Packaging system

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for filling a flexible pouch having a base and sidewalls extending from the base to define a mouth. Pouches are delivered to an infeed conveyor to a predetermined orientation and transported in a controlled manner toward a filler station. Pouches are transferred from the infeed conveyor to a transport conveyor in which the pouch is gripped adjacent to the mouth so as to be suspended from the transport conveyor. The mouth of the pouch is opened to permit filling at the filling station, the pouch passes through the filler station, and the mouth is closed and sealed prior to release from the transport conveyor.

1 . A method of filling a flexible pouch having a base and sidewalls extending from said base to define a mouth, said method comprising the steps of delivering said pouches to an infeed conveyor in a predetermined orientation, transporting said pouches in a controlled manner by said infeed conveyor toward a filler station, transferring said pouches from said infeed conveyor to a transport conveyor in which said pouch is gripped adjacent to said mouth so as to be suspended from said transport conveyor, opening said mouth of said pouch to permit filling at said filling station, passing said pouches through said filler station, closing said mouth and sealing said mouth prior to release from said transport conveyor.  
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein movement of said transport conveyor is continuous.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein a discharge conveyor receives pouches from a pouch maker and delivers said pouches to said infeed conveyor.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 3  wherein said pouches are aligned on said discharge conveyor in a preferred orientation.  
   
   
       5 . A pouch filling system for filling a flexible pouch having a base and sidewalls extending from said base to define a mouth, said system including an infeed conveyor having a plurality of containers to maintain said pouches in a predetermined orientation of said infeed conveyor, a filler station to dispense contents into said pouch, a transport conveyor to move said pouch through said filler station, said transport conveyor including a plurality of retainers moveable with said conveyor to grip said pouch adjacent to said mouth so as to be suspended therefrom, and a sealer unit to seal said mouth after said contents are dispensed by said filler whilst gripped by said retainers.  
   
   
       6 . The system according to  claim 5  where said transport conveyor includes a drive to move said pouches in a continuous manner through said filler.  
   
   
       7 . The system according to  claim 6  including a discharge conveyor to carry pouches from a pouch maker to said infeed conveyor.  
   
   
       8 . The system according to  claim 7  including an alignment station to ensure said pouch is in a preferred orientation on said discharge conveyor.  
   
   
       9 . The system according to  claim 8  wherein said alignment station includes a vision system to determine the disposition of said pouch relative to said preferred orientation and a robotic unit to adjust said pouch to said preferred orientation.  
   
   
       10 . A method of inserting a fitment into a mouth of a pouch, comprising the steps of opening said mouth of said pouch, positioning said fitment at the desired location relative to said mouth, closing said mouth so as to engage said fitment and sealing said mouth to retain said fitment.  
   
   
       11 . Apparatus for inserting a fitment into a mouth of a pouch, said apparatus including a first conveyor including retainers to support said pouch in either a first position in which said mouth is open, or a second position in which said mouth is closed, a second conveyor to carry a retainer and position it in said mouth and a sealer to seal said mouth in a closed position about said fitment.  
   
   
       12 . A cooler for cooling contents of a pouch, said cooler including a conveyor to suspend said pouches and move them through said cooler, along a path, a plurality of nozzles arranged along said path, and a coolant supply to supply coolant to said nozzles, said nozzles being positioned to spray said coolant on opposite sides of said pouches as they are moved through said cooler.  
   
   
       13 . A filler system for filling a pouch with a fluid comprising a reservoir of said fluid, a supply line to deliver said fluid to manifold, at least one pump having an inlet connected by an inlet conduit to said manifold and an outlet connected to by an outlet conduit to a filler nozzle, and a pair of valves associated respectively with said inlet and outlet, said values operable to control flow through said conduits by engagement of an exterior wall thereof to cause deformation of said exterior wall and collapse of said conduit.