Abstract:
A collapsible bag for use in containing and dispensing a liquid, such as in a bag-in-box arrangement, and a method for making the bag. Prior to sealing together two bag walls to form the bag, a one-piece spout and evacuation strip unit is attached to the outside surface of one bag wall and one or more openings are provided through the bag wall in liquid communication with a plurality of liquid channels in the strip. The two bag walls are then sealed together to form the bag and the evacuation strip provides liquid passageways for the liquid in the bag to flow to the spout to achieve complete withdrawal of the liquid from the bag as the bag collapses.
Abstract:
A device for automatically filling and capping containers comprising a filler nozzle positioned above an elevator mechanism, a bag station spaced from and on one side of the filler nozzle and a cap station spaced from and on the opposite side of the filler nozzle, and a movable carriage having a cap chuck on one end and a bag chuck on the other and being mounted for controlled movement between the filler nozzle and the bag station and the filler nozzle and the cap station whereby when the carriage is moved to the bag station, a filled bag is capped at the cap chuck location and a new bag is simultaneously obtained by the bag chuck, when the carriage is moved to the cap station, the capped, filled bag is ejected, the newly obtained bag is received by the elevator mechanism and a new cap is substantially simultaneously obtained from the cap station and when the carriage is moved to an intermediate position, the elevator mechanism raises the new bag to be filled to the filler nozzle and lowers the filled bag to the capping position and the cycle repeats itself.
Abstract:
Dispensers for flexible sealed plastic bags used for the storage of wines or other liquids that may spoil when exposed to the air. The outer sleeve of each of the described embodiments of the dispenser is attached to the exterior surface of the sealed bag and either cuts or shears open the bag by a combination of rotational and longitudinal movement of the barrel of the dispenser within the sleeve. The fluid is thereafter dispensed through radial holes through the sleeve and the barrel by only rotational adjustment of the sleeve within the barrel.
Abstract:
An improved screw-on assembly for coupling line connectors with spouts has been invented. The invention can be used with bag-in-box packaging or with a variety of other applications requiring fluid coupling. In one embodiment, threading is accomplished by mating internal threads on a line connector with flexible tabs located on the spout. Deformation of the tabs during threading provides a restorative force that stabilizes the assembly during threading. Cooperation of the deformable tabs with structures near the end of the thread provides for self-locking of the assembly. In addition, the tabs are situated on a flange, providing compatibility of the present invention with prior art line connectors.
Abstract:
A machine and method for filling bags with liquid through spouts attached to the bags, wherein a piston within a filling head that operates to control flow of the liquid from the filling head is also extended out of the filling head and into the spout, after the bag is filled, in order to push remaining material from the spout and through is bottom opening into the bag. The spout bottom opening is then closed, after which any remaining material adhering to the walls inside the spout and surfaces of the filling head are cleaned by forming a chamber between them through which a cleaning fluid is passed. This machine and method are particularly useful when filling bags with highly viscous and/or sticky liquids, such as thick food products. They avoid a result of having either to distribute messy bags of product with material remaining adhered to the outside of the spout and/or bag, or to first remove this material by an additional cleaning step.
Abstract:
According to a preferred embodiment, a machine for filling containers, such flexible plastic bags, with fluid product, such a liquid food product, uses two container fill nozzles that each has a product supply system. While one of the nozzles is being used to fill containers that are being moved through the machine, the other nozzle and its product supply system is being cleaned. For the cleaning, at least one receptacle is provided to receive a nozzle being cleaned. Any product remaining in the delivery system and nozzle is flushed out through the receptacle in which the nozzle is inserted, and those portions cleaned. Fresh product is then loaded back into the delivery system and dispensed through the nozzle into the containers. This system and these operating techniques allow the product to be changed frequently without having to suffer a significant down time of the filling machine for cleaning.
Abstract:
An automatic bag filling and capping apparatus includes an input ramp for receiving a continuous web of flexible laminated plastic bags each having a capped tubular filling fitment. A linear drive conveyer engages the leading bag fitment and pushed it along the ramp to a fitment gripper and, at that point, a severing blade separates the leading bag from the continuous web. The separate bag is then passed to a filling position where the fitment is held by side grippers on a three-position elevator, a cap gripper on a shuttle comes in to grasp the cap which is removed when the elevator is lowered. The elevator is then raised to engage the open fitment with a filling tube. When filled, a pair of temporary sealing cups are brought in to pinch the filled flexible bag just below the fitment to seal the bag against the admission of air. The elevator carrying the temporarily sealed bag is lowered, the cap gripper positions the cap over the fitment, the elevator is raised to reapply the cap, and the sealing cups and elevator side grippers are retracted to permit the filled and sealed bag to settle on an output conveyer. An alternate embodiment of the cap gripper permits new caps which may include a dispenser tap and which enter the apparatus on a vibrating conveyer to be placed on a bag fitment previously supplied without a cap.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a roll of film material having: (1) a first web of film having a first planar surface and a first set of opposed lateral edges; (2) a second web of film having a second planar surface and a second set of opposed lateral edges, a portion of the second planar surface being in contact with the first planar surface but not being attached thereto, the second set of opposed lateral edges being in registration with the first set of opposed lateral edges; and (3) the first web of film and the second web of film being wound about an axis transversely disposed to the first set of opposed lateral edges to define a roll of film material.
Abstract:
A spout for a flexible bag adapted to hold a liquid, the spout adapted for coupling with a connector having a rotatable spout adapter with an internal thread. The spout has a substantially cylindrical body with an outer surface, a spout opening, and a spout axis. The spout further has at least one flexible tab attached to and protruding radially distal from the outer surface of the cylindrical body of the spout. The tab has a top side that is substantially perpendicular to the spout axis, a bottom side opposing the top side, and a leading edge for engaging the thread. Additionally, the spout, has an undeformed tab length that typically deforms upon engaging the internal thread of the spout adapter.
Abstract:
A machine for filling containers, such as flexible plastic bags, with fluid product, such as liquid food product, using two container fill nozzles that each having a product supply system. While one of the nozzles is being used to fill containers that are being moved through the machine, the other nozzle and its product supply system is being cleaned. For the cleaning, at least one receptacle is provided to receive a nozzle being cleaned. Any product remaining in the delivery system and nozzle is flushed out through the receptacle in which the nozzle is inserted, and those portions cleaned. Fresh product is then loaded back into the delivery system and dispensed through the nozzle into the containers. This system and these operating techniques allow the product to be changed frequently without having to suffer a significant down time of the filling machine for cleaning.