Support plate for a package suitable for a food product

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11577871-B2
Application number	US-201716322868-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 31, 2017
Priority date	Aug 4, 2016
Publication date	Feb 14, 2023
Grant date	Feb 14, 2023

Abstract

A support plate for supporting a package during filling with a food product is disclosed. The support plate can include a wall defining a cavity for receiving a top portion of the package. The wall has a slanted interior surface that is complementary to the top portion of the package. The support plate also comprises a support projection extending in a parallel direction to and away from the wall, the support projection being complementary to and for abutting the top portion of the package, wherein the top portion can include a concave top surface and a second concave surface. A system that can include the support plate for use in a filling machine and a filling machine that can include a plurality of the systems are also disclosed.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A support plate configured to support a package while the package is being filled with a food product, the support plate comprising:
wall defining a cavity for receiving a top portion of the package and
having a slanted interior surface; and
a support projection extending in a direction parallel to and away from the wall, the support projection configured to abut the top portion of the package and to rest against a concave surface of the package.

2. The support plate of claim 1 , further comprising a pair of clip members and a connecting portion, the clip members being located at opposing ends of the connecting portion.

3. The support plate of claim 2 , wherein each clip member comprises a clip recess.

4. The support plate of claim 2 , further comprising a grip member on a longitudinal side of the connecting portion.

5. The support plate of claim 1 , wherein the support plate is injection molded from plastic.

6. The support plate of claim 1 , further comprising a pair of clip members and a connecting portion, the clip members being located at opposing ends of the connecting portion, each clip member comprising a clip recess, the connecting portion comprising a grip member positioned on a longitudinal side of the connecting portion.

7. The support plate of claim 1 , wherein the wall comprises a slanted interior portion, the wall configured to enclose the package.

8. A system for use in a filling machine, the system comprising:
a package guide; and
the support plate of claim 1 ;
wherein the support plate is mounted on the package guide and the package guide is configured for receiving a package.

9. The system according to claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of support ridges located on external opposing faces of the package guide- and a pair of clip members each comprising a clip recess, each support ridge being receivable by one of the clip recesses.

10. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the package guide comprises a bevelled end.

11. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the package guide comprises a viewing hole.

12. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the package guide is made of metal.

13. A filling machine comprising:
a rotating support;
a plurality of the system of claim 8 mounted on the rotating support; and
a filling station for filling a package with a food product when the package is being supported by the support plate of each system.

14. The filling machine of claim 13 , further comprising a sterilizer selected from the group consisting of an ultra-violet lamp, a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) purifier, and a hydrogen peroxide sprayer.

15. The filling machine of claim 13 , further comprising a package feeder for providing a package to the plurality of systems.

16. The filling machine of claim 13 , further comprising a sealing station for sealing a bottom of the package after filling the package with the food product.

Assignees

• Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance

Inventors

• Jönsson Joel

Classifications

• B65B55/10

  by liquids or gases · CPC title

• B65B55/08

  by irradiation · CPC title

• B65B43/54 Primary

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

• B65B51/00

  Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags · CPC title