Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An in-line liquid filling machine and method of filling containers. In certain embodiments a a single row of containers is indexed past a plurality of filling nozzles which are in turn interconnected with a manifold which receives a single fill of material from a dosing structure. If all nozzles are dispensing simultanteously a total fill of material is received at one time, the nozzles distributing aliquot parts of the total fill to the row, with each container sequentially passing under each filling nozzle. If only alternate groups of nozzles are to be filling at any one time, the fill delivered by the dosing structure is proportionate to the total fill as the nozzles dispensing the fill are proportionate to the total number of nozzles. The dosing structure typically includes a single pump. Filling-time and indexing-time cycles typically are performed sequentially, but in certain embodiments they may be performed simultaneously. Thus, in a dual lane machine while only a single pump is utilized, the containers associated with one row of nozzles are receiving the aliquot parts of a total fill being dispensed by the nozzles while the containers associated with the row of nozzles for the second lane are being indexed.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim