. A slot 42 through a side wall of the
housing receives the support arm 38 therethrough and permits
sliding movement of the support arm and plate thereon along the
vertical track 40 through the slot in the housing wall.
[0043] A rod 44 is mounted within the housing in a fixed
relationship alongside the track 40. The rod 44 carries a
compression spring 46 thereabout. A bottom washer 48 is held in
place at a bottom end of the rod by a suitable nut for engaging one
end of the spring 46.
[0044] A top flange 50 is slidable along the track 40 in fixed
relationship with the support arm 38 and includes an aperture
therein for receiving the rod therethrough. A suitable washer is
mounted adjacent the top flange for engaging the opposing top end
of the compression spring 46. Accordingly when the plate 36 and
support arm 38 are moved downwardly, the top flange 50 which moves
with the support arm in the track 40 causes compression of the
spring 16 against the bottom washer 48 to provide a biasing force
which urges the plate back upwardly towards the starting position.
When the top flange 50 reaches the top end of the rod 44,
corresponding to the top end track 40, the support arm reaches its
end of travel within the slot 42 in the housing so that continued
upward movement of the carrier 20 towards the nozzle is
prevented.
[0045] The carrier 20 is operable in a bottle mode of operation as
illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, as well as being operable in a
bag mode as illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7.
[0046] In the bottle mode, a bottle guide 52 is supported on the
carrier plate 36. The bottle guide 52 is circular and includes a
depending peripheral flange which fits about the periphery of the
plate 36 upon which it rests. An upper surface of the bottle guide
52 includes a peripheral ridge 54 and a central projection 56 which
are concentric with the nozzle below which they are supported. The
ridge 54 and projection 56 thus assist in locating a bottle in
relation to the nozzle.
[0047] Range of motion of the carrier plate 36 is selected so that
at its lowermost position clearance between the bottom free end of
the nozzle and the bottle guide 52 is sufficient for receiving a
conventional wine bottle therebetween. At an upper end of travel,
the carrier plate 36 is permitted to move upwardly beyond a point
at which a bottle resting on the bottle guide 52 would engage the
nozzle so that a continued upward biasing force is applied to the
bottle upon engagement with the nozzle for sealing
therebetween.
[0048] In the bag mode, a bag holder 58 is arranged to be supported
on the carrier plate 36 using a height extension member 60. The
holder 58 generally comprises a base plate 62 which is rectangular
and sufficiently broad for supporting a conventional wine bag
thereon. An end plate 64 extends vertically upward from one end of
the base plate for mounting a spout support 66 parallel and spaced
above the base plate 62. The spout support 66 includes a slot
formed therein suitably sized for supporting the spout opening of
the wine bag therein.
[0049] The height extension member includes a channel formed by
upper and lower base plates 68 and 70. The upper and lower base
plates are supported by a spacer 72 of thickness corresponding
approximately to the thickness of the carrier plate 36, for snugly
receiving the carrier plate between the base plates. The spacer 72
includes a curved inner profile corresponding to a radius of
curvature of the carrier plate 36 for locating the position of the
height extension member in relation to the carrier plate.
[0050] A central slot 74 extends from the center of the lower most
base plate 70 to a rear edge of the plate for receiving a post 76
slidably therethrough which supports the carrier plate 36 on the
free end of the support arm 38.
[0051] The height extension member further includes a pair of side
panels 78 which are spaced apart on opposing sides of the base
plates and which extend upwardly therefrom parallel to one another
to a top plate 80 spanning thereacross. The top panel 80 is
parallel to the base plates and supports the holder 58 thereon. By
providing a channel at the base of the height extension member, the
height extension member can be readily slid onto the carrier for
selective mounting and disassembly when converting between the bag
mode and bottle mode of operations. The height extension member has
a height which corresponds to approximately two thirds of a
conventional wine bottle so that a combined height of the height
extension member and the bag holder 58 which rests thereon fits
between the carrier and the nozzle as does the bottle in the bottle
mode of operation.
[0052] The pump outlet hose 24 feeds T-connector 82 to subsequently
feed the nozzle 22 and the pressure relief valve 28. The nozzle
includes a frusto conical shaped sealing member about an outer
periphery thereof which tapers towards the opening at the bottom
free end of the nozzle. The frusto conical seal tapers in width
from a top end which is greater in diameter than the neck of a
conventional wine bottle and the narrow bottom end which is smaller
in diameter than a conventional wine bottle opening for being
received therein.
[0053] The nozzle further includes an internal valve member, not
shown, for shutting off flow through the nozzle when the internal
valve member is seated. The internal valve member is controlled by
the pressure relief valve 28 in such a manner that when excess
pressure beyond a prescribed set point pressure occurs, the
pressure relief valve closes that internal valve member of the
nozzle and opens flow through the overflow hose to the overflow
container 30. A set screw 84 on the pressure relief valve 28
permits adjustment of the set point pressure. A bottle carrier 86
is mounted on the side of the housing in the form of a sleeve
structure for slidably receiving a conventional wine bottle therein
for use as the overflow container 30. When filling multiple
bottles, the combined overflow of several bottles substantially
fills the overflow container resulting in an additional bottle
being filled.
[0054] When operating in the bottle mode, the pressure relief valve
28 detects when the bottle is full as pressure begins to accumulate
due to sealing engagement of the nozzle with the bottle opening.
When a user visually sees flow in the overflow hose, the pump is
manually switched off and the bottle on the carrier plate 36 is
replaced with a new empty bottle to continue the filling
operation.
[0055] The nozzle 22 in either mode of operation is fixed in
relation to the housing and is supported concentrically with the
support plate 36 spaced above the carrier 20. The nozzle is
vertically oriented to point downwardly into a container therebelow
to be filled.
[0056] The housing also contains a controller 88 powered by a
suitable transformer (not shown) also supported within the housing
to permit plugging directly into a conventional household
electrical power supply outlet. The controller 88 effectively
controls power supplied to the pump 16 for controlling on and off
operation of the pump. In the bag mode of operation, an on/off
switch 90 is provided for controlling power supplied to a relay
timer 92 which in turn controls power supplied to the pump 16. When
the switch 90 is turned on, the relay timer 92 is activated and the
pump is then operated until a prescribed duration of the timer
expires at which point power is interrupted to the pump and the
pump is shutoff. The timer 92 includes an adjustable dial control
94 which can be varied between various preset durations which
correspond to different prescribed volumes of fluid to be dispensed
for filling different bags. A reset switch 96 is coupled to the
timer 92 so that upon expiry of the timer, a new cycle may begin
when the reset switch 96 is depressed. Upon depressing the reset
switch 96, the timer then executes operation of the pump for the
prescribed duration once again to fill a new bag which has been
loaded onto the bag holder.
[0057] For operation in the bottle mode, a bottle on/off switch 98
is provided on the housing which bypasses the relay timer 92 to
activate the pump 16 directly when the switch is in the on
position. The sealing engagement of the nozzle against a bottle
eventually causes pressure to build up when the bottle becomes
full, to trip the pressure relief valve and cause flow to be
redirected into the overflow container, at which point the on/off
switch 98 is manually switched off. A manual switch 100 on the
pressure relief valve permits the valve to be reset for filling
another bottle with flow directed through the nozzle when the
switch 98 is again turned on.
[0058] Since various modifications can be made in my invention as
herein above described, and many apparently widely different
embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims
without department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that
all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be
interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
* * * * *