Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and process for filling plural chamber container with flowable materials

US5775386A · kind A · utility

28Cited by
64References
36Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 13, 1996
Grant dateJul 7, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 13, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65B2220/14
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus and a process for filling a plural chamber container, such as a container, with plural flowable materials. The container might be a two-compartment dentifrice container or a two-compartment adhesive container, for example. The container has internal partitioning dividing it into plural chambers, and the partitioning must be properly positioned to permit supply nozzles to enter the respective chambers. In one embodiment, the partitioning is positioned by probes which are inserted into the chamber, following which relative rotation between the container and the probes causes the probes to position the partitioning. In a second embodiment, air nozzles emit air jets to position the partition. In another embodiment, an electrostatic charge is induced on the container sidewall and on the partition, and the like charges cause the sidewall and the partition to repel each other, positioning the partition. In a further embodiment, an air/vacuum nozzle is inserted into one of the container chambers, and air jets and suction are alternated to position the partition so that a supply nozzle can be inserted into each chamber of the container.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.