DEVICE FOR FILLING PACKAGES

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for filling containers, particularly packaging containers such as cardboard packaging containers, with fluid through a fill opening on the packaging container, the device comprising a feed part (1) and a closing part (2). To prevent the dripping of the substance distributed into the packaging container on the area around the fill opening, the feed part is equipped with outlets (3) which form an angle ( alpha ) with the centre axis of the feed part so that the upper ends of the outlets separate from each other. In the lower end of the feed part, the angle position of the outlets causes the liquid flows from different outlets to unite into one flow of liquid which, if necessary, can be fed into a container even through a small fill opening.

Description: DEVICE FOR FILLING PACKAGES Field of the invention This invention relates to a device for filling containers, particularly packaging 5 containers such as cardboard packaging containers, with fluid through a fill opening on the packaging container, the device comprising a feed part (1 ) and a closing part (2). Background to the invention i o When using a conventional feeding device such as described above, a problem that often arises is that drops of liquid keep dripping from the feeding device even after it has been closed. These liquid drops can stain the exterior surfaces of the packaging container, and particularly harmful they can be to cardboard containers which are closed by placing a cover strip on top of the fill opening and by using 15 heat sealing to attache the cover strip to the edges of the fill opening. If drops of the filled product have spilled on the edge area around the fill opening, heat sealing cannot be performed reliably. The reason for this is particularly that in heat sealing it is not possible to use a temperature high enough to evaporate the liquid drops which may be present at the sealing area. 20 Summary of the invention The objective ofthe present invention is to present a device for filling containers, particularly packaging containers such as cardboard packaging containers, which is absolutely reliable in preventing the access of the distributed substance to the 25 exterior surface ofthe packaging container. This can be achieved with the help of a device according to the invention, comprising a feed part (1) and a closing part (2), characterized in that the feed part is equipped with outlets (3) which form an angle (α) with the centre axis of the feed part so that the upper ends of the outlets separate from each other. A preferred device according to the invention for filling containers with fluid is thus created by equipping the feed part with outlets which form a specified angle (α) with the centre axis of the feed part so that the upper ends of the outlets separate from each other. This angle position which depends on the length of the feed part (1) causes the upper ends of the outlets to separate from each other, which enables the reliable and smooth flow of the filled substance to all outlets. In the lower end ofthe feed part the angle position of the outlets causes the liquid flows from different outlets to unite into one flow which, if necessary, can be fed into a container even through a small fill opening. The benefits of the conical shape of the closing part include on the one hand that the size of the feed openings of the outlets increases thus encouraging the reliable and smooth flow of liquid, and on the other hand that the liquid flow can be easily stopped when closing the device which contributes to the non-dripping quality of the feed part. When the feed part is equipped with an adequate number of outlets to produce the necessary flow area, yet limiting the diameter of an individual outlet according to the substance to be distributed, a device for filling containers which meets very strict non-dripping requirements can be created. Other preferred embodiments according to the invention are characterized in what is later stated in the claims. Brief description of the drawing The invention is described with the help of the following example with reference to the attached drawing, Figure 1, which shows a device according to the invention for filling containers. Detailed description of preferred embodiments Figure 1 shows a device for filling containers, particularly packaging containers such as cardboard packaging containers, with fluid, the device comprising a feed part (1) and a closing part (2). The device is opened by moving the closing part (2) upwards with respect to the feed part (1) so that the feed openings of the outlets (3) are released and the filled substance (4) lead to the feed part spreads to the outlets (3) and further out from the lower end of the feed part. The device is closed correspondingly by moving the closing part (2) downwards until the openings of the outlets (3) are closed by the closing part (2). By shaping the closing part (2) and the corresponding surface ofthe feed part conical, the closing stage can be softened which will contribute to the realization ofthe non-dripping requirements. The aforesaid conical shape also increases the size of the feed openings of the outlets (3 ) which contributes to reliable and smooth flow of liquid. Conical angle (β) may vary according to the circumstances from (20 - 180)°. Depending on the application, the material of the closing part can be made of relatively flexible and sterilizable material such as rubber, or relatively hard and sterilizable material such as plastic or stainless steel. The feed part (1 ) is equipped with outlets (3) the diameter and number of which depends on the substance to be filled, since the non-dripping properties of an individual outlet and the entire device is based on the surface tension properties of the filled substance. The outlets (3) are preferably placed on the feed part (1 ) so that they form an angle (α) with the centre axis of the feed part (1 ). The advantage of this is that the upper ends of the outlets separate from each other thus making possible the reliable and smooth flow of liquid to all outlets. As a result ofthe angle position, in the lower end of the feed part the liquid flows from different outlets unite into one flow which, if necessary, can be fed into a container even through a small fill opening. Preferably one of the outlets can be placed essentially in the middle of the feed part (1 ) to ensure that the feed part runs empty, for example, in connection to washing. In one embodiment, a part of the length ofthe outlets (3) forms an angle ( ) with the centre axis of the feed part (1) and a part run parallel with the centre axis of the feed part (1 ). Depending on the circumstances the angle (α) formed by the outlets (3) with the centre axis of the feed part (1) can be (0.5 - 15)° and the minimum wall thickness between the outlets (3) in the lower end of the feed part (1) can be (0.1 - 2.0) mm. The combined cross-sectional area of the outlets (3) should be as large as possible when the maximum diameter of an outlet is 8.0 mm and the maximum number of outlets is 20. The shape of the outlets is preferably cylindrical but nevertheless they can also be shaped conical, or partly cylindrical and partly conical. To enable the sterilization ofthe feed part (1) the material and the surface should preferably be of sterilizable quality.

Claims: Claims 1. A device for filling containers, particularly packaging containers, with fluid, the device comprising a feed part (1) and a closing part (2), characterized in that the 5 feed part is equipped with outlets (3) which form an angle (α) with the centre axis of the feed part so that the upper ends of the outlets separate from each other. 2. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that one outlet (3) is placed essentially centrally in the feed part (1) and is essentially parallel with the centre axis of the feed part, and the other outlets are placed around the essentially o centrally situated outlet, forming an angle (α) with the centre axis of the feed part so that the upper ends ofthe outlets separate from each other. 3. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that a part of the length of the outlets (3) form an angle (α) with the centre axis of the feed part so that the upper ends ofthe outlets separate from each other, and a part of the length of the outlets 5 is parallel to the centre axis of the feed part. 4. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the angle ( ) formed by the outlets (3) with the centre axis of the feed part (1) is (0.5 - 15)° so that the upper ends of the outlets separate from each other. 5. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the minimum wall o thickness between the outlets (3) in the lower end of the feed part ( 1 ) is (0.1 - 2.0) mm. 6. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the combined cross- sectional area of the outlets (3) is as large as possible when the maximum diameter of an outlet is 8.0 mm. 5 7. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the combined cross- sectional area ofthe outlets (3) is as large as possible when the maximum number of outlets is 20. 8. A device according to claim 1. characterized in that the shape of the outlets (3) is cylindrical. 9. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the shape of the outlets (3) is conical. 10. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the shape of the outlets (3) is partly conical, partly cylindrical. 5 11. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the feed part (1 ) is made of a sterilizable material. 12. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the smoothness of the feed part (1) surface is of sterilizable quality. 13. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the shape of the closing o part (2) is conical. 14. A device according to claim 1. characterized in that the conical angle (β) of the feed part (1 ) is (20 - 180)°. 15. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the conical angle (β) of the closing part (2) is (20 - 180)°. 5 16. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the material of the closing part (2) is relatively flexible. 17. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the material of the closing part (2) is relatively unflexible. 18. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the material of the o closing part (2) is sterilizable.

Inventors: KLEEMOLA PERTTI, MYKKAENEN ENSIO, KLEEMOLA, PERTTI, MYKKAENEN, ENSIO
Applicants: KLEEMOLA PERTTI, MYKKAENEN ENSIO, UPM KYMMENE OY, KLEEMOLA, PERTTI, MYKKAENEN, ENSIO, UPM-KYMMENE OY
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B65B3
IPC codes: B65B3, B65B39