Container filling machine

A suction device for use with a container filling machine, the suction device comprising:

• a) a discrete article guiding passage for guiding discrete articles into the container, the discrete article guiding passage comprising:
• (1) a passageway having a length through which discrete articles pass prior to entering the container;
• and
• (2) at least one suction aperture into which airborne particles are sucked, the at least one suction aperture being positioned at a region along the length of the passageway.
• b) a suction pump in communication with the discrete article guiding passage for creating a suction effect for sucking airborne particles into the at least one suction aperture.

A method for removing a container from continued travel along a production line, the method comprising:

• a) receiving a signal indicative that a container that has been filled by a container filling machine is a defective container;
• b) causing a container removing device to establish suction engagement with the defective container while the defective container is in contact with a container engaging device of a container filling machine;
• c) causing the defective container to be carried, via the suction engagement, to a drop-off position wherein the defective container is released from suction engagement, wherein at the drop-off position the defective container has been removed from continued travel along the production line;
• and
• d) receiving a signal confirming that the defective container has been released at the drop-off position.

An assembly for use with a container filling machine, comprising:

• a) a feed screw for supporting at least one container as the at least one container is being filled by the container filling machine, the feed screw comprising a set of indents for contacting a side portion of the at least one container;
• b) a container removing device comprising a plurality of container engaging recesses, wherein at least one of the plurality of container engaging recesses is in contact with the at least one container while the container is in contact with the feed screw;
• c) a control entity for:
• i) determining whether the at least one container is a defective container;
• ii) upon determination that the at least one container is a defective container, causing the container removing device to establish suction engagement with the defective container while the defective container is in contact with the feed screw for carrying the defective container to a drop-off position wherein the defective container is released from suction engagement with the container removing device, wherein at the drop-off position the defective container has been removed from continued travel along the production line.