Auto-feed assembly for modular filling systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11377246-B2
Application number	US-201916592385-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 3, 2019
Priority date	Oct 3, 2018
Publication date	Jul 5, 2022
Grant date	Jul 5, 2022

Abstract

An adjustable table assembly for use in a filler assembly includes a table having a top surface configured to receive a flexible container thereon and a clamp disposed on the table and configured to releasably secure the flexible container to the table. The table has an infeed end and an outfeed end opposite the infeed end. The table is movable along a plurality of rails affixed to the filler assembly. The table is movable between a loading position, in which the table is configured to receive the flexible container, and an operating position, in which the table is inside the filler assembly. The movement of the table along the plurality of rails is along a first axis. Filler assemblies and methods of using adjustable table assemblies are also disclosed.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. An adjustable table assembly for use in a filler assembly, the adjustable table assembly comprising:
a table having a top surface configured to receive a flexible container thereon, the table having an infeed end and an outfeed end opposite the infeed end and a slot defined in the top surface of the table that is generally parallel to the outfeed end; and
a clamp disposed on the table and configured to releasably secure the flexible container to the table;
wherein the table is movable along a plurality of rails affixed to the filler assembly, the table being movable between a loading position, in which the table is configured to receive the flexible container, and an operating position, in which the table is inside the filler assembly, the movement of the table along the plurality of rails being along a first axis.

2. The adjustable table assembly of claim 1 , wherein the slot is configured to receive the flexible container therein,
wherein the clamp is disposed underneath the top surface of the table and is configured to releasably secure the flexible container in the slot.

3. The adjustable table assembly of claim 1 , wherein the flexible container is a bag having a spout extending therefrom.

4. The adjustable table assembly of claim 1 , wherein the top surface defines a dimpled textured thereon.

5. The adjustable table assembly of claim 1 , wherein the clamp has an open configuration in which the flexible container is not secured therein and a closed configuration in which the flexible container is secured in the clamp,
wherein the clamp includes a first clamping side, a second clamping side opposite the first clamping side, and an actuator,
wherein the actuator is configured to move at least one of the first and second clamping sides towards the other of the first and second clamping sides when the clamp is moved into the closed configuration, and away from the other of the first and second clamping sides when the clamp is moved into the open configuration.

6. The adjustable table assembly of claim 5 , wherein the first clamping side and the second clamping side each include an elastic layer thereon, the elastic layers on each of the first and second clamping sides being configured to contact the flexible container when the clamp is in the closed configuration.

7. The adjustable table assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a height adjustment assembly configured to be actuated to move the table along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis.

8. The adjustable table assembly of claim 7 , wherein the height adjustment assembly includes a plurality of first heads fixedly attached to the table, a plurality of second heads fixedly attached to the plurality of rails, and a connector attached to both the first and second heads,
wherein the connector is configured to be moved such that the first and second head are movable closer to each other or farther from each other.

9. The adjustable table assembly of claim 1 , wherein the table defines a front face at the infeed end, the front face being connected to the top surface at an edge.

10. The adjustable table assembly of claim 9 , wherein the front face is rounded.

11. The adjustable table assembly of claim 9 , wherein the edge is rounded to have a curvature radius of between 0.25 inches and 5 inches.

12. The adjustable table assembly of claim 1 , wherein the clamp is disposed closer to the outfeed end of the table than to the infeed end.

13. The adjustable table assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable rail assembly configured to guide the flexible container along the table,
wherein the adjustable rail assembly includes two parallel rails that define a space therebetween, the space being configured to receive the flexible container therein.

14. The adjustable table assembly of claim 13 , wherein the adjustable rail assembly is configured to change the space between the two parallel rails, wherein at least one of the two parallel rails is configured to be moved to change the dimensions of the space between the two parallel rails.

15. A filler assembly for moving a flowable material into a flexible container, the filler assembly comprising an adjustable table assembly of claim 1 .

16. The adjustable table assembly of claim 1 , further including a plurality of sliding rails affixed to the table that slidably move along the plurality of rails affixed to the filler assembly.

17. A method of feeding a flexible container into a filler assembly using an adjustable table assembly having a table and a clamp, the method comprising:
moving the table along a first axis in a first direction into a predetermined loading position;
introducing the flexible container at an infeed end of the table and onto a top surface defined on the table;
moving the flexible container into a slot defined on the top surface;
securing the flexible container in the slot with a clamp disposed on the adjustable table assembly; and
moving the table along the first axis in a second direction opposite the first direction and into a predetermined operating position.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the clamp secures the flexible container underneath the top surface of the table.

19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising moving the table along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis when the table is in the predetermined loading position.

20. The method of claim 17 , further comprising actuating operation of the filler assembly after moving the table into the predetermined operating position.

21. The method of claim 17 , further comprising positioning at least one safety guard adjacent to the adjustable table assembly after moving the table into the predetermined operating position.

22. The method of claim 17 , further including providing a sliding rail attached to the table and sliding the sliding rail along a rail affixed to the filler assembly.

Assignees

• Liqui Box Corp

Inventors

• Menear Tad
• Woodhouse John
• Hildebrand John J

Classifications

• B65B43/28

  by grippers co-operating with fixed supports · CPC title

• B65B43/54 Primary

  Means for supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation · CPC title

• B65B43/465

  for bags · CPC title

• B65B67/1233

  Clamping or holding means · CPC title

• B65B67/04

  Devices facilitating the insertion of articles or materials into bags {, e.g. guides or chutes (sack holders B65B67/12)} · CPC title