U.S. patent application number 14/987401 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-06 for packing apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Anant Kumar Mishra, Sudev Nair, Suhas Suresh. Invention is credited to Anant Kumar Mishra, Sudev Nair, Suhas Suresh.
Application Number | 20170190454 14/987401 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58010358 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170190454 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mishra; Anant Kumar ; et
al. |
July 6, 2017 |
PACKING APPARATUS
Abstract
A packing apparatus for packing a substance in a container
includes a filling unit configured to facilitate filling of the
substance in the container and a compacting unit configured to
compactly pack the filled substance in the container. The filling
unit includes a moveable filling member moveable from at least a
first filling position to a second filling position. The compacting
unit includes a moveable compacting member moveable from at least a
first compacting position to a second compacting position. At least
one of the first compacting position and the second compacting
position of the moveable compacting member is in relation to at
least one of the first filling position and the second filling
position of the moveable filling member. The moveable compacting
member is moveable with a preconfigured compaction force that is a
function of one or more properties of the container.
Inventors: |
Mishra; Anant Kumar;
(Bangalore, IN) ; Nair; Sudev; (Bangalore, IN)
; Suresh; Suhas; (Bangalore, IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mishra; Anant Kumar
Nair; Sudev
Suresh; Suhas |
Bangalore
Bangalore
Bangalore |
|
IN
IN
IN |
|
|
Family ID: |
58010358 |
Appl. No.: |
14/987401 |
Filed: |
January 4, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 63/022 20130101;
B65B 1/24 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65B 63/02 20060101
B65B063/02 |
Claims
1. A packing apparatus for packing a substance in a container, the
packing apparatus comprising: a filling unit comprising a moveable
filling member moveable from at least a first filling position to a
second filling position, wherein the filling unit is configured to
facilitate filling of the substance in the container; and a
compacting unit comprising a moveable compacting member moveable
from at least a first compacting position to a second compacting
position, wherein at least one compacting position of the first
compacting position and the second compacting position of the
moveable compacting member is in relation with at least one filling
position of the first filling position and the second filling
position of the moveable filling member, and wherein the compacting
unit is configured to compactly pack the filled substance in the
container.
2. The packing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filling unit
further comprises a transferring assembly rigidly connected to the
moveable filling member, the transferring assembly comprising a
transferring member positioned concentric to the moveable
compacting member in one of the first filling position and the
second filling position of the moveable filling member.
3. The packing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a base
assembly configured to receive the container and securely position
the container concentric to the moveable compacting member of the
compacting unit.
4. The packing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the base assembly
comprises at least one container securing device, the at least one
container securing device comprising a mechanical device and an
electrical device.
5. The packing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the base assembly
further comprises an annular member rigidly connected to a tubular
member, and wherein the tubular member is configured to define an
inner void therewithin for the receiving of the container.
6. The packing apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a collector
assembly for collecting spilled substance, wherein the collector
assembly comprises a first collector tray removably connected to a
second collector tray, and wherein the first collector tray and the
second collector tray, when connected, define a space therewithin
for receiving the tubular member of the base assembly.
7. The packing apparatus of claim 1, wherein a lower end of the
moveable compacting member is tapered for enabling the packing of
the substance in the container with minimal spillage of the
substance and minimal airlock between the moveable compacting
member and the container.
8. The packing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the moveable
compacting member is moveable from the first compacting position to
the second compacting position with a preconfigured compaction
force, and wherein the preconfigured compaction force is a function
of one or more properties of the container.
9. A method of packing a substance in a container, the method
comprising: providing a packing apparatus, the packing apparatus
comprising: a filling unit comprising a moveable filling member
moveable from at least a first filling position to a second filling
position; and a compacting unit comprising a moveable compacting
member moveable from at least a first compacting position to a
second compacting position; filling the substance in the container
securely positioned in a base assembly of the packing apparatus,
via a transferring member of a transferring assembly of the filling
unit, when the moveable filling member of the filling unit is in
the second filling position; and compactly packing the filled
substance in the container by the moveable compacting member of the
compacting unit when the moveable filling member is in the first
filling position.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the packing of the filled
substance comprises moving the moveable compacting member from at
least the first compacting position to the second compacting
position for a predefined number of times with a preconfigured
compaction force.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the preconfigured compaction
force is a function of one or more properties of the container.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Typically, packing a substance, especially a hazardous
substance having micron sized nano particles, in a container is a
cumbersome task due to high standards of safety and precision
required while handling such substances. Also, probability of
spillage and risk of inhalation of such substances is higher when
compared to other substances such as cosmetic powders, edible
powders, etc. Lack of precision while packing such substances may
result in a compromised safety and an increased wastage, thereby
increasing costs associated therewith. Lack of precision in terms
of compactness when experienced while packing test samples (e.g.,
magnetic materials tested for magnetic hysteresis) results in a
compromised quality of test results. Lack of precision while
packing such substances in containers having low resistance to
breakage and fracture may result in additional costs.
[0002] Conventional packing apparatuses (e.g., apparatuses used in
food and beverage, pharmaceutical or chemical industry setups)
often are equipped with complex mechanisms and occupy large spaces.
Such packing apparatuses are typically configured for mass packing
and therefore fail to cater to customized applications where the
substances and/or the containers for which the packing apparatuses
are configured may vary frequently.
SUMMARY AND DESCRIPTION
[0003] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form. The selection of concepts are
further disclosed in the detailed description of. This summary is
not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the
claimed subject matter, nor is the summary intended for determining
the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0004] A packing apparatus for packing a substance in a container
is disclosed herein. The packing apparatus includes a filling unit
and a compacting unit. The filling unit includes a moveable filling
member moveable from at least a first filling position to a second
filling position. The filling unit is configured to facilitate
filling of the substance in the container. The filling unit further
includes a transferring assembly rigidly connected to the moveable
filling member. The transferring assembly includes a transferring
member positioned concentric to the moveable compacting member in
one of the first filling position and the second filling position
of the moveable filling member. The compacting unit includes a
moveable compacting member moveable from at least a first
compacting position to a second compacting position. The moveable
compacting member is moveable from the first compacting position to
the second compacting position with a preconfigured compaction
force. The preconfigured compaction force is a function of one or
more properties of the container. The compacting unit is configured
to compactly pack the filled substance in the container. At least
one of the first compacting position and the second compacting
position of the moveable compacting member is in relation with at
least one of the first filling position and the second filling
position of the moveable filling member. A lower end of the
moveable compacting member is tapered for enabling packing of a
substance in a container with minimal spillage of the substance and
minimal airlock between the moveable compacting member and the
container.
[0005] The packing apparatus further includes a base assembly
configured to receive the container and securely position the
container concentric to the moveable compacting member of the
compacting unit. The base assembly includes at least one container
securing device including a mechanical device or element and an
electrical device or element. The base assembly further includes an
annular member rigidly connected to a tubular member. The tubular
member is configured to define an inner void therewithin for
receiving the container. In an embodiment, the packing apparatus
further includes a collector assembly for collecting spilled
substance. In this embodiment, the collector assembly includes a
first collector tray removably connected to a second collector
tray, and the first collector tray and the second collector tray,
when connected, define a space therewithin for receiving the
tubular member of the base assembly.
[0006] Also, disclosed herein is a method that employs the packing
apparatus for packing a substance in a container. The packing
apparatus includes a filling unit and a compacting unit, as
disclosed above. The filling unit includes a moveable filling
member moveable from at least a first filling position to a second
filling position. The compacting unit includes a moveable
compacting member moveable from at least a first compacting
position to a second compacting position. The method includes
filling a substance in the container securely positioned in a base
assembly of the packing apparatus, via a transferring member of a
transferring assembly of the filling unit, when the moveable
filling member of the filling unit is in the second filling
position. The method further includes compactly packing the filled
substance in the container by the moveable compacting member when
the moveable filling member is in the first filling position. The
packing of the filled substance includes moving the moveable
compacting member from at least the first compacting position to
the second compacting position for a predefined number of times
with a preconfigured compaction force. The preconfigured compaction
force is a function of one or more properties of the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description, is better understood when read in conjunction with the
appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating, exemplary
embodiments are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is
not limited to the specific methods and structures disclosed
herein. The description of a method act or a structure referenced
by a numeral in a drawing is applicable to the description of that
method act or structure shown by that same numeral in any
subsequent drawing herein.
[0008] FIG. 1A illustrates an isometric view of an example of a
packing apparatus.
[0009] FIG. 1B illustrates an elevation view of the packing
apparatus.
[0010] FIG. 1C illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of the
packing apparatus marked "A" in FIG. 1B, showing an axis of
alignment of a moveable compacting member, a transferring member,
and a base assembly of the packing apparatus.
[0011] FIG. 1D illustrates an isometric view of the packing
apparatus showing the moveable filling member in a first filling
position and the moveable compacting member in a second compacting
position.
[0012] FIG. 1E illustrates an embodiment of the packing apparatus
showing multiple positions of the moveable compacting member.
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of the moveable
compacting member of the packing apparatus.
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged isometric view of a collector
assembly of the packing apparatus.
[0015] FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate embodiments of the base assembly of
the packing apparatus showing a container securing device.
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a method of packing a
substance in a container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] FIG. 1A illustrates an isometric view of one embodiment of a
packing apparatus 100. The packing apparatus 100 is used for
packing a substance in a container 109. The substance includes, for
example, a solid substance such as powders, a liquid substance such
as chemicals, or a gaseous substance being filled under pressure,
etc. The substance is, for example, a nano powder such as chromium
dioxide. The container 109 is, for example, a quartz tube. In an
embodiment, the container 109 is a vial, a capsule, a bottle, or
another container. The packing apparatus 100 includes a filling
unit 101 including a moveable filling member 102 moveable from at
least a first filling position to a second filling position. As
used herein, "first filling position" refers to a position in which
the moveable filling member 102 is in a retracted state. Also, as
used herein, "second filling position" refers to a position, as
illustrated in FIG. 1A, in which the moveable filling member 102 is
in an extended state. The moveable filling member 102 is
longitudinally moveable along YY axis. In an embodiment, the
moveable filling member 102 is rotatably moveable about ZZ axis. In
this embodiment, the moveable filling member 102 may be a
non-extendable moveable filling member. In this embodiment, the
first filling position of the moveable filling member 102 is a
position aligned with XX axis, and the second filling position is a
position aligned with the YY axis. A mechanical drive (e.g., a
pneumatic drive) enables movement of the moveable filling member
102 from the first filling position to the second filling position
and from the second filling position to the first filling position.
The filling unit 101 is configured to facilitate filling of the
substance in the container 109.
[0018] The packing apparatus 100 further includes a compacting unit
103 including a moveable compacting member 103A moveable from at
least a first compacting position to a second compacting position.
As used herein, "first compacting position" refers to a position,
as illustrated in FIG. 1A, in which the moveable compacting member
103A is in a retracted state. Also, as used herein, "second
compacting position" refers to a position in which the moveable
compacting member 103A is in an extended state. A mechanical drive
(e.g., a linear servo drive) enables movement of the moveable
compacting member 103A from the first compacting position to the
second compacting position and from the second compacting position
to the first compacting position. The compacting unit 103 is
configured to compactly pack the filled substance in the container
109. The moveable compacting member 103A moves from the first
compacting position, which is a home position of the moveable
compacting member 103A, to the second compacting position with a
preconfigured compaction force. The preconfigured compaction force
is a function of one or more properties of the container 109. The
properties include, for example, hoop stresses of the container
from which a capacity of the container 109 to sustain maximum load
(e.g., weight of the substance) without breakage may be derived.
For example, when the container 109 is a quartz tube having an
inner diameter d.sub.i of 8 millimeter (mm), an outer diameter
d.sub.o of 10 mm, and a length of the quartz tube L of 50 mm, then
based on the hoop stresses (e.g., breaking stresses of the
container 109) and based on iterative experimentation, a limiting
force is calculated as 12.5 Newton (N). Thus, the moveable
compacting member 103A is moved with the preconfigured compaction
force of less than 12.5 N to avoid breakage of the container 109
(e.g., the quartz tube) for packing the filled substance with
maximal compactness. The filling of the substance is performed in
multiple steps followed by packing of the filled substance. The
packing of the filled substance is performed at least thrice after
each substance fill. The packing apparatus 100 thus packs the
substance in the container 109 by employing a displacement force
feedback mechanism based on the preconfigured compaction force of
the moveable compacting member 103A.
[0019] As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the moveable compacting member
103A is in a first compacting position (e.g., a retracted state),
and the moveable filling member 102 is in a second filling position
(e.g., in an extended state). At least one of the first compacting
position and the second compacting position of the moveable
compacting member 103A is in relation with at least one of the
first filling position and the second filling position of the
moveable filling member 102. For example, when the moveable filling
member 102 is in the first filling position (e.g., a retracted
state), the moveable compacting member 103A is in the second
compacting position (e.g., an extended state), and when the
moveable filling member 102 is in the second filling position
(e.g., an extended state), the moveable compacting member 103A is
in the first compacting position (e.g., a retracted state). In an
embodiment, the moveable filling member 102 and the moveable
compacting member 103A are in the first filling position and the
first compacting position, respectively (e.g., both are in a
retracted state, at a given time instant).
[0020] For purposes of illustration, the detailed description
refers to a first filling position and a second filling position of
the moveable filling member 102 and a first compacting position and
a second compacting position of the moveable compacting member
103A. However, the scope of the method and packing apparatus 100
disclosed herein is not limited to the above positions but may be
extended to include more than two positions for the moveable
filling member 102 and the moveable compacting member 103A,
respectively, and an unlimited number of combinations of each of
these positions for synchronization of movement of the moveable
filling member 102 with the moveable compacting member 103A, as
disclosed in the detailed description of FIG. 1E.
[0021] The filling unit 101 further includes a transferring
assembly 104 rigidly connected to the moveable filling member 102.
The transferring assembly 104 includes a transferring member 104A
positioned concentric to the moveable compacting member 103A in one
of the first filling position and the second filling position of
the moveable filling member 102. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the
transferring member 104A is concentric to the moveable compacting
member 103A when the moveable filling member 102 is in the second
filling position (e.g., in an extended state). The transferring
member 104A is, for example, a funnel shaped member used to receive
and transfer a substance into the container 109. The transferring
member 104A is rigidly connected to the moveable filling member 102
via a connection member 104B of the transferring assembly 104. In
an embodiment, the transferring assembly 104 further includes a
transfer enhancer (e.g., a transfer enhancing device such as a
vibratory media configured to enable transfer of sticky substances
to the container 109). The packing apparatus 100 further includes a
base assembly 105 configured to receive the container 109 and
securely position the container 109 concentric to the moveable
compacting member 103A of the compacting unit 103. The packing
apparatus 100 further includes a collector assembly 106 for
collecting spilled substance being filled via the transferring
member 104A of the filling unit 101 into the container 109.
[0022] The packing apparatus 100 further includes a storage unit
107 positioned proximal to the base assembly 105. The storage unit
107 stores the substance to be packed into the container 109. The
substance may be transferred from the storage unit 107 to the
transferring member 104A, for being filled into the container 109,
using a substance carrier 108. The substance carrier 108 is, for
example, a ladle, a spatula, a spoon, etc. To preclude spillage of
the substance after collecting the substance in the substance
carrier 108, the substance in the substance carrier 108 may be
leveled against a leveler 107A of the storage unit 107. The leveler
107A provides that an equal quantity of substance is transferred
from the storage unit 107 to the container 109 in every fill.
[0023] FIG. 1B illustrates an elevation view of the packing
apparatus 100 including the filling unit 101 including the moveable
filling member 102 and the transferring assembly 104. The
compacting unit 103 includes the moveable compacting member 103A
and the base assembly 105. In an embodiment, the moveable filling
member 102 includes two or more parallel shafts 102A and 102B
moveable from the first filling position to the second filling
position, as disclosed in the detailed description of FIG. 1A. FIG.
1C illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of the packing
apparatus 100 marked "A" in FIG. 1B, showing an axis CC of
alignment of the moveable compacting member 103A, the transferring
member 104A of the transferring assembly 104, and the base assembly
105 of the packing apparatus 100. In this alignment, the moveable
filling member 102, to which the transferring member 104A is
attached via the connection member 104B of the transferring
assembly 104, is in the second filling position. The base assembly
105 includes an annular member 111 and a tubular member 110. The
container 109 is securely positioned inside the tubular member 110
aligned with the axis CC and concentric to the transferring member
104A and the moveable compacting member 103A. The collector
assembly 106 is positioned on the base assembly 105 such that the
collector assembly 106 is concentric to the transferring member
104A and the moveable compacting member 103A along the axis CC.
[0024] FIG. 1D illustrates an isometric view of the packing
apparatus 100 showing the moveable filling member 102 in a first
filling position and the moveable compacting member 103A in a
second compacting position. When the moveable filling member 102 is
in the first filling position (e.g., in a retracted state), the
moveable compacting member 103A is in the second compacting
position (e.g., in an extended state). This synchronization between
the moveable filling member 102 and the moveable compacting member
103A provides safety of operation while packing a substance in the
container 109. To achieve this synchronization, two proximity
sensors (not shown) may be fitted on the moveable filling member
102. The two proximity sensors detect a position of the moveable
compacting member 103A and communicate the detected position to a
control unit (not shown) that controls movement of the moveable
filling member 102 based on the detected position of the moveable
compacting member 103A. In an embodiment, the moveable filling
member 102 remains in the second filling position (e.g., an
extended state), and the moveable compacting member 103A moves from
the first compacting position to the second compacting position
through the transferring member 104A of the transferring assembly
104 connected to the moveable filling member 102, along the axis
CC, as illustrated in FIG. 1C. In this embodiment, a cross
sectional size of the transferring member 104A is configured such
that the moveable compacting member 103A may move through the
transferring member 104A to the second compacting position. FIG. 1E
illustrates an embodiment of the packing apparatus 100 illustrated
in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1D, showing multiple positions of the moveable
compacting member 103A. In this embodiment, the moveable compacting
member 103A moves from the first compacting position, which is a
home position P.sub.1 to an intermediate position P.sub.2, and from
the intermediate position P.sub.2 to the second compacting
position, which is an end position P.sub.3, along the axis CC. The
intermediate position P.sub.2 is a transitional position at which
the moveable compacting member 103A is proximal to the container
109 (e.g., about to enter the container 109) for compactly packing
the filled substance in the container 109. In this embodiment, the
moveable compacting member 103A moves from position P.sub.1 to
P.sub.2 at a speed higher than that from position P.sub.2 to
P.sub.3. This transition of speed at which the moveable compacting
member 103A moves from position P.sub.2 to P.sub.3 (e.g., after
entering the container 109) is determined based on the
preconfigured compaction force in order to preclude breakage of the
container 109.
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of the moveable
compacting member 103A of the packing apparatus 100 illustrated in
FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1D. A cross sectional size of the moveable
compacting member 103A is in relation with a cross sectional size
of the container 109 illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1C. The moveable
compacting member 103A may be of a circular cross section, a
spherical cross section, a triangular cross section, etc. such that
the moveable compacting member 103A packs the filled substance into
the container 109 with maximal compactness. A lower end 103B of the
moveable compacting member 103A is tapered for enabling packing of
the substance in the container 109 with minimum spillage of the
substance and minimal airlock between the moveable compacting
member 103A and the container 109. In order to reduce the spillage
during the packing, the lower end 103B is back tapered at an angle
.alpha. of 5.degree.. This back taper precludes vacuum creation in
the container 109 when the moveable compacting member 103A has
packed the filled substance and is moving back from the second
compacting position to the first compacting position of the
moveable compacting member 103A. In an embodiment, the moveable
compacting member 103A is replaceable and may be replaced after
packing the substance in a predefined number of containers 109.
[0026] FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates an enlarged isometric view of
a collector assembly 106 of the packing apparatus 100 exemplarily
illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1D. The collector assembly 106
collects spilled substance. The collector assembly 106 includes a
first collector tray 106A removably connected to a second collector
tray 106B. This split type configuration of the collector assembly
106 enables ease of cleaning of the collector assembly 106. The
first collector tray 106A and the second collector tray 106B, when
connected, define a space 106C therewithin for receiving the
tubular member 110 of the base assembly 105, exemplarily
illustrated in FIG. 1C. The container 109 is positioned inside this
tubular member 110. To provide minimum spillage of substance while
the substance is being filled in the container 109 via the
transferring member 104A of the transferring assembly 104
illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D, the transferring member 104A and the
container 109 are positioned with maximal proximity therebetween.
However, if the substance spills while being filled into the
container 109, this spilled substance is collected in the collector
assembly 106. This spilled substance may later be transferred from
the collector assembly 106 to the storage unit 107 illustrated in
FIG. 1A.
[0027] FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate embodiments of the base assembly 105
of the packing apparatus 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1D
showing container securing device 112 and 114 (e.g., container
securer). The base assembly 105 includes at least one container
securing device 112 and 114 (e.g., container securer) including
mechanical device 112 and electrical device 114 (e.g., mechanical
and electrical elements). The container securing device 112 and 114
secures the container 109 inside the tubular member 110 to preclude
suctioning of the container 109 during movement of the moveable
compacting member 103A from the second compacting position to the
first compacting position, illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D. FIG. 4A
illustrates the base assembly 105 including a mechanical container
securing device 112. The mechanical container securing device 112
includes, for example, two or more ring members 112 positioned in
parallel to one another in an inner void 110A defined within the
tubular member 110 of the base assembly 105. The ring members 112
may be positioned in multiple configurations along the length L of
the tubular member 110. For example, the ring members 112 may be
positioned proximal to one another towards a bottom end 110B of the
tubular member 110 or towards a top end 110C of the tubular member
110. Alternatively, one of the ring members 112 may be positioned
proximal to the bottom end 110B, and other ring member 112 may be
positioned proximal to the top end 110C of the tubular member 110.
The tubular member 110 is configured to define the inner void 110A
therewithin for receiving the container 109. Each of the ring
members 112 may be configured of a material, for example, rubber,
silicon, etc., that enables the container 109 to be securely
positioned inside the tubular member 110 and also increases
breaking stress capacity of the container 109. In an embodiment, a
cushion 113 is placed at the bottom end 110B of the tubular member
110 to enable the container 109 to sustain load of the moveable
compacting member 103A without breakage, by absorbing the impact of
the moveable compacting member 103A. The cushion 113 may be
configured of rubber, silicon, paper, foam, or any combinations
thereof. FIG. 4B illustrates the base assembly 105 including an
electrical container securing device 114. The electrical container
securing device 114 includes, for example, a vacuum unit 114. The
vacuum unit 114 creates a negative air pressure in the inner void
110A of the tubular member 110 to secure the container 109 in a
position concentric to the moveable compacting member 103A. The
container securing device 112 and 114 secures the container 109
such that the container 109 is maintained in an original position
when the moveable compacting member 103A is moving back from the
second compacting position to the first compacting position.
[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates a method of packing a substance in a
container 109 illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1C, 4A, and 4B. In the
method disclosed herein, at act 501, the packing apparatus 100
illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1D including the filling unit 101
including the moveable filling member 102 moveable from at least a
first filling position to a second filling position, and the
compacting unit 103 including the moveable compacting member 103A
moveable from at least a first compacting position to a second
compacting position, is provided. In the method disclosed herein,
at act 502, a substance is filled in the container 109 securely
positioned in a base assembly 105 of the packing apparatus 100, via
the transferring member 104A of a transferring assembly 104 of the
filling unit 101, illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D, when the moveable
filling member 102 of the filling unit 101 is in the second filling
position. At act 503 of the method disclosed herein, the filled
substance is compactly packed in the container 109 by the moveable
compacting member 103A of the compacting unit 103 when the moveable
filling member 102 is in the first filling position. This packing
of the filled substance includes moving the moveable compacting
member 103A from at least the first compacting position to the
second compacting position for a predefined number of times with a
preconfigured compaction force. This preconfigured compaction force
is a function of one or more properties of the container 109, as
disclosed in the detailed description of FIG. 1A.
[0029] The different embodiments of the packing apparatus 100
disclosed in the detailed descriptions of FIGS. 1A-5 may be used in
an industrial setup for packing a substance in a container 109 with
maximum compactness in a semi-automatic process and in minimal
time.
[0030] The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the
purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as
limiting of the method and the packing apparatus 100 disclosed
herein. While the method and the packing apparatus 100 have been
described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood
that the words, which have been used herein, are words of
description and illustration, rather than words of limitation.
Further, although the method and the packing apparatus 100 have
been described herein with reference to particular devices,
materials, and embodiments, the method and the packing apparatus
100 are not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed
herein. Rather, the method and the packing apparatus 100 extend to
all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as
are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the
art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may
effect numerous modifications thereto, and changes may be made
without departing from the scope and spirit of the method and the
packing apparatus 100 disclosed herein in their aspects.
[0031] The elements and features recited in the appended claims may
be combined in different ways to produce new claims that likewise
fall within the scope of the present invention. Thus, whereas the
dependent claims appended below depend from only a single
independent or dependent claim, it is to be understood that these
dependent claims may, alternatively, be made to depend in the
alternative from any preceding or following claim, whether
independent or dependent. Such new combinations are to be
understood as forming a part of the present specification.
[0032] While the present invention has been described above by
reference to various embodiments, it should be understood that many
changes and modifications can be made to the described embodiments.
It is therefore intended that the foregoing description be regarded
as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood
that all equivalents and/or combinations of embodiments are
intended to be included in this description.
* * * * *