Automated filling machine and associated method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for filling a plurality of tubes, comprising:
- a first filling station and a second filling station operatively connected to a gas supply, each filling station operable to dispense a filling material into a respective tube;
a positioning device capable of moving between a plurality of positions, the plurality of positions including a first position for receiving one of the plurality of tubes and a second position for directing the tube towards the first and second filling stations; and
a selector operable to selectively direct the tube to either the first filling station or the second filling station.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for filling a plurality of tubes is disclosed. The apparatus includes a positioning device that directs a tube from a hopper to a labeler where a label is applied to the tube. The positioning device further directs the tube to one of a plurality of filling stations where a continuous flow of filling material is dispensed into the tube. The tube is then directed to a capping device where a cap is applied to an end of the tube.
10 Citations
50 Claims
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1. An apparatus for filling a plurality of tubes, comprising:
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a first filling station and a second filling station operatively connected to a gas supply, each filling station operable to dispense a filling material into a respective tube;
a positioning device capable of moving between a plurality of positions, the plurality of positions including a first position for receiving one of the plurality of tubes and a second position for directing the tube towards the first and second filling stations; and
a selector operable to selectively direct the tube to either the first filling station or the second filling station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A fluid-powered apparatus for filling a plurality of tubes, comprising:
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a first filling station and a second filling station operatively connected to at least one fluid supply such that the apparatus is operated using fluid solely from the at least one fluid supply, each filling station operable to dispense a filling material into a respective tube;
a label applicator capable of applying a label to a respective tube;
a positioning device capable of moving between a plurality of positions, the plurality of positions including a first position for receiving one of the plurality of tubes, a second position for directing the tube towards the first and second filling stations, and a third position proximate the label applicator such that a label can be applied to the tube;
a selector operable to direct the tube from the second position of the positioning device to either the first filling station or the second filling station; and
a capping device operable to removably attach a cap to an end of the tube. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of filling tubes, comprising the steps of:
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moving a first tube along a path of travel from a first position to a second position, the second position being proximate at least two filling stations;
directing the first tube to one of the at least two filling stations;
filling a predetermined portion of the first tube with a filling material while at a filling station;
moving a second tube along a path of travel from a first position to a second position;
directing the second tube to another of the at least two filling stations; and
filling a predetermined portion of the second tube with the filling material while the second tube is at a filling station such that a continuous flow of filling material is directed into at least one of the first and second tubes, the continuous flow of filling material being consistently mixed. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of filling tubes, comprising the steps of:
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moving a first tube along a path of travel from a first position to a second position, the second position being proximate at least two filling stations;
applying a label to the first tube during its movement along the path of travel;
directing the first tube to one of the at least two filling stations following application of the label;
filling a predetermined portion of the first tube with a filling material at a filling station;
moving a second tube along a path of travel from a first position to a second position;
applying a label to the second tube during its movement along the path of travel;
directing the second tube to another of the at least two filling stations following application of the label;
filling a predetermined portion of the second tube with the filling material at a filling station such that a continuous flow of filling material is directed into at least one of the first and second tubes, the continuous flow of filling material being consistently mixed; and
applying a cap to an end of each of the first and second tubes following filing of the tubes. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. A method of filling tubes, comprising the steps of:
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gripping a plurality of aligned, empty tubes substantially simultaneously;
loading the aligned, empty tubes in a tube hopper while the aligned, empty tubes are gripped;
directing one of the aligned, empty tubes from a feed throat of the tube hopper to a label applicator;
applying a label to the tube at the label applicator;
directing the tube to a selector device operable to direct the tube to one of a plurality of filling stations following application of the label;
directing a predetermined portion of a continuous stream of multi-component filling material into a tube while the tube is at a filling station such that a sensor is actuated;
redirecting the continuous stream of filling material to another filling station after the sensor is actuated such that substantially the filling material is consistently mixed; and
applying a cap to an end of the tube. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47)
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48. A capping device for use with an apparatus for filling a plurality of tubes, the capping device comprising:
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a cap hopper capable of storing a plurality of randomly-oriented, loose caps;
an elevator proximate the cap hopper, the elevator having a plurality of members for moving the caps along a path of travel;
at least one orienting device along the path of travel for aligning the caps in a predetermined orientation; and
a capping station at an end of the path of travel operable to apply a cap to one of the plurality of tubes. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50)
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Specification