System and method for filling containers closeable by a cover

Abstract

The invention relates to a filling system for filling containers, each having an opening closeable by a cover, with a content, and method therefor. The filling system comprises an opening device for opening the cover of each container, a filling device for filling each container with the content, and a closing device for closing the cover of each container. The filling device can be operatively connected to the opening device. The opening device can further comprise an opening element which can be configured to engage on the cover of each container and which can be movable in a direction from a bottom of each container to the opening thereof.

Description

[0001] System and method for filling containers closeable by a cover

[0002] The invention relates to a system for filling containers, each having an opening closeable by a cover, with a content. An example of such a filling system is described and shown in KR 10-2277045 Bl and comprises an opening device for opening the cover of each container, a filling device for filling each container with the content, and a closing device for closing the cover of each container.

[0003] This known filling system comprises a movable gripper arm which picks up a sample tube with screw cap and carries it to an opening and closing head rotatable in two directions. Rotating the head in a first direction unscrews the cap from the sample tube, after which the gripper arm carries the open sample tube to a filling station. A filling head is there introduced into the sample tube, whereby the sample tube is filled with liquid. After this the gripper arm returns the filled sample tube to the opening and closing head, which is rotated in a second direction in order to screw the cap back onto the sample tube. Finally, the gripper arm puts the filled and closed sample tube down again.

[0004] This known filling system is technically complex and sensitive, and is thereby particularly suitable for use in a laboratory environment. This filling system is not very suitable for use in other environments.

[0005] A similar filling system is known from CN 116622495 A.

[0006] US 4.807.425 A describes a system for opening and closing containers with covers, wherein each first cover is released by a piston acting from the underside, and each cover is then opened further by being guided along a rail running upward. When the cover has been wholly opened, a pipette is inserted into the open container in order to take a sample. After this, the cover is closed gradually by being guided along a downward running rail, and finally pressed shut by a piston acting from the upper side. Instead of a pipette for taking a sample, a filling device can also be applied.

[0007] A filling system as described in the preamble of claim 1 can have different applications. It can be used to fill containers with a liquid or a pumpable solid substance, for instance a powder. The content of each container can form a sample which is packaged to be tested later at a different location.

[0008] It is thus for instance usual in dairy farming to periodically take a sample of milk from each animal in order to determine the health condition of the animal. For this purpose use has been made heretofore of a filling system which is connected to a milk supply, for instance a milk tank which is filled from a milking robot.

[0009] In a filling system used in practice opened sample containers are supplied in a sample case, and a filling mouth is positioned above a filling opening of a determined sample container by means of an X-Y mechanism. This known system is driven electrically and controlled electronically, and is thereby susceptible to malfunction. There is moreover a risk of contaminants ending up in the sample containers because these containers are supplied in opened state.

[0010] In another filling system known in practice sample containers are opened manually and placed on a rotating disc. The rotating disc moves the sample containers along under a filling mouth, whereby they are filled. Once the disc has been rotated further, the filled sample containers are manually removed from the rotating disc again and closed. This is a time-consuming and strenuous process.

[0011] The invention therefore has for its object to provide a filling system of the above described type which is of simple construction and is simple to use, and which is thereby suitable for application under less optimal conditions than prevail in laboratory use.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the invention, this is achieved in such a filling system in that the filling device is connected operatively to the opening device. A simple and compact system is obtained by operatively connecting the filling device and the opening device. “Operatively connecting” is understood to mean that operation of one of the two devices automatically results in operation of the other device. The opening device and filling device are thus not placed one behind the other in the filling system, but are combined with each other.

[0013] In an embodiment of the filling system the opening device can comprise a movable opening element which can be connected mechanically to the filling device. The opening element can thus be moved by the filling device. The opening element can here be attached to or even integrated with the filling device.

[0014] According to another aspect, the invention provides a filling system of the above described type, wherein the opening device comprises an opening element which is configured to engage on the cover of each container and which is movable in a direction from a bottom of each container to the opening thereof. Using an opening element which is movable from the bottom in the direction of the opening enables the cover to be pressed or pulled from the opening. The opening device is hereby suitable for opening covers clamped or snapped onto or into the opening of a container closed thereby. The opening element can perform a translation movement, be it along a straight or along a curved path, but can also take a pivotable form.

[0015] In an embodiment of the filling system the filling device can comprise a filling member which is movable between a rest position and a filling position lying close to the opening of each container. Making the filling member moveable enables the container to remain in place during filling. The movement of the filling member can here be a tilting movement or a pouring movement.

[0016] In a further embodiment the filling member can be connected mechanically to the opening element, such that the opening element engages on each cover before the filling member reaches the filling position. The filling member and the opening element are thus synchronously moveable, so that the movement of the filling member to its filling position can be used to open the cover of each container. The opening element is then configured here to enable a liquid flow from the filling member to the container.

[0017] The filling member can here be biased to its rest position and it can be connected to a drive for movement to the filling position. The filling member must thus be carried to the filling position by a deliberate action, and it returns to the rest position automatically.

[0018] In an embodiment of the filling system the closing device can comprise a closing element which can be configured to engage on the cover of each container. The cover can thereby be moved back to the closed position, relative to the container.

[0019] In an embodiment the filling system can further be provided with a conveying device for conveying the containers to be filled and the filled containers respectively to and from the filling device. A uniform flow of containers is thereby guided along the filling device. The conveying device can be configured to convey the containers in stepwise manner. Each container can thus be held in place briefly between every two steps, whereby the container which is then situated in the filling device can be filled. The transport direction, i.e. the direction of movement of the conveying device, can be perpendicular to the direction of movement of the filling device and / or the opening element, and the filling device and / or the opening element can be movable alternately to the conveying device. When the conveying device is thus stationary, the cover of a container can be opened and the container can be filled by a corresponding movement of the opening element and the filling device.

[0020] The closing element can here be stationary and the conveying device can be configured to move each filled container with opened cover along the closing element. Each container is thus closed automatically after filling when it is discharged. A simple and robust filling system is obtained by making use of a stationary closing element.

[0021] The covers can be pressed shut in simple manner when the closing element comprises a stop surface inclining in the direction of movement of the conveying device. A uniform closing force is here exerted on the covers. Owing to a suitable dimensioning of the stop surface, each cover is clamped or snapped onto the container at the end of the movement along the closing element, without another separate movement being required for this purpose.

[0022] In an embodiment the filling system can further be provided with a supply device for supplying the containers to be filled to the opening device and / or the filling device. This ensures a uniform supply of the containers.

[0023] The supply device can here be configured to supply the containers from a first supply chamber formed upstream of the opening device and / or filling device. This supply chamber can be filled with a supply of empty containers once prior to a filling operation, and can optionally be replenished during the filling operation. A uniform supply of empty containers to the filling device can thus be ensured.

[0024] In an embodiment the supply device can comprise a slide element which is movable in a supply direction substantially transversely of the direction of movement of the conveying device. Owing to the different directions of movement, the containers can be transferred from the supply device to the conveying device in simple manner.

[0025] When a number of containers is placed on a carrier together and the supply device is configured to displace the carrier to the opening device and / or the filling device, the containers can be introduced into the filling system in rapid and simple manner.

[0026] The supply device can here have at least one guide along which the carrier is displaceable, so that the carrier can be carried to the opening device and / or the filling device in controlled manner.

[0027] In an embodiment the filling system can further be provided with a discharge device for discharging the filled containers from the closing device. This ensures a uniform discharge of the containers. The discharge device can discharge the filled containers in a direction substantially transversely of the transport direction. When the discharge direction is substantially opposite to the supply direction, the containers describe a substantially Ilshaped path through the filling system, which can thus take a compact form. The discharge device can have its own drive or biasing means, but can also be driven by the conveying device via a transmission.

[0028] The discharge device can here be configured to discharge the containers to a second supply chamber formed downstream of the closing device. In this supply chamber the filled containers can be collected before they are removed from the filling system. Buffering the containers in this way requires the filling system to be emptied only once or periodically.

[0029] When the discharge device defines an inclining surface, the force of gravity contributes to the collecting of the containers.

[0030] The inclining surface can here be determined by at least one guide along which the carrier is displaceable, so that the containers gather in controlled manner close to a lowest point of the discharge device.

[0031] In an embodiment of the filling system at least the opening device, the filling device, the optional conveying device and / or the optional discharge device can be pneumatically driveable. A pneumatic drive is simple to realize and is robust. Pneumatics are furthermore clean, and thereby suitable for use in an environment where foodstuffs are worked with.

[0032] In an embodiment of the filling system the opening device, the filling device, the closing device, the optional conveying device, the optional supply device and the optional first supply chamber can be accommodated in a first housing, and the optional discharge device and the optional second supply chamber can be accommodated in a second housing, wherein the first and second housing can be configured to be assembled into a transport casing after use of the filling system. In this way the filling system can be transported and stored in simple and safe manner when not in use, while the filling system can additionally be installed for use in simple manner.

[0033] The invention also relates to a method for filling containers, each having an opening closeable by a cover, with a content. The above stated document KR 10-2277045 B 1 already describes such a method comprising the steps of opening the cover of each container, filling each container with content and closing the cover of each container.

[0034] According to the invention, in such a method the steps of opening and of filling each container are linked to each other. By performing these two steps in conjunction, so substantially simultaneously, an efficient method is obtained.

[0035] Additionally or alternatively, each cover can be clamped or snapped onto the corresponding container, and can be opened by exerting thereon a force directed from a bottom of each container to the opening thereof. A container with a clamping or snapping cover can be opened and closed with one hand in simple manner, making it particularly suitable for application in situations in which a user must keep one hand free for other operations. Exertion of a force directed away from the bottom can be mechanized in simple manner, wherein the force can be exerted by a translating or rotating member.

[0036] In an embodiment of the method each cover can be pressed open. A pressing movement can be mechanized more easily than a pulling movement.

[0037] In an embodiment opening of each cover and filling of the corresponding container can take place in a single movement. The cover is thus opened only when the container will be filled, this minimizing the risk of contaminants penetrating into the container.

[0038] In an embodiment of the method each cover can be closed by exerting thereon a force directed from the opening to the bottom of each container. This exertion of force can also be mechanized in simple manner.

[0039] Each cover can here be pressed shut, since a pressing movement can here also be mechanized more easily than a pulling movement.

[0040] In an embodiment of the method each cover can be closed by moving the corresponding container along a stationary closing element. The container can thus be closed automatically when it is being discharged, without a separate closing mechanism having to be provided for this purpose.

[0041] The invention also relates to an opening device, a filling device, a closing device, a conveying device, a supply device and a discharge device which are evidently intended for application in a filling system as described above. In addition, the invention relates to a container and a carrier which are evidently intended for use in combination with such a filling system. Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on the basis of an embodiment thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0042] - Figures 1A and IB show perspective views of an embodiment of a filling system according to the invention, respectively during storage or transport and ready for use, wherein only a part of the filling system is shown in Figure IB;

[0043] - Figures 1C and ID show perspective views of the filling system while it is being readied for use by placing empty containers therein;

[0044] - Figure IE shows a perspective view of a part of the filling system;

[0045] - Figure 2A shows a cross-section through the opening device and the filling device of the filling system of Figure 1, as seen along the line A- A in Figure 2B;

[0046] - Figure 2B shows a front view of the opening device and the filling device of Figure 2 A;

[0047] - Figure 2C shows a side view of the opening device and the filling device of Figures 2A and 2B;

[0048] - Figures 3A-H shown in perspective top view different steps of opening a container, filling it with a liquid and closing it again in the filling system according to the invention;

[0049] - Figures 4A and 4B show in perspective top view from a different direction the action of the discharge means of the filling system according to the invention;

[0050] - Figure 5 shows yet another perspective view of the discharge means of the filling system;

[0051] - Figure 6 shows schematically different steps of the method according to the invention; and

[0052] - Fig. 7 shows a schematic representation of the different components of the filling system according to the invention.

[0053] A filling system 2 for filling containers 24, each having an opening 66 closeable by a cover 60, with a content comprises an opening device 20 for opening the cover 60 of each container 24. The filling system 2 further comprises a filling device 22 for filling each container 24 with the content and a closing device 82 for closing the cover 60 of each container 24. In the shown example a part of the filling system 2 is accommodated in a first housing 6 (figure IE), while another part of the filling system 2 is accommodated in a second housing 8 (figure IB). The first and second housing 6, 8 are configured here to be assembled after use of the filling system into a transport casing 4 (figure 1A), wherein the second housing 8 is here placed inverted onto the first housing 6 as a cover. Figure IB otherwise shows the first housing 6 without the part of the filling system 2 accommodated therein.

[0054] In the shown embodiment the transport casing 4 has a length L, width W and height H. In the shown embodiment the two housings 6, 8 have the same length L and width W, while the first housing 6 has a height Hi and the second housing 8 has a height H2, such that Hi + H2 = H. The transport casing 4, particularly the first housing 6, is provided here with a handle 10. In addition, the first housing 6 comprises a lock 14 for locking and unlocking the housings 6, 8 to and from each other. Further formed in a wall of the first housing 6 is a discharge opening 12 which during use forms a connection between the portion of the filling system 2 in the first housing 6 and the portion in the second housing 8, as will be elucidated below.

[0055] For use of the filling system 2 the second housing 8 is removed from the first housing 6, turned over and placed along longitudinal side E of the first housing 6. Pins 5 with widened head of the first housing 6 are here inserted into droplet- shaped openings 7 of the second housing 8 in order to enable the two housings 6, 8 and the parts of the filling system 2 accommodated therein to be fixed relative to each other.

[0056] Figure 1C shows another view of this embodiment of the filling system 2, wherein the cover, i.e. the second housing 8, has been removed from the first housing 6. The first housing 6 comprises here a first supply chamber 16 and a supply device 18 for supplying the containers 24 to be filled to the opening device 20 and / or the filling device 22. The supply device 18 comprises here a slide element 25 which is movable in a supply direction A. The slide element 25 is connected to a pivot arm 26 which is pivotable in supply pivoting direction Z around a supply hinge 28 (figure IE). The pivot arm is biased, in the shown example by a gas spring 30, such that the slide element 25 presses against the containers 24 in the supply direction A. As they move further in the supply direction A, the containers 24 are clamped between a side wall 31 of the first housing 6 and a clamping wall 32 protruding inward from the opposite side wall 29, resulting in them forming a continuous row.

[0057] Although the containers 24 can in principle be placed into the filling system 2 individually, in the shown embodiment they are received in carriers 34, whereby a plurality of containers 24, in the shown example ten containers 24, can be processed as a unit. Each carrier 34 can be displaced by the supply device 18 from the first supply chamber 16 in the direction of the opening device 20 and / or filling device 22. For this purpose the device 18 can comprise one or more supply guides 36, along which each carrier 34 is displaceable.

[0058] The filling system 2 further comprises a pneumatic system 38 A, 38B which can be connected by means of pneumatic conduits 40, 42 to a source of compressed air outside the housings 6, 8. The conduit 42 is passed through an opening 41 in side wall 31. The filling system 2 can thus be used anywhere where an external compressed air source is available. In this example the part 38A of the pneumatic system is otherwise separated from the first supply chamber 16 by a wall 37, and is further covered by a cover plate 39.

[0059] Figure ID shows the same view of the filling system 2 as figure 1C in a situation in which the first supply chamber 16 is filled substantially wholly with containers 24.

[0060] When the containers 24, optionally arranged in the carrier 34, have reached the outer end of the supply guide(s) 36 in the supply direction A, at least one container 24 is situated in an operating range of the opening device 20 and / or the filling device 22.

[0061] According to an aspect of the invention, the opening device 20 and the filling device 22 are connected operatively to each other so that the processes of opening each container 24 and filling thereof with a liquid can be synchronized. In the shown example the opening device 20 comprises for this purpose a movable opening element 46 which is connected mechanically to the filling device 22.

[0062] According to another aspect of the invention, the opening element 46 is configured to engage on the cover 60 of each container 24. Opening element 46 is here movable in a direction from the bottom of the container 24 to the opening 66 thereof. The cover 60, which is clamped in the opening 66 or can be snapped thereon, can thus be opened with a simple movement.

[0063] In the shown embodiment (figures 2A-C) the opening device 20 comprises for this purpose an opening guide 44 on which the opening element 46 is arranged for linear movement. The movement of the opening element 46 is brought about by a drive, in the shown example the pneumatic system 38. The pneumatic system 38 is here connected drivingly to a drive rod 48, which is in turn connected by means of a fork 50 and hinges 52, 54 to the opening element 46.

[0064] The drive rod 48 is moved in an opening drive direction B by the pneumatic system 38, which movement is converted by means of the fork 50 and hinges 52, 54 into a movement of the opening element 46 over the opening guide 44 in an opening direction O. A profiled outer end 56 of the opening element 46 thereby engages on a tongue 58 (figures 3A-H) of the cover 60 of the container 24. A hold-down element 62, which in this example is mounted pivotally on the side wall 29 of the first housing 6, simultaneously engages on a hinge 64 which connects the cover 60 to the container 24. The opening element 46 thus urges one side of the cover 60 away from the container 24, whereby the cover 60 opens and the opening 66 is left clear (figures 3C-E). The container 24 is thereby ready to be filled by the filling device 22.

[0065] In the shown example the filling device 22 comprises a filling member 68, which is movable between a rest position (figures 2A-C) and a filling position in which the filling member 68 is situated in the vicinity of the opening 66 of the container 24. The filling member 68 takes the form here of a pouring cup with a bottom 65, a side wall 67 and a chamfered pouring opening 69. Filling member 68 is here arranged releasably in a filling member holder 70, and is provided with feed 72 to which a feed tube 74 can be connected. The feed tube 74 can be passed through an opening 73 in an end wall 71 and out of the first housing 6, and there be connected to an external source 79 of liquid. This external liquid source 79 can for instance be a reservoir forming part of a milking installation. The filling system can thus be used at any location for the purpose of filling containers 24 with liquid present at that location, for instance milk to be sampled, which can be fed to the filling member 68 through the feed tube 74.

[0066] In the shown example the filling member 68 is connected mechanically to the opening element 46, such that the opening element 46 engages on the cover 60 of the container 24 before the filling member 68 reaches the filling position. Opening and filling of the container 24 are thus synchronized, and it is ensured that the cover 60 is actually opened before liquid is poured from the filling member 68 into the opening 66. For this purpose the filling member holder 70 is provided in this example with an arm 75, an outer end 76 of which is slidable along a transverse rod 77 of the stationary guide 44, while the arm 75 is connected pivotally to the opening element 46 by means of a shaft 78. The arm 75 is carried along, and the filling member holder 70 and the filling member 68 connected thereto translate and rotate in filling direction F from the rest position to the filling position, by a movement of the opening element 46 over the guide 44 in opening direction O. The filling member 68 performs here a pouring movement, wherein liquid flows from the filling member 68 into the opening 66 of the container 24. The opening element 46 is here configured to enable this liquid flow. For this purpose an opening 57, through which the pouring spout 69 of the filling member 68 can protrude in the filling position, is formed between the pivot shaft 78 and the outer end 56 of the opening element 46.

[0067] In the shown embodiment filling member 68 is further biased to its rest position by means of spring 80, which spring 80 brings about a return movement of the filling member 68 from the filling position to the rest position. The spring 80 also provides for a return movement of the opening element 46 over the guide 44 in that the opening device 20 and the filling device 22 are operatively connected, in the shown example mechanically connected via the pivot shaft 78.

[0068] After the return movement of the opening element 46, the cover 60 of container 24 remains open as long as no closing force is exerted thereon (figure 3E). In order to prevent contaminants from penetrating into the container 24 it is important that the cover 60 is closed as quickly as possible after filling of the container 24. In the case of a pivotable cover 60 as shown here the container 24 can be closed by simply pressing the cover 60 shut. For this purpose the closing device 82 is in the shown embodiment arranged in the vicinity of the filling device 22. The closing device 82 comprises here a closing element 84 which is configured to engage on the cover 60 of the container 24 as soon as this container has been filled with liquid. In the shown example the closing device 82 co-acts with a conveying device 86 which is provided to convey the containers 24 to be filled to the filling device 22 and to remove the liquid-filled containers 24 from the filling device again.

[0069] The conveying device 86 provides here for transport of the containers 24 along the partition wall 37 in the direction of the combined opening device 20 and filling device 22 and, from there, to the discharge opening 12 in the side wall 29 of the first housing 6. The transport direction T of the containers is defined here by the partition wall 37, and lies substantially transversely of the supply direction A of the containers 24 in the first supply chamber 16. In the shown example the closing element 84 of the closing device 82 is arranged above discharge opening 12 and is stationary, and conveying device 86 is configured to move the containers 24 with opened cover 60 coming from the filling device along the closing element 84. This closing element 84 has here a stop surface 85 having an inclining progression in the transport direction T. When this stop surface 85 comes into engagement with the opened cover 60 of a container 24 which is being moved along the closing element 84 by the conveying device 86, the cover 60 is pressed shut gradually.

[0070] In this example the conveying device 86 comprises a transport rod 88 which is driven by the pneumatic system 38 and which moves in the transport direction T. The transport rod 88 is here provided with a pawl 90 which is urged against one of the individual containers 24 and / or against a carrier 34 by means of a biasing element 92. Owing to recesses 94 between the containers 24 and / or in the carrier 34, the pawl 90 is configured to engage on the containers 24 and / or the carrier 34. The pawl 90 is designed such that it continues to engage on the containers 24 and / or carrier 34 as long as the containers 24 and / or carrier 34 are being moved in the transport direction T. The pawl 90 is however uncoupled from containers 24 and / or carrier 34 when the transport rod 88 and the pawl 90 move counter to the transport direction T. Conveying device 86 is thereby configured such that it only operates in the transport direction T for carrying along the containers 24 and / or carrier 34, and not in the opposite direction.

[0071] In a single movement in transport direction T the transport rod 88 performs a stroke over a distance substantially equal to the distance X between two adjacent containers 24. In this way a container 24 with opened cover 60 that was just filled moves away from the opening device 20 and / or filling device 22 and in the direction of the closing device 82, while an adjacent empty container 24 with closed cover 60 moves in the direction of the opening device 20 and / or filling device, both in transport direction T. The just filled container 24 with opened cover 60 moves along under the closing element 84, as indicated, whereby its cover 60 is pressed shut.

[0072] Following the movement of the transport rod 88 over distance X in transport direction T, the transport rod 88 is moved back to its starting position counter to transport direction T for a subsequent stroke. In the shown example the transport rod 88 is biased to its starting position. The bias is provided here by biasing means 96 of a discharge device 98 (to be discussed below) which is operatively connected to the conveying device 86. During the return movement of the transport rod 88 the pawl 90 is uncoupled from the containers 24 and / or carrier 34, as indicated, and the pawl 90 slides along a side of the containers 24 and / or carrier 34 (figure 3G) until it reaches an adjacent recess 94 and engages therein (figure 3H).

[0073] After passing the closing device 82 in the transport direction T, the container 24 moves, in the shown example with a part of the carrier 34, through the discharge opening 12 in the side wall 29 of the first housing 6, and comes to lie in the operating range of the discharge device 98. In the shown example this discharge device 98 is accommodated in the second housing 8. The discharge device 98 is configured to discharge the filled containers 24 to a second supply chamber 112, this also being formed in the second housing 8 in this example. The containers 24 are here discharged in a discharge direction D substantially transversely of the transport direction T. In the shown example the discharge direction D is substantially opposite to the supply direction A, so that the containers 24 travel along a substantially U-shaped path through the filling system 2.

[0074] In the shown example the discharge device 98 comprises a discharge element 100 which is connected operatively to the transport rod 88. The discharge element 100 is pivotable in the direction of arrow C around a discharge hinge 104, which is movable in the transport direction T. A bent end part of the discharge element 100 protrudes through a guide 102 so that a movement of the hinge 104 in the transport direction T results in a pivoting movement of the discharge element 100 opposite to arrow C, while an opposite movement of the hinge 104 results in a pivoting movement in the direction of arrow C. This opposite movement of the hinge 104 is caused by biasing means in the form of a tension spring 96. Because the discharge device 98 is connected operatively to the conveying device 86, the opposite movement of the hinge 104 also results in a return movement of the transport rod 88, as stated above.

[0075] As long as the carrier 34 has passed the discharge opening 12 only partially, the discharge element 100 moves along under carrier 34 (figure 5). With every step of the conveying device 86 the discharge element 100 also performs a reciprocal pivoting movement without coming into contact here with the carrier 34. The carrier 34 with the containers 24 thereon is thus not discharged as long as at least a part of carrier 34 is situated within the walls of the first housing 6. As soon as the carrier 34 has passed the discharge opening 12 completely in the transport direction T the carrier 34 lands on a slide plate 106 of the discharge device 98 due to the effect of the force of gravity, after which the discharge element 100 pushes the carrier 34 to the second supply chamber 112 in the discharge direction D by rotation in discharge pivoting direction C. In the shown example the discharge device 98 is also provided with discharge guides 108, here forming an inclining surface 110. The carrier 34 with the filled containers 24 thereon is thus discharged over the discharge guides 108 to the end of the second supply chamber 112 by a combination of the movement of the discharge element 100 and the effect of the force of gravity. The filled containers 24 can be temporarily stored in the second supply chamber until they are removed from the filling system in order to be taken to a different location for further processing or analysis of the content.

[0076] The different steps of the method 200 for filling containers 24, each having an opening 66 closeable by a cover 60, with a content, which method can be performed in the filling system 2 described above, are shown in figure 6. The most important steps of this method 200 are opening 208 the cover 60 of each container 24, for instance in the opening device 20, filling 210 each container 24 with the content, for instance in the filling device 22, and closing 212 the cover 60 of each container 24, for instance in the closing device 82.

[0077] According to the invention, the steps of opening 208 and filling 210 each container 24 are here linked to each other, as shown schematically with the block 202. These steps 208, 210 can be performed in a single movement. The step 212 of closing the filled containers 24 takes place as quickly as possible following the filling step 210. As stated above, the opening step 208, the filling step 210 and the closing step 212 can be performed in conjunction by conveying each container 24 stepwise in a transport direction T along the opening device 20, the filling device 22 and the closing device 82, as shown schematically by block 218.

[0078] When each cover 60 has been clamped or snapped onto the corresponding container 24, as in the shown example, the opening step 208 can comprise of exerting on the cover 60 a force directed from a bottom to the opening of the container 24. The cover can here be pressed open in simple manner. On the other hand, the closing step 212 can then comprise of exerting on the cover 60 a force directed from the opening to the bottom of the container 24, for instance by pressing shut the cover 60. Opening 208 and closing 212 the cover 60 then thus takes place in a direction lying transversely of the transport direction T. The same applies to filling 210 of the container 24, which after all takes place in the same movement as opening of the cover 60.

[0079] Prior to the opening step 208, the method also comprises in this example a step 204 of placing the containers 24 and / or carriers 34 in a filling system 2, for instance in the first supply chamber 16 thereof. Method 200 further comprises here the step 206 of supplying the placed containers 24 and / or carriers 34 to the opening device 20 and / or the filling device 22, where the opening step 208 and the filling step 210 can be performed. The supply step 206 can be performed by the supply device 18, which can move the containers 24 in the supply direction A.

[0080] After the closing step 212, the method 200 also comprises in this example a step 214 of discharging the filled containers 24. This step can for instance be performed by the discharge device 98 of the described filling system 2. The containers 24 can here in this step 214 be discharged in a discharge direction D which can lie substantially transversely of the transport direction T and can be substantially opposite to the supply direction A.

[0081] The steps of opening 208, filling 210 and closing 212 can be repeated as long as unfilled containers 24 are fed from the first supply chamber 16. In the shown example the containers 24 are carried by carriers 34 during the steps of the method 200, and a new carrier 34 is in each case conveyed to the opening device 20 and filling device 22, when all containers 24 on a previous carrier 34 have been filled. The carrier 34 with filled containers 24 is then discharged, for instance to the second supply chamber 112 of the discharge device 98, and in a final step 216 of the method 200 the carriers 34 gathered there are removed so that the liquid in the filled containers can be processed or analysed elsewhere.

[0082] The invention thus provides a system and a method whereby containers which are fed in closed state can be opened, filled with a liquid and closed again in rapid and simple manner. The described system is compact and can be transported in simple manner so as to be used at different locations, for instance for collecting samples for quality control or for other purposes. The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiment thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.

Claims

Claims1. Filling system for filling containers, each having an opening closeable by a cover, with a content, comprising:- an opening device for opening the cover of each container,- a filling device for filling each container with the content, and- a closing device for closing the cover of each container, characterized in that the filling device is operatively connected to the opening device.

2. Filling system according to claim 1, wherein the opening device comprises a movable opening element which is connected mechanically to the filling device.

3. Filling system according to claim 2 or according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the opening device comprises an opening element which is configured to engage on the cover of each container and which is movable in a direction from a bottom of each container to the opening thereof.

4. Filling system according to claim 3, wherein the filling device comprises a filling member which is movable between a rest position and a filling position lying close to the opening of each container.

5. Filling system according to claim 4, wherein the filling member is connected mechanically to the opening element, such that the opening element engages on each cover before the filling member reaches the filling position.

6. Filling system according to claim 5, wherein the filling member is biased to its rest position and is connected to a drive for movement to the filling position.

7. Filling system according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the closing device comprises a closing element which is configured to engage on the cover of each container.

8. Filling system according to claim 7, further provided with a conveying device for conveying the containers to be filled and the filled containers respectively to and from the filling device.

9. Filling system according to claim 8, wherein the closing element is stationary and the conveying device is configured to move each filled container with opened cover along the closing element.

10. Filling system according to claim 9, wherein the closing element comprises a stop surface inclining in the direction of movement of the conveying device.

11. Filling system according to any one of the foregoing claims, further provided with a supply device for supplying the containers to be filled to the opening device and / or the filling device.

12. Filling system according to claim 11, wherein the supply device is configured to supply the containers from a first supply chamber formed upstream of the opening device and / or filling device.

13. Filling system according to claim 11 or 12 when dependent on any one of the claims 8-10, wherein the supply device comprises a slide element which is movable in a supply direction substantially transversely of the direction of movement of the conveying device.

14. Filling system according to any one of the claims 11-13, wherein a number of containers is placed on a carrier together and the supply device is configured to displace the carrier to the opening device and / or the filling device.

15. Filling system according to claim 14, wherein the supply device has at least one guide along which the carrier is displaceable.

16. Filling system according to any one of the foregoing claims, further provided with a discharge device for discharging the filled containers from the closing device.

17. Filling system according to claim 16, wherein the discharge device is configured to discharge the containers to a second supply chamber formed downstream of the closing device.

18. Filling system according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the discharge device defines an inclining surface.

19. Filling system according to claim 18 when dependent on claim 14, wherein the inclining surface is defined by at least one guide along which the carrier is displaceable.

20. Filling system according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein at least the opening device, the filling device, the optional conveying device and / or the optional discharge device are pneumatically driveable.

21. Filling system according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the opening device, the filling device, the closing device, the optional conveying device, the optional supply device and the optional first supply chamber are accommodated in a first housing, and the optional discharge device and the optional second supply chamber are accommodated in a second housing, and wherein the first and second housing are configured to be assembled into a transport casing after use of the filling system.

22. Method for filling containers, each having an opening closeable by a cover, with a content, comprising the steps of:- opening the cover of each container,- filling each container with the content, and- closing the cover of each container, characterized in that the steps of opening and of filling each container are linked to each other.

23. Method according to claim 22 or the preamble thereof, wherein each cover is clamped or snapped onto the corresponding container, and is opened by exerting thereon a force directed from a bottom of each container to the opening thereof.

24. Method according to claim 23, wherein each cover is pressed open.

25. Method according to any one of the claims 22-24, wherein opening of each cover and filling of the corresponding container can take place in a single movement.

26. Method according to any one of the claims 22-25, wherein each cover is closed by exerting thereon a force directed from the opening to the bottom of each container.

27. Method according to claim 26, wherein each cover is pressed closed.

28. Method according to claim 26 or 27, wherein each cover is closed by moving the corresponding container along a stationary closing element.

29. Opening device, evidently intended for application in a filling system according to any one of the claims 1-21.

30. Filling device, evidently intended for application in a filling system according to any one of the claims 1-21.

31. Closing device, evidently intended for application in a filling system according to any one of the claims 1-21.

32. Conveying device, evidently intended for application in a filling system according to any one of the claims 8-21.

33. Supply device, evidently intended for application in a filling system according to any one of the claims 11-21.

34. Discharge device, evidently intended for application in a filling system according to any one of the claims 16-21.

35. Container, evidently intended for application in combination with a filling system according to any one of the claims 1-21.

36. Carrier, evidently intended for application in combination with a filling system according to any one of the claims 14-21.

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