Multiple stream filling system

• US 8,479,784 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2007
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Original Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Inventors: Goldman, James E., LeSage, James, Gruben, Donald E., Reid, Kevin L., Kirschner, Jonathan, Patel, Nilang
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUST, TIMOTHY LEWIS
• Application Number:
  US11/686,387
• Publication Number:
  US 20080271809A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,308 Days
• Field of Search: 141/9, 141/100, 141/103, 141/129, 141/130, 141144-148
• US Class Current: 141/144
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 1/363 with measuring pockets moving in an endless path
• CPC Class Codes: B67C 3/007 Applications of control, warning or safety devices in filling machinery flow-control B67C3/28
• CPC Class Codes: B67C 3/023 Filling multiple liquids in a container B67C3/208 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B67C 3/208 specially adapted for adding small amounts of additional liquids, e.g. syrup
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0022 the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0041 Fully automated cocktail bars, i.e. apparatuses combining the use of packaged beverages, pre-mix and post-mix dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0044 for mixing inside the dispensing nozzle
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1243 comprising flow or pressure sensors, e.g. for controlling pumps

Abstract

A filling line for filling a number of containers. The filing line may include a continuous conveyor, one or more micro-ingredient dosers positioned about the continuous conveyor, and one or more macro-ingredient stations positioned along the continuous conveyor.

Claims

1. A filling line for filling a number of containers, comprising:

a continuous conveyor;

a plurality of micro-ingredient dosers positioned about the continuous conveyor; and

one or more macro-ingredient stations positioned along the continuous conveyor;

wherein the plurality of micro-ingredient dosers comprises a plurality of micro-ingredients with reconstitution ratios of at least about ten to one or higher; and

wherein the plurality of micro-ingredient dosers comprises a first micro-ingredient doser and a second micro-ingredient doser, the first micro-ingredient doser dosing a first micro-ingredient of the plurality of micro-ingredients into a container and the second micro-ingredient doser dosing a second micro-ingredient of the plurality of micro-ingredients into the container.

2. The filling line of claim 1, wherein the plurality of micro-ingredient dosers comprises a plurality of micro-ingredient supplies.

3. The filling line of claim 2, wherein the plurality of micro-ingredient dosers comprises a pump in communication with the plurality of micro-ingredient supplies.

5. The filling line of claim 3, wherein the pump comprises a valveless pump.

7. The filling line of claim 3, wherein the plurality of micro-ingredient dosers comprises a nozzle in communication with the pump.

8. The filling line of claim 3, wherein the plurality of micro-ingredient dosers comprises a flow sensor positioned between the one or more micro-ingredient supplies and the pump.

9. The filling line of claim 7, further comprising a dosing sensor positioned downstream of the nozzle.

10. The filling line of claim 1, wherein the one or more macro-ingredient stations comprise one or more macro-ingredient supplies and one or more diluent supplies.

11. The filling line of claim 1, wherein each of the number of containers comprises an identifier thereon and wherein the filling line further comprises one or more positioning sensors positioned about the conveyor so as to read the identifier.

12. The filling line of claim 11, wherein the identifier identifies the nature of a product to be filled within each of the number of containers.

13. The filling line of claim 7, wherein the nozzle comprises a rotary nozzle.

14. The filling line of claim 1, wherein the conveyor comprises one or more dips therein.

15. The filling line of claim 14, wherein the conveyor comprises a number of grippers positioned about the one or more dips so as to grip the number of containers as they pass through the one or more dips.

16. The filling line of claim 1, wherein the plurality of micro-ingredients comprise reconstitution ratios of about 100 to 1 or higher.

17. The filling line of claim 1, wherein the micro-ingredients comprise non-sweetened concentrate;

acid and non-acid components of non-sweetened concentrate;

natural and artificial flavors;

flavor additives;

natural and artificial colors;

artificial sweeteners;

additives for controlling tartness, functional additives;

nutraceuticals;

or medicines.

18. The filling line of claim 1, wherein the micro-ingredients comprise no more than about ten percent (10%) of the container.

19. The filling line of claim 1, wherein the one or more macro-ingredient stations comprise one or more macro-ingredients.

20. The filling line of claim 19, wherein the one or more macro-ingredients comprise reconstitution ratios of more than about one to one to less than about ten to one.

21. The filling line of claim 19, wherein the one or more macro-ingredients comprise sugar syrup, high fructose corn syrup, or juice concentrates.

22. The filling line of claim 1, wherein the plurality of micro-ingredient dosers is positioned upstream or downstream of the one or more macro-ingredient stations.

4. A filling line for filling a number of containers, comprising:

a continuous conveyor;

a plurality of micro-ingredient dosers positioned about the continuous conveyor; and

one or more macro-ingredient stations positioned along the continuous conveyor;

wherein the plurality of micro-ingredient dosers comprises a pump in communication therewith and wherein the pump comprises a positive displacement pump; and

wherein the plurality of micro-ingredient dosers comprises a plurality of micro-ingredients with reconstitution ratios of at least about ten to one or higher; and

wherein the plurality of micro-ingredient dosers comprises a first micro-ingredient doser and a second micro-ingredient doser, the first micro-ingredient doser dosing a first micro-ingredient of the plurality of micro-ingredients into a container and the second micro-ingredient doser dosing a second micro-ingredient of the plurality of micro-ingredients into the container.

6. A filling line for filling a number of containers, comprising:

a continuous conveyor;

a plurality of micro-ingredient dosers positioned about the continuous conveyor; and

one or more macro-ingredient stations positioned along the continuous conveyor;

wherein the plurality of micro-ingredient dosers comprise a pump in communication therewith and wherein the plurality of micro-ingredient dosers comprise a servomotor in communication with the pump; and

wherein the plurality of micro-ingredient dosers comprises a plurality of micro-ingredients with reconstitution ratios of at least about ten to one or higher; and

wherein the plurality of micro-ingredient dosers comprises a first micro-ingredient doser and a second micro-ingredient doser, the first micro-ingredient doser dosing a first micro-ingredient of the plurality of micro-ingredients into a container and the second micro-ingredient doser dosing a second micro-ingredient of the plurality of micro-ingredients into the container.

23. A filling line for filling a number of containers, comprising:

a continuous conveyor;

one or more micro-ingredient dosers with one or more micro-ingredient supplies positioned about the continuous conveyor;

a pump in communication with the one or more micro-ingredient supplies;

a rotary nozzle in communication with the pump; and

one or more macro-ingredient stations positioned along the continuous conveyor;

wherein the rotary nozzle comprises a plurality of pinwheel nozzles.

24. A filling line for filling a number of containers, comprising:

a continuous conveyor;

one or more micro-ingredient dosers positioned about the continuous conveyor; and

one or more macro-ingredient stations positioned along the continuous conveyor;

wherein the continuous conveyor comprises one or more dips therein; and

wherein the one or more micro-ingredient dosers comprise a nozzle positioned in a middle of the one or more dips.