BE1026037B1 - METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING GRANULAR MATERIAL - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for packaging granular material such as coffee. The present invention further relates to a device suitable for checking packages comprising at least one granular material for leaks, the device comprising the following elements: a foot (i) provided with at least one upright wall, a drum (iii), which is rotatable is mounted on the upright wall, wherein the drum is provided with meshes, the meshes being large enough to allow the granular material to pass, the device becoming a control surface (iv), the control surface being between the foot and the drum is located.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING GRANULAR MATERIAL

TECHNICAL DOMAIN

The invention relates to the packaging of coffee. More specifically, the invention relates to an improved method for packaging coffee and a device therefor.

BACKGROUND ART

When packaging granular material such as coffee and tea, it is important that the package does not contain any defects. These defects, such as, for example, ground coffee between the weld seam of a coffee pad, can lead to leaks. The leaking of coffee packs, in particular coffee pods, leads to various disadvantages for the consumer. A pad that is completely detached before use is unusable. A pad that leaks can lead to coffee grit in the coffee and a non-conforming brew. Furthermore, depending on the device that converts the pads into coffee, this device may have to be completely cleaned in order not to find any coffee grit in the next coffee. This is a major inconvenience for the consumer for the speed and convenience of coffee pods.

Coffee pods are known from the patent US 4,852,333. This patent describes the standard production process for coffee pods. However, this process is not flawless, production errors can lead to leaky pads. A quality check or method to bypass these leaking pads is not discussed.

A device suitable for converting a coffee path into a single cup of coffee is described in US 2005/0160918. Although this device is provided with a pod holder, with which the occurrence of coffee grit in the coffee is generally prevented, a part of this device must still be disassembled to remove loose coffee grit.

A similar problem exists with tea bags, which are generally not extracted by machine. Tea bags are known from US 2,308,241. Leaks also cause problems with tea bags, such as plant material in the tea.

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The present invention aims at least to find a solution for some of the above problems or disadvantages. The object of the invention is to provide a method which overcomes these disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a device for checking packages of granular material, preferably coffee packages, for production errors. The quality of coffee will generally decrease during packaging, transport, sales and consumption. This through contact with oxygen and other oxidants, loss of aromas and so on. For a high quality of coffee, suitable packaging is therefore extremely important. Furthermore, it is also important for a consumer that this quality is consistently present. Occasionally selling defective products is unacceptable.

In the first aspect the invention comprises a device suitable for checking packages comprising at least one granular material for leaks, the device comprising the following elements: a foot (i) provided with at least one upright wall (ii), a drum (iii) , which is rotatably mounted on the upright wall, wherein the drum is provided with meshes, the meshes being large enough to allow passage of the granular material, the device further comprising a control surface (iv), the control surface being between the foot and the drum.

This device is capable of checking packaging, including coffee pods and tea bags, for leaks in a quick, easy and non-destructive way. This device can thus be used to check the quality of coffee packaged for consumers on an industrial scale.

Preferred embodiments are given in claims 2 to 10.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for checking a series of packages comprising at least one granular material for leaks, the method comprising the following steps:

- taking a sample of one or more random single packages comprising at least one granular material,

- placing the sample in a meshed mesh drum

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- rotating the drum at a rotation speed of 10 to 60 rotations per minute, preferably 30 to 40 rotations per minute for 60 seconds.

- checking if the granular material is around or below the drum by visually checking a control surface under the drum, the presence of said granular material on the control surface being an indicator for a leaking package.

The method according to the second aspect leads to a coffee product that statistically meets the quality requirements more. This as a result of the structured checking of the packages. The result of a standardized check can be fed back in order to improve the production process. In this way the elements that cause these errors can be prevented or eliminated. In this way the method can also contribute preventively to an increased quality of the end product.

Further advantages of the method are the speed and simplicity. This allows workers to apply the method without extensive knowledge and without losing much time, even on a large production scale. A quick test is advantageous since the results are immediately known when the test is completed, and a worker in an industrial production process usually only has a short time. No further analysis or verification is required, which is highly desirable for testing on a production line.

Furthermore, the method ensures a relatively standardized result. As a result, different people who implement the same protocol will more or less get the same results. For example, the regional test can be used for statistical analysis and feedback of a quality control in order to optimize the production process.

Preferred embodiments are given in claims 12 to 15. These preferred forms include the control of coffee pods and tea bags.

BE2018 / 5587

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 shows a perspective schematic representation of an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a schematic front view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a method for packaging granular material, preferably coffee. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for increasing the quality of coffee packaging. In another aspect the invention also relates to a device for this purpose. The device is adapted to perform the method quickly and easily, regardless of the scale of production. This is advantageous when producing high-quality coffee on a large scale.

The present invention relates to a device and a method for checking packages which comprise at least one granular material.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used in the description of the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art of the invention. For a better assessment of the description of the invention, the following terms are explicitly explained.

"One", "de" and "it" in this document refer to both the singular and the plural unless the context clearly presupposes otherwise. For example, "a segment" means one or more than one segment.

When "about" or "round" is used in this document for a measurable quantity, a parameter, a duration or moment, and the like, variations are meant of +/- 20% or less, preferably +/- 10% or less, more with

BE2018 / 5587 preferably +/- 5% or less, even more preferably +/- 1% or less, and even more preferably +/- 0.1% or less than and of the quoted value, insofar as such variations apply are in the described invention. However, this should be understood to mean that the value of the quantity in which the term "about" or "round" is used is itself specifically disclosed.

The terms "include", "comprising", "consist of", "consisting of", "provided with", "contain", "containing", "withhold", "withhold" are "synonymous" and are inclusive or open terms that presence of what follows, and which do not exclude or prevent the presence of other components, features, elements, members, steps, known from or described in the prior art.

In a first aspect the present invention relates to a device suitable for checking packages comprising at least one granular material for leaks, the device comprising the following elements: a foot (i) provided with at least one upright wall (ii), a drum (iii ), which is rotatably mounted on the upright wall, wherein the drum is provided with meshes, the meshes being large enough to allow the granular material to pass, the device further comprising a control surface (iv), the control surface being between the foot and the drum.

The base as described herein is primarily intended to support the device. The foot can be a plane intended to rest on another plane. However, the foot can also comprise various support locations, which support the device. It is understood here that the foot can keep the device upright, so that the drum can rotate freely. This means that the foot must at least support the mass center of the device.

The support plate as described herein is a frame intended for freely rotatable arrangement of the drum. The orientation and design of the support plate can be wide, whereby the support plate does not necessarily have to be a plate. The supporting plate can for instance also be designed as a frame.

Both the support plate and the base are essential for supporting the drum. The axis of the drum hereby preferably comes approximately horizontally. However, the support plate and the base can also have other functions. Such is a foundation

BE2018 / 5587 and a wall strong enough to support a drum according to the present invention, also a support plate and foot.

The drum is a hollow, rotatable version with radial meshes. Preferably the drum is cylindrical, spherical or semi-spherical. Even more preferably, the drum is cylindrical. The drum has meshes. These meshes must be large enough to allow the granular material to pass through. Preferably at least greater than 90% of the granular material. More preferably, at least greater than 99% of the granular material. Furthermore, the meshes must be substantially smaller than the packages. According to a preferred embodiment, the mesh size is 5 to 20 mm, preferably 10 mm. The mesh size is the diameter of circular meshes, or an equivalent diameter for other shapes. The equivalent diameter is calculated as 4 times the mesh area divided by the mesh circumference.

The control surface is located between the foot and the drum. Since the base of the device, in the operative condition, must support the center of mass of the device, the control surface will be under the drum.

Here "under" is the direction of the free fall movement under the influence of gravity. It is to be understood here that the control surface spreads out under at least the entire drum. Preferably the control surface is at least 10% larger than a perpendicular projection of the drum. The control surface is preferably at least 20% larger than a perpendicular projection of the drum. The control surface may, according to an embodiment, form part of the foot. According to another embodiment, the control surface can be fixedly attached to the foot and / or the support plate. The control surface is preferably easily inspected visually and cleaned. The control surface is preferably close to the drum, so that as little granular material as possible ends up past the control surface due to an air flow or the centrifugal force of the drum.

With the aid of the method according to the second aspect, this device can be used to check packages of granular material, preferably coffee packages or tea packages, for leaks. Hereby coffee packages are placed in the drum; after which it rotates. The rotation of the drum leads to rolling and falling movements of the coffee packages in the drum. These rolling and falling movements

BE2018 / 5587 will, in the case of a leaky package, stimulate the release of coffee through these leaks. Furthermore, these rolling and falling movements can also enlarge these defects into a leak even with packages with a defective closure but without a leak, for example a poorly applied weld seam that can easily come loose. This leak will then also be detected. Furthermore, this device has the advantage that the quality control is only destructive for defective packages. Finally, this invention has the advantage of a much simpler leak check. For example, the drained material will be on the check plate. This check plate can be of a smooth, contrasting design, which greatly simplifies and speeds up the discovery of leaked granular material.

A preferred embodiment is the device in which the drum is a cylinder which is meshed radially, the cylinder being closed on the side with the upstanding wall through a first, full cylinder wall and half-open on the other side through a second, annular cylinder wall with an outer diameter Du and an inner diameter Di, with Du> Di and Du preferably being equal to the cylinder diameter Dc.

In a further preferred embodiment, the outer diameter Du is 20 to 40 cm and the inner diameter Di is 10 to 20 cm. The radius of the Du-Di ring-shaped cylinder wall is 10 to 30 cm. The ring shape is a circle ring or annulus as known in geometry.

The complete seal on the side of the support plate ensures that no packages can get between the drum and the support plate. If packages get between the drum and the support plate, they are usually torn open. This means that the test cannot be continued. Taking care of a closure on the drum is a great added value. The second, annular cylinder wall is a collection disk. This, too, is intended to keep the packages within the device in the operative condition. The central opening of the annular form in the second cylinder wall makes it easy to remove packages in and out of the drum. This also allows sufficient cleaning of the drum, which is necessary for reliable test results. A central axial opening makes internal cleaning of the drum considerably easier than a radial opening.

A preferred embodiment comprises the device wherein the drum is provided radially along the inside with catch surfaces, preferably 3-6

BE2018 / 5587 carrier surfaces with a radial height of 1 to 5 cm. These dimensions are good choices for testing coffee pods and tea bags.

The radial height is measured in the direction of the radius of the drum. The carrier surfaces ensure that the packages undergo sufficient movement. This movement is understood to mean rotations and translations, preferably with different acceleration vectors. These movements stimulate the release of granular material from possible leaks. Furthermore, these movements simulate a trajectory that the packaging undergoes during transport, storage and sale to the consumer. It is therefore important that the package does not contain any weaknesses, these weaknesses becoming a leak during normal use of the package. Without the carrier surfaces, many round as well as light packages will undergo too little movement, so that a longer test time is required, or the test will be carried out less strictly. The movement can be determined by the number and size of the carrier surfaces, which is preferably adapted to the packages to be checked.

A further preferred form comprises a volume of the drum between 5 and 25 dm ³ , preferably between 8 and 15 dm ³ , even more preferably between 10 and 12 dm ³ . The volume of the drum determines the volume of the packages that can be tested simultaneously. The volume of the packages must remain small compared to the volume of the drum for a rigorous, comprehensive test. If the quantity of packages increases in volume, the test will be less strict for each individual package. However, this can be useful if the packages are repackaged, for example individual packages that are subsequently packaged as a group. A more filled drum, for example, will better simulate these circumstances.

Another preferred embodiment comprises the device wherein the foot and / or support plate comprises a bearing surface, suitable for placing the control surface, wherein the control surface is not permanently fixed to the foot, neither the support plate, nor the support surface.

The control surface is therefore movable. This allows the control surface to be kept just below the drum, whereby no granular material is lost due to centrifugal force or local air currents. The disadvantage of this is that the control surface is too close to the drum for a good visual

BE2018 / 5587 inspection and easy cleaning. A removable control surface can solve these problems, making visual inspection or cleaning easier.

According to another preferred embodiment, the control surface has a contrasting color with respect to the granular material. For use with coffee and / or tea, this contrasting color is preferably white.

A contrasting color between the granular material and the inspection plate improves the visual inspection. Leaked granular material will thus be more visible.

In another preferred embodiment, the control surface has a raised or sloping edge, whereby a tub shape, flattened or not, is obtained.

In order to prevent granular material from unintentionally escaping the control surface, the edges are preferably sloping or raised. This forms a barrier against losing granular material for inspection. This makes the test results more reliable.

According to another preferred embodiment, the device comprises a shaft drive, which is capable of rotating the rotatable drum.

This shaft drive is preferably capable of maintaining a relatively constant speed. Even more preferably, this speed can be freely determined or configured, with or without the aid of an acceleration mechanism.

This has the advantage that the device is less dependent on the user. The device can for instance be electrically driven instead of a manual drive. The speed, which can optionally be predetermined, contributes to a standardized check.

According to another preferred embodiment, the device comprises a time unit which is suitable for measuring a time difference.

This has the advantage of standardizing quality control. The time span during which the packaging undergoes the rolling and falling movement has an influence on the defects expressed by the quality control. A constant time span

BE2018 / 5587 during which the falling and rolling movement is carried out will lead to constant and standardized test results.

Furthermore, the results of the quality control can only be compared quantitatively if the test is also more or less standardized. Standardizing the audit also allows feedback on these qualitative results. In this way production can be optimized based on the control.

A preferred form comprises a measuring device, wherein the amount of granular material on the control plate is measured. The amount of granular material is preferably measured on the basis of weight, whereby the measuring device comprises a scale. Even more preferably, a particle size distribution is set up. This is possible with a laser diffraction analysis. In the most preferred form, the measuring device comprises a laser diffraction analyzer.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for checking a series of packages comprising at least one granular material for leaks, the method comprising the following steps:

- taking a sample of one or more random single packages comprising at least one granular material,

- placing the sample in a meshed drum,

- providing an empty control surface under the drum,

- rotating the drum at a speed of 10 to 60 rotations per minute, preferably 30 to 40 rotations per minute for 60 seconds.

- checking if the granular material is around or below the drum by visually checking a control surface under the drum, the presence of said granular material on the control surface being an indicator for a leaking package.

This method is fast, and gives a result immediately after the method has ended. As a result, the method can mean rapid feedback to production. Furthermore, the process can be carried out on a production line by workers and / or operators. They also require very little training in order to use this method.

Furthermore, the method leads to a clear test result. The packaging does not have to be examined, only a certain control surface has to be checked.

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According to a preferred embodiment, the drum rotates for a predetermined fixed time, preferably 20 to 300 seconds, most preferably 60 seconds.

A fixed time is desirable for standardizing the results. This results in qualitative and comparable results. The chosen time is a good balance between the test time and the extent to which the packages are tested extensively.

In a preferred embodiment of the method the inspection of the control surface is done visually and / or on the basis of weight. Since a specific control surface is used, visual control is easy and can be achieved without further devices. If only the leakage or non-leakage of the packages needs to be checked, a visual inspection will yield immediate and clear results. Visual inspection can still be automated with the help of sensors.

A qualitative check, in which the amount of leaking product must also be examined, can be done with the aid of a weighing device. The weighing device can weigh the amount of granular material on the control surface. For example, the extent to which the package leaks is measured quantitatively, and comparisons can be made. Furthermore, this will also show a clear difference between small and large leaks, and possibly different packages that leak in the same sample.

A preferred embodiment of the second aspect comprises the following additional step:

- Moving the control surface from under the drum to a control location.

A control site is defined as a place where the control surface can be easily and efficiently carried out. For a visual check, this is a well-exposed place where the control surface can be closely viewed. For precise control of the weight of the granular material, for example, a protective cabinet may be desirable, which counteracts external influences. This way the control is improved and simplified.

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A preferred embodiment comprises the method, wherein the packages to be checked comprise a series of coffee pads, the coffee pads being checked for leaking coffee.

The packaging of coffee is a very important factor in the quality of this coffee for consumers. Coffee always loses aromas to the environment. Furthermore, contact with the environment, such as oxygen from the air, will speed up the coffee operation. Even worse is leaking coffee from a package. The coffee and packaging is then generally not usable, but this also entails an extra cost of cleaning up the spilled coffee. For example, leaking packaging is completely unacceptable for a high-quality coffee brand. It is therefore essential to pack the coffee correctly and only sell packaging that meets these conditions.

As a result, this method, which can easily be carried out on a large scale for checking coffee packaging, has multiple advantages.

A preferred embodiment comprises the method, wherein the packages to be checked comprise a series of tea bags, the tea bags being checked for leaking tea.

Preventing leaks, including through appropriate quality controls, increases the quality of the product. In addition, both products are very suitable for checking according to the above method. The device according to the first aspect is also well suited for checking coffee pods and tea bags. Finally, both products are produced on a scale where a standard method of control is desirable.

However, the invention is not limited to coffee pods and tea bags. Every package containing granular material is sufficient.

EXAMPLE

The invention will now be further elucidated with reference to the following example, without however being limited thereto.

The device consists of a foot on which an upright support plate is mounted. A drum is rotatably mounted on this support plate. The drum is driven

BE2018 / 5587 by a shaft drive. This shaft drive is controlled by a control panel. There is a removable control surface between the drum and the foot.

The drum comprises a half-open cylinder with a radius of 30 cm and a width of 15 cm. The drum is provided on the side of the supporting plate with a complete base surface which seals the drum. We therefore call the side of the support plate the closed side. We call the other side of the drum the open side. This comprises a collection disc, with an outer radius equal to the diameter of the drum and an inner radius 7.5 cm smaller than the outer radius. The curved surface of the cylinder is perforated. The perforations are circular and have a diameter of 10 mm. Furthermore, the curved surface of the cylinder is provided with axial recesses on the inside. These axial recesses are 2 cm high in the radial direction, measured from the curved surface, and run the full axial length of the drum. The axial recesses are carrier surfaces. These carrier surfaces ensure that coffee pods partially follow the movement of the drum.

The shaft drive drives the shaft of the drum, causing it to rotate. The shaft drive provides a speed between 3.56 and 3.67 rad / s. When starting the shaft drive, this speed is reached between 0 and 1 second. Reaching the speed too fast implies a very high angular acceleration. This strengthens the control of the coffee pads. Reaching the speed very slowly leads to a longer test time. The shaft drive is an electric motor of 0.12 W and a speed of 1,380 revolutions / minute, the desired speed being achieved by a reduction gearbox. This reduction box is provided with a slip coupling, which guarantees safety when using the device.

This motor is switched on and off by a control panel. The control panel includes a start button and an emergency stop. Furthermore, the control panel comprises a timer, which measures the time. The start button starts the timer and the shaft drive. The test involves driving the shaft, and this is held for 60 seconds. After 60 seconds, measured according to the timer, the shaft drive is switched off. The emergency stop interrupts the power to the shaft drive.

The control surface comprises a plastic, flat surface of 33.5 cm by 24.5 cm, with a depth of 10 mm. It is made of plastic and is completely white. This white color provides a clear contrast with ground coffee. The control surface is cleaned after each test. To control and clean it

BE2018 / 5587 control surface, the control surface is not fixed on the base nor the support plate of the device, making it removable. The edge of the control surface is sloping. This edge ensures that no ground coffee or other leaked products can leave the control surface. Thus, when the control surface is moved, no ground coffee or other products will be lost.

Claims (5)

CONCLUSIONS Device suitable for checking packages comprising at least one granular material for leaks, the device comprising the following elements: a foot (i) provided with at least one upright wall (ii), a drum (iii), which is rotatably mounted on the upright wall, wherein the drum is provided with meshes, wherein the meshes are suitable for passing through the granular material, the device being characterized by a control surface (iv), the control surface being between the foot and the drum. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drum is a cylinder which is meshed radially, wherein the cylinder is closed on the side with the upstanding wall by a first, full cylinder wall and is half-open on the other side by a second, annular cylinder wall with an outer diameter Du and an inner diameter Di, with Du> Di and Du preferably being equal to the cylinder diameter Dc. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 2, wherein the drum is provided radially along the inside with carrier surfaces, preferably 36 carrier surfaces with a radial length of 1 to 5 cm. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 1-3, wherein the volume of the drum is between 5 and 25 dm ³ , preferably between 8 and 15 dm ³ , even more preferably between 10 and 12 dm ³ . Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 1-4, wherein the foot and / or supporting plate comprises a bearing surface, suitable for placing the control surface, wherein the control surface is not permanently fixed to the foot, neither the supporting plate, nor the bearing surface . Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 1-5, wherein the control surface has a contrasting color with respect to the granular material, preferably white. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 1-5, wherein the control surface has an upstanding or sloping edge, whereby a tub shape, whether flattened or not, is obtained. BE2018 / 5587 8. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 1-4, wherein the device further comprises a shaft drive, which is able to rotate the rotatable drum. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 1-6, wherein the device further comprises a time unit, which is suitable for measuring a time difference. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the mesh size is 5 to 20 mm. A method for checking a series of packages comprising at least one granular material for leaks, the method comprising the following steps: - taking a sample of one or more random single packages comprising at least one granular material, - placing the sample in a meshed mesh drum - providing an empty control surface under the drum, - rotating the drum at a speed of 10 to 60 rotations per minute, preferably 30 to 40 rotations per minute for 60 seconds. - checking if the granular material is around or below the drum by visually checking a control surface under the drum, the presence of said granular material on the control surface being an indicator for a leaking package. Method according to the preceding claim 12, wherein the control surface is checked visually and / or based on weight. A method according to any of the preceding claims 11-13, wherein the method further comprises the following steps: - Moving the control surface from under the drum to a control location. BE2018 / 5587 A method according to any one of the preceding claims 11-13, wherein the series of packages comprises a series of coffee pads, wherein the coffee pads are checked for leaking coffee. 15. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 11-13, wherein the series of packages comprises a series of tea bags, wherein the tea bags are checked for leaking tea.