WO2005080219A2 - Assemblage et remplissage automatiques de cubitainers - Google Patents

Assemblage et remplissage automatiques de cubitainers Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2005080219A2
WO2005080219A2 PCT/GB2005/000570 GB2005000570W WO2005080219A2 WO 2005080219 A2 WO2005080219 A2 WO 2005080219A2 GB 2005000570 W GB2005000570 W GB 2005000570W WO 2005080219 A2 WO2005080219 A2 WO 2005080219A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
carton
bag
bib
assembly
collar
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2005/000570
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2005080219A3 (fr
Inventor
John Stephenson
Original Assignee
John Stephenson
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB0403439A external-priority patent/GB2403467B/en
Application filed by John Stephenson filed Critical John Stephenson
Priority to EP05708375A priority Critical patent/EP1716054A2/fr
Priority to AU2005214140A priority patent/AU2005214140A1/en
Priority to MXPA06009428A priority patent/MXPA06009428A/es
Priority to CA002556633A priority patent/CA2556633A1/fr
Priority to US10/590,096 priority patent/US20080041018A1/en
Publication of WO2005080219A2 publication Critical patent/WO2005080219A2/fr
Publication of WO2005080219A3 publication Critical patent/WO2005080219A3/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/04—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another
    • B65D77/06—Liquids or semi-liquids or other materials or articles enclosed in flexible containers disposed within rigid containers
    • B65D77/062—Flexible containers disposed within polygonal containers formed by folding a carton blank
    • B65D77/065—Spouts, pouring necks or discharging tubes fixed to or integral with the flexible container
    • 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
    • B65B3/02—Machines characterised by the incorporation of means for making 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
    • 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
    • B65B3/045—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles for filling flexible containers having a filling and dispensing spout, e.g. containers of the "bag-in-box"-type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B2105/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers made by assembling separate sheets, blanks or webs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B2120/00—Construction of rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B31B2120/40—Construction of rigid or semi-rigid containers lined or internally reinforced
    • B31B2120/408—Construction of rigid or semi-rigid containers lined or internally reinforced by folding a sheet or blank around an inner tubular liner
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B50/00—Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B31B50/74—Auxiliary operations
    • B31B50/81—Forming or attaching accessories, e.g. opening devices, closures or tear strings
    • B31B50/84—Forming or attaching means for filling or dispensing contents, e.g. valves or spouts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B50/00—Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B31B50/74—Auxiliary operations
    • B31B50/81—Forming or attaching accessories, e.g. opening devices, closures or tear strings
    • B31B50/86—Forming integral handles; Attaching separate handles
    • B31B50/87—Fitting separate handles on boxes, e.g. on drinking cups
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B50/00—Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B31B50/74—Auxiliary operations
    • B31B50/92—Delivering
    • B31B50/98—Delivering in stacks or bundles

Definitions

  • BIB designation is applied to an impermeable bag liner within a carton.
  • GB0314815.2 sets out fill issues.
  • bag contents fill is a prime consideration for a contents manufacturer.
  • a wet fill environment, with contents spillage, and risk of degrading cardboard cartons is a factor.
  • Mechanised carton case erection generally is well developed for closing and joining carton flaps with tape and/or adhesive bonding.
  • An object of the present invention is to admit alternative BIB fill and erection techniques.
  • Some aspects of the present invention address refinement in production, assembly, erection and filling of BIB containers and component elements.
  • supplementary pre-fabricated handles desirably a 'lay-flat', single sheet, fabrication; a deformable cushion floor able to withstand crushing, collapse and failure upon dropping; a bracing liner or sleeve; top and bottom end stacking plates; air cushion bag; pressure release valve effect; integrated neck collar and handle moulding; plastics sheet carton; neck collar integration with plastics sheet carton; integrated bag neck and location collar.
  • a BIB is assembled from a bag liner and carton, juxtaposed - and mutually entrained - such as by a bag neck retention rim - prior to bag (contents) fill.
  • Rectangular 3-D Bag A preferred bag format has a generally rectangular, flat bottom, 3-D erect configuration, for closer conformity with a rectangular carton outer case.
  • Continuous Bag Web & Discrete Carton Blanks A continuous web of collapsed bag portions with respective fill/discharge necks is conjoined with a succession of multiple discrete formative carton elements such as collapsed carton blanks.
  • a locating collar such as of GB0314815.2, is desirably fitted upon a bag neck.
  • Such a collar can overlie an inset step or recess in a carton (top) end flap, and sit beneath a neck retention rim, flange or lip.
  • Local adhesive bonding, taping and/or interlocking edge profiling may be employed.
  • An optional pre-fabricated handle element may be attached to the carton top or side panels.
  • the handle is desirably a 'lay-flat', single sheet, fabrication.
  • an integrated handle and collar top-plate may be fitted to the carton.
  • BIB container 3-D erection from a collapsed 2-D form, is achieved by introducing fluid - say air - under pressure through a bag neck, to inflate the bag.
  • Bag inflation takes a carton shell along with it - through snap-action erection about pre- formed carton edge creases / folds - until the carton assumes a pre-disposed
  • a collapsible cushion floor pad insert may be inset between an outer carton and inner bag to bolster shock absorbency in the event of carton drop.
  • a deep or multi-layer corrugated cardboard sheet sandwich layer may fulfil this role.
  • a clearance void and cushion floor could be combined in a cushion bag - that is a discrete, say air inflated, capsule between contents bag proper and carton base and/or top.
  • Such a cushion bag could also be integrated with a contents bag proper.
  • An example would be a double-wall or skin. Effectively, a bag would constrain contents within an inner liner and entrain (cushion) air between inner and outer liner.
  • Such an air capsule could compress more readily than liquid contents and so form an intermediate, energy dissipating, shock absorbing buffer.
  • Such a configuration may be particularly useful for relatively large capacity (eg some 25 litre) BIB variants.
  • a discrete self contained subsidiary (air) cushion bag could be carried or attached to the contents bag proper.
  • such a cushion bag would be inflated prior to insertion into a carton.
  • a preset blow-off valve could allow controlled discharge of a buffer capsule upon a certain compression load threshold.
  • a carton top recess or step, for a locating collar could serve as a safety displacement element upon BIB drop.
  • a supplementary reinforcement or bracing sleeve or collar may be fitted between carton and bag, to help absorb shock impact load.
  • a deep or multi-layer corrugated cardboard sheet sandwich sleeve may fulfil this role. This obviates changing entire carton wall gauge for exceptional conditions.
  • Thin sheet, laminated or corrugated synthetic plastics material might be employed for specialist application where economics justify.
  • a regular, rectilinear, and in particular rectangular, carton format, with neck inset within a neck collar in a top panel recess or cut-out allows closely inter-nested rectilinear grouped stacking and packing.
  • Such rectilinear grouping admits of more orderly shipment than, say, rounded edge Jerrycans with irregular top surfaces with protruding fill necks.
  • Clustered or grouped multi-packs can be part enshrouded by a common wrap, sleeve or minimal opposed (top and bottom) cluster or stacking plates, say entrained by tie bands.
  • an entire carton surface can be overprinted, so a grouped carton collection can portray an enlarged graphic image from individual carton elements.
  • Bag pre-inflation could be used as a pressurised leak test, by monitoring inflated bag sealing integrity, prior to filling.
  • a bag could be subjected, albeit temporarily, to somewhat higher pressures - or pressure differentials across a boundary wall - than it would normally be expected to withstand.
  • a valve in a fill head could allow both functions in a single bag neck capture through one-way fill and opposite way exhaust, with a measurement gauge tapping to the bag interior.
  • Such functionality could be achieved by bespoke design or adapting an otherwise conventional so-called 'plunging or diving head' filler.
  • a fill head with integrated check valve, makes temporary sealing contact with a bag neck or neck collar for a fill cycle. Reject Disposal - Recycling
  • bag plastic lends itself to recycling more than, say, semi-rigid walled Jerricans. Any entrained carton with a rejected bag could be released and, if undamaged, returned to a sub-assembly line for re-use - or simply disposed of by cardboard recycling.
  • bag inflation for outer carton erection can be undertaken as an intermediate step, preparatory to contents fill, that fill step could itself be used for initial inflation and erection. That is, the bag could remain collapsed until final fill. Progressive Fill
  • Uninflated bag capacity is initially at a minimum and offers modest resistance until an inflated internal void is created upon bag erection.
  • inflating bag to take an outer carton form along with it from a collapsed 2-D flat-pack to an erect 3-D form. If fill rate is a priority, more abrupt and faster, pre-erection, such as by air inflation can be employed.
  • Figure 1 shows a flow chart of principal operational steps in BIB constituent element assembly
  • Figures 2A and 2B show a BIB sub-assembly sequence
  • Figure 2A shows a schematic BIB sub-assembly sequence
  • Figure 2B shows a flow chart of principal operational steps in the sub-assembly sequence of Figure 2A;
  • Figures 3A and 3B show BIB erection and final assembly
  • Figure 3A shows a schematic BIB erection assembly from the sub-assembly of Figure 2A;
  • Figure 3B shows a flow chart of principal operational steps in the erection and final assembly sequence of Figure 3A;
  • Figure 4 shows multiple simultaneous pre-inflation and/or fill detail in the erection and final assembly sequence of Figures 3A and 3B;
  • Figures 5A and 5B show variant BIB sub-assembly and erection sequences;
  • Figure 5A shows a continuous segmented carton web fed variant BIB sub-assembly sequence to that shown in Figure 2A;
  • Figure 5B shows a variant BIB erection sequence to that shown in Figure 3A in continuation of Figure 5A sub-assembly
  • Figures 6A and 6B show optional insertion of elements during the erection and final assembly sequence of Figure 5B; More specifically,
  • Figure 6A shows insertion of a cushion floor into the carton before final end flap closure
  • Figure 6B shows insertion of a reinforcement or bracing sleeve into the carton before end flap closure
  • Figures 7A and 7B show optional rectilinear grouping of erect BIB assemblies employing top and bottom stacking plates entrained by tie bands;
  • Figure 7A shows the rectilinear grouping of similar sized BIB cartons
  • Figure 7B shows the rectilinear grouping of different sized BIB cartons
  • Figures 8A and 8B show further variant BIB sub-assembly and erection sequences; More specifically,
  • Figure 8A shows a variant BIB sub-assembly sequence to that shown in Figure 5A, from respective rolled carton and bag webs;
  • Figure 8B shows a variant BIB erection sequence to that shown in Figure 5A, employing the sub-assembly of Figure 8A;
  • Figures 9A through 9H show a variant BIB assembly sequence
  • Figure 9A shows a carton blank element
  • Figure 9B shows the carton blank of Figure 9A configured to form a tube wrap or sleeve
  • Figure 9C shows the carton of Figure 9B with closed top flaps
  • Figure 9D shows (pre-) inflated and/or filled bag insertion into the bottom of the carton of Figure 9C;
  • Figure 9E shows the combined carton and bag of Figure 9D with closed bottom flaps and a collar fitment
  • Figure 9F shows the assembly of Figure 9E with collar in place.
  • Figure 9G shows the assembly of Figure 9F with optional handle attachment
  • Figure 9H shows the assembly of Figure 9G with optional integrated handle and collar top-plate
  • Figure 10 shows a further variant BIB assembly sequence of multiple discrete carton wrap and fold around respective discrete pre-inflated/filled bags - before collar and optional handle attachment;
  • Figures 11 A through 11C show a variant BIB sub-assembly sequence to that shown in Figures 2A, 5A, and 8A; More specifically,
  • Figure 11 A shows in detail an unrolled web of contiguous bags overlaid by individual carton blanks before collar attachment;
  • Figure 11 B shows a carton blank wrap around a bag;
  • Figure 11 C shows the arrangement of Figure 11 B with completed carton wrap around a bag and edge joined
  • Figures 12A and 12B show entrained box or carton and bag sub-assemblies, in a stackable flat-pack configuration, ready for transport, storage or erection and contents fill;
  • Figure 12A shows an individual carton and bag set upright - in this instance with bag outside a carton wrap ready for insertion through a top opening;
  • Figure 12B shows stacked cartons and respective bags - allowing a bag set within a carton wrap
  • Figures 13A through 13C elaborate upon bracing sleeve insertion into a carton of Figure 6B; More specifically,
  • Figure 13A shows an erected bracing sleeve liner juxtaposed for insertion into an open-ended top of a carton
  • Figure 13B shows a completed BIB carton with internal bracing sleeve depicted in broken lines;
  • Figure 13C shows an enlarged view of a corner of the bracing sleeve of Figure 13A, showing corrugated material;
  • Figures 14A and 14B show a robust carton variant fabricated entirely of corrugated card (or plastics);
  • Figure 14A shows a corrugated carton with open top flaps
  • Figure 14B shows an enlarged view of the corrugations in the carton of Figure 14A;
  • Figures 15A and 15B show an inset collar recess or step outward reversal, acting as a safety valve upon BIB (drop) impact; More specifically,
  • Figure 15A shows initial BIB drop impact with resultant carton bottom (corner) crush deformation
  • Figure 15B shows resulting collar recess ejection and support step outward hinge, admitting bag displacement
  • Figure 16 shows a BIB variant with internal top cushion (air) bag
  • Figures 17A through 17C show insertion of an integrated bag and collar into an erect carton
  • Figure 17A shows bag and carton juxtaposition
  • Figure 17B shows bag profile squeeze insertion through a carton top opening
  • Figure 1 C shows a final bag in carton assembly
  • Figure 18 details collar and bag anti-torque restraint within a carton recess for screw closure cap tightening and loosening;
  • Figures 19A and 19B show a synthetic plastics sheet carton variant with integral moulded collar;
  • Figure 19A shows a sheet plastics carton blank with integral moulded collar
  • Figure 19B shows the sheet plastics carton blank of Figure 19A fully erected;
  • Figures 20A and 20B show a variant of the sheet plastics carton of Figures 19A and
  • Figure 20A shows a sheet plastics carton blank with integral moulded collar and handle cut-out
  • Figure 20B shows the sheet plastics carton blank of Figure 20A fully erected.
  • Figure 1 depicts an assembly sequence flow chart of principle constituent BIB elements, namely:
  • the bag 12 features an integral neck pourer or spout for contents fill and discharge.
  • a preferred bag manufacture (not shown) produces a continuous web of mutually edge-entrained, collapse folded bags.
  • discrete bags (say either produced individually or separated from a web) can be used, as discussed in later embodiments.
  • discrete neck collar 14 and handle 13 are disposed at opposite sides of a carton body 11.
  • a handle allows a user both to support filled weight and control the angle of tipping - and so rate of pouring.
  • a tall (say, pull-up) handle upstand at the neck collar 14 is feasible.
  • Supplementary handle cut-outs in the body (that is top and/or side walls) of carton 11 are readily provided upon carton blank die cutting.
  • the collar 14 and handle 13 could be integrated - say by adopting a common (vacuum) moulding plate or strip.
  • Such an integrated handle and neck collar could form an overall carton top plate, providing shape bracing and support to a stacked overlying carton.
  • Final pack erection and completion (closure and sealing), to a pre-fill assembly 30, can be undertaken upon sub-assembly 20 in a subsequent distinct step at a fill station, on a user's premises, upon draw-down from a local store or repository.
  • Bags are produced as continuous web 55 of conjoined individual bag elements 51.
  • a web 55 of conjoined bags 51 is stored concertina-folded in a cassette store or repository 50.
  • the bags 51 are progressively retrieved from the store 50 by orderly unfolding and presented in a line, with necks 52 uppermost, upon a conveyor bed 80.
  • Figure 9A shows laid-flat carton blank detail, with extended top 42, 48, 56 and bottom 57, 58 closure flaps and optional handle cut-outs 44.
  • bottom side flaps 57 allows mutual overlap upon flap fold up - to cover the whole of the base area.
  • Bottom end flaps 58 then fold over - to provide three complete layers of material on the base and thus bolster carton robustness.
  • End flaps 58 are off-set (i.e. one longer than the other) to mirror the off-set of the top flaps 42, 48 in accommodating the collar 14.
  • a single off-set tape machine (not shown) may be used (simultaneously) to seal both top 42, 48 and bottom 58 flaps.
  • a carton top flap 42 has a pre-cut neck aperture 43 to receive and locate a neck 52 of a bag 51.
  • Neck aperture 43 diameter is sufficient to pass, with modest local distention, and remain entrained under, a retention rim (not shown) upon bag neck 52.
  • a pick'n place arm (not shown) deposits an individual carton 41 upon an associated bag 51 , with the help of lateral conveyor guides 81 and an index locator finger (not shown) for a bag neck 52.
  • successive bags 51 are OOindexed, incrementally or continuously, over conveyor bed 80, through successive work stations for carton 41 , collar 14 and (optional) handle 13 fitment.
  • a cassette store 60 of stacked pre-fabricated (eg vacuum moulded shell) neck collars 14 is disposed over the conveyor 80 to deposit an individual collar upon an upstanding bag neck 52.
  • Collar 14 is superimposed upon a carton top flap 42.
  • a collar aperture 61 is sufficient to pass, with modest temporary local deformation, over neck retention rim - so that both carton top flap 42 and collar 14 are held captive between retention rim and bag 51.
  • Collar aperture 61 profile can be adapted - say with radial peripheral slits or otherwise segmented - to facilitate local distension for fitment and to secure bag neck 52 when a screw cap is applied.
  • the effect is to impart an anti-torque or torque resistant entrainment of bag neck in relation to (screw) cap closure fitment.
  • a supplementary discrete handle 13 can be fitted to a carton top flap 42 and side edge 45 at a handle installation station 90.
  • a pre-fabricated (moulded) 'lay-flat' profile is convenient for handle 13.
  • Such a handle 13 can be secured by local adhesive bonding.
  • reliance can be placed upon handle cut-outs in the carton body.
  • handle 13 could be integrated with collar 14 - in which case a combined store and mounting station could be contrived.
  • Carton 41 , bag 51 , neck collar 14 and (optional) handle 13 are fitted to create a sub- assembly 20.
  • a succession of sub-assemblies 20 is mutually entrained in a sub-assembly string or web 71 , Web 71 is drawn into a concertina-folded stack in a sub-assembly cassette store or repository 70.
  • the overall assembly sequence involves: • bringing together into juxtaposition a collapsed bag 51 and collapsed carton 41 ,
  • a bag neck 52 of an individual bag 51 is orientated upward as an upstand for registration and location of an aperture 43 in a top flap 42 of a carton 41.
  • An automated BIB carton assembly line 100 is fed by a continuous web 55 of bags 51 and a stack 40 of collapsed cartons 41.
  • a conveyor 80 draws the web 55 along an assembly path, at which successive individual cartons 41 are extracted from the stack 40 and laid upon an associated bag 51 .
  • a carton 41 is presented to an underling bag 51 with a top flap 42 and neck locating aperture 43 deployed in mutual registration.
  • Side and/or end flaps 46 are in-turned and joined, using tab 19, to create a carton sleeve or wrap 47 about each bag 51.
  • top 42, 48, 56 and bottom 57, 58 closure flaps to be deployed and mutually entrained - upon conversion from a 2-D collapsed form to a 3-D erect form.
  • a collar storage cassette 60 with a discharge driving plunger (not shown), delivers and installs individual collars 14 to each bag neck 52, with a spring clip insertion and location action. Collar 14 effectively holds the carton top flap 42 with neck locating aperture 43 captive with the bag neck 52 - and thus entrains overall carton 41 and bag 51.
  • the bag neck 52 serves as a locating upstand, to help preserve bag 51 and carton 41 registration and alignment - also aided by lateral conveyor guides 81.
  • Storage cassette 70 is conveniently a portable container, which can be transported to a remote final assembly and fill station, as now described.
  • Final Assembly & Erection Figures 3A and 3B depict final assembly and erection to transform a 2-D collapsed flat pack sub-assembly 71 of Figure 2 into an erected fully assembled 3-D form 150 ready for contents fill.
  • initial bag 51 inflation is through contents fill - that is bypassing a preliminary test inflation.
  • the sub-assembly cassette store 70 is emptied by progressively withdrawing a sub- assembly string 71 based upon an original bag web 55.
  • Bags 51 are supported by a conveyor bed 120. Simultaneous connection is made to multiple bag necks 52 through multiple individual valve caps 111 , with respective umbilical feed pipes 112 to an air pressure supply 113, through a rotary swivel connector valve 114 (detailed in Figure 4).
  • bags 51 are mutually severed - so breaking or fragmenting the former continuous web 55.
  • Severance is conveniently undertaken along a pre-scored weakening line, using a (slicing rotary or guillotine) knife blade (not shown).
  • a bag 51 Whilst a bag 51 is held captive by its neck 52, its body is free to hang down - suspended by retention rim, itself configured to withstand such support loading. Similarly, a carton 41 is held captive by entrapment of its top flap 42 beneath the bag retention rim.
  • carton 41 is free to swing down about a top flap corner edge fold 49.
  • Bag 51 and carton 41 gravity suspension is triggered by air pressure feed to cap valve 111 - progressively to inflate, and so distend bag 51 walls from a collapse folded 2-D condition to an erect 3-D form.
  • An air pulse can be employed to disturb initial juxtaposed bag 51 and carton 41 disposition.
  • Figure 4 shows a plan view of multiple simultaneous pre-inflation and/or fill detail in the erection and final assembly sequence outlined in Figure 3A.
  • a spider web array of fill lines 112 radiates from a common central feed head 113 with a swivel joint and seal.
  • Figure 5A shows an alternative sub-assembly sequence to that of Figure 2A.
  • both bags 51 and carton blanks 41 are brought together from separate respective stacked concertina folded webs.
  • neck retention collar 14 is attached and the resulting sub-assembly 71 is concertina folded for transport or storage.
  • Figure 5B shows a follow-on inflation / fill final assembly sequence to Figure 5A sub- assembly, with options supplementing basic steps of Figure 3A.
  • concertina folded sub-assemblies 71 are drawn from their stack and attached to an air hose / feed line before being severed from the next in line.
  • a bag 51 is then inflated / filled while the assembly is supported by its retention collar
  • a final step is to close and seal top 42, 48, 56 and bottom 57, 58 carton flaps.
  • Figure 6A shows an optional final assembly stage - prior to closure of bottom carton flaps 57, 58 - of insertion of a cushion floor 15.
  • Such a floor 15 may be comprised of corrugated cardboard or like material, to help protect the bottom of bag 51 inside carton 41.
  • carton 41 base puncture or crush may be accommodated by the cushion flooring 15 and thus preserve the bag 51 intact.
  • a reinforcement or bracing sleeve or liner 16 may be inserted into carton 41 before final closure, as depicted in Figure 6B.
  • Bracing sleeve 16 bolsters overall carton strength and rigidity for larger and heavier capacties.
  • bracing sleeve could be corrugated to provide vertical stacking strength, whilst an outer (non-corrugated) carton body provides splash and water protection.
  • a corrugated carton body could make a bracing sleeve redundant.
  • Sleeve 16 also preserves overall rectangular carton form, for stacking consistency and protects bag 51 in the event of carton 41 side impact.
  • Top and bottom stacking plates 17 sandwich multiple - in this case dual or paired - adjacent BIB cartons (150) in a rectangular configuration.
  • Plates 17 are held together by tie bands 18 wrapped around the set at several points.
  • FIG. 7A A final multiple (in this dual or paired) pack cluster option is depicted in Figure 7A.
  • This principle may be employed not for mutually entraining and securing identical BIB cartons (150) - but also sets of different sized cartons, scaled and stacked to form a substantially rectangular outer form - as shown in Figure 7B.
  • Figures 8A and 8B show a variant of Figures 5A and 5B, whereby the bags 51 and cartons 41 are brought together from individual web rolls 91 , 92.
  • bags 51 are successively unravelled from roll 91
  • cartons - possibly of synthetic plastics material - are unravelled from roll 92.
  • Roll 92 feed is like unsuitable for corrugated cardboard material, which embodies a laid flat set in production.
  • roll feed might be tenable for single layer sheet or card or synthetic plastics, or even corrugated plastics where corrugations run parallel to the roll axis.
  • a sufficiently large roll diameter is envisaged to avoid material adopting a set curvature.
  • Figures 9A through 9H detail alternative BIB construction and/or (pre-)assembly - independently of and prefacing bag introduction.
  • An assembly sequence comprises:
  • a carton collar could be lowered upon an inflated bag ⁇ • attach collar 14 to bag 12 through carton aperture 43;
  • a pre-fabricated handle could also be fitted upon the carton - as shown in Figure 9G.
  • Figure 10 shows an alternative BIB assembly of bag 12 pre- inflation / fill and carton 11 build around it.
  • FIGS 11 A through 11 C show sub-assembly from a bag roll 91 and individual carton blank elements 41. Each successive individual bag 51 is overlaid with a respective carton blank 41.
  • Carton 41 is then folded in half around bag 51 until side panels 46 lie adjacent each other.
  • Carton side tab 19 is then glued or otherwise secured to adjacent side panel 46 edge.
  • Figure 12 shows a stack of multiple individual BIB sub-assemblies 20. Bracing Sleeve Insertion
  • Figures 13A through 13C illustrate insertion of bracing sleeve 16 into carton 41.
  • Bracing sleeve 16 may be of toughened cardboard material or corrugated as detailed in Figure 13C.
  • Bracing sleeve 16 is preferrably profiled to nest within carton 41 body and provide extra strength at the edges and corners - as illustrated in Figure 13B.
  • the entire carton body 72 may be constructed from corrugated material - as shown in Figures 14A and 14B.
  • Corrugated cartons 72 may also be useful in applications where the carton does not require to be waterproof.
  • Figures 15A and 15B illustrate how collar 14 recess may act as a safety release valve when the BIB is dropped.
  • bag 51 then has more room in which to move away from the crushed carton below. This may mean bag 51 can stay intact despite carton 41 crush.
  • a cushion pad 74 may be accomodated within carton 41 as shown in Figure 16.
  • This cushion pad 74 may be filled with air and placed on top of bag 51 , adjacent the underside of recess panel 73.
  • this cushion pad 74 may crush before bag 51 liquid contents.
  • a bag may be integrated with a collar 82. This may then be inserted into a carton 83 as shown in Figure 17.
  • Carton 83 is provided with an opening 84 into which bag 82 is fed until attached collar seals opening 84. Collar & Bag Restraint
  • Collar 14 and entrained bag neck 52 are restrained from rotational movement by carton 41 recess profile. Thus, as a screw cap 62 is applied, the resulting torque does not twist the collar 14 or bag 51 inside the carton 41 - as illustrated in Figure 18.
  • Moulded Plastic Carton Figures 19A and 19B show a variant carton 93 configured from a moulded plastics sheet.
  • Collar 14 is thus integrated into the carton 93 form, negating the need for attachment of an additional collar 14 element.
  • Figures 20A and 20B show a variant of the above with a plastic handle cut-out incorporated into carton 94.
  • features may be selectively 'mixed and matched' to suit circumstances - albeit it is not feasible to describe every such feature combination.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Making Paper Articles (AREA)
  • Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
  • Cartons (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un cubitainer (150) qui, pour associer une outre (12) à un cartonnage (11) préalablement au remplissage du cartonnage, utilise une collerette de positionnement (14) au-dessus d'un prolongement (52) du goulot d'outre. L'invention concerne également un procédé d'assemblage et de remplissage amenant les uns après les autres les cartons (41) en juxtaposition avec une outre (51) dans une bande continue d'outres (55), le goulot (52) servant à la présentation et au calage de l'outre par rapport au cartonnage. La pose d'une collerette de retenue et de positionnement (14) permet de fixer le goulot d'outre (52) sur le cartonnage (41) de façon à mettre en pile la bande de sous-ensembles (71) de cubitainers (20) laissés à plat. Un poste de gonflage ou d'essai de gonflage (110) reçoit ces sous-ensembles (20) et les gonfle ou les remplit grâce à une suite de capsules de robinets (111) solidaires des collerettes (14). Le gonflage ou le remplissage de l'outre (51) permet au cartonnage (41) de prendre sa forme autour de l'outre, avant qu'une cercleuse à ruban adhésif ferme de façon hermétique les rabats du dessus (56, 42, 48) et du fond (57, 58) du cartonnage.
PCT/GB2005/000570 2004-02-17 2005-02-16 Assemblage et remplissage automatiques de cubitainers WO2005080219A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP05708375A EP1716054A2 (fr) 2004-02-17 2005-02-16 Assemblage et remplissage automatiques de cubitainers
AU2005214140A AU2005214140A1 (en) 2004-02-17 2005-02-16 Automated bag in box assembly and contents fill
MXPA06009428A MXPA06009428A (es) 2004-02-17 2005-02-16 Bolsa automatizada en un ensamble de caja y llenado de contenidos.
CA002556633A CA2556633A1 (fr) 2004-02-17 2005-02-16 Assemblage et remplissage automatiques de cubitainers
US10/590,096 US20080041018A1 (en) 2004-02-17 2005-02-16 Automated Bag in Box Assembly and Contents Fill

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0403439A GB2403467B (en) 2003-06-25 2004-02-17 Automated bag in box assembly & contents fill
GB0403439.3 2004-02-17

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005080219A2 true WO2005080219A2 (fr) 2005-09-01
WO2005080219A3 WO2005080219A3 (fr) 2005-11-17

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US (1) US20080041018A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1716054A2 (fr)
CN (1) CN101014511A (fr)
AU (1) AU2005214140A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2556633A1 (fr)
MX (1) MXPA06009428A (fr)
WO (1) WO2005080219A2 (fr)

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WO2007057677A1 (fr) * 2005-11-15 2007-05-24 John Stephenson Ensemble caisse-outre et methode d'assemblage d'un ensemble caisse-outre
WO2008155431A1 (fr) * 2007-06-21 2008-12-24 Juan Inazio Hartsuaga Uranga Emballage récipient et distributeur de produits à l'état liquide, visqueux ou pulvérulent, procédé et équipement d'obtention dudit emballage
FR2921644A1 (fr) * 2007-09-28 2009-04-03 Atuser Sarl Conteneur destine au transport,stockage et transvasement de liquide alimentaire
US7681783B2 (en) 2003-06-25 2010-03-23 John Stephenson Bag in box (BIB)
WO2011124508A1 (fr) * 2010-04-09 2011-10-13 Smurfit Kappa Baden Packaging Gmbh Procédé de fabrication et/ou de remplissage d'un emballage destiné à des produits coulants

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JP2014080013A (ja) * 2012-09-26 2014-05-08 Toyo Jidoki Co Ltd スパウト付き袋の製造方法及び装置
AR093111A1 (es) 2012-10-23 2015-05-20 Scholle Corp Aparato de montaje de bolsa en caja y metodo de acoplamiento de una bolsa y una caja para conformar un conjunto de bolsa en caja
NZ728417A (en) * 2013-03-15 2018-05-25 Automated Packaging Systems Inc On-demand inflatable packaging
US10329041B2 (en) * 2013-04-19 2019-06-25 Scholle Ipn Ip Bv System and method for the assembly and collection of non-filled spouted pouches
CN103350898B (zh) * 2013-07-16 2015-05-13 王前宏 一种全自动纸箱提手穿扣机的塑料托扣定位装置
EP3138779B1 (fr) * 2015-08-07 2018-10-10 INDAG Pouch Partners GmbH Procede de demoulage et de remplissage de sachets a bec verseur en feuille et dispositif associe
US10829280B2 (en) * 2015-12-03 2020-11-10 Drop Water Corporation Compostable single-use beverage container and associated mechanism for sealing the container
JP7219447B2 (ja) * 2018-12-06 2023-02-08 株式会社イシダ 連袋姿勢変換装置、及び、箱詰め装置

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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7681783B2 (en) 2003-06-25 2010-03-23 John Stephenson Bag in box (BIB)
WO2007057677A1 (fr) * 2005-11-15 2007-05-24 John Stephenson Ensemble caisse-outre et methode d'assemblage d'un ensemble caisse-outre
WO2008155431A1 (fr) * 2007-06-21 2008-12-24 Juan Inazio Hartsuaga Uranga Emballage récipient et distributeur de produits à l'état liquide, visqueux ou pulvérulent, procédé et équipement d'obtention dudit emballage
FR2921644A1 (fr) * 2007-09-28 2009-04-03 Atuser Sarl Conteneur destine au transport,stockage et transvasement de liquide alimentaire
WO2009068764A2 (fr) * 2007-09-28 2009-06-04 Atuser S.A.R.L. Conteneur destiné au transport, stockage et transvasement de liquide alimentaire
WO2009068764A3 (fr) * 2007-09-28 2009-12-03 Atuser S.A.R.L. Conteneur destiné au transport, stockage et transvasement de liquide alimentaire
WO2011124508A1 (fr) * 2010-04-09 2011-10-13 Smurfit Kappa Baden Packaging Gmbh Procédé de fabrication et/ou de remplissage d'un emballage destiné à des produits coulants

Also Published As

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CN101014511A (zh) 2007-08-08
US20080041018A1 (en) 2008-02-21
WO2005080219A3 (fr) 2005-11-17
MXPA06009428A (es) 2007-03-21
CA2556633A1 (fr) 2005-09-01
AU2005214140A1 (en) 2005-09-01
EP1716054A2 (fr) 2006-11-02

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