Patent GB-1204443-A (GB)
Title: Method and apparatus for filling cartons with a flowable solid material
Inventor: VOGT CLARENCE WEDEKIND
IPC: B65B1/36
Filed: 1968-01-10
Abstract: 1,204,443. Filling machines. C. W. VOGT. 10 Jan., 1968, No. 1405/68. Headings B8C, B8N and B8P. Cartons 15 having a porous wall of sheet material 20 are filled with a flowable solid product by transferring the product from a supply 52 to at least one of a V, a plurality of pockets 58, Fig. 7, by creation of pressure differential (aided by gravity) therebetween, moving the filled pockets into communication with the carton, and then transferring the product from the pocket to the carton by creation of a second pressure differential (aided by gravity). The sheet 20 may be attached separately to an open portion of the carton or the carton itself may be made of a porous material. A preferred machine 23 has a plurality of shrouds 24 arranged in a turret fashion. Each shroud is in two halves (36) (Fig. 3, not shown) of L-shape which halves can be pivoted about a pin (37) to open or close the shroud. Fig. 2 shows different stations at which packaging operations described below are performed. " Filter In."-The sheet 20 is inserted in the open shroud at this station. " Carton In."-The carton 15 is positioned (in the shroud) overlying the sheet 20; after which the shroud closes. During the movement of cartoned-shroud from the " Carton In " to the next station, preapplied adhesive on flaps 17, 18 of the carton is heat-softened and the sheet 20 adheres to the flaps to constitute the porous portion of the carton. " Fill."-At this station, the cartoned-shroud is presented to a filling machine, Fig. 7, in which a plurality of pockets of porous material e.g. sintered stainless steel or polyethylene project from a rotatable impeller 54 housed in housing 44 having inlet and outlet 45, 46. As the impeller rotates, product is drawn into the air  pockets and air &c. in the product sucked away by vacuum applied through a port 76, rotor holes 73 and the pores in the pocket walls 56. During the motion of a filled pocket from the inlet 45 to outlet 46, its communication with port 76 is cut off and when the pocket is near the outlet 46, it communicates with a vent port 78. Simultaneously, vacuum is applied by a line 87 to the inside of the carton through the sheet 20 and to the outside of the carton through the shroud. The product is therefore transferred to the carton and further traces of air &c. in the product are drawn out by the vacuum applied to the carton. The empty pocket further rotates (during filling of a carton in the following shroud) to leave the outlet whence positive pressure is applied to it through a port 70 to clean the pores. The pressure is released when the pocket moves further to communicate again with the vent port 78 through the passage 69 and holes 73. This pocket is thus once again ready to be charged with product from the inlet 45. For each carton, the impeller 54 moves a predetermined amount of rotation. " Squeeze."-At this station, a reciprocating presser 81 (Fig. 9, not shown) squeezes the overflowing product into the carton. " Top seal."-Here, carton flaps 21 and 22 are folded in and sealed by pre-applied adhesive softened by a heating plate 83 (Fig. 10, not shown). If necessary, a separate sealing sheet (89) (Fig. 12, not shown) may also be employed. " Remove."-Here the shroud is opened, the carton removed therefrom and placed in an inverted condition on a conveyer 90. The sheet 20 is then closed by bonding on to it the flaps 17, 18 and if necessary an additional separate sheet similar to (89). In the embodiment described all the operations, except placing the sheet 20 and the carton 15 in the shroud, and removing the finished package, are automatic. It is stated that the " Filter In " and " Carton In " stations may be replaced by a single one. The sheet 20 may also be initially attached to the carton before insertion into the shroud. Controls may be provided to prevent motion of pockets in the absence of a carton underneath the filling device. The cartons 15 may be cut and made from a continuous web without loss of web material.