Apparatus, system, and method for high speed container filling

Abstract

A high-speed container filling machine, utilizing absolute servo motor architecture, processes and delivers small items, such as pouch style desiccants, when provided on a continuous reel, or be switched over to dispense canister style desiccants provided loose in bulk. A proximity sensing device prevents the insertion of an empty, or partially filled, pouch desiccant.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for conducting high-speed container filling, the system comprising:
 a continuous supply reel of one or more pouch-style desiccants;   a purpose-built funnel configured to receive the reel of one or more pouch-style desiccants;   a driving mechanism attached to the purpose-built funnel, the driving mechanism comprising:
 at least two pairs of opposing drive wheels; 
 one or more sensors; and 
 at least one cutting mechanism; 
   the driving mechanism configured to:
 advance, by the opposing drive wheels, the reel of one or more pouch-style desiccants; 
 detect, by the opposing drive wheels, an incoming pouch; 
 cut, at a predetermined position, the incoming pouch from the reel; and 
 discharge the incoming pouch. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the purpose-built funnel is further configured to orient, position, and control the received one or more pouch-style desiccants. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one pair of the at least two pairs of opposing drive wheels are fixed and the other pair of drive wheels are spring-loaded. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the spring-loaded drive wheels apply constant pressure on the passing reel of one or more pouch-style desiccants. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the driving mechanism causes a fault in response to detecting, by the opposing drive wheels, the incoming pouch having insufficient thickness.