Abstract:
An apparatus for forming a plurality of flexible pouches from a continuous web of film having a plurality of registration marks spaced a predetermined distance apart. The apparatus includes a film displacement mechanism, a registration mark sensor, and a controller. The film displacement mechanism includes at least one vertically oriented roller that rollingly engages with the continuous web of film. The film displacement mechanism adjusts the tension in the film by horizontally displacing the vertically oriented roller. The registration mark sensor is positioned upstream of the film displacement mechanism and is configured to detect the registration marks. The controller controls the film displacement mechanism to horizontally displace the film upon receipt of a signal from the registration mark sensor.
Abstract:
The apparatus, for filling a flexible pouch having a bottom end, an opposite top end, and a pair of side edges extending between the bottom and top end, includes a filling station, a supply of compressed purging gas, and a gas purging station. The filling station includes a feeder that dispenses an amount of product into the pouch. The gas purge station is positioned subsequent to the filling station and includes a pair of gas lances. Each of the pair of gas lances have an outlet to discharge the purging gas into the pouch. The pair of gas lances being moveable between an inserted position and a withdrawn position. In the inserted position the pair of gas lances are disposed within the pouch a predetermined distance above the amount of product, and in the withdrawn position the pair of gas lances are provided above the top end of the pouch.
Abstract:
A selectively disposable fitment assembly for use with a flexible pouch is provided. The fitment assembly is mounted to a selected portion of an outer surface of the flexible pouch. The fitment assembly includes a cap having a spacer, a base, and a tube spout. The base includes an adhesive coating operable to stick the base onto the selected outer surface of the pouch. The tube spout includes a first passageway. The base includes an aperture contiguous with the first passageway. The cap is configured to fittingly engage the outer surface of the tube spout and is rotatable with respect to the tube spout. The cap includes an elongated piercing member. Once the fitment assembly is mounted onto the pouch, the cap may be then rotated onto the base until the piercing members puncture the pouch so as to create an opening through which product may flow.
Abstract:
A load smart system for continuously loading preformed pouches into a fill-seal machine is provided. A plurality of pouches are disposed within a pouch delivery device, each of the pouches having an upper edge and an indicia. The fill-seal machine includes a rotating turret having a plurality of radially extending grippers. The rotating turret rotates the plurality of gripper pairs between a loading station, an opening station, a filling station, a sealing station, and an unloading station. A robotic transfer device is positioned between the pouch delivery device and the loading station of the fill-seal machine. The robotic transfer device includes an optical sensor positioned on a gripper member. During operation, the optical sensor scans the indicia to determine the pouch characteristics and a controlling station controls the gripper member to deposits the pouch within the gripper pairs at the loading station a predetermined distance from the upper edge of the pouch.
Abstract:
A flexible pouch having a removable cap for use with the tube spout fitment and a method of filling the flexible pouch is provided. The removable cap is formed from a tube of pliable material, and has a first opening and a second opening. The first and second openings each have a peripheral edge. The peripheral edge of the first opening is configured to engage the outer surface of the tube spout fitment. The peripheral edge of the second opening is pressed onto itself and sealed so as to form a flattened edge. The method includes the steps mounting the removable cap onto the tube spout fitment. Filling the pouch, and sealing the second opening of the removable cap so as to form a flattened edge.
Abstract:
A machine for forming a flexible pouch having a spout fitment includes a frame, a transport device adjacent the frame for transporting a flexible material therealong, and a feeder device for supplying a roll of tape material having a plurality of fitments secured thereto. A fitment insertion station receives the roll of tape material with pre-applied fitments, and removes the fitment, and seals the fitment to a fitment receiving portion of the flexible material. A pouch body forming station operatively forms a body of the pouch from the flexible material, and an upper edge, a lower edge and a side edge extending therebetween.
Abstract:
The present invention is an improved flexible tube package and a method for manufacturing the pouch. The package includes a panel having a wall with reinforcing tape that forms a tube. A fitment is sealed around the open edges of the tube. The fitment may be an end cap that includes an absorbent layer that absorbs liquid, moisture, and/or oxygen, a flavor additive and/or a radio frequency identification label. The method includes the steps of forming a pouch by positioning a panel of material, and securing a reinforcing tape on the panel, and sealing the edges to form a tube. An end cap is preloaded into a base of a holder, the formed panel is loaded into the holder, and the base is sealed to an outer surface of the tube. The pouch is opened and filled. An upper end cap is sealed to the upper end of the tube over the reinforcing tape. The pouch is removed from the machine.