Method and plant for packaging liquid products in a flexible bag

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for packaging a liquid or non-liquid, foodstuff or non-foodstuff, sterile or non-sterile product in a flexible bag. In the invention, a continuous strip is produced in at least two rows by superimposing and welding at least two films of a suitable synthetic material on a flexible bag, by successive stamping and welding operations at regular intervals. A plug is previously has been fitted earlier to one of the films for filling, and the subsequent housing of a stopper and the strip of the flexible bag produced are packaged in a suitable sealed transport box. The invention further relates to a plant and a plug/tap unit for carrying out the method.

1 . Method for packaging liquid or non-liquid, foodstuff or non-foodstuff, sterile or non-sterile products in that in a flexible bag, said method comprising the steps of:
 superimposing and welding at least two films comprised of a synthetic material at a bag manufacturing place, the films forming a continuous strip of flexible bags in at least rows, at least one film having a plug;   punching and welding one film in successive operation at regular space intervals on the one film; and   packing said strip of flexible bags in an adapted sealed transportation box.   
     
     
         2 . Method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 applying an electrostatic load on the films before welding, wherein said packing is at an end of a production line, said strip of flexible bags being left loaded, by automatic folding in the transportation box, the films being maintained as blocked between each other and avoiding formation of folds and introduction of air into the flexible bags before filling.   
     
     
         3 . Method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 inserting said strip of flexible bags into a cutting unit at a filling place, said cutting unit separating said flexible bags;   positioning each of said flexible bags through a respective plug under a filling station, and filling each of said flexible bags;   fitting a stopper on said respective plug; and   conveying the filled flexible bags toward a packaging unit.   
     
     
         4 . Method according to  claim 3 , for packaging of sterile liquid products, said method further comprising:
 completing an operation of sterilization of the flexible bags by irradiation at the bag manufacturing place; and   completing an operation of sterilization of stoppers before fitting on said respective plug and after filling the flexible bag.   
     
     
         5 . Method according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 seizing a preformed cardboard box at a packaging unit for the filled flexible bags;   putting the box on an insertion tube extending to an insertion funnel;   pouring a filled flexible bag through said insertion funnel and said insertion tube into the pre-shaped package cardboard box; and   removing the box from the insertion tube.   
     
     
         6 . Method according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 seizing a cardboard box cut-out at a packaging unit for the filled flexible bags;   pre-shaping a package cardboard box around an insertion tube extending to an insertion funnel;   pouring a filled flexible bag through said insertion funnel and said insertion tube into the package cardboard box;   removing the box from said insertion tube.   
     
     
         7 . Method according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 closing the package cardboard box, the package cardboard box having a transportation handle.   
     
     
         8 . Method according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 completing a tightness check after filling a flexible bag, said tightness check performed by prior compression of the filled flexible bag followed by weighing.   
     
     
         9 . Method according to  claim 1 , the step of superimposing and welding further comprising:
 making a strip of two or more rows of juxtaposed flexible bags said strip of multiple-row flexible bags being packed in a sealed transportation box having a width adapted to said strip.   
     
     
         10 . Method according to  claim 1 , said strip having a locating mark detectable through optical reading means of a cutting unit separating the flexible bags. 
     
     
         11 . Plant for implementing the method according to  claim 1 , said plant comprising:
 a production line for making a multiple-row strip of flexible bags, each bag having a plug for filling and for receiving a stopper.   
     
     
         12 . Plant according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a cutting unit for a multiple-row strip of flexible bags;   a filling unit for separated flexible bags to be filled, said filling unit having a filling head, said flexible bags being placed under said filling head for filling through respective plugs of said flexible bags, said filling unit having a fitting head, a stopper being placed on a respective plug of each flexible bag by said fitting head, after filling each flexible bag.   
     
     
         13 . Plant according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a packaging unit being comprised of an insertion tube and a funnel at an extended upper end, of said insertion tube, each flexible bag being inserted in said funnel.   
     
     
         14 . Plant according to  claim 13 , wherein said insertion tube has a shaping core with a pre-shaped package cardboard box wrapped around said shaping core before depositing a filled flexible bag from the filling unit in said insertion tube. 
     
     
         15 . Plant according to  claim 13 , said filling unit being linear or said packaging unit being linear or both units being linear. 
     
     
         16 . Plant according to  claim 13 , said filling unit being formed of rotary tables having multiple stations or said packaging unit being formed of rotary tables having multiple stations or both units being formed of rotary tables having multiple stations. 
     
     
         17 . Plant according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a transfer star for transferring stoppers toward said filling unit, in a synchronized way, said transfer star being comprised of a rotary table.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 3 , said stopper being in snap-fit engagement for final fitting on said plug.