AU2003201295A1 - A filling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

-fl IP AUSTRALIA

SRECEIVED

18 MAR 2003 CANBERRA FEP

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant- DESIGN ENGINEERING FrY LIMITED Actual Invetor WILLIAM GEORGE BAKER Address for Service: Chrysiliou Law 15-19 Parraween Street Cremorne Sydney NSW 2090 Australla Ivention Title: A Filling Apparatus The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method ofperforming it known to melus: \~mr~WQWI0Abt3IpPicas2136doGUe G~d TTF,*0N mbi nomisS~wo LQ:S9 20/20/6T SOOd IIVON 4. MB1 nonIsA~-Io ~~91 20/20/61 OAoM\&tfnConwU\1213okAoc A FILLING APPARATUS TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a filling apparatus and more particularly to a filling apparatus capable of continuous, sequential filling of a plurality of containers.

s BACKGROUND

ART

Apparatus of this type is used for filling containers, such as bags, with a predetermined weight offlowable material such as, for example, cereals, grain or rice.

An example of the Applicant's prior apparatus of this type is shown in Australian Patent No. 551762. This apparatus includes a chute which toggles under the influence ofcounterweights between directing all the flowable material input stream to a first container or to a second container.

A disadvantage of this prior art apparatus is that the speed of the flowable material must be limited so that the weighing apparatus can terminate the flow of material entering a container upon reaching its predetermined weight, with reasonable accuracy, notwithstanding inflight material and flow rate variations.

It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate the disadvantages of the prior art devices and more particularly to provide a faster and more efficient filling arrangement It is a further object of the present invention to provide a filling arrangement capable of continuous, sequential filling of a plurality of containers.

In some aspects, this invention represents an advance in the invention disclosed in Australian Patent No. 739,388.

la OTOdC TT'2ON MU-1 nO 1 -11 SMH L0:9T IB/ BII GTBd ttrON 4. MU-i flflhliSAdHJ t0:qt £G/2G/B O.Does\P\Mnt \Comp\2136.oc DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for filling a plurality of containers with flowable material, the apparatus including: a plurality of container filling stations arranged in a sequence; a fixed flow divider, located between each filling station and the next filling station in the sequence; and a material guide for flow of flowable material, wherein the apparatus includes means to move the filling stations relative to the material guide between: a first position in which all the flow of flowable material is guided to one of the container filling stations; an intermediate position in which the flow of flowable material is divided between the one container filling station and the next container filling station in the sequence; and 1s a second position in which the flow offlowable material is guided to the next container filling station.

The flowable material is preferably grain, cereal or rice.

There may be two or more container filling stations. When there are more than two filling stations, preferably these are arranged in a loop, such as a circle, so that 2 containers may be filled in a continuous manner, one after the other. In this embodiment, movement of the filling stations can be effected in one direction only, with an empty container being placed at an appropriate filling station ahead of flow from the material guide reaching that filling station and with filled containers 2 TT-d T T -ON fiK-I IOIIISAQH3 _:9T 2/20/8T _C I_~ OADoMc\PttComBp\l213&doc being removed sequentially after filling. In this embodiment, it is preferred that the filling stations travel past the material guide by means of a conveyer belt.

Alternately, the sequence of container filling stations may have a start and a finish point, rather than forming a loop. This, of course, will be the case if there are only s two filling stations. Even with three or more filling stations, it is within the scope of this invention tat, once the containers at the filling stations have been filled, the apparatus is designed to move back to the start point and repeat the performance.

Desirably, at the intermediate position, the material input is split substantially equally between the first and next container filling stations.

In one preferred embodiment, the material guide is a chute. The chute preferably includes an inclined base and two substantially vertical side walls. The base is preferably upwardly convex and includes corrugations for spreading the material flow across the width of the base.

In other embodiments, the material guide is a vibrating tray, an auger fed nozzle or 1i a gravity fed nozzle mounted beneath a flexible tube.

The material guide may be, in fact, more than one guide, which can be useful when the flowable material has a tendency to stick together or to stick to the guide. If there is more than one material guide they may be controlled independently. For example, where there are two material guides, the first may direct a larger proportion of the flowable material while the second directs the remainder.

It is to be understood that the means moving the filling stations relative to the material guide may be any suitable means, one of which is described in connection with an embodiment in the drawings, below.

The apparatus preferably includes weighing devices to weigh the amount of material in each of the containers. In a sophisticated version of the invention, the 3 ZTd TTZ'ON MUI FOI-1SAMO~ LO3:91 Mf/203/9T ~T0d 1T~ON j~:9 £0/~G/8T \SrvatvedD\PatMemntsCopql 2136.doc apparatus includes a control system adapted to cause movement of the filling stations in response to the weight of material in each of the containers.

The control system may be pneumatically driven. It also preferably includes fine adjustment means capable of adjusting the portion of flowable material input into the first or next container to a fine degree. For example, in one embodiment, the fine adjustment may cause the input to be divided so that 99% flows into one container while 1% flows into the other.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for filling a plurality of containers, said method including the steps of providing a flow of flowable material from a material guide into a first container at a first container filling station until the first container is filled to a first predetermined weight; moving the first container filling station and a second filling station adjacent the first in relation to the material guide so that a portion of is the flow of flowable material is divided by a first fixed flow divider to flow into each of the first container and a second container at the second filling station until the first container is substantially full; moving the first and second filling stations in relation to the material guide so that all of the flow of flowable material is directed into the second container until it is filled to a second predetermined weight; and moving the second filling station and a third filling station adjacent the second in relation to the material guide so that a portion of the flow of flowable material is divided by a second fixed flow divider into each of the second container and a third container at the third filling station until the second container is substantially full.

4 ETd TTZ'ON Mb9 nOI1ISMH3 eo:gT zo/s-,o/e £I I I?0IlMl IIIIII IA H I9 84 O;\Docs\PamnerComp\l236.doo Preferably, steps to are repeated to continuously fill the plurality of containers until a predetermined number ofcontaners is filled or the flow of flowable material is exhausted.

The first and second predetermined weights are preferably substantially equal.

Desiably, the flow at step is directed 10% to the first container and 90% to the second container At step the flow is desirably directed 90%, 10% to the third and second containers respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a filling apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention with a dual material guide and showing filling stations in a straight line; Fig. 2 is a front view of apparatus similar to that shown in Fig. 1, but with a single is material guide and showing the first position; Fig. 3 is a front view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2 showing the intermediate position between the first and second positions; Fig. 4 is a front view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2 showing the second position; Fig. 5 is a perspeotive view of a further embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, with the filling stations in a loop; Fig. 6 is a similar view to that in Figure 5, but showing a dual material guide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED

EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Fis. to 4, there is shown an embodiment of an apparatus 10 for filling a plurality of containers including a first container 12, a second container 13, PTOd TT'ON ffI-I nfOIISAi3- 80:9T z0/z/8T O:\Deas\auets\Conp2136.doc a third container 14 and a fourth container 15, with flowable material. The containers are positioned at filling stations 20, which are in a line. The flowable material 16 leaves the material feed 17 from, for example, an overhead hopper (not shown). The containers, once filled, may be replaced with empty containers for a filling.

Each of the containers 12 and 13 is releasably mounted to respective weighing and bagging devices 18. Above each of the weighing and bagging devices 18 there is a material guide 19 having inclined walls 21 and 23. An edge 22 forms the apex of two inner inclined walls 21 and 23.

to The material feed 17 and the material guide 19 are desirably manufactured from stainless steel for ease of cleaning and corrosion resistance.

The material guide 19 is adapted to move along the line of filling stations, from container 12 to container 15, so that each container is filled sequentially. First, all of the material input from the hopper is directed into the first container 12, as shown in Fig. 2. At the intermediate positions, the flowable material 16 is incident on the edge 22 and thus divided between the first and second containers 12 and 13 respectively, as shown in Fig. 3, with about 10% of the flow directed into container 12 and the balance directed into container 13. Material feed 17 remains stationary and filling stations (with their associated containers) are conveyed to the left as 2o shown in Figs. 2 to 4.

As edge 22 passes under material feed 17, the greater proportion of the total available material flow is directed to one of the adjacent containers and a lesser proportion of the total available material flows to the other adjacent container.

This allows a very slow flow rate of material to be directed into a container which is nearly full for accurate final filling and weighing offwhilst the larger remaining flow ofmaterial can be simultaneously filling another container, thereby increasing accuracy and reducing overall filling times.

6 STd TWE'ON nun noI sIA H Go:9T sEo,,2o/eT STOd Tt?0N 4 PER ~flISAdH3 E0:ST £0/~0/8T O:\Doo\PaTen\CaompU2136doa As an example, the apparatus 10 can be configured such that the material guide 19 will initially direct all of the material flow to the first container 12 until the weighing and bagging device 18 indicates that the container 12 is approximately full. At this point, the material feed 17 is in a position above the edge 22 s where 10% of the overall material flow 16 continues to fill the first container 12 and the remaining 90% of the flow commences to fill the second container 13.

When the first container 12 is 100% full, the filling stations have moved to the position where material feed 17 directs all of the material flow 16 to the second container 13. As the second container 13 reaches 85% full, 10% of the flow is o0 directed to the second container 13 and the remaining 90% to the empty third container 14. This process is repeated until the third container 14 is 85% full. The remaining portion of the third container 14 is filled with 10% ofthe flow and filling of the fourth container 15 with 85% of the flow commences.

The process is continued until a predetermined number of containers has been 16 filled or the material flow is exhausted. Filled containers can be replaced with empty ones, and the direction of movement of the filling stations reversed.

Figure 5 shows another preferred embodiment.

The apparatus 201 is arranged in a generally wheel formation such that when flowable materia 206 flows from material fed 207 which is shown as a chute as an example only) the filling stations 220 rotate relative to the material feed 207 in a clockwise direction as shown by arrow 214. As filling stations 220 move relative to material feed 207, flowable material 206 flows over edge 212. In doing so, flowable material 206 flows into a first container (not shown), and a second container (not shown). As the first container becomes completely filled, the second container and a third container (not shown) start to have material flow into them.

The first container may be removed (the containers being removably attached to weighing and bagging device 208) and replaced with an empty container so that, when the wheel has rotated through 360 degrees the empty container will start to 7

TTE'ON

muil noiiisA :H 0:9T EB/zB/BT 910dllillN 4ItiflhlSlili6:9 2il/8 O-\D la\PMnUt\ompi~2136oo be filled. Empty containers 213 are shown as representative of the first, second and third containers concealed behind the wheel mechanism.

The direction of motion shown by arrow 214 may easily be reversed. The weighing and bagging devices 208 are attached to the wheel mechanism by a s support strut 215.

In this way of replacing the containers as they become filled, a continuous process of container filling occurs until either the flow of material is exhausted or sufficient numbers of containers have been filled.

As may be seen in Figures 1 and 6, material feed 17 or 207 may be split into two, with a chute (17a, 207a) being larger and the other (17b,207b) being smaller. In this embodiment, the bulk of the material flow passes through the large chute (17a, 207a), with the remainder passing through the smaller chute (17b, 207b). This can be useful when the material concerned tends to be sticky.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY is A significant advantage of the filling apparatus is that the material flow need not be stopped. Once a first container is filled to a set point, a second container can be begun to be filled while the final portion of material fills the first container. If the filling stations are arranged in a loop with removably attached weighing and bagging apparatus, the containers can be accurately filled until the flow of material is stopped or the flow of material is exhausted by replacing the containers as they become filled.

Another advantage is the effect on filling and weighing accuracy. Inaccuracies due to any change of flow rate, through surging or pulsing of the material flow, are greatly reduced because, during the final weighing off only 10% of the actual maximum flow of the material need be involved.

8 LT d TTZON MUI rK)IIISANHO3 OT:9T Ze/2/BT IIIIIIIO IIIIiui rIII II~ 191 2 /68 \Server\edol\Pens\Cto\l2136Aloc A related advantage is that the overall filling rate is no longer limited to a rate giving acceptable weighing off accuracy. In the examples given, the filling flow rate for most of the container may be nine times the weighing off flow rate.

Further, the reduced rate of feed from the chute or the like in the intermediate position can be easily adjusted to give a desired degree of accuracy in relation to the type of product being weighed and filled.

Also, the load cells of the weighing and bagging devices (if used) can be linked to visual displays so hat the actual weight of the containers may be continually displayed to operators and through appropriate software can be linked to printes, io data recorders or the like.

Another advantage, especially in relation to the food industry, is that the internal components of the apparatus are simple and easy to clean and maintain.

Although the invention has been described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is is not limited thereto.

9 8Td T13'ON Mn n0IISMHO TI:T 20/20/81f BT~ll i~ldl 1TIOII- II flII1 118 IIII/8

Claims (15)

1. An apparatus for filling a plurality of containers with flowable material, the apparatus including: a plurality of container filling stations arranged in a sequence; a fixed flow divider located between each filling station and the next filling station in the sequence; and a material guide for flow of flowable material, wherein the apparatus includes means to move the filling stations relative to the material guide between: a first position in which all the flow of flowable mateial is guided to one of the container filling stations; an intermediate position in which the flow of flowable material is divided between the one container filling station and the next container filling station in the sequence; and is a second position in which the flow of flowable material is guided to the next container filling station.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flowable material is grain, cereal or rice.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein in the intermediate position the flow of flowable material is directed substantially equally to the one container filling station and the next container filling station.

4. The apparatus of any one of claims I to 3, wherein the fixed flow divider includes an edge adapted to divide flow of the flowable material between the one container filling station and the next container filling station. 6TOd TTZ'ON 9 P- noi -iISi A-o nf:9T E0£0/B'8T StOd hT~ON fl:9~ £0'tB'BT O:\Doea\Patts\Comp\21364oc The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4, which further includes one or more weighing devices to weigh the quantity of flowable material at each container filling station.

6. The apparatus of any one of claims I to 5, wherein the apparatus includes a 6 control system adapted to cause movement of the filling stations.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the control system includes fine adjustment means to accurately position the filling stations.

8. The apparatus of any one of claims I to 7, wherein there are more than two filling stations and they are arranged in a loop.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, which includes a conveyor belt for moving the filling stations. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the filling stations are arranged in a straight line. I1. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the material guide is 18 chosen from the group comprising a chute, a vibrating tray, an auger fed nozzle and a gravity fed nozzle mounted beneath a flexible tube.

12. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 11, which includes more than one material guide.

13. A method for filling a plurality of containers said method including the steps ao of: providing a flow of flowable material from a material guide into a first container at a first container filling station until the first container is filled to a first predetermined weight; moving the first container filling station and a second filling station adjacent the first in relation to the material guide so that a portion of the 11 0Z0d ITZ'ON MU-1 nO 1 -11 SAHH TT:9T 20/20/G5: 0EGd TZ~~ON PtJl flOI1ISA~H3 1:9t £0'Efl'GT 0:MDoCPftenWCComIp\136doc flow offlowable material is divided by a first fixed flow divider to flow into each of the first container and a second container at the second filling station until the first container is substantially full; moving the first and second filling stations in relation to the material s guide so that all of the flow of flowable material is directed into the second container until it is filled to a second predetermined weight; and moving the second filling station and a third filling station adjacent the second in relation to the material guide so that a portion of the flow of flowable material is divided by a second fixed flow divider into each of the second container and a third container at the third filling station until the second container is substantially full.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein steps to are repeated to continuously fill a plurality of containers until a predetermined number of containers is filled or the flow of flowable material is exhausted. is 15. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein the first predetermined weight is substantially equal to the second predetermined weight

16. The method of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein in step 10% of the flow of flowable material is directed into the first container and 90% of the flow of flowable material is directed into the second container.

17. The method of any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein in step 90% of the flow of flowable material is directed into the third container and 10% of the flow of flowable material is directed into the second container.

18. The method of any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein there are two material guides, a first material guide for directing a larger proportion of the flowable material and a second material guide for directing the remainder of the flowable material. 12 TWd TTZ'ON m1 noI17I S IdH eT:9T E0E/8T T~Gd TT?0N 4- PWI flOhlISAdI-O ET:9I LO/EB/BI k\SwvCWdow\PaenCo\Wy\12136.doc

19. An apparatus for filling a plurality of containers substantially as herein described with reference to Figures I to 4, or to Figure 5 or to Figure 6. A method for filling a plurality of containers substantially as herein descnrbed with reference to Figures 1 to 4, or to Figure 5 or to Figure 6. Dated this 18 day of March, 2003 Design Engineering Pty Ltd By its Patent Attorneys Chrysiliou Law IP AUSTRALIA RECEIVED 18 MAR 2003 CANBERRA FEP 13 ZZ0d TT?'ON MUi nOIISA8H3 ET:9T £0/£0/8T &0 TT* Ne Ml-O1SAI D £'68