Fluent material handling – with receiver or receiver coacting mea – Processes – Battery grid pasting
Patent
1981-06-29
1983-11-29
Bell, Jr., Houston S.
Fluent material handling, with receiver or receiver coacting mea
Processes
Battery grid pasting
141 10, 141 92, 141114, 141154, 53167, 53389, 53426, 134134, B65B 304, B67C 116, B67C 334
Patent
active
044176074
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for filling flexible containers in an aseptic environment.
Flexible bags, comprised of a plastic material, such as polyethylene, are well suited as containers for fluid substances, such as milk, water, fruit juices, wine, and chemicals. Typically, a spout is provided, through which the container may be filled and the contents may be dispensed. The containers may be connected in continuous web form and filled by advancing the web of containers seriatim into a filling station, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,120,134, issued on Oct. 17, 1978 to William R. Scholle, and assigned to Scholle Corporation. The specification of that patent provides useful information helpful in understanding the context in which the present invention operates, and therefore, that patent is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
The apparatus described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,120,134 includes (a) feed means comprising conveyors for directing the continuous web, formed by the interconnected containers, from a supply carton onto a platform adjacent the filling station; (b) guide members for aligning the filling spout of each container as it moves along the platform; (c) a mechanism for uncapping, filling, and recapping each container at the filling station; and (d) means for releasing the filling spouts after each container is filled. As described in this patent, the containers may be advanced either by a mechanically driven conveyor or an inclined passive conveyor. The passive conveyor utilizes the gravitational force of the filled containers on an inclined unloading conveyor to pull the web of empty interconnected containers behind it.
Where the contents of the containers are consumable, measures must be taken to insure that such contents are free from contamination. If, for example, the containers are filled with high acid foods, it is necessary that the filling be performed under at least sanitary conditions. However, where low acid or neutral pH foods, such as milk, are involved, it is desirable that the filling be performed under aseptic conditions, since this permits such foods to have a longer shelf life than would otherwise be possible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for filling flexible containers in an aseptic environment. This apparatus comprises a tunnel-like, elongated chamber having an entry port, through which the empty containers are fed, and a dispensing port, through which the filled containers are dispensed. The chamber is partitioned into three compartments, including a sterilizing compartment, adjacent to the entry port, a filling compartment, adjacent to the dispensing port, and a drying compartment, interposed between the filling and sterilizing compartments. In addition, the entry and dispensing ports each have a seal, formed of elastomeric material with a slit therein, to reduce the risk of contaminant migration into the elongated chamber while permitting the containers to pass therethrough. A supply of sterilized air is continuously input to the filling compartment to pressurize the entire elongated chamber and provide a flow of sterile air therethrough to prevent entry of contaminants.
The present invention utilizes premanufactured containers, connected in a continuous web, which have been prepackaged in a sealed overwrap container and presterilized therein. The sealed overwrap container, which comprises, for example, a plastic bag, is positioned adjacent to the entry port. However, before opening the overwrap, it is preferably to apply a positive pressure within the overwrap container by introducing sterile air therein. This may be accomplished by providing a probe, connected to a source of sterilized air, which is used to puncture the wall of the overwrap and inflate the overwrap container. An opening is then formed in the overwrap container, as by slitting with a knife, to provide access to one end of the continuous web of containers packaged therein. An operator manually
REFERENCES:
patent: 3828833 (1974-08-01), Smith
patent: 3913634 (1975-10-01), Eisenberg
patent: 4120134 (1978-10-01), Scholle
patent: 4208852 (1980-06-01), Pioch
Gunning Michael J.
Scholle William J.
Scholle William R.
Bell, Jr. Houston S.
Scholle Corporation
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