GB2598517A - Method of filling cups and apparatus for filling cups - Google Patents
Method of filling cups and apparatus for filling cups Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2598517A GB2598517A GB2117237.4A GB202117237A GB2598517A GB 2598517 A GB2598517 A GB 2598517A GB 202117237 A GB202117237 A GB 202117237A GB 2598517 A GB2598517 A GB 2598517A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- cup
- cups
- cup holder
- moving
- holder
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract 16
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 claims abstract 15
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims abstract 7
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 claims abstract 2
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
- B65B3/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B39/00—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers
- B65B39/12—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers movable towards or away from container or wrapper during filling or depositing
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
- B65B43/42—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
- B65B43/44—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation from supply magazines
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
- B65B43/42—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
- B65B43/52—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation using roller-ways or endless conveyors
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
- B65B43/42—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
- B65B43/54—Means for supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
- B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
- B65B7/28—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers
- B65B7/2842—Securing closures on containers
- B65B7/2878—Securing closures on containers by heat-sealing
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
- Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
- Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
Abstract
A method of filling cups comprises moving a cup holder with a plurality of cup-receiving sites to a first position relative to a cup dispenser, dispensing a cup from the cup dispenser to each of said plurality of cup-receiving sites on the cup holder while holding the cup holder stationary in the first position, and moving the cup holder from the first position to a second position. The method includes, while the cup holder is moving to the second position, dispensing product from a set of movable nozzles into the cups while moving the nozzles towards the second position to keep each nozzle positioned above or within a cup, then moving the cup holder from the second position to a third position, and while the cup holder is moving from the second position to the third position, applying a foil to each of said cups sealing each dispensed foil on the respective cup. When the cup holder reaches the third position, the sealed cups are removed to a packing area. An apparatus for performing the method is also described, in which cup holders are independently moveable along an electromagnetic track.
Claims (17)
1. A method of filling cups, the method comprising: providing a cup dispenser for dispensing a plurality of cups; providing at least one reservoir containing a product, and a plurality of movable nozzles for dispensing product from the or each reservoir; providing a foil dispenser; providing a sealing unit; moving a cup holder with a plurality of cup-receiving sites to a first position relative to the cup dispenser; (a) dispensing a cup from the cup dispenser to each of said plurality of cup-receiving sites on the cup holder while holding the cup holder stationary in the first position; (b) moving the cup holder from the first position to a second position; (c) while the cup holder is moving to the second position, dispensing product from the nozzles into the cups and moving the nozzles towards the second position to keep each nozzle positioned above or within a cup; (d) moving the cup holder from the second position to a third position; (e) while the cup holder is moving from the second position to the third position, applying a foil from the foil dispenser to each of said cups, and using the sealing unit to seal each dispensed foil on the respective cup; and (f) when the cup holder reaches the third position, removing the sealed cups to a packing area.
2. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising moving the nozzles upwards as they dispense product to the cups, to maintain a constant distance between each nozzle and the surface of the product in each cup.
3. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cup holders are moved at constant speed from the first position to the third position.
4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising holding the cup holder stationary at the third position when removing the sealed cups.
5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising returning the cup holder to the first position after removal of the sealed cups.
6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising, while the cup holder is moving to the second position, moving a further cup holder with a plurality of cup-receiving sites to the first position.
7. A method according to claim 6, further comprising repeating steps (a) to (f) for the further cup holder.
8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising moving the cup holder to a service area.
9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising dispensing a cup from the cup dispenser to each of the cup-receiving sites on at least two cup holders simultaneously while holding the at least two cup holders stationary in the first position.
10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising removing the sealed cups from each of at least two cup holders simultaneously while holding the at least two cup holders stationary in the third position.
1 1 . A method according to claim 9 or claim 10, comprising spacing the at least two cup holders apart during movement from the first position to the third position as the cups are filled and sealed, and reducing the spacing between the at least two cup holders at the first position and/or the third position.
12. Apparatus for filling cups, the apparatus comprising: a continuous track having a series of selectively energisable electromagnetic coils; a plurality of cup holders on the track, each cup holder having a plurality of cup-receiving sites; each cup holder provided with a magnetic mover for moving the cup holder along the track independently of the other cup holders in response to selective energising of the electromagnetic coils; a cup dispenser for dispensing a plurality of cups to cup-receiving sites on a cup holder when the cup holder is in a first position relative to the cup dispenser; a plurality of movable nozzles for dispensing product from a reservoir to cups on the cup holders; a foil dispenser for applying foils to cups on the cup holders; a sealing unit for sealing foils on cups on the cup holders; a release assembly for lifting and moving sealed cups from the cup holders; an outfeed transporter for moving sealed cups away from the track; actuators for operating the nozzles, the foil dispenser, and the sealing unit; and one or more controllers configured to cause energising and de-energising of the electromagnetic coils and operation of the actuators to: move a cup holder to the first position; and (a) dispense a cup from the cup dispenser to each of said plurality of cup receiving sites on the cup holder; (b) move the cup holder from the first position to a second position; (c) while the cup holder is moving to the second position, dispense product from the nozzles into the cups and move the nozzles towards the second position to keep each nozzle positioned above or within a cup; (d) move the cup holder from the second position to a third position; (e) while the cup holder is moving from the second position to the third position, apply a foil from the foil dispenser to each of said cups, and then seal each dispensed foil on a cup using the sealing unit; (f) actuate the release assembly to lift the sealed cups from the cup holder and deposit the sealed cups on the outfeed transporter when the cup holder is in the third position.
13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the nozzles are movable upwards and downwards.
14. Apparatus according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the or each controller is arranged and adapted to cause movement of the cup holders at constant speed between the first position and the third position.
15. Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the cup dispenser is arranged and adapted to dispense cups into the cup-receiving sites of two or more cup holders at the same time.
16. Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the foil dispenser is arranged and adapted to apply foils to a plurality of cups at a time.
17. Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the release assembly is arranged and adapted to grip and lift cups from two or more cup holders at the same time and place them on the outfeed transporter.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB1906419.5A GB201906419D0 (en) | 2019-05-07 | 2019-05-07 | Filling cups |
| PCT/GB2020/051116 WO2020225560A1 (en) | 2019-05-07 | 2020-05-06 | Method of filling cups and apparatus for filling cups |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB202117237D0 GB202117237D0 (en) | 2022-01-12 |
| GB2598517A true GB2598517A (en) | 2022-03-02 |
| GB2598517B GB2598517B (en) | 2023-02-08 |
Family
ID=67384848
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB1906419.5A Ceased GB201906419D0 (en) | 2019-05-07 | 2019-05-07 | Filling cups |
| GB2117237.4A Active GB2598517B (en) | 2019-05-07 | 2020-05-06 | Method of filling cups and apparatus for filling cups |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB1906419.5A Ceased GB201906419D0 (en) | 2019-05-07 | 2019-05-07 | Filling cups |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB201906419D0 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2020225560A1 (en) |
Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4042148A (en) * | 1974-05-16 | 1977-08-16 | Solo Cup Company | Cup filling and capping apparatus |
| US20080184671A1 (en) * | 2005-06-10 | 2008-08-07 | Tim Fleckenstein | Container Filling and Locking Device |
| WO2011039707A1 (en) * | 2009-10-02 | 2011-04-07 | Ima Flavour S.R.L. | Machine for packing infusion products into capsules |
| EP2483160B1 (en) * | 2009-10-02 | 2014-01-15 | Ima Industries S.R.L. | Machine for packing infusion products into capsules and featuring sealing unit |
| DE102016212227A1 (en) * | 2016-07-05 | 2018-01-11 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Device for filling packaging, in particular bottles or cups, with liquid to pasty food and beverages |
| DE102016212237A1 (en) * | 2016-07-05 | 2018-01-11 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Device for filling packaging, in particular bottles or cups, with liquid to pasty food and beverages |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP4603294B2 (en) | 2004-06-02 | 2010-12-22 | 四国化工機株式会社 | Filling and packaging machinery |
| WO2015121838A2 (en) | 2014-02-13 | 2015-08-20 | G.D Societa' Per Azioni | Application unit and method for applying a wall to a hollow body in a manufacturing process for producing a beverage capsule |
| WO2016088023A1 (en) | 2014-12-01 | 2016-06-09 | G.D S.P.A. | Machine for continuously making beverage capsules |
-
2019
- 2019-05-07 GB GBGB1906419.5A patent/GB201906419D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2020
- 2020-05-06 GB GB2117237.4A patent/GB2598517B/en active Active
- 2020-05-06 WO PCT/GB2020/051116 patent/WO2020225560A1/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4042148A (en) * | 1974-05-16 | 1977-08-16 | Solo Cup Company | Cup filling and capping apparatus |
| US20080184671A1 (en) * | 2005-06-10 | 2008-08-07 | Tim Fleckenstein | Container Filling and Locking Device |
| WO2011039707A1 (en) * | 2009-10-02 | 2011-04-07 | Ima Flavour S.R.L. | Machine for packing infusion products into capsules |
| EP2483160B1 (en) * | 2009-10-02 | 2014-01-15 | Ima Industries S.R.L. | Machine for packing infusion products into capsules and featuring sealing unit |
| DE102016212227A1 (en) * | 2016-07-05 | 2018-01-11 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Device for filling packaging, in particular bottles or cups, with liquid to pasty food and beverages |
| DE102016212237A1 (en) * | 2016-07-05 | 2018-01-11 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Device for filling packaging, in particular bottles or cups, with liquid to pasty food and beverages |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2598517B (en) | 2023-02-08 |
| GB202117237D0 (en) | 2022-01-12 |
| WO2020225560A1 (en) | 2020-11-12 |
| GB201906419D0 (en) | 2019-06-19 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| EP3241803B1 (en) | A linear single-block machine for rinsing, filling and sealing beverage cans | |
| JP5365905B2 (en) | Article processing equipment | |
| US9862552B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for transferring article layers between adjacent modules | |
| US6205743B1 (en) | Automatic machine for manufacturing, checking, filling and capping bottles made of thermoplastic material | |
| CA2407901A1 (en) | Apparatus and a method for collating and cartonning product units | |
| US20160280475A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for handling articles, piece goods, or bundles, respectively | |
| CN101014518A (en) | Device for grouping piece goods | |
| US10086961B2 (en) | Packaging machine and apparatus therefor | |
| WO1984001561A1 (en) | A method and apparatus for loading and unloading a storage and transport rack | |
| US10967998B2 (en) | Work station for a packaging line and a packaging line comprising at least two of said work stations | |
| CN105905520B (en) | Machine and method for transferring articles | |
| US3878665A (en) | Bottle packing installation | |
| US3431702A (en) | Machine for handling and treating articles in groups | |
| US3775934A (en) | Method of and apparatus for applying caps to containers | |
| CN103231908A (en) | Ultra-clean prefabricated cup filling machine | |
| US5927053A (en) | Case loader and method of loading | |
| GB1280844A (en) | Packaging apparatus and method | |
| JP2013095446A (en) | Weight filling apparatus | |
| WO2002060757A3 (en) | Method and apparatus for vaccum forming films | |
| US20180162573A1 (en) | Method of, and apparatus for, feeding products into containers | |
| CN103935546B (en) | A kind of box packing machine | |
| GB2598517A (en) | Method of filling cups and apparatus for filling cups | |
| US3866392A (en) | Packaging apparatus | |
| GB2358622A (en) | Carton filling device | |
| US2634874A (en) | Shipping case unloading apparatus |