Abstract:
A container filling device fills containers, in particular wine bottles and bag-in-box type containers, with fluid from a supply reservoir, for example a reservoir for containing homemade wine. The device includes a nozzle fixed above a movable carrier which supports the container to be filled thereon. The nozzle receives fluid from a pump controlled by a mechanism which dispenses a controlled volume of fluid into the container. The carrier is movable from a bottle position for supporting a wine bottle between the nozzle and carrier and a bag mode in which a bag holder is supported on the carrier which supports a bag from a bag-in-box container thereon with the spout of the bag in alignment with the nozzle.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a container filling device for filling a container with fluid from a supply reservoir, and more particularly relates to a device for filing bag-in-box type containers of the type commonly used for storing wine therein.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Wine is commonly available in either bottles or bag in box type containers in which a bag having a spout is supported in a surrounding box. Various known equipment exists for filling containers of the type commonly available for wine, however these devices in general typically involve a production line rather then being reduced to a sufficiently small scale for personal use by persons making their own wine and subsequently packaging the wine.  
         [0003]     Various examples of filling devices relating to bag in box type containers or bottles are described in the following documents: U.S. Pat. No. 3,299,606; U.S. Pat. No. 3,377,775; U.S. Pat. No. 3,447,281; U.S. Pat. No. 3,927,700; U.S. Pat. No. 4,077,182; U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,203; U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,674; U.S. Pat. No. 4,452,030; U.S. Pat. No. 4,530,202; U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,154; U.S. Pat. No. 4,840,017; PCT/AU82/00089 (Quinsee); PCT/AU95/00879 (Astrapak Limited); U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,324 (Masahiko et al); JP2000168704 (Hirolo); JP2003026101 (Hirokazu et al); JP11171101 (Norisane); JP8183504 (Akihiro); JP8151003 (Satsuki); and JP619516 (Satsuki et al).  
         [0004]     The known devices for filling containers with wine and the like are generally too complex for individual or personal use. In particular, none provide a simple means of metering the volume of fluid to be dispensed into a particular type or size of bag for bag-in-box type containers. Furthermore, none provide the ability to interchangeably fill either bottles or bags as desired by the user. Accordingly the purchase of separate equipment is cost prohibitive for persons who make their own wine or require small scale use.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a container filling device for filling a container with fluid from a supply reservoir, the device comprising:  
         [0006]     a nozzle for dispensing the fluid therefrom into the container;  
         [0007]     a pump including an intake hose for communication with the supply reservoir and an outlet hose for communication with the nozzle; and  
         [0008]     a carrier for supporting the container below the nozzle;  
         [0009]     the carrier being operable in either a bottle mode in which the container comprises a conventional wine bottle supported between the nozzle and the carrier and a bag mode in which the container comprises a conventional wine bag having a spout supported in alignment with the nozzle.  
         [0010]     By providing a container filling device having a carrier which is operable in either a bag mode or a bottle mode provides the convenience of packages liquids in either bottles or bag in box type containers in a manner which is affordable to users at home. By further providing a control mechanism in a device for filling a wine bag in box type container, a controlled volume of fluid can be dispensed into the bag which corresponds to the recommended volume for a particular bag type.  
         [0011]     There may be provided a control mechanism for operating the pump to dispense a control volume of fluid through the nozzle upon activation wherein the controlled volume of fluid is preferably adjustable.  
         [0012]     There may be provided an override switch on the control mechanism for operating the pump directly instead of through the controlled mechanism in a bottle mode.  
         [0013]     Preferably there is provided a pressure relief valve coupled to the nozzle for shutting off flow to the nozzle when a prescribed pressure is exceeded, representative of the container being filled during the bottle mode of operation.  
         [0014]     Preferably the carrier is biased upwardly toward the nozzle.  
         [0015]     The carrier generally comprises a horizontal plate for supporting the container thereon to be moveable relative to the nozzle which is fixed in relation to the pump.  
         [0016]     The carrier may further comprise a bottle guide including means for locating a bottle thereon concentrically with the nozzle.  
         [0017]     In addition, the carrier preferably includes a bag holder selectively supported thereon in the bag mode, the bag holder comprising a base member and a spout support supported spaced above the base.  
         [0018]     Preferably a height extension member is used for supporting the bag support on the carrier spaced upwardly towards the nozzle.  
         [0019]     When the carrier comprises a substantially horizontal plate supported on a post, the height extension preferably comprises a channel for slidably receiving the plate therein and a slot for slidably receiving the post therein.  
         [0020]     The nozzle is preferably surrounded by a frusto conical shaped sealing member.  
         [0021]     The pressure relief valve may include an overflow hose to which flow is directed when the nozzle is closed. There may be provided a bottle holder for supporting a conventional wine bottle therein for receiving the overflow hose.  
         [0022]     According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a container filling device for filling a bag, having a spout and being supportable in a box, with fluid from a supply reservoir, the device comprising:  
         [0023]     a nozzle for dispensing the fluid therefrom;  
         [0024]     a pump including an intake hose for communication with the supply reservoir and an outlet hose for communication with the nozzle;  
         [0025]     a carrier for supporting a bag thereon such that the spout is supported below the nozzle in alignment therewith; and  
         [0026]     a control mechanism for operating the pump to dispense a controlled volume of fluid through the nozzle upon activation.  
         [0027]     The control mechanism preferably comprises a timer for operating the pump for a prescribed duration corresponding to a prescribed volume of fluid to be dispensed.  
         [0028]     Preferably the control mechanism includes reset means for dispensing a subsequent controlled volume of fluid through the nozzle upon activation.  
         [0029]     One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0030]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the container filling device in a bottle mode.  
         [0031]      FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  are respective side elevational, front elevational and top plan views of the device in the bottle mode.  
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the device in a bag mode of operation.  
         [0033]      FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8  are respective side elevation, front elevational and top plan views of the device in the bag mode.  
         [0034]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the biasing mechanism supported within the housing for biasing the carrier upwardly towards the nozzle.  
         [0035]      FIG. 10  is a schematic flow diagram illustrating how the device dispenses fluid into a container from a supply reservoir.  
         [0036]      FIG. 11  is a schematic view of the electrical components of the controller. 
     
    
       [0037]     In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0038]     Referring to the accompanying figures there is illustrated a container filling container device generally indicted by reference numeral  10 . The device  10  is particularly suited for filling bottles, bag in box type containers, or any other suitable container for packaging a liquid therein.  
         [0039]     The bag in box type containers to which the invention is particularly suited generally comprise a bag having a spout which snaps into a spout opening in a side of the bag. The bag then fits within a box having an opening for receiving the spout therethrough adjacent the bottom end of the box.  
         [0040]     The device  10  fills a container  12  from a supply reservoir  14  using a pump  16  controlled by a suitable controller  18  as described herein. The device  10  includes a carrier  20  which supports the container  12  thereon below a nozzle  22  receiving fluid from the outlet hose  24  of the pump  16 . The corresponding intake hose  26  of the pump comprises an elongate flexible hose which is simply inserted through the open top end of the reservoir  14 . A pressure relief valve  28  is coupled between the pump  16  and the nozzle  22  for controlling flow to an overflow container  30 .  
         [0041]     The device  10  includes a platform base  32  suitable for mounting on a countertop or other horizontal supporting surface. A rectangular housing  34  extends upwardly from the platform base  32  at one end thereof for supporting the carrier  20  thereon spaced above the platform. The housing additionally supports the nozzle  22  directly above the carrier  20 . The pump  16  is mounted on top of the housing near the nozzle  22 .  
         [0042]     The carrier  20  generally comprises a circular plate  36  which is oriented horizontally on the free end of a support arm  38 . The support arm  38  projects horizontally from a track  40  mounted vertically within the housing. A slot  42  through a side wall of the housing receives the support arm  38  therethrough and permits sliding movement of the support arm and plate thereon along the vertical track  40  through the slot in the housing wall.  
         [0043]     A rod  44  is mounted within the housing in a fixed relationship alongside the track  40 . The rod  44  carries a compression spring  46  thereabout. A bottom washer  48  is held in place at a bottom end of the rod by a suitable nut for engaging one end of the spring  46 .  
         [0044]     A top flange  50  is slidable along the track  40  in fixed relationship with the support arm  38  and includes an aperture therein for receiving the rod therethrough. A suitable washer is mounted adjacent the top flange for engaging the opposing top end of the compression spring  46 . Accordingly when the plate  36  and support arm  38  are moved downwardly, the top flange  50  which moves with the support arm in the track  40  causes compression of the spring  16  against the bottom washer  48  to provide a biasing force which urges the plate back upwardly towards the starting position. When the top flange  50  reaches the top end of the rod  44 , corresponding to the top end track  40 , the support arm reaches its end of travel within the slot  42  in the housing so that continued upward movement of the carrier  20  towards the nozzle is prevented.  
         [0045]     The carrier  20  is operable in a bottle mode of operation as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , as well as being operable in a bag mode as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 through 7 .  
         [0046]     In the bottle mode, a bottle guide  52  is supported on the carrier plate  36 . The bottle guide  52  is circular and includes a depending peripheral flange which fits about the periphery of the plate  36  upon which it rests. An upper surface of the bottle guide  52  includes a peripheral ridge  54  and a central projection  56  which are concentric with the nozzle below which they are supported. The ridge  54  and projection  56  thus assist in locating a bottle in relation to the nozzle.  
         [0047]     Range of motion of the carrier plate  36  is selected so that at its lowermost position clearance between the bottom free end of the nozzle and the bottle guide  52  is sufficient for receiving a conventional wine bottle therebetween. At an upper end of travel, the carrier plate  36  is permitted to move upwardly beyond a point at which a bottle resting on the bottle guide  52  would engage the nozzle so that a continued upward biasing force is applied to the bottle upon engagement with the nozzle for sealing therebetween.  
         [0048]     In the bag mode, a bag holder  58  is arranged to be supported on the carrier plate  36  using a height extension member  60 . The holder  58  generally comprises a base plate  62  which is rectangular and sufficiently broad for supporting a conventional wine bag thereon. An end plate  64  extends vertically upward from one end of the base plate for mounting a spout support  66  parallel and spaced above the base plate  62 . The spout support  66  includes a slot formed therein suitably sized for supporting the spout opening of the wine bag therein.  
         [0049]     The height extension member includes a channel formed by upper and lower base plates  68  and  70 . The upper and lower base plates are supported by a spacer  72  of thickness corresponding approximately to the thickness of the carrier plate  36 , for snugly receiving the carrier plate between the base plates. The spacer  72  includes a curved inner profile corresponding to a radius of curvature of the carrier plate  36  for locating the position of the height extension member in relation to the carrier plate.  
         [0050]     A central slot  74  extends from the center of the lower most base plate  70  to a rear edge of the plate for receiving a post  76  slidably therethrough which supports the carrier plate  36  on the free end of the support arm  38 .  
         [0051]     The height extension member further includes a pair of side panels  78  which are spaced apart on opposing sides of the base plates and which extend upwardly therefrom parallel to one another to a top plate  80  spanning thereacross. The top panel  80  is parallel to the base plates and supports the holder  58  thereon. By providing a channel at the base of the height extension member, the height extension member can be readily slid onto the carrier for selective mounting and disassembly when converting between the bag mode and bottle mode of operations. The height extension member has a height which corresponds to approximately two thirds of a conventional wine bottle so that a combined height of the height extension member and the bag holder  58  which rests thereon fits between the carrier and the nozzle as does the bottle in the bottle mode of operation.  
         [0052]     The pump outlet hose  24  feeds T-connector  82  to subsequently feed the nozzle  22  and the pressure relief valve  28 . The nozzle includes a frusto conical shaped sealing member about an outer periphery thereof which tapers towards the opening at the bottom free end of the nozzle. The frusto conical seal tapers in width from a top end which is greater in diameter than the neck of a conventional wine bottle and the narrow bottom end which is smaller in diameter than a conventional wine bottle opening for being received therein.  
         [0053]     The nozzle further includes an internal valve member, not shown, for shutting off flow through the nozzle when the internal valve member is seated. The internal valve member is controlled by the pressure relief valve  28  in such a manner that when excess pressure beyond a prescribed set point pressure occurs, the pressure relief valve closes that internal valve member of the nozzle and opens flow through the overflow hose to the overflow container  30 . A set screw  84  on the pressure relief valve  28  permits adjustment of the set point pressure. A bottle carrier  86  is mounted on the side of the housing in the form of a sleeve structure for slidably receiving a conventional wine bottle therein for use as the overflow container  30 . When filling multiple bottles, the combined overflow of several bottles substantially fills the overflow container resulting in an additional bottle being filled.  
         [0054]     When operating in the bottle mode, the pressure relief valve  28  detects when the bottle is full as pressure begins to accumulate due to sealing engagement of the nozzle with the bottle opening. When a user visually sees flow in the overflow hose, the pump is manually switched off and the bottle on the carrier plate  36  is replaced with a new empty bottle to continue the filling operation.  
         [0055]     The nozzle  22  in either mode of operation is fixed in relation to the housing and is supported concentrically with the support plate  36  spaced above the carrier  20 . The nozzle is vertically oriented to point downwardly into a container therebelow to be filled.  
         [0056]     The housing also contains a controller  88  powered by a suitable transformer (not shown) also supported within the housing to permit plugging directly into a conventional household electrical power supply outlet. The controller  88  effectively controls power supplied to the pump  16  for controlling on and off operation of the pump. In the bag mode of operation, an on/off switch  90  is provided for controlling power supplied to a relay timer  92  which in turn controls power supplied to the pump  16 . When the switch  90  is turned on, the relay timer  92  is activated and the pump is then operated until a prescribed duration of the timer expires at which point power is interrupted to the pump and the pump is shutoff. The timer  92  includes an adjustable dial control  94  which can be varied between various preset durations which correspond to different prescribed volumes of fluid to be dispensed for filling different bags. A reset switch  96  is coupled to the timer  92  so that upon expiry of the timer, a new cycle may begin when the reset switch  96  is depressed. Upon depressing the reset switch  96 , the timer then executes operation of the pump for the prescribed duration once again to fill a new bag which has been loaded onto the bag holder.  
         [0057]     For operation in the bottle mode, a bottle on/off switch  98  is provided on the housing which bypasses the relay timer  92  to activate the pump  16  directly when the switch is in the on position. The sealing engagement of the nozzle against a bottle eventually causes pressure to build up when the bottle becomes full, to trip the pressure relief valve and cause flow to be redirected into the overflow container, at which point the on/off switch  98  is manually switched off. A manual switch  100  on the pressure relief valve permits the valve to be reset for filling another bottle with flow directed through the nozzle when the switch  98  is again turned on.  
         [0058]     Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.