EP1796964A2

EP1796964A2 - Method and apparatus for forming containers

Info

Publication number: EP1796964A2
Application number: EP05786075A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Harald Haldorsen; K. Larsson; Erik Rogeberg; Tom Unnli
Original assignee: Elopak Systems AG
Current assignee: Elopak Systems AG
Priority date: 2004-09-09
Filing date: 2005-09-09
Publication date: 2007-06-20
Also published as: GB0419986D0; WO2006027592A2; WO2006027592A3

Abstract

Apparatus for forming a package comprises first and second holding elements (12) and (14) for holding a partially formed container between them at respective opposite upwardly extending edges of the partially formed container, there being no holding elements for the partially formed container at other respective opposite upwardly extending edges of the partially formed container. There is provided a driving arrangement for advancing the holding elements (12) and (14) and thus the partially formed container on a path (45), with a series of devices (22) to (36) distributed along the path (45) for performing operations in relation to the partially formed container.

Description

DESCRIPTION

METHOD AND APPARATUS

This invention relates to methods of and apparatus for forming one or more containers, particularly, but not necessarily, cartons such as gable- topped, flat-topped or slant-topped cartons, for containing flowable substances.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for forming a package comprising first and second holding elements for holding a partially formed container between them at respective opposite upwardly extending edges of said partially formed container, there being no holding elements for said partially formed container at other respective opposite upwardly extending edges of said partially formed container, a driving arrangement for advancing said holding elements and thus said partially formed container on a path, and a series of devices distributed along said path for performing operations in relation to said partially formed container, the devices comprising a top sealing device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming containers, comprising receiving and holding a first partially formed container of a first cross-sectional character between first and second holding elements at respective opposite upwardly extending edges of said partially formed container, advancing said holding elements and thus said partially formed container past a series of devices, utilizing said devices to perform respective operations in relation to the first partially formed container, receiving and holding a second partially formed container of a second cross- sectional character at respective opposite upwardly extending edges of said second partially formed container between said first and second holding elements, the second cross-sectional character differing from said first cross- sectional character, advancing said holding elements and thus said second partially formed container past said series of devices, and utilizing said devices to perform respective operations in relation to the second partially formed container.

Owing to these aspects of the invention, it is possible for one-and-the- same apparatus to be employed for producing packages having cross-sections of differing characters. The characters may differ in their dimensions, their shapes or their degrees of constancy up the heights of the containers.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for forming containers, comprising first and second holding elements for receiving and holding between them at differing times first and second partially formed containers of differing cross-sectional characters, a driving arrangement for advancing said holding elements and thus said partially formed containers along a path, and a series of devices distributed along said path for performing respective operations in relation to the first and second partially formed containers, the arrangement being such that, during operation of said devices in relation to the first and second partially formed containers, said first and second holding elements are at respective opposite sides of said path.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming containers, comprising receiving and holding a first partially formed container of a first cross-sectional character between first and second holding elements at respective opposite sides of said first partially formed container, advancing said first and second holding elements and thus said first partially formed container on a path past a series of devices, utilizing said devices to perform respective operations in relation to said first partially formed container while said first and second holding elements are at respective opposite sides of said path, receiving and holding a second partially formed container of a second cross-sectional character differing from said first cross- sectional character between said first and second holding means at respective opposite sides of said second partially formed container, advancing said first and second holding elements and thus said second partially formed container on said path past said devices, and utilising said devices to perform said respective operations in relation to said second partially formed container while said first and second holding elements are at said respective opposite sides of said path.

Owing to these aspects of the invention, adjustment or replacement of the devices and/or the holding elements is simplified. Preferably, prior to receiving the second partially formed container, the relative positions of the first and second holding elements are adjusted (either manually or by remote control), or the first and second holding elements are replaced by third and fourth holding elements differing from the first and second holding elements, and/or one or more of the devices for performing operations in relation to the partially formed containers is adjusted and/or replaced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for forming a container, the apparatus comprising upper and lower storeys, each storey comprising one or more devices for performing one or more operations in relation to a partially formed container, and the apparatus further comprising an arrangement for transferring the partially formed container between the upper and lower storeys.

Owing to this aspect of the present invention, it is possible to use both storeys of the apparatus for desired operations in relation to the partially formed container.

Advantageously, the apparatus includes a rotary turret having upper and lower levels corresponding to the respective storeys. The partially formed container preferably enters at the upper storey, is lowered by the transfer arrangement to the lower storey, and leaves at the lower storey. Again advantageously, the device(s) at the storey at which the container enters comprise(s) a device for rendering non-viable micro-organisms in the partially formed container and/or a device for applying a pour spout fitment.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for filling a partially formed container, comprising a bottom-sealing device for bottom-sealing the partially formed container, a filling device for filling the bottom-sealed partially formed container with a flowable substance, and a device arranged to produce relative movement between the bottom of the bottom-sealed, partially formed container and the remainder thereof to raise the upper level of the flowable substance therein.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of producing a package, comprising filling a bottom-sealed, partially formed container with a flowable substance, and producing relative movement between the bottom of the bottom-sealed, partially formed container and the remainder thereof to raise the upper level of the flowable substance therein.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for forming a package, comprising first apparatus in a substantially non-clean environment of a first zone of a building and second apparatus in a substantially clean environment of a second zone of said building, said first apparatus being for partially forming said container, and said second apparatus being for filling the partially formed container. According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming packages, comprising partially forming said containers at first apparatus in a substantially non-clean environment of a first zone of a building and filling the partially formed containers at second apparatus in a substantially clean environment of a second zone of said building. Owing to these two aspects of the invention, it is possible to reduce the size of a required "clean" zone in a building.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for forming packages, comprising first apparatus for receiving partially formed containers, a plurality of apparatuses downstream of said first apparatus for filling and sealing the partially formed containers, and a conveying arrangement extending from said first apparatus to said plurality of apparatuses for conveying said partially formed containers from said first apparatus selectively to said plurality of apparatuses.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming packages, comprising receiving partially formed containers at a first apparatus, conveying said partially formed containers selectively to a plurality of further apparatuses, and filling and sealing the partially formed containers at said plurality of further apparatuses.

Owing to these two aspects of the invention, it is possible to increase the rate at which containers are filled in a package-forming system, since, for example, a plurality of machines with respective filling stations can be fed from a single machine with a forming station; and/or to increase the flexibility of a package-forming system, since there can be filled simultaneously containers of differing characteristics and/or receiving differing contents. Thus, compared with a conventional system, in which production probably has to be halted to change from filling one product to filling a differing product or to change from filling containers of one character to filling containers of a differing character, the present system can reduce downtime and product and container losses. Moreover, the system can be less expensive and/or have a smaller footprint than a conventional system having the same production capacity. The system is ideally suited to short runs of containers.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for filling containers of differing dimensions, comprising a plurality of filler nozzles of differing dimensions suited to the respective containers, a supply device arranged to supply product to any selected one of said nozzles, and a drive device arranged to produce relative movement between said supply device, on the one hand, and said nozzles, on the other hand, to bring said supply device and said selected one of said nozzles into communication.

According a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of filling containers of differing dimensions, comprising producing relative movement between, on the one hand, a product-supplying device and, on the other hand, a plurality of filler nozzles of differing dimensions suited to the respective containers, to bring said supply device and a selected one of said filler nozzles into communication, and supplying a product from said supply device to said selected one of said filler nozzles.

Owing to these aspects of the invention, it is possible relatively simply to change the filling nozzle on a filling machine. The outlet of the nozzle may be open or provided with a screen, a non¬ return valve or of a special shape.

In order that the invention may be clearly and completely disclosed, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic top plan view of apparatus for forming packages,

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic top plan view of a series of pairs of holding elements, holding respective containers, Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of a partially formed container moving through various stages to become a fully formed package,

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic top plan view of a system including four apparatuses each similar to that shown in Figure 1 , Figure 5 is a diagrammatic side view of a partially formed container being filled at a filling station of one of the apparatuses,

Figure 6 shows a diagrammatic horizontal section through a filler nozzle arrangement at that filling station, and

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic vertical section through that filling station, In Figure 1, the apparatus 10 is for forming packages and comprises a plurality of pairs of holding elements 12 and 14 of which each pair is for receiving and holding a partially formed container 16 between them at respective opposite upwardly extending edges 18 and 20 of the partially formed container 16. The apparatus 10 has a series of eight devices 22 to 36 for performing operations in relation to pairs of partially formed containers 16 in turn. The devices are arranged in pairs, devices 22 and 24 being bottom sealing and filling stations, devices 26 and 28 being top forming stations, devices 30 and 32 being top sealing stations and devices 34 and 36 being discharge stations. The apparatus 10 operates in a double indexing manner, receiving a pair of open container sleeves 16 and 38, from above, at the stations 22 and 24. The respective pairs of holding elements 12 and 14 hold these partially formed containers 16 at their opposite edges 18 and 20. There are no holding elements for holding the partially formed containers 16 at their other upwardly extending edges . Since the partially formed containers 16 were originally flat sleeves, they have a tendency to return to that shape, thereby pressing against the respective pairs of holding elements 12 and 14, as the partially formed containers 16 try to return to a more diamond-like cross-section. The apparatus 10 does not have any mandrels to receive the partially formed containers.

The apparatus 10 further includes a driving arrangement (not shown) for advancing the pairs of holding elements 12 and 14 and thus the partially formed containers 16 along a circular path 45, the devices 22 to 36 being distributed along the path 45.

The stations 22 and 24 are each a bottom forming and filling station. At each station, a bottom-folding and -sealing arrangement moves upwards and then folds and presses together a bottom portion of the partially formed containers 16 to provide a gable-form bottom and then ultrasonically to seal the bottom to produce a sealing fin. The bottom-folding and-sealing arrangement retracts downwards while the container is filled. That sealing takes place before and/or during the retraction. A pair of sealer jaws is used in the sealing and, as the arrangement retracts, is used to pull down the partially formed containers 16 while they are filled. Once the bottom seals have been made, filler nozzles 44 and 46 fill the pair of partially formed containers 16 with any suitable flowable product, for example milk. As the pair of partially formed containers 16 is pulled down, one of the pairs of holding elements 12 and 14 receives it. Once the filling has been completed, the filler nozzles 44 and 46 are retracted, the pair of partially formed containers 16 is moved to the next pair of stations 26 and 28, and another pair of open container sleeves is received at the first stations 22 and 24.

At the top forming stations 26 and 28, the partially formed containers are operated on by respective top-forming devices, which perform pre- breaking of the score lines in the top parts of the partially formed containers. At each station of this pair of stations, the bottom closure of the partially formed container is also completed, with the gable bottom being formed into a flat bottom, partially by folding up the sealing fin. Once this has been completed, the partially formed containers are moved onwards to the top sealing stations 30 and 32.

At these stations 30 and 32 respective ultrasonic sealer jaws operate on the partially formed containers to seal the top closures of the partially formed containers. The now formed packages are then moved on to the discharge stations

34 and 36, where they are removed from the apparatus 10, typically being lowered downwards to a conveyor belt below the level of the moving partially formed containers. This conveyor belt removes the formed packages to a device such as a roll container for onwards shipping to, for example, a supermarket. Alternatively, the conveyor belt can extend beside the apparatus 10 and the holding elements 12 and 14 be so arranged that they turn about vertical axes to a short extent at the discharge stage, in order to discharge the completed package onto the conveyor belt. They turn through preferably 90 degrees in opposite senses, to discharge the package.

The rotary part of the apparatus 10 operates as a double indexing carousel, moving the partially formed containers in pairs to each of the pairs of devices in turn. Each pair of devices or each device of the pair is modular in formation, and can be replaced, in a relatively straightforward manner, by an operator of the apparatus 10. For example, there are a number of different ways of forming the top closure of a container. The container can have an upright fin seal, or the fin seal may be folded down flat, or a pour spout fitment may be applied to the top of the container. The top forming stations 26 and 28, and the top sealing stations 30 and 32 will typically be dedicated to providing one particular top closure on the container, and may need to be changed by the operator of the apparatus 10, if a different top closure is required for the next supply of partially formed containers being handled by the apparatus 10. Rapid adjustability is provided, with the aim of ten to fifteen minutes being required to set up the apparatus 10 for a different design of container.

The holding elements 12 and 14 can be adjusted by the operator, and can indeed be replaced, in a relatively straightforward manner. The position and type of holding elements 12 and 14 that are chosen for use, depends upon the cross-section of the partially formed containers 16 that are being received by the apparatus 10. In a first embodiment of the holding elements 12 and 14, their position is fixed relative to each other when the apparatus is operating, but can be adjusted, either by hand or via remote control to take into account the cross-sectional character of the received partially formed containers 16, when the apparatus is not operating. In a second embodiment of the holding elements 12 and 14, they are urged towards each other under pressure. This pressure can be switched on and off, allowing the partially formed containers 16 to be received between the holding elements 12 and 14 when the pressure is off, and then gripped between the holding elements 12 and 14, when the pressure is reapplied. In this second embodiment, the holding elements 12 and 14 may be spring loaded, with springs pushing the two holding elements 12 and 14 together.

Figure 2 shows a variety of different partially formed containers having different cross-sections, being held between the holding elements 12 and 14, to illustrate the concept of the variable position and type of holding element. One partially formed container 47 is of square cross-section, but is of smaller cross-sectional size than the partially formed container 16 shown in Figure 1. Likewise, the partially formed container 48 is also of square cross-section, but is larger in cross-section than the partially formed container 16. The partially formed container 50 is of oblong rectangular cross-section, but can still be accommodated between the same holding elements 12 and 14. The final partially formed container 52 shown in this Figure₇ has a substantially square cross-section, but with rounded vertical edges 18 and 20. This partially formed container 52 requires the use of specific holding elements 54 for conveying this partially formed container 52 through the apparatus 10.

Also shown in Figure 2 is the path 45 developed; it is a centreline through whichever partially formed container is being handled by the apparatus 10. The holding elements 12 and 14 and, indeed, the elements 54 are spaced on either side of this centreline, being equidistant from it. Typically, when a pair of holding elements is adjusted, they are moved a set distance from the centreline 45, either away or towards this line.

Figure 3 shows the progress of a single, partially formed container 16 through the apparatus 10, with the arrows in the Figure illustrating the movement of the partially formed container 16 as it is processed by the apparatus 10. As indicated by the arrow 55, the partially formed container 16 is fed to the apparatus 10 as a flat sleeve 56, and is opened out by pressing on bent opposite edges of the sleeve 56, turning it into a carton sleeve 16. This takes place at a level above the holding elements 12 and 14, and above the pairs of devices that operate on the partially formed container 16. The apparatus 10 can be so arranged as to receive the partially formed container as an already opened sleeve 16, without the need for the sleeve to be opened on the apparatus 10. The partially formed container 16 is then moved down, as indicated by the arrow 57, to be received by the holding elements 12 and 14 after being bottom-formed and filled. The partially formed container 16 then passes through the various devices arranged over the centreline 45. As shown by the arrow 58, this movement is circular, as the partially formed container is held by the two holding elements 12 and 14 in a carousel. Each device in turn performs its action on the partially formed container 16, until the apparatus 10 discharges a finished package 60.

It can also be seen in Figure 3 that the partially formed container 16', which is to be top formed, still has a fin at the bottom of the partially formed container. By moving the partially formed container with the bottom not yet formed into a flat bottom, the contents of the partially formed container will be at a slightly lower level. This reduces the likelihood of any of the contents spilling as the container is moved. The partially formed container as it is moved by the holding elements 12 and 14 does not have any support underneath; all of its weight is carried by the holding elements 12 and 14.

The apparatus 10 receives the flat sleeves 56 from a magazine, but the apparatus 10 can instead be so arranged as to cut carton blanks from a roll of material and fold and seal them to create flat sleeves 56.

The apparatus 10 is shown in Figure 1 with a single carousel with devices carrying out actions on the pairs of partially formed containers, as they pass along the path 45 through the devices. The apparatus 10 can also be provided with an upper carousel, above the devices 22 to 36. Each storey comprises one or more devices for performing one or more operations in relation to the partially formed container 16. The upper storey might contain devices for carrying out sterilisation of the partially formed container, before it is passed to the bottom sealing and filling station 22. Alternatively or additionally, the upper storey could be used for applying a pour spout fitment to the partially formed container 16, again before it passes to the bottom sealing and filling station 22.

The apparatus 10, which is typically used for filling liquid food products such as milk into gable top cartons, can be used in a variety of different types of process, including clean, ultra clean, aseptic and sterile processes. The apparatus 10 is suitable for enclosing in a chamber, if that is required by the process specification.

The apparatus 10 is a form, fill, seal machine suitable for use with various carton sizes, shapes and cross-section. It has no mandrels or elongate conveyors, which leads to a minimum requirement for adjustment and replacement of parts. The modular nature of the units, which are the devices for forming, filling and sealing, results in a low cost for implementing new carton designs. The rotary filling machine 10 uses carton holders 12 and 14 (no mandrel) for handling blanks with different sizes and different footprints including vertical edge designs. This results in a high degree of package flexibility. The cost of the machine can be lower than current technology, and the footprint of the machine can be smaller. Maintenance costs can be lower and the operation of the machine can be simpler. There can be energy savings due to the use of sonic sealing and the smaller size of the equipment. The machine 10 can be used to produce cartons with flat tops, slant tops or gable tops (with or without pour spout fitments) and can also be used for plastics lid/bottom and carton body combinations. The apparatus 10 provides a fast route to the implementation of new designs of carton shape and size. The apparatus 10 can be used in a system, as shown in Figure 4, where four of the apparatuses 10 are provided in parallel. Automatic robot feeding of flat container sleeves is provided at a magazine 62, in a substantially non-clean environment in a "dirty" zone 64 of a building. Fork lift trucks 61 operate in this zone 64 to transport boxes of the flat container sleeves from storage to the automatic robot feed.

The flat container sleeves are provided with bar codes, which are read by a bar code reader at the magazine 62, and this is used to direct the container sleeves to the appropriate apparatus 10.

The flat container sleeves are opened in the dirty zone 64, and are conveyed through a substantially sterile channel in the form of the interior of a tunnel 66, where internal and external sterilisation of the opened container sleeves takes place. The sterilisation can be achieved with a gas with 35% hydrogen peroxide (aseptic) or 2% hydrogen peroxide with UV irradiation (ultra-clean). The container sleeves remain open throughout their conveying to the apparatuses 10, which are in a substantially clean zone 67 of the building, and are supplied to those apparatuses in an open condition.

Following sterilisation, the opened container sleeves have respective pour spout fitments attached to them in the tunnel 66 and the partially formed containers are passed to the apparatuses 10 for bottom sealing, filling and top sealing. Once the containers have been filled and sealed, they are discharged to wrap-around stations 70 in a further "dirty" zone of the building, where the finished packages are stacked on pallets and wrapped with plastics film before onward shipping.

The four apparatuses 10 may be receiving identical partially formed containers and filling the partially formed containers with identical contents. However, the apparatuses 10 could be set up to receive partially formed containers of differing characters (such as size and/or shape) and/or to fill those partially formed containers with differing contents. One of the apparatuses could be receiving standard-size cartons and filling them with milk, and another could be receiving family-size cartons and filling them with orange juice, and so on. The bar code reader in the "dirty" zone 64 ensures that the appropriate containers are supplied to the appropriate apparatuses 10 in the clean zone 67.

The bottom sealing and filling of the partially formed container that occurs at the stations 22 and 24 of the apparatus 10 are illustrated in more detail in Figure 5, which shows a partially formed container 16 being received by a bottom sealing assembly 72. The assembly 72 has bottom sealing jaws 74 that close and seal the bottom of the partially formed container 16, which leaves a fin 76 which the jaws 74 grip. A filler nozzle 44 delivers fluid content 80 into the partially formed container 16, with the nozzle 44 starting to deliver fluid from a position relatively close to the bottom of the partially formed container 16. As the partially formed container 16 is filled, the sealer assembly 72 moves downwards, pulling the partially formed container 16 down as it is filled by the nozzle 44. The nozzle 44 may be introduced into the partially formed container 16 by being lowered into the container 16, as would be the case with the apparatus described with reference to Figure 1 , or the partially formed container 16 may be moved upwards onto the nozzle 44.

Figure 6 shows the nozzle 44, which is a "standard" carton sized nozzle of three nozzles of different sizes that by rotation as a unit about a vertical axis 82, can easily be brought selectively to a filling condition below a filler tube 88 (see Figure 7). A smaller, "portion" carton sized nozzle 84 and a larger "family" carton sized nozzle 86 are also provided, and the choice of nozzle size is determined by the size of the partially formed container 16 that is being filled. Figure 7 shows more detail of a filling assembly, in which the nozzle 44 is supplied with product by the tube 88. A flow meter 90 measures the flow through the tube 88, and is used to control a valve 92 serving to dose the product into the partially formed container 16. An external flange 94 at the outlet of the tube 88 and an external flange 96 at the inlet of the nozzle 44 are parts of a quick-change mechanism whereby the selected one of the nozzles 44, 84 and 86 can be releasably clamped in position onto the tube 88. No balance tank is required in the filler assembly of Figure 7, as the flow meter will measure the flow in the tube 88 and can be used to signal any abnormal flow.

Claims

1. Apparatus for forming a package comprising first and second holding elements for holding a partially formed container between them at respective opposite upwardly extending edges of said partially formed container, there being no holding elements for said partially formed container at other respective opposite upwardly extending edges of said partially formed container, a driving arrangement for advancing said holding elements and thus said partially formed container on a path, and a series of devices distributed along said path for performing operations in relation to said partially formed container, the devices comprising a top sealing device.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said holding elements are fixed relative to one another.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said holding elements are adjustable relative to one another.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 , and further comprising an urging arrangement for urging said holding elements towards one another.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, and further comprising receiving means for receiving a flat container sleeve and for opening said flat container sleeve by pressing on bent opposite edges of said flat container sleeve.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said path forms substantially a centreline through said partially formed container, and said holding elements are at respective opposite sides of said path.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said holding elements are arranged to turn, in order to discharge the fully formed package.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, and further comprising an upper storey, said upper storey comprising one or more devices for performing one or more operations in relation to said partially formed container.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, and further comprising a rotary turret having upper and lower levels corresponding to the respective storeys.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said partially formed container enters at said upper storey, is lowered by a transfer arrangement to said lower storey, and leaves at said lower storey.

11. Apparatus according to claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein said upper storey comprises a device for rendering non-viable micro-organisms in the partially formed container

12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 11 , wherein said upper storey comprises a device for applying a pour spout fitment.

13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, and further comprising a bottom-sealing device for bottom-sealing the partially formed container, and a filling device for filling the bottom-sealed partially formed container with a flowable substance, said series of devices further comprising a device arranged to produce relative movement between the bottom of the bottom-sealed, partially formed container and the remainder thereof to raise the upper level of the flowable substance therein.

14. A method of forming containers, comprising receiving and holding a first partially formed container of a first cross-sectional character between first and second holding elements at respective opposite upwardly extending edges of said partially formed container, advancing said holding elements and thus said partially formed container past a series of devices, utilizing said devices to perform respective operations in relation to the first partially formed container, receiving and holding a second partially formed container of a second cross-sectional character at respective opposite upwardly extending edges of said second partially formed container between said first and second holding elements, the second cross-sectional character differing from said first cross-sectional character, advancing said holding elements and thus said second partially formed container past said series of devices, and utilizing said devices to perform respective operations in relation to the second partially formed container.

15. A method according to claim 14, and further comprising adjusting said holding elements relative to one another.

16. A method according to claim 14, and further comprising urging said holding elements towards one another.

17. A method according to claim 14, 15 or 16, and further comprising, prior to receiving the second partially formed container, replacing the first and second holding elements by third and fourth holding elements differing from the first and second holding elements.

18. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, and further comprising, prior to receiving the second partially formed container, adjusting one or more of the devices for performing operations in relation to the partially formed containers.

19. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, and further comprising, prior to receiving the second partially formed container, replacing one or more of the devices for performing operations in relation to the partially formed containers.

20. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, and further comprising receiving said first partially formed container as a flat container sleeve and opening said flat container sleeve by pressing on opposite bent edges of said flat container sleeve.

21. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 20, and further comprising turning said holding elements, to discharge said first partially formed container.

22. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 21 , wherein said respective operations comprise filling each bottom-sealed, partially formed container with a flowable substance, and producing relative movement between the bottom of the bottom-sealed, partially formed container and the remainder thereof to raise the upper level of the flowable substance therein.

23. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 22, wherein said partially formed containers enter at an upper storey, are lowered by a transfer arrangement to a lower storey, and packages comprised of the fully formed containers leave at said lower storey.

24. Apparatus for forming containers, comprising first and second holding elements for receiving and holding between them at differing times first and second partially formed containers of differing cross-sectional characters, a driving arrangement for advancing said holding elements and thus said partially formed containers along a path, and a series of devices distributed along said path for performing respective operations in relation to the first and second partially formed containers, the arrangement being such that, during operation of said devices in relation to the first and second partially formed containers, said first and second holding elements are at respective opposite sides of said path.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said holding elements are fixed relative to one another.

26. Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said holding elements are adjustable relative to one another.

27. Apparatus according to claim 24, and further comprising urging means for urging said holding elements towards one another.

28. A method of forming containers, comprising receiving and holding a first partially formed container of a first cross-sectional character between first and second holding elements at respective opposite sides of said first partially formed container, advancing said first and second holding elements and thus said first partially formed container on a path past a series of devices, utilizing said devices to perform respective operations in relation to said first partially formed container while said first and second holding elements are at respective opposite sides of said path, receiving and holding a second partially formed container of a second cross-sectional character differing from said first cross-sectional character between said first and second holding means at respective opposite sides of said second partially formed container, advancing said first and second holding elements and thus said second partially formed container on said path past said devices, and utilising said devices to perform said respective operations in relation to said second partially formed container while said first and second holding elements are at said respective opposite sides of said path.

29. A method according to claim 28, and further comprising, prior to receiving the second partially formed container, adjusting the relative positions of the first and second holding elements.

30. A method according to claim 28, and further comprising, prior to receiving the second partially formed container, replacing the first and second holding elements by third and fourth holding elements differing from the first and second holding elements.

31. A method according to claim 28, 29 or 30, and further comprising, prior to receiving the second partially formed container, adjusting one or more of the devices for performing operations in relation to the partially formed containers.

32. A method according to any one of claims 28 to 31, and further comprising, prior to receiving the second partially formed container, replacing one or more of the devices for performing operations in relation to the partially formed containers.

33. Apparatus for forming a container, the apparatus comprising upper and lower storeys, each storey comprising one or more devices for performing one or more operations in relation to a partially formed container.

34. Apparatus according to claim 33, and further comprising a rotary turret having upper and lower levels corresponding to the respective storeys.

35. Apparatus according to claim 33 or 34, wherein said partially formed container enters at said upper storey, is lowered by a transfer arrangement to said lower storey, and a package comprised of the container leaves at said lower storey.

36. Apparatus according to claim 33, 34 or 35, wherein said upper storey comprises a device for rendering non-viable micro-organisms in the partially formed container.

37. Apparatus according to any one of claims 33 to 36, wherein said upper storey comprises a device for applying a pour spout fitment.

38. Apparatus for filling a partially formed container, comprising a bottom-sealing device for bottom-sealing the partially formed container, a filling device for filling the bottom-sealed partially formed container with a flowable substance, and a device arranged to produce relative movement between the bottom of the bottom-sealed, partially formed container and the remainder thereof to raise the upper level of the flowable substance therein.

39. Apparatus according to claim 38, and further comprising driving means for moving the partially formed container from said filling device to said device arranged to produce relative movement between the bottom of the bottom-sealed, partially formed container and the remainder thereof.

40. Apparatus according to claim 38 or 39, wherein said device arranged to produce relative movement between the bottom of the bottom- sealed, partially formed container and the remainder thereof further forms a substantially flat bottom on said partially formed container.

41. A method of producing a package, comprising filling a bottom- sealed, partially formed container with a flowable substance, and producing relative movement between the bottom of the bottom-sealed, partially formed container and the remainder thereof to raise the upper level of the flowable substance therein.

42. A method according to claim 41 , and further comprising moving the partially formed container from said filling device to said device arranged to produce relative movement between the bottom of the bottom-sealed, partially formed container and the remainder thereof.

43. A method according to claim 41 or 42, and further comprising forming a substantially flat bottom on said partially formed container.

44. A system for forming a package, comprising first apparatus in a substantially non-clean environment of a first zone of a building and second apparatus in a substantially clean environment of a second zone of said building, said first apparatus being for partially forming said container, and said second apparatus being for filling the partially formed container.

45. A system according to claim 44, and further comprising a substantially sterile channel for rendering micro-organisms non-viable and connecting said first apparatus to said second apparatus.

46. A system according to claim 44 or 45, wherein said first apparatus serves to receive a flat container sleeve and to open said flat container sleeve.

47. A system according to claim 44, 45 or 46, wherein said second apparatus serves to bottom seal said partially formed container prior to said filling.

48. A system according to any one of claims 44 to 47, wherein said second apparatus serves to top seal said partially formed container following said filling.

49. A system according to any one of claims 44 to 48, wherein said second apparatus is one of a plurality of substantially identical apparatuses in said substantially clean environment, each supplied with a partially formed container.

50. A system according to any one of claims 44 to 49, and further comprising a device for applying fitments to said partially formed container, said device located in said substantially clean zone.

51. A system according to claim 50, wherein said device is located in said channel.

52. A system according to any one of claims 44 to 51 , and further comprising a conveying device for conveying said partially formed container through said channel.

53. A system according to any one of claims 44 to 52, and further comprising third apparatus in substantially non-clean environment of a third zone of said building, said third apparatus being for receiving filled containers from said second apparatus.

54. A method of forming packages, comprising partially forming said containers at first apparatus in a substantially non-clean environment of a first zone of a building and filling the partially formed containers at second apparatus in a substantially clean environment of a second zone of said building.

55. A method according to claim 54, and further comprising transferring said partially formed containers from said first apparatus to said second apparatus via a channel in which micro-organisms at said partially formed containers are rendered non-viable.

56. A method according to claim 54 or 55, wherein the partial forming of the containers comprises receiving flat container sleeves at said first apparatus and opening said flat container sleeves.

57. A method according to claim 54, 55 or 56, and further comprising bottom-sealing said partially formed containers at said second apparatus and prior to said filling .

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58. A method according to any one of claims 54 to 57, and further comprising top-sealing said partially formed containers at said second apparatus and following said filling .

59. A method according to any one of claims 54 to 58, and further comprising distributing such partially formed containers amongst a plurality of apparatuses in said substantially clean environment substantially identical to each other and including said second apparatus..

60. A method according to any one of claims 54 to 59, and further comprising applying fitments to the partially formed containers in said substantially clean zone.

61. A method according to claim 55, or any one of claims 56 to 59 as appended to claim 55, and further comprising applying fitments to the partially formed containers in said channel.

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62. A method according to claim 58, or any one of claims 59 to 61 as appended to claim 58, and further comprising transferring the top-sealed packages to a third apparatus in a non-clean environment of a third zone of said building.

63. A system for forming packages, comprising first apparatus for receiving partially formed containers, a plurality of apparatuses downstream of said first apparatus for filling and sealing the partially formed containers, and a conveying arrangement extending from said first apparatus to said plurality of apparatuses for conveying said partially formed containers from said first apparatus selectively to said plurality of apparatuses.

64 A system according claim 63, wherein said first apparatus serves to receive said partially formed containers in the form of flat container sleeves and to open said flat container sleeves.

65. A system according to claim 63 or 64, wherein said first apparatus is in a substantially non-clean environment and said plurality of apparatuses are in a substantially clean environment.

66. A system according to claim 63, 64 or 65, wherein said conveying device comprises a channel in which micro-organisms at said partially formed containers are rendered non-viable.

67. A system according to claim 66, wherein said channel has a device for applying fitments to said partially formed containers.

68. A system according to any one of claims 63 to 67, and further comprising a detector for differentially identifying said partially formed containers, and a control arrangement for communicating with said detector to, determine to which of said plurality of apparatuses said partially formed containers are conveyed.

69. A method of forming containers, comprising receiving partially formed containers at a first apparatus, conveying said partially formed containers selectively to a plurality of further apparatuses, and filling and sealing the partially formed containers at said plurality of further apparatuses.

70. A method according to claim 69, wherein said partially formed containers are received by said first apparatus in the form of flat container sleeves and said first apparatus opens said flat container sleeves.

71. A method according to claim 69 or 70, wherein said receiving occurs in a substantially non-clean environment and said filling and sealing occur in a substantially clean environment.

72. A method according to claim 69, 70 or 71 , and further comprising rendering non-viable micro-organisms in said partially formed containers.

73. A method according to any one of claims 69 to 72, and further comprising applying fitments to said partially formed containers.

74. A method according to any one of claims 69 to 73, and further comprising differentially identifying said partially formed containers, and thereby determining to which of said plurality of further apparatuses said partially formed containers are conveyed.

75. Apparatus for filling containers of differing dimensions, comprising a plurality of filler nozzles of differing dimensions suited to the respective containers, a supply device arranged to supply product to any selected one of said nozzles, and a drive device arranged to produce relative movement between said supply device, on the one hand, and said nozzles, on the other hand, to bring said supply device and said selected one of said nozzles into communication.

76. Apparatus according to claim 75, wherein said nozzles are displaceable as a unit relative to said supply device.

77. Apparatus according to claim 76, wherein said unit is rotatably displaceable relative to said supply device.

78. Apparatus according to claim 75, 76 or 77, wherein said supply device includes a flow-meter for measuring product flow through the supply device.

79. Apparatus according to any one of claims 75 to 78, wherein said supply device includes a valve for dosing said product.

80. Apparatus according to any one of claims 75 to 79, wherein said supply device and each of said nozzles include flanges, the flange of each nozzle being rapidly connectible to and releasable from the flange of said device.

81. A method of filling containers of differing dimensions, comprising producing relative movement between, on the one hand, a product-supplying device and, on the other hand, a plurality of filler nozzles of differing dimensions suited to the respective containers, to bring said supply device and a selected one of said filler nozzles into communication, and supplying a product from said supply device to said selected one of said filler nozzles.

82. A method according to claim 81 and further comprising displacing said nozzles as a unit relative to supply device.

83. A method according to claim 82, wherein said displacing is rotation.

84. A method according to any one of claims 81 to 83 and further comprising measuring product flow through said device.

85. A method according to any one of claims 81 to 84 and further comprising dosing said product.

86. A method according to any one of claims 81 to 85 and further comprising rapidly disconnecting said selected one of said nozzles from said supply device and rapidly connecting another of said nozzles to said supply device.