GB2562625A

GB2562625A - An automated device for filling containers

Info

Publication number: GB2562625A
Application number: GB1807871.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fraser Stuart
Original assignee: Project Ind Ltd
Current assignee: PROJECT INDUSTRIES LTD
Priority date: 2017-05-15
Filing date: 2018-05-15
Publication date: 2018-11-21
Anticipated expiration: 2038-05-15
Also published as: GB201807871D0; GB201707753D0; GB2562625B

Abstract

An automated device 1000 for filling containers 2000. The device comprises at least one caddy 100, a conveyor system 200, a sensor 500 to detect a container, a dispenser 300 to fill the container with a fluid and a displacement apparatus 400 that moves the dispenser vertically as such to locate it partially in the container. Preferably, there are multiple caddies that comprise apertures for each receiving a container. The caddy is preferably transferred along the conveyor by a track 220 on a closed loop. The dispenser may comprise a plurality of apertures (nozzles) and conduits 320 for filling multiple containers at a single time. The stop and start of the filling of the container may be controlled by signals from the sensor that can determine the mass, volume or other quantity of fluid in the container. The device may further comprise a means for regulating the dispensing of material from the dispenser such as a pump 350, valve, screw conveyor (330, figure 18) or rotary feeder 340.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Project Industries Ltd

101 Rose Street, South Lane, Edinburgh, EH2 3JG, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Stuart Fraser (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Neville Walker ipconsult, 21A Commercial Road, SWANAGE, BH19 1DF, United Kingdom

(51) INT CL:
B67C 3/28 (2006.01) B67C 3/02 (2006.01)	B65B 43/54 (2006.01)
(56) Documents Cited: WO 2011/072628 A1 CN 203820425 U US 20080184668 A1	CN 205773235 U US 20130126298 A1
(58) Field of Search: INT CL B65B, B67C Other: EPODOC, WPI

(54) Title of the Invention: An automated device for filling containers Abstract Title: An Automated Device for Filing Containers (57) An automated device 1000 for filling containers 2000. The device comprises at least one caddy 100, a conveyor system 200, a sensor 500 to detect a container, a dispenser 300 to fill the container with a fluid and a displacement apparatus 400 that moves the dispenser vertically as such to locate it partially in the container. Preferably, there are multiple caddies that comprise apertures for each receiving a container. The caddy is preferably transferred along the conveyor by a track 220 on a closed loop. The dispenser may comprise a plurality of apertures (nozzles) and conduits 320 for filling multiple containers at a single time. The stop and start of the filling of the container may be controlled by signals from the sensor that can determine the mass, volume or other quantity of fluid in the container. The device may further comprise a means for regulating the dispensing of material from the dispenser such as a pump 350, valve, screw conveyor (330, figure 18) or rotary feeder 340.

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An Automated Device for Filling Containers

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an automated device for filling containers. More specifically the present invention relates to an automated device for

Background to the Invention

Bottling machines are used to fill several bottles at the same time and so speed up batch production at small breweries or other craft distillers or suppliers of artisan beverages.

Prior Art

Chinese Utility Model DN203820425U (JIANGXI NANCHANG JISHENG PHARMACEUTICAL FACTORY) discloses a semi-automatic medicine producing and filing mechanism comprising a conveyor belt for transporting a plurality of frames for receiving bottles.

US Patent Application US2008184668 A1 (MARCHESINI GROUP SPA) discloses a machine for filling and closing containers which comprises a conveyor belt with a plurality of grippers for bearing containers.

Chinese Utility Model CN205773235U (SHANDONG COHESION ANIMAL PHARMACEUTICAL CO LTD) discloses a filling device comprising a conveyor belt for transporting a plurality of trays for supporting veterinary medicine bottles to be filled.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an automated device for filling containers, the device comprising: at least one caddy for carrying at least one container, a conveyor system for transporting the at least one caddy, a container sensing means which produces a signal dependent upon the arrangement of at least one container, a dispensing means for selectively dispensing material, a displacement means which in use displaces the dispensing means vertically with respect to the conveyor system; characterised in that the displacement means operates in response to the signal produced by the container sensing means.

The device may be used to automate the filling of containers such as bottles with materials such as liquids, gels, powders or other particulates.

In use, one or more unfilled containers may be carried in caddies and transported by the conveyor system, when the container sensing means detects that one or more containers have been transported to an appropriate location or arrangement, the displacing means may displace the dispensing system to an appropriate height and the container or containers may be filled with material dispensed by the dispensing system.

The caddy or caddies may be freestanding, may be supported by the conveyor system, may be releasably attachable to the conveyor system, and/or may be fixed to the conveyor system. They may comprise means to hold one or more containers.

The automated device may comprise a plurality of caddies, each of which may be for carrying at least one container. In some embodiments, one, some, or all of the caddies may each be for carrying a plurality of containers.

The caddy or caddies may each comprise one or more container holders. Container holders may comprise one or more passageways, apertures, indentations, loops, or slots through or into which a container may be inserted. Alternatively, or additionally container holders may comprise means to attach or affix a container to a caddy, such as one or more, clips, clasps, ties, grippers, or magnets.

The container holders may be dimensioned to hold multiple containers, to hold single containers, or to conform to specific container shapes so as to fit the closely, securely or tightly.

Passageways, apertures, or slots may be vertical, or may otherwise be arranged such that containers supported or held therein are vertical, alternatively, or additionally they may extend entirely through the caddy and/or may connect one side of the caddy to another.

Container holders may hold, support, or transfer containers such that they rest upon the surface upon which caddies are transported (such as a conveyor belt or track). A container holder may comprise one or more loops or walls, which in use may surround a container standing upon the surface upon which caddies are transported, may hold the container upright, and/or may transfer the container (for example, by pushing it across the surface, or by holding it upright on a conveyor).

In some embodiments one or more container holders may support containers in conjunction with the surface upon which the caddy which comprises the container holder is supported. For example, in some embodiments the container holding means may comprise one or more loops (which may be in a substantially horizontal plane), through which a container (such as a cylindrical bottle) is inserted. The base of the container may be supported by the surface upon which the caddy is supported and may be held upright by the loops and may be transported by the loops as the caddy is transported by the conveyor system.

In some embodiments, the caddy or caddies may comprise a plurality of container holders arranged in one or more lines perpendicular to the direction of travel of the conveyor system, or to the direction that the caddy is transported by the conveyor system.

The conveyor system may comprise one or more conveyors along which caddies may be transported, for example, the conveyor system may comprise one or more belt conveyors, roller conveyors, screw conveyors, and/or chain conveyors. In some embodiments, the conveyor system may comprise a plurality of conveyors, between which the caddies may be automatically or manually transferred. The conveyor system may comprise one or more conveyor junctions which may connect multiple conveyors and which may transfer caddies between conveyors.

The caddy or caddies may be placed on, be fixed to, be releasably attached to, interlock with, or interface with one or more conveyors comprised by the conveyor system.

One, some or all of the caddies may be supported by the conveyor or conveyors (for example the may be placed on or suspended from one or more conveyors). Alternatively, or additionally, one some or all of the caddies may be supported by a surface which is not itself a conveyor, and which may or may not be comprised by the conveyor system (for example, caddies may be supported on the surface upon when the conveyor system is arranged or supported, may be supported on a surface adjacent the conveyor system, may be supported on a rail or rails comprised by the conveyor system, or may be supported on a track comprised by the conveyor system).

In some embodiments, the conveyor system may comprise one or more substantially horizontally surfaced conveyors (for example, belt or roller conveyors with horizontal rotational axes), the caddy or caddies may be placed on, fixed to or, or releasably attached to the horizontal surface of the substantially horizontal conveyor or conveyors to be transported.

In other embodiments, the conveyor system may comprise a conveyor and a surface adjacent the conveyor along which the caddy or caddies are transported by the conveyor. The surface may for example be, a substantially horizontal planar surface adjacent the conveyor, a surface of unpowered rollers adjacent the conveyor (which may have substantially horizontal rotational axis perpendicular to the direction of the conveyor) a track (which may run parallel to the conveyor), or one or more rails (which may run parallel to the conveyor).

The caddy or caddies may be adapted to be transported along the surface adjacent the conveyor, for example, they may comprise one or more wheels, one or more skids, or a rail interfacing means. The conveyor may be fixed to the caddy or caddies, may be releasably connected to the caddy or caddies, or may contact the caddy or caddies. The conveyor may draw or may push the caddy or caddies along the surface adjacent to the conveyor, for example the caddy or caddies may be connected to the conveyor by fixed joints, by flexible joints, by releasable connectors (for example clips, magnets, or hook and loop fasteners) or the conveyor may comprise protruding tabs, flaps or wings which may push a caddy or caddies along the surface.

In other embodiments, the conveyor system may transport the caddy or caddy along a surface which is not comprised by the automated device (for example a surface adjacent the conveyor system, or the surface upon which the conveyor system is placed or supported). In use the conveyor system may be arranged such that the surface is adjacent one or more conveyors. The caddy or caddies may be adapted to be transported along surfaces which are not comprised by the conveyor system, for example, they may comprise one or more wheels, or one or more skids. The conveyor may draw or may push the caddy or caddies along the surface not comprised by the automated device, for example the caddy or caddies may be connected to the conveyor by fixed joints, by flexible joints, by releasable connectors (for example clips, magnets, or hook and loop fasteners) or the conveyor may comprise protruding tabs, flaps or wings which may push a caddy or caddies along the surface.

In some embodiments, the conveyor system may transport the caddies along a linear path (for example, from a place where they are placed onto or are connected to the conveyor, to a point where they are removed or disconnected from the conveyor), in other embodiments they may transported around a closed loop (for example, such that caddies remain in contact with the conveyor system, with containers being added and removed at points before and after the dispensing means respectively). The conveyer system may also transport caddies to or through a location below the dispensing means, where material may be dispensed into containers carried by the caddies.

The container sensing means may detect, may produce a signal dependent upon, and/or may produce a signal indicative of, the arrangement and/or location of one or more containers. Such a signal may be used to control other components of the automated device.

The container sensing means may detect, may produce a signal dependent upon, and/or may produce a signal indicative of, whether one or more specific caddies are carrying one or more containers, how many containers one or more specific caddies are carrying, whether one or more specific container holders are holding containers, whether containers are located in one or more specific locations, whether one or more containers are arranged below the dispensing means, whether one or more containers are suitably arranged for part of the dispensing means to be displaced into them, whether one or more containers are suitably arranged for the dispensing means to dispense material into them, the arrangement of all of the containers carried by the system, or any combination thereof.

The container sensing means may comprise one or more sensors. Sensors may monitor individual container holders, multiple container holders, individual caddies, multiple caddies, specific locations, multiple specific locations, or any combination thereof. Sensors may be micro switches, load cell sensors, pressure sensors, optical sensors, or any combination thereof. Sensors may be located in the container holders, in the caddies, in, on, adjacent to, or proximate to a surface along which the caddies are transported, and/or in, on, adjacent to, or proximate to the dispensing means.

In some embodiments, the container sensing means, and/or sensors comprised by the container sensing means may be located at a location where in use material is dispensed into containers by the dispensing means. The sensors or container sensing means may detect, may produce a signal dependent upon, and/or may produce a signal indicative of, whether one or more containers are suitably arranged to be filled by the dispensing means, where containers are located relative to the dispensing means, and/or below which elements, apertures, or conduits of the dispensing means containers are located.

In some embodiments, each container holder comprised by a caddy may comprise a sensor which may detect, may produce a signal dependent upon, and/or may produce a signal indicative of, whether or not that container holder is holding a container.

In some embodiments, the automated device may comprise a plurality of container sensing means, multiple container sensing means may produce separate independent signals, or combined aggregate signals.

In some embodiments, the container sensing means may produce a plurality of signals dependent upon the arrangement of the at least one container. The displacement means may operate in response to one, some or all of the signals produced by the container sensing means.

The dispensing means may define or comprise a receptacle from which it dispenses material. The receptacle may contain material to be dispensed, it may for example be a reservoir (for example, where the material dispensed is a liquid or gel) or may be a hopper (for example where the material is a powder or particulate). This receptacle may be displaced with the remainder of the dispensing means by the displacement means. A lid may be provided for the receptacle.

In other embodiments the dispensing means may be connected to one or more external receptacles which may contain material to be dispensed. Such receptacles may not be displaced with the dispensing means. External receptacles may be connected to the dispensing means by one or more conduits, or material delivering means such as pumps or conveyors such as screw thread conveyors.

The dispensing means may comprise one or more apertures or conduits through which material may be dispensed from dispensing means and/or from the receptacle. In some embodiments, the dispensing means may comprise a plurality of apertures or conduits which may be arranged to correspond to the arrangement of the container holders of one or more caddies, this may allow the multiple apertures or conduits to dispense material into multiple containers simultaneously.

Conduits comprised by the dispensing means may be rigid, may be tubular, may be substantially vertical, and may protrude or extend downwards from the base of the dispensing means. Conduits may be displaceable into and out of containers, container holders, and/or caddies as the dispensing means is displaced vertically.

The dispensing means may comprise one or more regulation means which may regulate the dispensing of material by dispensing means, the passage of material out of the receptacle, and/or the passage of material through one or more of the apertures and/or conduits. In some embodiments, the dispensing means may comprise a plurality of regulation means, for example one regulation means for each conduit or aperture, with each regulation means regulating the passage or material through an individual conduit or aperture. A regulation means may comprise one or more valves, pumps, rotary feeders, and/or screw conveyors.

The dispensing means and/or the regulation means may selectively dispense materials in response to signals produced by other elements of the automated device, for example in response to signals produced by the container sensing means which may indicate when a container is arranged such that material dispensed by the dispensing means will be dispensed into the container.

The displacement means displaces the dispensing means vertically with respect to the conveyor system, and may in use raise and lower elements of the dispensing means out of and into containers, container holders, caddies, or any combination thereof.

The displacement means may comprise one or more vertically aligned leadscrews, one or more scissor lifts, one or more pulleys, one or more hydraulic lifts, and/or one or more levers. The displacing means may be located between the conveyor system and the dispensing means.

The displacement means may displace the dispensing means between a minimum elevation and a maximum elevation, may displace the dispensing means to one or more elevations between the minimum and maximum elevations, may displace the dispensing means to a plurality of elevations between the minimum and maximum elevations and may displace the dispensing means to any of a continuum of elevations between the minimum and maximum elevations.

The lower elevation may be one where the lowest point of dispensing means and/or a point of the dispensing means from which material is discharged is adjacent or proximate to the base of the inside of a container carried by a caddy. The Highest elevation may be one where the lowest point of dispensing means and/or a point of the dispensing means from which material is discharged is not inserted into a container and/or caddy, and/or where the lowest point of dispensing means and/or a point of the dispensing means from which material is discharged is above the highest point of a container and/or caddy.

In use the displacement means may raise the dispensing means from a lower elevation (such as the lowest elevation) to a higher elevation (such as the highest elevation) as material is dispensed. The dispensing of material and/or the displacement of the dispensing means may either be continuous or may be in discrete stages (for example material may be dispensed as the dispensing means is raised, or the automated device may alternate between dispensing material and displacing the dispensing means).

The displacement means may comprise sensors to determine its elevation with respect to the conveyor system at any given time, for example the displacement means may comprise one or more micro switches which may be actuated at different elevations.

The displacement means operates in response to the signal produced by the container sensing means, for example, it may displace the dispensing means downwards (for example, from its highest elevation) when the container sensing means detects, or sends a signal indicating that, a container (or the opening of a container) is located directly below the dispensing means, or an aperture or conduit thereof. Therefore, an element of the displacement means may be displaced into the container.

In some embodiments, the automated device may comprise a caddy sensing means, which may detect, may produce a signal dependent upon, and/or may produce a signal indicative of, the arrangement and/or location of, one some, or all of the at least one caddies. Signals produced by the caddy sensing means may be used to control elements of the automated device.

In some embodiments, the caddy sensing means may produce a signal indicative of the arrangement or locations of all of the caddies, of a particular subset of the caddies, of the caddies that are carrying containers, and/or of the caddies in specific locations or arrangements. Alternatively, or additionally, the caddy sensing means may produce a signal that is indicative of whether or not a caddy or caddies are in one or more specific locations and/or arrangements.

In some embodiments, the caddy sensing means may determine, and/or produce a signal indicative of, whether or not there is a caddy suitably arranged for the dispensing means to dispense material into a container carried by the caddy or caddies. For example, the caddy sensing means may be a means which detects whether or not a caddy is arranged below the dispensing means, therefore the caddy sensing means may detect whether or not a caddy is arranged such that material may be dispensed into one or more containers held by the caddy.

The caddy sensing means may comprise one or more sensors which may produce individual discrete signals, or which may produce aggregate signals derived from the readings of multiple sensors comprised by the caddy sensing means. The sensors may for example, be load cell sensors, pressure sensors, weight sensors, optical sensors, micro-switches and/or Hall effect sensors.

In some embodiments, the caddy sensing means may comprise sensors which determine the arrangement of the conveyor system from which the arrangement and/or location of one or more of the caddies may be inferred (for example, wherein the conveyor system comprises a conveyor to which one or more caddies are affixed.)

In some embodiments some, or all, of the caddy sensing means may be comprised by the caddy or caddies. Alternatively, or additionally, the caddy or caddies may comprise markers which are detectable by the caddy sensing means, for example the caddy or caddies may comprise magnets or magnetic elements, and the caddy sensing means may comprise one or more Hall effect sensors which may produce signals when a caddy is in one or more specific locations. Markers may allow the caddy sensing means to distinguish between caddies.

Signals produced by the caddy sensing means may be used to control the conveyor system and/or the dispensing means in addition to the displacement means (for example, when the caddy sensing means produces a signal that a caddy is in a suitable location for containers to be filled, the conveyor system may halt its movement and/or the movement of the caddy in response to the signal, and/or the dispensing means may dispense material in response to the signal).

In some embodiments, the automated device may comprise a plurality of caddy sensing means.

In some embodiments, the automated device may comprise one or more filling sensors which may detect, may produce a signal dependent upon, and/or may produce a signal indicative of the amount of material dispensed into a container by the dispensing means.

The filling sensor may detect, may produce a signal dependent upon, and/or may produce a signal indicative of: the amount of material in a container; the amount of material dispensed by the dispensing means, through an individual conduit or aperture of the dispensing means, or by an individual regulatory means of the dispensing means; the mass and/or volume of material in a container; the mass and/or volume of material that has been dispensed by the dispensing means, through an individual conduit or aperture of the dispensing means or by an individual regulatory means of the dispensing means; or any combination thereof.

The filling sensor may comprise one or more sensors, which may be load cell sensors for determining the mass of a container as it is filled, may be optical sensors for determining the level of material in a transparent, or semi-transparent container, or may be flow sensors for determining the amount of material being dispensed by the dispensing means or elements thereof.

Filling sensors may be comprised by one or more container holders, one or more caddies, one or more conduits, the dispensing means, the conveyor system, the surface along which caddies are transported, or any combination thereof.

Alternatively, or additionally, filling sensors may be arranged adjacent or proximate to the dispensing system or the location where material is dispensed into the containers.

In some embodiments, one, some or all of the container holders may comprise one or more filling sensors which may measure the amount, mass, or volume, of material within a container held by the container holder, or a change thereof. These filling sensors may for example be load cell sensors which measure the weight of the contents a container holder.

Alternatively, or additionally, one, some, or all of the conduits or apertures through which material is dispensed by the dispensing means may comprise one or more filling sensors which may measure the amount, mass, or volume of material which has passed through the aperture or conduit, a change thereof, or the rate of passage of material through the aperture or conduit. These filling sensors may for example be flow rate sensors, whose measured flow rates may be integrated over time to produce amount or volume measurements.

Alternatively, or additionally, one, some, or all of the filling locations (the locations where containers may be located as they are filled by the dispensing means) may have one or more filling sensors which may measure the amount, mass, or volume, of material within a container located in the filling location, or a change thereof. These filling sensors may for example be load cell sensors located in or on the surface along which caddies are transported directly below the apertures and/or conduits of the dispensing means, (in embodiments where containers that are being carried by the caddies are supported along the surface along which the caddies are transported).

In embodiments where the caddies carry only a single container, the filling sensor may comprise a load cell sensor in the filling location which measures the weight of a caddy in said location as it is filled.

In some embodiments, the container sensing means may also be a caddy sensing means, and/or may also be one or more filling sensors. For example, the container sensor may be a load cell assembly, which may comprise one or more load cells, which may detect the presence of one or more containers in one or more locations, may detect the mass of containers as they are filled, may detect the presence of one or more caddies, and/or may infer the location or arrangement of a caddy from the presence of a container in one or more locations.

In some embodiments, the number of filling sensors may be equal to the number of containers the caddies hold, the number of container holding means, or the number of conduits and/or apertures through which the dispensing means dispenses material.

In some embodiments, the dispensing means, regulation means comprised by the dispensing means, the displacement means, the conveyor system, one or more conveyors comprised by the conveyor system, or any combination thereof, may operate in response to signals produced by the container sensor, a caddy sensing means, one or more filling sensors, sensors comprised by the displacement means, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the displacement means may displace the dispensing means as the dispensing means dispenses material into one or more containers. This may be in a continuous motion, in multiple steps of filling and displacement, in alternating steps of filling and displacement, or in any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the displacement means may displace the dispensing means downwards and/or may displace the dispensing means to its lowest arrangement in response to a signal from the container sensing means or from a caddy sensing means, which indicates that a container and/or a caddy is suitably located for filling to occur.

In some embodiments, the conveyor system is for transporting the caddies along a surface or track (which may be comprised by the conveyor system) and the caddies are arranged to hold containers such that the containers are supported on, and preferably slide along the surface or track. The caddies may comprise one or more loops, apertures or passages through which containers held by the caddies extend as they stand or are supported on the track or surface. In such embodiments, as the caddies are transported along the surface or track the containers within such loops, apertures or passageways are pushed along the surface or track by the caddies. This may advantageously allow containers to be transported by the caddies while being supported by, standing on, and/or sliding along the track or surface.

In such embodiments, the container sensing means may be or may comprise one or more pressure or weight sensors in, on, or flush with the surface or track. Such sensors may detect the presence, force exerted by, and/or weight of a container as it is slid along the surface or track onto the sensor. For example, the container sensing means may comprise one or more load cells embedded in, supported on and/or arranged flush to the surface of the surface or track.

The container sensing means may comprise as many such sensors as the number of containers which are carriable by a single caddy, and/or which are fillable simultaneously by the dispensing means. For example, the sensing means may comprise as many load cells or other sensors as the caddy comprises loops, apertures or passageways for holding containers and/or as the dispensing means comprises dispensing conduits for filling the containers.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the Figures, in which:

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 is an overall view of a first embodiment of an automated device for filling containers;

Figure 2 is a side view of the automated device;

Figure 3 is a top down view of the first automated device;

Figure 4 is an end view of the first automated device;

Figure 5 is a detailed overall view of the displacement means and dispensing means of the first automated device;

Figure 6 is a detailed side view of the displacement means and dispensing means of the first automated device;

Figure 7 is a detailed top down view of the displacement means and dispensing means of the first automated device;

Figure 8 is a detailed end view of the displacement means and dispensing means of the first automated device;

Figure 9 is a detailed overall view of the load cell assembly of the first automated device;

Figure 10 is a detailed side view of the load cell assembly of the first automated device;

Figure 11 is a detailed top down view of the load cell assembly of the first automated device;

Figure 12 is a detailed end view of the load cell assembly of the first automated device;

Figure 13 is an exploded overall view of the first automated device;

Figure 14 is an exploded end view of the first automated device;

Figure 15 is an exploded side view of the first automated device;

Figure 16 is an exploded detailed overall view of the displacement means and dispensing means of the first automated device;

Figure 17 is an exploded end detailed end view of the displacement means and dispensing means of the first automated device;

Figure 18 is an exploded end detailed side view of the displacement means and dispensing means of the first automated device;

Figure 19 is an exploded detailed overall view of the conveyor and caddies of the first automated device;

Figure 20 is an exploded end detailed end view of the conveyor and caddies of the first automated device;

Figure 21 is an exploded end detailed side view of the conveyor and caddies of the first automated device;

Figure 22 is an exploded overall view of the load cell assembly of the first automated device;

Figure 23 is an exploded end view of the load cell assembly of the first automated device;

Figure 24 is an exploded side view of load cell assembly of the first automated device;

Figure 25 is an overall view of a second embodiment of an automated device for filling containers according to the present invention;

Figure 26 is a side view of the second automated device;

Figure 27 is a top down view of the second automated device;

Figure 28 is an end view of the second automated device;

Figure 29 is a detailed overall view of the conveyor and caddies of the second automated device;

Figure 30 is a detailed side view of the conveyor and caddies of the second automated device;

Figure 31 is a detailed top down view of the conveyor and caddies of the second automated device;

Figure 32 is a detailed end view of the conveyor and caddies of the second automated device;

Figure 33 is a detailed overall view of the displacement means and dispensing means of the second automated device;

Figure 34 is a detailed side view of the displacement means and dispensing means of the second automated device;

Figure 35 is a detailed top down view of the displacement means and dispensing means of the second automated device;

Figure 36 is a detailed end view of the displacement means and dispensing means of the second automated device;

Figure 37 is a detailed overall view of the load cell assembly of the second automated device;

Figure 38 is a detailed side view of the load cell assembly of the second automated device;

Figure 39 is a detailed top down view of the load cell assembly of the second automated device;

Figure 40 is a detailed end view of the load cell assembly of the second automated device;

Figure 41 is an exploded detailed overall view of the conveyor and caddies of the second automated device;

Figure 42 is an exploded end detailed side view of the conveyor and caddies of the second automated device;

Figure 43 is an exploded end detailed end view of the conveyor and caddies of the second automated device;

Figure 44 is an exploded detailed overall view of the displacement means and dispensing means of the second automated device;

Figure 45 is an exploded end detailed side view of the displacement means and dispensing means of the second automated device;

Figure 46 is an exploded end detailed end view of the displacement means and dispensing means of the second automated device;

Figure 47 is an exploded detailed overall view of the load cell assembly of the second automated device;

Figure 48 is an exploded end detailed side view of the load cell assembly of the second automated device; and

Figure 49 is an exploded end detailed end view of the load cell assembly of the second automated device.

Detailed Description of the Figures

Referring to the figures generally there is shown first and second embodiments of automated devices 1000, 1800 for filling containers 2000, 2100. The first automated device 1000 is for filling first containers 2000 with powdered material and the second automated device 1800 is for filling second containers 2100 with liquid or gel materials.

Figures 1 to 24 show a first automated device 1000 for filling first containers 2000 according to the present invention. The device 1000 comprises a plurality of caddies 100 for carrying containers 2000, a conveyor system 200 for transporting the caddies 100, a dispensing means 300 for selectively dispensing material from a hopper 310 defined by the dispensing means 300, a displacement means 400 for displacing the dispensing means 300 vertically with respect to the conveyor system 200, and a load cell assembly 500 for detecting when containers 2000 are suitably located to be filled by the dispensing means 300, and for detecting the mass of material dispensed into the containers by the dispensing means 300.

The automated device 1000 may also optionally comprise a caddy sensing means (not visible) for producing a signal dependent upon whether a caddy 100 is located below the dispensing means 300.

The load cell assembly 500 (and optionally the caddy sensing means) produces signals which are used to control the conveyor system 200, the dispensing means 300 and the displacement means 400.

The conveyor system 200 comprises a pedestal 210, a track 220 and a belt conveyor 230. The pedestal 210 acts as the base of the automated device 1000, the track 210 is a surface along which the caddies 100 are transported, and the belt conveyor transports the caddies 100 in a closed looped path around the track.

The pedestal 210 is a hollow body with a generally stadium shaped horizontal cross section, the upper surface of which is defined by the track 220. The pedestal 210 contains a framework 212 which supports the load cell assembly 500, the legs 410, 411 of the displacement means 400, and the motor 236 and conveyor pulleys 234 of the belt conveyor 230. The framework extends along perpendicular axes between the opposite semi-circular ends of the generally stadium shaped pedestal 210, and the midpoints of the sides of the pedestal 210.

The track 220 is a horizontal, generally stadium shaped planar sheet of material through which a plurality of apertures are formed connecting the interior and exterior of the pedestal 210. These apertures are a first pulley aperture 222 at the foci of a first semi-circular end of the generally stadium shaped track 220, through which the motor 236 and a first conveyor pulley 234 are connected to the framework 212; a second pulley aperture 224 at the foci of the second semi-circular end through which the second conveyor pulley is connected to the framework; four leg apertures 226 through which the legs 410, 411 of the displacement means 400 pass to connect to the framework 212; and load cell assembly aperture 228 within which the load cell assembly 500 is located as it is supported by the framework 212.

The track 220 has two straight parallel paths along which caddies 100 are transported in opposite directions, and two semi-circular paths at each end which connect the parallel paths.

The belt conveyor 230 comprises a segmented belt 232 and two conveyor pulleys 234. The belt conveyor 230 is arranged between the first and second pulley apertures 222, 224, parallel to the two straight paths along the track 220. The segmented belt 232 rotates around the two conveyor pulleys 234, which are located above the first and second pulley apertures 222, 224, and which have vertical axes about which they rotate. Therefore, the segmented belt 232 is arranged such that it moves in an elongate stadium shaped path with the width of the belt being vertical at all points along its length.

A motor 236 which drives one of the conveyor pulleys 234 is located below the first pulley aperture 222 within a shaped aperture in the framework 212.

The pedestal 210 and the track 220 have generally stadium shaped horizontal cross sections, with an extension protruding from one of the parallel straight edges of the stadium shape, this extension acts as a base for the two outer legs 411 of the displacement means 400, and two of the leg apertures 226 are formed through the extension of the track 220 surface.

The caddies 100 are each configured to hold three containers 2000 and to be transported round the track 220 in a closed, stadium shaped loop, by the conveyor belt 230.

Each caddy 100 comprises a body 110 which is rigidly connected to the segmented belt 232 of the belt conveyor 230 at a first end, and which has a wheel 120 at a second end opposite the first end, the axis of rotation of the wheel being parallel to an imaginary line extending between the first and second ends of the body 110.

Three vertical passageways 130 with stadium shaped cross sections are formed between the upper and lower surfaces of the body 110 of each of the caddies 100. The three vertical passageways 130 are arranged in a line along the imaginary line between the first and second ends of the body 110.

In use the caddies 100 are supported on the track 220, by the wheel 120 and the rigid connection to the segmented belt 232, with the wheel 120 in contact with the surface of the track 220. As the segmented belt 232 of the conveyor rotates about the conveyor pulleys 234, the caddies 100 are drawn around the surface of the track 220 in a stadium shaped path as their first ends are rigidly connected to the segmented belt 232.

In use containers 2000 to be held by the caddies 100 are inserted into the vertical passageways. The bases of the containers are supported by the surface of the track 220, and they are held upright and within the caddies 100 by the edges of the vertical passageways 130 defined by the bodies 110. As the caddies are transferred along the surface of the track 220 by the rotation of the segmented belt 232, the containers within the passageways are also drawn along the surface. The containers are held upright, and in position relative to the caddies 100 by the passageways 130.

The displacement means 400 supports the dispensing means 300 above a location on one of the straight sections of the track 220, through which caddies 100 are transported, and where containers are filled by the dispensing means 300.

The displacement 400 is supported above the conveyor system by two pairs of legs 410, 411. A first pair of legs, 410 is supported by the framework 212 and extends vertically through a first pair of the leg apertures 226, through the loop of the segmented belt 232 to a height above the tops of the belt conveyor 230 and the caddies 100. A second pair of legs, 411 are supported by the framework 212, and extend vertically through a second pair of the leg apertures 226 located adjacent the outside edge of the track 220 in the extension protruding from one of the parallel straight edges of the generally stadium shaped pedestal and track. Each pair of legs 410, 411, supports a vertical leadscrew assembly 420. Each vertical leadscrew assembly 420 comprises a lower support 430, an upper support 440, two vertical leadscrews 450, and a displaceable connecter 460. The two vertical leadscrews 450 extend parallel to each other, between the lower support 430, and the upper support 440.

Each lower support 430 is supported by one of the pairs of legs 410, 411 and comprises a motor 432, a small gear 434, a first large gear 436, and two second large gears 438, the gears being located in the horizontal plane. When the motor 432 is actuated, it drives and rotates the small gear 434 in a first direction, the small gear 434 meshes with the first large gear 436, rotating it in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The first large gear is located intermediate to, and meshes with each of the two second large gears 438, such that when the small gear 434 is rotated in the first direction, the first large gear is rotated in the second direction, and the two second large gears are rotated in the first direction. The two second large gears 438 are each connected to the end of one of the vertical leadscrews 450 such that when the small gear 434 is rotated in the first direction (for example, clockwise when viewed from above), the two second large gears 438 and the two vertical leadscrews 450 are rotated in the same direction. The gears 434, 436, 438, and the vertical leadscrews 450 rotating with respect to the upper support 440 and the remaining stationary elements of the lower support 430. The motor 432 and the gears 434, 436 are enclosed in a casing comprised by the lower support 430.

The displaceable connector 460 of each vertical leadscrew assembly 420 meshes with both of the two vertical leadscrews 450 of the vertical leadscrew assembly 420, such that when the vertical leadscrews are rotated, the displaceable connector 460 is displaced vertically along the length of the connector. By reversing the direction of the motor 432 the direction of displacement of the displaceable connector 460 may be reversed. The displaceable connectors 460 are both connected to the dispensing means 300, such that the dispensing means 300 is displaced with displaceable connector 460 when the motor is actuated.

The upper support 440 fixes the location of upper ends of the vertical leadscrews 450, and the lower support 430 fixes the location of the lower ends of the vertical leadscrews 450, and the vertical leadscrews rotate with respect to the upper and lower supports 440, 430. The upper and lower supports 440, 430 also define the maximum and minimum heights to which the displaceable connector 460 may be displaced.

The displacement means 400 comprises sensors (not shown) to determine by the height of the displaceable connectors 460, and by extension the dispensing means 300. These are micro switches below the upper supports 440 and above the lower supports 430 which detect when the displaceable connector 460 are at their upper and lower heights. The displacement means may also comprise hall effect and/or optical sensors for detecting the height of the displaceable connector 460 and/or the dispensing means 300 at heights intermediate the uppermost and lowermost heights.

The dispensing means 300 comprises a hopper 310, three delivery conduits 320, three screw conveyors 330, three rotary shafts 340, and three motors 350.

The hopper 310 is substantially inverted pyramid shaped and is open topped to allow material to be placed therein, two frames 312 connect the hopper 310 to the displaceable connectors 460 of the displacement means 400, and a horizontal bar 314 extends across the open top of the hopper 310.

The three conduits 320 are tubes which extend vertically downwards from the base of the hopper 310, through which material is dispensed from the hopper. One of the three screw conveyors 330 is located in each conduit, such that when the screw conveyors 330 are stationary, no material is dispensed from the hopper 310, and when the screw conveyors 330 are rotated in a first direction, material is dispensed from the hopper 310 through the conduits 320.

The conduits 320 are dimensioned such that when the dispensing means 300 is dispensed to its lowest location, and a caddy 100 is located below the dispensing means 300 in a filling location, the conduits 320 will be displaced into the vertical passageways 130 of the caddy 100, and into any containers held therein, for example through the opening and neck of a bottle.

The three motors 350 are supported on the horizontal bar 314, with one motor located directly above each conduit 320, each motor 350 is connected to the screw conveyor 330 in the conduit 320 directly below that motor 350, by a rotary connector 340, such that when the motor 350 rotates, the rotary connector 340 and the screw conveyor 330 rotate.

The optional caddy sensing means comprises a Hall effect sensor located adjacent the filling location below the dispensing means 300, the caddies 100 comprise a magnet or magnetic element, such as the Hall effect sensor can detect their presence in the filling location.

The load cell assembly 500 is located in the track 220, in the filling location, below the dispensing means 300 and between the inner and outer pairs of legs 410, 411. The load cell assembly 500 comprises three load cells 510, which are supported upon a plate 520, and arranged in a line perpendicular to the direction of travel of the caddies 100 with separation equal to the separation of the conduits 320 and the separation of the vertical passageways 130 of the caddies 100. The plate 520 being supported by the framework 212, such that surfaces of the load cells 510 are located within the load cell assembly aperture 228 and are flush with, or slightly protruding from, the surface of the track 220. Each load cell 510 being located directly below a conduit 320 of the dispensing means 300, such that it is located below a vertical passageway 130 of a caddy being transported over the load cell assembly 500.

In use, when a caddy 100 is transferred to the filling location, if any of the vertical passageways 130 of the caddy 100 hold a container, the base of the container will be rest upon one of the load cells 510. Each load cell will measure the weight of anything placed thereon, and as such will detect the presence of a container in the filling location.

When the caddy sensing means detects the presence of a caddy in the filling location and one or more of the load cells 510 comprised by the load cell assembly 500 detects the presence of a container in the filling location, they produce a signal, in response to which the motor 236 driving the belt conveyor 230 stops, and the displacement means 400 displaces the displaceable connector 460 and the dispensing means 300 to their lowest points, such that conduits 320 are inserted into any containers present in the filling location, or into any empty vertical passageways 130.

The micro-switches detect the lowered displaceable connectors 460 to produce a signal which causes each motor 350 to actuate its associated rotary connector 340 and screw conveyors 330, if the load cell 510 located directly below said motor 350 has also produced a signal indicative of the presence of a container directly below said motor 350 and screw conveyor 330. This causes material to be displaced from the hopper 310, through conduits 320 which have been inserted into said containers. It also prevents material being dispensed into empty vertical passageways 320.

As the containers are filled, the load cells 510 upon which they are located detect the weight of the containers increasing. In a preferred method of operation, when the weight detected by a load cell 510 passes a first threshold weight, the load cells produce a signal which causes their associated actuated motor 350 of the dispensing means to stop. Once all the load cells 510 which detect a container have detected the threshold weight, the load cell assembly produces a signal which causes the motor 432 of the displacement means to rotate in a certain direction for a fixed period of time, and then causes the motors 350 of the dispensing means to resume their rotation.

This temporarily halts the filling of containers when they are filled to a certain level, and causes the dispensing means 300 to be lifted a set amount before the filling is resumed. This may be repeated at multiple threshold values, thereby filling the containers in stages with the conduits being displaced vertically upwards between stages, this prevents the conduit 320 becoming immersed in material within the container and potentially becoming blocked, it also prevents limits the separation between the bottom of the conduit 320 and the level of material within the container, thereby reducing the distance which material freefalls into the container.

When a load cell 510 detects a weight exceeding a pre-set threshold indicating that the container is fully filled, it produces a signal which causes the associated motor 350 located directly above it to stop. When all the load cells 510 which detect containers, have reached this threshold, the load cell assembly 500 produces a signal which causes all the dispensing motors 350 to stop, and causes the displacement means 400 to displace the dispensing means to its maximum height. When the micro switch detects that the dispensing means 300 and the displaceable connectors 460 have reached their maximum height, it produces a signal which causes the conveyor system motor 236 to resume.

The conveyor system 200 may then continue to transfer the caddies 100 until the caddy sensing means and the load cell assembly 500 detects the presence of unfilled containers in the filling location.

Figures 25 to 49 show a second automated device 1800 for filling second containers 2100 according to the present invention. The second automated device is of similar construction to the first automated device 1000 described above with reference to figures 1 to 24 and comprises many identical features.

The second device 1800 comprises a plurality of caddies 1100 for carrying containers 2100, a conveyor system 1200 for transporting the caddies, a dispensing means 1300 for selectively dispensing material, a displacement means 1400 for displacing the dispensing means 1300 vertically with respect to the conveyor system 1200, and a load cell assembly 1500 for detecting when containers 2100 are suitably located to be filled by the dispensing means 1300, and for detecting the mass of material dispensed into the containers by the dispensing means 1300. The second automated device 1800 also comprises a pump 1600 for pumping liquid or gel material to the dispensing means from an external source.

The automated device 1800 may also optionally comprise a caddy sensing means (not shown) for producing a signal dependent upon whether a caddy 1100 is located below the dispensing means 1300. The optional caddy sensing means being substantially identical to the optional caddy sensing means of the first device 1000.

The load cell assembly 1500 (and optionally the caddy sensing means) produces signals which are used to control the conveyor system 1200, the dispensing means 1300 and the displacement means 1400.

The conveyor system 1200 and the displacement means 1400 are substantially identical to the conveyor system 200 and the displacement means 1400 comprised by the first device 1000 described above with reference to Figures 1 to 24.

The conveyor system 1200 comprises a pedestal 1210, a framework (not shown), a track 1220, first and second pulley apertures (1222), leg apertures (not shown), a load cell assembly aperture (not shown), a belt conveyor 1230, a segmented belt 1232, two conveyor pulleys 1234, and a motor 1236. These components are substantially identical to the corresponding components 210, 212, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236 of the conveyor system 200 of the first device 1000.

The displacement means 1400 comprises an inner pair of legs 1410, an outer pair of legs 1411, a pair of vertical leadscrew assemblies 1420, a pair of lower supports 1430, two motors 1432, two small gears 1434, two first large gears 1436, four second large gears 1438, a pair of upper supports 1440, four vertical leadscrews 1450, a pair of displaceable connectors 1460 and sensors (not shown). These components are substantially identical to the corresponding components, 410, 411,420, 430, 432, 434, 436, 438, 440, 450, 460 of the displacement means 400 of the first device 1000.

The cadies 1100 of the second device 1800 differ from the cadies 100 of the first device in that they are configured to hold two containers 2100 rather than three.

As with the caddies 100 of the first device 1000, each caddy 1100 of the second device

1800 comprises a body 1110 which is rigidly connected to the segmented belt 1232 of the belt conveyor 1230 at a first end, and which has a wheel 1120 at a second end opposite the first end, the axis of rotation of the wheel being parallel to an imaginary line extending between the first and second ends of the body 1110.

Two vertical passageways 1130 with substantially circular shaped cross sections are formed between the upper and lower surfaces of the body 1110 of each of the caddies

1100. The two vertical passageways 1130 are arranged in a line along the imaginary line between the first and second ends of the body 1110.

As with the caddies 100 of the first device 1000, each caddy 1100 of the second device 1800 are supported on the track 1220 in use by the wheel 1120 and the rigid connection to the segmented belt 1232, with the wheel 1120 in contact with the surface of the track 1220. As the segmented belt 1232 of the conveyor rotates about the conveyor pulleys 1234, the caddies 1100 are drawn around the surface of the track 1220 in a stadium shaped path by their first ends which are rigidly connected to the segmented belt 1232.

The dispensing means 1300 comprises two flow meters 1310, two delivery conduits 1320, two solenoid valves 1330, two intermediate conduits 1350 and a frame 1340.

The frame 1340 supports the delivery conduits 1320, the solenoid valves 1330, the intermediate conduits 1350 and the flow meters 1310 and connects the dispensing means 1300 and components thereof to the displaceable connectors 1460 of the displacement means 1400.

The two dispensing conduits 1320 are elongate tubes which extend vertically downwards from the frame 1340, and the solenoid valves 1330 are each connected to the upper end of one two dispensing conduits 1320 so as to regulate the flow of material through the dispensing conduits 1320. The two intermediate conduits 1350 are tubes which extend upwards from the solenoid valves 1330 and connect the solenoid valves 1330 to flow meters 1310 which are supported at their upper ends.

The flow meters 1310 comprise inlets which in use are connected either directly or via additional conduits to a receptacle or reservoir for gel or liquid material to be dispensed. The device 1800 comprises a pump 1600 which is supported on the exterior of the pedestal 1210 which pumps liquid or gel material from the receptacle or reservoir to the inlets of the flow meters 1310 and to the dispensing means.

The load cell assembly 1500 of the second device 1800 is similar to the load cell of the first device 1000 described above but differs in that it comprises two load cells 510 rather than three, corresponding to the two vertical passageways 1130 of the caddies

1100. The load cell assembly 1500 comprises a plate 1520 which is supported by the framework (not shown) of the pedestal 1210. Each load cell 1510 is located below one of the dispensing conduits 1320 of the dispensing means 1300.

The second device 1800 operates in the same manner as the first device 1000 as described above with reference to Figures 1 to 24.

The devices 1000, 1800 may be modular. For example, the liquid or gel dispensing means 1300 of the second device 1800 may be replaceable with a powder dispensing means similar to the dispensing means 300 of the first device (differing in that it is arranged to fill two containers simultaneously rather than three).

The invention has been described by example only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Parts List

100 Caddy

110 Body

120 Wheel

130 Vertical Passageways

200 Conveyor System

210 Pedestal

212 Framework

220 Track

222 First Pulley Aperture

224 Second Pulley Aperture

226 Leg Apertures

228 Load Cell Assembly Aperture

230 Belt Conveyor

232 Segmented Belt

234 Conveyor Pulleys

236 Motor

300 Dispensing Means

310 Hopper

312 Frames

314 Horizontal Bar

320 Conduits

330 Screw Conveyors

340 Rotary Shafts

350 Motors

400 Displacement Means

410 Inner Pair of Legs

411 Outer Pair of Legs

420 Vertical Leadscrew Assembly

430 Lower Support

432 Motor

434 Small Gear

436 First Large Gear

438 Second Large Gears

440 Upper Support

450 Vertical Leadscrews

460 Displaceable connecter

500 Load Cell Assembly

510 Load Cells

520 Plate

1000 First Automated Device

1100 Caddy

1110 Body

1120 Wheel

1130 Vertical Passageways

1200 Conveyor System

1210 Pedestal

1220 Track

1222 First Pulley Aperture

1230 Belt Conveyor

1232 Segmented Belt

1234 Conveyor Pulleys

1236 Motor

1300 Dispensing Means

1310 Flow Meter

1320 Dispensing Conduit

1330 Solenoid Valve

1340 Frame

1350 Intermediate Conduits

1400 Displacement Means

1410 Inner Pair of Legs

1411 Outer Pair of Legs

1420 Vertical Leadscrew Assembly

1430 Lower Support

1432 Motor

1434 Small Gear

1436 First Large Gear

1438 Second Large Gears

1440 Upper Support

1450 Vertical Leadscrews

1460 Displaceable connecter

1500 Load Cell Assembly

1510 Load Cells

1520 Base

1600 Pump

1800 Second Container

2000 First Container

2100 Second Container

Claims

1. An automated device for filling containers, the device comprising:

at least one caddy for carrying at least one container, a conveyor system for transporting the at least one caddy, a container sensing means which produces a signal dependent upon the arrangement of at least one container, a dispensing means for selectively dispensing material, and a displacement means which in use displaces the dispensing means vertically with respect to the conveyor system;

characterised in that the displacement means operates in response to the signal produced by the container sensing means.

2. An automated device according to claim 1 wherein the at least one caddy is a plurality of caddies, each for carrying at least one container.

3. An automated device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the at least one caddies are for carrying a plurality of containers.

4. An automated device according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one caddy each comprise one or more container holders.

5. An automated device according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one caddy each comprise a plurality of container holders.

6. An automated device according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the container holder or holders each comprise an aperture for receiving a container.

7. An automated device according to any preceding claim wherein the conveyor system transfers the at least one caddy along a track.

8. An automated device according to claim 7 when dependent upon any of claims

4 to 6 wherein the container holders each comprise an aperture for receiving a container which is supported by the track.

9. An automated device according to any preceding claim wherein the conveyor system transports the at least one caddy around a closed loop.

10. An automated device according to any preceding claim wherein the dispensing means selectively dispenses material from a receptacle defined by the dispensing means.

11. An automated device according to any preceding claim wherein the dispensing system comprises a plurality of apertures through which material is dispensed.

12. An automated device according to any preceding claim wherein the dispensing means comprises a plurality of conduits through which material is dispensed.

13. An automated device according to any preceding claim comprising at least one regulation means for regulating the dispensing of material from the receptacle defined by the dispensing means.

14. An automated device according to claim 13 wherein the regulation means is a pump.

15. An automated device according to claim 13 wherein the regulation means is a valve.

16. An automated device according to claim 13 wherein the regulation means is a screw conveyor.

17. An automated device according to claim 13 wherein the regulation means is a rotary feeder.

18. An automated device according to any preceding claim wherein the displacement means comprises at least one vertically aligned leadscrew.

19. An automated device according to any preceding claim comprising a caddy sensing means which produces a signal dependent upon the arrangement of the at least one caddy.

20. An automated device according to any preceding claim comprising a filling sensor which produces a signal dependent upon the amount of material displaced into a container.

21. An automated device according to any preceding claim comprising a filling sensor which produces a signal dependent upon the mass of a container.

22. An automated device according to claim 20 or claim 21 wherein the container sensing means defines the filling sensor.

23. An automated device according to any preceding claim comprising a filling sensor which produces a signal dependent upon the volume of material which is dispensed.

24. An automated device according to any of claims 20 to 23 wherein the filling sensor comprises a load cell sensor.

Application No: GB1807871.7

Intellectual

Property Office