Funnels For Package Filling

Abstract

Funnels are disclosed for use with filling packages with bulk product.

1 . A funnel for transferring bulk dairy products to a package in a manufacturing line comprising:
 an entry end where bulk dairy products enter the funnel;   an exit end where the bulk dairy products exit the funnel and enter a package, wherein the exit end has a dairy products contact surface;   a passageway between the entry end and the exit and   at least one wall connecting the entry end to the exit end,   wherein the exit end of the funnel is coped,   wherein the contact surface is fabricated from a dairy products approved material, and   wherein the passageway is non-closeable.   
     
     
         2 . The funnel of  claim 1  wherein the coped funnel has at least one cutout. 
     
     
         3 . The funnel of  claim 1  wherein the coped funnel has two cutouts. 
     
     
         4 . The funnel of  claim 1  wherein the coped funnel is wedge shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The funnel of  claim 2  wherein the at least one cutout is curved. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A method for transferring bulk products to a package in a manufacturing line comprising the steps:
 providing a funnel having an entry end where bulk products enter a package at least one wall connecting the entry end to the exit end, the exit end of the funnel being coped;   moving the coped exit end of the funnel entirely into the package; and   filling the package with bulk products traveling through the funnel without significant bulk product loss without the use of a duckbill.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the coped funnel has at least one cutout. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the coped funnel has two cutouts. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the coped funnel is wedge shaped. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the at least one cutout is curved. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the funnel has no moving parts. 
     
     
         13 . A funnel assembly for transferring bulk products in a z axis, x axis and y axis diretion to a package in a manufacturing line comprising:
 an intermdeiate funnel having an entry end wherein bulk procuts enter the funnel assembly, the intermediate funnel configured such that bulk procuts travel through the intermeiate funnel in a stream in the z axis direction and the stream is shaped in the x axis direction without being shaped in the y-axis direction; and   a funnel having a coped exit end where the stream of bulk products exit the funnel assembly and enters a package, the funnel is configured such that bulk products travel through the funnel in the stream in the z axis direction and the stream is shaped in the y axis direction without being shaped in the x axis direction before exiting the funnel at the coped exit end and entereing the package;   wherein before the funnel completes the shaping of the stream in the y axis direction, the cross-sectional area of the coped exit end is substantially greater than the cross-sectional area of the package having an opening in a common plane.   
     
     
         14 . The funnel assembly of  claim 13  wherein the coped funnel has at least one cutout. 
     
     
         15 . The funnel assembly of  claim 13  wherein the coped funnel has two cutouts. 
     
     
         16 . The funnel assembly of  claim 13  wherein the coped funnel is wedge shaped. 
     
     
         17 . The funnel assembly of  claim 14  wherein the at least one cutout is curved. 
     
     
         18 . The funnel assembly of  claim 13  wherien the funnel has no moving parts. 
     
     
         19 . A funnel for transferring bulk producting in an x axis, y axis and z axis direction to a package in a manufacturing line co mprising:
 a first portion having an entry end wherein bulk products enter the funnel, the first portion configured such that bulk products travels in a stream through the first portion in the z axis direction and the stream is shaped in the x axis direction without being shaped in the y-axis direction; and   a second protion having an exit end where the bulk procuts exit the funnel an enter a package, the second portion configured such that the stream of bulk products travels through the second portion and the stream is shaped in the y axis direction without being shaped in the x axis direction before exiting the second portion at the exit end and entereing the package.   
     
     
         20 . A method for transferring bulk products in an x axis, y axis and z axis direction into a package comprising the steps:
 providing a funnel into which bulk products enters;   enabling the bulk prodcuts to travel in a stream through the funnel in the z axis directio; and   shaping the stream of bulk products first in the x axis direction as the stream of bulk products travel through the funnel and thereafter in the y axis direction before the stream of bulk products enter the package.   
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A funnel for transferring bulk food products to a package in a manufacturing line comprising:
 an entry end where bulk food products enter the funnel; and   an exit end where the bulk food products exit the funnel and enter a package, the exit end having a food products contact surface;   wherein the exit end of the funnel is coped and wherein the contact surface is fabricated of a food products approved material.   
     
     
         24 . A funnel for transferring bulk food products to a package in a manufacturing line comprising:
 an entry end where bulk food products enter the funnel;   an exit end where the bulk food products exit the funnel and enter a package, the exit end having a food products contact surface; and   a passageway between the entry end and the exit end;   wherein the exit end of the funnel is coped having at least two cutout areas;   wherein the contact surface is fabricated of a food products approved material; and   wherein the passageway remains open.   
     
     
         25 . A funnel for transferring bulk food products to a package in a manufacturing line comprising:
 an entry end where bulk food products enter the funnel;   an exit end where the bulk food products exit the funnel and enter a package; and   a passageway between the entry end and the exit end;   wherein the exit end of the funnel is coped   wherein the exit end is wedge shaped; and   wherein the passageway has a shape that is non-movable apart from movement of the funnel.   
     
     
         26 . A funnel for transferring bulk products to a package in a manufacturing line comprising:
 an entry end where bulk products enter the funnel;   an exit end where the bulk products exit the funnel and enter a package; and   a passageway between the entry end and the exit end;   wherein the exit end of the funnel is coped with curved walls; and   wherein the passageway is non-closeable.