EP0022873B1 - Method of manufacturing packaging container with readily soluble powder adhesive layer - Google Patents

Abstract

Method of manufacturing a waterproof packaging container incorporating a readily soluble powder adhesive layer applied to the inner surface thereof and comprising the steps of forming a flat bag-like packaging container (1) having an adhesive-coated layer (2) at a predetermined location on the inner surface thereof, spraying gas into readily soluble powder (3) contained within the container (1) from a nozzle (5) or imparting vibration or rotation to the container (1) to thereby move and scatter the powder (3) to uniformly spread and adhere the powder (3) into the layer (2), and sealing an opening (1a).

Description

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a container or packaging on the inner surface of which adheres a layer of readily soluble powders or granules.

BE-A-398 624 discloses an easily soluble material in the molten state, introduced into a container and which is made to adhere to the internal wall of the container by rotating the latter to form a layer. thin of said material on the inner wall of said container. The thin layer obtained is planar over its entire surface so that when water is introduced into the container, this layer comes into contact with water; however, due to its flatness, the contact surface between the material and the water is very small and causes a certain number of drawbacks, among which it should be mentioned that the dissolution of the material requires an extended period of time. and that it is difficult to dissolve the entire amount of an easily soluble material at one time at the time of use. In addition, since this Belgian Patent is limited to materials capable of being melted, the implementation of the process which is the subject of this is of reduced interest.

The Applicant has proposed a package of medicinal preparations comprising a flat container, in the form of a bag, which can be used as a cup after being opened and on the inner surface of which adhere powders or granules of medicaments, intended for use in as a solution in water, such as gargles (for example, Japanese Utility Model Application, published before exam # 49-37274).

As the type of containers or packages for drug preparations described above, specially developed to be carried by a person, is flat, has the shape of a bag and contains powders or granules of drugs which adhere on its inner surface, it has advantages in various respects: these containers are neither bulky nor unbalanced; they can easily be carried, for example in a garment pocket, in travel bags, etc .; they can be used by pouring water directly on them to quickly prepare a uniform solution of drugs with the prescribed concentration and can be used anytime and anywhere, provided that water is available.

The main object of the present invention is to manufacture, from a commercial point of view, such containers or packaging for preparations of medicaments and similar articles.

The method of manufacturing flat containers, waterproof, in the form of bags, comprising on their internal surface an adherent layer of readily soluble powders or granules, which is the subject of the present invention and which relates to flat containers in the form of bags comprising end parts, a front part and a rear part, the front and rear parts of which are flexible enough to be curved and form a space suitable for receiving water therebetween when said bag is held in its two ends and compressed towards the inside, which container is of the disposable type, is characterized in that the front part and the rear part are connected by a fold and the rear part is folded over the front part along the fold, in that said container is provided with an adhesive layer closed on determined portions of its internal surface and more particularly on a given area of the aforementioned sheet of material, in that the two edges of the front and rear portions are sealed to form a flat bag-shaped container having an adhesive layer on its inner surface, in that to prevent the adhesive layers deposited on the inner surface of the sheet of material, respectively on the front and rear of these, do not adhere to each other, the front and rear parts are imparted a tendency to curve and deploy outward during the folding of the front part on the rear part, and in that a given quantity of powders or granules is agitated and dispersed in said container which comprises said adhesive layer, so as to pour the powders or granules over the entire surface coated with adhesive in order to obtain a uniform addition of said powders or granules.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the manufacturing method according to the present invention, a given quantity of powders or granules is sent to the adhesive layer of the rear part, after which the front part is folded over the rear part.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the manufacturing method according to the invention, the powders or the granules are advantageously constituted by a medicament for gargling, for disinfection or for cooling the oral cavity.

The containers having to be waterproof, we generally choose containers made of waterproof paper lined or not with aluminum foil, or plastic. It is advantageous that these containers are heat-sealable to obtain better efficiency during the closing of their opening orifice.

The shape and structure of the container is that of a flat bag-shaped container. When you hold the flat container in the form of a bag by its two ends and press it inwardly between two fingers, the opening part being open, the front and rear portions swell and the shape is easily obtained of a goblet. The container may be of the bag-like type having folds folded over the side parts and the bottom, which can deploy and form a cup when these folds are opened when required.

The adhesive layer formed on the required area of the interior surface of the container, generally over the entire surface, except the area opening, the formation of the adhesive layer on the inner surface is obtained by applying an adhesive to a given part of a sheet or film during the manufacture of the container, or by applying an adhesive to the required part of the inner surface of the manufactured container.

The adhesives are chosen appropriately as a function of the materials of the containers, of the nature of the powders or of the granules, which will be described below, etc. When the powders or the granules are, for example, pharmaceutical products intended for the 'Oral administration as described in detail below, or powders for making beverages such as powdered juice, adhesives harmless to humans are used. Examples of such adhesives include, for example, liquid paraffin, molten resins called "hot melt" and the like.

As powders or granules which are made to adhere to the interior surfaces coated with adhesive of the containers as described above, use is made of powders or granules which can dissolve or disperse in a liquid such as water, etc. These powders or granules include pharmaceutical products for oral administration, such as gargles and medicines for cooling, powdered juices, chemicals for agricultural use and fertilizers. These powders and granules can be used alone or as a mixture of several kinds. For example, when powders contain powders or granules of a bubble-blowing agent, the solubility and water dispersibility of the powders can be improved by the stirring effect created by the formation of bubbles. Various bubble-forming agents in the form of powders and granules can be used, among which are preferred a mixture of citric acid or tartaric acid and sodium bicarbonate, aluminum silicate comprising micropores which absorb at the minus 5% carbon dioxide, etc. Preferred examples of powder compositions are given below:

The powders can be applied to the adhesive layer during the container manufacturing process, for example, after the sheet intended to be formed into the container has been coated with adhesive, or the powders can be introduced into the container by its upper opening after formation of the container.

To uniformly distribute the powders or granules and make them adhere to the entire surface of the adhesive layer which is on the interior surface of the container, a technique of displacement and dispersion of the powders or granules is used inside. of the container. Preferred examples of displacement and dispersion techniques are as follows: a method comprising injecting a gas such as air into the container, causing the gas to rotate and circulate inside the container and guiding the powders dispersed towards the wall of the container by the gas stream; and a method which communicates vibration or rotation to the container by applying suitable mechanical means. When the container is rotated, it is necessary to rotate it so that the powders move inside the container by gravity. This rotation can be achieved, for example, by rotating the container repeatedly upside down, or by rotating the container while holding it in an almost horizontal plane. You can rotate the container while inverting it upside down if necessary. These means for moving and dispersing powders can be used alone or in combination with one another. For example, it is possible to vibrate or rotate the container while injecting air inside. These displacement and dispersing means can be applied during or after the introduction of the powders inside the container.

The powders or granules introduced into containers using the means described above for displacement and dispersion, are dispersed and adhere uniformly to the entire adhesive layer which is on the interior surfaces of the containers, which allows to obtain containers on the inner surface of which adheres a layer of powders or granules. The containers obtained, the opening of which is gaping, are then closed by application of heat or another suitable means. Before these openings are closed, the containers can be freed of the air they contain.

The manufacturing method according to the present invention, thanks to the combination of the steps described above, can ensure a large series production, continuously and efficiently, of containers on the inner surface of which adheres a layer of powders or granules and the products are obtained at reduced cost prices. The method according to the present invention is therefore very advantageous from the commercial point of view.

In addition, the above method of moving and dispersing powders in containers allows for uniform dispersion and adhesion of the powders on the adhesive coated surface, not only when the powders have a relatively uniform particle size, but also when they have a wide variety of dimensions, for example in the case of multi-component systems, or when the surfaces coated with adhesive are irregular or have complex curvatures. In addition, in the case where the powders contain a fragile granular component, which, if broken, can react with another component and become moist, it is possible to obtain a uniform adhesion of such powders on the interior surface of the container, without such risks occurring. In accordance with the manufacturing method which is the subject of the present invention, products as described above and of very high quality, can advantageously be produced on an industrial scale.

In addition to the foregoing provisions, the invention also comprises other provisions, which will emerge from the description which follows.

• La figure 1 est une vue de face en coupe partielle montrant un exemple de la méthode de fabrication conforme à la présente invention, dans lequel un moyen d'injection d'air est utilisé comme moyen pour déplacer et disperser des poudres ou des granules dans le récipient.
• La figure 2 est une vue en plan de dessus montrant un exemple d'un moyen pour former un espace entre la partie avant et la partie arrière dans un récipient plat en forme de sac, tel qu'illustré dans la figure 1.
• La figure 3 est une vue en coupe longitudinale, montrant un autre exemple d'un moyen de formation d'un espace.
• La figure 4 est une vue en coupe longitudinale, montrant un exemple d'un moyen d'injection d'air dans le récipient, qui peut être utilisé dans la méthode de fabrication conforme à la présente invention, illustrée dans la figure 1.
• La figure 5 est un schéma montrant une séquence de la méthode de fabrication d'un récipient conforme à la présente invention, illustrée dans la figure 1.
• La figure 6 est une vue en perspective montrant un exemple d'un moyen de formation d'un espace entre la partie avant et la partie arrière, qui peut être utilisé dans la méthode de fabrication illustrée dans la figure 5.
• La figure 7 est un schéma montrant un exemple de la méthode de fabrication conforme à la présente invention, dans lequel on utilise un moyen induisant des vibrations ou des rotations pour déplacer et disperser des poudres ou des granules dans le récipient.
• La figure 8 est une vue en élévation de côté, montrant de façon schématique la première moitié de l'appareillage de fabrication qui convient pour la mise en oeuvre de la méthode conforme à la présente invention, et dans lequel l'on fait tourner des récipients pour assurer le déplacement et la dispersion des poudres.
• La figure 9 est une vue en élévation de côté, montrant de façon schématique la seconde moitié de l'appareillage représenté à la figure 8.
• La figure 10 est une vue en plan de dessus de l'appareillage représenté à la figure 8.
• La figure 11 est une vue en plan de dessus de l'appareillage représenté à la figure 9.
• La figure 12 est une vue en élévation latérale partielle, montrant des détails d'un tambour servant à faire tourner le récipient représenté à la figure 9 et des parties de l'appareillage placées en avant et en arrière du tambour.
• La figure 13 est une vue de face du tambour tournant représenté à la figure 12.
• La figure 14 est une vue de face d'un appareillage de fabrication qui convient pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé conforme à la présente invention, dans lequel de l'air est injecté dans des récipients de façon à déplacer et disperser les poudres et les granules.
• La figure 15 est une vue en plan de dessus de l'appareillage représenté dans la figure 14, et
• la figure 16 est une vue partielle en coupe d'un mécanisme d'aération dans l'appareillage représenté aux figures 14 et 15.

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the additional description which follows, which refers to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a front view in partial section showing an example of the manufacturing method according to the present invention, in which an air injection means is used as a means for moving and dispersing powders or granules in the container.
• FIG. 2 is a top plan view showing an example of a means for forming a space between the front part and the rear part in a flat container in the form of a bag, as illustrated in FIG. 1.
• Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another example of a space forming means.
• FIG. 4 is a view in longitudinal section, showing an example of a means for injecting air into the container, which can be used in the manufacturing method according to the present invention, illustrated in FIG. 1.
• FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a sequence of the method of manufacturing a container in accordance with the present invention, illustrated in FIG. 1.
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a means of forming a space between the front part and the rear part, which can be used in the manufacturing method illustrated in FIG. 5.
• FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the manufacturing method according to the present invention, in which a means inducing vibrations or rotations is used to move and disperse powders or granules in the container.
• Figure 8 is a side elevational view schematically showing the first half of the manufacturing apparatus which is suitable for implementing the method according to the present invention, and in which containers are rotated to move and disperse the powders.
• FIG. 9 is a side elevation view, schematically showing the second half of the apparatus shown in FIG. 8.
• FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 8.
• FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 9.
• Figure 12 is a partial side elevation view showing details of a drum for rotating the container shown in Figure 9 and parts of the apparatus placed in front and behind the drum.
• FIG. 13 is a front view of the rotating drum shown in FIG. 12.
• FIG. 14 is a front view of a manufacturing apparatus which is suitable for implementing the method according to the present invention, in which air is injected into containers so as to displace and disperse the powders and the granules.
• FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 14, and
• FIG. 16 is a partial sectional view of a ventilation mechanism in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.

It should be understood, however, that these drawings and the corresponding descriptive parts, are given solely by way of illustration of the subject of the invention, of which they do not in any way constitute a limitation.

In the first step of the manufacturing method according to the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 1, a waterproof container (1) is produced, in the form of a flat bag, having an opening (1a). An adhesive layer (2) is formed on the inner surface of the container (1) over a desired area, for example over the area which extends about 70 to 80% of the height of the container.

Figure 5 shows an example of the manufacture of the container (1) described above: first, a sheet (7) is prepared with a front part (1A) and a rear part (1 B) connected together by a fold (at); in the second step, an adhesive layer (2) is formed on the upper surface of said sheet (7), on its inner face and in the last step, the front part (1A) is folded over the rear part (1B) on along the fold (a) and the edges (7a) are joined by application of heat or another suitable means. While joining or assembling the edges (7a), the front (1A) and rear (1B) parts may stick together via the adhesive layers (2) and (2) deposited on their interior surface. and action must be taken to prevent such membership. These measures can for example: consist of forming a space between the adhesive layers (2) and (2) by bending outwards both the front (1A) and rear (1 B) parts, before folding the front face (1A) on the rear part (1B), as indicated by the broken lines in the drawing of the second step in Figure 5; consist in establishing a space between the adhesive layers (2) and (2) by placing a required quantity of powders or granules (3) on the adhesive layer (2), the rear part (1B) before folding the front part (1A) over the rear part (1B).

In the second step of the process according to the present invention, a required quantity of powders or granules (3) is introduced into the container (1) whose inner surface carries an adhesive layer (2) as obtained in the first stage. The introduction of powders or granules (3) is omitted in the case where these powders or granules were introduced beforehand into the container (1) during its preparation.

Figures 2 and 3 respectively show the means to be applied to the flat container (1) in the form of a bag, to establish a space between the front part (1A) and the rear part (1B). In FIG. 2, arrows (8) (8) indicate the directions of the compressive force which must be applied to the two ends of the front and rear parts (1A) and (1B) in order to curl them or deploy them towards the outside, while the arrows (9) (9) indicate the directions of the application of the vacuum which must be exerted on the two parts (1A) and (1B) for the same purpose. In FIG. 3, the reference (4) indicates a spacer inserted in the opening of the container (1) and arrows (10) (10) indicate the directions of application of the vacuum. The means for establishing a space shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are applied to the container (1) during the period between the end of its manufacture and the completion of the introduction or dispersion of the powders or granules so that they adhere to the interior wall, so that a space having dimensions suitable for receiving powders or granules can be formed between the front part (1A) and the rear part (1B) of the container (1).

To uniformly disperse powders introduced into the container (1) in the second step so that they adhere to the layer (2) of adhesive deposited on the interior surface of the container (1), a gas, such as air , is injected into the container (1) during a third step. The gas rotates and circulates inside the container (1) and causes the uniform adhesion of the powders or granules (3) to the entire layer coated with adhesive (3) deposited on the interior surface of the container (1 ). The introduction of the gas can be carried out during the introduction of the powders.

Air is generally used as the gas to be introduced in the third step. In cases where the granules (3), in contact with the air, are liable to undergo oxidation and deterioration or to become humid, inert gases such as nitrogen, etc. are used. In the latter case, the air contained in the container (1) is replaced by an inert gas before the introduction of the powders, during the second step.

The gas is introduced into the container (1) through a nozzle (5), as shown in the drawing of the third step in Figure 1 and the gas is guided through this nozzle (5) to the bottom of the container (1). When part of the powders is likely to flow out of the container through the opening of the latter, during the introduction of the gas, a filter (6) can be arranged on the opening of the container (1). Such a filter (6) can be, for example, constituted by metal cans, sintered porous metals and open cell synthetic resin foams; this filter can be of the type which includes a filtration unit placed on the opening of the container (1) as shown in the drawing of the third step of FIG. 1, or of a type consisting of a filtration unit inserted in the packaging container (1), as shown in FIG. 4. The nozzle (5) may have a number of injection orifices arranged on the periphery of the bottom, in addition to a lower opening and may also be provided a device at its lower end, so as to ensure a greater gas distribution area. The gas distribution device can be a hollow pipe with many openings or a hollow plate with many openings.

After the granules are stuck uniformly on the adhesive layer (2) deposited on the interior surface of the container (1), in the third step, the opening (1a) of the container (1) is closed hermetically during a fourth step, by application of heat or other suitable means to obtain the finished article.

Another embodiment of the manufacturing method according to the present invention, as illustrated in Figure 7, differs from the example described above, in that a means of vibration or rotation is adopted instead of the introduction of gas, in the third stage. In the drawing of the third step of FIG. 7, the reference (5a) designates a support means designed to pinch the opening of the container (1). By vibrating the container (1), while it is in the situation shown in the drawing, or by subjecting the container (1) to a rotation on its longitudinal axis and to a revolution around the support means for such so that the container can be turned upside down, the powders or granules (3) can be dispersed in the container (1) and made to adhere uniformly to the adhesive layer (2) deposited on the interior surface of the container.

When the product manufactured according to the method which is the subject of the present invention contains a medicament intended for oral administration, in the form of powders or granules, the desired medicament solution can be easily prepared by opening the container to pour water into. In the case of a powdered juice, the juice can quickly be prepared as described above, by pouring water into the container. When the powders or granules are fertilizers or agricultural chemicals, a solution of these can be obtained in the same way, which is particularly convenient and useful in horticulture. In the type of article that requires the addition of water to the container to be used, little measurement lines Can be traced on the inner surface of the container to indicate the amount of water to be poured into it.

A manufacturing method in accordance with the present invention is described below, with reference to the first manufacturing apparatus provided with a rotation mechanism for containers, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 13.

A fold is formed using a device (13) for pleating through the center of a piece of paper which is placed on a first conveyor belt (12), coming from a feed device of paper (11) and the paper moves from the conveyor belt (12) to a second conveyor belt (14) connected to the first. An adhesive is applied by an adhesive coating device (15) to the required part of the surface of the paper, during the transport thereof by the strip (14). After applying the adhesive, a given amount of powders are placed using a powder dispenser (16) on one of the halves of the adhesive coated surface of the paper, separated by the central fold ; then, the piece of paper passes from the second conveyor belt (14) to a third conveyor belt (17) to which it is connected. While the paper is transported by the third conveyor belt (17), the other half of the powder-free paper is folded over the powder-bearing half, using a folding device (18), then the sides of the halves are sealed with a closure (19) to produce a bag. The manufacturing steps up to this point are shown in Figures 8 and 10. In the above steps, like the paper feed device (11), the pleat forming device (13), the folding device (18) and the closure device (19) are not different from those used in conventional bag-making installations, their detailed description is omitted. The adhesive coating apparatus (15) and the powder metering and feeding apparatus (16) are also known and suitable conventional means are used selectively.

The piece of paper put in the form of a bag by assembling the sides (hereinafter referred to simply as “bag”) passes from the third conveyor belt (17) to a turntable (20) and undergoes the various treatments during its passage through each stations (21) to (24) arranged on the periphery of the plate (20).

The station (21) is provided with a device (not shown) which is designed to increase the distance between the front and rear position of the bag, by applying vacuum or other suitable means so as to create a space in the bag .

An apparatus (not shown) for temporarily closing the open end of the bag inside which a space has been formed is mounted in the station (22), so that the powders or granules cannot come out but that the air can pass.

The station (24) is equipped with a device (not shown), to form one or more notches which will facilitate the opening of the bag.

The bag having undergone the required treatments on the turntable (20), is carried by a conveyor device (25) provided with guide fingers (see FIG. 12), from the plate (20) to an inversion cylinder (26 ) so as to be turned upside down. By inverting the bag, more of the powders in the bag are adhered to the adhesive layer deposited on the inside of the bag.

After having undergone this overturning treatment, the bag is transported from the cylinder (26) to a rotating device (28) via a second conveyor device provided with fingers (27).

The rotating device (28), while letting the bag rotate around its axis, reverses it 360 °, so that it is turned upside down so as to adhere almost completely to the adhesive layer carried by the inner surface of the bag, a small amount of powders or granules still remaining free in the bag.

Figure 12 shows the details of the rotating device (28); the reference (28a) designates a reversing drum and the reference (28b) designates spiral rotation devices mounted on the reversing cylinder (28a) in four positions at regular intervals of 90 °. If the spiral rotation device (28b) can perform the spiral rotation of the bags, its structure is not particularly limited.

The bag having been subjected to the rotation treatment which it undergoes the rotating device (28), during its transport by a conveyor device (29), passes through a deaeration device (30), an apparatus (31) for closing the opening of the bag, a device for cutting off the superfluous end of the part of the closed opening (32) and other suitable treatment devices (not shown) for undergoing the corresponding treatments. The finished product is thus obtained.

The manufacturing method according to the present invention is now described with reference to the second manufacturing installation provided with an aeration mechanism shown in FIGS. 14 to 16.

A film or sheet (having a printed surface) for making bags (41) from a roll of packaging film (40), is guided by guide rollers (42) to (47) and passes through a horizontally developed state, (the printed surface being placed downwards), on an adhesive applicator (48), in such a way that an adhesive (49) is applied to given portions (except the peripheral zones left and right) of the leaf, at determined equal intervals. The manner in which the adhesive (49) is applied is illustrated in detail in Figure 15. In Figure 14, the reference (70) denotes a photoelectric tube placed between the guide cylinders (46) and (47). The photoelectric tube (70) monitors movements in the longitudinal and transverse directions relative to the normal position of the film (41) and sends signals to a position adjustment mechanism (not shown). The reference (50) designates a support device arranged below the adhesive applicator (48). This support device (50) comprises, for example, a conveyor which moves at the same speed as the film (41). The reference (40a) designates a packaging film reserve roll which can be used after consumption of the packaging film roll (40).

The film (41) having received in various given portions the adhesive (49), passes under a photoelectric tube (51) so that the presence of the adhesive is checked, then goes to a film folding device (52).

This film folding device (52) comprises a pair of left and right side plates (52a) and (52a), the spacing of which is reduced from the inlet to the outlet, thereby imparting a tendency to fold in V-shape at the cross section of the film (41) and a film holder (52b), which is mounted between these side plates (52a) and (52a) to maintain the center line of the film (41) in the required position.

The film (41), during its passage through the folding device (52), is guided by the side plates (52a) and (52a) of the device (52) so as to be folded along its central line along a V shape in cross section.

When the film (41), the cross section of which has taken the shape of a V, leaves the folding device (52), a heat-sealing device (53) which moves in a circular orbit (55) is brought to proximity to the position to be sealed (41a) [the portion not coated with adhesive (49)] and one of the nozzles (54) for feeding powders and injecting air which move around the mentioned orbit, descends to fit into the bag portion (41b) [the adhesive coated portion (49)]

The heat-sealing apparatus (53) consists of a pair of inner and outer lateral bars (53a) and (53b) of sealing: the inner sealing bar (53a) is always kept in an upright, vertical position, while that the outer sealing bar (53b) pivots around a support point located at the lowest end between the horizontal and vertical positions. The outer sealing bar (53b) is constructed to operate as follows: when it is sent to the portion to be sealed (41a), it rests horizontally so as not to hinder the passage of the film (41); it is lifted in a vertical position during displacement on the orbit (55) of for example, a distance of approximately 10 degrees from its point of approach to the film. When it is lifted, the outer sealing bar (53b) retains between itself and the inner sealing bar (53a), the portion of the film (41) to be sealed (41a) so as to achieve this sealing.

The nozzle (54) for supplying powders and granules and for injecting air, as shown in FIG. 16, comprises a double pipe, an external portion of pipe (54a) with an open upper end. designed for feeding powders or granules and an interior portion of pipe (54b) with a side opening for air injection. A cylindrical guide {54d) is fixed by an arm (54e) to the outer surface of a central part of the nozzle (54), a space being formed between them; the open lower end of the guide (54d) is closed by a wire mesh filter (54f) provided with meshes allowing deaeration but preventing the exit of powders or granules. The cylindrical or oval guide (54d), further indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 16, has a shape designed to open by pushing the open upper end (for example, see FIG. 2), of a part forming a bag ( 41b), (a single part forming a bag is shown in Figure 16 for convenience). In FIG. 16, the reference (54g) designates a flange filter, which advances relative to the external surface of the cylindrical guide (54d). The filter consists of two layers, an upper sintered metal filter and a flexible lower filter. The cylindrical guide (54d) serves to guide the nozzle (54) in the bag-forming part (41b) and also to create a space in the bag-forming part (41b), for the ventilation of the powders or granules.

The film or sheet having been formed to adopt a V-shaped configuration, moves on the circular orbit (55) while being accompanied by the heat-sealing apparatus (53) sent to the portion (41a) to be sealed, while the nozzle (54) is introduced into the bag-making part (41b); the portion (41a) is heat-sealed by the heat-sealing apparatus (53) between two positions (56) and (57) on the orbit (55) and the part forming a bag (41b) receives a given quantity of powders from a hopper (60), fitted with a dosing and feeding unit (59) (see Figure 14), at position (58) on the orbit (55). The powder introduced is aerated between positions (61) and (62), on the orbit (55).

In FIG. 15, the reference (63) designates an air supply device and a distribution pipe (63a) of the device (63) is disposed on the orbit (55) between the positions (61) and (62 ). The distribution pipe (63a) comprises an air injection portion (63a ') over the entire length of its side which faces the orbit (55) and a receiving portion (54b'), which advances laterally ( Figure 16) to the inner tube (54b) of the nozzle (54), moves in contact with the air injection portion (63a ') to be supplied with air. The receiving portions (54b ') of the successive nozzles (54) can be joined along the circular orbit, with or without the aid of elements covering the air injection portion (63a') and be interposed between the receiving portions so as to prevent any loss of air out of the air injection portion (63a ') of the distributor pipe (63a). The air can be heated before being sent to the bag-forming part (41b).

In Figure 16, the air flow introduced into the bag-forming part (41b) is indicated by arrows. Under the effect of the rotating and circulating air currents, powders or granules are distributed and bonded uniformly over the entire surface of the adhesive (49) applied to the interior surface of the bag-forming part (41b). During the introduction of air, the upper end or green of the portion of the outer pipe (54a) is closed by appropriate means.

The nozzle (54) introduced into the bag-forming part (41b) of the film (41), when the aeration is complete, rises to the position (62) to exit the bag-forming part (41b) and it is ready for the next operation.

The outer sealing bar (53b) of the heat-sealing apparatus (53), after the heat-sealing step, begins to pivot towards the horizontal plane when it reaches position (57) and becomes horizontal in the position of the guide cylinder (64) to be ready for use in the next cycle.

The film (41), after being subjected to heat sealing and aeration, as described above, moves out of the orbit (55) in the position of the guide cylinder (64). After leaving the orbit, the bag-forming part (41) is heat-sealed at its upper end using a heat-sealing device (65) and is brought to a moving conveyor (66), where it is held by one of the support means (67) ...... mounted on the conveyor (66). The part forming a bag (41b), still held by the support means (67), passes through a cutting device (68) comprising a blade (68a) and a complementary part of the latter (68b), so that it is cut at the sealed part (41a) to obtain the desired products.

Claims (3)

1. A method of manufacturing flat water- impermeable containers in bag form, which are provided on their inner surface with an adhesive layer of readily soluble powders or granules, the said flat container in bag form having end parts, a front part and a back part, the front and back parts being sufficiently flexible to be curved and to form a space suitable for receiving water between them when the said bag is held at its ends and compressed inwards, this container being of the disposable type, which method is characterized in that the front part and the back part are joined by a crease and the back part is folded onto the front part along the crease, in that the said container is provided with an adhesive layer formed on defined portions of its inner surface and more particularly on a given zone of the abovementioned sheet of material, in that the two edges of the front and back portions are sealed to produce a flat container in bag form, which is provided with an adhesive layer on its inner surface, in that, in order to prevent the adhesive layers deposited on the inner surface of the sheet of material, respectively on the front and back parts thereof, from adhering to one another, the front and back parts are given a tendency to curve and to spread outwards during the folding of the front part onto the back part, and in that a given quantity of powders or granules is shaken and dispersed in the said container which possesses the said adhesive layer, so as to deposit the powders or the granules over the whole of the surface coated with adhesive in order to give a uniform addition of the said powders or granules.

2. The method according to Claim 1, characterized in that a given quantity of powders or granules is introduced onto the adhesive layer of the back part, after which the front part is folded onto the back part.

3. The method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the powders or the granules are a medicament for gargling, which is designed to disinfect or refresh the buccal cavity.

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