Product filler assembly having a nozzle cutoff assembly

Abstract

A product filler assembly (i.e., fill valve) configured for use in association with any number of flowable material, however, it is particularly well suited for flowable material that is otherwise difficult to fill due to viscosity, surface tension and/or poor separation characteristics. Most preferably, the device is configured to provide a laminar flow of the product being filled, proportional to the size of the package. The product filler assembly includes a nozzle cutoff assembly which directs air or other fluids at the opening of the product filler assembly to separate the flowable material from the filler assembly and to reduce seal contamination of packages or containers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A product filler assembly comprising:
 fill tube having an opening for the passage of a flowable material, the opening being selectively opened and closed to selectively allow or preclude the passage of a flowable material therethrough; and   a nozzle cutoff assembly including at least one nozzle fixed in orientation to the opening of the fill tube, the nozzle being selectively activated to direct one of a gas and a fluid therethrough.   
     
     
         2 . The product filler assembly of  claim 1  wherein the nozzle cutoff assembly includes a pair of nozzle cutoff assemblies on opposing sides of the opening, each nozzle configured to selectively direct a stream one of a gas and a fluid toward the opening of the fill tube. 
     
     
         3 . The product filler assembly of  claim 2  wherein the stream from the first of the pair of nozzles and the stream from the second pair of nozzles are mirror images of each other on opposing sides of the opening of the fill tube, wherein the pair of streams are angled to meet under the opening in a centrally located orientation. 
     
     
         4 . The product filler assembly of  claim 2  wherein the stream from the first of the pair of nozzles and the stream from the second pair of nozzles are radially offset from each other so as to impart a rotational flow downstream of the opening of the fill tube. 
     
     
         5 . The product filler assembly of  claim 2  wherein the stream from the first of the pair of nozzles and the stream form the second pair of nozzles are spaced apart from the opening so that the first one of the pair of nozzles is downstream of the opening further than the second one of the pair of nozzles so as to have the streams intersect in an offset manner downstream of the opening of the fill tube. 
     
     
         6 . The product filler assembly of  claim 2  wherein each of the nozzles is inclined at an angle relative to the opening, at an angle of between 15° and 60°. 
     
     
         7 . The product filler assembly of  claim 1  wherein the fill tube includes a lower fill tube member having a lower cavity, the lower cavity having a reduced cross-sectional configuration and being elongated so as to facilitate laminar flow of the flowable material therethrough. 
     
     
         8 . The product filler assembly of  claim 1  wherein the fill tube further includes a plunger which selectively opens and closes the lower opening passage, thereby selectively allowing and precluding the flow of flowable material therethrough. 
     
     
         9 . The product filler assembly of  claim 8  wherein the plunger further includes a sealing end which is of a substantially hemispherical configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The product filler assembly of  claim 1  wherein the lower fill tuber member further includes an elongated duckbill valve, the duckbill valve including an elongated passage to facilitate a laminar flow of the flowable material therethrough, and the duckbill valve having a duckbill opening at a second end thereof, whereupon the direction of flowable material toward and into contact with the second end of the duckbill valve at a predetermined pressure causes the duckbill opening to open and allow the passage of flowable material therethrough. 
     
     
         11 . The product filler assembly of  claim 1  wherein the fill tube includes an adapter member and a retainer member, each with a central passage, the elongated duckbill valve including a flange which is sandwiched between the adapter member and the retainer member in sealing engagement. 
     
     
         12 . The product filler assembly of  claim 11  wherein the nozzle cutoff assembly includes at least one cutoff nozzle which is integrally formed with the retainer member. 
     
     
         13 . The product filler assembly of  claim 1  wherein the nozzle cutoff assembly is rigidly coupled to the and rigidly located relative to the opening, to, in turn, allow for the precise direction of a fluid or gas from the nozzle relative to the opening.