US 2026/0097873 A1 · SYSTEMS AND TECHNIQUES FOR ASSEMBLING AND INTRODUCING CARTRIDGES INTO BEVERAGE CONTAINERS DURING PACKAGING

Abstract

Systems and methods for assembling and introducing cartridges containing remediating component(s) into packaged beverages are provided herein. In particular, an assembly system for filling and capping cartridges for introduction into beverage containers during a packaging process is provided herein. The assembly system may include a cartridge chute configured to receive and direct cartridges as they advance through the assembly system. The assembly system may include a filler-capper assembly having a filler assembly and capping assembly. The filler assembly includes at least one nozzle positioned to inject remediating components into an inner chamber of the cartridge. The capping assembly may include a sealing element configured to seat the cap onto the cartridge body after filling and may include a tamper to apply pressure and seal the cartridge. The assembly system may include a retaining member and transfer element operating coordinately to transfer sealed cartridges out of the assembly system.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An assembly system (102) for filling and capping a cartridge (101) for introduction into a beverage container during a packaging process for the beverage container (109), the assembly system (102) comprising:

a cartridge chute (936) configured to receive the cartridge (101) and to direct the cartridge (101) as the cartridge (101) advances through the assembly system (102), wherein the cartridge (101) comprises a cap (214) and a body (213) having an inner chamber (220) extending from a top end towards a bottom end of the body (213);
and
a filler-capper assembly (105) comprising:
a filler assembly (934) comprising at least one nozzle positioned to inject a remediating component into the inner chamber (220) of the cartridge (101) when the cartridge (101) progresses along the cartridge chute (936);
and
a capping assembly (935) comprising a sealing element (940) configured to seat the cap (214) of the cartridge (101) onto a top end of the body (213) of the cartridge (101) after the remediating component is injected into the inner chamber (220) of the cartridge (101).

3 more elements

A filler-capper assembly (105) for filling and sealing a cartridge (101) comprising one or more remediating components for enhancing packaged beverages, the filler-capper assembly (105) comprising:

a filler assembly (934) comprising at least one nozzle positioned to inject a remediating component into an inner chamber (220) of the cartridge (101) when the cartridge (101) progresses through the filler-capper assembly (105), wherein the cartridge (101) comprises a cap (214) and a body (213) including the inner chamber (220) which extends from a top end towards a bottom end of the body (213);
and
a capping assembly (935) comprising a sealing element (940) configured to position the cap (214) of the cartridge (101) onto the body (213) after filling with the remediating component.

A method for assembling a plurality of cartridges (101) for introduction into a plurality of beverage containers (109), the method comprising:

receiving, by a cartridge chute (936) of an assembly system (102), the plurality of cartridges (101), wherein each cartridge (101) of the plurality of cartridges (101) comprises a cap (214) and a body (213) having an inner chamber (220) extending from a top end towards a bottom end of the body (213);
filling, by a filler assembly (934) of the assembly system (102), an inner chamber (220) of a first cartridge (101) of the plurality of cartridges (101) with a remediating component;
once filled, progressing, by the cartridge chute (936), the first cartridge (101) from the filler assembly (934) to a capping assembly (935) of the assembly system (102);
capping, by the capping assembly (935), the first cartridge (101) using a sealing element (940) configured to seat the cap (214) onto the top end of the body (213) of the cartridge (101), thereby forming a sealed cartridge (101);
progressing, by the cartridge chute (936), the sealed cartridge (101) to a staging position;
retaining, by the capping assembly (935), the sealed cartridge (101) in the staging position until the assembly detects that a second cartridge (101) is sealed by the capping assembly (935);
and
transferring, by the capping assembly (935), the sealed cartridge (101) through an outlet (1249) of the assembly system (102).

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Systems and techniques for assembling and introducing cartridges into beverage containers during packaging

Life of this patent

Systems and techniques for assembling and introducing cartridges into beverage containers during packaging

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20