Container Filling And Producing Machine

Abstract

An apparatus for forming containers and filling the same, in which there is provided the improvement of container conveying means which are adapted to angularly displace open mouth containers. The container conveying means is associated with first and second filling means for, respectively, measuring liquids and metering lump or agglomerated material (such as foodstuffs). The second filling means includes a metering device and an endless chain angularly arranged relative to the container conveying means, and which mounts a plurality of troughs or the like pivotable about axes parallel relative to their direction of travel. In this way, when the troughs are tilted or angled, during their travel at the point where they are associated with open and angularly displaced containers, the foodstuffs may be discharged into the containers. An evacuating and closing device may be associated with the container conveying means.

Description

This invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing and filling containers.

More particularly, this invention relates to improvements in an apparatus for manufacturing containers such as bags or pouches, and the filling of the same.

Various types of apparatus are known in the prior art which produce flat, cushion-like containers or packages from a strip of weldable or sealable packaging material. These machines are also capable of filling and closing the containers. Generally speaking, this type of apparatus includes container-conveying means provided with conveyor tongues or tongs for gripping the containers arranged in pairs, with the distance between the tongues being controlled in such a manner that the neck of the container is opened and, after the container has been filled, is stretched into a flat condition again.

The prior art also teaches vacuum or exhausting and closing machines, in which containers made of sealable or weldable foil material, if desired surrounded by a carton, are evacuated and closed.

The above types of machines are adapted to pack dry, relatively fine-grained bulk material which is capable of flowing uniformly. However, there is also a need in this art to provide a method and apparatus, by means of which evacuated packaging containers or bags may be produced in which the contents of the containers are adapted to retain coarse lumps, or mixtures of lumps and fine materials, together with liquids -- for example, in the packaging of foodstuffs, such packages or containers may contain pieces of meat, pieces of vegetable such as potatoes, peas and a sauce.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided in one aspect, a machine capable of producing a container and filling the same, said machine including a container device provided with a pair of conveyor tongs, the distance between the tongs being adjustably controlled, and wherein the apparatus is characterized according to the invention, in that the container conveying means is so constructed such that the container conveying device is adapted to tilt a temporarily opened container, and in addition, is provided with first means forming a filling device suitable for measuring and dispensing liquids, and a second filling means suitable for measuring and dispensing material in lump or agglomerated form, the latter including means for metering the material and an endless belt or travelling chain mounted at an angle relative to said container conveying device. In this apparatus, the endless belt or chain is provided with means comprising troughs pivotally mounted about axes parallel relative to their direction of travel, the troughs being adapted, in a portion of travel, (during which they are positioned relative to the open and obliquely arranged containers) to be tilted to a discharge position. Still further, in the apparatus of the present invention, there is also provided means for evacuating and closing the container, such means comprising an evacuating and closing device associated with the container conveying means.

In a still further feature of the present invention, there may be provided an additional filling means for dry material capable of dispensing said material in association with the container conveying means, in order to convey the contents of the containers.

The above embodiment of the invention is preferable when a non-liquid portion of the contents of the container is adapted to be comprised of large-grained material, material agglomerates in which the material lumps or agglomerates are of different sizes, and material in which there is a considerable in specific weights of the same. The apparatus of the present invention ensures a pre-determined mix ratio of the components in the filled containers, even if a prepared mix were to become segregated within only one measuring and filling means.

Moreover, with the apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to introduce solid and liquid components separately into the containers; and, the measuring and filling means may be designed in such a manner that individually measured amounts of the components may be rapidly and reliably introduced into the containers. A further feature of the present invention is that the apparatus may be constructed so as to provide a machine capable of effecting filling and the other operations in relatively short cycles, thus providing a high output for the machine.

In the above and subsequently described apparatus, the evacuating and closing means may, if desired, correspond in construction principles with the arrangement taught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,006,120. Likewise, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, other conventional drive means, etc., for the above-described type of machine may be employed.

Having thus generally described the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged view of the conveyor tongs in greater detail; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tongs operating mechanism.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the apparatus illustrated includes a container-producing device indicated generally by reference numeral 1, which is adapted to draw packaging material 3 from a storage roll 2 of the same. The device 1 is adapted to fold the material along a centerline 4, and to weld or seal it transversely at specific intervals, and to sever the folded material approximately mid-way between the seals or welds thereby producing individual containers 5.

The apparatus includes container conveying means indicated generally by reference numeral 8, which is equipped with conveyor tongs indicated by reference numerals 6 and 7 -- the latter of which are arranged in pairs so as to convey the containers 5 coming from the container producing apparatus 1. Also included are measuring and filling means indicated generally by reference numerals 9, 10 and 11 in the vicinity of the container conveying means 8, and an evacuating and closing device 12 subsequent to the container conveying means 8.

The conveyor tongs 6 and 7 are arranged movably on a travelling chain or belt indicated by reference numeral 15 mounted on sprockets 13 and 14 in such a manner that the distance between the tongs 6 and 7 may be periodically reduced for the purpose of opening, or holding open the containers 5 gripped by said tongs within reach of the upper edges 16 of the containers 5. The tongs are pivotally mounted, in a manner later described, about axes generally parallel relative to the direction of travel so that at least the upper parts of the containers may be moved from a generally vertical position to an inclined position. In the vicinity of the end 17 of the container conveying means 8, the conveyor tongs 6 and 7 may be moved back to the original spacing or distance between them when the containers 5 were picked up, in order to stretch the opening 18 of the containers 5, in a flat condition.

Spaced along the container conveying device 8, and in advance of the first measuring and filling means indicated by reference numeral 9, is a station 19 for opening the containers 5. This station is provided with a pair of suction devices (not shown, but according to conventional construction) which engage between the conveyor tongs 6 and 7, and at a location at the upper edges 16 of the containers 5, the walls of the container so as to move them apart at generally right angles to the direction of travel as soon as the distance between the tongs decreases.

The first measuring and filling means 9 is adapted to introduce liquids, for example, sauces, into the containers 5. To this end, the device 9 is provided with a filler 20 connected to a pump via a valve (not shown, but according to conventional construction) which remains open for a predetermined amount of time. The filler 20 may be introduced into the opening 18 of the container 5 in such a manner that the upper edges 16 thereof are not moistened by the liquid as it enters.

The second measuring and filling means 10 consists essentially of a chain or the like 22 running in a generally horizontal plane, troughs 23 arranged on the chain and pivotable about axes generally parallel to the direction of travel, and at least one metering device 24 arranged above the path of travel of the troughs 23. One section 25 of the chain 22 is arranged in relation to the container conveying means 8, so that the outlet ends 26 of the troughs 23, when the latter are in a tilted or angled condition, dip into the containers 5. It is also possible to arrange, along the path of the travel of the troughs 23, operating stations designated by reference letters A, B (not shown) for additional lump or agglomerated material, for example, cut up pieces of meat may be inserted manually into the containers. A jet pipe 27 for steam may also be provided for the purpose of cleaning troughs 23 after they have been emptied.

The third measuring and filling device 11 is also arranged above the path of travel of the containers 5 and is preferably designed to meter material capable of trickling.

The evacuating and closing device 12 comprises rotating chambers 28 which may be closed off by covers 29. The filled containers 5 may be suspended in these chambers by means of a transfer device 30 arranged between the container conveying device means 8 and the path of travel of the chambers 28. In the evacuating and closing device 12, atmospheric oxygen is first of all removed from the containers 5 after which the containers 5 are closed by suitable procedures.

If the containers contain relatively large lumps or agglomerates of sharp-edged materials, if desired, a predetermined amount of a protective gas well known to those skilled in the art may be introduced into the container before it is closed.

Referring now to FIG. 3 in greater detail, which illustrates a conveyor tong in greater detail, as illustrated the tong 6 is attached to an arm 42 which is connected to a pivot axis 43 and secured against rotation relative thereto. The pivot axis is arranged at generally right angles to the direction of travel of the chain 15. Connected to the pivot axis 43 is a pivot lever 44, mounting on the end thereof an actuating roller 45. The latter will be actuated when the tong 6 arrives at a stationary control track 46. At this moment the arm 42 will be pivotted in such a manner that the conveyor tong 6 moves away from the adjacent conveyor tong (indicated by reference numeral 7 and shown behind the former in FIG. 3). Conveyor tong 7 is arranged to pivot in a generally similar manner to that described above relative to the conveyor tong 6. When the conveyor tongs 6 and 7 move apart, as described above, the opening 18 in the container 5 is stretched "flat" in the closing operation. Control track 46 thus begins after the filling device 11.

The first pivot axis 43 is mounted to rotate in a bearing 47. This bearing 47 is pivotable about a second pivot axis 48 arranged generally parallel relative to the direction of conveying of the containers and is carried by the chain 15. There is provided at one end of the pivot axis 43, an additional roller 49 which is provided adjacent the actuating roller 45. The roller 49 engages a central control track 50 which is mounted by means of a sliding block 51 and a curved link 52, to pivot in an arc about a second pivot axis 48. The control track 50 driven from a rotatable cam 53, through a lever 55 mounting a cam roller 54, and a link 56. A stationary bar 57 supports the container 5 in such a manner that when the conveyor tongs 6 and 7 pivot about the axis 48, the container assumes a tilted or angled position.

Referring now to FIG. 4 it should be noted that the tongs 6 and 7 are comprised of members 6A and 6B and 7A and 7B which are pivotally mounted about pivot axis 43 in bearing 47 which in turn is pivotally secured to chain 15 by means of journal or pivot 48. Each lever 44 is provided with an actuating roller 45 which abut control track 46 and are caused by the control track to be forced to move in a predetermined direction. An upward movement causes the tongs 6, 7 to be moved outwardly so that the opening of the bag which is clamped between the tongs 6, 7 becomes flat. Inasmuch as this step constitutes the step prior to the closing of the bag, the control track 46 is arranged -- when viewed in the direction of conveyance -- between the filling station and the pre-closing tool 31 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The return of the outwardly moved tongs 6 and 7 to the position which is shown in FIG. 4 occurs after the rollers 45 leave the track 46. This is accomplished in a conventional manner by means of spring F. The opening of the two tongs 6 and 7 for inserting and discharging the bag requires a change of position relative to the chain 15 which is accomplished by lever H arranged on tongs 6B and 7B and actuated by a conventional mechanism provided at the desired work stations.

Again, conventional means such as the use of spring F1 is used to bring to bear sufficient pressure on the tongs relative to the bag in order to close the same. This motion is established by the lever H1 arranged on tongs 6B and 7B.

As is also illustrated in FIG. 3 there is shown one form of a preferred arrangement for mounting of the troughs 23 on chain 22. Each trough 23 is pivotably mounted on the chain 22 by means of a shaft 60 arranged generally parallel relative to the direction of the conveying of the containers. The troughs 23, shafts 60 and chain 22 are arranged relative to the chain 15 as described above, in such a manner that when the troughs are angled or tilted, their discharge ends 26 enter into the opening 18 of the containers 5, which are in a form ready to receive the ends 26. The troughs 23 are tilted or angled by means of a drive means 61 consisting of a cam 62, a cam roller 63 carried on a lever 64, a link 65 and a control track 68 guided by means of a sliding block 66 and a curved member 52. The track 68 also engages a roller 69 mounted on a lever 70, which is attached to a shaft 71 and secured against rotation relative thereto -- the shaft 71 being mounted on the chain 22. Mounted on the shaft 71 and secured against relative rotation thereto is a second lever 72 which engages with the corresponding trough 23 through a link 73.

A closure flap 74 may be provided over the discharge end 26 of each of the troughs 23 for the purpose of preventing premature discharge of the bulk material in the trough. The closure flap 74 opens when the discharge end of the trough enters a container 5. This opening is effected in that a stop roller 75 attached to the closure flap 74 comes in contact with a stationary bar 76 when the trough is tilted or angled.

In the above-described apparatus, in order to effect transferring of the containers, without any difficulty into the evacuating and closing chamber 12, particularly if the packaging material 3 from which the containers 5 are made is of a relatively flexible nature, a device indicated generally by reference numeral 31 which partially closes the container 5 may be provided. In this case, the device 31 may be located in advance of the end 17 of the container conveying means.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the measuring and filling means indicated generally by reference numerals 9, 10 and 11 need not necessarily be in the sequence shown since the solid components may, if necessary and desired, be introduced into the containers 5 before the liquid components.

It will be understood that various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the measuring means indicated generally by reference numerals 11 and 24 may be of the type described in e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 2,540,259.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In a container filling and producing machine having container conveying means with a pair of container holding means adapted to releasably grip the containers and wherein the distance between the gripping means is variable, the improvement wherein said apparatus includes container conveying means adapted to tilt or angle an open container between first and second positions, said container conveying means being operatively associated with first filling means adapted to measure and dispense a liquid material into said container and second filling means adapted to dispense lump or agglomerated material into said containers, said second filling means having means for metering said material, and an endless movable means arranged angularly relative to said container conveying means, said last-mentioned means mounting a plurality of retaining means pivotable about an axis generally parallel relative to their direction of travel, said retaining means being adapted to be angularly displaced along a portion of their distance of travel from a first position to a second position whereby when in said second position, they are capable of discharging contents retained into a container, said apparatus further including means for evacuating a container operatively associated with said container conveying means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes third measuring means adapted for measuring dry material capable of flowing, said third measuring means being associated with said container conveying means.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, said apparatus further including cleaning means adapted to clean said retaining means after said retaining means have discharged their contents, said cleaning means being arranged along the path of travel of said retaining means.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said cleaning means includes a steam jet.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes means for at least partially closing said containers, said last-mentioned means being located in advance in the direction of travel of said containers, of the evacuating and closing means.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes at least one station adapted for manually filling said retaining means, said station being located along the path of travel of said retaining means.