Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 55
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A continuous rotary filling machine for receiving flexible bags with spouts having caps thereon that are removable by relative axial movement, which comprises: a rotatable filler head support, a plurality of filler heads angularly disposed about the support and each adapted to receive a capped spouted bag, each filler head comprising means for removing and re-applying the cap on the spout and for filling the bag with a selected substance while the cap is removed, means for actuating each filler head during the continuous movement of the rotatable filler head support, said filler head actuating means including means for supplying a predetermined volume of flowable substance into the bag while the cap is removed, said substance-supplying means comprising a digitizing volume flow meter and a cooperating signal conditioner.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A continuous rotary filling machine for receiving flexible bags with spouts having caps thereon that are removable by relative axial movement, which comprises: a rotatable filler head support, a plurality of filler heads angularly disposed about the support and each adapted to receive a capped spouted bag, each filler head comprising means for removing and re-applying the cap on the spout and for filling the bag with a selected substance while the cap is removed, means for actuating each filler head during the continuous movement of the rotatable filler head support, said filler head actuating means including means for supplying a predetermined volume of flowable substance into the bag while the cap is removed, said substance-supplying means comprising a digitizing volume flow meter and a cooperating signal conditioner.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A machine according to claim 1 including bag supports mounted on the rotatable head support in cooperation with each filler head for supporting the bag as it is filled by the respective head.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A machine according to claim 1 in which the filler head includes means for evacuating the bag before the filling operation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A machine according to claim 1 in which the filler head includes means for supplying fluid into the bag after the filling operation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A machine according to claim 2 in which each of said bag supports comprises a support platform mounted on the rotatable support for movement relative to its cooperating filler head between a support and a non-support position, and means for controlling movement of said platform between said positions during the continuous rotation of said rotatable head support.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
155 words
A continuous rotary filling machine for receiving flexible bags with spouts having caps thereon that are removable by relative axial movement, which comprises: a rotatable filler head support, a plurality of filler heads angularly disposed about the support and each adapted to receive a capped spouted bag, each filler head comprising means for removing and re-applying the cap on the spout and a filler valve for filling the bag with a selected flowable substance while the cap is removed, means for actuating each filler head during the continuous movement of the rotatable filler head support, said filler head actuating means including filler valve controlling means for supplying a predetermined volume of substance into the bag while the cap is removed, said controlling means comprising a digitizing volume flow meter and a cooperating counter which receives signals from said flow meter and upon a predetermined count closes said filler valve to interrupt flow into the bag.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
155 words
A continuous rotary filling machine for receiving flexible bags with spouts having caps thereon that are removable by relative axial movement, which comprises: a rotatable filler head support, a plurality of filler heads angularly disposed about the support and each adapted to receive a capped spouted bag, each filler head comprising means for removing and re-applying the cap on the spout and a filler valve for filling the bag with a selected flowable substance while the cap is removed, means for actuating each filler head during the continuous movement of the rotatable filler head support, said filler head actuating means including filler valve controlling means for supplying a predetermined volume of substance into the bag while the cap is removed, said controlling means comprising a digitizing volume flow meter and a cooperating counter which receives signals from said flow meter and upon a predetermined count closes said filler valve to interrupt flow into the bag.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
282 words
A continuous rotary filling machine for receiving flexible bags with spouts having caps thereon that are removeable by relative axial movement, which comprises: a rotatable filler head support, a plurality of filler heads angularly disposed about the support, and means for rotating the support continuously; each filler head comprising spout-clamping means for receiving and clamping a spout, cap-engaging means for engaging the cap on the clamped spout, said spout-clamping and cap engaging means being movable relatively to move the spout and cap axially relatively, and a filler nozzle and cooperating filler valve, said filler nozzle and said clamping means being movable relatively to bring the nozzle into and out of cooperation with the bag spout; and control means for successively causing the clamping means to clamp the spout, the cap-engaging means and clamping means to move relatively to remove the cap axially from the spout, the filler nozzle and clamping means to move relatively to bring the nozzle into cooperation with the clamped spout to fill the bag and then out of cooperation with the spout, the capengaging means and spout-clamping means to move relatively to re-position the cap axially on the spout, and the clamping means to release the spout, all during the continuous rotation of the filler head support, said spout-clamping means including an open socket adapted to engage a bag-spout as the head moves past a loading position, and means at that position for presenting a bag spout to be engaged by said socket, said socket being a pivoted clamping plate in the form of an open mouth, and means for swinging said plate to closed position around the spout after it engages the spout at the loading position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
282 words
A continuous rotary filling machine for receiving flexible bags with spouts having caps thereon that are removeable by relative axial movement, which comprises: a rotatable filler head support, a plurality of filler heads angularly disposed about the support, and means for rotating the support continuously; each filler head comprising spout-clamping means for receiving and clamping a spout, cap-engaging means for engaging the cap on the clamped spout, said spout-clamping and cap engaging means being movable relatively to move the spout and cap axially relatively, and a filler nozzle and cooperating filler valve, said filler nozzle and said clamping means being movable relatively to bring the nozzle into and out of cooperation with the bag spout; and control means for successively causing the clamping means to clamp the spout, the cap-engaging means and clamping means to move relatively to remove the cap axially from the spout, the filler nozzle and clamping means to move relatively to bring the nozzle into cooperation with the clamped spout to fill the bag and then out of cooperation with the spout, the capengaging means and spout-clamping means to move relatively to re-position the cap axially on the spout, and the clamping means to release the spout, all during the continuous rotation of the filler head support, said spout-clamping means including an open socket adapted to engage a bag-spout as the head moves past a loading position, and means at that position for presenting a bag spout to be engaged by said socket, said socket being a pivoted clamping plate in the form of an open mouth, and means for swinging said plate to closed position around the spout after it engages the spout at the loading position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
A machine according to claim 7 in which the bag spout is provided with a pair of axially spaced peripheral flanges and said socket engages the spout between said flanges, said means for presenting the bag spout to the socket including guide means for engaging the spout between said flanges and located in substantially the same plane as the socket.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
304 words
A continuous rotary filling machine for receiving flexible bags with spouts having caps thereon that are removable by relative axial movement, which comprises: a rotatable filler head support, a plurality of filler heads angularly disposed about the support, and means for rotating the support continuously; each filler head comprising spout-clamping means for receiving and clamping a spout, cap-engaging means for engaging the cap on the clamped spout, said spout-clamping and cap engaging means being movable relatively to move the spout and cap axially relatively, and a filler nozzle and cooperating filler valve, said filler nozzle and said clamping means being movable relatively to bring the nozzle into and out of cooperation with the bag spout; and control means for successively causing the clamping means to clamp the spout, the cap-engaging means and clamping means to move relatively to remove the cap axially from the spout, the filler nozzle and clamping means to move relatively to bring the nozzle into cooperation with the clamped spout to fill the bag and then out of cooperation with the spout, the cap-engaging means and spout-clamping means to move relatively to re-position the cap axially on the spout, and the clamping means to release the spout, all during the continuous rotation of the filler head support, said control means including a volume flow meter for controlling the filler valve to provide a predetermined volume of liquid in the bag during the filling operation; a bag support for each filler head carried by the rotatable filler head support and supporting each clamped bag during the filling operation, each of the bag supports comprising a platform movable into and out of cooperation with its respective filler head to support the bag during the filling operation and to permit discharge thereof after the filling operation upon release by said spout clamping means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
304 words
A continuous rotary filling machine for receiving flexible bags with spouts having caps thereon that are removable by relative axial movement, which comprises: a rotatable filler head support, a plurality of filler heads angularly disposed about the support, and means for rotating the support continuously; each filler head comprising spout-clamping means for receiving and clamping a spout, cap-engaging means for engaging the cap on the clamped spout, said spout-clamping and cap engaging means being movable relatively to move the spout and cap axially relatively, and a filler nozzle and cooperating filler valve, said filler nozzle and said clamping means being movable relatively to bring the nozzle into and out of cooperation with the bag spout; and control means for successively causing the clamping means to clamp the spout, the cap-engaging means and clamping means to move relatively to remove the cap axially from the spout, the filler nozzle and clamping means to move relatively to bring the nozzle into cooperation with the clamped spout to fill the bag and then out of cooperation with the spout, the cap-engaging means and spout-clamping means to move relatively to re-position the cap axially on the spout, and the clamping means to release the spout, all during the continuous rotation of the filler head support, said control means including a volume flow meter for controlling the filler valve to provide a predetermined volume of liquid in the bag during the filling operation; a bag support for each filler head carried by the rotatable filler head support and supporting each clamped bag during the filling operation, each of the bag supports comprising a platform movable into and out of cooperation with its respective filler head to support the bag during the filling operation and to permit discharge thereof after the filling operation upon release by said spout clamping means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
62 words
A machine according to claim 9 in which said filler nozzle of each head has a second flow valve means associated therewith for controlling the pulling of vacuum in the bag before filling and the injection of fluid thereinto after filling, said control means also controlling said second valve means in its operations during the continuous rotation of the filler head support.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
A machine according to claim 9 in which the spout-clamping means includes an open socket adapted to engage a bag-spout as the head moves past a loading position, and means at that position for presenting a bag spout to be engaged by said socket.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
A machine according to claim 9 including safety means mounted in a fixed position relative to said rotatable filler head support for engaging a bag if it is not released by said spout-clamping means, and means actuated by said safety means to stop said means for rotating the support.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
A machine according to claim 9 including cam means for moving said platforms into their bag-supporting and non-supporting positions during continuous rotation of the rotatable filler head support, said cam means comprising a relatively fixed cam extending around the rotatable support, and cam followers on each of said platforms for said cam.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
72 words
A machine according to claim 9 in which the bag spout is provided with a pair of axially spaced peripheral flanges and said clamping means has jaws for engaging the spout between said flanges, said cap having a peripheral flange and said cap-engaging means having a portion engaging said flange to pull the cap from the clamped spout and a portion engaging the cap to push the cap back onto the spout.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A machine according to claim 14 in which the clamping means includes a removable and replaceable spout-receiving and clamping socket plate and the cap-receiving means includes a removable and replaceable cap-retainer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
228 words
A continuous rotary machine for receiving flexible bags with spouts having caps thereon that are removable by axial outward movement which comprises: a turret rotatable about a vertical axis, drive means for rotating the turret continuously, a plurality of angularly-disposed filler heads disposed about the turret; each filler head comprising: spout-clamping means for receiving and clamping in upright position a capped bag spout presented to it during the continuous rotaton of the turret, cap-engaging means for engaging the cap on the clamped spout mounted for vertical and horizontal movement, a filler nozzle equipped with a flow control filler valve mounted for vertical and horizontal movement relative to the clamping means for the spout; and control means for successively actuating, during the continuous rotation of the turret, the clamping means to clamp the spout, the cap-engaging means to engage the cap on the spout and to move vertically to remove it from the spout and horizontally to move it out of alignment with the spout, and the filler nozzle to move horizontally over the spout and then downwardly into filling position therewith and the filler valve to fill the bag, and, after filling, to close the valve, return the nozzle upwardly and horizontally to its original position and the cap-engaging means horizontally and downwardly to replace the cap on the spout, and the clamping means to release the spout.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
228 words
A continuous rotary machine for receiving flexible bags with spouts having caps thereon that are removable by axial outward movement which comprises: a turret rotatable about a vertical axis, drive means for rotating the turret continuously, a plurality of angularly-disposed filler heads disposed about the turret; each filler head comprising: spout-clamping means for receiving and clamping in upright position a capped bag spout presented to it during the continuous rotaton of the turret, cap-engaging means for engaging the cap on the clamped spout mounted for vertical and horizontal movement, a filler nozzle equipped with a flow control filler valve mounted for vertical and horizontal movement relative to the clamping means for the spout; and control means for successively actuating, during the continuous rotation of the turret, the clamping means to clamp the spout, the cap-engaging means to engage the cap on the spout and to move vertically to remove it from the spout and horizontally to move it out of alignment with the spout, and the filler nozzle to move horizontally over the spout and then downwardly into filling position therewith and the filler valve to fill the bag, and, after filling, to close the valve, return the nozzle upwardly and horizontally to its original position and the cap-engaging means horizontally and downwardly to replace the cap on the spout, and the clamping means to release the spout.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
A machine according to claim 16 including means for mounting said guide plates for radial adjustment on the turret.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
217 words
A machine according to claim 16 in which said heads are supported in radially-extending, angularly-spaced positions on the turret, said spout-clamping means, cap-engaging means, and filler nozzle of each head being supported by a pair of laterally-spaced-radially-extending guide plates carried by the turret; said spout-clamping means comprising an oscillatable jaw-plate with a normally-outwardly-opening socket and cooperating fixed jaws carried by said guide plates, a cylinder and piston unit connected to oscillate said jaw-plate, a main support carriage mounted on said guide plates for horizontal reciprocating movement, a cap carrier, having said cap-engaging means, normally aligning with said socket and having guide portions operating in guide slots formed in said guide plates which have lower inner vertical sections and upper inclined sections, a vertically disposed cylinder and piston unit carried by the main carriage and connected to the cap carrier to move it relative to said guide plates to produce combined vertical and horizontal movement thereof resulting in horizontal movement of the main carriage, an elevator mounted for vertical movement on said main carriage and carrying said filler nozzle, and a cylinder and piston unit carried by the elevator for controlling movement of the elevator vertically and thereby the nozzle vertically into and out of filling position relative to the spout, clamped by said jaw-plate and cooperating jaws.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
67 words
A machine according to claim 18 in which fluid lines are provided on said turret leading to the various heads and include flexible sections to permit necessary movements in the heads, means for supplying fluid from a source stationary relative to the turret, said means including a manifold at the center of the turret having relatively rotatable parts connected to the stationary source and to said lines.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
55 words
A machine according to claim 19 in which electrical lines are provided on said turret leading to various units thereon, electric means exteriorly of said turret and stationary relative thereto, and a slip ring and brush assembly at the center of the turret for connecting said stationary electric means to the lines on the turret.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
A machine according to claim 16 in which said control means includes a volume flow meter for controlling the filler valve to provide a predetermined volume of liquid in the bag during the filling operation.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
59 words
A machine according to claim 21 in which the filler nozzle of each head has additional flow means associated therewith for controlling the pulling of vacuum in the bag before filling and the injection of fluid thereinto after filling; said control means also controlling said second valve means in its operation during the continuous rotation of the head support.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
A machine according to claim 21 including a bag support mounted on the turret beneath each filler head for supporting the clamped bag during its filling by the respective filler head.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
A machine according to claim 23 in which each of said bag supports comprises a radially-extending platform pivoted at its inner end for vertical swinging movement from a bag supporting position to a bag discharging position.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
51 words
A machine according to claim 24 including cam means for controlling the vertical swinging of the platforms during the continuous rotation of the turret, said cam means comprising a relatively stationary cam extending around the turret, said platforms having cam followers outwardly of their pivoted inner ends for engaging said cam.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
43 words
A machine according to claim 20 in which said turret-driving means includes an electric motor and cooperating circuit, and safety means for engaging a bag if its spout is not released from said clamping means for actuating a switch to break said circuit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
45 words
A machine according to claim 20 in which the spout-clamping means includes an open socket adapted to engage a bag spout as the head moves past a loading position, and means at that position for presenting a bag spout to be engaged by said socket.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
68 words
A machine according to claim 27 in which the bag spout is provided with a pair of axially spaced peripheral flanges and said socket is in the edge of a plate which engages the spout between said flanges, said means for presenting the bag spout to the socket including guide means for engaging the spout between said flanges and located in substantially the same plane as the socket.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
50 words
A machine according to claim 21 including means for supplying liquid to each of said heads for the filling operation, said means comprising a gravity-feed tank carried on the turret and connected to the filler nozzles of each head by flexible conduit sections to permit movement thereof on the heads.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
85 words
A machine according to claim 21 including means for supplying liquid to each of said heads for the filling operation, said means including a pressure supply line and means for connecting said line to each of said heads, said means comprising a manifold unit on the turret between the supply lines and conduits leading to the various filler nozzles, said manifold unit including a pressure-tight swivel joint, and said conduits leading to the filler heads including flexible sections to permit movement thereof on the heads.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
A machine according to claim 27 in which said control means comprises a pneumatic control circuit, having a valve activated by said spout as it moves into said socket.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
A machine according to claim 31 in which said pneumatic circuit includes a spout-detecting air passage cooperating with said spout-receiving socket.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
68 words
A machine according to claim 22 in which said control means comprises a pneumatic control circuit having a valve activated by said spout as it moves into said socket, said circuit including a spout-detecting air passage cooperating with said spout-receiving socket, and safety means to prevent actuation of the filler valve if vacuum is not detected in the bag which has its spout clamped by said clamping means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
52 words
A machine according to claim 32 in which said pneumatic circuit includes a clean-in-place lock-out arrangement which can be selectively actuated to open and close the filler valve during the continuous rotation of the turret and to keep the clamping means closed to prevent spouts from being clamped as the turret rotates.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
69 words
A machine according to claim 18 including pressure means for supplying each of said nozzle members with liquid and comprising a manifold at the center of the turret connected to all of said nozzle members by conduits including flexible sections which permit the movement of the nozzle members on the turret, a stationary liquid supply line, and a leakproof swivel joint connecting said stationary supply line and said manifold.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
49 words
A machine according to claim 35 in which resilient means acting between the main carriage and the elevator normally keeps the elevator in its uppermost position, said cylinder and piston unit carried by the elevator overcoming the resilient means to move the elevator, and filler nozzle carried thereby, downwardly.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
32 words
A machine according to claim 36 including a reciprocable filler valve in the nozzle, and a cylinder and piston unit mounted in the cooperation with nozzle for opening or closing said valve.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
31 words
A machine according to claim 37 including a second valve for controlling the application of fluid into the clamped spout, said last-named cylinder and piston unit also controlling the second valve.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
62 words
A machine according to claim 35 in which said main support carriage is carried between said guide plates by rollers which operate in horizontal guide slots adjacent the upper ends thereof, and said capcarrier is positioned for vertical movement between the guide plates and the guide portions thereof being rollers which operate in the vertical and inclined portions of the cooperating slots.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
19 words
A machine according to claim 35 in which said oscillatable plate is removable and replaceable for different size spouts.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
17 words
A machine according to claim 40 in which said cap carrier includes a removable and replaceable cap-receiver.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
36 words
A machine according to claim 41 in which said cap carrier has a cap-receiver and is of U-form for receiving the cap on the spout that carries it as that spout moves into the clamping means.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
51 words
A machine according to claim 42 in which said spout has flanges engaged by the clamping plate to prevent axial movement thereof, said cap having a flange engaged by the retainer to pull the cap from the spout, and said retainer having a portion pushing on the cap to reapply it.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
79 words
A machine according to claim 37 in which the control system is pneumatic control system connected to said spout-clamp operating cylinder and piston unit, said cylinder and piston unit for moving said cap-carrier and said cylinder and piston unit for controlling movement of said elevator; a valve controlled by the vertical position of said elevator, and another valve for starting the filling sequence which is engaged as the bag spout is moved into the clamping means of each head.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
33 words
A machine according to claim 44 including an additional valve for each head which is engaged after each filling operation and during the continuous movement of the turret to reset the control system.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
42 words
A machine according to claim 45 in which the turret-rotating means comprises an electric drive motor and cooperating circuit, and means beyond the clamp release position for engaging clamped bags which have not been released to break the circuit to said motor.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
25 words
A machine according to claim 45 in which said pneumatic circuit also includes a spout-detecting air passage at said fixed jaws of the spout-clamping means.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
34 words
A machine according to claim 47 in which said pneumatic circuit includes safety means to prevent actuation of the filler valve cylinder piston unit if no bag spout is present in said clamping means.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
70 words
A machine according to claim 48 in which said pneumatic circuit includes a clean-in-place lock-out arrangement which can be selectively actuated to cause the filler valve cylinder and piston actuating unit to open and close the filler valve during the continuous rotation of the turret and the clamping means cylinder and piston actuating unit to keep the clamping means closed to prevent spouts from being clamped as the turret rotates.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
56 words
A machine according to claim 18 including means for supplying each of said nozzle members with liquid; said means comprising a supply tank at the center of the turret and rotatable therewith, and conduits connecting said tank and the nozzle members and including flexible sections to permit the movement of said nozzle members on the turret.