Vacuum control system and method for a vacuum filling assembly

Abstract

A vacuum filling assembly for filling the cavities of packaging with objects is described. The filling assembly has a handle which can be gripped by a user so as to manually operate the filling assembly. The filling assembly also has a hose which receives suction. A valve is used to control the suction applied to the objects, and is operable between a retain and release configuration. The filling assembly also has at least one prong which is in fluid engagement with the hose so that an object is retained at the end of the prong when the valve is in the retain configuration, and so that the object can be released into the cavities of the packaging when the valve is in the release configuration. An improved valve design facilitates control of the vacuum and helps release excess pills that can be retained by a single prong.

1 . In a vacuum filling assembly for filling a packaging having a plurality of cavities with objects, the filling assembly comprising:
 a hose receiving suction from a suction supply; a first valve operatively connected to the hose and manually operable between a retain configuration wherein the first valve is in an open position and suction is supplied to the hose, and a release configuration wherein the first valve is in a closed position and the hose is free of suction; and   at least one prong in fluid engagement with the hose and extending therefrom, each prong configured for applying suction to a corresponding object upon the first valve being in the retain configuration, thereby retaining the object, and each prong configured for releasing the retained object in a corresponding cavity of the packaging upon the first valve being in the release configuration, thereby filling the packaging,   
       the improvement wherein the vacuum filling assembly further comprises:
 a second valve positioned upstream of the first valve between the hose and the suction supply; 
 a third valve positioned between the first valve and the second valve and fluidly connecting the suction supply and the hose to an external vent; 
 a first controller controlling opening and closing of the second and third valves, whereby, upon actuation of the first controller, the second valve closes and the third valve opens; and 
 a second controller controlling opening and closing of at least the third valve whereby, upon actuation of the second controller, the third valve opens and reduces a level of suction provided to the hose. 
 
     
     
         2 . The improved filling assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the second and third valves are separate two-way valves selected from the group comprising ON/OFF valves and proportional valves. 
     
     
         3 . The improved filling assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the two-way valves is a proportional valve having an adjustable 0%-100% opening that is adjusted as a function of a size of the object being manipulated by the filling assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The improved filling assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the third valve opens simultaneously upon actuation of the first controller and closing of the second valve. 
     
     
         5 . The improved filling assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein, upon actuation of the first controller, the third valve opens a period of time after closure of the second valve and wherein the period of time between closure of the second valve and opening of the third valve after actuation of the first controller is about 0.5 seconds. 
     
     
         6 . The improved filling assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a relief valve fluidly connected to the suction source for protecting the hose against extreme pressure gradients. 
     
     
         7 . The improved filling assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a protective cover covering connections between the first and second controllers and the second and third valves connected to the hose. 
     
     
         8 . The improved filling assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising suction cups positioned at extremities of the prongs to facilitate retention of objections in the retain configuration. 
     
     
         9 . A method for filling a packaging having a plurality of cavities with objects, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) supplying suction to at least one prong;   b) retaining at least one of the objects with the at least one prong via suction;   c) if at least one prong retains more than one object, reducing a supply of suction to the at least one prong;   d) placing the at least one prong and the retained at least one object over a corresponding cavity of the packaging; and   e) releasing the at least one object into the corresponding cavity, thereby filling the packaging.   
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein step e) comprises stopping the supply of suction to the at least one prong and providing venting to the at least one prong after stopping the supply of suction. 
     
     
         11 . In a system for filling a packaging having a plurality of cavities with objects, comprising:
 a container for receiving and containing the objects therein;   a suction supply for generating suction; and   a filling assembly comprising:
 a hose receiving suction from a suction supply; 
 a first valve operatively connected to the hose and manually operable between a retain configuration wherein the first valve is in an open position and suction is supplied to the hose, and a release configuration wherein the first valve is in a closed position and the hose is free of suction; and 
 at least one prong in fluid engagement with the hose and extending therefrom, each prong configured for applying suction to a corresponding object upon the first valve being in the retain configuration, thereby retaining the object, and each prong configured for releasing the retained object in a corresponding cavity of the packaging upon the first valve being in the release configuration, thereby filling the packaging, 
   
       the improvement wherein the filling assembly further comprises:
 a second valve positioned upstream of the first valve between the hose and the suction source; 
 a third valve positioned between the first valve and the second valve and fluidly connecting the suction supply and hose to an external vent; 
 a first controller controlling opening and closing of the second and third valves, whereby, upon actuation of the first controller, the second valve closes and the third valve opens; and 
 a second controller controlling opening and closing of the third valve, whereby, upon actuation of the second controller, the third valve opens and reduces a level of suction provided to the hose. 
 
     
     
         12 . The improved system according to  claim 11 , wherein the second and third valves are separate two-way valves selected from the group comprising ON/OFF valves and proportional valves. 
     
     
         13 . The improved system according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the two-way valves is a proportional valve having an adjustable 0%-100% opening that is adjusted as a function of a size of the object being manipulated by the filling assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The improved system according to  claim 11 , wherein the third valve opens simultaneously upon actuation of the first controller and closing of the second valve. 
     
     
         15 . The improved system according to  claim 11 , wherein, upon actuation of the first controller, the third valve opens a period of time after closure of the second valve and wherein the period of time between closure of the second valve and opening of the third valve after actuation of the first controller is about 0.5 seconds. 
     
     
         16 . The improved system according to  claim 11 , further comprising a relief valve fluidly connected to the suction source for protecting the hose against extreme pressure gradients. 
     
     
         17 . The improved system according to  claim 11 , further comprising a protective cover covering connections between the first and second controllers and the second and third valves connected to the hose. 
     
     
         18 . The improved system according to  claim 11 , further comprising suction cups positioned at an extremity of the prong to facilitate retention of objects in the retain configuration. 
     
     
         19 . In a vacuum filling assembly for filling a packaging having a plurality of cavities with objects, the filling assembly comprising:
 an end effector having a tip receiving suction from a suction supply; and   a first valve operatively connected between the end effector and the suction supply and manually operable between a retain configuration wherein the first valve is in an open position and suction is supplied to the tip of the end effector, and a release configuration wherein the valve is in a closed position and the tip of the end effector is free of suction, wherein the tip of the end effector is configured for applying suction to a corresponding object upon the first valve being in the retain configuration, thereby retaining the object, and the tip of the end effector is configured for releasing the retained object in a corresponding cavity of the packaging upon the first valve being in the release configuration, thereby filling the packaging,   
       the improvement wherein the vacuum filling assembly further comprises:
 a second valve positioned upstream of the first valve between the end effector and the suction supply; 
 a third valve positioned between the first valve and the second valve and fluidly connecting the suction supply and the end effector to an external vent; 
 a first controller controlling opening and closing of the second and third valves, whereby, upon activation of the first controller, the second valve closes and the third valve opens; and 
 a second controller controlling opening and closing of at least the third valve whereby, upon activation of the second controller, the third valve opens and reduces a level of suction provided to the end effector. 
 
     
     
         20 . The improved filling assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein the second and third valves are separate two-way valves selected from the group comprising ON/OFF valves and proportional valves. 
     
     
         21 . The improved filling assembly according to  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the two-way valves is a proportional valve having an adjustable 0%-100% opening that is adjusted as a function of a size of the object being manipulated by the filling assembly. 
     
     
         22 . The improved filling assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein the third valve opens simultaneously upon activation of the first controller and closing of the second valve. 
     
     
         23 . The improved filling assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein, upon activation of the first controller, the third valve opens a period of time after closure of the second valve and wherein the period of time between closure of the second valve and opening of the third valve after activation of the first controller is about 0.5 seconds. 
     
     
         24 . The improved filling assembly according to  claim 19 , further comprising a relief valve fluidly connected to the suction supply for protecting the end effector against extreme pressure gradients. 
     
     
         25 . The improved filling assembly according to  claim 19 , further comprising a protective cover covering connections between the first and second controllers and the second and third valves. 
     
     
         26 . The improved filling assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a suction cup positioned at the tip of the end effector to facilitate retention of objects in the retain configuration.