Vacuum filling system
A filling apparatus 20 includes a filler table structure 22 disposed within a protective and supporting main housing 24 . The filler table structure 22 receives and supports containers 26 to be filled with product from filler heads 28 positioned above the filler table structure. The containers 26 to be filled arrive at the filler table structure 22 on infeed conveyances 30 and then are precisely positioned at a filling position beneath the filler heads 28 by indexing systems 32 . Thereafter, the filled containers 26 are transferred by the indexing systems 32 to an out feed conveyance 34 . Each filler head 28 is capable of cycling at a speed of at least 30 times per minute, whereby the filling station 20 is capable of filling containers 26 at a rate of at least 30 containers per minute per filler head.
1 . A filling station for filling containers of different sizes with product, comprising:
a replaceable, container size-dependent rotary indexing wheel receiving a container from a receiving conveyance and positioning the container at a fill position for filling the container with product while the container is engaged with the rotary indexing wheel and then after the container has been filled while at the fill position transferring the filled container from the fill position to an outfeed conveyance;
a replaceable, container size-dependent stationary arcuate guide guiding the containers from the receiving conveyance into engagement with the rotary indexing wheel and retaining the containers engaged with the rotary indexing wheel during the filling of the container and during transfer of the filled containers to the out-feed conveyor;
a filler head disposed above the fill position in registry with the container at the fill position, the filler head connected to a source of vacuum to remove the air from the container and also including an inlet nozzle for simultaneously delivering product into the evacuated container; and
a control system for controlling and sequencing the operation of the receiving conveyance, the rotary indexing wheel, the filler head, and the outfeed conveyance.
2 . The filling station according to claim 1 , wherein the rotary indexing wheel defines a plurality of pockets for receiving the containers therein.
3 . The filling station according to claim 2 , wherein the guide for guiding the containers into the pockets of the rotary indexing wheel retains the containers within the pockets of the rotary wheel.
4 . The filling station according to claim 1 , wherein the guide is configured for guiding a specific size container and the guide is removably mounted on a base structure for replacement with another guide configured for guiding a different size container.
5 . The filling station according to claim 1 , wherein the arcuate guide defines a curved abutment edge to engage the exterior of the container to enable the container to slide there along while being positioned and transferred by the rotary indexing wheel.
6 . The filling station according to claim 1 , further comprising a lift platform for supporting a container beneath the filling head during filling of the container, the lifting platform lifting the container upwardly into engagement with the filling head.
7 . The filling station of claim 6 , further comprising stops for limiting the elevation to which the lifting platform lifts the container to be filled relative to the filling head.
8 . The filling station of claim 7 , wherein the elevation of the container relative to the filling head controls the amount of product delivered to the container.
9 . The filling station according to claim 1 , further comprising a fill valve located between the source of vacuum and the filler head to connect and disconnect the source of vacuum from the filler head at a rate of at least thirty times per minute.
10 . The filling station according to claim 9 , wherein the fill valve is actuated by compressed air.
11 . The filling station according to claim 1 , wherein the filler head comprises:
an inlet nozzle to direct product into the containers to be filled, the inlet nozzle having a lower end engageable within a container to be filled; and
an outlet head is disposed at the lower end of the inlet nozzle, the outlet head having a plurality of apertures.
12 . The filling station according to claim 11 , wherein the outlet head comprising portions defining an inwardly and downwardly tapering funnel section terminating at an aperture of the outlet head.
13 . The filling station according to claim 11 , wherein the filler head comprises portions defining an annular cavity surrounding a portion of the nozzle at the location of the nozzle head, the source of vacuum in communication with the annular cavity.
14 . The filling station according to claim 13 , further comprising a fill valve located between the source of vacuum and the annular cavity to connect and disconnect the source of vacuum from the annular cavity at a rate of at least thirty times per minute.
15 . A method of filling containers with product using the filling station of claim 1 .