Adjustable stroke multiple package filling apparatus

Abstract

Package or container product filling apparatus that can easily be disassembled for cleaning and reassembled comprises a hopper and manifold to supply a plurality of package dosing filling tubes in turn insertable in multiple packages simultaneously. The manifold supplies a plurality of flexible tubes leading to a plurality of bellows type reciprocable dosing pumps. The dosing pumps in turn supply product through flexible tubes to the filling tubes. Any parts through which product passes or contacts are simply connected requiring no tools for disassembly or assembly. The bellows chambers and check valves of the dosing pumps are constructed of inexpensive plastic and discarded when the apparatus is disassembled for cleaning because they are relatively difficult to clean with absolute assurance that no product remains to contaminate a subsequent different product. The remaining mechanical portions of the dosing pumps do not contact the product. The metal portions of the apparatus comprising the hopper, manifold and filling tubes simply rest in brackets or holes and are simply lifted out or inserted in to disassemble or assemble respectively. The flexible tubes are smoothwalled plastic and therefore may be cleaned or discarded with disassembly as desired. The apparatus also includes externally actuated means to suck back product at the lower ends of the filling tubes to prevent dribble between filling cycles. The suck back means does not contact the product and therefore does not require disassembly for cleaning.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.