Apparatus for filling containers

Abstract

An apparatus for filling containers with flowable product, such as ice cream, includes a plurality of carrier and frame assemblies which are configured to respectively receive the containers to be filled. Notably, each carrier of each assembly has a vertical dimension which is substantially greater than that of the associated container, with the carrier, and associated container, being vertically movable with respect to the associated carrier frame. By this arrangement, the carrier frame desirably acts in cooperation with the carrier to stabilize the container against lateral forces to which it is subjected, thereby facilitating filling of the container, and in particular, wiping of each container against an associated filling nozzle at the conclusion of filling.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates generally to an arrangement for facilitating filling of containers with flowable product, such as ice cream, and more particularly to an apparatus which includes a plurality of container carrier and carrier frame assemblies each of which function to securely support and stabilize a container as it is moved, both vertically and horizontally, during filling.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Rotary and in-line filling machines, such as for filling containers with flowable products such as ice-cream, can be configured to include carrier-like pucks to transport containers of various shapes as the containers are filled. Examples of such arrangements are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,305,496, to Hoppmann, U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,661, to Hoppmann, U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,789, to Linner, U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,302, to Mueller, U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,762, to Bliss, U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,052, to Pawloski, U.S. Pat. No. 5,853,077, to Schmitt, and U.S. Pat. No....

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]In a presently preferred embodiment, each container carrier comprises a generally cylindrical member having an exterior surface configured for sliding contact with the respective carrier frame during vertical movement of the carrier. Each carrier further defines an interior support surface, for engaging and supporting a respective one of the associated containers. By this arrangement, the container is desirably retained and stabilized as the carrier and container are moved vertically, in unison, relative to the respective frame, to thereby facilitate filling of each of the containers with flowable product.

[0011]To facilitate alignment and retention of each container in an associated carrier, the upper portion of the interior surface of each of the carriers is preferably downwardly, inwardly tapered. This configuration not only provides the desired stable support of tapered-wall containers, but additionally, desirably functions to guide each container into its respective carrier as it is positioned therein for filling.

[0012]In the illustrated embodiment, each of the carrier frames includes an upper frame portion, which can be mounted on the carousel or other conveyor of the associated filling apparatus, and a lower frame portion positioned beneath the upper frame portion. In a presently preferred embodiment, a plurality of spaced apart vertical frame supports extend between the upper and lower frame portions. The associated carrier extends downwardly through the upper frame portion, and preferably through the lower frame portion when the carrier is in its relatively lowered position. The vertical frame supports preferably together define an interior dimension which closely corresponds to the exterior dimension of the associated carrier, thereby permitting relative vertical sliding movement of the carrier while stabilizing the carrier against lateral forces to which it is objected.

Problems solved by technology

However, the advent of “ultra-cold” or “slow churn” ice creams has complicated the use of these filling techniques.

This filling technique has proven problematic when tapered-wall containers are employed, due to the lack of side wall support during the wiping process.

Experience has shown that these new types of ice creams are of such a stiff, viscous nature that the ice cream stream undesirably deforms the containers during the wipe-off process, undesirably resulting in jams, uneven fills, and other unacceptable conditions.

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