U.S. patent application number 10/476053 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-22 for apparatus and method for aseptically filling a container.
Invention is credited to Savage, Chester.
Application Number | 20040139704 10/476053 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32713706 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040139704 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Savage, Chester |
July 22, 2004 |
Apparatus and method for aseptically filling a container
Abstract
A flexible bag (10) and system and method for aseptically
filling it. The bag has two walls (12a, 12b) and a spout (16)
attached to one wall. This spout is opened and closed during
filling. A plug member (18) may be attached to the wall of the bag
opposite the wall containing the spout. During filling, the plug
member is aseptically removed from the spout member inwardly of the
bag contrainer; the bag is filled via the spout; and then the plug
member is replaced from inside the bag. The plug may also be free
of the opposite wall of the bag container. The filling system
includes a set of jaws (130) for holding the spout in position for
filling, a support mechanism (110) for controlling the movement of
the plug member into and out of the spout member, and facility for
sterilizing the inside of the filling head, the spout member, and
the plug member.
Inventors: |
Savage, Chester; (Irvine,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
King & Jovanovic
Suite 300
305 Hoover Boulevard
Holland
MI
49423
US
|
Family ID: |
32713706 |
Appl. No.: |
10/476053 |
Filed: |
October 24, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
April 24, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US01/13185 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/469 ; 383/66;
383/96; 53/284.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 3/045 20130101;
B65B 25/001 20130101; B65B 55/10 20130101; B65D 75/5877
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
053/469 ;
383/066; 383/096; 053/284.7 |
International
Class: |
B65B 003/04 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A flexible bag container comprising: a pair of opposed flexible
walls sealingly attached to one another so as to form an expansible
chamber therebetween; a tubular spout member attached to one of
said pair of walls, said tubular spout member defining a through
passage and defining an axis along the length of said through
passage; a plug member attached to the opposing wall of said pair
of walls, said plug member in a first position being received into
and sealing closing said spout member, and said plug member moving
inwardly of said chamber to a second position spaced from and
opening said spout member, said plug member defining at least one
axial recess opening axially of said plug member, and said at least
one axial recess being free of engagement surfaces which would
allow said plug member to be pulled from within said spout
member.
2. The flexible bag container of claim 1, wherein said plug member
defines a pair of oppositely extending axial recesses each opening
axially of said plug member, and each of said pair of axial
recesses being free of engagement surfaces which would allow said
plug member to be pulled from within said spout member.
3. The flexible bag container of claim 1 wherein said at least one
axial recess is at least in part conical.
4. The flexible bag container of claim 1 wherein said at least one
axial recess is of truncated conical shape.
5. The flexible bag container of claim 2 wherein said pair of
recesses are each of truncated conical shape.
6. The flexible bag container of claim 1 wherein said tubular spout
comprises: a tubular body; said passage forming an internal
opening; and a flange portion extending radially outwardly on said
tubular body.
7. The flexible bag contain of claim 1 wherein said plug member is
sealingly attached to the other of said pair of walls in opposition
to said spout member.
8. The flexible bag container of claim 7 wherein said plug member
includes a radially outwardly extending flange portion, and said
other of said pair of walls being attached to said flange
portion.
9. The flexible bag container of claim 8 wherein said other of said
pair of walls defines an opening, and said other of said pair of
walls being sealingly attached to said flange potion of said plug
member around said opening.
10. The flexible bag container of claim 1 wherein said plug member
is not attached to said the other of said pair of walls, and the
other of said pair of walls is free of an opening aligned with said
spout member.
11. A filling system for filling a flexible bag container having a
spout member defining a through passage for inflow and outflow of
contents to and from said container, said filling system
comprising: a filling head sealingly engageable with said spout
member to flow product into said flexible bag container, a support
plane apparatus for supportingly interfacing with a plug member of
the flexible bag container; jaws for engaging the spout member to
retain the spout member in a selected axial position; and means for
expelling said plug member forcefully from within said spout member
to be supported on said support plate apparatus within said bag
container.
12. The filling system of claim 11 wherein said means for expelling
said plug member forcefully from within said spout includes: means
for cooperating with said spout with said plug member therein for
defining a substantially closed chamber; and portion of said
plunger member advances from said shut off plunger and engages with
said plug member to push said plug member from said spout member
and inwardly of said bag container.
13. (original) The filing system of claim 12 wherein said support
plate is arranged to controllably withdraw from said spout member
as said plug member is expelled therefrom, so that said support
plate member controls expelling of said plug member from within
said spout member in response to said pressurized steam.
14. (original) The filling system of claim 11 further comprising
said filling head including a shut-off plunger, in a first
position, said shut off plunger cooperating with said spout member
with said plug member therein to define said substantially closed
chamber; and said shut off plunger controllably moving to a second
position in said filling head to control product flow from said
filling head into said bag container via said spout member.
15. (original) The filling system of claim 12 further comprising
said steam flow means including a steam inlet passage for supplying
steam to said substantially closed chamber.
16. (original) The filling system of claim 15 further comprising a
steam outlet passage for controllably allowing steam to be purged
from the interior of the filling head.
17. (original) The filling system of claim 11 wherein said means
for expelling said plug member forcefully from within said spout
includes: said filling head including a shut-off plunger, in a
first position, said shut off plunger cooperating with said spout
member with said plug member therein to define said substantially
closed chamber; and said shut off plunger controllably moving to a
second position in said filling head to control product flow from
said filling head into said bag container via said spout member;
said shut off plunger defining an axial bore, and a plunger member
carried in said axial bore and aligning with said plug member;
means for controllably moving said plunger member relative to said
filling head and shut off plunger between a first position in which
a distal part of said plunger member is adjacent to a head portion
of said shut off plunger, and a second position in which said
distal portion of said plunger member advances from said shut off
plunger and engages with said plug member to push said plug member
from said spout member and inwardly of said bag container.
18. A method of filling the flexible bag container, said flexible
bag container including a pair of walls sealingly attached to one
another so as to cooperatively define a chamber therebetween, a
spout member sealingly attached to one of said pair of walls at an
opening therein so as to allow product to flow into and from said
chamber via said spout member, and a plug member sealing received
into and closing said spout member, said method comprising steps
of: sealingly engaging said spout member with a filling head, and
employing said filling head and spout member with said plug member
therein to define a substantially closed chamber; pressurizing
steam to forcefully expel said plug member from said spout member
inwardly of said bag container and into said chamber thereof;
filling said chamber of said bag container with a selected volume
of contents; and pushing said plug member once again into said
spout member for a side thereof facing toward said chamber, to once
again sealingly close said spout member.
19. The method in claim 18 further including the step of admitting
seam to said substantially closed chamber before expelling said
plug member from said spout member, and utilizing said steam to
sterilize outwardly exposed surfaces of both said spout member and
of said plug member.
20.
21. The method in claim 20 further including the step of utilizing
a support plate member to support said plug member allowing
controlled expelling of said plug member form within said spout
member in response to pressured steam admitted to said
substantially closed chamber.
22. The method in claim 18 further including the step of providing
said filling head with a plunger member which aligns with said plug
member and is controllably and forcefully axially movably;
advancing said plunger member into engagement with said plug member
to forcefully expel said plug member from within said spout member
and inwardly of said chamber of said bag container.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] Many liquid and semi-liquid products are packaged
aseptically into containers of various sizes. Some of these
containers are large, and are used for storage and distribution of
the products to repackagers, commercial users, and other users of
large quantities of product. Many of these products, particularly
food products, deteriorate rapidly when exposed to oxygen.
Additionally, food products must be protected against possible
contamination from bacteria; therefore, these products are often
placed in large bags constructed from a plastic or similar material
having one or more spouts from which to fill the bag with product
or to dispense product from the bag. These plastic bags are
advantageous in that as the product is dispensed from the container
the bag collapses around the remaining material so that no air
enters the container. With containers of a fixed shape or internal
volume, air must enter the container to fill the space vacated by
the removal of the product in order for the product to be
dispensed. This air contains oxygen and carries harmful bacteria.
Thus, the bag type of container has many advantages when filled
aseptically.
[0003] However, care must be taken when packaging food product into
a container so that no bacteria that would create a potential
health hazard to the consumer of the food product enter the
container. This sterility is typically assured during filling, by
placing the spout of the container inside a chamber containing a
controlled environment. The controlled environment may include
provision for exposure of the spout to a sterilizing gas or vapor,
such as steam or another sterilant. An opening is provided in the
chamber; which is just large enough to receive the spout of the
bag. A positive pressure is maintained inside the chamber to keep
ambient air from entering the chamber. Once the spout is placed in
the opening to this chamber a plug member is removed from the
spout, it comes into contact with a filling head and the product is
dispensed into the bag. Clamps or jaws are utilized to hold the
spout in the correct position for filling as well as to provide a
partial seal of the container opening during the filling
process.
[0004] 2. Related Technology
[0005] A conventional bag container and method and apparatus for
filling this bag container is know in accord with U.S. Pat. No.
4,731,978, issued 22 Mar. 1988 to Karl Martensson. The '978 patent
is believed to disclose a closeable bag of flexible material which
is provided with a separate inlet member (i.e., spout) with a
filling opening for filling the bag with a substance, for instance,
with a liquid. The inlet member is fastened to a wall of the bag,
and a separate stopper member (i.e., plug) is arranged for closing
the filling opening from inside the bag. The stopper member is
fastened to an opposite wall of the bag in alignment with the inlet
member. The stopper member, in order to perform its function of
closing the filling opening of the inlet member is arranged for
releasable sealing engagement with this inlet member, thereby also
enabling a subsequent partial discharge of bag contents, and
re-closing of the bag. The separate inlet and stopper members of
Martensson '978 are substantially resistant to deformation and have
features for engagement by respective elements of an operating
equipment arranged outside the bag. The operating equipment
includes a filling member connectable to the inlet member, and
facilities for sterilizing the outer surfaces of the inlet member
and stopper member. The stopper member has a recess which is
configured to receive a collet or grasping member, and provides
surfaces arranged such that the collet or grasping member can pull
the stopper member out of the inlet member.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In view of the deficiencies of the conventional related
technology, it is an object of this invention to overcome one or
more of these deficiencies.
[0007] Accordingly the present invention provides a bag wherein the
bag has a spout member closeable by a plug member engageable with
the spout member from the inside of the bag. This plug member is
constructed of a yieldably shape-retaining material and may be
fastened sealingly to the wall of the flexible bag opposite that of
the spout member. This arrangement of spout with removable plug
member makes it possible to open and then re-seal the
container.
[0008] It is also an object of this invention to provide a bag
filling apparatus for use with just such a flexible bag as the type
defined by this invention; while providing during the filling
process a sterile isolation of the product filled into the bag, so
as to not expose the product filled into the bag to ambient air and
ambient microbes.
[0009] Accordingly this invention provides just such a filling
system consisting of a support plate apparatus, a spout clamp
mechanism, a filling head, and a method of sterilizing the spout
and plug member of a bag type container, and of the filing system
without exposing the food product to ambient air.
[0010] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a
consideration of the following detailed description of several
exemplary preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with
the associated figures which will first be described briefly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0011] FIG. 1 shows an empty bag type container of a first
embodiment with a spout and plug member;
[0012] FIG. 2 depicts a filled bag container of the first
embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view, partly in cross section,
showing a portion of a bag container filling system of a first
embodiment and of an empty bag container of the first embodiment
preparatory to filling of the bag container using the bag container
filling system;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 3, but showing
the bag container sealingly engaged with the bag container filling
system preparatory to sterilizing of an external portion of the bag
container, and the filling of the bag container with product;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 4, and shows a
step in the process of filling the bag container using the bag
container filling system;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5, and
shows a subsequent step in the process of filling the bag container
using the bag container filling system;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGS. 4-6, and shows
a subsequent step in the process of filling the bag container using
the bag container filling system;
[0018] FIG. 8 also is a fragmentary view similar to FIGS. 4-7, and
shows a step in the process of filling the bag container using the
bag container filling system;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGS. 4-8, and shows
a final step in the process of filling the bag container using the
bag container filling system.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view, partly in cross section,
showing a portion of another (i.e., second) embodiment of both a
bag container filling system and of an empty bag container
preparatory to filling of the bag container using the bag container
filling system, and depicts these at a step similar to that of FIG.
3;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 10, but
showing the second embodiment of bag container sealingly engaged
with the second embodiment of bag container filling system
preparatory to sterilizing of an external portion of the bag
container, and the filling of the bag container with product, and
depicts these at a step similar to that of FIG. 4;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 11, and shows
a step in the process of filling the second embodiment of bag
container using the second embodiment of bag container filling
system, and depicts these at a step similar to that of FIG. 5;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGS. 11 and 12,
and shows a subsequent step in the process of filling the second
embodiment of bag container using the second embodiment bag
container filling system, and depicts these at a step similar to
that of FIG. 6;
[0024] FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGS. 11-13, and
shows a subsequent step in the process of filling the bag container
using the bag container filling system, both of the second
embodiment, and depicts these at a step similar to that of FIG.
7;
[0025] FIG. 15 also is a fragmentary view similar to FIGS. 11-14,
and shows a step in the process of filling the second embodiment of
bag container using the second embodiment bag container filling
system, and depicts these at a step similar to that of FIG. 8;
[0026] FIG. 16 is a fragmentary view, partly in cross section,
showing a portion of yet another (i.e., third) embodiments of both
a bag container filling system and of an empty bag container
preparatory to filling of the bag container using the bag container
filling system, and depicts these at a step similar to that of
FIGS. 3 and 10;
[0027] FIG. 17 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 16, but
showing the third embodiment of bag container sealingly engaged
with the third embodiment of bag container filling system
preparatory to sterilizing of an external portion of the bag
container, and the filling of the bag container with product;
[0028] FIG. 18 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 17, and shows
a step in the process of filling the third embodiment of bag
container using the third embodiment of bag container filling
system, and depicts these at a step similar to that of FIGS. 6 and
13;
[0029] FIG. 19 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGS. 17 and 18,
and shows a subsequent step in the process of filling the third
embodiment of bag container using the third embodiment bag
container filling system; and depicts these at a step similar to
that of FIGS. 7 and 14; and finally
[0030] FIG. 20 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGS. 17-19, and
shows a subsequent step in the process of filling the bag container
using the bag container filling system, each according to the third
embodiment, and shows these at a step that is similar to that of
FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE
INVENTION
[0031] While the present invention may be embodied in many
different forms, disclosed herein are three specific exemplary
embodiments that illustrate and explain by example the principles
of the invention. In conjunction with the description of these
embodiments, a method of making the embodiments is described. It
should be emphasized that the present invention is not limited to
the specific examples and exemplary preferred embodiments
illustrated.
First Embodiment
[0032] Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a flexible bag 10 of the
type associated with a filling system 100 is schematically
depicted. In general and according to the exemplarity preferred
embodiments of this invention, but without limitation, the flexible
bag container 10 includes a pair of contiguous walls, generally
referenced with the numeral 12. These contiguous walls 12 are seen
in FIG. 1 in their flat condition with the bag container empty. The
pair of walls 12 includes individual walls 12a and 12b, which are
thus contiguous, adjacent to one another, with the empty bag
container 10 being generally flat. In FIG. 1, it is seen that the
pair of walls 12a and 12b cooperatively define a peripheral sealing
seam 12c, at which the walls 12 are sealingly and permanently
united with one another. It is to be noted that the pair of walls
12 are rectangular simply for the purpose of convenience and
economy of materials utilization. The bag 10 could be made in other
shapes. For example without limitation, the bag 10 could be round,
triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, or octagonal.
[0033] FIG. 2 demonstrates how the same flexible bag 10 looks after
it is filled by flowing contents into the bag container 10 via the
spout 16 and into a chamber 14 defined between the pair of walls
12. The bag 10 is no longer flat, but instead looks somewhat filled
out and rounded in the middle, although the bag 10 is not tightly
filled or "inflated" with contents. The spout member 16 and plug
member 18 can seen generally centered intermediate or between the
edges of the bag, and generally along one side, although the
location of this spout member on the bag is not limiting.
[0034] It is further to be noted that the drawing Figures depict
the bag 10 as it would appear without being contained within a
drum, barrel, box, or crate (not shown). In actual use it is likely
that the flexible bag 10 will be contained within the confines of
an outer protective and shape retaining drum, box, etc., for
greater safety, security, and ease of handling and storage.
[0035] Now viewing FIGS. 1-9 in conjunction with one another. It
should be noted that these FIGS. 1-9 show a sequence of steps for
filling the bag container 10 utilizing the bag container filling
system 100. First viewing FIG. 1, an empty flexible bag container
10 can be seen, while in FIG. 2, the bag container 10 is shown
filled with liquid, semi-liquid, or paste contents, for example. In
the condition seen in FIG. 1, the interior of the bag container 10
may be sterile. Of course, in the event of filling the bag
container 10 with food product or other material that would support
or be contaminated by microbes, then the interior of the bag
container 10 is certainly made sterile. In FIG. 2, the interior
chamber of the bag container 10 is indicated by underlined
reference numeral 14, although this reference numeral and lead line
appear outside of the bag container 10. That is, the container 10
is not sectioned or cutaway in the illustration of FIG. 2. In
general, in order to fill the bag container 10, the outer surfaces
of the spout 16 and plug member 18 which have been exposed to
ambient air are first sterilized, then the plug member 18 is
removed from the spout member 16 while an end portion and the
interior of the spout are isolated from ambient air. Product is
flowed into the chamber 14 via the spout 16, after which the plug
member 18 is returned into sealing engagement with the spout 16.
The product flowed into the chamber 14 may be sterile, and may be a
food product. After the spout 16 is sealingly closed by the plug
member 18, the outer surfaces of the spout member 16 and plug
member 18 may again be cleaned or sterilized.
[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates the bag container 10 and bag container
filling system 100 in a starting position. The bag filling system
100 consists of three main components, a support plate apparatus
110 having a part that is axially movable (i.e., movable left and
right viewing FIG. 3, a filling head 120 also having a part that is
axially movable (i.e., again, movable left and right viewing FIG.
3), and a set of jaws 130 for engaging and holding the spout member
16 in sealing engagement with the filling head 120. Generally, the
jaws 130 are axially fixed, and may be assisting in holding the bag
10 by a pair or more of clamps (not shown in the drawing Figures)
which clamp the adjacent edge of the bag container 10 in order to
support is and the weight of contents added to this bag container
as the container is filled. The jaws 130 are also selectively
openable and closeable to respectively embrace and engage the spout
member 16, and to release this spout member. In this view of FIG. 3
the filling head 120 and the support plate apparatus 110 are
separated from one another by enough space to allow placement of
the portion of the flexible bag container 10 containing the spout
member 16 and plug member 18 (i.e., the corner portion of the empty
bag container 10, recalling FIG. 1) into the proper position in the
bag filling system 100.
[0037] As is also seen in FIG. 3, the spout member 16 includes a
generally tubular body 16a, having adjacent to one end thereof a
radially outwardly extending flange 16b. The tubular body 16a
defines a through passage 16c which is aligned with a matching hole
12d in wall 12a. The flange 16c is sealingly attached to this wall
12a. Outwardly, the tubular body 16a defines an end edge surface
16d, and a radially outwardly opening groove 16e, which may be
defined between a pair of radially outwardly extending and axially
spaced apart flanges 16f. As is seen in FIG. 3, the flange 16b may
extend radially outwardly from the radially outer extent of one of
the flanges 16f.
[0038] As can also be seen in FIG. 3, the support plate apparatus
110 includes an actuator, which may take the form of an actuator
cylinder 112 (which may be hydraulic or pneumatic, for example) and
a backing plate member 114 controllably axially moved between two
positions by this actuator, as will be explained. The backing plate
114 is the axially movable part of the support plate apparatus
referred to above. In the implementation illustrated in FIG. 3, the
actuator cylinder 112 of the support plate apparatus 110 includes a
housing member 112a (i.e., a cylinder in this case, although the
invention is not so limited), and an extensible rod or shaft 112b
controllably movable relative to this housing 112a. Since the
actuator 112 is possibly hydraulic or pneumatic, those ordinarily
skilled in the pertinent arts will understand that the rod 112b
carries a piston (not illustrated) which moves within the housing
112a under the influence of pressurized hydraulic fluid or
pressurized air, for example. In FIG. 3 the support plate apparatus
110 is shown in a first or starting position.
[0039] In this starting position of the filling system 100, the
actuator 112 of the support plate apparatus 110 is spacing the
backing plate 114 away from the filling head 120. This spacing
allows the bag container 10, including spout 16 and plug member 18
to be manually placed into the position illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0040] Although it is not seen in FIG. 3, those ordinarily skilled
in the pertinent arts will understand that the pair of jaws 130
generally have confronting arcuate surfaces which may embrace the
tubular body 16a when these jaws are received into the radially
outwardly opening groove 16e. Thus, the spout 16 is placed into
position on the jaws 130 and these jaws are closed (as is seen in
FIG. 4). After the jaws 130 are closed, both the backing plate 114
and the spout member 16 are axially moved into engagement with the
bag 10, as is seen in FIG. 4. That is, the jaws 130 are stationary,
and the filling head 120 is moved to the left (viewing FIG. 3) so
as to engage the end edge surface 16d of the spout member 16 with a
sealing ring 120a carried by the filling head 120. In sequence or
simultaneously, the backing plate 114 is moved rightwardly (viewing
FIG. 4) to engage a boss portion 114a into the bore 18c of the plug
member 18. A flange portion 114b of the backing plate 114 engages
against the plug member 18, as is more fully explained immediately
below.
[0041] Plug member 18 is more particularly illustrated in FIGS. 3
and 4, and is seen to include a hat-shaped body 18a having an end
wall 18b closing a blind cylindrical bore 18c. The bore 18c opens
outwardly on the body 18a at the end thereof opposite to the wall
18b. At this same end of the body 18a, a flange portion 18d extends
radially outwardly on the body. This flange portion 18d is
sealingly attached to the wall 12b at an opening 12e in wall 12b.
The opening 12e is aligned with the bore 18c, and the openings 12d
and 12e are aligned coaxially with one another (although they need
not be the same size) so that the spout member 16 and plug member
18 are aligned with one another.
[0042] Thus, viewing FIG. 4, it is seen that the spout 16 is first
manually placed into contact with the jaws 130 (perhaps also
engaging a pair of more of clamps with the bag 10 to assist in
supporting it, as explained above), and the support plate 114 is
moved by actuator 112 rightwardly (viewing FIG. 4) to a second
position to engage with the plug member 18. In this position of the
support plate relative to the plug member 18, the boss portion 114a
is received into bore 18c, and the flange portion 114b engages the
body 18a. The filling head 120 also advances leftwardly (viewing
FIG. 4) to engage with the spout member. In this depicted position
(viewing FIG. 4), the spout member 16 is held sealingly against the
sealing ring 120a, and the plug member 18 is still in its sealing
position within the spout member 16. Thus, a substantially closed
chamber 120b is cooperatively defined by the filling head 120,
fitting member 16, and plug member 18, viewing FIG. 4.
[0043] On the filling head 120, are seen two steam fittings 122 and
122a. Steam fitting 122 is an inlet fitting through which steam
(indicated by arrow 124) controllably enters the chamber 122b of
filling head 120. The steam outlet fitting 122a allows steam and
condensate (indicated by arrow 124a) to exit the filling head
chamber 120b. Steam flowed through chamber 122b sterilizes the
surfaces of spout 16 and plug member 18. As FIG. 5 indicates, as
this sterilizing steam flow is maintained, the plug member 18 may
be allowed to be pushed out and to withdraw from within the spout
16 as a result of the applied steam pressure. That is, the pressure
of the applied steam flow is utilized to push the plug member 18
out of spout 16, as the support plate apparatus 110 allows support
plate member 114 to controllably withdraw leftwardly, viewing FIG.
5. In view of this controlled withdrawal of the support plate
member 114, it is understood that the support plate apparatus (and
actuator 112 in particular) is not simply a bistable actuator, but
is an actuator capable of controlled movement of the support plate
member 114 between its first position seen in FIG. 3 (and FIG. 9),
and the second position seen in FIG. 4, in FIG. 5, in FIG. 6, in
FIG. 7, and in FIG. 8. In other words, the support plate apparatus
(and actuator 112 in particular) can controllably position and
maintain support plate member 114 in the extreme positions of the
actuator, and in all positions in between these extreme
positions.
[0044] Continuing now with a consideration of FIG. 5, it is seen
that during this withdrawal of the support plate member 114, the
jaws 130 maintain their engagement with the spout member 16, and
the filling head 120 maintains axial force effecting sealing
engagement of the spout member 16 with the sealing ring 120a of
filling head 120.
[0045] After this steam sterilization of the spout 16, fitting 18,
and chamber 120b is complete, a shut off valve plunger 126 of the
filling head 120 is moved from a closed position (seen in FIGS.
3-5) to an opened position seen in FIG. 6. Consequently, a head
portion 126a of the shut off valve plunger 126 moves out of sealing
engagement with a conduit portion 120c of the filling head 120, and
liquid, semi-liquid, or paste-like product flows from a passage
120d of the filling head, past the head portion 126a of the shut
off valve plunger 126, along the passage 16c of spout member 16,
and into the chamber 14 of the bag container 10. This flow is
indicated by arrows in FIG. 6.
[0046] It is to be noted that during the product flow indicated in
FIG. 6, the plug member 18 is maintained on the boss 114a of the
support plate member 114. Particularly, the flow pressure of the
product flowing inwardly along the passage 16c, and impinging on
the plug member 18 insures that this plug member is maintained on
the boss 114a.
[0047] As FIG. 7 illustrates, upon the completion of filling of the
chamber 14 of bag container 10 by product flowed along passage 16c
of the spout 16, the shut off valve plunger 126 is again advanced
to its closed position, so that the sealing ring 126b on head
portion 126a once again sealingly engages the conduit 120c of the
filling head 120. Also, the plug member 18 is again advanced by the
support plate apparatus into the end of the passage 16c adjacent to
the flange 16b. However, as FIG. 7 illustrates, a short time before
the plug member 18 reenters the spout 16, the steam flow 124 is
initiated again. This timed (i.e., sequenced in relation to the
movements of the support plate member 114 toward reclosing the plug
member 18 into the spout 16) steam flow both purges product from
the chamber 120, and cleans the interior of the spout 16 (i.e.,
passage 16c) in preparation for entry of the plug 18. Once the plug
18 is pressed into the passage 16c (viewing FIG. 8) of the spout 16
by the action of the advancing (i.e., moving rightwardly viewing
FIGS. 7 and 8) support plate member 114, the sterilizing steam flow
124/124a is maintained in order to flush any remaining product from
the chamber 120 via the outlet 122a.
[0048] FIG. 9 shows the filled bag container 10 at the completion
of the filling cycle, with the jaws 130 not yet opened, but with
the support plate member 114 withdrawn axially to the left, and
with the filling head 120 withdrawn axially to the right. Next, the
jaws 130 are opened to release the spout member 16 (the pair or
more of clamp members mentioned above will also then be released
from their supporting engagement with the bag 10).
[0049] It will be noted viewing FIGS. 3-9 that the plug member 18
and support plate member 114 are free of any surfaces or features
that would allow the support plate member to exert a pulling force
on the plug member 18. That is, the support plate member 114 can
support and guide the plug member 18, but cannot pull the plug
member 18 out of the spout 16. In this embodiment, a fluid pressure
(i.e., steam pressure, product pressure, or a combination of both)
is utilized to push the plug member 18 out of the spout 16.
Moreover, it will be appreciated that in addition to this pushing
of plug member out of spout member 16 by the use of steam pressure,
shut off valve plunger 126 could be opened earlier in the process
cycle described above. The result would be that product fluid
pressure (either alone or in combination with steam pressure) would
be utilized to push the plug member 18 out of the fitting 16, and
inwardly of the chamber 14. In each case, fluid pressure is
utilized to expel the plug 18 from within the spout 16. The
expelling motion of the plug 18 is controlled by controlled
withdrawal of support plate 114 away from the filling head 120, as
was explained above.
Second Embodiment
[0050] Turning now to FIGS. 10-15 in conjunction with one another a
second embodiment of a flexible bag container and filling system
for use with this bag container is illustrated. Because this second
embodiment of FIGS. 10-15 has many features which are similar or
analogous to those of FIGS. 1-9, features of FIGS. 10-15 which are
the same as or which are analogous in structure or function to
those of FIGS. 1-9 are referenced with the same numeral used above,
but increased by two hundred (200).
[0051] FIG. 10 illustrates the bag container 210 and bag container
filling system 300 in a starting position. The bag filling system
300 again consists of three main components, a support plate
apparatus 310, a filling head 320, and a set of jaws 330. Again, a
pair or more of clamps (not shown in the drawing Figures) may be
employed in order to clamp the adjacent edge of the bag container
210 to support it and the weight of contents added to this bag
container as the container is filled.
[0052] It will be noted that the plug member 218 in this case also
defined an outwardly disposed truncated conical recess 218e.
Further, the head portion 326a and the shut off valve plunger 326
itself both define a passage 326c. Movably received into this
passage 326c is a plunger member 326d having a head portion 326e. A
distal part 326f of this plunger member 326d defines a truncated
conical surface which matches the recess 218e. In other respects,
FIG. 10 illustrates a preparatory step in the filling process for
the flexible bag container 310, and the explanation of FIG. 3 above
is applicable.
[0053] FIG. 11 shows a step in the process of filling the bag
container 310 which is similar to that step illustrated and
described above by reference to FIG. 4, and reference may be had to
that explanation given above.
[0054] However, viewing FIG. 12, a contrast to FIG. 5 above will be
noted. Recalling FIG. 5, it was there shown that the plug member 18
was expelled from the spout by force of steam pressure, with the
support plate member 114 controllably withdrawing leftwardly to
control this expelling of the plug member. In FIG. 12, it is seen
that in the second embodiment, the plunger member 326d moves
axially forward to trap the plug member 218 against the support
plate member 214. In this case, steam pressure in the chamber 320b
need not be relied upon to expel the plug member 218 from within
spout 216, although this steam pressure may, if desired, be used to
assist in expelling the plug member.
[0055] In the second embodiment, as is illustrated in FIGS. 12 and
13 particularly, the plug member 218 is forced out of the spout 216
by advancing the plunger member 326d in synchronization with
retraction leftwardly of the support plate member 314. Thus, the
plug member 218 remains trapped between the opposed support plate
member 314 and the plunger 326d. As is seen in FIG. 13, either
simultaneously with the leftward movement of the plunger member
326d and removal from the spout 216 of the plug 218, or thereafter,
the shutoff plunger 326 is moved rightwardly to open the product
flow path into the chamber 214 of the bag container 210 (product
flow being illustrated by arrows in FIG. 13)
[0056] FIG. 14 illustrates that at the completion of the filling of
product into the flexible bag container 210, the shutoff plunger
326 is moved back to its closed position. The plunger member 326d
on the other hand, moves in synchronization with the rightward
advancing of the support plate member 214 to bring the plug member
218 in close proximity to, but not yet entering, the spout 216. As
was previously explained above, at this point, a purging steam flow
324 is commenced via the steam inlet 322, which flushes product
from the chamber 320 into the chamber 214 of the container 210.
[0057] As FIG. 15 illustrates, further rightward movement of the
support plate member 214 moves the plug member 218 into the spout
216, whereupon, the plunger member 326d withdraws rightwardly back
to its starting position of FIG. 10. At this point, the support
plate member 214 may withdraw further leftwardly, the filling head
320 is withdrawn rightwardly, and the jaws 330 can be opened to
release the filled bag container 310. None of these concluding
steps are shown in the drawing Figures for the second embodiment
because they have been adequately illustrated and described with
respect to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1-9.
Third Embodiment
[0058] Turning now to FIGS. 16-20 in conjunction with one another a
third embodiment of a flexible bag container and filling system for
use with this bag container is illustrated. Because this third
embodiment of FIGS. 16-20 has many features which are similar or
analogous to those of FIGS. 1-9, and to FIGS. 10-15 also, those
features of FIGS. 16-20 which are the same as or which are
analogous in structure or function to those features illustrated
and described above are referenced with the same numeral used
above, but increased by four hundred (400).
[0059] FIG. 16 illustrates a bag container 410 and bag container
filling system 500 in a starting position. The bag filling system
500 again consists of three main components, a support plate
apparatus 510, a filling head 520, and a set of jaws 530. Again, a
pair or more of clamps (not shown in the drawing Figures) may be
employed in order to clamp the adjacent edge of the bag container
410 to support it and the weight of contents added to this bag
container as the container is filled.
[0060] It will be noted that the plug member 418 in this case does
not define a blind bore 18c/218c as did the first and second
embodiments, respectively. The plug member 418 in this embodiment
is inserted into the spout 416 from within the inside of the bag
410, but is not secured to the opposing wall 412b of the bag
container 410. In fact, the opposing wall 412b of the bag container
410 in this embodiment does not and need not have an opening within
an area of sealing attachment of the opposing wall to at flange of
the plug member 18/218, as was the case with the first and second
embodiments. Further, the support plate member 514 includes a
flange portion 514b, but does not have a boss portion (i.e., like
portions 114a and 314a of the first and second embodiments).
[0061] The plug member 418 does define an end surface plane at
418f, disposed within the chamber 414 of the bag 410, and defines
an outwardly disposed truncated conical recess 418e. The recess
418e is seen to be deeper than recess 218e of the second
embodiment. Similarly, the head portion 526a and the shut off valve
plunger 526 itself both define a passage 526c. Movably received
into this passage 526c is a plunger member 526d having a head
portion 526e. A distal part 526f of this plunger member 526d
defines a truncated conical surface which matches the recess 418e.
Thus, the distal part 526f of the plunger 526d and the truncated
conical surface are both larger and deeper than was the case with
the analogous features of the second embodiment.
[0062] In other respects, FIG. 16 illustrates a preparatory step in
the filling process for the flexible bag container 510, and the
explanation of FIGS. 3 and 10 above is applicable.
[0063] FIG. 17 shows a step in the process of filling the bag
container 510 which is similar to that step illustrated and
described above by reference to FIG. 11, and reference may be had
to that explanation given above. However, viewing FIG. 17, a
contrast to FIG. 11 above will be noted. Recalling FIG. 11, it was
there shown that the plug member 218 was expelled from the spout
216 by the plunger member 326d moving axially forward to trap the
plug member 218 against the support plate member 314. In the second
embodiment of FIGS. 10-15, the support plate member 314 included a
boss 314a upon which the plug member was trapped. In order for the
boss 314 to enter the blind bore 218c of the plug member, however,
the opposing wall 212b of the bag 210 defines a hole, and the
flange 218d of the plug member is sealingly attached to the wall
212b around the hole.
[0064] In contrast, the plug member 418 is not attached to the
opposing wall 412b, and this wall has no hole in it. Consistently
with the second embodiment, however, in the third embodiment the
plug member 418 is forced out of the spout 416 by advancing the
plunger member 526d in synchronization with retraction leftwardly
of the support plate member 514. Thus, the plug member 418 remains
trapped between the opposed support plate member 514 and the
plunger 526d. As is seen in FIG. 18, either simultaneously with the
leftward movement of the plunger member 526d and removal from the
spout 416 of the plug 418, or thereafter, the shutoff plunger 526
is moved rightwardly to open the product flow path into the chamber
414 of the bag container 410 (product flow being illustrated by
arrows in FIG. 18).
[0065] FIG. 19 illustrates that at the completion of the filling of
product into the flexible bag container 410, the shutoff plunger
526 is moved back to its closed position. The plunger member 526d
on the other hand, moves in synchronization with the rightward
advancing of the support plate member 514 to bring the plug member
418 in close proximity to, but not yet entering, the spout 416. As
was previously explained above, at this point, a purging steam flow
524 is commenced via the steam inlet 522, which flushes product
from the chamber 520 into the chamber 414 of the container 410.
[0066] As FIG. 20 illustrates, further rightward movement of the
support plate member 514 moves the plug member 418 into the spout
416, whereupon, the plunger member 526e withdraws rightwardly back
to its starting position of FIG. 16. At this point, the support
plate member 514 withdraws further leftwardly, the filling head 520
is withdrawn rightwardly, and the jaws 530 can be opened to release
the filled bag container 410. These steps have been completed in
FIG. 20 (with the exception of opening the jaws 530).
[0067] Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the
present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from the spirit or central attributes thereof. Because
the foregoing description of the present invention discloses only
particularly preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention, it
is to be understood that other variations are recognized as being
within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present
invention is not limited to the particular embodiment which has
been described in detail herein. Rather, reference should be made
to the appended claims to define the scope and content of the
present invention.
* * * * *