GB2131766A

GB2131766A - Form, fill, seal process an apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2131766A
Application number: GB08333449A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Hirst
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-12-16
Filing date: 1983-12-15
Publication date: 1984-06-27
Also published as: GB8333449D0

Abstract

Closed filled bags are produced by moving webs (2, 4) of plastics film into face to face relationship and securing the webs together by sealing means (9, 10) along a part of the periphery of the intended bag to form an open partially formed bag. The desired filling is then introduced into the bag and the bag is then completed and closed by securing the films together along the remainder of its periphery. The webs may be fed downwardly in which case the filling is introduced via a chute or they may be fed horizontally and the filling introduced by a horizontal conveyor. The webs may be fed by a pulling movement imposed by the sealing means (9). Several bags may be formed, filled and sealed simultaneously in a side-by-side arrangement from one pair of webs. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to the production of closed filled bags This invention relates to the production of closed filled bags.

According to one -aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of producing a closed filled bag which comprises the steps of: (i) providing first and second continuous lengths of synthetic plastics material film, (ii) subjecting the lengths to relative movement so that a portion of a first face of the first film is opposite a portion of a first face of the second film, (iii) securing together opposed linearly extending regions of the first faces which are such as to lie along a part of the periphery of the intended bag so that said portions constitute the sides of the bag and the secured together regions define edges of the bag, (iv) introducing the desired filling into the bag by passing it between those opposed linearly extending regions of the first faces which lie along the remaining part of the periphery of the bag and which were not secured together during the preceding step, (v) securing together said un-secured regions of the first faces which lie along said remaining part of the periphery of the bag to close the bag, and (vi) cutting the thus formed closed filled bag from said continuous lengths.

The method of the present invention is particularly useful for producing a plurality of bags in succession from the lengths of synthetic plastics material film by repeating steps (ii) to (vi) as often as desired.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for producing a closed filled bag which comprises: (i) a means for moving first and second continuous lengths of synthetic plastics material film into a position such that a portion of a first face of the first film is opposite a portion of the first face of the second film, (ii) sealing means for securing together opposed linearly extending regions of the first faces which are such as to lie along a part of the periphery of the intended bag so that said portions constitute the sides of the bag and the secured together regions define edges of the bag, (iii) a means of introducing the desired filling between the unsealed opposed linearly extending regions of the first faces which lie along the remaining part of the periphery of the bag, (iv) sealing means to secure together said unsealed opposed linearly extending regions of the first faces which lie along said remaining part of said periphery of the bag to close the bag, and (v) means for cutting the thus formed closed filled bag from said continuous lengths.

By suitably securing together opposed linearly extending regions of the first faces of the films (i.e.

by suitably positioning the sealing means with respect to the films) it is possible to simultaneously produce more than one closed filled bag. Thus, method step (iii) may be carried out in such a way that opposed linearly extending regions of the first faces which are such as to lie along parts of the peripheries of a plurality of intended bags are secured together. Then, in method step (iv) filling is introduced into each of the bags and each bag is closed in method step (v) by securing together the un-secured regions of the first faces which lie along the remaining part of the periphery of each bag. The resultant plurality of filled bags may be subsequently completely severed from one another at the time they are severed from the continuous lengths.

Alternatively, instead of being severed from one another at this stage, they may remain connected together. In this case, the synthetic plastics material connecting the bags together may be provided with perforations (e.g. by providing the apparatus with a suitable perforating means) whereby, in due course, each bag can be removed from the rest by tearing the synthetic plastics material along the perforations when desired.

In accordance with the present invention, the final operation of securing together the regions of the first faces which lie along said remaining part of the periphery of the or each bag to close the bag(s) and the operation of cutting the bag(s) from the continuous lengths, can be carried out simultaneously.

In a preferred embodiment, the securing together of said regions is effected by a heat sealing technique.

The films may be stored on first and second rolls and be unrolled from the rolls and moved along a common, generally vertically downwards or horizontal, direction so that the portions of the first faces of the films are opposite one another.

This movement can be effected by for example, driven transport rollers but is preferably carried out by mounting the sealing means so that it can travel between first and second locations whereby it can grip the films in its first location, take the films with it as it moves to its second location, release the films and return to its first location.

This movement of the sealing means can be controlled in any desired manner for example by means of a photocell.

In the case where the films are moved along a common vertically downwards direction, the filling can be readily introduced by being allowed to fall down a chute under the influence of gravity. If, however, the filling is such that this method of introduction may cause damage to it (e.g. where the filling is fruit or magazines) then it is preferred for the films to be moved along a horizontal direction since, in this case, the filling can then be readily introduced by moving it along a suitable conveyor in a generally horizontal direction.

In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment, when the regions of the first faces which lie along said remaining part of the periphery of the bag are secured together to close the bag, the next bag is simultaneously partially formed by simultaneously securing together the opposed linearly extending regions of the first faces of the next film portions which lie along a part of the periphery of the next intended bag.

If desired, the bags can be simultaneously provided with a handle for carrying the same and may be of any desired shape and size.

The bags may be filled with various fillings such as compost, nails or screws, and the like. After the filling has been inserted into the bag, the bag may be evacuated or a gas, e.g. an inert gas, may be introduced, prior to closing the bag.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic cross-section through an apparatus in accordance with the present invention at a first stage in the production of a closed filled bag from two lengths of film, Figure 2 is a front view of the films at the first stage, Figure 3 is a cross-section similar to that of Figure 1 but showing the apparatus at a second stage in the production of the closed filled bag, Figure 4 is a front view similar to that of Figure 2 but showing the films at the second stage, Figure 5 is a cross-section similar to that of Figure 1 but showing the apparatus at a third stage in production of the closed filled bag, Figure 6 is a cross-section similar to that of Figure 1 but showing the apparatus at a fourth stage in the production of the closed filled bag, Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 but showing the closed filled bag produced at the fourth stage, and Figure 8 is a view corresponding to Figure 4 but illustrating the production of a plurality of bags simultaneously.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown an apparatus having means (not shown) for supporting a roll 1 of a first continuous length of synthetic plastics material film 2 (e.g. polyethylene or polypropylene) and means (not shown) for supporting a roll 3 of a second continuous length of synthetic plastics material film 4 (e.g.

polyethylene or polypropylene). Each film has been fed from its associated roll along a common vertically downwards direction denoted by arrow 5 so that a portion of first face 6 of the first film 2 is opposite a portion of a first face 7 of the second film 4. Opposed linearly extending regions of the film faces 6 and 7 have been heat sealed together adjacent to the free ends of the films by means of a weld line 8 (shown by a chain-dotted line in Figure 2) formed by a horizontally arranged heatsealing-cutting device. These opposed linearly extending regions lie along a part of the periphery 20 (shown by a line of dashes in Figure 2) of the intended bag. The heat-sealing-cutting device includes two jaws 9 mounted on a frame (not shown) so as to be moveable with respect to one another whereby the films 2 and 4 can be gripped therebetween as shown in Figure 1.The frame upon which the jaws 9 are mounted is vertically moveable between the first and second locations. The films 2 and 4 are fed along direction 5 by the jaws 9 which grip the films 2 and 4 when the frame is at its first (upper) location and draw the films downwards as the frame descends to its second (lower) location (as shown in Figure 1).

The apparatus also includes a pair of vertically arranged side heat-sealing device 10 which are moveable with respect to one another so as to be brought into engagement with the films 2 and 4 and to be retracted therefrom. The side sealing devices are in their retracted position in Figure 1. If desired, these side sealing devices may be mounted on the same frame as are jaws 9.

Referring to Figure 3, the jaws 9 have been retracted away from the films 2 and 4 and the frame carrying the jaws 9 has been moved up so that it is in its first location. The side sealing devices 10 have been moved into engagement with the films 2 and 4 to heat seal together further opposed linearly extending regions of the faces 6 and 7 by means of weld lines 11 which meet weld line 8. The weld lines 11 are shown by chaindotted lines in Figure 4 and also lie along a part of the periphery 20 of the intended bag. Thus, the two films 2 and 4 are secured together by a continuous seal 8, 11 extending round three sides of a rectangle which forms a part of the periphery of the intended rectangular bag. The portions of the films 2 and 4 bounded by the continuous seal constitute the sides of the bag and the continuous seal 8, 11 defines edges of the bag.The opposed linearly extending regions of the faces 6 and 7 lying along the remaining part of the periphery of the bag have yet to be secured together and thus define an opening leading into the partially formed bag.

Referring now to Figure 5, the side sealing devices 10 are retracted and the opposed linearly extending regions of the faces 6 and 7 which define the remaining part of the periphery of the bag are spaced apart, e.g. by means of an air jet.

The desired filling is then introduced into the bag by means of, for example, a chute 12.

Thereafter, as shown in Figure 6, the jaws 9 of the sealing-cutting device are moved towards one another to engage with the films 2 and 4. One of the jaws 9 includes two spaced and parallel heatsealing elements 13 and the other of the jaws includes a cut off blade 14 arranged to pass between the sealing elements 13. The sealingcutting device heat seals together the opposed linearly extending regions of the faces 6 and 7 which lie along the remaining part of the periphery of the bag by means of weld line 1 5 (shown by a chain-dotted line in Figure 7). The sealing-cutting device also seals together opposed linearly extending regions of faces 6 and 7 by means of a weld line 8' (see Figure 7) adjacent and parallel to weld line 1 5 and severs the films 2 and 4 between weld line 1 5 and 8'. There is thus obtained a closed filled bag as shown in Figure 7.

The weld line 8' lies along a part of the periphery of the next intended bag. After the severing operation, the frame carrying the jaws 9 is moved vertically downwards into its second location thereby drawing the films 2 and 4 downward so that further portions of the films 2 and 4 are between the side sealers 1 0. The arrangement is then as shown in Figure 1 ready for the formation of another closed filled bag in the manner described.

Referring now to Figure 8, parts corresponding to parts of Figures 1 to 7 are denoted by like reference numerals. In this case, the side heatsealing devices are so arranged that they heat seal together opposed linearly extending regions of the film faces which lie along parts of the peripheries 20 of a plurality of intended bags arranged transversely across the width of the films. The resultant weld lines 11 all meet weld line 8. Then the desired filling is introduced into each bag and each bag is then closed by heat sealing together those regions of the film faces lying along the remaining part of the periphery 20. Each bag may be severed from the others by means of a cutting device arranged to cut along dotted lines 21. This can be effected simultaneously with the closing of the bag and the severance of the bag from the films. Alternatively, perforations may be provided along dotted lines 21 so that the bags may be separated from each other when desired by tearing along the perforations.

Claims

1. A method of producing a closed filled bag which comprises the steps of: (i) providing first and second continuous lengths of synthetic plastics material film, (ii) subjecting the lengths to relative movement so that a portion of a first face of the first film is opposite a portion of a first face of the second film, (iii) securing together opposed linearly extending regions of the first faces which are such as to lie along a part of the periphery of the intended bag so that said portions constitute the sides of the bag and the secured together regions define edges of the bag, (iv) introducing the desired filling into the bag by passing it between those opposed linearly extending regions of the first faces which lie along the remaining part of the periphery of the bag and which were not secured together during the preceding step, (v) securing together said un-secured regions of the first faces which lie along said remaining part of the periphery of the bag to close the bag, and (vi) cutting the thus formed closed filled bag from said continuous lengths.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein steps (ii) to (iv) are repeated to produce a plurality of bags in succession.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein, when the regions of the first faces which lie along said remaining part of the periphery of the bag are secured together to close the bag, the next bag is simultaneously partially formed by simultaneously securing together the opposed linearly extending regions of the first faces of the next film portions which lie along a part of the periphery of the next intended bag.

4. A method according to claim 1 , 2 or 3 wherein opposed linearly extending regions of the first faces which are such as to lie along parts of the peripheries of a plurality of intended bags are secured together, the desired filling is introduced into each bag, and the un-secured regions of the first faces which lie along the remaining parts of the peripheries are secured together to close the bags whereby a plurality of closed filled bags is produced.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the closed filled bags are severed from one another at the time when they are cut from said continuous lengths.

6. A method according to claim 4 wherein perforations are provided between adjacent bags whereby the bags can be subsequently separated from one another by tearing along the perforations.

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the films are secured together by heat sealing.

8. A method according to claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

9. A closed filled bag whenever produced by the method claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

10. An apparatus for producing a closed filled bag which comprises: (i) a means for moving first and second continuous lengths of synthetic plastics material film into a position such that a portion of a first face of the first film is opposite a portion of the first face of the second film, (ii) sealing means for securing together opposed linearly extending regions of the first faces which are such as to lie alongside a part of the periphery of the intended bag so that said portions constitute the sides of the bag and the secured together regions define edges of the bag, (iii) a means of introducing the desired filling between the unsealed opposed linearly extending regions of the first faces which lie along the remaining part of the periphery of the bag, (iv) sealing means to secure together said unsealed opposed linearly extending regions of the first faces which lie along said remaining part of said periphery of the bag to close the bag, and (v) means for cutting the thus formed closed filled bag from said continuous lengths.

1 An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said means for moving said lengths of film is such as to move the film in a vertically downwards direction.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said means of introducing said filling is in the form of a chute down which the filling falls.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said means for moving said lengths of film is such as to move the film in a horizontal direction.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein said means of introducing said filling is in the form of a horizontal conveyor.

1 5. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14 wherein said sealing means is mounted on a moveable frame so that it can travel between first and second locations whilst gripping the lengths of film, said moveable frame thereby constituting said means for moving said lengths of film.

16. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 1 6 wherein the sealing means are heat sealing means.

17. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 16 wherein said sealing means (ii) is such as to secure together opposed linearly extending regions of the first faces which are such as to lie along parts of the peripheries of a plurality of intended bags, said means (iii) is such as to introduce filling into each of the bags, and sealing means (iv) is such as to secure together the unsecured regions of the first faces which lie along the remaining parts of the peripheries to close the bags whereby a plurality of closed filled bags is produced.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 and including a means of cutting the film between adjacent bags to separate the bags from one another.

19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 and including a means of perforating the film between adjacent bags to enable the bags to be separated by tearing along the perforations.

20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.