US2007289261A1PendingUtilityA1

Flexible pouch filling, sealing and fitment insertion system

39
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Mar 8, 2006Filed: Aug 27, 2007Published: Dec 20, 2007
Est. expiryMar 8, 2026(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:William D. Rogers
B65B 43/465
39
PatentIndex Score
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Cited by
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Claims

Abstract

A method of filling pouches, particularly drink pouches, with few steps in the process. A pouch is provided for filling and placed on its side on a conveyor belt. The pouch is pushed to a stop such that the open end of the pouch is placed for accurate engagement by clamps which pick up the pouch on both sides of the mouth and rotate the pouch to a vertical position with the mouth facing upward. The clamps then move relative to the center of the pouch opening the mouth, optionally with an incoming jet of air to assist with the opening. A substance such as a liquid to drink is then placed in the pouch, the clamps are moved apart and the pouch sealed. Fitments may be placed in the pouch before the pouch mouth is closed and sealed. The filled pouches are then released from the clamps.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A method of filling pouches comprising, 
 obtaining empty pouches having an open mouth end, a closed flat base end, and side walls,    positioning empty pouches on a conveyor with the mouth positioned against a stop by a sweeping mechanism, without the pouches overlapping each other,    attaching a clamp to each side of the pouch at a fixed position proximate the open mouth end while the empty pouch is horizontal on the conveyor,    rotating the pouch to a vertical position with the open mouth end facing upward by rotating the clamps from a horizontal to a vertical position,    moving at least one of the clamps toward the other clamp to open the mouth of the pouch.    
   
   
       2 . (canceled)  
   
   
       3 . A method of filling pouches as in  claim 1  with the further step of, 
 filling the pouch with a substance.    
   
   
       4 . A method of filling pouches as in  claim 3  with the further step of, 
 moving at least one clip away from the other to close the mouth of the pouch.    
   
   
       5 . A method of filling pouches as in  claim 4  with the further step of, 
 sealing the open mouth end of the pouch.    
   
   
       6 . A method of filling pouches as in  claim 5  with the further step of, 
 releasing the clamps from the pouch after pouch is sealed.    
   
   
       7 . A method of filling pouches comprising, 
 obtaining empty pouches having an open mouth end, a closed flat base end, and side walls,    positioning empty pouches on a conveyor with the mouth positioned against a stop by a sweeping mechanism, without the pouches overlapping each other,    attaching a clamp to each side of the pouch at a fixed position proximate the open mouth end while the empty pouch is horizontal on the conveyor,    rotating the pouch to a vertical position with the open mouth end facing upward by rotating the clamps from a horizontal to a vertical position,    using horizontally moving brushes attached to the conveyor to position the empty pouches to a position for engagement by the clamps.    
   
   
       8 . A method of filling pouches as in  claim 3  with the further step of, 
 placing a fitment inside the open mouth of the pouch, and    moving the clamps are away from each other.    
   
   
       9 . A method of filling pouches as in  claim 8  with the further step of, 
 sealing the open mouth end of the pouch.    
   
   
       10 . A method of filling pouches comprising, 
 obtaining empty pouches having an open mouth end, a closed flat base end, and side walls,    positioning empty pouches on a conveyor with the mouth positioned against a stop by a sweeping mechanism, without the pouches overlapping each other,    attaching a clamp to each side of the pouch at a fixed position proximate the open mouth end while the empty pouch is horizontal on the conveyor,    rotating the pouch to a vertical position with the open mouth end facing upward by rotating the clamps from a horizontal to a vertical position,    using horizontally moving brushes proximate the conveyor to position the empty pouches to a position for engagement by the clamps.    
   
   
       11 . A method of filling pouches as in  claim 1  with the further step of, 
 blowing air into the mouth of the pouch to help open it.

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