Apparatus and Method for Filling a Container
First Claim
1. A filling apparatus comprising:
- a container;
a conveyor system configured to transport the container; and
a fill nozzle configured to fill the container, wherein the fill nozzle includes;
a product inlet configured to receive a liquid;
a chamber fluidly connected to the product inlet;
an elastomeric seal located within the chamber; and
a piston located at least partially within the chamber, wherein the piston has a capillary tube selectively fluidly connected to the chamber, and the capillary tube includes a capillary tube inlet and a capillary tube outlet,wherein the fill nozzle is configured such that;
in a static state, the elastomeric seal seals the capillary tube inlet to prevent the liquid from flowing into the capillary tube inlet; and
in a filling state, the elastomeric seal does not seal the capillary tube inlet, allowing the liquid to flow into the capillary tube inlet, out of the capillary tube outlet and into the container, andthe capillary tube is configured such that, due to capillary action, the liquid does not flow out of the capillary tube outlet when the capillary tube inlet is sealed and the liquid is located within the capillary tube.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A filling apparatus includes a container, a conveyor system for transporting the container and a fill nozzle for filling the container. The fill nozzle includes a product inlet for receiving an edible liquid and a chamber fluidly connected to the product inlet. The fill nozzle also includes an elastomeric seal located within the chamber and a piston located at least partially within the chamber. The piston has a capillary tube selectively fluidly connected to the chamber. The capillary tube includes a capillary tube inlet and a capillary tube outlet. In a static state, the elastomeric seal seals the capillary tube inlet to prevent the edible liquid from flowing into the capillary tube inlet. In a filling state, the elastomeric seal does not seal the capillary tube inlet, allowing the edible liquid to flow into the capillary tube inlet, out of the capillary tube outlet and into the container.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A filling apparatus comprising:
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a container; a conveyor system configured to transport the container; and a fill nozzle configured to fill the container, wherein the fill nozzle includes; a product inlet configured to receive a liquid; a chamber fluidly connected to the product inlet; an elastomeric seal located within the chamber; and a piston located at least partially within the chamber, wherein the piston has a capillary tube selectively fluidly connected to the chamber, and the capillary tube includes a capillary tube inlet and a capillary tube outlet, wherein the fill nozzle is configured such that; in a static state, the elastomeric seal seals the capillary tube inlet to prevent the liquid from flowing into the capillary tube inlet; and in a filling state, the elastomeric seal does not seal the capillary tube inlet, allowing the liquid to flow into the capillary tube inlet, out of the capillary tube outlet and into the container, and the capillary tube is configured such that, due to capillary action, the liquid does not flow out of the capillary tube outlet when the capillary tube inlet is sealed and the liquid is located within the capillary tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A fill nozzle configured to fill a container, the fill nozzle comprising:
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a product inlet configured to receive a liquid; a chamber fluidly connected to the product inlet; an elastomeric seal located within the chamber; and a piston located at least partially within the chamber, wherein the piston has a capillary tube selectively fluidly connected to the chamber, and the capillary tube includes a capillary tube inlet and a capillary tube outlet, wherein the fill nozzle is configured such that; in a static state, the elastomeric seal seals the capillary tube inlet to prevent the liquid from flowing into the capillary tube inlet; and in a filling state, the elastomeric seal does not seal the capillary tube inlet, allowing the liquid to flow into the capillary tube inlet, out of the capillary tube outlet and into the container, and the capillary tube is configured such that, due to capillary action, the liquid does not flow out of the capillary tube outlet when the capillary tube inlet is sealed and the liquid is located within the capillary tube. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of filling a container using a filling apparatus including a fill nozzle having a product inlet, a chamber fluidly connected to the product inlet, an elastomeric seal located within the chamber and a piston located at least partially within the chamber, wherein the piston has a capillary tube, and the capillary tube includes a capillary tube inlet and a capillary tube outlet, the method comprising:
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positioning the container under the fill nozzle; and filling the container with the fill nozzle by; receiving a liquid with the product inlet; causing the liquid to flow from the product inlet to the chamber; and selectively fluidly connecting the capillary tube to the chamber by; sealing the capillary tube inlet with the elastomeric seal to prevent the liquid from flowing into the capillary tube inlet; and unsealing the capillary tube inlet, allowing the liquid to flow into the capillary tube inlet, out of the capillary tube outlet and into the container, wherein, when the capillary tube inlet is sealed and the liquid is located within the capillary tube, the liquid does not flow out of the capillary tube outlet due to capillary action. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification