CA2246614A1 - A packaging container, a method and an assembly for filling same - Google Patents
A packaging container, a method and an assembly for filling same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2246614A1 CA2246614A1 CA002246614A CA2246614A CA2246614A1 CA 2246614 A1 CA2246614 A1 CA 2246614A1 CA 002246614 A CA002246614 A CA 002246614A CA 2246614 A CA2246614 A CA 2246614A CA 2246614 A1 CA2246614 A1 CA 2246614A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- packaging container
- filling
- covering membrane
- filling arrangement
- arrangement
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
- B65D5/72—Contents-dispensing means
- B65D5/74—Spouts
- B65D5/746—Spouts formed separately from the container
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
- B65B3/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
- B65B3/045—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles for filling flexible containers having a filling and dispensing spout, e.g. containers of the "bag-in-box"-type
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
- Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
- Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
- Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
- Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
Abstract
A packaging container of foldable material which is provided with a filling arrangement (6) with a contents supply channel (10) which is closed by means of a covering membrane (11). In the empty state, the packaging container is flat-laid, in which event the covering membrane (11) is connected to an opposing wall. In filled packaging containers, the covering membrane has been released from the filling arrangement (6) and is, like the above-mentioned wall, located a distance therefrom so that the contents supply channel is exposed. A method of filling the packaging container includes penetration of the covering membrane (11), and an assembly for carrying the method into effect includes a filler pipe (18) provided with a cutting edge (20).
Description
W0 97/35775 PCTrSE97fO0403 A PACKAGING CONTAINER, A METHOD AND AN ASSEMBLY FOR
F~LLING SAME
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a packaging container of foldable material which is disposed to be reforrned between a substantially flat-laid state and a raised state, and including a filling arrangement with a contents supply channel. The present invention also relates to a method of filling a packaging container with pumpable contents during the simultaneous reforming of the container from a substantially flat-laid state to a raised state via a filling arrangement with a contents supply channel which, in the flat-laid state of the packaging container, is sealed in liquid-tight fashion. The present invention finally relates to an assembly for filling packaging containers with pumpable contents during the simultaneous reforrning of the packaging container from the flat-laid and sealed state to a raised state, the assembly including a filler pipe and a filling arrangement carried by the packaging container and provided with a contents supply channel.
BACKGROIJND ART
It is known in the art to pack, for example, foods of liquid or pumpable type in single use disposable packages of flexible packaging material, e.g. plastic film or packaging laminate comprising layers of paper and plastic. Packaging containers of this type are ready made and sealed and are transported in, for instance, the flat-laid state to a point where they are to be filled with the intended contents. At, for instance, a dairy or a juice producing plant, the flat-laid packaging containers are fed to a filling machine which fills the packaging containers with, for example, rnilk or juice and reseals them for further transport to the consumer. When the content which are to be packed have been sterilized beforehand in order to obtain long shelf life, packaging containers of aseptic type are employed. Sealed, flat-laid packaging containers may, for example, be sterilized by radiation at the producers, which makes it sirnple to transport the packaging containers in a securely aseptic manner to the filling machine where they are filled t under aseptic conditions.
A packaging system of this type is described in European Patent Application EP95101194.9, to which reference is now made. This packaging WO 97/3~;775 PCT/SE:97/00403 system produces aseptic consumer packages of the single use disposable type which are finished and sterilized centrally, whereafter they are transported to a filling machine where they are filled and given the desired final form. Filling takes place by means of a filler pipe which, after a 5 supplementary sterilization, penetrates a wall in a fi~ling arrangement so that the desired quantity of contents may be pumped into the packaging container under aseptic conditions. The filler pipe is removed and the filling arrangement is sealed in a sterile chamber and, after final forrning, the packaging container is ready fo~ delivery.
A further prior art packaging container is described in European Patent EP 263.101, to which reference is now made. This packaging container is a big bag produced from flexible plastic material, and the package is provided with a filling arrangement and a closure arrangement which together ensure that the prefabricated packaging container may be filled and 15 resealed in a satisfactory manner from the viewpoint of steri~ity. The filling arrangement comprises a tubular portion which is sealed in liquid-tight fashion over an aperture provided in one wall surface of the packaging container. A closure arrangement is connected to an opposing, interior wall surface in the packaging container and is employed to provide an interior 20 closure o~ the filling arrangement. With the aid of individually movable operating devices, the closure arrangement is temporarily removed from the filling arrangement in connection with the filling operation cycle.
While the above mentioned type of packaging container displays a filling and closure arrangement which functions satisfactorily, it is only 25 suitable for use in bag packs o~ large volume in which the opposing walls arelocated adjacent one another. The arrangement requires double hole making and liquid-tight sealing between the filling arrangement and the closure arrangement and the material of the packaging container, respectively, and is moreover relatively expensive and complex in its design and construction.
OBJECTS OF THE INV~NTION - THE CONTAINER
There is thus a wish in the art to provide a packaging container of consumer size which may made ready beforehand and which includes a filling arrangement also suitable for aseptic filling, and being of simple and 35 economical design and construction.
One object of the present invention is to realise such a pacl<aging container with a filling arrangement which, from the aseptic viewpoint, has a "pure" construction which obviates the above-outlined difficulties and which does not suffer from t}~e drawbacks inherent in prior art packaging r containers.
A further object of the present invention is to realise a packaging container with a filling arrangement which is simple to mount on a flat-laid packaging container without complicated hole making, positioning or sealing.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to realise a packaging container with a filling arrangement whose construction prevents the occu~L~llce of traps, cavities or other risk sources for bacterial accumulation.Still a further object of the present invention is to realise a packaging container with a filling arrangement which includes a wall intended for penetration, the wall being designed and arranged in such a manner that the penetration may take place in a controlled manner and without causing contamination in the packaging container.
SOLI~TION
These and other objects have been attained according to the present invention ir that a packaging container of the type described by way of introduction has been given the characterizing feature that the contents supply channel in the flat-laid state of the packaging container is sealed in liquid-tight fashion by means of a covering membrane which is integral with the filLling alrrangement and which is permanently connected to an opposing, inner wall surface in the packaging container, the covering membrane being, in the raised state of the packaging container, mechanically separated from the filling arrangement and located at such a distance therefrom that the contents supply channel is exposed.
Preferred embodiments of the packaging container according to the present invention have further been given the characterizing features as set forth in appended subclaims 2 to 6.
By manufacturing the filling arrangement in one piece, i.e. with integral covering membrane, there will be obtained an extremely "pure"
construction which facilitates aseptic handling. By permanently connecting the covering membrane to an opposing, inner wall surface in the packaging container, it will be ensured that, on penetration, material pieces deriving from the filling arrangement and/ or the packaging container proper do not fall loose inside the packaging container or irnpede the contents during filling and emptying. Furthermore, the conditions will be created for a rational opening and filling cycle which is also extremely well-suited for aseptic conditions.
OBJECI S OF THE INVENTION - THE METHOD
One object of the present invention is also to realise a method of filling a packaging container of the above-outlined type, this method being 10 eminently well suited for aseptic filling and being capable of execution rapidly and rationally in a high capacity filling machine.
A further object of the present invention is to realise a method of filling a packaging container which makes it possible, without complicated positioning o~ the packaging container and/or the filling arrangement and 15 without mechanical handling by several independent parts, to execute the fiUing cycle in a satisfactory manner from the aseptic viewpoint.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to realise a method of filling a packaging container which does not suffer from the drawbacks as outlined above in a consideration of the prior art.
SOLI lTION
The above and other objects have been attained according to the present invention in that a method of the type described by way of introduction has been given the characterizing feature that the filling 25 arrangement is connected to a filler pipe which breaks the liquid tight seal of the contents supply channel by mechanically separating a covering membrane integral with the filling arrangement therefrom. One preferred embodiment of the method according to the present invention has further been given the characterizing features as set forth in appended subclaim 8.
The method according to the invention makes for a rapid and reliable filling cycle which is eminently suited for aseptic filling in a surrounding sterile chamber.
OBTECTS OF THE INVENTION - THE ASSEMBLY
One object of the present invention is finally also to realise an assembly for filling a packaging container with pumpable contents, the W0 97/35775 PCT/SE:97/00403 assembly being simple and uncomplicated and not displaying those drawbacks from which similar prior art assemblies suffer.
A further object of the present invention is to realise an assembly for filling a packaging container which includes few moving parts and is designed, in one work operation, reliably and hygienically to open and fill a prefabricated packaging container.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to realise an assembly for filling a packaging container, the assembly including means for fixing and handl;ng a packaging container during filling.
SOLUTION
The above and other obJects have been attained according to the present invention in that an assembly of the type described by way of introduction has been given the characterizing feature that the contents 15 supply channel has a liquid-tight covering membrane integral with the fil3ing arrangement and connected to an opposing, inner wall surface in the packaging container, the filler pipe having a portion which is connectable in liquid-tight fashion with the filling arrangement and whose free end displays means for penetrating the covering membrane and separation 20 thereof from the filling arrangement.
Preferred embodiments of the assembly according to the present invention have further been given the characterizing features as set forth in appended subclairns 10 to 12.
Since the assembly according to the invention displays a filler pipe 25 with an integral penetration device, a simple construction will be obtained which is well suited for aseptic filling of packaging containers which have been rendered aseptic beforehand.
BRIEF DESCRIPrION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
One preferred embodiment of the packaging container, the method and the assembly according to the present invention will now be described in greater detail hereinbelow, with particular reference to the accompanying, schematic Drawings which show only those details indispensable for an understanding of the present invention. In the accompanying Drawings:
Fig. 1 shows, in the flat-laid state, a packaging container of the type which is intended to be handled using the method according to the invention;
Fig. 2 shows the packaging container of Fig. 1 after filling and final forming;
Fig. 3 shows, on a larger scale and in section, a filling arrangement according to the invention mounted on a packaging container in the flat-laid state; and Fig. 4 shows, on a larger scale and in section, the filling arrangement according to Fig. 3 during the final phase of the fflling cycle.
10 DES~RIPTION OF PREFERRED E~BODIMENT
One preferred embodiment of a packaging container according to the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 1 and is manufactured from a foldable, flexible packaging materiaI of known type. The packaging material may, for example, be a laminate which includes a substantially central carrier or core 15 layer of fibre material, for example paper, which is coated on either side with homogeneous layers of thermoplastic material, e.g. polyethylene. The packaging laminate may also include further layers, for example of alurninium foil or other barrier material. In Fig. 1, the packaging container isshown in the compressed or flat-laid state, which makes it suitable as a space 20 saving measure to be capable of being transported, for example from the point of manufacture to the food producer where the packaging container is to be finished and filled with the intended contents. The packaging container 1 is produced in that a sheet or a web of packaging material is double folded along a bottom line 2, whereafter the longitudinal and transverse edges of 25 the sheet are thermosealed inside-to-inside in two mutually parallel, longitudinal joints 3, and a transverse joint 4. The packaging material is also provided with a pattern of fold or crease lines 5 which make it possible, in a per se known manner, to convert the blank into a substantially parallelepipedic packaging configuration. A packaging container of this type 30 is described in, for example, EP 95101194.9, to which reference is now made for further information in respect of both the packaging container with its filling arrangement, as well as the method and the design and construction of the assembly.
At the upper end of the packaging container 1, the one side of the flat-35 laid blank displays a, for example, injection moulded filling arrangement and/or opening arrangement 6, which is covered by a closure device 7, for W0 97135775 PCT/SE:97100403 -example a screw cap. It will be apparent from Fig. 2 how the packaging container 1, after filling and closure, has obtained its parallelepipedic configuration, the fold or crease lines 5 controlling the formation of the longitudinal and transverse edge lines of the packaging container, and also 5 making possible the forrn;ng of tlhe four flat-laid corner flaps 8 for taking care of the excess material which, for geometric reasons, occurs on the reforming of the flat-laid packaging container into its final, parallelepipedic configuration. Two upper corner flaps 8 are folded down towards and sealed to the sides of the packaging container while two bottom corner flaps (not 10 visible) are folded in towards and sealed to the bottom of the packaging container. It will also be apparent from Fig. 2 how the filling arrangement/opening arrangement 6 is, after reforming of the packaging container to the raised state, placed at a forward end of the relatively planar,upper top wall 9 of the packaging container, i.e. between one of the edge or 15 crease lines 5 and in front of the centrally running transverse joint 4 over the top wall 9 of the packaging container. The filling arrangement 6 and surrounding portion of the packaging container 1 are shown on a larger scale and in cross section in Figs. 3 and 4, from which it will be apparent how the filling arrangement 6 is substantially tubular in shape and surrounds an 20 interior contents supply channel 10. The contents supply channel 10 is, at its lower end, sealed in liquid-tight fashion by means of a wall or covering membrane 11 which is integral with and thus of one piece manufacture with the filling arrangement 6, for example by injection moulding. The covering membrane 11 has a central, planar region and a surrounding, peripheral 25 region which is gently frusto conical and connected to the contents supply channel 10 a slight distance above the plane in which the central region of the covering membrane 11 is located. The outside of the filling arrangement 6 displays, a~ its lower end, a projecting flange 12 which, by thermosealing, isconnected in liquid-tight fashion to the inside of the packaging material. The 30 outside of the filling arrangement further has a groove 13 located a slight distance above the flange, as well as a thread 14 for applying the closure device 7, for example in the form of a screw cap. When the packaging container is in the flat-laid state illustrated in Pigs. 1 and 3, the transversesealing joint 4 is located immediately adjacent the filling arrangement 6 (to 35 the left in Fig. 3), while the rear portion of the top wall 9 abuts with its inner surface against and is t;hermosealed to the central portion of the covering membrane 11. The thermosealing between the packaging material and both the covering membrane 11 and the flange 12 takes place in connection with the manufacture of the flat-laid packaging containers.
Fig. 4 shows the filling arrangement 6 according to Fig. 3 in a later stage and, more precisely, during the closing sequence of the filling cycle.
The filling arrangement 6 is surrounded by a guide member 15, which includes an imrnobile fixing device 16 in the form of a fixed or flexible part and a radially movable fixing device 17 which includes one or more radially movable segments for engagement with the groove 13 of the filling arrangement ~. A filler pipe 18 is inserted in the contents supply channel 10 of the filling arrangement 6. The outer diameter of the cylindrical filler pipe 18 is equal to or slightly less than the inner diameter of the contents supply channel 10, and the lower portion of the filler pipe 18 is surrounded by a sealing ring or projecting bead 19 for sealing abutment against the inner surface of the contents supply channel 10. At its lower end, the filler pipe 18 displays a circular cutting edge 20 which, in the illustrated position, has penetrated and separated the covering membrane 11 from the filling arrangement 6 along an annular incision. The covering membrane 11 is, as has been mentioned previously, sealed to the inner surface of the packaging material at the rear portion of the top wall 9, which, in connection with the filling and reforming of the flat-laid packaging container 1 to the raised state, pivots aside about the transverse joint 4 until the front and rear portions, respectively, of the top wall are located substantially in the same plane. The covering membrane 11 will hereby be removed ~rom the contents supply channel 10 and expose the channel so that contents may be pumped unimpeded into the packaging container. In a per se known manner (not shown), the filler pipe 18 is connected to a pump and a contents source of conventional type. Manoeuvring of the filler pipe 18 in the axial direction, as well as operation of the movable fixing device 17 of the guide member 15 take place mechanically, pneumatically, hydraulically or electrically with the aid of know drive means (not shown). On filling of aseptic packages, the entire filling assembly is surrounded in a per se known manner by a sterile chamber provided with sluice or curtain arrangements, the chamber being fed with sterile air at excess pressure.
When a packaging container according to the invention is to be filled with its contents, it is fed to the filling machine in the flat-laid, closed and WO 97/3~;775 PCT/SE97/00403 -previously sterilized form. The packaging container is here provided with the filling arrangement 6 whose flange 12'is therrnosealed in liquid- and bacteria-tight fashion to a surrounding portion of the packaging material and the central portion of the covering membrane 11 is permanently connected to 5 an opposing, inner wall surface, i.e. the inside of the top wall 9. The packaging container has undergone sterilization treatment, for example by being subjected in the flat-laid state to a radiation sterilization until such time as its inner space has reached a level o~ sterility which is satisfactory for the intended purpose.
After infeed into the filling machine and possible supplementary sterilization using, for example, ~y~rogen peroxide or steam by the filling arrangement (in sterile space), this is inserted in the guide member 15 of the machine by an axial rellative movement between the filling arrangement 6 and the guide member 15 until such time as the fi~ang devices 16 come into 15 abutment against the upper edge region of the hlling arrangement 6. In this position, lthe radially movable fixing devices 17 are activated so that they are brought i~to engagement with the groove 13 in the lower, external portion of the filling arrangement. The filling arrangement 6 is hereby fixed in the desired position in relation to the guide member 15 so that the filler pipe 18 20 may, with the desired precision, be axially displaced downwards through the contents supply channel lQ. In such instance, the cutting edge 20 located at the front end of the filler pipe 18 will come into contact with the periphery of the covering membrane 11 which is punctured up to the surface of the channel 10 so that the communication between the covering membrane 11 25 and the filling arrangement 6 ceases and the interior of the packaging container becomes accessible for the infeed of contents via the filler pipe 18.
With the aid of, for example, a metering pump of known type, contents are now passed via the fiIler pipe 18 into the flat-laid packaging container which is hereby forced to expand and progressively change into more or less 30 parallelepipedic configuration (apart from the corner flaps ~), controlled by external, mechanical forming parts (described in greater detail in European Patent Application EP ~5101194.9, to which reference is now made for further information.) During the transition from flat-laid to parallelepipedic configuration, the rear and front portions, respectively, of the top wall 9 will 35 be pivoted away from one another with the transverse sealing joint 4 acting as pivot, for which reason the top wall 9 will, after a completed filling cycle, have assumed the position illustrated in Fig. 4 with the covering membrane 11 located a distance from the inlet of the filling arrangement 6. The covering membrane 11 (which thus remains in the packaging container) will hereby become invisible to the consumer via the contents supply channel 10. This 5 makes it possible to provide the non-sealed surface of the covering membrane with a marking or a number which can be made visible to the consumer only if the packaging container is once again flat-laid after emptying of its contents. The marking may, for example, consist of some form of lottery number or act as a marking for some other type of 10 competition described on the outside of the package, which acts as an incentive for the consumer to flatten the empty package, as is desirable in order to reduce the volume of litter and refuse.
After completed filling and forming of the packaging container, the filler pipe 18 is removed and the outer end of the filling arrangement ~ is 15 sealed in li~uid- and bacteria-tight fashion, e.g. by means of a thermosealable pull tab and / or a screw cap 7. The filling arrangement will, in the illustrated embodiment, thus also serve as an opening arrangement on the finished packaging container.
The packaging container with the above-described filling 20 arrangement thus makes it possible, in a controlled and hygienic manner, to handle and fill previously sterilized, flat-laid packaging containers. The arrangement is simple and convenient to handle and makes for rational, rapid filling with retained security and dependability.
F~LLING SAME
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a packaging container of foldable material which is disposed to be reforrned between a substantially flat-laid state and a raised state, and including a filling arrangement with a contents supply channel. The present invention also relates to a method of filling a packaging container with pumpable contents during the simultaneous reforming of the container from a substantially flat-laid state to a raised state via a filling arrangement with a contents supply channel which, in the flat-laid state of the packaging container, is sealed in liquid-tight fashion. The present invention finally relates to an assembly for filling packaging containers with pumpable contents during the simultaneous reforrning of the packaging container from the flat-laid and sealed state to a raised state, the assembly including a filler pipe and a filling arrangement carried by the packaging container and provided with a contents supply channel.
BACKGROIJND ART
It is known in the art to pack, for example, foods of liquid or pumpable type in single use disposable packages of flexible packaging material, e.g. plastic film or packaging laminate comprising layers of paper and plastic. Packaging containers of this type are ready made and sealed and are transported in, for instance, the flat-laid state to a point where they are to be filled with the intended contents. At, for instance, a dairy or a juice producing plant, the flat-laid packaging containers are fed to a filling machine which fills the packaging containers with, for example, rnilk or juice and reseals them for further transport to the consumer. When the content which are to be packed have been sterilized beforehand in order to obtain long shelf life, packaging containers of aseptic type are employed. Sealed, flat-laid packaging containers may, for example, be sterilized by radiation at the producers, which makes it sirnple to transport the packaging containers in a securely aseptic manner to the filling machine where they are filled t under aseptic conditions.
A packaging system of this type is described in European Patent Application EP95101194.9, to which reference is now made. This packaging WO 97/3~;775 PCT/SE:97/00403 system produces aseptic consumer packages of the single use disposable type which are finished and sterilized centrally, whereafter they are transported to a filling machine where they are filled and given the desired final form. Filling takes place by means of a filler pipe which, after a 5 supplementary sterilization, penetrates a wall in a fi~ling arrangement so that the desired quantity of contents may be pumped into the packaging container under aseptic conditions. The filler pipe is removed and the filling arrangement is sealed in a sterile chamber and, after final forrning, the packaging container is ready fo~ delivery.
A further prior art packaging container is described in European Patent EP 263.101, to which reference is now made. This packaging container is a big bag produced from flexible plastic material, and the package is provided with a filling arrangement and a closure arrangement which together ensure that the prefabricated packaging container may be filled and 15 resealed in a satisfactory manner from the viewpoint of steri~ity. The filling arrangement comprises a tubular portion which is sealed in liquid-tight fashion over an aperture provided in one wall surface of the packaging container. A closure arrangement is connected to an opposing, interior wall surface in the packaging container and is employed to provide an interior 20 closure o~ the filling arrangement. With the aid of individually movable operating devices, the closure arrangement is temporarily removed from the filling arrangement in connection with the filling operation cycle.
While the above mentioned type of packaging container displays a filling and closure arrangement which functions satisfactorily, it is only 25 suitable for use in bag packs o~ large volume in which the opposing walls arelocated adjacent one another. The arrangement requires double hole making and liquid-tight sealing between the filling arrangement and the closure arrangement and the material of the packaging container, respectively, and is moreover relatively expensive and complex in its design and construction.
OBJECTS OF THE INV~NTION - THE CONTAINER
There is thus a wish in the art to provide a packaging container of consumer size which may made ready beforehand and which includes a filling arrangement also suitable for aseptic filling, and being of simple and 35 economical design and construction.
One object of the present invention is to realise such a pacl<aging container with a filling arrangement which, from the aseptic viewpoint, has a "pure" construction which obviates the above-outlined difficulties and which does not suffer from t}~e drawbacks inherent in prior art packaging r containers.
A further object of the present invention is to realise a packaging container with a filling arrangement which is simple to mount on a flat-laid packaging container without complicated hole making, positioning or sealing.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to realise a packaging container with a filling arrangement whose construction prevents the occu~L~llce of traps, cavities or other risk sources for bacterial accumulation.Still a further object of the present invention is to realise a packaging container with a filling arrangement which includes a wall intended for penetration, the wall being designed and arranged in such a manner that the penetration may take place in a controlled manner and without causing contamination in the packaging container.
SOLI~TION
These and other objects have been attained according to the present invention ir that a packaging container of the type described by way of introduction has been given the characterizing feature that the contents supply channel in the flat-laid state of the packaging container is sealed in liquid-tight fashion by means of a covering membrane which is integral with the filLling alrrangement and which is permanently connected to an opposing, inner wall surface in the packaging container, the covering membrane being, in the raised state of the packaging container, mechanically separated from the filling arrangement and located at such a distance therefrom that the contents supply channel is exposed.
Preferred embodiments of the packaging container according to the present invention have further been given the characterizing features as set forth in appended subclaims 2 to 6.
By manufacturing the filling arrangement in one piece, i.e. with integral covering membrane, there will be obtained an extremely "pure"
construction which facilitates aseptic handling. By permanently connecting the covering membrane to an opposing, inner wall surface in the packaging container, it will be ensured that, on penetration, material pieces deriving from the filling arrangement and/ or the packaging container proper do not fall loose inside the packaging container or irnpede the contents during filling and emptying. Furthermore, the conditions will be created for a rational opening and filling cycle which is also extremely well-suited for aseptic conditions.
OBJECI S OF THE INVENTION - THE METHOD
One object of the present invention is also to realise a method of filling a packaging container of the above-outlined type, this method being 10 eminently well suited for aseptic filling and being capable of execution rapidly and rationally in a high capacity filling machine.
A further object of the present invention is to realise a method of filling a packaging container which makes it possible, without complicated positioning o~ the packaging container and/or the filling arrangement and 15 without mechanical handling by several independent parts, to execute the fiUing cycle in a satisfactory manner from the aseptic viewpoint.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to realise a method of filling a packaging container which does not suffer from the drawbacks as outlined above in a consideration of the prior art.
SOLI lTION
The above and other objects have been attained according to the present invention in that a method of the type described by way of introduction has been given the characterizing feature that the filling 25 arrangement is connected to a filler pipe which breaks the liquid tight seal of the contents supply channel by mechanically separating a covering membrane integral with the filling arrangement therefrom. One preferred embodiment of the method according to the present invention has further been given the characterizing features as set forth in appended subclaim 8.
The method according to the invention makes for a rapid and reliable filling cycle which is eminently suited for aseptic filling in a surrounding sterile chamber.
OBTECTS OF THE INVENTION - THE ASSEMBLY
One object of the present invention is finally also to realise an assembly for filling a packaging container with pumpable contents, the W0 97/35775 PCT/SE:97/00403 assembly being simple and uncomplicated and not displaying those drawbacks from which similar prior art assemblies suffer.
A further object of the present invention is to realise an assembly for filling a packaging container which includes few moving parts and is designed, in one work operation, reliably and hygienically to open and fill a prefabricated packaging container.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to realise an assembly for filling a packaging container, the assembly including means for fixing and handl;ng a packaging container during filling.
SOLUTION
The above and other obJects have been attained according to the present invention in that an assembly of the type described by way of introduction has been given the characterizing feature that the contents 15 supply channel has a liquid-tight covering membrane integral with the fil3ing arrangement and connected to an opposing, inner wall surface in the packaging container, the filler pipe having a portion which is connectable in liquid-tight fashion with the filling arrangement and whose free end displays means for penetrating the covering membrane and separation 20 thereof from the filling arrangement.
Preferred embodiments of the assembly according to the present invention have further been given the characterizing features as set forth in appended subclairns 10 to 12.
Since the assembly according to the invention displays a filler pipe 25 with an integral penetration device, a simple construction will be obtained which is well suited for aseptic filling of packaging containers which have been rendered aseptic beforehand.
BRIEF DESCRIPrION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
One preferred embodiment of the packaging container, the method and the assembly according to the present invention will now be described in greater detail hereinbelow, with particular reference to the accompanying, schematic Drawings which show only those details indispensable for an understanding of the present invention. In the accompanying Drawings:
Fig. 1 shows, in the flat-laid state, a packaging container of the type which is intended to be handled using the method according to the invention;
Fig. 2 shows the packaging container of Fig. 1 after filling and final forming;
Fig. 3 shows, on a larger scale and in section, a filling arrangement according to the invention mounted on a packaging container in the flat-laid state; and Fig. 4 shows, on a larger scale and in section, the filling arrangement according to Fig. 3 during the final phase of the fflling cycle.
10 DES~RIPTION OF PREFERRED E~BODIMENT
One preferred embodiment of a packaging container according to the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 1 and is manufactured from a foldable, flexible packaging materiaI of known type. The packaging material may, for example, be a laminate which includes a substantially central carrier or core 15 layer of fibre material, for example paper, which is coated on either side with homogeneous layers of thermoplastic material, e.g. polyethylene. The packaging laminate may also include further layers, for example of alurninium foil or other barrier material. In Fig. 1, the packaging container isshown in the compressed or flat-laid state, which makes it suitable as a space 20 saving measure to be capable of being transported, for example from the point of manufacture to the food producer where the packaging container is to be finished and filled with the intended contents. The packaging container 1 is produced in that a sheet or a web of packaging material is double folded along a bottom line 2, whereafter the longitudinal and transverse edges of 25 the sheet are thermosealed inside-to-inside in two mutually parallel, longitudinal joints 3, and a transverse joint 4. The packaging material is also provided with a pattern of fold or crease lines 5 which make it possible, in a per se known manner, to convert the blank into a substantially parallelepipedic packaging configuration. A packaging container of this type 30 is described in, for example, EP 95101194.9, to which reference is now made for further information in respect of both the packaging container with its filling arrangement, as well as the method and the design and construction of the assembly.
At the upper end of the packaging container 1, the one side of the flat-35 laid blank displays a, for example, injection moulded filling arrangement and/or opening arrangement 6, which is covered by a closure device 7, for W0 97135775 PCT/SE:97100403 -example a screw cap. It will be apparent from Fig. 2 how the packaging container 1, after filling and closure, has obtained its parallelepipedic configuration, the fold or crease lines 5 controlling the formation of the longitudinal and transverse edge lines of the packaging container, and also 5 making possible the forrn;ng of tlhe four flat-laid corner flaps 8 for taking care of the excess material which, for geometric reasons, occurs on the reforming of the flat-laid packaging container into its final, parallelepipedic configuration. Two upper corner flaps 8 are folded down towards and sealed to the sides of the packaging container while two bottom corner flaps (not 10 visible) are folded in towards and sealed to the bottom of the packaging container. It will also be apparent from Fig. 2 how the filling arrangement/opening arrangement 6 is, after reforming of the packaging container to the raised state, placed at a forward end of the relatively planar,upper top wall 9 of the packaging container, i.e. between one of the edge or 15 crease lines 5 and in front of the centrally running transverse joint 4 over the top wall 9 of the packaging container. The filling arrangement 6 and surrounding portion of the packaging container 1 are shown on a larger scale and in cross section in Figs. 3 and 4, from which it will be apparent how the filling arrangement 6 is substantially tubular in shape and surrounds an 20 interior contents supply channel 10. The contents supply channel 10 is, at its lower end, sealed in liquid-tight fashion by means of a wall or covering membrane 11 which is integral with and thus of one piece manufacture with the filling arrangement 6, for example by injection moulding. The covering membrane 11 has a central, planar region and a surrounding, peripheral 25 region which is gently frusto conical and connected to the contents supply channel 10 a slight distance above the plane in which the central region of the covering membrane 11 is located. The outside of the filling arrangement 6 displays, a~ its lower end, a projecting flange 12 which, by thermosealing, isconnected in liquid-tight fashion to the inside of the packaging material. The 30 outside of the filling arrangement further has a groove 13 located a slight distance above the flange, as well as a thread 14 for applying the closure device 7, for example in the form of a screw cap. When the packaging container is in the flat-laid state illustrated in Pigs. 1 and 3, the transversesealing joint 4 is located immediately adjacent the filling arrangement 6 (to 35 the left in Fig. 3), while the rear portion of the top wall 9 abuts with its inner surface against and is t;hermosealed to the central portion of the covering membrane 11. The thermosealing between the packaging material and both the covering membrane 11 and the flange 12 takes place in connection with the manufacture of the flat-laid packaging containers.
Fig. 4 shows the filling arrangement 6 according to Fig. 3 in a later stage and, more precisely, during the closing sequence of the filling cycle.
The filling arrangement 6 is surrounded by a guide member 15, which includes an imrnobile fixing device 16 in the form of a fixed or flexible part and a radially movable fixing device 17 which includes one or more radially movable segments for engagement with the groove 13 of the filling arrangement ~. A filler pipe 18 is inserted in the contents supply channel 10 of the filling arrangement 6. The outer diameter of the cylindrical filler pipe 18 is equal to or slightly less than the inner diameter of the contents supply channel 10, and the lower portion of the filler pipe 18 is surrounded by a sealing ring or projecting bead 19 for sealing abutment against the inner surface of the contents supply channel 10. At its lower end, the filler pipe 18 displays a circular cutting edge 20 which, in the illustrated position, has penetrated and separated the covering membrane 11 from the filling arrangement 6 along an annular incision. The covering membrane 11 is, as has been mentioned previously, sealed to the inner surface of the packaging material at the rear portion of the top wall 9, which, in connection with the filling and reforming of the flat-laid packaging container 1 to the raised state, pivots aside about the transverse joint 4 until the front and rear portions, respectively, of the top wall are located substantially in the same plane. The covering membrane 11 will hereby be removed ~rom the contents supply channel 10 and expose the channel so that contents may be pumped unimpeded into the packaging container. In a per se known manner (not shown), the filler pipe 18 is connected to a pump and a contents source of conventional type. Manoeuvring of the filler pipe 18 in the axial direction, as well as operation of the movable fixing device 17 of the guide member 15 take place mechanically, pneumatically, hydraulically or electrically with the aid of know drive means (not shown). On filling of aseptic packages, the entire filling assembly is surrounded in a per se known manner by a sterile chamber provided with sluice or curtain arrangements, the chamber being fed with sterile air at excess pressure.
When a packaging container according to the invention is to be filled with its contents, it is fed to the filling machine in the flat-laid, closed and WO 97/3~;775 PCT/SE97/00403 -previously sterilized form. The packaging container is here provided with the filling arrangement 6 whose flange 12'is therrnosealed in liquid- and bacteria-tight fashion to a surrounding portion of the packaging material and the central portion of the covering membrane 11 is permanently connected to 5 an opposing, inner wall surface, i.e. the inside of the top wall 9. The packaging container has undergone sterilization treatment, for example by being subjected in the flat-laid state to a radiation sterilization until such time as its inner space has reached a level o~ sterility which is satisfactory for the intended purpose.
After infeed into the filling machine and possible supplementary sterilization using, for example, ~y~rogen peroxide or steam by the filling arrangement (in sterile space), this is inserted in the guide member 15 of the machine by an axial rellative movement between the filling arrangement 6 and the guide member 15 until such time as the fi~ang devices 16 come into 15 abutment against the upper edge region of the hlling arrangement 6. In this position, lthe radially movable fixing devices 17 are activated so that they are brought i~to engagement with the groove 13 in the lower, external portion of the filling arrangement. The filling arrangement 6 is hereby fixed in the desired position in relation to the guide member 15 so that the filler pipe 18 20 may, with the desired precision, be axially displaced downwards through the contents supply channel lQ. In such instance, the cutting edge 20 located at the front end of the filler pipe 18 will come into contact with the periphery of the covering membrane 11 which is punctured up to the surface of the channel 10 so that the communication between the covering membrane 11 25 and the filling arrangement 6 ceases and the interior of the packaging container becomes accessible for the infeed of contents via the filler pipe 18.
With the aid of, for example, a metering pump of known type, contents are now passed via the fiIler pipe 18 into the flat-laid packaging container which is hereby forced to expand and progressively change into more or less 30 parallelepipedic configuration (apart from the corner flaps ~), controlled by external, mechanical forming parts (described in greater detail in European Patent Application EP ~5101194.9, to which reference is now made for further information.) During the transition from flat-laid to parallelepipedic configuration, the rear and front portions, respectively, of the top wall 9 will 35 be pivoted away from one another with the transverse sealing joint 4 acting as pivot, for which reason the top wall 9 will, after a completed filling cycle, have assumed the position illustrated in Fig. 4 with the covering membrane 11 located a distance from the inlet of the filling arrangement 6. The covering membrane 11 (which thus remains in the packaging container) will hereby become invisible to the consumer via the contents supply channel 10. This 5 makes it possible to provide the non-sealed surface of the covering membrane with a marking or a number which can be made visible to the consumer only if the packaging container is once again flat-laid after emptying of its contents. The marking may, for example, consist of some form of lottery number or act as a marking for some other type of 10 competition described on the outside of the package, which acts as an incentive for the consumer to flatten the empty package, as is desirable in order to reduce the volume of litter and refuse.
After completed filling and forming of the packaging container, the filler pipe 18 is removed and the outer end of the filling arrangement ~ is 15 sealed in li~uid- and bacteria-tight fashion, e.g. by means of a thermosealable pull tab and / or a screw cap 7. The filling arrangement will, in the illustrated embodiment, thus also serve as an opening arrangement on the finished packaging container.
The packaging container with the above-described filling 20 arrangement thus makes it possible, in a controlled and hygienic manner, to handle and fill previously sterilized, flat-laid packaging containers. The arrangement is simple and convenient to handle and makes for rational, rapid filling with retained security and dependability.
Claims (12)
1. A packaging container of foldable material which is disposed to be reformed between a substantially flat-laid state and to a raised state, and comprising a filling arrangement (6) with a contents supply channel (10), characterized in that the contents supply channel (10), in the flat-laid state of the packaging container (1), is closed in liquid-tight fashion by means of a covering membrane (11) integral with the filling arrangement (6), the covering membrane being permanently connected to an opposing, inner wall surface in the packaging container, said covering membrane (11) being, in the raised state of the packaging container, mechanically separated from the filling arrangement (6) and located at such distance therefrom that the contents supply channel (10) is exposed.
2. The packaging container as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the covering membrane (11) is of one piece manufacture with the filling arrangement (6) and is located at the end of the contents supply channel (10) facing towards the interior of the packaging container (1).
3. The packaging container as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the filling arrangement (6) is made of thermoplastic material, the central portion of the covering membrane (11) being, in a flat-laid packaging container (1), thermosealed to said inner wall surface consisting of thermoplastic material.
4. The packaging container as claimed in Claim 3, characterized in that the peripheral region of the covering membrane (11) connects to the contents supply channel (10) a distance from said inner wall surface in the packaging container (1).
5. The packaging container as claimed in one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the filling arrangement (6) serves, in a raised and filled package (1) as opening arrangement, in which instance the outer end of the channel (10) displays a closure device (7).
6. The packaging container as claimed in one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the surface of the covering membrane (11)displays a marking which, in the flat-laid state of the packaging container (1), is visible via the channel from the outside of the packaging container.
7. A method of filling a packaging container with pumpable contents during the simultaneous reforming thereof from a substantially flat-laid state to raised state, via a filling arrangement (6) with a contents supply channel (10) which, in the flat-laid state of the packaging container (1), is sealed in liquid-tight fashion, characterized in that the filling arrangement (6) is connected to a filler pipe (18) which breaks the liquid-tight closure of the contents supply channel (10) by mechanically separating therefrom a covering membrane (11) integral with the filling arrangement.
8. The method as claimed in Claim 7, characterized in that the covering membrane (11) is separated by means of an annular incision which extends around a seal connecting the covering membrane with the inner wall surface of the packaging container (1).
9. An assembly for filling a packaging container with pumpable contents during simultaneous reforming thereof from the flat-laid and sealed state to raised state, said assembly including a filler pipe (18) and a filling arrangement (6) carried by the packaging container (1) and provided with a contents supply channel (10), characterized in that the contents supply channel (10) has a liquid-tight covering membrane (11) integral with the filling arrangement (6) and connected to an opposing, inner wall surface in the packaging container (1), the filler pipe (18) having a portion which is connectable in liquid-tight fashion with the filling arrangement, and whose free end displays means for penetrating the covering membrane (11) and separation thereof from the filling arrangement (6).
10. The assembly as claimed in Claim 9, characterized in that said penetration means includes a circular cutting edge (20) which extends around the free end of the filler pipe (18).
11. The assembly as claimed in Claim 10, characterized in that the diameter of the cutting edge (20) substantially corresponds to the outer diameter of the filler pipe (18).
12. The assembly as claimed in any of Claims 9 to 11, characterized in that it includes an individually movable guide member (15) surrounding the filler pipe (18) and having fixing (16) and locking devices (17) mechanically connectable to the outside of the filling arrangement (6) for fixing the filler pipe in the desired position during penetration of the covering membrane (11) and filling of the packaging container.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE9601169A SE507512C2 (en) | 1996-03-27 | 1996-03-27 | Packaging containers and methods and aggregates for filling them |
| SE9601169-7 | 1996-03-27 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2246614A1 true CA2246614A1 (en) | 1997-10-02 |
Family
ID=20401961
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002246614A Abandoned CA2246614A1 (en) | 1996-03-27 | 1997-03-10 | A packaging container, a method and an assembly for filling same |
Country Status (12)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0889832A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2000507194A (en) |
| AR (1) | AR006393A1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU717281B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9708245A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2246614A1 (en) |
| HU (1) | HUP9901782A2 (en) |
| MY (1) | MY132484A (en) |
| NO (1) | NO984495L (en) |
| PL (1) | PL328995A1 (en) |
| SE (1) | SE507512C2 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1997035775A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE523936C2 (en) | 2001-12-19 | 2004-06-01 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance | Injection molding tools and methods of injection molding |
| SE529424C2 (en) * | 2005-08-17 | 2007-08-07 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance | Opening device |
| ITPR20060082A1 (en) * | 2006-09-12 | 2008-03-13 | Cft Spa | SEMIAUTOMATIC DEVICE FOR LOADING LAMPS FOR FILLING SYSTEM OF ASEPTIC FLEXIBLE CONTAINERS |
| US9499307B2 (en) * | 2014-03-11 | 2016-11-22 | S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | Stand-up plastic storage bag |
| JP2020172302A (en) * | 2019-04-11 | 2020-10-22 | 凸版印刷株式会社 | Packaging body |
| KR102407355B1 (en) * | 2021-02-04 | 2022-06-10 | 주식회사 바이랩 | Apparatus and method for noninvasively separating air flow and blood flow components and measuring the same |
| USD983047S1 (en) | 2021-05-19 | 2023-04-11 | S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | Storage bag |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU519675B2 (en) * | 1978-05-30 | 1981-12-17 | Wrightcel Limited | Container |
| DE3837462A1 (en) * | 1988-11-04 | 1990-05-10 | Sieger Plastic Gmbh | DEVICE FOR HYGIENICALLY PERFECTLY FILLING AND SEALING CONTAINERS |
| GB2248599A (en) * | 1990-10-10 | 1992-04-15 | Sous Chef Ltd | Filling and sealing sterilised containers |
-
1996
- 1996-03-27 SE SE9601169A patent/SE507512C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1997
- 1997-03-10 PL PL97328995A patent/PL328995A1/en unknown
- 1997-03-10 WO PCT/SE1997/000403 patent/WO1997035775A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1997-03-10 BR BR9708245A patent/BR9708245A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1997-03-10 JP JP9534305A patent/JP2000507194A/en active Pending
- 1997-03-10 HU HU9901782A patent/HUP9901782A2/en unknown
- 1997-03-10 EP EP97915791A patent/EP0889832A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1997-03-10 CA CA002246614A patent/CA2246614A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-03-10 AU AU23128/97A patent/AU717281B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1997-03-25 AR ARP970101204A patent/AR006393A1/en unknown
- 1997-03-25 MY MYPI97001254A patent/MY132484A/en unknown
-
1998
- 1998-09-25 NO NO984495A patent/NO984495L/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2312897A (en) | 1997-10-17 |
| HUP9901782A2 (en) | 1999-09-28 |
| AU717281B2 (en) | 2000-03-23 |
| PL328995A1 (en) | 1999-03-01 |
| WO1997035775A1 (en) | 1997-10-02 |
| MY132484A (en) | 2007-10-31 |
| BR9708245A (en) | 1999-07-27 |
| JP2000507194A (en) | 2000-06-13 |
| SE9601169D0 (en) | 1996-03-27 |
| AR006393A1 (en) | 1999-08-25 |
| NO984495D0 (en) | 1998-09-25 |
| SE507512C2 (en) | 1998-06-15 |
| NO984495L (en) | 1998-09-25 |
| SE9601169L (en) | 1997-09-28 |
| EP0889832A1 (en) | 1999-01-13 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |