Automatic tube filling device and process
AssigneeInnovative Automation, Inc.
InventorsJames D'Addario, Steven T. Murray
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automated tube filling machine and process having a plurality of work stations, a rotating disc to deliver the tubes to the work stations and a central processing unit to control implementation of the work stations and rotation of the disc.
Claims30
An apparatus for filling tubes comprising:
- a) means for moving a tube serially to a plurality of work stations;
- b) means for delivering empty tubes having a fill opening to the means for moving a tube serially to a plurality of work stations;
- c) means for orienting a tube to provide a desired orientation for subsequent work stations;
- d) means for filling a tube;
- e) mean for sealing the fill opening on the tube after a tube has been filled;
- and
- f) means for removing a sealed filled tube from the means for moving a tube serially to a plurality of work stations;
- wherein the means for delivering empty tubes to the means for moving tubes serially to a plurality of work stations is comprised of sensor means for detecting if a tube exists and is correctly positioned, a pivotally mounted carriage, means for releasably retaining an empty tube to the carriage, means for pivoting the carriage to deliver the empty tube to the means for moving tubes serially to a plurality of work stations and means for positively securing the empty tube to the means for moving the tubes serially to a plurality of work stations.
An apparatus for filling tubes comprising:
- a) means for moving a tube serially to a plurality of work stations;
- b) means for delivering empty tubes having a fill opening to the means for moving a tube serially to a plurality of work stations;
- c) means for orienting a tube to provide a desired orientation for subsequent work stations;
- d) means for determining if the desired orientation is achieved before filling an empty tube;
- e) means for removing an empty tube that has not been oriented as desired from the means for moving a tube serially to a plurality of work stations before filling the empty tube;
- f) means for filling a tube;
- g) means for sealing the fill opening on the tube after a tube has been filled;
- and
- h) means for removing a sealed filled tube from the means for moving a tube serially to a plurality of work stations.
An apparatus for filling tubes having a plurality of work stations for performing individual functions and a rotating disc to sequentially deliver a tube to be filled to the work stations, the improvement comprising a circular hole in the disc, a sleeve made from adhesive plastic held in place by a set screw and a tube support member having a cylindrical hollow body, a hole at the top and bottom and a flange of essentially the same dimension as the collar of adherent material whereby the flange rests on the adherent material in a fixed orientation after orienting the tube support member to a desired orientation for subsequent functions.
In an apparatus for filling tubes comprised of a circular disc having tube holding means and a plurality of work stations, the improvement comprising a central processing unit;
- an actuation system for initiating the functions at the work stations and means for communicating signals between the central processing unit and the actuation system,
- wherein the means for providing communication between the central processing unit and the actuating system is comprised of an array of sensors strategically located at the work stations and the means for initiating the functions at the work stations is comprised of pneumatic actuators, and
- wherein the plurality of workstations comprise means for loading empty tubes on the disc;
- means for orienting the empty tube to provide a desired orientation;
- means for determining if the desired orientation is achieved before filling an empty tube;
- means for rejecting empty tubes that are not oriented as desired;
- means for cleaning the empty tubes;
- means for filling the tubes;
- means for sealing the fill opening after the tube has been filled;
- means for trimming the tube material beyond the seal and means for ejecting the filled tubes.
A method for filling tubes comprising the steps of:
- a) loading a empty tube onto a working station;
- b) orienting the tube to a desired orientation;
- c) determining if the desired orientation of the tube has been achieved;
- d) rejecting a tube that has not been oriented to the desired orientation;
- e) filling the tube;
- f) sealing the fill opening on the tube after the tube is filled;
- and
- g) ejecting the filled sealed tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.