Sanitary filler head

Abstract

A filler head apparatus (20) for hygienically filling and emptying a container (22) through a fitment (24) associated with the container (22) includes a cylindrical outer housing (30) for housing a hollow inner cylinder (32) that is actuated to simultaneously reciprocate and rotate within the outer housing about a central axis (33). A transfer tube assembly (34) is mounted to the inner cylinder (32) to travel with the inner cylinder between an extended position in engagement with the fitment (24) and a retracted position disengaged from the fitment. When the transfer tube assembly is in engagement with the fitment, flowable contents or product can be transferred to or from the container (22). A fitment cap assembly (36) is also mounted to the inner cylinder (22) to travel with the inner cylinder to remove a cap (38) of the fitment (24) prior to filling or emptying the container (22), and then to retract to a standby position while the container is being filled / emptied, after which the fitment cap is replaced upon completion of the filling / emptying.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application 17 / 111,410, filed December 3, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention provides a lightweight, portable, and low-cost filling head for use with bulk aseptic bags for storing and transporting pasteurized flowable products, including food. Background Technology

[0004] Current aseptic filling heads are expensive, complex, and too heavy to be easily carried. Therefore, aseptic bags must be transported to the location of the filling head for filling and emptying of the bag's contents. This presents difficulties, for example, when the bags are placed inside processing equipment such as ultra-high pressure (HPP) containers. Nevertheless, it is still necessary to fill the bags with a flowable product before HPP processing and then empty the bags from the container after HPP processing. Therefore, the filling head must be portable enough to be carried to the location of the bag to be filled or emptied. This invention seeks to address the need for such a filling head. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The summary portion of this invention is provided to present a selection of concepts in a simplified form, which will be further described in the detailed description below. This summary portion is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to assist in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a filling head device is provided for filling and emptying a container with a flowable material through a fitting in the container, the fitting having a removable cap, the filling head comprising:

[0007] (a) A cylindrical outer housing having a proximal end and a distal end, the outer housing having an accessory opening at the distal end for receiving container accessories;

[0008] (b) A hollow inner cylinder that is slidably engaged within an outer shell to slide telescopically within the outer shell to advance toward and retract away from the distal end of the outer shell.

[0009] (c) A transfer tube assembly extending through the inner cylinder through which flowable material flows during filling and emptying of the container, the transfer tube having a guide end and a counterpart end that can be connected to fittings, the counterpart end being connected to an external source of flowable material or an external receiver of flowable material.

[0010] (d) A fitting cap assembly, positioned within an inner cylinder for removing a fitting cap from the fitting and attaching a fitting cap to the fitting, the device having a guide end that engages with the fitting cap; and

[0011] (e) An actuation system that, when advancing the inner cylinder to the distal end of the outer housing, selectively positions the guide end of the transmission tube assembly at the fitting or the guide end of the fitting cap assembly at the fitting, and when the inner cylinder retracts from the distal end of the outer housing, the actuation system accordingly retracts the guide end of the transmission tube assembly away from the fitting or retracts the guide end of the fitting cap assembly away from the fitting.

[0012] In any of the embodiments described herein, the transmission tube assembly is mounted on the inner cylinder to advance and retract relative to the fitting as the inner cylinder advances and retracts relative to the distal end of the outer housing.

[0013] In any of the embodiments described herein, the actuation system rotates the inner cylinder to align the guide end of the transfer tube with the fitting.

[0014] In any of the embodiments described herein, as the inner cylinder is advanced toward the distal end of the housing, the actuation system rotates the inner cylinder to align the guide end of the transfer tube with the fitting.

[0015] In any of the embodiments described herein, the actuation system includes a first cam groove extending along an elongated path formed in the inner cylinder and a first cam pin projecting inward from the outer housing and engaging within the first cam groove to rotate the inner cylinder, thereby aligning the guide end of the transmission tube with the fitting as the inner cylinder is advanced toward the distal end of the housing.

[0016] In any of the embodiments described herein, wherein:

[0017] The inner cylinder is long and slender;

[0018] The path of the first cam groove extends along an arc-shaped path relative to the length of the inner cylinder.

[0019] In any of the embodiments described herein, a control system is also included for selectively actuating the first cam to engage with and disengage from the first cam slot.

[0020] In any of the embodiments described herein, the actuation system rotates the inner cylinder to the intermediate position as the inner cylinder retracts from the distal end of the housing.

[0021] In any of the embodiments described herein, the fitting cap assembly is mounted on the inner cylinder to advance and retract relative to the fitting as the inner cylinder advances and retracts relative to the distal end of the outer housing.

[0022] In any of the embodiments described herein, the actuation system rotates the inner cylinder to align the guide end of the fitting cap assembly with the fitting.

[0023] In any of the embodiments described herein, as the inner cylinder is advanced toward the distal end of the housing, the actuation system rotates the inner cylinder to align the guide end of the fitting cap assembly with the fitting.

[0024] In any of the embodiments described herein, the actuation system includes a second cam groove extending along an elongated path formed in the inner cylinder and a second cam pin projecting inward from the outer housing and engaging within the second cam groove to rotate the inner cylinder to align the guide end of the fitting cap assembly with the fitting as the inner cylinder is advanced toward the distal end of the housing.

[0025] In any of the embodiments described herein, wherein:

[0026] The inner cylinder is long and slender;

[0027] The path of the second cam groove extends along an arc-shaped path relative to the length of the inner cylinder.

[0028] In any of the embodiments described herein, a control system is also included for selectively actuating the second cam to engage with and disengage from the second cam slot.

[0029] In any of the embodiments described herein, the transfer tube assembly and fitting cap assembly are mounted on the inner cylinder to allow the inner cylinder to advance and retract relative to the fitting as the inner cylinder advances and retracts relative to the distal end of the outer housing.

[0030] In any of the embodiments described herein, as the inner cylinder is advanced toward the distal end of the housing, the actuation system rotates the inner cylinder to align the guide end of the transfer tube assembly or fitting cap assembly with the fitting.

[0031] In any of the embodiments described herein, the actuation system includes a first cam groove and a second cam groove extending along an elongated path formed in the inner cylinder, and a first cam pin and a second cam pin projecting inward from the outer housing and selectively engaging within the first cam groove and the second cam groove to rotate the inner cylinder, thereby aligning the guide end of the stuffing tube or the guide end of the fitting cap assembly with the fitting as the inner cylinder is advanced toward the distal end of the housing.

[0032] In any of the embodiments described herein, wherein:

[0033] The inner cylinder is long and slender;

[0034] The paths of the first and second cam grooves extend along an arc-shaped path relative to the length of the inner cylinder.

[0035] In any of the embodiments described herein, a control system is also included for selectively actuating the first cam and the second cam to engage with and disengage from the first cam slot and the second cam slot, respectively. Attached Figure Description

[0036] The foregoing aspects and many accompanying advantages of the invention will become more readily understood when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and by referring to the following detailed description, wherein:

[0037] Figure 1 This is a front view of an embodiment of the packing head of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 2 From Figure 1 Isometric view looking down from the top;

[0039] Figure 3 For similar Figure 2 A view in which the filler portion is shown as a cross-section;

[0040] Figure 4 For similar Figure 3 The front view;

[0041] Figure 5 For similar Figure 4 The view shows the accessory cap assembly that engages with the accessory;

[0042] Figure 6 For similar Figure 5 The view shows the packing tube assembly engaging with the fittings;

[0043] Figure 7 An isometric view of the fitting cap assembly with the stuffing tube assembly;

[0044] Figure 8 This is an isometric view of the hollow inner cylinder. Detailed Implementation

[0045] The following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings (where like numbers refer to like elements), is intended as a description of various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and is not intended to represent only those embodiments. Each embodiment described herein is provided by way of example or illustration only and should not be construed as preferred or advantageous with respect to other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Similarly, any step described herein may be interchanged with other steps or combinations thereof to achieve the same or substantially similar results.

[0046] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In some cases, well-known process steps have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring various aspects of the invention. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the invention may employ any combination of the features described herein.

[0047] This application may include references to "direction," such as "forward," "backward," "front," "rear," "ahead," "rear," "upward," "downward," "above," "below," "horizontal," "vertical," "top," "bottom," "right hand," "left hand," "inward," "outward," "extend," "advance," "retract," "proximal," and "farward," etc. These references and other similar references in this application are used only to aid in the description and understanding of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to these directions.

[0048] This application may include modifiers such as “general,” “approximately,” “about,” or “substantially.” These terms are intended to be used as modifiers to indicate that the “size,” “shape,” “temperature,” “time,” or other physical parameters in question need not be precise, but can vary as long as the desired function can be performed. For example, in the phrase “the shape is generally circular,” the shape need not be perfectly circular as long as the desired function of the structure in question can be achieved.

[0049] In the following description and figures, corresponding systems, components, devices, and units may be identified by the same part number, but with a letter suffix. To avoid redundancy in this application, descriptions of parts / components of the same or similar system components, devices, and units will not be repeated.

[0050] In the following description, the packing head device is described as comprising an outer cylindrical housing and an inner cylinder stacked therein. In the following description, the movement of the inner cylinder into the outer housing is described as movement in an "advancing" or "forward" or "engaging" direction, while the movement of the inner cylinder in the direction away from the outer housing is referred to as a "retracting" or "retracted" position or direction.

[0051] As shown in the figure, the filling head device 20 for hygienically filling and emptying container 22 via fitting 24 connected to container 22 essentially comprises an outer housing 30, shown in a cylindrical shape, for housing a hollow inner cylinder 32, which simultaneously reciprocates and rotates within the outer housing about a central axis 33. The transfer tube assembly 34 (e.g., see...) Figures 4 to 7It is installed to the inner cylinder 32 to travel together with the inner cylinder between an extended position engaged with fitting 24 and a retracted position disengaged from fitting. When the transfer tube assembly is engaged with fitting, flowable contents or products can be transferred to or from container 22.

[0052] Accessory cap component 36 (see) Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 The inner cylinder 32 is also installed to travel with it, removing the cap 38 of the fitting 24 before filling or emptying the container 22, and then retracting to a standby position during filling / emptying. The fitting cap is then replaced after filling / emptying. An actuation system 40 is used to advance and retract the inner cylinder 32 within the outer housing 30, while simultaneously rotating and advancing the inner cylinder to position the transfer tube assembly 34 or the fitting cap assembly 36 to engage with the fitting 24, or to retract the inner cylinder to a “home” position where the transfer tube assembly 34 and the fitting cap assembly 36 are spaced apart from the fitting 24. A digital processor-based control system controls the operation of the actuation system, which in turn controls the movement of the inner cylinder 32.

[0053] The aforementioned components of the packing head device 20 are described in more detail, such as Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the outer housing 30 consists of a base portion 50, a middle portion 52, and a top or end portion 54. The three portions of the outer housing 30 are securely attached together by hardware components or other standard tools to form a rigid structure. A circular base plate 56 encloses the base portion 50 of the housing. An opening is formed in the base plate 56, and a collar fitting 58 is disposed in this opening. The fitting 24 engages via the collar fitting 58, such that the fitting cap 38 is positioned within the interior of the outer housing 30.

[0054] Accessory 24 is controlled within collar accessory 58 by an inflation ring 59 disposed within hole 61, which is formed in substrate 56. Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 The inflation ring 59 is pneumatically operated by a fitting 63 located outside the outer cylindrical housing 30, using compressed air guided to the hole 61.

[0055] The piston chamber 60 is formed by the inner circumferential surface of the intermediate portion 52 of the outer housing 30 and the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 32. A ring or shoulder 62 extends outward from the inner cylinder 32 to closely adjoin the inner circumferential surface of the intermediate portion 52. An annular seal 64 is disposed within a groove formed in the outer edge of the ring / shoulder 62 to seal against the inner circumferential surface of the intermediate portion 52. Fluid ports 66 and 68 are located at the top and bottom of the piston chamber 60, through which fluid (e.g., compressed air) is introduced into and discharged from the piston chamber when it is desired to advance or retract the inner cylinder 32.

[0056] The lower seal 72 is disposed in a countersunk hole 74 formed in the base portion 50 of the outer housing 30 to seal against the inner cylinder 32. The intermediate seal 76 is positioned within a seat formed in the intermediate portion 52 of the outer housing, adjacent to the base portion 50, to similarly seal against the inner cylinder 32. The upper seal 78 is disposed within a seal formed in the end portion 50 of the outer housing, adjacent to the intermediate portion 52, to similarly seal against the inner cylinder 32. These seals prevent air or other fluid media from leaking from the piston chamber 60 and seal the interior of the stuffing head device 20 from the surrounding environment.

[0057] Although the outer casing 30 is described and illustrated as consisting of three parts 50, 52, and 54, it should be understood that the outer casing may consist of more or fewer parts. For example, the outer casing 30 may consist of two parts or even a single part.

[0058] As described above, the hollow inner cylinder 32 is stacked within the outer housing 30 to position the transfer tube assembly 34 or the filling cap assembly 36 for engagement or disengagement with the fitting 24. A circular top plate 84 closes the end of the inner cylinder 32 away from the base 50 of the outer housing. As described more fully below, the transfer tube assembly 34 and the fitting cap assembly 36 are mounted on the top plate 84.

[0059] Specific reference Figure 4 and Figure 8 Pairs of cam grooves 90 and 92 are formed in the outer surface of the inner cylinder 32. Mirror images of cam grooves 90 and 92 are formed in the radially opposite sides of the inner cylinder 32. The cam grooves are formed with portions 90a and 92a that extend a relatively short distance along the length of the inner cylinder 32, and then the cam grooves bend outwardly along portions 90b and 92b toward the guide end 94 of the inner cylinder 32.

[0060] Guide cylinder assemblies 100 are associated with each of cam grooves 90 and 92 for selectively rotating the inner cylinder 32 as it advances and retracts relative to the outer housing 30. For this purpose, each guide cylinder assembly 100 is mounted to the exterior of the outer housing 30 and aligned with the corresponding cam grooves 90 and 92. Each guide cylinder assembly 100 includes a head portion 102 located outside the outer housing 30 and a shank or pin portion 104 projecting radially inward from the head portion 102, the shank or pin portion 104 passing through a close-fitting clearance hole formed in the outer housing wall to engage within the cam groove 90 or 92 formed in the inner cylinder 32. A bushing or sleeve 106 may engage with the guide end of the pin portion 104 for anti-friction engagement with the cam grooves 90 and 92. In this respect, the bushing or sleeve may rotate relative to the guide end of the pin portion 104.

[0061] The head portion 102 of the guide tube assembly 100 engages within a pneumatic outer cylinder 108, which protrudes radially from the outer surface of the outer housing 30. An air supply line (not shown) is connected to the outer cylinder 108 to actuate (retract) the pin portion 104 from a cam groove 90 or 92. The pin portion 104 is nominally biased to engage with the cam groove 90 or 92 by a compression spring 110 engaged with and acting on the pin portion 104, thereby causing the pin portion to engage within the cam groove 90 or 92. Alternatively, the guide tube assembly 100 may be double-acting, such that the extended or retracted position of the pin portion 104 is controlled by air pressure applied in a standard manner to either side of the head portion 102 of the guide tube assembly.

[0062] As can be understood, depending on which particular guide cylinder assembly 100 is actuated to engage with the cam groove 90 or 92, the inner cylinder 32 rotates about the central axis 33 in one direction or the other as the inner cylinder is advanced into the outer housing. When the inner cylinder 32 is in the retracted position, the pin portion 104 of one of the guide cylinder assemblies 100 is positioned at the end of a groove portion 90b or 92b corresponding to one of the cam grooves 90 or 92. However, when the inner cylinder 32 is in the extended position toward the outer cylinder base 56, the pin portion 104 of the guide cylinder assembly 100 engages within a groove portion 90a or 92a of one of the cam grooves 90 or 92.

[0063] As described above, the function of the transfer tube assembly 34 is to fill container 22 from an external source of flowable material and to empty the container filled with flowable material. For this purpose, the transfer tube assembly includes a product flow tube 120 attached to a top plate 84 and extending through the top plate 84 into the interior of the inner cylinder 32. A connecting fitting 122 is attached to the end of the flow tube 120, which extends outward or outside the top plate 84, for connection to a hose, pipe, or other type of flow line through which flowable material enters or exits the flow tube 120. A bend 124 is located at the lower end of the flow tube 120, connecting the flow tube to a flow valve 126 leading to a connector 128, which engages with the fitting 24 when filling or emptying container 22.

[0064] Flow valve 126 can be opened and closed by a valve plate disposed inside the valve to allow or prevent product flow through connector 128. The valve plate is raised and lowered relative to a seat inside the valve by an actuator 130 positioned within a pipe assembly 132 extending through the interior of inner cylinder 32 to a position outside top plate 84. The position of actuator 130 is controlled by a pneumatic actuator 134 located on top of pipe assembly 132 outside inner cylinder 32. Pneumatic actuator 134 includes a position sensor for detecting the position of flow valve 126.

[0065] The accessory cap assembly 36 includes an actuation rod 140 extending downward from a pneumatic actuator 141 mounted on the outer surface of the top plate 84. The actuator 141 includes a piston attached to the actuation rod 140, which is pneumatically controlled to raise and lower the actuation rod, which in turn causes fingers 144 pivotally mounted on an actuation head 142 at the lower end of the rod 140 to open (deploy) or close. Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the finger 144 has a jaw 146 formed in its distal portion to grip the edge portion of the accessory cap 38. An elastic band 148 surrounds the finger 144 near the jaw 146 to maintain constant pressure on the finger.

[0066] The upper end of the finger 144 has a radially inwardly pointing cam surface that presses against the lower end of the actuating rod 140. The lower end of the actuating rod 140 tapers to a decreasing diameter such that when the rod is in an upward position relative to the cam surface of the finger, the pawls 146 move radially inward relative to each other, while when the actuating rod is in a downward position, the larger diameter portion of the rod engages the cam surface of the finger, forcing the pawls 146 to disperse.

[0067] A sensor is provided to detect whether the claw 146 is closed to the extent that the claw is not engaged with the accessory cap 38. Therefore, when the inner cylinder 32 is in the (inward) extended position and the fingers are closed far enough to activate the sensor, this indicates that the cap 38 is not present in the claw. However, if the claw 146 grips the accessory 138, the fingers remain fully open, so that the sensor is not activated. In this case, it can be assumed that the accessory cap 38 is held by the claw 146, and thus the accessory cap assembly can be moved away from the accessory 24 by the retraction of the inner cylinder 32 relative to the outer housing 30, thereby pulling the accessory cap 38 out of the accessory. It should be understood that during this movement, the pin portion 104 of the applicable guide cylinder assembly 100 engages with the cam groove portion 92a, which extends longitudinally along the inner cylinder 32. Therefore, the accessory 38 is pulled in a direction coinciding with the central axis 150 of the accessory.

[0068] However, if the sensor is activated while the inner cylinder 32 is retracted relative to the outer housing, the controller knows that the accessory cap 38 has not been removed for some reason. In this case, the finger 144 can be opened by extending the actuating rod 140 toward the actuating head 142, such that the larger diameter portion of the actuating rod 140 abuts against the cam service element of the finger. The actuating head 142 can then extend rearward toward the accessory 24 to attempt again to grasp the accessory cap 38 with the claw 146.

[0069] While the accessory cap assembly 36 is operating normally, the sensor remains deactivated throughout the filling or emptying process of container 22. At the end of the filling or emptying cycle, accessory cap 38 is reattached to accessory 24, and then actuation rod 140 extends to open fingers 144, thereby causing claw 146 to release accessory cap, allowing accessory to be removed from filling head device 20.

[0070] As described above, the transfer tube assembly 34 and the accessory cap assembly 36 are mounted on the top plate 84 of the inner cylinder 32. Furthermore, the guide ends or distal ends of the actuator heads 142 of the product flow tube 120, tube assembly 132, and accessory cap assembly extend through a tight-fitting opening formed in the triangular support plate 160. In this way, the distal ends of the product flow tube 120, tube assembly 132, and accessory cap assembly remain stationary relative to each other.

[0071] The steam inlet is located in a convenient position on the equipment, for example, on the base plate 56 or the top plate 84. Once the packing head assembly 20 is engaged with the fitting 24, steam is introduced into the packing head assembly 20 through the inlet, thereby sterilizing the interior of the packing head assembly 20, as well as the fitting cap 38 and the portion of the fitting 24 disposed within the packing head assembly. The steam and condensate are then discharged from the packing head assembly through an outlet (not shown) located on the lower plate 56.

[0072] Furthermore, during the filling or emptying process of container 22, low-pressure steam continuously circulates through the interior of the packing head device 20 via steam inlet and outlet, thereby maintaining a sterile / disinfected state within the packing head device.

[0073] When filling or emptying container 22 using the filling head device 20, container fitting 24 is engaged in the base plate 56 of the outer housing via a collar fitting 58, as described above. The fitting is held in place by a plunger 59, which engages in a recess within a groove surrounding fitting 24. At this point, sterilizing steam is introduced into the interior of the filling head device 20 to sterilize the interior of the device and the fitting cap 38 in the portion of fitting 24 disposed within the filling head device.

[0074] Next, the accessory cap assembly 36 is advanced toward the accessory 24. In this regard, the guide tube assembly 100 associated with the accessory cap assembly 36 is actuated to engage the cam groove 92. Subsequently, compressed air or other actuating fluid is introduced into the piston chamber 60 through port 66, causing the inner cylinder 32 to extend into the outer housing 30, while simultaneously rotating the inner cylinder 32 to align the actuating head 142 with the accessory 24. The accessory cap fingers are in the open position, causing the claw 146 to be positioned outside the accessory cap 38. The actuating rod 140 retracts upward, allowing the claw 146 to engage the edge of the accessory cap 38.

[0075] Next, the inner cylinder 32 retracts relative to the outer housing 30, causing the fitting cap assembly to remove the fitting cap 38 from the fitting, and then the inner cylinder 32 is rotated to the intermediate position or "home" position. This is achieved by directing compressed air to the inlet 68, thereby forcing the inner cylinder 32 away from the outer cylinder base plate 56. Subsequently, the guide cylinder assembly 100 associated with the cam groove 92 is deactivated, causing the pin portion 104 to disengage from the cam groove.

[0076] Next, the guide cylinder assembly 100 associated with the cam groove 90 is actuated, causing the corresponding pin portion 104 to engage within the cam groove 90. Then, the inner cylinder 32 extends again relative to the outer housing 30 to move toward the base plate 56 by introducing compressed air into the port 66. Simultaneously, as the fitting cap assembly 36 is advanced toward the base plate 56, the inner cylinder 32 rotates in the opposite direction to the rotation direction. Therefore, the connector 128, protruding downward from the flow valve 126, is positioned to abut against the end of the fitting 24. An O-ring or other type of seal 180 is mounted on the guide end of the connector 128 to seal the fitting.

[0077] Next, the flow valve 126 is opened by the upward movement of the actuator rod 130 within the tube assembly 132. This provides an open path between the product flow tube 120 and the container 22. At this point, the flowable product can be directed to or from the container 22. During this time, as described above, low-pressure steam circulates positively through the interior of the stuffing head device. Once the container is filled or emptied, the inner cylinder 32 retracts from the base plate 56 of the outer housing 30 by introducing compressed air into port 68. As the inner cylinder 32 retracts, it also rotates about the longitudinal axis 33 to return the inner cylinder to its "home" position.

[0078] Subsequently, by introducing compressed air into port 66 to advance the inner cylinder 32 toward the outer housing base plate 56, the fitting cap 38 is replaced onto the fitting 24. However, prior to this, the guide cylinder assembly 100 associated with cam groove 90 retracts, and the guide cylinder assembly 100 associated with cam groove 92 extends, such that pin portion 104 engages within cam groove 92. Therefore, when the inner cylinder 32 engages within the outer housing 30, the inner cylinder is rotated about axis 33 to induce actuator head 142 on fitting 24, and then fitting cap 38 is pressed back onto the fitting. It should be understood that during this engagement process, cam groove 92 extends substantially longitudinally relative to the length of the inner cylinder housing 32, such that the inner cylinder housing does not rotate relative to the outer housing 30, but rather moves substantially longitudinally relative to the outer housing.

[0079] Once the accessory cap has been replaced, the inner cylinder 32 extends (retracts) from the base plate 56 to return to its "home" position. For this purpose, compressed air is directed through port 68 to the piston chamber 60, causing the inner cylinder to extend away from the outer housing base plate 56. At this point, the filling or emptying of container 22 is complete.

[0080] It should be understood that, relative to the longitudinal central axis 33 of the packing head device 20, the collar fitting 58, the connector 128, and the actuator head 142 are located at the same radius from the central axis 33. Therefore, the connector 128 and the actuator head 142 will be aligned with the collar fitting 58.

[0081] While exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it should be understood that various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A filler head apparatus for filling and emptying a container with a flowable material through a fitment on the container, the fitment having a removable cap, the filler head comprising: a cylindrical outer housing having a proximal end and a distal end, the outer housing configured with a fitment opening at the distal end to accommodate the container fitment; a hollow inner cylinder slidably engaged within the outer housing to telescopically slide within the outer housing to advance toward and retract away from the distal end of the outer housing; a transfer tube assembly positioned within the outer housing through which the flowable material flows when filling and emptying the container, the transfer tube assembly having a leading end connectable to the fitment and an opposite end connectable to an external source of the flowable material or an external receiver of the flowable material; a fitment cap assembly positioned within the outer housing for removing and attaching the fitment cap to the fitment, the fitment cap assembly having a leading end engageable with the fitment cap; and an actuation system selectively positioning the leading end of the transfer tube assembly at the fitment or the leading end of the fitment cap assembly at the fitment and correspondingly retracting the leading end of the transfer tube assembly away from the fitment or the leading end of the fitment cap assembly away from the fitment, wherein the transfer tube assembly extends through the hollow inner cylinder; and wherein the actuation system selectively positions the leading end of the transfer tube assembly at the fitment or the leading end of the fitment cap assembly at the fitment when the hollow inner cylinder is advanced to the distal end of the outer housing and correspondingly retracts the leading end of the transfer tube assembly away from the fitment or the leading end of the fitment cap assembly away from the fitment when the hollow inner cylinder is retracted from the distal end of the outer housing. the transfer tube assembly and the fitment cap assembly are positioned at the same radial distance from a longitudinal axis extending through the outer housing; and 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, the actuation system rotates the transfer tube assembly and the fitment cap assembly relative to the longitudinal axis to selectively align the transfer tube assembly and the fitment cap assembly with the filler head and selectively advance and retract the transfer tube assembly and the fitment cap assembly toward and away from the filler head. the transfer tube assembly is mounted on the hollow inner cylinder to advance and retract relative to the fitment when the hollow inner cylinder is advanced and retracted relative to the distal end of the outer housing. the actuation system rotates the hollow inner cylinder to align the leading end of the transfer tube assembly with the fitment.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, the actuation system rotates the hollow inner cylinder to align the leading end of the transfer tube assembly with the fitment when the hollow inner cylinder is advanced toward the distal end of the housing.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein, ​ 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein, ​ 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein, The actuation system includes a first cam slot extending along an elongated path formed in the hollow inner cylinder and a first cam pin projecting inwardly from the outer housing and engageable within the first cam slot to rotate the hollow inner cylinder to align a leading end of the transfer tube assembly with the fitting when advancing the hollow inner cylinder toward the housing distal end.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein: the hollow inner cylinder is elongated; the path of the first cam slot extends along an arcuate path relative to the length of the hollow inner cylinder.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a control system for selectively actuating a first cam to engage and disengage from the first cam slot.

9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein, the actuation system rotates the hollow inner cylinder to a home position when the hollow inner cylinder is retracted from the housing distal end.

10. The apparatus of any one of claims 2-9, wherein, the fitting cap assembly is mounted on the hollow inner cylinder to advance and retract relative to the fitting when advancing and retracting the hollow inner cylinder relative to the distal end of the outer housing.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein, the actuation system rotates the hollow inner cylinder to align a leading end of the fitting cap assembly with the fitting.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein, the actuation system rotates the hollow inner cylinder to align a leading end of the fitting cap assembly with the fitting when advancing the hollow inner cylinder toward the housing distal end.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein, the actuation system includes a second cam slot extending along an elongated path formed in the hollow inner cylinder and a second cam pin projecting inwardly from the outer housing and engageable within the second cam slot to rotate the hollow inner cylinder to align a leading end of the fitting cap assembly with the fitting when advancing the hollow inner cylinder toward the housing distal end.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein: the hollow inner cylinder is elongated; the path of the second cam slot extends along an arcuate path relative to the length of the hollow inner cylinder.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a control system for selectively actuating a second cam to engage and disengage from the second cam slot.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein, the actuation system rotates the hollow inner cylinder to a home position when the hollow inner cylinder is retracted from the housing distal end.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein, the transfer tube assembly and the fitting cap assembly are mounted on the hollow inner cylinder to advance and retract the hollow inner cylinder relative to the fitting when advancing and retracting the hollow inner cylinder relative to the distal end of the outer housing.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein, the actuation system rotates the hollow inner cylinder to align a leading end of the transfer tube assembly or the fitting cap assembly with the fitting.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein, the actuation system rotates the hollow inner cylinder to align a leading end of the transfer tube assembly or a leading end of the fitting cap assembly with the fitting when advancing the hollow inner cylinder toward the housing distal end.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein, The actuation system includes first and second cam slots extending along an elongated path formed in the hollow inner barrel, and first and second cam pins projecting inwardly from the outer housing and selectively engaged within the first and second cam slots to rotate the hollow inner barrel to align the leading end of the transfer tube assembly or the fitting cap assembly with the fitting when advancing the hollow inner barrel toward the housing distal end.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein: the hollow inner barrel is elongated; the paths of the first and second cam slots extend along an arcuate path relative to the length of the hollow inner barrel.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a control system for selectively actuating the first and second cams to engage and disengage the first and second cam slots, respectively.

23. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein, the actuation system rotates the hollow inner barrel to a home position when retracting the hollow inner barrel from the housing distal end.

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