# US 8,770,395 B2 · Container filling device

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 8,770,395 B2
- Document ID: US8770395B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/529,180
- Filed: 2012-06-21
- Published: 2013-06-27
- Granted: 2014-07-08
- Earliest claimed: 2009-12-14
- Assignees: Hamba Filltec GmbH & Co. KG
- Applicants: Martin Junk
- Inventors: Martin Junk
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770395B2

## CPC

- B67C 7/00: Concurrent cleaning, filling, and closing of bottles; Processes or devices for at least two of these operations
- B65B 43/52: using roller-ways or endless conveyors
- B65G 35/06: comprising a load-carrier moving along a path, e.g. a closed path, and adapted to be engaged by any one of a series of traction elements spaced along the path (effecting drive at two or more points spaced along the length of an endless conveyor B65G23/32)
- B65G 35/08: comprising trains of unconnected load-carriers, e.g. belt sections, movable in a path, e.g. a closed path, adapted to contact each other and to be propelled by means arranged to engage each load-carrier in turn
- B67C 7/0033: {the operation being performed batch-wise}
- B67C: CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
- 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)
- B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D)

## Abstract

A device for filling containers, in particular bottles and beakers with food products, in particular with low viscosity to pasty dairy and fat products, juices, waters and similar, comprising: an upper main element, a lower main element and lateral elements connecting the upper main element and the lower main element; and a plurality of support elements which are endlessly supported on rollers through the device past operating stations along the upper main element, the lateral element and the lower main element, wherein the support elements include receivers for containers which receivers are arranged in series transversal to a feed direction, wherein at least two support elements are arranged on a common frame and are run by the frame on rollers through the device in an endless manner.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for filling containers, comprising:
an upper main element, a lower main element and lateral elements connecting the upper main element and the lower main element; and
a plurality of support elements which are supported on rollers through the device in an endless manner past operating stations along the upper main element, the lateral element and the lower main element,
wherein the support elements include receivers for containers which receivers are arranged in rows transversal to a feed direction and in tracks in feed direction,
wherein the support elements are approximately split in half along a row of receivers,
wherein paired partial recesses of adjacent support element halves jointly form a container receiver,
wherein the support element halves are supported in the device so that they perform an opening movement that widens the container receiver, and
wherein a container feed device feeds the containers from below to the support elements,
wherein the container feed device lifts the containers for inserting into the container receivers and a lifting process induces the opening movement of the support element halves.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the support element halves include support members which engage slotted links at the device and which control the opening movement of the support element halves.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the container feed device includes a lifting device whose vertical movement impacting the support element halves causes the opening movement of the support element halves by lifting the support element halves.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The device according to claim 3, wherein the lifting device is movement coupled with the platform but moveable relative to the platform.

### Claim 5

A method for feeding containers into a device for filling the containers,
wherein the device includes
an upper main element, a lower main element and lateral elements connecting the upper main element and the lower main element; and
a plurality of support elements which are supported on rollers through the device in an endless manner past operating stations along the upper main element, the lateral element and the lower main element,
wherein the support elements include receivers for containers which receivers are arranged in rows transversal to a feed direction and in tracks in feed direction,
wherein the support elements are approximately split in half along a row of receivers,
wherein paired partial recesses of adjacent support element halves jointly form a container receiver,
wherein the support element halves are supported in the device so that they perform an opening movement that widens the container receiver, and
wherein the device includes a container feed device,
the method comprising the steps:
a) feeding support elements arranged on a platform with the containers;
b) moving the platform to a location of the device where the containers are inserted into the support elements;
c) lifting the support elements halves from their contact plane to perform the opening movement;
d) lifting the containers at least into the contact plane of the support elements;
e) lowering the support element halves into the contact plane for performing a closing movement and safe support of the containers in the container receivers.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method according to claim 5,
wherein the platform is lifted for step c),
wherein the lifting brings a lifting device in contact with the support element halves,
wherein the lifting device moves the support element halves into an open position through a vertical movement relative to the platform.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The method according to claim 5, wherein the lifting device is lowered for step e).