System for blow-molding, filling and capping containers
First Claim
Patent Images
1. In a process for efficiently blow-molding, filling and capping, plastic containers blown from pre-forms having a neck finish, including the steps of advancing a plurality of preforms in sequence while pre-heating them in an oven;
- transferring the preforms from said pre-heat oven and into a blow-mold; and
blowing the preforms into containers in the blow-mold;
the improvement comprising;
discharging the blown containers under positive control from said blow-mold; and
advancing the containers under positive control while filling the containers and capping the filled containers;
said positive control being effected by gripping said neck finish throughout at least said container discharging and advancing steps;
whereby container preforms and resulting containers are maintained under continuous positive control throughout the entire container manufacturing and filling and capping process.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A process and apparatus for blow-molding, sterilizing, filling and capping plastic containers under conditions of positive control in a close-coupled, compact machine to enhance operational efficiency.
148 Citations
23 Claims
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1. In a process for efficiently blow-molding, filling and capping, plastic containers blown from pre-forms having a neck finish, including the steps of advancing a plurality of preforms in sequence while pre-heating them in an oven;
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transferring the preforms from said pre-heat oven and into a blow-mold; and
blowing the preforms into containers in the blow-mold;
the improvement comprising;
discharging the blown containers under positive control from said blow-mold; and
advancing the containers under positive control while filling the containers and capping the filled containers;
said positive control being effected by gripping said neck finish throughout at least said container discharging and advancing steps;
whereby container preforms and resulting containers are maintained under continuous positive control throughout the entire container manufacturing and filling and capping process. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. Apparatus for efficiently blow-molding, filling and capping plastic containers blown from pre-forms having a neck finish, comprising:
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first means for advancing a plurality of preforms in sequence under positive control while pre-heating them in an oven;
means for transferring, the preforms under positive control from said pre-heat oven and into a blow-mold;
means for blowing the preforms into containers in the blow-mold;
means gripping said neck finish for discharging the blown containers under positive control from said blow-mold; and
second means gripping said neck finish for advancing the containers under positive control while filling the containers and capping the filled containers;
whereby container preforms and resulting containers are maintained under continuous positive control throughout the entire container manufacturing and filling and capping process. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. In an automated blow-molded plastic container filling process wherein containers having necks with finishes are delivered to a filling machine having a fill nozzle with a discharge port for charging the containers with a liquid as they advance in tandem, the improvement comprising the steps of:
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sterilizing each container interior, gripping each container by its neck finish for advancing the container in the filling machine, tilting each container as it advances, and while tilted, flowing the liquid into the container through its neck while maintaining the fill nozzle stationary relative to the path of movement of the neck. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A process for efficiently filling and capping in a sterile environment plastic containers blown from pre-forms having a neck finish, comprising the steps of:
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blowing the preforms into containers in a blow-mold;
discharging the blown containers under positive control from said blow-mold while gripping them by their neck finishes;
introducing said neck finish gripped blown containers into a sterile enclosure; and
advancing the containers in said sterile enclosure by gripping them by their neck finishes while filling the containers and capping the filled containers;
whereby containers are maintained under continuous positive control throughout the container sterilization, filling and capping process.
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23. Apparatus for efficiently filling and capping in a sterile environment plastic containers blown from pre-forms having a neck finish, comprising:
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means for blowing the preforms into containers in a blow-mold;
a sterile enclosure for containing a sterilized gaseous medium adjacent said blow-mold;
means for discharging the blown containers under positive control from said blow-mold and transferring them into said sterile enclosure while gripping them by their neck finishes, and means for gripping said neck finishes while advancing the containers under positive control during filling the containers and capping the filled containers in said sterile enclosure;
whereby containers are maintained under continuous positive control throughout the entire container sterilization, filling and capping process.
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Specification