EP1733970B1 - Method and apparatus for feeding, filling and packaging containers - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for feeding, filling and packaging containers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1733970B1 EP1733970B1 EP06012010A EP06012010A EP1733970B1 EP 1733970 B1 EP1733970 B1 EP 1733970B1 EP 06012010 A EP06012010 A EP 06012010A EP 06012010 A EP06012010 A EP 06012010A EP 1733970 B1 EP1733970 B1 EP 1733970B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- sheet
- cavity
- tape
- intermediate sheet
- container
- 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.)
- Active
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 16
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 title claims description 14
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 40
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 29
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 9
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000003599 detergent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920002457 flexible plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000011837 pasties Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- 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
- B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
- B65B43/04—Forming flat bags from webs
- B65B43/06—Forming flat bags from webs from more than one web
-
- 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
- B65B29/00—Packaging of materials presenting special problems
- B65B29/10—Packaging two or more different substances isolated from one another in the package but capable of being mixed without opening the package, e.g. forming packages containing a resin and hardener isolated by a frangible partition
-
- 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
-
- 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
- B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
- B65B43/12—Feeding flexible bags or carton blanks in flat or collapsed state; Feeding flat bags connected to form a series or chain
- B65B43/123—Feeding flat bags connected to form a series or chain
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for packaging containers.
- the present invention relates to pack-like or bag-like containers for containing two products to be mixed before use, such as for example food products, but also detergents and the like.
- bag-like containers made of heat-sealable flexible plastic material or of an aluminium plate coupled to a heat-sealable flexible material, are widely used. Such containers are filled with the product to be sold and then the filling opening is sealed so as to market the packaging.
- US 2003/0213213 discloses a method for packaging products into containers having dual chambers so as to package two products that have to be mixed before use, and an apparatus, for carrying out the process, according to the preamble of claim 6.
- the object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a method and an apparatus for packaging containers which allow a production in a wholly automatic way and at high speeds.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for packaging containers which are versatile, cheap and simple to be implemented.
- the tape with multiple sheets comprises an upper sheet, an intermediate sheet and a lower sheet heat-sealed to each other along peripheral heat-sealing lines, so as to define at least a row of containers equipped with a first containment cavity between the upper sheet and the intermediate sheet and a second containment cavity between the intermediate sheet and the lower sheet.
- At least a strip of the upper sheet along at least a first longitudinal cutting line is removed, so as to define a plurality of openings for accessing the first containment cavity of each container and for leaving uncovered at least a longitudinal strip of the intermediate sheet.
- the apparatus comprises:
- the tape 1 comprises three sheets overlapped to each other, that is two outer sheets 2 and 3 and an inner sheet 4 interposed between the two outer sheets 2 and 3.
- first outer sheet 2 will be called “upper sheet”
- second outer sheet 3 will be called “lower sheet”
- the inner sheet 4 will be called “intermediate sheet”.
- the sheets 2, 3 and 4 are made of one-layer or multi-layer heat-sealable material; for example each sheet can provide an aluminium film coupled to a film of heat-sealable plastic material so to be able to be heat-sealed to each other.
- a bellows 7 is implemented in a known way.
- the bellows 7 is implemented by the lower sheet 3, that is the side edge of the lower sheet 3 is "S"-folded and a first heat-sealing 8' is performed along the folding end of the lower sheet 3.
- a second heat-sealing 8 joins together the side ends of the upper sheet 2, of the intermediate sheet 4 and of the lower sheet 3.
- the bellows 7 is arranged in the second cavity 6.
- the bellows can be implemented by the upper sheet 2 and then it can be arranged also in the first cavity 5.
- the bellows can be inserted in the first cavity 5 or in the second cavity 6 with an independent tape.
- Such longitudinal strips can be removed by means of four longitudinal cuts 9 implemented on the upper sheet 2 on one side and on the other one with respect to the centre line of the tape 1.
- the distance W between the more external cuts 9 is equal to the sum between W1, W2 and W3.
- a heat-sealing 10 is performed along the centre line of the tape 1, as illustrated also in figure 4 , which joins the upper sheet 2, the intermediate sheet 4 and the lower sheet 3.
- a plurality of cross heat-sealings 11 is implemented, which joins the three sheets 2, 4 and 3.
- the cross heat-sealings 11 extend from the heat-sealings of the side ends 8 to the cuts 9.
- the cross heat-sealings 11 are arranged equidistant to each other, so as to define a plurality of rectangular containers 12, shaped like a bag, arranged in opposed pairs on one side and on the other one with respect to the centre heat-sealing 10.
- an opening 90 for accessing the first cavity 5 is defined in each container 12 below the cut 9, whereas the second cavity 6 of each container 12 remains closed by the intermediate sheet 4.
- the so-obtained tape with multiple sheets 1 is folded transversely like an accordion and inserted into a box 29 to be fed towards an apparatus 20 which will be responsible for filling and packaging the containers according to the invention.
- the tape with multiple sheets 1, already formed as previously described is fed to the apparatus 20.
- the apparatus 20 the following can be arranged:
- the containers' implementation takes place in line, in a wholly automatic way, starting from rollers of sheet material.
- the apparatus 20 comprises a longitudinal guide support, substantially shaped like a rod, which upwards has a first part 21 tilted towards the box 29.
- the heat-sealed centre line 10 of the tape 1, which keeps joined the pairs of containers 12, is centred on the tilted part 21 of the guide support, so that the uncovered portion of the intermediate sheet 4 is turned upwards.
- the containers 12 Upon proceeding towards the apparatus 20, the containers 12 arrange astride the tilted part 21 of the guide support which becomes progressively larger until reaching a width W (equal to the sum of the widths of the central strip of the upper sheet and of the two strips removed from the upper sheet 2 of the tape 1) in a substantially horizontal second part 22 of the guide support. That is, the width W is equal to the distance between the two more external cuts 9.
- a towing group 30 is arranged, apt to make the tape 1 to feed towards a first filling station 40.
- the towing group 30 comprises a roller or drive pinion 31 equipped with teeth which engage in openings 90 of the single containers 12, so as to allow an indexed feeding of the containers 12 towards the filling station 40 and at the same time a divarication of the edges of the openings 90.
- the towing group 30 can provide a photocell, which detects the passage of each container and accordingly controls the rotation of the drive pinion 31.
- the first filling station 40 comprises a pair of hoppers 41 arranged above the feeding line of the tape 1 to feed the first product to be packaged.
- two grasping members or divaricating members 42 are provided, arranged on one side and on the other one with respect to the support 22.
- the grasping members 42 are apt to grasp the edge 9 of the upper sheet 2 of the respective container 12 and to move outwards, so as to further enlarge the opening 90 to allow inserting the first product into the first cavity 5 of the container 12, through the hopper 41.
- a second towing group 50 Downwards the first filling station 40 a second towing group 50, substantially similar to the first towing group 30, is provided.
- the cutting station 60 comprises a pair of supporting plates 61 integral to the machine frame and arranged on one side and on the other one with respect to the support 22 of the tape.
- a respective spacing plate 63 arranged according to a substantially horizontal plane at a certain distance from the lower edge of the supporting plate 61, is fastened to each supporting plate 61 by means of an "L"-shaped flange 62.
- the spacing plate 63 has a longitudinal slot 64 wherein a cutting blade 65 having a cutting profile tilted with respect to the spacing plate 63 is arranged.
- the cutting blade 65 is supported by a flange 66 fastened to the supporting plate 61.
- the spacing plate 63 has a rounded inlet edge 67 acting as invitation to enter the second cavity 6 ( figure 4 ) between the lower sheet 3 and the intermediate sheet 4, near the centre line 10 of the tape 1.
- the spacing plate 63 lifts the intermediate sheet 4 with respect to the lower sheet 3 and at the same time the cutting blade 65 performs a longitudinal cutting 68 ( figures 5 and 7 ) on the intermediate sheet 4, so as to open a second opening 69 for accessing the second cavity 6 of each container 12.
- the tape 1 moves forward towards a second filling station 70 arranged downwards the cutting station 60.
- the second filling station 70 is substantially similar to the first filling station 40 and it comprises a pair of hoppers 71 and two grasping members 72.
- the grasping members 72 are apt to grasp the second cutting edge 68 of each container 12 so as to enlarge the opening 69 to allow the feeding therein of the second product, by means of the hopper 71.
- a vibrating device can be provided, apt to make the containers 12 to vibrate during the filling thereof.
- a container 12 is obtained, comprising two pockets formed by the two cavities 5 and 6, that is a front pocket full of a first material, preferably a liquid or a pasty material, and a rear pocket full of a second material, preferably made of coarse pieces.
- the containers 12 outletting from the second filling station 70 are sent towards a heat-sealing station 80 equipped with two heated bars 81 apt to contact with the centre portion of the tape 1 at the first cut 9 and at the second cut 68, so as to generate a heat-sealing and therefore an hermetic sealing of the first and of the second opening (90, 69) of each container.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
- Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
- Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
- Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
- Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for packaging containers. In particular, the present invention relates to pack-like or bag-like containers for containing two products to be mixed before use, such as for example food products, but also detergents and the like.
- In the field of the packagings for greatly-used products, bag-like containers, made of heat-sealable flexible plastic material or of an aluminium plate coupled to a heat-sealable flexible material, are widely used. Such containers are filled with the product to be sold and then the filling opening is sealed so as to market the packaging.
- Recently, an increasing request for packagings providing two separate products, which must be mixed with each other before use, has been found.
-
US 2003/0213213 discloses a method for packaging products into containers having dual chambers so as to package two products that have to be mixed before use, and an apparatus, for carrying out the process, according to the preamble of claim 6. - The methods for packaging such containers result to be quite complex and expensive, as they require long periods of time and different processing phases.
- The object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a method and an apparatus for packaging containers which allow a production in a wholly automatic way and at high speeds.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for packaging containers which are versatile, cheap and simple to be implemented.
- These objects are achieved according to the invention with the method and the apparatus whose features are listed in the enclosed
independent claims 1 and 6, respectively. - According to the invention, in the method and in the apparatus for packaging containers, one starts from a tape with multiple sheets. The tape with multiple sheets comprises an upper sheet, an intermediate sheet and a lower sheet heat-sealed to each other along peripheral heat-sealing lines, so as to define at least a row of containers equipped with a first containment cavity between the upper sheet and the intermediate sheet and a second containment cavity between the intermediate sheet and the lower sheet.
- In the tape at least a strip of the upper sheet along at least a first longitudinal cutting line is removed, so as to define a plurality of openings for accessing the first containment cavity of each container and for leaving uncovered at least a longitudinal strip of the intermediate sheet.
- The apparatus comprises:
- a tape-feeding group,
- a first filling station for filling the first cavity of each container with a first product,
- a cutting station for cutting the portion of intermediate sheet, which is left uncovered, along at least a second longitudinal cutting line, so as to generate a plurality of openings for accessing the second containment cavity of each container,
- a second filling station for filling the second containment cavity of each container with a second product, and
- a heat-sealing station for heat-sealing said first and second longitudinal cutting line so as to close said openings for accessing the first and the second cavity, respectively, of each container.
- Additional features of the invention will be more clear from the following detailed description, referred to a purely exemplifying embodiment thereof, therefore not for limitative purposes, illustrated in the enclosed drawings, wherein:
-
figure 1 is a top plan view, partially interrupted, illustrating a tape with multiple sheets, for implementing the containers according to the invention; -
figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the section plan II-II offigure 1 ; -
figure 3 is a plan view of the tape with multiple sheets offigure 1 , wherein two strips have been removed and heat-sealings have been performed to define the containers' perimeter; -
figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the section plan IV-IV offigure 3 ; -
figure 5 is a partially interrupted perspective view, schematically illustrating the apparatus according to the invention; -
figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating in greater detail the cutting device of the cutting station of the apparatus offigure 5 ; -
figure 7 is a schematic perspective view schematically illustrating a pair of containers outletting from the cutting station of the apparatus offigure 5 ; and -
figure 8 is a view likefigure 7 , illustrating a pair of containers outletting from the second filling station of the apparatus offigure 5 . - The method and the apparatus for packaging containers according to the invention will be described with the aid of the figures.
- By referring, at the moment, to
figures 1 and 2 , the containers according to the invention are implemented starting from a tape with multiple sheets designated as a whole with thereference number 1. - By referring to
figure 2 , thetape 1 comprises three sheets overlapped to each other, that is twoouter sheets inner sheet 4 interposed between the twoouter sheets outer sheet 2 will be called "upper sheet", the secondouter sheet 3 will be called "lower sheet" and theinner sheet 4 will be called "intermediate sheet". - In this way a
first cavity 5 between theintermediate sheet 4 and theupper sheet 2 and a second cavity 6 between theintermediate sheet 4 and thelower sheet 3 are created. - The
sheets - In the two side portions of the tape 1 a
bellows 7 is implemented in a known way. As shown infigure 2 , thebellows 7 is implemented by thelower sheet 3, that is the side edge of thelower sheet 3 is "S"-folded and a first heat-sealing 8' is performed along the folding end of thelower sheet 3. Then, a second heat-sealing 8 joins together the side ends of theupper sheet 2, of theintermediate sheet 4 and of thelower sheet 3. As a result, thebellows 7 is arranged in the second cavity 6. Obviously, the bellows can be implemented by theupper sheet 2 and then it can be arranged also in thefirst cavity 5. - As an alternative, the bellows can be inserted in the
first cavity 5 or in the second cavity 6 with an independent tape. - As shown in
figures 3 and 4 , two longitudinal strips with width W1 and W3 are removed from theupper sheet 2, on one side and on the other one with respect to a central strip ofupper sheet 2 with width W2. In this way two strips of theintermediate sheet 4 are left uncovered. - Such longitudinal strips can be removed by means of four
longitudinal cuts 9 implemented on theupper sheet 2 on one side and on the other one with respect to the centre line of thetape 1. The distance W between the moreexternal cuts 9 is equal to the sum between W1, W2 and W3. - At this point, a heat-
sealing 10 is performed along the centre line of thetape 1, as illustrated also infigure 4 , which joins theupper sheet 2, theintermediate sheet 4 and thelower sheet 3. - At last, a plurality of cross heat-
sealings 11 is implemented, which joins the threesheets sealings 11 extend from the heat-sealings of the side ends 8 to thecuts 9. The cross heat-sealings 11 are arranged equidistant to each other, so as to define a plurality ofrectangular containers 12, shaped like a bag, arranged in opposed pairs on one side and on the other one with respect to the centre heat-sealing 10. - It is to be noted that an
opening 90 for accessing thefirst cavity 5 is defined in eachcontainer 12 below thecut 9, whereas the second cavity 6 of eachcontainer 12 remains closed by theintermediate sheet 4. - As shown in
figure 5 , the so-obtained tape withmultiple sheets 1 is folded transversely like an accordion and inserted into abox 29 to be fed towards anapparatus 20 which will be responsible for filling and packaging the containers according to the invention. - Even if in
figure 5 abox 29 is illustrated, it is clear that thetape 1 can be fed towards theapparatus 20 by a coil, by an uncoiler o by another feeding device. - Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the tape with
multiple sheets 1, already formed as previously described, is fed to theapparatus 20. However, it is clear that upwards theapparatus 20 the following can be arranged: - a folding station for implementing the
bellows 7, - a first heat-sealing station for heat-sealing the side edges (8, 8'),
- a cutting station for removing the two longitudinal strips of the
upper sheet 2, and - a second heat-sealing station for heat-sealing the
centre strip 10 and thecross strips 11. - In this way, the containers' implementation takes place in line, in a wholly automatic way, starting from rollers of sheet material.
- The
apparatus 20 comprises a longitudinal guide support, substantially shaped like a rod, which upwards has afirst part 21 tilted towards thebox 29. The heat-sealedcentre line 10 of thetape 1, which keeps joined the pairs ofcontainers 12, is centred on thetilted part 21 of the guide support, so that the uncovered portion of theintermediate sheet 4 is turned upwards. - Upon proceeding towards the
apparatus 20, thecontainers 12 arrange astride thetilted part 21 of the guide support which becomes progressively larger until reaching a width W (equal to the sum of the widths of the central strip of the upper sheet and of the two strips removed from theupper sheet 2 of the tape 1) in a substantially horizontalsecond part 22 of the guide support. That is, the width W is equal to the distance between the two moreexternal cuts 9. - Above the
horizontal part 22 of the guide support atowing group 30 is arranged, apt to make thetape 1 to feed towards a first filling station 40. - The
towing group 30 comprises a roller ordrive pinion 31 equipped with teeth which engage inopenings 90 of thesingle containers 12, so as to allow an indexed feeding of thecontainers 12 towards the filling station 40 and at the same time a divarication of the edges of theopenings 90. - As an alternative or in addition thereto, the
towing group 30 can provide a photocell, which detects the passage of each container and accordingly controls the rotation of thedrive pinion 31. - The first filling station 40 comprises a pair of hoppers 41 arranged above the feeding line of the
tape 1 to feed the first product to be packaged. - Abreast of the feeding line of the
tape 1 two grasping members or divaricating members 42 are provided, arranged on one side and on the other one with respect to thesupport 22. The grasping members 42 are apt to grasp theedge 9 of theupper sheet 2 of therespective container 12 and to move outwards, so as to further enlarge theopening 90 to allow inserting the first product into thefirst cavity 5 of thecontainer 12, through the hopper 41. - Downwards the first filling station 40 a
second towing group 50, substantially similar to thefirst towing group 30, is provided. - Downwards the second towing group 50 a cutting
station 60 is provided. As better shown infigure 6 , the cuttingstation 60 comprises a pair of supportingplates 61 integral to the machine frame and arranged on one side and on the other one with respect to thesupport 22 of the tape. - A
respective spacing plate 63, arranged according to a substantially horizontal plane at a certain distance from the lower edge of the supportingplate 61, is fastened to each supportingplate 61 by means of an "L"-shapedflange 62. Thespacing plate 63 has alongitudinal slot 64 wherein acutting blade 65 having a cutting profile tilted with respect to thespacing plate 63 is arranged. Thecutting blade 65 is supported by aflange 66 fastened to the supportingplate 61. - The
spacing plate 63 has a roundedinlet edge 67 acting as invitation to enter the second cavity 6 (figure 4 ) between thelower sheet 3 and theintermediate sheet 4, near thecentre line 10 of thetape 1. - In this way, the
spacing plate 63 lifts theintermediate sheet 4 with respect to thelower sheet 3 and at the same time thecutting blade 65 performs a longitudinal cutting 68 (figures 5 and7 ) on theintermediate sheet 4, so as to open asecond opening 69 for accessing the second cavity 6 of eachcontainer 12. - At this point, turning back to
figure 5 , thetape 1 moves forward towards asecond filling station 70 arranged downwards the cuttingstation 60. Thesecond filling station 70 is substantially similar to the first filling station 40 and it comprises a pair ofhoppers 71 and twograsping members 72. - The grasping
members 72 are apt to grasp thesecond cutting edge 68 of eachcontainer 12 so as to enlarge theopening 69 to allow the feeding therein of the second product, by means of thehopper 71. - In order to favour the distribution of the material within the
container 12, both in the first and in the second filling station (40, 70) a vibrating device can be provided, apt to make thecontainers 12 to vibrate during the filling thereof. - As shown in
figure 8 , at the outlet of the second filling station 70 acontainer 12 is obtained, comprising two pockets formed by the twocavities 5 and 6, that is a front pocket full of a first material, preferably a liquid or a pasty material, and a rear pocket full of a second material, preferably made of coarse pieces. - The
containers 12 outletting from thesecond filling station 70 are sent towards a heat-sealingstation 80 equipped with twoheated bars 81 apt to contact with the centre portion of thetape 1 at thefirst cut 9 and at thesecond cut 68, so as to generate a heat-sealing and therefore an hermetic sealing of the first and of the second opening (90, 69) of each container. - Finally, even if it is not illustrated in
figure 5 , a longitudinal cutting along the centre line of heat-sealing 10 of the tape and cross cuttings along the cross heat-sealing lines 11 of the tape are performed, so as to obtain thesingle containers 12 separated from thetape 1. Alternatively and more advantageously, the cross cuttings along the heat-sealing lines 11 are made upwards theapparatus 20. - Several variations and modifications of the details within the range of a person skilled in the art, however comprised within the invention scope as expressed by the enclosed claims, can be introduced to the present embodiment.
- For example, even if in the detailed description specific reference to a
tape 1 provided with pairs ofcontainers 12 arranged on one side and on the other one of thecentre line 10 has been made, it is clear that the invention extends also to a tape providing a single raw of containers. In this case, the members of theapparatus 20, which have been illustrated in pairs, can be provided singularly only on one side of the apparatus.
Claims (10)
- Method for packaging containers (12) starting from a tape (1) having an upper sheet (2), an intermediate sheet (4) and a lower sheet (3) heat-sealed to each other along peripheral heat-sealing lines (8, 11) so as to define at least a row of containers (12) equipped with a first containment cavity (5) between said upper sheet and said intermediate sheet and with a second containment cavity (6) between said intermediate sheet and said lower sheet, wherein in said tape (1) at least a strip of said upper sheet (2) is removed along at least a first longitudinal cutting line (9) so as to define a plurality of openings (90) for accessing said first containment cavity (5) of each container (12) and to leave uncovered at least a longitudinal strip of said intermediate sheet (4), the method comprising the following steps:- feeding the tape (1) in automatic way,- filling said first containment cavity (5) with a first product,- cutting said portion of intermediate sheet (4) left uncovered, along at least a second longitudinal cutting line (68), so as to generate an opening (69) for accessing said second containment cavity (6) of each container,- filling said second containment cavity (6) of each container with a second product, and- heat-sealing said first and said second longitudinal cutting line (9, 68) so as to close said openings (90, 69) for accessing the first and the second cavity (5, 6), respectively, of each container.
- Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in said steps for filling the first cavity (5) and the second cavity (6), the first access opening (90) and the second access opening (69), respectively, of each container are enlarged.
- Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in said step for cutting the uncovered portion of the intermediate sheet (4) to generate said second longitudinal cutting line (68), said intermediate sheet (4) is spaced from said lower sheet (3).
- Method according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that in said step for feeding the tape (1) in an automatic machine, the tape portion wherein the intermediate sheet (4) is uncovered is supported onto a longitudinal support (22) and it is towed by means of towing groups (30, 50) equipped with towing rollers (31) to make said tape (1) to feed on the longitudinal support (22).
- Method according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tape (1) comprises two rows of containers (12) arranged in pairs on one side and on the other one with respect to a centre portion constituted by a longitudinal strip of said upper sheet (2) and by two longitudinal strips wherein said intermediate sheet (4) is uncovered.
- Apparatus (20) for packaging containers (12) starting from a tape (1) having an upper sheet (2), an intermediate sheet (4) and a lower sheet (3) heat-sealed to each other along peripheral heat-sealing lines (8, 11) so as to define at least a row of containers (12) equipped with a first containment cavity (5) between said upper sheet and said intermediate sheet and with a second containment cavity (6) between said intermediate sheet and said lower sheet,
characterized in that in said tape (1) at least a strip of said upper sheet (2) is removed along at least a first longitudinal cutting line (9) so as to define an opening (90) for accessing said first containment cavity (5) of each container (12) and to leave uncovered at least a longitudinal strip of said intermediate sheet (4), the apparatus (20) further comprising:- a group for feeding the tape (1),- a first filling station (40) for filling said first cavity (5) of each container with a first product,- a cutting station (60) for cutting said at least a portion of intermediate sheet (4) left uncovered, along at least a second longitudinal cutting line (68), so as to generate a plurality of openings (69) for accessing said containment cavity (6) of each container,- a second filling station (70) for filling said second containment cavity (6) of each container with a second product, and- a heat-sealing station (80) for heat-sealing said first and said second longitudinal cutting lines (9, 68) so as to close said openings (90, 69) for accessing the first and the second cavity (5, 6), respectively, of each container. - Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that said first and second filling station (40, 70) comprise grasping members (42, 72) apt to grasp the edge (9) of the upper sheet which defines the opening (90) for accessing the first cavity (5) and the edge (68) of the intermediate sheet (4) which defines the opening (69) for accessing the second cavity, respectively, so as to enlarge said openings for accessing the first and the second cavity of each container.
- Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said cutting station comprises at least a supporting plate (61) which supports a spacing plate (63) arranged according to a substantially horizontal plane and a cutting blade (65) with a cutting profile tilted with respect to said spacing plate (63), wherein said spacing plate (63) is apt to arrange within said second cavity (6) below said portion of intermediate sheet (4) left uncovered, so as to space the intermediate sheet (4) with respect to the lower sheet (3) in order to perform the longitudinal cutting (68) on said intermediate sheet (4).
- Apparatus according to anyone of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that said feeding group comprises a longitudinal support (22) supporting the tape portion wherein the intermediate sheet (4) is uncovered and at least a towing group (30, 50) equipped with towing rollers (31) to make said tape (1) to feed onto the longitudinal support (22).
- Apparatus according to anyone of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that said tape (1) comprises two rows of containers (12) arranged in pairs on one side and on the other one with respect to a centre portion constituted by a longitudinal strip of said upper sheet (2) and by two longitudinal strips wherein said intermediate sheet (4) is uncovered.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PL06012010T PL1733970T3 (en) | 2005-06-13 | 2006-06-12 | Method and apparatus for feeding, filling and packaging containers |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT001098A ITMI20051098A1 (en) | 2005-06-13 | 2005-06-13 | "METHOD AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, FILLING AND PACKAGING OF CONTAINERS" |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1733970A1 EP1733970A1 (en) | 2006-12-20 |
EP1733970B1 true EP1733970B1 (en) | 2009-08-05 |
Family
ID=36636309
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP06012010A Active EP1733970B1 (en) | 2005-06-13 | 2006-06-12 | Method and apparatus for feeding, filling and packaging containers |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP1733970B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE438572T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE602006008220D1 (en) |
DK (1) | DK1733970T3 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2331089T3 (en) |
IT (1) | ITMI20051098A1 (en) |
PL (1) | PL1733970T3 (en) |
PT (1) | PT1733970E (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP5851132B2 (en) * | 2011-06-30 | 2016-02-03 | ユニ・チャーム株式会社 | Packaging equipment |
DK178173B1 (en) * | 2014-06-30 | 2015-07-20 | Schur Technology As | Method and apparatus for packing items, liquid or loose goods in foil bags and a bag web |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4201031A (en) * | 1978-09-27 | 1980-05-06 | Rexham Corporation | Method of making, opening, filling and sealing a two-compartment pouch |
EP0487788B1 (en) * | 1990-11-28 | 1996-02-28 | Crescent Holding N.V. | Method and apparatus to implement double opposed containers fed as a continuous band to filling stations and apt to be sealed by welding, as well as the packages thus obtained |
US6662530B1 (en) * | 2000-11-16 | 2003-12-16 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Method of making dual chamber sachet |
ITMI20010488A1 (en) * | 2001-03-08 | 2002-09-08 | Goglio Spa Luigi Milano | METHOD AND EQUIPMENT TO COMPLETELY AUTOMATICALLY FILL AND VACUUM CLOSURE OF COUPLES OF CONTAINERS |
-
2005
- 2005-06-13 IT IT001098A patent/ITMI20051098A1/en unknown
-
2006
- 2006-06-12 AT AT06012010T patent/ATE438572T1/en active
- 2006-06-12 PL PL06012010T patent/PL1733970T3/en unknown
- 2006-06-12 EP EP06012010A patent/EP1733970B1/en active Active
- 2006-06-12 DE DE602006008220T patent/DE602006008220D1/en active Active
- 2006-06-12 DK DK06012010T patent/DK1733970T3/en active
- 2006-06-12 PT PT06012010T patent/PT1733970E/en unknown
- 2006-06-12 ES ES06012010T patent/ES2331089T3/en active Active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ATE438572T1 (en) | 2009-08-15 |
ES2331089T3 (en) | 2009-12-21 |
DK1733970T3 (en) | 2009-12-07 |
PT1733970E (en) | 2009-11-10 |
DE602006008220D1 (en) | 2009-09-17 |
EP1733970A1 (en) | 2006-12-20 |
ITMI20051098A1 (en) | 2006-12-14 |
PL1733970T3 (en) | 2010-01-29 |
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