GB2305902A - Filling different-sized open-topped containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A filling machine suitable for filling open top containers (2) such as punnets, with a product such as mushrooms or soft fruit, has a removable and demountable unit (9, 9') including a frame on which is a container guide (39') and a container stop (27, 29, Figure 2) which are arranged to guide and stop one of the containers (2) at a filling station (5). Replacement units (9') for different sized containers can easily and quickly be fitted. A conveyor (3) moves the containers (2) past the filling station (5) where a product-dispensing means (13) includes a measuring device (15). A gate (43, Figure 2) downstream of the filling station is lifted when a container (2) is full.

Description

A Fillina Machine The present invention relates to a filling machine arranged to severally fill a plurality of containers.

Filling machines having a conveyor to move containers past a filling station are well known. Normally each container is the same size as the next of a series of containers.

For some purposes it has been desirable to use the same machine for different sized containers. In such a case it is necessary to stop the machine and then adjust guides, stops, detectors and so on to enable a new series of containers to be filled. This can take a considerable time, so much so that it is often simpler and cheaper to invest in several filling machines each adjusted to fill a different sized series of containers. Of course the investment may be very considerable particularly as only one machine may be required to operate at any one time.

It will be appreciated that there may be fifty or more different sized containers required to be handled by such a machine and that adjustment for container height, width and length can take a considerable time and adjustment is not a simple task. Furthermore, filling hopper sizes are also required to be varied.

A filling machine according to the invention comprises a conveyor arranged to convey product containers past a filling station, a product dispensing means adjacent to the conveyor at the filling station, a demountable and removable unit including a frame to which is mounted at least a container guide and a container stop, the unit when mounted to the machine being controllable to stop a said container at the filling station.

The invention enables the demountable unit adjusted for one particular size of container to be removed from the machine whilst a substitute unit adjusted for another particular required size and run of containers can be quickly substituted.

Preferably the unit is provided with a product guide which, when the unit is mounted on the machine, guides a product dispensed from the dispensing means into a container at the filling station. In order to avoid spillage of the product the product guide should be adjustable by adjustment to the frame or by substitution for another differently dimensioned guide so that there is a minimum space between the product guide and container. Preferably the product guide has a gate at a downstream side which can be raised to allow a well filled container to move away downstream from the filling station.

In order to stop a container at the filling station, the machine preferably has a programmable controller which cooperates with at least one sensor and stop mounted to the frame of the unit. Both sensor and stop may be adjustable relative the frame of the unit. This enables a said unit when removed from the machine for adjustment of guides and stopping position relative the filling station whilst a replacement unit is substituted and the machine is restarted. This reduces machine down time and increased machine profitability.

Whilst it is preferable for the machine to be controlled automatically by a suitable controller, the machine of the invention is such that it can be controlled manually.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the conceptual layout of a filling machine according to the invention, and Figure 2 is a more detailed schematic drawing of a demountable and removable unit of the machine of Fig. 1 as mounted in the machine.

The machine shown in Figure 1 has a first conveyor 1 aligned to feed open topped containers or punnets 2 in a direction A onto a second conveyor 3. The second conveyor 3 arranged to run past a filling station S has mounting pillars 7 towards either end onto which is mounted as required a demountable and removable unit 9 or substitute unit 9' in location 11 indicated by broken lines. Units 9 and 9' will be described below.

Mounted above location 11 at the filling station is a hopper 13 with a product measuring device 15 which together act as a product dispensing means arranged to feed a measured quantity of a product such as mushrooms or fruit into a product guide 17 of the unit 9 (9') and thence to a container 2 at the filling station.

A programmable logic controller or computer 19 is connected as required to the measuring device 15 and to drives for the conveyors 1 and 3 and also by plug 21 to a socket 23 on unit 9 so as to connect with a sensor 25 solenoid or other actuator operated stops 27, 29 and gate actuator 31 on the unit. The plug and socket enable the unit 9 to be unplugged from the controller 19.

Figure 2 shows unit 9 in more detail. At the top of the unit is a frame 33 which fits removably on pillars 7.

Depending from frame 33 are support bars 35 on which are vertically adjustable clamps 37 to which are mounted transversely adjustable guide plates 39 (only one plate 39 is shown). The guide plates ensure the containers 2 run accurately below product guide 17.

Alternatively to the plates 39 being adjustably mounted to clamps 37 the vertical and/or transverse adjustment may be carried out above on frame 33.

Mounted also adjustably direction A of the run of the conveyor and relative to the filling station are sensor 25 and stops 27 and 29 which are connected via socket 23 and plug 21 via cable 39 to controller 19.

In the centre of frame 33 is an aperture 41 into which product guide 17 is fitted. To allow for different sizes of containers 2, the product guide 17 can be removed from the aperture and replaced with a different size guide. At the downstream side of guide 17 is a gate 43 operated by actuator 31. Although gate 43 is shown as movable semirotationally from a closed to an upper and open position at 45, the gate could be arranged to move vertically upwards.

The open position of the gate enables a container 2 filled so that the product 7 is above the sides of the container, to move downstream on the conveyor 3.

In Figure 1 it will be seen that unit 9' has a longer guide 17' and guide 39' than unit 9, guide 39' has been raised and sensors and stops have been moved to allow a larger container to be filled.

In operation the user selects a unit 9 or 9' adjusted to the particular size of container which may be 70 to 150 mm long (in direction A) fits the unit onto mounting pillars 7 and 5, and connects controller lead 39 to the unit.

Containers are then supplied to conveyor 1. The controller 19 is adjusted as required for the product quantity and container size. The conveyors 1 and 3, the dispensing means 15, 13 is then activated and containers 2 pass to the filling stations 5 where the downstream container is detected by sensor 25 and is filled. Once the product has settled in the containers, gate 43 is lifted and the container 2 is released by plunger or plungers 51 (there may be one plunger 51 on each transverse side). The container 2 is then moved downstream in direction A by the conveyor until it reaches the next plunger 53 (there may also be one plunger 53 on each transverse side). The second plunger or pair of plungers 53 is spaced from plunger or plunger pair 51 by the length of the container.

The downstream container 2 is then held and acts to stop the next upstream container 2 which is again detected by sensor 25 to be at the filling station. The gate 43 descends and the container at the filling station is then filled. The first downstream container is then released by plunger(s) 53 and the cycle is repeated.

By placing all the elements that provide control signals for the container movement on one removable unit it is quick and easy to exchange the units.

Claims (9)

1. A filling machine comprising a conveyor arranged to convey product containers past a filling station, a product dispensing means adjacent to the conveyor at the filling station, a demountable and removable unit including a frame to which is mounted at least a container guide and a container stop, the unit when mounted to the machine being controllable to stop a said container at the filling station.

2. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the unit is provided with a product guide arranged to guide a product dispensed from the dispensed means into a container at the filling station.

3. A machine according to claim 2 wherein the product guide has a gate at a downstream side which is arranged to be raised to allow a container filled above its sides to move downstream from the filling station.

4. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein at least one stop is mounted to the unit frame to hold a container at the filling station.

5. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein at least one sensor is mounted to the unit frame to sense a container at the filling station.

6. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the container guide is adjustably mounted to the unit frame.

7. A machine according to claims 4 or 5 wherein the or each sensor and/or each stop is adjustably mounted to the unit frame.

8. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7 further comprising a programmable controller or computer arranged to cooperate with at least control and/or sensing elements on the unit.

9. A filling machine substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.