US4047546A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for filling containers
Assignee: FMC Corp
•
Filing: 1975-02-14
•
Granted: 1977-09-13
•
Expires: 1995-02-14
Abstract
Abstract Packaging of powders in heat-sealed containers. Each charge of powder is extruded into its container through a powder-filled nozzle having a slot-like outlet, reducing dust formation and deposition on the walls of the container so that good heat seals are formed.
Inventors
- 👤 Derrick Arthur Bassendale
- 👤 Derrick Bartram
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 00:46
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B37/00; B65B37/08; B65B37/10; B65B39/00; B65B39/001; B65B39/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
Improved cyclic process for the packaging of dusty powders which comprises intermittently and repeatedly feeding a predetermined quantity of said powder, and discharging said quantity from an outlet into a container for said quantity, each cycle of said process comprising said feeding and discharging steps, wherein the improvement comprises, in each cycle, feeding said predetermined quantity of powder into nozzle means, said nozzle means having an inlet and an outlet and being already filled with powder supplied thereto previous to said cycle and having said powder packed at said nozzle and bridging said outlet, and, by said feeding, forcing a stream of powder from said nozzle outlet into said container, said nozzle outlet being narrower than said nozzle inlet and being sufficiently narrow that the powder becomes packed at said outlet and bridges said outlet preventing substantial further flow therefrom at the conclusion of each of said feeding steps while said nozzle means remains filled with said powder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
Improved cyclic process for the packaging of dusty powders which comprises intermittently and repeatedly feeding a predetermined quantity of said powder, and discharging said quantity from an outlet into a container for said quantity, each cycle of said process comprising said feeding and discharging steps, wherein the improvement comprises, in each cycle, feeding said predetermined quantity of powder into nozzle means, said nozzle means having an inlet and an outlet and being already filled with powder supplied thereto previous to said cycle and having said powder packed at said nozzle and bridging said outlet, and, by said feeding, forcing a stream of powder from said nozzle outlet into said container, said nozzle outlet being narrower than said nozzle inlet and being sufficiently narrow that the powder becomes packed at said outlet and bridges said outlet preventing substantial further flow therefrom at the conclusion of each of said feeding steps while said nozzle means remains filled with said powder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
Process as in claim 1 in which said powder travels downward through said nozzle and into said container, and, when said powder is discharged into said container, said container is positioned vertically with its upper portion around, but spaced from, said nozzle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
Process as in claim 1 in which said powder comprises a substantial proportion of particles having a particle diameter below 10 microns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
Process as in claim 1 in which said outlet is a slot less than 1 inch wide and said nozzle means provides a smoothly tapered path of decreasing cross section for the flow of powder to said slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
Process as in claim 4 in which said predetermined quantity of powder is fed downward to said nozzle by a rotating screw conveyor having a substantially vertical axis, said powder passing downwardly through said nozzle means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
109 words
Process as in claim 1 in which said predetermined quantity of powder is fed downwardly to said nozzle by a rotating screw conveyor having a substantially vertical axis, the powder passes downwardly through said nozzle means, said process including the steps of interposing drip catching means intermittently, at the conclusion of each of said feeding steps, in a position between said outlet and the body of powder in said container, and intermittently removing said drip catching means from said position prior to the recommencement of the flow of said powder stream from said outlet, said drip catching means being tilted during said removing step to discharge dripped powder therefrom.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
150 words
Improved apparatus for the packaging of particulate material which comprises means for intermittently and repeatedly feeding a predetermined quantity of said material into a container for said quantity, wherein the improvement comprises means adapting said apparatus for the packaging of dusty powders, said adapting means comprising nozzle means for receiving said powder in said predetermined quantities from said feeding means, said nozzle means having an inlet and an outlet, said outlet being sufficiently narrow that the powder becomes packed at said outlet and bridges said outlet preventing substantial further flow therefrom at the conclusion of each of said feeding steps while said nozzle means remains filled with said powder, whereby during each of said feeding steps said predetermined quantity is forced by said feeding means into said nozzle means and a stream of said powder is forced from said outlet into said container, said inlet being wider than said outlet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
150 words
Improved apparatus for the packaging of particulate material which comprises means for intermittently and repeatedly feeding a predetermined quantity of said material into a container for said quantity, wherein the improvement comprises means adapting said apparatus for the packaging of dusty powders, said adapting means comprising nozzle means for receiving said powder in said predetermined quantities from said feeding means, said nozzle means having an inlet and an outlet, said outlet being sufficiently narrow that the powder becomes packed at said outlet and bridges said outlet preventing substantial further flow therefrom at the conclusion of each of said feeding steps while said nozzle means remains filled with said powder, whereby during each of said feeding steps said predetermined quantity is forced by said feeding means into said nozzle means and a stream of said powder is forced from said outlet into said container, said inlet being wider than said outlet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as in claim 7 in which said outlet is a slot less than 1 inch wide and said nozzle means provides a smoothly tapered path of decreasing cross section for the flow of powder to said slot.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as in claim 7 in which the powder-holding volume of said nozzle means is less than the volume of powder supplied to said inlet by said feeding means at each feeding step.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as in claim 9 in which said inlet has a circular cross section which is substantially greater than the cross section of said slot and the length of said slot is greater than the diameter of said inlet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as in claim 10 in which said feeding means comprises a rotating screw conveyor having a substantially vertical axis and situated above said nozzle means, the construction and arrangement being such that said powder is fed downwardly by said conveyor and passes downwardly through said nozzle means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as in claim 8 in which said feeding means comprises a rotating screw conveyor which has a substantially vertical axis and the powder is fed downwardly thereby and passes downwardly through said nozzle means, said apparatus including means for maintaining said container around, but spaced from, said outlet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus as in claim 12 and comprising drip catching means and means for interposing said catching means intermittently, at the conclusion of each of said feeding steps, in a position below, and spaced from, said outlet and the body of powder in said container, and for intermittently removing said catching means from said position prior to the recommencement of the flow of said powder stream from said outlet.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as in claim 13 in which said interposing and removing means intermittently removes said catching means from said position to an inoperative position out of the path of said powder stream prior to said recommencement.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as in claim 14 in which said maintaining means are situated to provide a space at the side of said nozzle between said nozzle and said container, and said drip catching means are tilted, during said removing step to discharge dripped powder therefrom, to occupy an inoperative position in said space.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
Process as in claim 5 in which said powder is one which, when in unpacked condition, forms a visible dust cloud when a mass thereof is dropped.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
Process as in claim 5 in which said powder comprises plaster of paris powder of which less than 3 percent passes through a 100 mesh U.S. Standard sieve.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
Process as in claim 5 in which said slot has a smooth surface of polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
Process as in claim 5 in which the powder-holding volume of said nozzle means is less than the volume of powder supplied to said inlet by said feeding means at each feeding step.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
Process as in claim 6 in which said outlet is a slot less than 1 inch wide and said nozzle means provides a smoothly tapered path of decreasing cross section for the flow of powder to said slot.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
Process as in claim 20 in which said powder comprises a substantial proportion of particles having a particle diameter below 10 microns.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-09-12 | 1981-03-14 | 1981-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-12 | 1985-03-14 | 1985-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-12 | 1989-03-14 | 1989-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |