TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure provides for technologies for filling a container with a fluid. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a fluid filling nozzle, an apparatus, and a method that utilizes ultrasonic vibration to break liquid string filaments extending from the fluid filling nozzle between doses.

BACKGROUND

High speed container filling systems are well known and used in many different industries. In many of the systems, fluids are supplied to containers to be filled through a series of pumps, pressurized tanks and flow meters, fluid filling nozzles, and/or valves to help ensure the correct amount of fluid is dispensed into the containers. At the end of a filling cycle, or between successive filling cycles, however, conventional pumps, pressurized or gravity fed systems, filling nozzles, and valves may cause a fluid string filament to be created that extends between the tip of the fluid filling nozzle and the container being filled. The length of the string filament and the time to breakup under gravity depend on fluid (viscosity, visco-elastic properties), the nozzle geometry and the surrounding media (e.g. relative humidity or partial pressure of solvent). Stringing is found to be common in filling consumer products such as liquid detergent, skin cream, shampoo and conditioner. In order prevent the fluid from being exposed to the environment, from splashing on the filling equipment and the outside of the container, and/or, in the case of unit dose packages, from contaminating the sealing region of the container being filled, the fluid string filament must be broken prior to commencement of the next filling cycle. Typically, this liquid string filament is broken via a suck-back mechanism, displacement of the fluid filling nozzle, and/or gravity. In such applications, the total time to fill each container is lengthened. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an improved fluid filling system, and especially a fluid filling nozzle, that reduces the amount of time required to break liquid string filaments at the end of or between successive filling cycles.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a fluid filling nozzle for filling a container. The fluid filling nozzle may be any suitable type of nozzle. In some cases, the fluid filling nozzle may be an ultrasonic nozzle that is configured to dispense fluid in the form of a stream. The fluid filling nozzle includes a longitudinal centerline and a body having a discharge end and an orifice at the discharge end. The fluid filling nozzle is constructed to receive a flow of a fluid for filling a container, and eject the fluid from the orifice in the form of a stream into the container. The fluid filling nozzle is further constructed to vibrate at a reference ultrasonic frequency and at a vibration amplitude when the flow of the fluid to the fluid filling nozzle is stopped. The vibration amplitude is configured to break a fluid string of the fluid extending from the orifice at the discharge end of the fluid filling nozzle.

The fluid filling nozzle filling nozzle can be configured to operate in one of several different manners. In a first case, the fluid filling nozzle filling nozzle can be configured to operate without ultrasonic vibration being applied so as not to vibrate the nozzle when the flow of fluid is being received, and then to vibrate at a reference ultrasonic frequency and at a vibration amplitude that is configured to break a fluid string of the fluid extending from the orifice at the discharge end of the fluid filling nozzle when the flow of the fluid to the fluid filling nozzle is stopped. In a second case, the fluid filling nozzle filling nozzle can be configured to operate with ultrasonic vibration applied to vibrate the nozzle at a reference ultrasonic frequency and at an amplitude when the flow of fluid is being received which remains constant and is configured to break a fluid string when the flow of the fluid to the fluid filling nozzle is stopped. In a third case, the fluid filling nozzle filling nozzle can be configured to operate with ultrasonic vibration applied to vibrate the nozzle at a reference ultrasonic frequency and at a first vibration amplitude when the flow of fluid is being received, and then to vibrate at the reference ultrasonic frequency and at a second vibration amplitude when the flow of the fluid to the fluid filling nozzle is stopped. The second vibration amplitude is higher than the first vibration amplitude and is configured to break a fluid string of the fluid extending from the orifice at the discharge end of the fluid filling nozzle.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a method for filling a container. The method includes receiving, by a fluid filling nozzle, a flow of a fluid for filling a container. The fluid filling nozzle has a longitudinal centerline and a body that includes a discharge end and an orifice at the discharge end. The method also includes ejecting, by the fluid filling nozzle, the fluid from the orifice in the form of a stream into the container when the flow of the fluid is received by the fluid filling nozzle. The method further includes vibrating the fluid filling nozzle at a reference ultrasonic frequency and at a vibration amplitude when the flow of the fluid to the fluid filling nozzle is stopped. The vibration amplitude is configured to break a fluid string of the fluid extending from the orifice at the discharge end of the fluid filling nozzle. The method can vibrate the fluid filling nozzle in any of the three manners described above.

In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a fluid filling apparatus for filling a container. The fluid filling apparatus includes a fluid flow control mechanism constructed to selectably control a flow of a fluid and a fluid filling nozzle in fluid communication with the fluid flow control mechanism. The fluid filling nozzle has a longitudinal centerline and a body that includes a discharge end and an orifice at the discharge end. The fluid ejects from the orifice in the form of a stream into a container when the fluid flow control mechanism allows the fluid to flow to the fluid filling nozzle. A portion of the fluid forms a fluid string extending from the orifice at the discharge end when the fluid flow control mechanism prevents the fluid from flowing to the fluid filling nozzle. The fluid filling apparatus also includes a control unit constructed to selectively generate a control signal that is configured to cause a power signal at a reference frequency when the fluid flow control mechanism prevents the fluid from flowing to the fluid filling nozzle. The fluid filling apparatus further includes an ultrasonic transducer in communication with the filling nozzle. The ultrasonic transducer is constructed to vibrate the fluid filling nozzle at the reference frequency. The ultrasonic transducer is constructed to vibrate the fluid filling nozzle at a vibration amplitude as a function of the power signal. The vibration amplitude is configured to break the fluid string extending from the orifice at the discharge end of the fluid filling nozzle. The fluid filling apparatus can be configured to vibrate the fluid filling nozzle in any of the three manners described above.

In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a further method for filling a container. The method includes allowing, by a fluid flow control mechanism, a flow of a fluid to a fluid filling nozzle in fluid communication therewith, the fluid filling nozzle having a longitudinal centerline and a body. The body has a discharge end and an orifice at the discharge end. The method also ejecting the fluid in the form of a stream from the orifice of the fluid filling nozzle into a container. The method further includes preventing, by the fluid flow control mechanism, the fluid from flowing to the fluid filling nozzle to cause a portion of the fluid to form a fluid string extending from the orifice at the discharge end of the fluid filling nozzle. Additionally, the method includes generating, by the control unit, a control signal to cause a power signal at the reference frequency. The method further includes vibrating, by the ultrasonic transducer as a function of the power signal, the fluid filling nozzle at the reference frequency and at a vibration amplitude to break the fluid string extending from the orifice at the discharge end of the fluid filling nozzle. The method can comprise sending a control signal or signals to vibrate the fluid filling nozzle in any of the three manners described above.

