GB2390075A

GB2390075A - Compartmentalised bag producing method/apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2390075A
Application number: GB0214638A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Newton
Original assignee: Kellogg Co
Current assignee: Kellanova
Priority date: 2002-06-25
Filing date: 2002-06-25
Publication date: 2003-12-31
Also published as: GB0214638D0

Abstract

A forming, filling and sealing operation incorporates a method of producing bags with multiple compartments in which the size and/or number of compartments in each bag can be changed during the production cycle. The positions of the transverse seals 12, 14, 16 on the bag material 5 are varied relative to one another to produce different sized compartments 15a, 15b. A cut 17 can be made across one of the seals to produce a bag 20 with more than one compartment. The process of varying the compartment lengths/numbers can be controlled by computer.

Description

1 2390075

BAGGING APPARATUS

This invention relates to a method of manufacturing bags, and more specifically to a method of 5 manufacturing multi-compartment food storage bags.

Background of the Invention

Various food products, such as crisps and breakfast cereal products, are provided in sealed bags.

10 Typically each bag on a production run is of the same size and is manufactured by sealing a tube of bag material to provide a first closed edge of the bag, and then providing a second seal a pre-determined distance from the first seal along the length of material, to 15 provide a second closed edge. After the second seal is made, the bag is cut from the material. In this way bags can be made continuously from a roll of material.

It is also known to produce storage bags with two 20 sealed compartments per bag. JP 61152559 discloses a method of manufacturing a two compartment bag having a large sealed compartment and a smaller compartment attached to the large compartment.

25 Statement of Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a plurality of bags in a production cycle, the method comprising the steps of: 30 (a) sealing a first end of a length of bag material with a first end seal,

(b) sub-dividing at least one of the bags with an intermediate seal at a position spaced a pre-

determined distance from the first end seal, S (c) repeating step (b) as appropriate to form additional intermediate seals which define additional bag compartments, and (d) sealing the second end of the bag with a second 10 end seal, in which method the size and/or the number of compartments in successive bags is changed during the production cycle.

Preferably, a continuous strip of bag material is run in a first direction through a sealing station, respective bags being closed and sub- divided by seals which extend transversely to the first direction.

Preferably, the size and/or number of compartments in successive bags is changed by changing the positions and/or number of the intermediate seals in successive bags. Preferably, a computer controls these changes.

25 The computer may follow a predetermined programme or may be programmed by an operator during the production cycle. Preferably, the positions of the seals on the bag 30 material are changed by changing the distance moved by the bag material between sealing operations. This can be done by changing the frequency at which a sealing device forms a seal in the bag material, or changing

the speed at which the material moves along the production line, or a combination of these.

The bags may be produced in a continuous strip, and the 5 seals between successive bags in the strips may be weakened, for example by perforating the seal.

Brief description of the drawings

10 For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings, in which: 15 Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a production line; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of an example of a bag produced in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description

With reference to Figure 1, a production line is represented generally at 1. A batch of bags are 25 manufactured on the production line 1 in each production run. The production line comprises a reel 2 on which is provided a length of bag material 4. The bag material is run from the reel 2 via a series of rollers 3 through the following processing stations: A dispensing station 8 is provided downsteam of the reel 2, which dispenses products such as food products and premium items (novelty gifts or toys) via a forming tube 9. The dispensing station 8 comprises volume or

weight measuring means for delivering a pre-determined amount of the product in each filling operation and means for selecting one of a plurality of products to dispense in each filling operation.

s A bag material folding station 6 is provided adjacent the dispensing station 8, and downstream of the folding station 6 is provided a bag sealing station 10. The sealing station 10 comprises a heat-sealing device lO which applies horizontal heat seals in the bag material. Cutting means (not shown) and perforating means (not shown) are associated with the sealing station 10. In typical prior art arrangements a

cutting tool is used whenever a seal is created. In 15 accordance with the present invention, the cutting tool (not shown) is capable of being operated independently of the sealing device, thus allowing seals to be created without necessarily cutting the bag material.

20 A computerized control system (not shown) controls the speed of the reel 2, the folding station 6, the dispensing station 8 and associated dispensing means 8a-8c, the frequency, sealing duration and temperature of the sealing station 10 and the speed and timing of 25 the cutting and perforating means.

To create a bag according to the present invention, the manufacturing cycle is as follows: 30 The folding station 6 comprises means for folding the sheet of bag material 4, and sealing the free edges of this material together in a longitudinal direction to provide a continuous tube 5 of bag material.

As the sheet 4 passes through the folding station 6 it is folded around the forming tube 9, such that opposing edges of the material 4 overlap. These edges are sealed in a longitudinal direction with reference to 5 the direction of the material 4 (i.e. a vertical seal) so as to create a tube of bag material from the sheet of material 4.

To adjust the width (circumference) of the tube 5, the 10 forming tube 9 can be replaced with a different size forming tube 9, and material of a corresponding width would be provided on the reel 2.

The sealing station 10 seals and cuts the previously 15 completed bag 20, and provides a horizontal seal at the leading edge of the tube to create a first seal 12 of the next bag. Once the first seal 12 is created, the dispensing station 8a dispenses a first product into the tube 5, via the forming tube 9.

The first product falls against the first seal 12. The tube 5 is then indexed forward a predetermined amount, so as to position the tube 5 such that the sealing station 10 can seal the tube 5 above at least the 25 highest level of the first product within the tube 5.

The sealing station 10 provides a second seal 14 and a second product is then dispensed into the tube 5 by the dispensing station 8b. Alternatively this could be the 30 same product, and may be, for example, a food product or a premium item. Again, the tube 5 is indexed a predetermined distance to position the tube for a third seal 16.

This process of dispensing a product and sealing the tube to produce a compartment 15 is repeated the desired number of times for each bag. Once the required number of compartments 15 are produced, a final seal 16 5 is provided at the top of the last compartment, and the cutting means, integral with the sealing means 10, provides a cut 17 along the centre of the final seal 16. The formed bag 20 then drops away from the tube 5.

The cut 16 is positioned vertically and centrally on 10 the seal 16 so as to provide the final seal 16 on the first bag 20 and a first seal 12 on the next bag to be produced. The bag 20 illustrated in Figure 1 comprises two 15 compartments. A second example of a bag manufactured in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 2. The bag comprises three compartments each of which is of a different length.

20 By controlling the frequency of the horizontal sealing of the tube 5, the distance moved by the tube 5 along the production line between seals and the volume and type of product dispensed in the compartments 15, it is possible to provide a filled bag with compartments of 25 varying dimensions, and to provide a different number of compartments in successive bags.

The above method has been described with reference to an intermittent vertical bagger. However, one skilled 30 in the art will appreciate that a continuous bagger could be used in accordance with the present invention, in which the sealing station 10 is able to move along the tube 5. The horizontal seals are formed by activating the sealing station 10 in a first position

and then moving the sealing station with the tube so as to allow the sealing station 10 to contact the tube 5 for long enough to form a seal. The sealing station 10 is then deactivated and returned to the first position.

If a continuous bagger is preferred, the position of the sealing station 10 may also be controlled so as to effect the number of compartments, and size of compartments for each bag produced.

The finished bags may include an image, such as a graphic image and/or printed text, which may be applied at any stage in the bag manufacturing process. The application of the image is preferably controlled by 15 the computerized control system.

Claims

5 1. A method of manufacturing a plurality of bags in a production cycle, the method comprising the steps of: (a) sealing a first end of a length of bag material with a first end seal, (b) sub-dividing at least one of the bags with an intermediate seal at a position spaced a pre determined first distance from the first end seal, 15 (c) repeating step (b) as appropriate to form additional intermediate seals defining additional bag compartments, and (d) sealing the second end of the bag with a second 20 end seal, in which method the size and/or the number of compartments in successive bags is changed during the production cycle.

2. A method of manufacturing a plurality of bags as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of running a continuous strip of bag material in a first direction through a sealing station in which the bags 30 are closed and sub-divided by the end seals and intermediate seals, which seals extend transverse to the first direction.

3. A method of manufacturing a plurality of bags as claimed in claim 1, in which the size and/or the number of compartments in successive bags is changed by changing the position of the or each intermediate seal 5 and/or end seal in successive bags.

4. A method of manufacturing a plurality of bags as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the positions of the or each intermediate seal and/or 10 end seal in successive bags are changed by changing the distance moved by the bag material between sealing operations. 5. A method of manufacturing a plurality of bags as 15 claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the positions of the or each intermediate seal and/or end seal in successive bags are changed by changing the frequency at which a sealing device forms these seals in the bag material.

6. A method of manufacturing a plurality of bags as claimed in any one of the preceding claims when appendant to claim 2, in which the positions of the or each intermediate seal and/or end seal on successive 25 bags are changed by changing a running speed of the bag material. 7. A method of producing a plurality of bags as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which a 30 predetermined number of finished bags are joined together in a continuous strip.

8. A method of manufacturing a plurality of bags as claimed in claim 7, in which successive bags and/or

compartments in successive bags are joined by a strip of material which is weakened to facilitate separation.

9. A method of manufacturing a plurality of bags as 5 claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the size and/or number of compartments in successive bags is controlled by a computer control system.

10. A computer control system for carrying out the 10 method of manufacturing a plurality of bags as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

11. A bag manufactured according to a method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. A bag substantially as described herein, with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings. 20 13. A method of manufacturing a plurality of bags substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings.