# US 2013/0153086 A1 · Product filler assembly having a nozzle cutoff assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0153086 A1 - Document ID: US20130153086A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/327,935 - Filed: 2011-12-16 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-16 - Inventors: Steven Davis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153086A1 ## CPC - B65B 39/04: having air-escape, or air-withdrawal, passages - B65B 39/001: {with flow cut-off means, e.g. valves} - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) ## Abstract A product filler assembly (i.e., fill valve) configured for use in association with any number of flowable material, however, it is particularly well suited for flowable material that is otherwise difficult to fill due to viscosity, surface tension and/or poor separation characteristics. Most preferably, the device is configured to provide a laminar flow of the product being filled, proportional to the size of the package. The product filler assembly includes a nozzle cutoff assembly which directs air or other fluids at the opening of the product filler assembly to separate the flowable material from the filler assembly and to reduce seal contamination of packages or containers. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A product filler assembly comprising: fill tube having an opening for the passage of a flowable material, the opening being selectively opened and closed to selectively allow or preclude the passage of a flowable material therethrough; and a nozzle cutoff assembly including at least one nozzle fixed in orientation to the opening of the fill tube, the nozzle being selectively activated to direct one of a gas and a fluid therethrough. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The product filler assembly of claim 1 wherein the nozzle cutoff assembly includes a pair of nozzle cutoff assemblies on opposing sides of the opening, each nozzle configured to selectively direct a stream one of a gas and a fluid toward the opening of the fill tube. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The product filler assembly of claim 2 wherein the stream from the first of the pair of nozzles and the stream from the second pair of nozzles are mirror images of each other on opposing sides of the opening of the fill tube, wherein the pair of streams are angled to meet under the opening in a centrally located orientation. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The product filler assembly of claim 2 wherein the stream from the first of the pair of nozzles and the stream from the second pair of nozzles are radially offset from each other so as to impart a rotational flow downstream of the opening of the fill tube. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The product filler assembly of claim 2 wherein the stream from the first of the pair of nozzles and the stream form the second pair of nozzles are spaced apart from the opening so that the first one of the pair of nozzles is downstream of the opening further than the second one of the pair of nozzles so as to have the streams intersect in an offset manner downstream of the opening of the fill tube. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The product filler assembly of claim 2 wherein each of the nozzles is inclined at an angle relative to the opening, at an angle of between 15° and 60°. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The product filler assembly of claim 1 wherein the fill tube includes a lower fill tube member having a lower cavity, the lower cavity having a reduced cross-sectional configuration and being elongated so as to facilitate laminar flow of the flowable material therethrough. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The product filler assembly of claim 1 wherein the fill tube further includes a plunger which selectively opens and closes the lower opening passage, thereby selectively allowing and precluding the flow of flowable material therethrough. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The product filler assembly of claim 8 wherein the plunger further includes a sealing end which is of a substantially hemispherical configuration. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The product filler assembly of claim 1 wherein the lower fill tuber member further includes an elongated duckbill valve, the duckbill valve including an elongated passage to facilitate a laminar flow of the flowable material therethrough, and the duckbill valve having a duckbill opening at a second end thereof, whereupon the direction of flowable material toward and into contact with the second end of the duckbill valve at a predetermined pressure causes the duckbill opening to open and allow the passage of flowable material therethrough. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The product filler assembly of claim 1 wherein the fill tube includes an adapter member and a retainer member, each with a central passage, the elongated duckbill valve including a flange which is sandwiched between the adapter member and the retainer member in sealing engagement. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The product filler assembly of claim 11 wherein the nozzle cutoff assembly includes at least one cutoff nozzle which is integrally formed with the retainer member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The product filler assembly of claim 1 wherein the nozzle cutoff assembly is rigidly coupled to the and rigidly located relative to the opening, to, in turn, allow for the precise direction of a fluid or gas from the nozzle relative to the opening.