Patent Publication Number: US-8528606-B1

Title: Apparatus and methods for filling containers with non-liquids

Description:
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/003,053 filed Nov. 14, 2007, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to apparatus, methods and systems for filling containers with non-liquid materials. 
     Various machines and systems involve the filling of boxes, bags and other types of containers (collectively “containers”) with non-liquid materials. These container filling systems may be used for example, in the rapid, precision filling of large containers with hundreds of pounds of sensitive material in large scale assembly-line type operations. Various embodiments of these systems are sometimes referred to as “bulk bag”, “dry solids”, “supersack” or “FIBC” (flexible individual bulk container) fillers. 
     The effective and successful utilization of container filling systems may depend upon various factors, such as, for example, speed and ease of use, safety and purity of material. In some instances, safety may be a concern with respect to an operator having to reach out over, or across, the equipment to perform one or more function, such as engaging the container with the system. For another example, safety, speed and ease of use may be a factor when an operator has to carefully and fully clean the fill-spout of the system upon changing the type of material to be dispensed. In use of many current systems, fill-spout cleaning requires the cumbersome procedure of lifting the operator on a pallet with a forklift and positioning him/her proximate to the fill-spout. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for non-liquid container filling apparatus, systems and/or methods having one or more of the following attributes, capabilities or features: may improve safety in the use, maintenance, inspection, cleaning or repair of the equipment; allows an operator to engage a container with one or more components of the system without having to reach out substantially laterally across the equipment; reduces operator strain in various aspects of the use, maintenance, inspection, cleaning or repair of the system; reduces the time or effort necessary for certain operations to be performed; allows multiple hooks or grippers of the system to be non-manually moved between positions; is not cumbersome; allows an operator access to various components of the system without the use of a forklift; improves the speed with which at least one among the operation, maintenance, inspection, cleaning or repair of the system may be performed; is reliable; is cost-efficient; is easy to use; is easy to implement; does not require complex equipment; or a combination thereof. 
     It should be understood that the above-described examples, features, advantages and/or disadvantages are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope or subject matter of the appended claims or any other patent application or patent claiming priority hereto. Thus, none of the appended claims or claims of any related application or patent should be limited by the above discussion or construed to address, include or exclude the cited examples, features, advantages and/or disadvantages, except and only to the extent as may be expressly stated in a particular claim. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In some embodiments, the present disclosure involves an apparatus useful for filling non-liquid material into a container that is releasably engageable with the apparatus. The apparatus typically includes a framework having an upper portion, a base, a front end and a rear end, and at least one filling spout associated with the framework. The apparatus includes first and second front and rear grippers. Each gripper is engageable with a different portion of the container. The first and second rear grippers are linearly aligned with the first and second front grippers, respectively. The rear grippers are each non-manually laterally movable between a first position that allows filling of a container engaged therewith and a second position that is forward of the first position and allows engagement of a container therewith. The front grippers are each non-manually movable between a first position that allows filling of a container engaged therewith and a second position that is forward of the first position and provides clearance for movement of the respective associated rear gripper into its second position. 
     In various embodiments, the present disclosure involves an apparatus useful for filling non-liquid material into a container that is releasably engageable with the apparatus. The apparatus typically includes a framework having an upper portion, a base, a front end and a rear end, and at least one filling spout associated with the framework. The apparatus includes first and second front and rear grippers, each engageable with a different portion of the container. The first and second rear grippers are linearly aligned with the first and second front grippers, respectively. First and second power-operated drivers are associated with the first and second rear grippers, respectively, and capable of allowing the non-manual lateral movement of all of the grippers between at least two positions. The first and second power-operated drivers are capable of moving the first and second rear grippers between a rearward home position and a forward position, respectively. 
     The first and second rear grippers of these embodiments are capable of pushing the first and second front grippers from a home position to a forward position, respectively. First and second draggers are engaged between the first and second front and rear grippers, respectively, and allow each rear gripper to pull its associated front gripper from a forward position to a home positions, respectively. 
     There are embodiments of the present disclosure that involve a method of filling non-liquid material into a container with the use of an apparatus having a framework, at least one filling spout and first and second front and rear grippers each capable of engaging a different portion of the container. The framework typically includes an upper portion, a base, a front end and a rear end. The first front and rear grippers are linearly aligned and the second front and rear grippers are linearly aligned. The grippers are each capable of engaging a different portion of the container. These embodiments include the following acts, which are not necessarily performed in the order mentioned. Each of the rear grippers is non-manually moved to a forward position. Each of the front grippers is non-manually moved to a forward position that allows movement of the associated rear grippers to their forward positions, respectively. The container is engaged with each of the rear grippers. Each of the rear grippers is non-manually moved rearward to a filling position and each of the front grippers is non-manually moved rearward to a filling position. The container is engaged with the filling spout. The container is engaged with each of the front grippers. 
     Accordingly, the present disclosure includes features and advantages which are believed to enable it to advance non-liquid container filling technology. Characteristics and advantages of the present invention described above and additional features and benefits will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments and referring to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following figures are part of the present specification, included to demonstrate certain aspects of various embodiments of this disclosure and referenced in the detailed description herein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example container filling system including multiple non-manually moveable grippers shown in a first position and an operator platform in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial exploded view of certain components of the container filling system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the container filling system of  FIG. 1  showing the grippers in a second position and a retractable extension of the operator platform in an extended position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial exploded view of certain components of the container filling system of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the container filling system of claim  1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a container filling system having four independently power-operated grippers each shown in a first position in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is an isolated view of the grippers and related components shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a gripper in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of the gripper of  FIG. 8  shown in a container engaging position; and 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of the gripper of  FIG. 8  shown in a container disengaging position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Characteristics and advantages of the present invention and additional features and benefits will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments and referring to the accompanying figures. It should be understood that the description herein and appended drawings, being of example embodiments, are not intended to limit the appended claims or the claims of any patent or patent application claiming priority hereto. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the claims. Many changes may be made to the particular embodiments and details disclosed herein without departing from such spirit and scope. 
     In showing and describing preferred embodiments, common or similar elements are identified by like or identical reference numerals or are apparent from the appended drawings themselves. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity and conciseness. 
     As used herein and throughout various portions (and headings) of this specification, the terms “invention”, “present invention” and variations thereof are not intended to refer to every possible embodiment or the claimed invention of any particular claim or claims. Thus, the subject matter of each such reference should not be considered as necessary for, or part of, every embodiment of the invention or any particular claim(s) merely because of such reference. Also, it should be noted that reference herein and in the appended claims to components and aspects in a singular tense does not necessarily limit the present invention to only one such component or aspect, but should be interpreted generally to mean one or more, as may be suitable and desirable in each particular instance. 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , an example container filling system  10  is shown. In this example, the container filling system  10  is sometimes referred to as a dry solids filler  12 , which is typically useful for filling FIBC&#39;s and boxes having flexible liners with a desired bulk material. However, the system  10  is not limited to use as a dry solids filler, or in connection with filling any particular type of container with any particular type of material. Thus, the appended claims are not limited by type of container or material, or the application or machinery with which the present invention is used. 
     The illustrated container filling system  10  includes a framework  16  having an upper portion  18  that extends over a base  20 . The base  20  may include a conveyor  21  and/or any other components. Pallets (not shown) or other removable carriers are often placed atop the base  20 . At least one filling spout  26  is provided at the upper portion  18  of the framework  16 . The filling spout  26  serves as a port or funnel through which non-liquid material is provided into a container (not shown) that is placed, or held, over the base  20  to be filled. 
     As shown more particularly in  FIG. 2 , in this example, the system  10  also includes multiple grippers, or hooks,  30  mounted upon or extending from the framework  16 . The illustrated system includes first and second front grippers  34 ,  38  and first and second rear grippers  42 ,  46 . Typically, the grippers  30  are each capable of being releasably engaged with a different portion of one or more container and assist in holding and positioning the container(s) during filling. 
     The above-described components are known in the art and may have any suitable form, construction, configuration and operation as is and become further know. Further, the container filling system  10  may include additional components, such as, for example, an automatic pallet dispenser, scale, settler/vibrator, liner throat clamps, bag inflator and vacuum system, all of which may have any suitable form and operation. Moreover, the above-described and any additional components and the operation thereof are not limiting upon the present disclosure or appended claims, except and only to the extent as may be required in the appended claims. Additional descriptions about the above and additional components that may be used in the system  10  and the operation thereof and overall operation of container filling systems are available in publicly available sources, including, without limitation, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,176,278 to Gill et al. issued on Jan. 23, 2001, 5,259,425 to Johnson et al. issued on Nov. 9, 1993, 6,089,283 to Sienerth et al. issued on Jul. 18, 2000, 5,975,155 to Sienerth et al. issued on Nov. 2, 1999, 5,036,893 to DeCrane issued on Aug. 6, 1991 and 6,776,197 to DeCrane issued on Aug. 17, 2004, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. However, nothing in these or any other references is limiting upon the present disclosure. 
     Now in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, in one independent aspect, referring to  FIG. 1 , the grippers  30  are each laterally moveable relative to the filling spout  26  or framework  16 . As used herein and in the appended claims, the terms “laterally” and variations thereof means in the general direction of the front  22  and/or the rear  23  of the framework  16 , and the terms “laterally moveable” and variations thereof means moveable in the general direction of the front  22  and/or the rear  23  of the framework  16 . The grippers  30  may be laterally moveable for any desired purpose. For example, the grippers  30  may be laterally moveable to assist in the engagement of one or more container (not shown) within the system  10 . 
     The grippers  30  may be laterally moveable in any desired manner and with the use of any desired components. In this embodiment, referring particularly to  FIG. 2 , each gripper  30  includes, or is mounted, such as by weld, onto a glide arm  58  (see also, e.g.  FIG. 8 ). The illustrated glide arm  58  is moveable over, or relative to, a guide rail  52  mounted in the framework  16 . Left and right exemplary guide rails  53 ,  55  are shown extending generally from the front  22  to the rear  23  of the framework  16  in generally parallel spaced relationship with one another. In this example, the front and rear left grippers  34 ,  42  are moveable relative to a common guide rail  53 , while the front and rear right grippers  38 ,  46  are moveable relative to the same guide rail  55 . 
     The glide arms  58  and guide rails  52  may have any suitable form and configuration. Each illustrated guide rail  52  is a length of square tubing and each exemplary glide arm  58  is a small section of square tubing having an inner diameter (or other dimension) that is slightly larger than the associated guide rail  52  so that it can slide over it. It should be understood, however, that any other suitable form and arrangement of glide arms  58  and guide rails  52 , or different components allowing the lateral movement of the grippers  30 , may be included. 
     Still referring to the example of  FIG. 2 , a distinct driver  64  is shown associated with each of the left and right rear grippers  42 ,  46 . Each illustrated drivers  64  is capable of driving the associated rear gripper back and forth along a desired linear path over the associated guide rail  52 . The drivers  64  may have any suitable form, construction, configuration and operation. In this example, each driver  64  is a pneumatically-operated actuator  66 , such as a commercially available rodless, double-acting, air cylinder, that is connected to its associated rear gripper  42 ,  46  such as with a tab  68  (see also, e.g.  FIG. 8 ) to laterally drive the gripper  30  along the desired path. 
     In this embodiment, the rear grippers  42 ,  46  (movable by the drivers  64 ) cause the movement of the front grippers  34 ,  38  along the associated guide rail  52 . The front and rear grippers  30  may be associated in any suitable manner to cause the desired movement of the front grippers  34 ,  38 . In the example shown, the illustrated rear grippers  42 ,  46  will abut and then push the associated front grippers  34 ,  38  along the respective guides  53 ,  55  in the forward direction. In the other direction, the exemplary rear grippers  42 ,  46  will essentially pull the respective front grippers  34 ,  38  to the desired position(s). 
     Any suitable mechanism(s) may be included to allow the rear grippers  42 ,  46  to move, or connect with, the associated front grippers  34 ,  38 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-2 , a connection between the respective front and rear grippers is only necessary for the rearward movement of the front grippers  34 ,  38 , since the rear-grippers  42 ,  46  will push the corresponding front grippers along the guide rails  52  for desired movement in the forward direction. For rearward movement of the illustrated front grippers  34 ,  38 , each front gripper  34 ,  38  is interconnected with its corresponding respective rear gripper  42 ,  46  with a dragger, or pull-back mechanism,  60 . The dragger  60  is configured to effectively pull the front gripper  34 ,  38  a desired distance rearward when the associated rear gripper  42 ,  46  is moving toward the rear  23  of the framework  16 . The exemplary draggers  60  are tri-hinged, bi-folding arms  62 . However, the draggers  60  may instead include one or more cables, telescoping devices and/or spring-biasing mechanisms (not shown), or any other suitable components. Moreover, the present disclosure includes embodiments in which the front and rear grippers  30  are not interconnected and no dragger  60  is necessary. 
     Any suitable components or technique may be used to stop the lateral movement of the grippers  30 . For example, a forward stop member (not shown) may be associated with one or more of the front or rear grippers  30  to limit the forward movement of the grippers  30 . For another example, the drivers  64  may be designed to automatically stop the movement of the grippers  30  at the desired locations. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited by the component(s) or technique(s) used for stopping the lateral movement of the grippers  30 . 
     It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the use of four grippers  30  and two drivers  64 , as described above with respect to the illustrated embodiment. Any number of grippers  30 , drivers  64  and other components may be included. For example, the system  10  may include two or three grippers  30 , or five or more grippers  30 . For another example, a single driver  64  may be capable of causing movement of all of the grippers  30  in a system  10 . For still a further example, referring to the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , a separate driver  64  may be included for moving each gripper  30  between desired positions. As shown in  FIG. 7 , this embodiment includes four drivers  64 , such as actuators  66 . In this example, a first driver  90  moves the left front gripper  34 , a second driver  92  moves the left rear gripper  42 , a third driver  94  moves the right front gripper  38  and a fourth driver  96  moves the right rear gripper  46 . Since each illustrated gripper  30  is independently moveable between positions, the corresponding front and rear grippers are not interconnected. 
     If desired, when there are multiple drivers  64  in a system, the drivers  64  may take different forms. For example, the drivers  64  may be selected or configured based upon the desired path or distance of travel of the associated gripper(s)  30 , the number of positions of the associated gripper(s)  30 , or any other desired reason. In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , since each gripper  30  is powered by a separate driver  64  and the front grippers  34 ,  38  will be driven a shorter distance between positions as compared to the rear grippers  42 ,  46 , the drivers  64  associated with the front grippers  34 ,  38  may have a different capacity and/or size as compared to the drivers  64  associated with the rear grippers  42 ,  46 . In this example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the front drivers  90 ,  94  are smaller than the rear drivers  92 ,  96 . 
     In accordance with another independent aspect of the present disclosure, referring again to  FIG. 1 , the grippers  30  may be laterally moveable to and/or from any desired positions. In this embodiment, the grippers  30  are linearly movable along front-rear paths. The illustrated rear grippers  42 ,  46  are each movable between a rearward “filling position” (e.g.  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ) and a forward “engaging position” (e.g.  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ). The filling position of the illustrated rear grippers  42 ,  46  is generally proximate to the rear  23  of the framework  16  (see also, e.g.  FIG. 5 ). This position is useful during filling of a container engaged in the system  10  and is sometimes referred to as the “home” position of the rear grippers  42 ,  46 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 , the “engaging position” of the rear grippers  42 ,  46  is closer to the front  22  of the framework  16  and is sometimes referred to herein as their “second” or “forward” position. This position is useful to allow engagement of a container with the rear grippers  42 ,  46 . For example, the engaging position of the rear grippers  42 ,  46  may permit an operator to engage a container with the rear grippers  42 ,  46  without the operator having to reach out substantially under the upper portion  18  of the framework  16 . However, the present invention is not limited to this purpose or advantage. For example, there may be embodiments where a human operator is not required for engaging the container(s) to the grippers  30 . 
     The front grippers  34 ,  38  of this embodiment are each movable between a “filling position” (e.g.  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ) and a “forward-extended position” (e.g.  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ). The exemplary filling position is close to the front  22  of the framework  16  and may, if desired, be useful for both engaging the container with the front grippers  34 ,  38  and filling the container. This position is sometimes referred to as the “home” position of the front grippers  34 ,  38 . Referring to  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 , the forward-extended position of the exemplary front grippers  34 ,  38  is forward of the filling position and, thus, even closer to the front  22  of the framework  16 . This position permits positioning the rear grippers  42 ,  46  in their engaging positions, as described above, and is sometimes referred to herein as the “second” position of the exemplary front grippers  34 ,  38 . 
     Accordingly,  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2  show the home positions of the grippers  30  of this embodiment, in which the front grippers  34 ,  38  are positioned near the front  22  of the framework  16  and the rear grippers  42 ,  46  are closer to the rear  23  of the framework  16  so that a container (not shown) hanging therefrom may be filled.  FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate the grippers  30  of this embodiment in their respective second positions. 
     However, there may be additional or different positions for one or more grippers  30 . In one example, the rear grippers  42 ,  46  may be movable to and from one or more intermediate positions (not shown) between their engaging and filling positions. For example, after a container is engaged with the exemplary rear grippers  42 ,  46 , as the rear grippers  42 ,  46  are moved rearwards toward their filling positions, the grippers  42 ,  46  may be temporarily stopped at an intermediate position forward of their filling positions, but rearward of the filling spout  26 . This intermediate position may, for example, allow the container (already engaged with the rear grippers  42 ,  46 ) to be connected to the filling spout  26  before the rear grippers  42 ,  46  are in their filling positions. In some embodiments, the container may be a bag (not shown) having a centrally-located fill throat that would be more easily engaged with the filling spout  26  when the rear grippers  42 ,  46  are in an intermediate position because of less tension on the container as compared to when the rear grippers  42 ,  46  are in their further rearward filling positions. For another example, different positions of the grippers  30  may be provided to accommodate different sized or types of containers. Thus, there is no limit to the number and location of positions of the grippers  30 . 
     In accordance with another independent aspect of the present disclosure, the system  10  may be configured to laterally move the grippers  30  any desired distance. The distance any of the grippers  30  are moveable may depend upon one or more factors, such as, for example the size and other components of the filling system  10 , size and/or type of containers to be filled or other variables. In one particular configuration of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the distance between the home and engaging positions of the rear grippers  42 ,  46  is approximately thirty nine inches and the distance between the forward-extended and home positions of the front grippers  34 ,  38  is six inches. However, the grippers  30  may be moved more or less than those distances. For example, the distance between the filling and engaging positions of the rear grippers  42 ,  46  may, in various embodiment, be approximately thirty, forty or sixty inches, while the movable distance for the front grippers  34 ,  38  may be approximately sixteen or twenty inches. 
     The grippers  30  may have any suitable form, configuration and operation, as long as they are non-manually laterally movable between desired positions and capable of releasably engaging and holding one or more containers. As used herein the term “gripper” means any suitable structure or assembly capable of releasably engaging and/or holding up a portion of a container during filling of the container with non-liquid material. In the present embodiment, referring to  FIG. 8 , each gripper  30  includes first and second arms  31 ,  32 . The illustrated second arm  32  includes a lower finger  33  that is pivotable about a pin  35  between a closed position (e.g.  FIG. 8 ) and an open position (e.g.  FIG. 9 ) to allow engagement of a container therewith. If desired, the finger  33  may be spring-biased in the closed position. To engage a container with the gripper  30 , an operator may manually push open the finger  33  and hang a loop or other portion (not shown) of a container thereon, then allow the finger  33  to return to the closed position. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 8 , the first arm  31  of this example is stationary and the second aim  32  is moveable relative to the first arm  31  to allow the release or disengagement of a container engaged with the gripper  30 . In this example, the second arm  32  is pivotable about a pin  36  between a closed position (e.g.  FIG. 8 ) and an open position (e.g.  FIG. 10 ). The second arm  32  may be moveable to allow disengagement of the container(s) in any suitable manner. In this example, the second arm  32  is power-operated between open and closed positions by an actuator  37 , such as a double-acting, rodded, pneumatic cylinder. However, the present disclosure and appended claims are not limited to the gripper  30  as described above and shown in the appended figures. Any suitable hanger, hook, engager or other mechanism may be used. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , in another independent aspect of the present disclosure, the container filling system  10  may include an operator platform  74 . The platform  74  may be included for any desired purpose. For example, the operator platform  74  may allow an operator to couple one or more container (not shown) with the filling spout  26 , inspect, maintain and/or service the filling spout  26  or other components of the container filling system  10 , or other purpose. In some embodiments, the use of the operator platform  74  may be beneficial with respect to speed and ease or use and/or operator safety during use, maintenance and/or repair of the system  10 . 
     The operator platform  74  may have any suitable components, configuration and operation. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the operator platform  74  includes a stand  78  positionable adjacent to the framework  16  and/or the base  20  (see also, e.g.,  FIG. 5 ). The exemplary stand  78  includes a top  80  and four legs  82  that provide sufficient support and stability to hold at least one operator standing upon the top  80  and operating, inspecting, maintaining, repairing the system  10 , or performing another desired function. The illustrated platform  74  is capable of being bolted to the floor or other underlying surface and is not connected to the framework  16 . However, the platform  74  may be connectable to the framework  16  or other structure(s) and not bolted to the floor or other underlying surface, or otherwise configured and stabilized, as desired. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the platform  74  of the present embodiment includes a retractable extension  86  capable of extending out at least partially over the base  20  to allow the operator(s) to be located over the base  20  or under the upper portion  18  of the framework  16 . The retractable extension  86  may be included for any desired purpose, such as, for example, to connect one or more containers (not shown) to the filling spout  26 , clean, inspect, maintain and/or service the filling spout  20  or other components of the container filling system  10 , or one or more other desired purpose. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the illustrated operator platform  74  is configured so that height of the extension  86  in an extended position will be above the height of the conveyor  21 , pallet, etc. The exemplary platform  74  provides sufficient support for the extension  86 , and the extension  86  is sufficiently sturdy, so that at least one operator may stand upon the extension  86  and perform his/her desired duties. 
     The retractable extension  86  may have any suitable components, configuration and operation. Referring again to  FIG. 3 , in the example shown, the retractable extension  86  include a catwalk  88  that resides below the top  80  of the stand  78  when retracted. The catwalk  88  may have any suitable shape, form and configuration. For example, the catwalk  88  may be a plate-like member, include side safety lips (not shown) or any other desired components or features. The illustrated catwalk  88  is mounted on a set of linear bearings (not shown) that slide in a pair of corresponding rails (not shown), which operate similar to various conventional desk drawers to allow the catwalk  88  to be extended and retracted as desired. However, the catwalk  88  may be connected to the platform  74  and operate in any other desired manner and with any other suitable components. 
     The platform  74  may have additional components or features. For example, the platform  74  may include hand rails (not shown) extending upwardly from the top  80  or other component. If included, the hand rails may be extendable over the base  20  of the framework  16  along with the extension  86 . If desired, the extension  86  may be controllable by an operator separate from the other components of the system  10 , such as with the use of a dedicated control switch (not shown). 
     The container filling system  10  may be operated in any suitable manner. For example, one or more computer software-driven or otherwise electronic controllers (not shown) may be used to actuate one or more of the drivers  64 , actuators  37  and other desired components of the system  10 . For example, the controller may be designed so that a total of one or two operator commands (e.g. actuation of a switch) may control all of the operations of the system  10  in filling, releasing and moving a container. It should be noted that while the involvement of a human operator in engaging the container(s) (not shown) with the grippers  30  has been described with respect to particular embodiments, the entire process may be automated or otherwise computer-software driven. Further, the components and techniques used in controlling the system  10  are not limiting upon the present disclosure or the appended claims. 
     In accordance with another independent aspect of the present disclosure, an embodiment of a method of non-manually laterally moving multiple grippers  30  of a container filling system  10  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-10 . However, it should be understood that reference to  FIGS. 1-10  is for illustrative purposes only. Neither this embodiment of a method of operation nor the present disclosure should be limited to use with the illustrated embodiments. 
     In accordance with this embodiment, referring to  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 , when it is desired to connect a container (not shown) to the system  10 , the rear gripper  42 ,  46  are placed in their engaging positions. For example, if the rear grippers  42 ,  46  are not in engaging positions, the appropriate drivers  64  may be actuated to move the rear grippers  42 ,  46  along the respective guide rails  52  toward the front  22  of the framework  16 . The drivers  64  may be actuated in any desired manner, such as by a software-driven controller. 
     In use of the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the actuators  66  will be actuated to move the rear grippers  42 ,  46  forward and eventually into contact with the corresponding front grippers  34 ,  38 . The rear grippers  42 ,  46  will abut and push the respective front gripper  34 ,  38  forward a desired distance. In this example, in order to position the rear grippers  42 ,  46  in their engaging positions, the front grippers  34 ,  38  will be pushed to their forward-extended positions (see e.g.  FIG. 4 ). For another example, in use of the embodiment of  FIGS. 6 &amp; 7 , the drivers  90 ,  94  will be actuated to move the front grippers  34 ,  38  to a forward-extended position and the drivers  92 ,  96  will be actuated to move the rear grippers  42 ,  46  to their engaging positions. 
     After the rear grippers  42 ,  46  are moved to an engaging position, the container may be connected to the rear grippers  42 ,  46 . For example, if the grippers  30  are the type shown in  FIGS. 8-10 , the operator may engage a portion, such as a loop, of the container (not shown) with the lower finger  33  of each rear gripper  42 ,  46  so that the container hangs from the grippers  42 ,  46 . If the system  10  includes an operator platform  74 , the operator may stand on the top  80  of the stand  78  to connect the container with the rear grippers  42 ,  46 . 
     The rear grippers  42 ,  46  may thereafter be moved toward the rear  23  of the framework  16 . In use of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 and 6 , the drivers  64  associated with the rear grippers  42 ,  46  may be actuated, similarly as described above, to move the rear grippers  42 ,  46  directly to their filling positions. However, in other embodiments, the rear grippers  42 ,  46  may be moved to an intermediate position. 
     When the rear grippers  42 ,  46  of  FIG. 1  are moved to their filling positions, they will pull the front grippers  34 ,  38  to their filling positions. For example, referring to  FIG. 4 , the bi-folding arms  62  of this embodiment will extend or expand out between corresponding front and rear grippers, pulling the front grippers  34 ,  38  from their forward extended positions to their filling positions (e.g.  FIG. 2 ). In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the front grippers  34 ,  38  are independently moveable to their filling positions by their drivers  90 ,  94 , respectively. 
     If the system  10  includes the operator platform  74 , the operator may cause the extension  86  to extend out from the platform  74  over the base  20  of the framework  16 , such as shown in  FIG. 3 . The operator may then step out onto the extension  86  and, in some applications, manually connect a central opening, neck, or other part of the container (not shown) to the filling spout  26 , as is or becomes further known. The operator may then return back to the top  80  of the platform  74 , retract the extension  86  and connect the container to the front grippers  34 ,  38 , similarly as described above with respect to the rear grippers  42 ,  46 . 
     After all the grippers  30  are positioned in their filling positions, the container may be filled with non-liquid material, as desired and as is or becomes further known. When it is desired to remove the container from the system  10 , the grippers  30  may be opened to disengage the container therefrom. For exampled, referring to  FIG. 10 , the actuators  37  may be automatically actuated to open each gripper  30 . The container is otherwise separated from the system  10  as is or becomes known and, if included, the conveyor  21  may move the container away from the system  10  as desired. However, the present disclosure is not limited to or require these particular actions. 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention thus offer advantages over the prior art and are well adapted to carry out one or more of the objects of the invention. However, the present invention does not require each of the components and acts described above and is in no way limited to the above-described embodiments, methods of operation, variables or values. Any one or more of the above components, features and processes may be employed in any suitable configuration without inclusion of other such components, features and processes. Moreover, the present invention includes additional features, capabilities, functions, methods, uses and applications that have not been specifically addressed herein but are, or will become, apparent from the description herein, the appended drawings and claims. 
     The methods that may be described above or claimed herein and any other methods which may fall within the scope of the appended claims can be performed in any desired suitable order and are not necessarily limited to any sequence described herein or as may be listed in the appended claims. Further, the methods of the present invention do not necessarily require use of the particular embodiments shown and described herein, but are equally applicable with any other suitable structure, form and configuration of components. 
     While exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, many variations, modifications and/or changes of the system, apparatus and methods of the present invention, such as in the components, details of construction and operation, arrangement of parts and/or methods of use, are possible, contemplated by the patent applicant(s), within the scope of the appended claims, and may be made and used by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or teachings of the invention and scope of appended claims. Thus, all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative, and the scope of the invention and the appended claims should not be limited to the embodiments described and shown herein.