EP1948511A1 - Method and device for fillling containers - Google Patents

Method and device for fillling containers

Info

Publication number
EP1948511A1
EP1948511A1 EP05779579A EP05779579A EP1948511A1 EP 1948511 A1 EP1948511 A1 EP 1948511A1 EP 05779579 A EP05779579 A EP 05779579A EP 05779579 A EP05779579 A EP 05779579A EP 1948511 A1 EP1948511 A1 EP 1948511A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
article
fed
filling station
articles
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP05779579A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1948511B1 (en
Inventor
Guglielmo Martelli
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Campatents BV
Original Assignee
Campatents BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Campatents BV filed Critical Campatents BV
Publication of EP1948511A1 publication Critical patent/EP1948511A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1948511B1 publication Critical patent/EP1948511B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
    • B65B5/10—Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles
    • B65B5/101—Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles by gravity
    • B65B5/103—Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles by gravity for packaging pills or tablets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B39/00—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers
    • B65B39/007—Guides or funnels for introducing articles into containers or wrappers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B57/00—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices
    • B65B57/10—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of articles or materials to be packaged
    • B65B57/14—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of articles or materials to be packaged and operating to control, or stop, the feed of articles or material to be packaged

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and device for filling a container.
  • the present invention may be used to advantage in the packing of confectionery products, to which the following description refers purely by way of example. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for filling a container with single (i.e. separate) articles.
  • Known devices for filling a container normally comprise a conveyor for feeding the container through a filling station, where a feed assembly feeds a number of articles into the container.
  • the articles are normally fed to the filling station by a so-called “slat” conveyor and drop freely down a funnel-shaped chute into the container.
  • a device and method for filling containers as claimed in the accompanying independent Claims and, preferably, in any one of the Claims depending directly or indirectly on the independent Claims.
  • Figure 1 shows a partial front view of a device in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 2 shows a larger-scale detail of Figure 1
  • Figure 3 shows a larger-scale, partial view in perspective of a further detail of the Figure 1 device
  • Figures 4 and 5 show partly sectioned side views of a detail of Figure 1 in two successive operating positions;
  • Figure 6 shows a section along line VI-VI of the Figure 4 detail.
  • Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates as a whole a device for filling a container 2, and which comprises a conveyor assembly 3 for feeding container 2 continuously along a substantially horizontal path P through a number of filling stations 4; and a number of feed assemblies 5, each located at a respective filling station 4 to feed a given number of single articles 6 - in particular, tablets - into container 2 through an upward-facing opening 7 of container 2.
  • Conveyor assembly 3 ( Figure 3) comprises two substantially parallel chains 8 and 9 moving in time with each other along path P, and of which chain 8 is located above chain 9.
  • Conveyor assembly 3 also comprises a number of clamping members 10 projecting horizontally from chain 9 to accompany and push containers 2 along path P. In actual use, each container 2 is housed between two successive clamping members 10.
  • Conveyor assembly 3 also comprises a number of - in the example shown, three - rails 11, between which, in use, container 2 slides as it is fed along path P; and a top rail 12 for holding a panel T of container 2 in such a position as to permit free access to the inside of container 2 through opening 7.
  • device 1 comprises a number of actuator assemblies 13, each for activating feed assemblies 5 as container 2, in use, is positioned at (i.e. travels past) respective filling stations 4.
  • Each actuator assembly 13 comprises a respective supporting plate 14 fitted integrally to chain 8/ and a respective arm 15 having one end 16 fitted to supporting plate 14 to oscillate about a respective substantially horizontal axis 17 parallel to path P.
  • Each actuator assembly 13 also comprises a respective elastic member 18 (in particular, a spring) having one end 19 connected to relative supporting plate 14, and one end 20 connected to relative arm 15.
  • a respective elastic member 18 (in particular, a spring) having one end 19 connected to relative supporting plate 14, and one end 20 connected to relative arm 15.
  • Each elastic member 18 holds relative arm 15 in a lowered position (shown in Figure 4), while at the same time allowing arm 15 to swing upwards into a raised position (shown in Figure 5) .
  • Each actuator assembly 13 also comprises a respective bearing 21 fitted to relative arm 15 and rotating about a respective axis 22 substantially crosswise (in particular, perpendicular) to axis 17.
  • actuator assembly 13 arrives at filling stations 4, bearing 21, as it travels parallel to path P, comes into contact with a profile B, and is raised to move arm 15 into the raised position ( Figures 4 and 5) .
  • Each feed assembly 5 ( Figures 1 and 2) comprises a respective dispenser unit 23 for feeding a given number of articles 6 (in the example shown, one) into container 2; and a respective feed conduit 24 for feeding articles 6, stacked one on top of another, downwards from a hopper 25 (shown schematically in Figure 1) to relative dispenser unit 23.
  • Each feed conduit 24 (as shown more clearly in Figures 4 and 5) is bounded externally by a respective coiled elastic sheath, and is deformable to adapt to the geometry of device 1, and to allow fast, easy intervention by the operator in the event feed conduit 24 becomes clogged.
  • the coiled elastic sheath enables visual location of a jammed article 6, by stretching feed conduit 24, ' and release of the jammed article 6, by moving feed conduit 24, with no need to remove any other parts, or stop operation, of device 1.
  • Each dispenser unit 23 comprises a respective conduit 26, which extends sul stantially vertically, has a top end 27 connected to a bottom end 28 of relative feed conduit 24, and provides for feeding the stacked articles 6 downwards .
  • Each dispenser unit 23 also comprises a respective annular connecting member 29 (see in particular Figure 6) mounted substantially coaxially with conduit 26 and oscillating about a substantially horizontal axis 30 crosswise to conduit 26.
  • a respective control arm 31 is connected integrally to each connecting member 29, and is raised by arm 15 when arm 15 is in the raised position.
  • Each dispenser unit 23 also comprises two respective arms 32 and 33 extending downwards on opposite sides of axis 30 and, in particular, substantially vertically from connecting member 29.
  • a respective supporting tab 34 is connected to a bottom end 35 of each arm 32, and extends substantially horizontally to support, in use, from underneath and in a relative position L over path P, a bottom article 6' of a stack 36 of articles 6 formed inside conduit 26 and feed conduit 24 ( Figure 4) .
  • a respective supporting tab 37 is connected to a bottom end 38 of each arm 33, and extends substantially horizontally inside a hole H in conduit 26.
  • control arm 31 when control arm 31 is raised ( Figure 5) , the connecting member and arms 32 and 33 oscillate about axis 30, so that article 6' drops down, and supporting tab 37 supports the bottom of stack 36 by moving into contact with the next article 6 up from article 6'.
  • the number of articles 6 fed into container 2 at each filJ ing station 4 can be changed easily by changing the length of arm 33 and the location of hole H along conduit 26.
  • Device 1 also comprises a number of known detectors 39 (shown schematically) , each located at a bottom end of each conduit 26 to detect passage of articles 6 along conduit 26 and, therefore, insertion of articles 6 inside container 2; and a control unit 40 connected electrically to detectors 39, and for activating one or more feed assemblies 41 as a function of the findings of detectors 39. More specifically, upon detectors 39 finding a given number of articles 6 have not been fed into container 2, a number of feed assemblies 41, corresponding to said given number, are activated to make up for the detected shortage. Obviously, if each feed assembly 41 provides for feeding only one article 6 into container 2, the number of feed assemblies 41 activated equals the given number of articles 6 not fed into container 2.
  • device 1 may comprise a different number of feed assemblies 41, e.g. one, three or four.
  • Feed assemblies 41 are located along path P, downstream from feed assemblies 5, and are substantially identical to feed assemblies 5, the only difference being that they are activated pneumatically, as opposed to mechanically by the passage of actuator assemblies 13. Operation of one feed assembly 5 will now be described, as of the instant in which container 2 is fed to respective filling statior 4.
  • end 42 is lowered and, by virtue of a spring system (not shown) , connecting member 29 and arms 32 and 33 oscillate about axis 30 in the opposite direction to before, so that stack 36 drops down and is supported from underneath by supporting tab 34, and the bottom end of stack 36 moves into the position L formerly occupied by article 6'.
  • a spring system not shown
  • the overall output rate of device 1 is further improved by the possibility of activating feed assemblies 41, and of clearing conduits 24 with no need to remove any other parts of device 1 and/or shut down device 1.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)

Abstract

A method and device for filling a container with tablets; the device has a conveyor for feeding the container through a number of filling stations, at each of which is located a respective dispenser unit for dropping a predetermined number of tablets from the bottom end of a stack of tablets into the container.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR FILLING CONTAINERS
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method and device for filling a container.
The present invention may be used to advantage in the packing of confectionery products, to which the following description refers purely by way of example. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for filling a container with single (i.e. separate) articles.
BACKGROUND ART
Known devices for filling a container normally comprise a conveyor for feeding the container through a filling station, where a feed assembly feeds a number of articles into the container. The articles are normally fed to the filling station by a so-called "slat" conveyor and drop freely down a funnel-shaped chute into the container.
One example of a known oevice for filling containers is described in US Patent US 2,920,743.
Known devices of the type described above have numerous drawbacks, including : frequent clogging of the chute; damage to the articles, especially as they drop down the chute into the container; inconsistency in the number of articles fed into the containers; low output rate; and cleaning difficulti es - in particular, the slat conveyor must be dismantled completely to be cleaned.
DISCLOSURE QF INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a filling device and method designed to at least partly eliminate the drawbacks of the known art, and which at the same time are cheap and easy to implement.
According to the present invention, there are provided a device and method for filling containers, as claimed in the accompanying independent Claims and, preferably, in any one of the Claims depending directly or indirectly on the independent Claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A non-limiting embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a partial front view of a device in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a larger-scale detail of Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows a larger-scale, partial view in perspective of a further detail of the Figure 1 device;
Figures 4 and 5 show partly sectioned side views of a detail of Figure 1 in two successive operating positions; Figure 6 shows a section along line VI-VI of the Figure 4 detail.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates as a whole a device for filling a container 2, and which comprises a conveyor assembly 3 for feeding container 2 continuously along a substantially horizontal path P through a number of filling stations 4; and a number of feed assemblies 5, each located at a respective filling station 4 to feed a given number of single articles 6 - in particular, tablets - into container 2 through an upward-facing opening 7 of container 2.
It should be pointed out that alternative embodiments may comprise other than the ten feed assemblies 5 shown in the Figure 1 embodiment.
Conveyor assembly 3 (Figure 3) comprises two substantially parallel chains 8 and 9 moving in time with each other along path P, and of which chain 8 is located above chain 9. Conveyor assembly 3 also comprises a number of clamping members 10 projecting horizontally from chain 9 to accompany and push containers 2 along path P. In actual use, each container 2 is housed between two successive clamping members 10. Conveyor assembly 3 also comprises a number of - in the example shown, three - rails 11, between which, in use, container 2 slides as it is fed along path P; and a top rail 12 for holding a panel T of container 2 in such a position as to permit free access to the inside of container 2 through opening 7.
With particular reference to Figures 3, 4 and 5, device 1 comprises a number of actuator assemblies 13, each for activating feed assemblies 5 as container 2, in use, is positioned at (i.e. travels past) respective filling stations 4.
Each actuator assembly 13 comprises a respective supporting plate 14 fitted integrally to chain 8/ and a respective arm 15 having one end 16 fitted to supporting plate 14 to oscillate about a respective substantially horizontal axis 17 parallel to path P.
Each actuator assembly 13 also comprises a respective elastic member 18 (in particular, a spring) having one end 19 connected to relative supporting plate 14, and one end 20 connected to relative arm 15. Each elastic member 18 holds relative arm 15 in a lowered position (shown in Figure 4), while at the same time allowing arm 15 to swing upwards into a raised position (shown in Figure 5) .
Each actuator assembly 13 also comprises a respective bearing 21 fitted to relative arm 15 and rotating about a respective axis 22 substantially crosswise (in particular, perpendicular) to axis 17. When actuator assembly 13, in use, arrives at filling stations 4, bearing 21, as it travels parallel to path P, comes into contact with a profile B, and is raised to move arm 15 into the raised position (Figures 4 and 5) . Each feed assembly 5 (Figures 1 and 2) comprises a respective dispenser unit 23 for feeding a given number of articles 6 (in the example shown, one) into container 2; and a respective feed conduit 24 for feeding articles 6, stacked one on top of another, downwards from a hopper 25 (shown schematically in Figure 1) to relative dispenser unit 23.
Each feed conduit 24 (as shown more clearly in Figures 4 and 5) is bounded externally by a respective coiled elastic sheath, and is deformable to adapt to the geometry of device 1, and to allow fast, easy intervention by the operator in the event feed conduit 24 becomes clogged. In this connection, it should be stressed that the coiled elastic sheath enables visual location of a jammed article 6, by stretching feed conduit 24, ' and release of the jammed article 6, by moving feed conduit 24, with no need to remove any other parts, or stop operation, of device 1.
Each dispenser unit 23 comprises a respective conduit 26, which extends sul stantially vertically, has a top end 27 connected to a bottom end 28 of relative feed conduit 24, and provides for feeding the stacked articles 6 downwards .
Each dispenser unit 23 also comprises a respective annular connecting member 29 (see in particular Figure 6) mounted substantially coaxially with conduit 26 and oscillating about a substantially horizontal axis 30 crosswise to conduit 26. A respective control arm 31 is connected integrally to each connecting member 29, and is raised by arm 15 when arm 15 is in the raised position.
Each dispenser unit 23 also comprises two respective arms 32 and 33 extending downwards on opposite sides of axis 30 and, in particular, substantially vertically from connecting member 29. A respective supporting tab 34 is connected to a bottom end 35 of each arm 32, and extends substantially horizontally to support, in use, from underneath and in a relative position L over path P, a bottom article 6' of a stack 36 of articles 6 formed inside conduit 26 and feed conduit 24 (Figure 4) . A respective supporting tab 37 is connected to a bottom end 38 of each arm 33, and extends substantially horizontally inside a hole H in conduit 26. In actual use, when control arm 31 is raised (Figure 5) , the connecting member and arms 32 and 33 oscillate about axis 30, so that article 6' drops down, and supporting tab 37 supports the bottom of stack 36 by moving into contact with the next article 6 up from article 6'. As can be seen, the number of articles 6 fed into container 2 at each filJ ing station 4 can be changed easily by changing the length of arm 33 and the location of hole H along conduit 26.
Device 1 also comprises a number of known detectors 39 (shown schematically) , each located at a bottom end of each conduit 26 to detect passage of articles 6 along conduit 26 and, therefore, insertion of articles 6 inside container 2; and a control unit 40 connected electrically to detectors 39, and for activating one or more feed assemblies 41 as a function of the findings of detectors 39. More specifically, upon detectors 39 finding a given number of articles 6 have not been fed into container 2, a number of feed assemblies 41, corresponding to said given number, are activated to make up for the detected shortage. Obviously, if each feed assembly 41 provides for feeding only one article 6 into container 2, the number of feed assemblies 41 activated equals the given number of articles 6 not fed into container 2.
It should be pointed out that, though the Figure 1 embodiment comprises two feed assemblies 41, device 1 may comprise a different number of feed assemblies 41, e.g. one, three or four. Feed assemblies 41 are located along path P, downstream from feed assemblies 5, and are substantially identical to feed assemblies 5, the only difference being that they are activated pneumatically, as opposed to mechanically by the passage of actuator assemblies 13. Operation of one feed assembly 5 will now be described, as of the instant in which container 2 is fed to respective filling statior 4.
As container 2 enters filling station 4, arm 15 is moved into the raised position (Figure 5) , by the interference of bearing 21 with profile B, and contacts an end 42 of control arm 31 opposite connecting member 29. End 42 is thus raised, so that connecting member 29 and arms 32 and 33 oscillate about axis 30, article 6' drops down (Figure 5) , and stack 36 is supported from underneath by supporting tab 37. It should be pointed out that, at this stage, container 2 is positioned directly beneath conduit 26, and article 6' is detached from the bottom end of stack 36.
Once container 2 leaves filling station 4, end 42 is lowered and, by virtue of a spring system (not shown) , connecting member 29 and arms 32 and 33 oscillate about axis 30 in the opposite direction to before, so that stack 36 drops down and is supported from underneath by supporting tab 34, and the bottom end of stack 36 moves into the position L formerly occupied by article 6'.
It should be pointed out that, by articles 6 defining stack 36 at filling station 4, the number of articles 6 fed into container 2 can be controlled extremely accurately, and articles 6 can be transferred from the feed assembly into container 2 extremely quickly, with no risk of damaging articles 6. Feeding container 2 continuously along path P, combined with fast insertion of articles 6 inside container 2, provides for achieving extremely fast filling speeds.
The overall output rate of device 1 is further improved by the possibility of activating feed assemblies 41, and of clearing conduits 24 with no need to remove any other parts of device 1 and/or shut down device 1.

Claims

1) A method of filling a container (2) with articles (6; 6'), the method comprising a step of feeding the container (2) along a path (P) through a first filling station (4) where at least a first article (6; 6T) is fed into the container (2) through an opening (7) of the container (2) ; and the method being characterized in that the container (2) is fed through at least a second filling station (4) where at least a second article (6; 6') is fed into the container (2) through the opening (7) of the container (2); the articles (6; 6') being fed to the first filling station (4) successively, so as to define a first stack (36) of articles (6; 6'); and the articles (6; 6') being fed to the second filling station (4) successively, so as to define a second stack (36) of articles (6; 6 ' ) •
2) A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the first article (6; 61) is detached from a relative end of the first stack (36), and then fed into the container (2).
3) A method as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said first article (6; 6T) is fed downwards into the container (2) .
4) A method as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, and comprising a standby step, wherein the first article (6;
61) is maintained in a position (L) over the path (P); and a release step, wherein the first article (6; 6') is allowed to move downwards away from the first stack (36) and into the container (2); in the course of the release step, the first stack (36) being maintained substantially fixed, and the container (2) being positioned at the first filling station (4) . 5) A method as claimed in Claim 4, and comprising a loading step, wherein the first stack (36) is advanced until the end of the first stack (36) reaches said position (L) over the path (P) .
6) A method as claimed in one of the foregoing Claims, wherein the first stack (36) is fed downwards to the first filling station (4) .
7) A method as claimed in one of the foregoing Claims, wherein the second article (6; 6') is fed to the second filling station (4) and into the container (2) as defined for the first article (6; 6').
8) A method as claimed in one of the foregoing Claims, wherein the container (2) is conveyed along the path (P) .
9) A method as claimed in one of the foregoing Claims, wherein the container (2) is fed along the path
(P) through a third filling station (4) downstream from the first filling station (4); the method comprising a control step to determine whether the first article (6; 6') is fed into the container (2); and, in the event the first article (6; 6') is not fed into the container (2), at least a third article (6; 6T) is fed into the container (2) through the opening (7) of the container (2) at the third filling station (4) . 10) A method as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the third article (6; 6') is fed to the third filling station
(4) and into the container (2) as defined for the first article (6; 6 ' ) • 11) A device for filling a container (2), the device (1) comprising a conveyor assembly (3) for feeding the container (2) through a first filling station (4) ; and a first feed assembly (5) located at the first filling station (4) to feed at least a first article (6; 6') into the container (2) through an opening (7) of the container (2); and the device (1) being characterized in that the conveyor assembly (3) feeds the container (2) through at least a second filling station (4); the device (1) comprising at least a second feed assembly (5) located at the second filling station (4) to feed at least a second article (6; 6') into the container (2) through the opening (7) of the container (2); the first feed assembly
(5) feeding the articles (6; 6') successively to the first filling station (4) , so as to define a first stack (36) of articles (6; 6'); and the second feed assembly (5) feeding the articles (6; 6') successively to the second filling station (4), so as to define a second stack (36) of articles (6; 6')-
12) A device as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the first feed assembly (5) comprises a dispenser unit (23) for detaching the first article (6; 6') from an end of the first stack (36) and feeding the first article (6; 6') into the container (2). 13) A device as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the dispenser unit (23) comprises first retaining means (32, 34) for retaining the first article (6; 6') in a position (L) over the path (P); second retaining means (33, 37) for retaining the first stack (36) directly over said position (L) ; and control πu ans (29, 31) for activating the first retaining means (32, 34) and simultaneously deactivating the second retaining means (33, 37) ; the control means (29, 31) also activating the second retaining means (33, 37) and simultaneously deactivating the first retaining means (32, 34) to feed the first article (6; 61) downwards into the container (2) .
14) A device as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the first retaining means (32, 34) comprise a first supporting member (34) for supporting the first article (6; 61) from underneath, and a first arm (32) connected substantially integrally to the first supporting member and crosswise to the first supporting member (34) ; the second retaining means (33, 37) comprising a second supporting member (37) for supporting the stack (36) from underneath, and a second arm (33) connected substantially integrally to the second supporting member (37) and crosswise to the second supporting member (37) ; and the control means (29, 31) comprising a connecting member (29) connected integrally to the first and second arm (32, 33) , and mounted to oscillate about an axis (30) crosswise to the first and second supporting member (34, 37) . 15) A device as claimed in one of Claims 12 to 14, wherein the first feed assembly (5) comprises a feed conduit (24) for feeding the articles (6; 6')/ stacked one on top of another, downwards to the dispenser unit (23); and the feed conduit (24) comprises an elastically deformable coiled sheath, inside which the articles (6; 6' ) slide in use.
16) A device as claimed in one of Claims 11 to 15, wherein the second feed assembly (5) is defined like the first feed assembly (5) .
17) A device as claimed in one of Claims 11 to 16, and comprising at least a third feed assembly (41) downstream from the first feed assembly (5) and for feeding at least a third article (6; 6') into the container (2); detecting means (39) for determining whether the first article (6; 6') is fed into the container (2) ; and a control unit (40) for activating the third feed assembly (41) on the basis of the findings of the detecting means (39) . 18) A device as claimed in Claim 18, wherein the third feed assembly (41) is defined like the first feed assembly (5) .
19) A method of filling a container (2) with articles (6; 6'), the method comprising the step of feeding the container (2) along a path (P) through a first filling station (4) where at least a first article (6/ 6') is fed into the container (2) through an opening (7) of the container (2); and the method being characterized in that the container (2) is fed through at least a second filling station (4) ; the method comprising a control step to determine whether the first article (6;
6') is fed into the container (2); and, in the event the first article (6; 6T) is not fed into the container (2), at least a second article (6; 6") is fed into the container (2) through the opening (7) of the container
(2) at the second filling station (4) .
20) A method as claimed in Claim 19 and one of Claims 1 to 10.
21) A device for filling a container (2), the device (1) comprising a conveyor assembly (3) for feeding the container (2) through a first filling station (4) ; and a first feed assembly (5) located at the first filling station (4) to feed at least a first article (6; 6') into the container (2) through an opening (7) of the container (2); and the device (1) being characterized by comprising at least a second feed assembly (41), located at a second filling station (4) downstream from the first feed assembly (5), to feed at least a second article (6; 61) into the container (2) ; detecting means (39) for determining whether the first article (6; 6') is fed into the container (2) ; and a control unit (40) for activating the second feed assembly (41) on the basis of the findings of the detecting means (39) ; the conveyor assembly (3) feeding the container (2) through the second filling station (4) .
22) A device as claimed in Claim 21 and one of Claims 11 to 18.
EP05779579A 2005-09-20 2005-09-20 Method and device for fillling containers Not-in-force EP1948511B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IB2005/002777 WO2007034257A1 (en) 2005-09-20 2005-09-20 Method and device for fillling containers

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1948511A1 true EP1948511A1 (en) 2008-07-30
EP1948511B1 EP1948511B1 (en) 2009-12-30

Family

ID=36384539

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05779579A Not-in-force EP1948511B1 (en) 2005-09-20 2005-09-20 Method and device for fillling containers

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US20090313952A1 (en)
EP (1) EP1948511B1 (en)
JP (1) JP5208747B2 (en)
CN (1) CN101356093B (en)
AT (1) ATE453570T1 (en)
DE (1) DE602005018694D1 (en)
ES (1) ES2338900T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2007034257A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN104340436A (en) * 2014-09-26 2015-02-11 成都三可实业有限公司 Sugar outlet device for packaging machine

Families Citing this family (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090313952A1 (en) * 2005-09-20 2009-12-24 Guglielmo Martelli Method and Device for Filling Containers
JP5256302B2 (en) * 2007-12-27 2013-08-07 タリスト インコーポレイテッド Zero cross contamination collector
IT1399486B1 (en) * 2010-03-31 2013-04-19 Ima Safe S R L IMPROVED WITH DISTRIBUTOR UNITS AND PERFECTED DISTRIBUTOR UNIT
CN102001473A (en) * 2010-11-25 2011-04-06 张家港西一新型汽车配件有限公司 Packing device on coating production line
WO2013136370A1 (en) * 2012-03-15 2013-09-19 日清食品ホールディングス株式会社 Container filling device
ITBO20120336A1 (en) * 2012-06-20 2013-12-21 Sasib Spa METHOD AND EQUIPMENT FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH BAR-SHAPED ITEMS.
US9008831B1 (en) * 2012-09-25 2015-04-14 Rockwell Automation, Inc. Packaging system and method utilizing intelligent conveyor systems
CN103112705A (en) * 2013-01-30 2013-05-22 昆山旭锟机械科技有限公司 Batch feeder
CN103552702B (en) * 2013-08-16 2015-06-10 天津市华帅制药机械有限公司 Intermittent feeding mechanism for double-aluminum shading packaging machine
CN103662136B (en) * 2013-12-06 2015-10-21 锦州理想包装机械有限公司 Four sides envelope soft packaging bag capsule-filling feeding device
CN106218962B (en) * 2016-07-25 2018-09-04 杭州电子科技大学 Headband racking machine
IT201900020192A1 (en) * 2019-10-31 2021-05-01 Universal Pack S R L DEVICE AND PROCEDURE FOR FEEDING DISCRETE ITEMS
CN111114879A (en) * 2020-01-13 2020-05-08 李锦记(广州)食品有限公司 Bottling quantity detection system

Family Cites Families (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE443359C (en) * 1927-04-27 Paul Uhlig Device for feeding, arranging and counting round tablets in rows next to each other
US3064406A (en) * 1957-09-20 1962-11-20 Kennedy Edward Article counting and loading machine
DE1144177B (en) * 1959-05-23 1963-02-21 Hoechst Ag Device for filling dragees or the like.
US3977483A (en) * 1975-04-02 1976-08-31 The Kingsford Company Material handling apparatus and method
FR2427257A1 (en) * 1978-05-29 1979-12-28 Expandet Sa DISTRIBUTOR MACHINE FOR PLACING STORED OBJECTS ON DISPLAY RACKS
CH663183A5 (en) * 1984-05-09 1987-11-30 Sig Schweiz Industrieges PROCEDURE AND EQUIPMENT FOR RE-DOSING OF RELIGIOUS GOODS.
JPH07110661B2 (en) * 1989-04-03 1995-11-29 株式会社東京商会 Tablet packing machine control device
JP2944235B2 (en) * 1991-03-13 1999-08-30 三洋電機株式会社 Drug supply device
US6185901B1 (en) * 1998-05-20 2001-02-13 Aylward Enterprises, Inc. Positive count rotary slat packaging apparatus and related methods
JP3637478B2 (en) * 1999-04-14 2005-04-13 三光機械株式会社 Automatic packaging system
JP4286985B2 (en) * 1999-07-30 2009-07-01 高園産業株式会社 Drug metering device
JP2001171729A (en) * 1999-12-13 2001-06-26 Abikkusu:Kk Packaging container, packaging apparatus and packaging method for first-aid adhesive plaster
JP3964107B2 (en) * 2000-07-24 2007-08-22 シーケーディ株式会社 Tablet input device and method for manufacturing PTP sheet
ES2242475B2 (en) * 2002-12-18 2007-02-01 Universidad De La Rioja SUPPLY-DOSER OF TABLETS TO PACKAGING FOR THE FOOD INDUSTRY.
US20090313952A1 (en) * 2005-09-20 2009-12-24 Guglielmo Martelli Method and Device for Filling Containers

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2007034257A1 *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN104340436A (en) * 2014-09-26 2015-02-11 成都三可实业有限公司 Sugar outlet device for packaging machine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE453570T1 (en) 2010-01-15
US20090313952A1 (en) 2009-12-24
WO2007034257A1 (en) 2007-03-29
CN101356093A (en) 2009-01-28
ES2338900T3 (en) 2010-05-13
JP5208747B2 (en) 2013-06-12
EP1948511B1 (en) 2009-12-30
CN101356093B (en) 2014-03-26
DE602005018694D1 (en) 2010-02-11
JP2009508779A (en) 2009-03-05

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1948511B1 (en) Method and device for fillling containers
EP2301866B1 (en) Automated system for overturning trays for lab animals
US6223881B1 (en) Accumulator for molds
EP2676904B1 (en) Apparatus for sorting agricultural products.
MXPA06009710A (en) Packaging machine.
US20030007859A1 (en) Method and apparatus for stacking discrete planar objects
US20110088810A1 (en) Unit For Filling Containers With Products In Particular Pharmaceutical Products
EP1544110B1 (en) Device for transferring articles in a controlled configuration from a feeding line to a receiving line
US4974391A (en) Automatic package loading system for bakery goods and the like
JPH04367417A (en) Method and device for automatic aligned feeding of article to packaging machine
US8794422B2 (en) Product discharge line
JP5822480B2 (en) Boxing equipment
US20060090426A1 (en) Pouch loading machine
US20110308206A1 (en) Packaging system for filling a collecting container with articles
JPH10236642A (en) Feed-merging device for pans on which agricultural products are placed
EP3581504B1 (en) Egg processing apparatus
KR100757178B1 (en) Apparatus for arraying the pillow
JP4031279B2 (en) Packaging equipment for goods
JP3637614B2 (en) Seedling box feeder
CN112357152A (en) Method for carrying out carton packaging on cone yarn
KR101248846B1 (en) egg insert control system for automatic selection egg packer
JP2595167Y2 (en) Chip base material dividing device
KR200407554Y1 (en) Unaligned packaging cap sorting device of automatic capping machine
JP3791260B2 (en) Merchandise take-out and conveying device in vending machine and control method thereof
JP2020040708A (en) Boxing system

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20080331

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20080910

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 602005018694

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20100211

Kind code of ref document: P

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: ANDRE ROLAND S.A.

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20091230

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20091230

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20091230

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: VDEP

Effective date: 20091230

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2338900

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

LTIE Lt: invalidation of european patent or patent extension

Effective date: 20091230

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20091230

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20091230

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20091230

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20091230

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20100430

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20091230

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20091230

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20100330

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20100430

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20091230

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20091230

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20091230

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20091230

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20100331

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20091230

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20101001

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20091230

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20100930

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20100920

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PCAR

Free format text: ANDRE ROLAND S.A.;CASE POSTALE 5107;1002 LAUSANNE (CH)

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20100701

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20100920

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20091230

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 12

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 13

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 14

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20180718

Year of fee payment: 14

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20180926

Year of fee payment: 14

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20180928

Year of fee payment: 14

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20181130

Year of fee payment: 14

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20181024

Year of fee payment: 14

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20181001

Year of fee payment: 14

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 602005018694

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200401

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190930

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190930

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190920

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20190920

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190930

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190920

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20210129

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190921