Method and apparatus for filling a container having a tube spout fitment

Abstract

A machine and method for filling a container having a tube spout fitment. The machine includes a filling tube interconnected to a first reservoir. The first reservoir holds a product intended to be delivered to the container. The machine preferably a valve controls the delivery of the product from the first reservoir to the container. The fill tube includes an opening configured to fittingly engage the opening of the tube spout fitment. The machine is operable to mount the fill tube onto the tube spout container such that the inner surface of the fill tube is in contact with the outer surface of the tube spout fitment so as to deliver products into the container.

1 . A machine for filling a container with product, the container having a tube spout fitment having an outer surface and a tube spout opening, the machine comprising:
 a fill tube having an inner surface and a fill tube opening, wherein the fill tube opening is configured to slidingly engage the outer surface of the tube spout fitment, and wherein the inner surface of the fill tube is in contact with the outer surface of the tube spout fitment when the fill tube is mounted thereon; and   a first drive for mounting the fill tube opening onto the tube spout fitment so as to deliver product to the container, and wherein the inner surface of the fill tube is flush against the outer surface of the tube spout fitment when the fill tube is mounted onto the tube spout fitment so as to prevent product from leaking while the container is being filled.   
     
     
         2 . The machine as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the fill tube is elongated and the inner surface of the fill tube is generally uniform. 
     
     
         3 . The machine as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the tube spout opening has a first predetermined area and the fill tube opening has a second predetermined area. 
     
     
         4 . The machine as set forth in  claim 1 , further including a first reservoir for holding product to be delivered to the container, wherein the fill tube is in communication with the first reservoir. 
     
     
         5 . The machine as set forth in  claim 4 , further including a valve for controlling the delivery of product from the first reservoir to the container, wherein the valve is mounted on the fill tube downstream the first reservoir. 
     
     
         6 . The machine as set forth in  claim 1 , further including a first drive for mounting the fill tube onto the tube spout fitment such that the inner surface of the fill tube slides against the outer surface of the tube spout fitment. 
     
     
         7 . The machine as set forth in  claim 2 , further including a seal disposed along the inner surface of the fill tube, the seal having a sealing surface, and wherein the sealing surface defines an area having the second predetermined area, and wherein the opening of the fill tube has a third predetermined area, wherein the third predetermined area is larger than the second predetermined area so as to place the inner surface of the fill tube apart from the outer surface of the tube spout fitment when the fill tube is mounted thereon, and wherein the seal is pressed between the inner surface of the fill tube and the outer surface of the tube spout fitment so as to place the sealing surface into engagement with the outer surface of the tube spout fitment and prevent products from leaking while the container is being filled. 
     
     
         8 . The machine as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the fill tube further includes a mid-portion spaced apart the fill tube opening, and wherein the fill tube opening is wider than the mid-portion so as to give the fill tube a generally cone shape, and wherein the inner surface of the mid-portion is configured to fittingly enclose the outer surface of the tube spout fitment. 
     
     
         9 . The machine as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the tube spout fitment further includes a stop, the stop extending radially from the outer surface of the tube spout fitment, wherein the stop is spaced apart from the tube spout fitment opening. 
     
     
         10 . The machine as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the stop is configured to engage the inner surface of the fill tube so as to prevent the fill tube from advancing past a predetermined point, and wherein the opening is fittingly engaged with the mid-portion of the fill tube at the predetermined point. 
     
     
         11 . A machine as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the seal is made of a pliable material selected from the group consisting of rubber, elastomer, silicon, and polyisoprene. 
     
     
         12 . A machine as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the fill tube is made of a rigid material selected from the group consisting of nylon, metal, and plastic. 
     
     
         13 . A machine as set forth in  claim 4 , further including a second reservoir containing cleansing fluid, wherein the valve system is operable to release cleansing fluid through the fill tube so as to cleanse the fill tube. 
     
     
         14 . A machine as set forth in  claim 13 , further including a rail system having a rail drive, and a sensor wherein the rail drive is operable to advance a container along the rail, and the sensor is operable to detect the position of the container so as to determine if the tube spout fitment is aligned to receive the fill tube. 
     
     
         15 . A method of filling a container with a product, the container having a tube spout fitment having an outer surface and a tube spout opening, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a fill tube having an inner surface, a fill tube opening and a seal, and wherein the fill tube opening is slightly larger than the tube spout opening, wherein the fill tube is interconnected with the first reservoir; and   mounting the fill tube onto the tube spout fitment, wherein the inner surface of the fill tube is in contact with the outer surface of the tube spout fitment so as to prevent the product from leaking while the container is being filled.   
     
     
         16 . A method as set forth in  claim 15 , further including the step of providing a first reservoir containing the product to fill the container with, and delivering the product contained in the first reservoir to the tube spout fitment when the fill tube is mounted thereon. 
     
     
         17 . A method as set forth in  claim 15 , further including the step of providing a seal disposed on the inner surface of the fill tube, wherein the seal is pressed between the inner surface of the fill tube and the outer surface of the tube spout fitment. 
     
     
         18 . A method as set forth in  claim 15 , further including the step of providing a second reservoir interconnected with the fill tube, wherein the second reservoir contains cleansing fluid and is operable to release the cleansing fluid through the fill tube.