Filling system

Abstract

A filling system for filling plastic bags and containers in an expedited and relatively dust-free manner. The filling system includes a coaxial tube having a supply passage for supplying a material and a return passage for drawing dust from the container during filling. The coaxial tube includes at least one aperture within the sidewall that extends into the return passage that forms a vacuum suction force against a wall of film surrounding the coaxial tube during filling of a container.

1 . A fill nozzle system for filling a container in a relatively dust free manner, comprising: 
 an inner tube;    wherein said inner tube is connected to a material filling system for providing a volume of material to a container;    an outer tube at least partially surrounding said inner tube forming a return passage between said inner tube and said outer tube;    at least one aperture within a sidewall of said outer tube fluidly connecting said return passage externally of said outer tube, wherein said at least one aperture is positioned in a forward location of said outer tube to form a vacuum suction against a wall of film surrounding said outer tube;    wherein said outer tube is positionable within a fill opening of said container; and    wherein said return passage receives air and dust emitted from said container during filling of said container with said material.    
   
   
       2 . The fill nozzle system of  claim 1 , wherein said outer tube is tapered.  
   
   
       3 . The fill nozzle system of  claim 1 , wherein said outer tube surrounds a distal portion of said inner tube.  
   
   
       4 . The fill nozzle system of  claim 1 , wherein said outer tube is substantially concentric with respect to said inner tube.  
   
   
       5 . The fill nozzle system of  claim 1 , wherein said return passage completely surrounds a portion of said inner tube.  
   
   
       6 . The fill nozzle system of  claim 1 , wherein said inner tube and said outer tube each are comprised of substantially circular cross sectional structures.  
   
   
       7 . The fill nozzle system of  claim 1 , wherein said inner tube is longer than said outer tube.  
   
   
       8 . The fill nozzle system of  claim 1 , wherein said return passage includes an intake opening positioned near a discharge end of said inner tube.  
   
   
       9 . The fill nozzle system of  claim 1 , wherein said return passage includes an exit opening positioned opposite of a discharge end of said inner tube.  
   
   
       10 . The fill nozzle system of  claim 9 , including a vacuum unit fluidly connected to said exit opening.  
   
   
       11 . The fill nozzle system of  claim 9 , including a valve fluidly connected to said exit opening.  
   
   
       12 . The fill nozzle system of  claim 1 , wherein said fill opening of said container is comprised of a valve.  
   
   
       13 . The fill nozzle system of  claim 1 , wherein said container is comprised of a bag.  
   
   
       14 . The fill nozzle system of  claim 1 , wherein said return passage is fluidly connected to a manifold.  
   
   
       15 . A fill nozzle system for filling a container in a relatively dust free manner, comprising: 
 a coaxial tube positionable within a fill opening of a container;    wherein said coaxial tube includes a supply passage and a return passage;    wherein said supply passage is connected to a material filling system for providing a volume of material to said container;    at least one aperture within a sidewall of said coaxial tube fluidly connecting said return passage externally of said coaxial tube, wherein said at least one aperture is positioned in a forward location of said coaxial tube to form a vacuum suction against a wall of film surrounding said coaxial tube;    wherein said return passage is fluidly connected to a manifold;    wherein said return passage receives air and dust emitted from said container during filling of said container with said material.    
   
   
       16 . The fill nozzle system of  claim 14 , wherein said coaxial tube is tapered.  
   
   
       17 . The fill nozzle system of  claim 14 , including a vacuum unit fluidly connected to said return passage for drawing air and dust from said container during filling of said container with said material.  
   
   
       18 . The fill nozzle system of  claim 14 , wherein said fill opening of said container is comprised of a valve.  
   
   
       19 . The fill nozzle system of  claim 14 , wherein said container is comprised of a bag.  
   
   
       20 . A fill nozzle system for filling a bag in a relatively dust free manner, comprising: 
 an inner tube;    wherein said inner tube is connected to a material filling system for providing a volume of material to a bag;    an outer tube at least partially surrounding said inner tube forming a return passage between said inner tube and said outer tube;    at least one aperture within a sidewall of said outer tube fluidly connecting said return passage externally of said outer tube, wherein said at least one aperture is positioned in a forward location of said outer tube to form a vacuum suction against a wall of film surrounding said outer tube;    wherein said inner tube and said outer tube each are comprised of substantially circular cross sectional structures, wherein said inner tube is longer than said outer tube;    wherein said return passage completely surrounds a portion of said inner tube;    wherein said return passage includes an intake opening positioned near a discharge end of said inner tube and wherein said return passage includes an exit opening positioned opposite of a discharge end of said inner tube;    wherein said return passage is fluidly connected to a manifold;    wherein said outer tube is tapered;    wherein said outer tube surrounds a distal portion of said inner tube;    wherein said outer tube is substantially concentric with respect to said inner tube;    wherein said outer tube is positionable within a fill opening of said bag;    wherein said return passage receives air and dust emitted from said bag during filling of said bag with said material; and    a vacuum unit fluidly connected to said exit opening for drawing air and dust emitted from said bag during filling of said bag with said material.