Apparatus for filling containers

Abstract

An apparatus for filling containers with flowable product, such as ice cream, includes a plurality of carrier and frame assemblies which are configured to respectively receive the containers to be filled. Notably, each carrier of each assembly has a vertical dimension which is substantially greater than that of the associated container, with the carrier, and associated container, being vertically movable with respect to the associated carrier frame. By this arrangement, the carrier frame desirably acts in cooperation with the carrier to stabilize the container against lateral forces to which it is subjected, thereby facilitating filling of the container, and in particular, wiping of each container against an associated filling nozzle at the conclusion of filling.

1 . An apparatus for successively filling tapered containers each having a tapered configuration with flowable product, comprising:
 a rotary carousel movable about a generally vertical axis, said carousel including a plurality of circumferentially spaced carrier frames, and a plurality of container carriers respectively positioned in said carrier frames for vertical, reciprocating movement,   each said container carrier comprising a generally cylindrical member having an exterior surface configured for sliding contact with the respective carrier frame during vertical movement of said container carrier, each container carrier further defining an interior support surface, for engaging and supporting a respective one of said containers, to thereby support the container as the container carrier and the respective container are moved vertically, in unison, relative the respective carrier frame, to thereby facilitate wipe filling each of said containers with flowable product, the upper portion of the interior surface of each of said container carriers being downwardly. inwardly tapered for cooperation with a respective one of said tapered containers.   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus for filling containers in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of said container carriers has a vertical dimension which is substantially greater than a vertical dimension of each one of said containers.   
   
   
       3 . (canceled) 
   
   
       4 . An apparatus for filling containers in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of said carrier frames includes an upper frame portion, and a lower frame portion, and a plurality of spaced apart vertical frame supports extending between said upper and lower frame portions,   the respective one of each of said container carriers being supported by said upper frame portion, and extending downward through said upper and lower frame portions.   
   
   
       5 . An apparatus for filling containers in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein
 said vertical frame supports together define an interior dimension of each said carrier frame which closely corresponds to the exterior dimension of the associated container carrier to permit relative vertical sliding movement of the carrier while stabilizing the container carrier against lateral forces to which it is subjected.   
   
   
       6 . An apparatus for filling containers in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein
 each of said frame supports is cylindrical.   
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for supporting containers during filling with flowable material, comprising:
 a carrier frame, and   a container carrier positioned with said carrier frame for reciprocating, vertical movement,   said container carrier having a generally hollow, open-bottom configuration, with a interior support surface thereof dimensioned to engage and support an associated container, so that said container carrier and the container move vertically relative to said frame to facilitate wipe filling of the container with flowable product,   an interior surface of said container carrier corresponding in configuration to an exterior surface of the container, and   an upper portion of an interior surface of said container carrier being downwardly, inwardly tapered.   
   
   
       8 . An apparatus for supporting containers in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein:
 an exterior surface of said container carrier has a generally cylindrical configuration.   
   
   
       9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for supporting containers in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein
 said container carrier has a length which is substantially greater than the vertical dimension of said frame.   
   
   
       12 . An apparatus for supporting containers in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein:  6 p 1  an exterior surface of said container carrier has a cylindrical configuration, said frame defining an inside dimension of said frame substantially equal to an outside diameter of said carrier to permit relative vertical sliding movement of the carrier while stabilizing the carrier against lateral forces to which it is subjected. 
   
   
       13 . An apparatus for supporting containers in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein:
 said carrier frame comprising an upper frame portion and a lower frame portion, and a plurality of spaced apart support members extending therebetween.   
   
   
       14 . An apparatus for supporting containers in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein:
 each of said support members has a cylindrical configuration.   
   
   
       15 . An apparatus for supporting containers in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein:
 said frame includes four of said spaced support members at 90 degree intervals about a vertical axis of said frame about which said support members are positioned.