U.S. patent application number 10/505225 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-13 for infusion package.
Invention is credited to Bailey, Thomas William, Davis, Paul, Hill, Brian, Seaton, Euan Andrew Henderson, Seaward, David Robert, Whitlock, Peter John.
Application Number | 20050224373 10/505225 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27761099 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050224373 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bailey, Thomas William ; et
al. |
October 13, 2005 |
Infusion package
Abstract
An infusion package, particularly for coffee, has a container
part (12) and a support (14) for the container part. The container
part (12) defines two compartments (36, 38) which contains similar
amounts of coffee. In one form each end portion of the support (14)
has crease lines which facilitate opening of the package for use.
Also disclosed is an apparatus and method for making the
package.
Inventors: |
Bailey, Thomas William;
(Coventry, GB) ; Davis, Paul; (Coventry, GB)
; Seaward, David Robert; (Coventry, GB) ;
Whitlock, Peter John; (Coventry, GB) ; Hill,
Brian; (Coventry, GB) ; Seaton, Euan Andrew
Henderson; (Coventry, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ANTONELLI, TERRY, STOUT & KRAUS, LLP
1300 NORTH SEVENTEENTH STREET
SUITE 1800
ARLINGTON
VA
22209-3873
US
|
Family ID: |
27761099 |
Appl. No.: |
10/505225 |
Filed: |
May 27, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
February 24, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB03/00769 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/219 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 31/12 20130101;
B65D 85/812 20130101; B65B 29/028 20170801; B65D 85/8043 20130101;
B65B 9/093 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/219 |
International
Class: |
B65D 025/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 22, 2002 |
GB |
0204189.5 |
Apr 23, 2002 |
GB |
0209252.6 |
Jul 9, 2002 |
GB |
0215871.5 |
Claims
1. An infusion package comprising a semi-porous open container for
an infusible material and a support for supporting the container
from the rim of a vessel, said support being capable of defining an
opening through which liquid can be poured into the container, said
container comprising opposite side walls and divider means which
divides the container into two compartments such that infusible
material in one compartment is separated from that in the other
compartment by said divider means.
2. An infusion package according to claim 1, wherein the divider
means comprises a gusset formed between the side walls.
3. An infusion package according to claim 2, wherein the gusset is
formed integrally with the side walls.
4. An infusion package according to claim 1, wherein the support
comprises a pair of juxtaposed members which are sealed an opposite
ends.
5. An infusion package according to claim 4, wherein the sealing of
the two members is by means of a heat seal.
6. An infusion package according to claim 4, wherein the upper end
portion of the container is sandwiched between the juxtaposed
members of the support and sealed thereto by a heat seal.
7. An infusion package according to claim 1, wherein the support
means is foldable so that it can lie alongside the container to act
as a closure which closes the open container until it is ready for
use.
8. An infusion package comprising a semi-porous open container for
an infusible material and a support for supporting the container
from the rim of a vessel, said support being capable of defining an
opening through which liquid can be poured into the container, said
support being formed from juxtaposed members which are sealed
together at opposite ends, each sealed end portion having formed
therein a crease about which said members can fold in order to
facilitate opening of said support.
9. An infusion package according to claim 8, wherein each crease
extends axially of the container.
10. An infusion package according to claim 8, wherein the seal at
each end portion of the support is a heat seal.
11. An infusion package according to claim 8 including a plurality
of score lines formed on each of the juxtaposed members in a
central region thereof.
12. An infusion package according to claim 11, wherein the score
lines extend axially of the package.
13. An infusion package according to claim 11, wherein the area
containing the score lines and one member is offset laterally with
respect to the area contained in the score lines on the other
member.
14. An infusion package according to claim 8, wherein the support
means is joined to the semi porous container by a heat seal.
15. A support for an infusion package according to claim 1, said
support comprising two portions foldable about an axis between a
position in which the portions are substantially co-planar and a
position in which they are juxtaposed, said axis containing cuts
including a relatively long central cut and end cuts, the central
cut in each end cut being separated by a relatively short uncut
part which acts as a hinge about which the two portions can be
folded.
16. A support according to claim 15, wherein each portion has a
projection at one end and a recess at the other, the projection on
one portion being at the same end as the recess on the other
portion.
17. A support according to claim 15 wherein the support is formed
from material which is heat sealable.
18. A support according to claim 15 wherein the score lines on a
central part of each portion extend perpendicularly to the
cuts.
19. A support according to claim 15 wherein the score lines on one
portion are offset relative to those on the other.
20. An apparatus for forming an infusion package from a web of
material comprising folding means for folding the web of material
into substantially a W-shape, means for sealing the material at
positions corresponding to edges of the package, one limb of the
W-shape defining a first compartment and the other limb defining a
second compartment, means for cutting the material to form from the
web individual container parts, means for securing a support member
to the upper open, end portion of each container part to form the
infusion package, filling means for filling each infusion package,
and means for maintaining a separation between the two compartments
of the container part at the filling means.
21. Apparatus according to claim 20 including second folding means
for folding each support member to a position in which it closes
the infusion package.
22. Apparatus according to claim 20 including a reel on which the
web of material is wound.
23. Apparatus according to claim 22 including means for feeding the
material from the reel to the folding means.
24. Apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the feeding means
includes tension and/or tracking control means for controlling the
tension in the web of material.
25. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the folding means
comprise means for forming the web of material into substantially a
U-shape and means for forming a gusset into the base of the U-shape
in order to create the W-shape.
26. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the sealing means
comprise heat sealing means.
27. Apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the heat sealing means
include electrically heated jaws which engage opposite sides of the
folded web.
28. Apparatus according to claim 27 wherein the jaws are
pneumatically or cam operated.
29. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the sealing means
comprise crimping means.
30. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the cutting means are
designed to form a generally vertical cut along the sealed portions
of the folded web.
31. Apparatus according to claim 20 including a source of
pre-formed support members disposed downstream of the cutting
means.
32. Apparatus according to claim 20 in which the support members
are formed from a web of material which is fed from a reel.
33. Apparatus according to claim 20 including a walking beam
assembly for advancing the container parts and their accompanying
support member through a support member sealing section.
34. Apparatus according to claim 33 wherein the support member
sealing section comprises one or more sealing stations for heat
sealing each support member to the upper open end of its associated
container part.
35. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the filling means
includes a hopper disposed above the path of each formed infusion
package, said hopper containing material to be delivered to each
container part of each infusion package.
36. Apparatus according to claim 35 wherein the hopper contains
coffee.
37. Apparatus according to claim 35 wherein the mouth of the hopper
includes an auger for delivering a predetermined quantity of
material to each package.
38. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein separation maintaining
means comprise an elongate beam which is straddled by said
compartments.
39. Apparatus according to claim 38 wherein the beam extends from a
position close to said cutting means along the path of the
container parts to said filling means in order to maintain
separated the two compartments defined by the W-shape of each
container part.
40. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the separation
maintaining means comprise a finger locatable between said two
compartments at the filling means.
41. Apparatus according claim 40 wherein the finger is disposed
beneath the filling means and is movable upwardly to locate between
said compartments.
42. Apparatus according to claim 41 wherein the finger is
pneumatically or cam actuated.
43. Apparatus according to claim 20 including a sachet forming
portion disposed downstream of the support member folding
section.
44. A method of forming an infusion package from a web of material
comprising folding the web of material into substantially a
W-shape, sealing the folded web at positions corresponding to edge
portions of a container part of the package, cutting the web along
the sealed portions to form individual container parts, attaching a
support to each container portion, and filling the two compartments
defined by the W-shape of each container part whilst holding apart
said compartments to ensure equal distribution of the filled
material into each compartment.
45. An apparatus for forming an infusion package from a web
material comprising folding means for folding the web of material
into substantially a W-shape, means for sealing the material of
each limb of the W-shape at positions corresponding to the edges of
a container part of the package so that one limb of the W-shape
defines a first compartment and the other limb defines a second
compartment, means for cutting the material to form from the web
individual container parts, means for securing a support member to
the upper end portion of each container part to form an infusion
package and means for filling each infusion package, wherein said
sealing means includes a heated blade so disposed that said limbs
of the W pass on either side thereof, and a pair of oppositely
disposed sealing jaws actuable to press the edge portions of each
compartment against the heated blade to effect heat sealing
thereof.
46. An apparatus for forming an infusion package from a web of
material comprising: folding means for folding a web of material to
define limbs which are to form the walls for a container part of
the package, sealing means for sealing the limbs at positions
corresponding to the edge of the container, means for cutting the
material to form from the web individual container parts, means for
securing a support member to the upper open end portion of each
container part to form the infusion package and means for filling
each infusion package, wherein the means for securing the support
member includes an elongate heated member disposed so that an upper
part of said limbs can pass one of each side thereof and a pair of
opposite disposed sealing jaws actuable to press the upper part of
each limb against a juxtaposed part of a support member to effect
heat sealing therebetween.
47. A method of forming an infusion package comprising folded a web
of material into substantially a W-shape, passing the limbs of the
W-shape on either side of a heated plate, pressing the material of
each limb at positions corresponding to each portions of a
compartment of a container part of the infusion package against the
heated plate to effect sealing thereof, cutting the web along the
sealed portions to form individual container parts, attaching a
support to each container part and filling the compartments of the
container part.
48. A method of attaching a support element to the upper open part
of a container portion of an infusion package comprising providing
a support element comprising oppositely disposed support members,
locating the support members on either side of said upper container
portion part, passing the support members with said upper container
portion parts one on either side of a heated member and pressing
each support and upper container portion part against the heating
member to effect heat sealing between each support member and the
container part.
49. An apparatus for forming an infusion package from a web of
material comprising: folding means for folding a web of material to
define limbs which are to form the wails for a container part of
the package, sealing means for sealing the limbs at positions
corresponding to the edge of the container, means for cutting the
material to form from the web individual container parts, means for
securing a support member to the upper open end portion of each
container part to form the infusion package and means for filling
each infusion package, wherein said apparatus includes means for
forming a crease or creases in the support element.
50. A method of attaching a support element to the upper open part
of a container portion of an infusion package comprising providing
a support element comprising oppositely disposed support members,
locating the support members on either side of said upper container
portion part, passing the support members with said upper container
portion parts one on either side of a heated member, pressing each
support and upper container portion part against the heating member
to effect heat sealing between each support member and the
container part, and forming a crease or creases in said support
element.
Description
[0001] This invention relations to infusion packages and
particularly, but not exclusively to infusion packages for coffee,
and also to their formation.
[0002] Conventional infusion packages for tea or coffee comprise a
porous walled container into which has been charged the coffee or
tea. In use such containers are immersed in hot liquid such as
water. It is known to suspend an open container such as a bag in
the liquid and this has been achieved using a hanging string. In
other arrangements a filter bag is provided with holding members
which enable the filter to be support from the rim of a container
for the hot liquid. One such arrangement is described in
EP-A-0463181, but this arrangement can be difficult to use and
manufacture. An infusion package which is simpler to manufacture is
described in WO 01/51383, but it has been found particularly with
coffee that such an arrangement does not produce a satisfactory
flavour in an acceptable time.
[0003] According to a first aspect of the present invention there
is provided an infusion package comprising a semi-porous open
container for an infusible material and a support for supporting
the container from the rim of a vessel, said support being capable
of defining an opening through which liquid can be poured into the
container, said container comprising opposite side walls and
divider means which divides the container into two compartments
such that infusible material in one compartment is separated from
that in the other compartment by said divider means.
[0004] The divider means may comprise a gusset formed between the
side walls. The gusset may be formed integrally with the side
walls.
[0005] The support may comprise a pair of juxtaposed members which
are sealed at opposite ends. The sealing of the two members may be
by means of a heat seal.
[0006] The upper end portion of the container may be sandwiched
between the juxtaposed members of the support and sealed thereto by
a heat seal. The support means may be foldable so that it can lie
alongside the container to act as a closure which closes the open
container until it is ready for use.
[0007] According to a second aspect of the present invention there
is provided an infusion package comprising a semi-porous open
container for an infusible material and a support for supporting
the container from the rim of a vessel, said support being capable
of defining an opening through which liquid can be poured into the
container, said support being formed from juxtaposed members which
are sealed together at opposite ends, each sealed end portion
having formed therein a crease about which said members can fold in
order to facilitate opening of said support.
[0008] Each crease may extend axially of the container. The seal at
each said portion of the support may be a heat seal.
[0009] A plurality of score lines may be formed on each of the
juxtaposed members is a central region thereof. The score lines may
extend axially of the package.
[0010] The area containing the score lines on a member may be
offset laterally relative to the area containing the score lines on
the offset member.
[0011] The support means may be joined to the semi porous container
by a heat seal.
[0012] According to a third aspect of the present invention there
is provided an apparatus for forming an infusion package from a web
of material comprising folding means for folding the web of
material into substantially a W-shape, means for sealing the
material at positions corresponding to edges of the package, one
limb of the W-shape defining a first compartment and the other limb
defining a second compartment, means for cutting the material to
form from the web individual container parts, means for securing a
support member to the upper open end portion of each container part
to form the infusion package, filling means for filling each
infusion package, and means for maintaining a separation between
two compartments of the container part at the filling means.
[0013] The apparatus may include second folding means for folding
each support member to a position in which it closes the infusion
package.
[0014] The apparatus may include a reel on which the web of
material is wound. The apparatus may include means for feeding the
material from the reel to the folding means. The feeding means may
include tension and/or tracking control means for controlling the
tension in the web of material.
[0015] The folding means may comprise means for forming the web of
material into substantially a U-shape and means for forming a
gusset into the base of the U-shape in order to create the
W-shape.
[0016] The sealing means may comprise heat sealing means. The heat
sealing means may include electrically heated jaws which engage
opposite sides of the folded web. The jaws may be pneumatically
operated. Alternatively the seal may be formed by crimping.
[0017] The cutting means may be designed to form a generally
vertical cut along the sealed portions of the folded web.
[0018] The apparatus may include a source of pre-formed support
members disposed downstream of the cutting means. Alternatively the
support members may be formed from a web of material which is fed
from a reel.
[0019] The apparatus may include a walking beam assembly for
advancing the container parts and their accompanying support member
through a support member sealing section. The support member
sealing section may comprise one or more sealing stations for heat
sealing each support member to the upper open end of its associated
container part.
[0020] The filling means may include a hopper disposed above the
path of each formed infusion package, said hopper containing
material to be delivered to each container part of each infusion
package. The hopper may contain coffee.
[0021] The mouth of the hopper may include an auger for delivering
a predetermined quantity of material to each package.
[0022] The separation maintaining means may comprise an elongate
beam which is straddled by said compartments. The beam may extend
from a position close to said cutting means along the path of the
container parts to said filling means in order to maintain
separated the two compartments defined by the W-shape of each
container part. Alternatively the separation maintaining means may
comprise a finger locatable between said two compartments at the
filling means. The finger may be disposed beneath the filling means
and be movable upwardly to locate between said compartments. The
finger can pneumatically or cam actuated.
[0023] The apparatus may include a sachet forming portion disposed
downstream of the support member folding section.
[0024] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there
is provided a support for an infusion package according to any
preceding claim, said support comprising two portions foldable
about an axis between a position in which the portions are
substantially co-planar and a position in which they are
juxtaposed, said axis containing cuts including a relatively long
central cut and end cuts, the central cut and each end cut being
separated by a relatively short uncut part which acts as a hinge
about which the two portions can be folded.
[0025] According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is
provided an apparatus for forming an infusion package from a web
material comprising folding means for folding the web of material
into substantially a W-shape, means for sealing the material of
each limb of the W-shape at positions corresponding to the edges of
a container part of the package so that one limb of the W-shape
defines a first compartment and the other limb defines a second
compartment, means for cutting the material to form from the web
individual container parts, means for securing a support member to
the upper end portion of each container part to form an infusion
package and means for filling each infusion package, wherein said
sealing means includes a heated blade so disposed that said limbs
of the W pass on either side thereof, and a pair of oppositely
disposed sealing jaws actuable to press the edge portions of each
compartment against the heated blade to effect heat sealing
thereof.
[0026] According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is
provided an apparatus for forming an infusion package from a web of
material comprising: folding means for folding a web of material to
define limbs which are to form the walls for a container part of
the package, sealing means for sealing the limbs at positions
corresponding to the edge of the container, means for cutting the
material to form from the web individual container parts, means for
securing a support member to the upper open end portion of each
container part to form the infusion package and means for filling
each infusion package, wherein the means for securing the support
member includes an elongate heated member disposed so that an upper
part of said limbs can pass one of each side thereof and a pair of
opposite disposed sealing jaws actuable to press the upper part of
each limb against a juxtaposed part of a support member to effect
heat sealing therebetween.
[0027] According to a seventh aspect of the invention there is
provided a method of forming an infusion package comprising folding
a web of material into substantially a W-shape, passing the limbs
of the W-shape on either side of a heated plate, pressing the
material of each limb at positions corresponding to each portions
of a compartment of a container part of the infusion package
against the heated plate to effect sealing thereof, cutting the web
along the sealed portions to form individual container parts,
attaching a support to each container part and filling the
compartments of the container part.
[0028] According to an eighth aspect of the invention there is
provided a method of attaching a support element to the upper open
part of a container portion of an infusion package comprising
providing a support element comprising oppositely disposed support
members, locating the support members on either side of said upper
container portion part, passing the support members with said upper
container portion parts one on either side of a heated member and
pressing each support and upper container portion part against the
heating member to effect heat sealing between each support member
and the container part.
[0029] The invention will be described now by way of example only
with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. In the
drawings:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an infusion package for
coffee according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the infusion
package;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the infusion package in
use;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating how the container
is divided into two compartments;
[0034] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of
an infusion package;
[0035] FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the infusion package of
FIG. 5 in use;
[0036] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a support element;
[0037] FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of an apparatus for
forming a package of the type shown in FIGS. 1 to 7;
[0038] FIG. 9 is a simplified schematic view illustrating the
operations carried out by the apparatus of FIG. 8;
[0039] FIG. 9a is a schematic illustration of a sealing jaw;
[0040] FIG. 10 is a simplified perspective view illustrating the
operations of the apparatus of FIG. 8;
[0041] FIG. 11 is another simplified perspective view illustrating
one embodiment of a compartment separation maintaining means,
and
[0042] FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing a modified
embodiment.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawings an infusion
package (10) comprises a container (12) and a support (14) for the
container. The support comprises two support members (14) by means
of which the container can be mounted on a rim of a drinking vessel
such as a mug or cup (15) as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings.
[0044] The support elements can each comprise of a strip of
plastics coated board which are disposed opposite one another. Each
support member is notched at one of its ends (16) to define a
projection (18). The projection (18) lies in the plane of the
support member and projects in the lengthwise direction of the
member perpendicular to the ends (16).
[0045] At the end of the support members opposite the ends (16)
there is a recess (22). The recesses (22) are aligned with and
correspond in shape to the respective projections (18).
[0046] The support members are sealed to one another and to the
container (12). These seals can be heat seals. The arrangement of
the support members is such that the end (16) of one member is
disposed opposite the end (20) of the other member so that the
respective projections project in opposite directions. Each support
member has a series of score lines (24) disposed between the ends
(16) and extending perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the
member and parallel to the end (16, 20). The score lines enable the
support members to be moved from a closed position (FIG. 2) to an
open position as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings.
[0047] The container is in the form of an open ended sack or bag
(12). The bag is formed from a web of porous heat sealable material
which is folded to produce a cross section which is generally
W-shaped as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the central part of the W
forming a deep gusset. The long sides (30) of the W are sealed to
each other by edge seals (32) which extend from the upper to the
lower end of the bag. The lower corners are rounded as shown at
(35) in order to minimise drippage of liquid from the bag.
[0048] It will be seen from FIG. 2 of the drawings that the central
gusset (34) forms a divider means which divides the bag or
container into two compartments (36, 38). Coffee in each of these
compartments is separated by the central gusset. It has been found
that this type of arrangement creates a coffee drink of enhanced
flavour in an acceptable time. It will be appreciated that a
minimum infusion time is achieved when each compartment has
substantially equal amounts of coffee therein.
[0049] The upper open end of the bag (12) is sandwiched between the
support members (14). The external surfaces of the bag at the open
end are secured to the opposed inwardly facing surface of the
support members in such a manner that the bag can be left open at
the upper end as shown in FIG. 3. The support members are sealed to
one another at their ends (16, 20) by heat seals which extend
parallel to the score lines (24).
[0050] It will be appreciated that the support member (14) can be
folded over so that it is disposed alongside the upper end of the
bag (12). This has the advantage that the size of any sachet
containing the infusion package is reduced and the open end of the
bag is effectively closed so that the coffee will not spill out in
transit.
[0051] In use the bag is removed from a sachet in which it has been
stored and the support members are folded upwardly to bring the
infusion package into the condition shown in FIG. 1. A compressive
force is applied to the opposite ends of the support member causing
the members to bow outwardly in the region of the score lines (24).
As shown in FIG. 3 the result is that the support members adopt a
generally oval configuration allowing the projections (18) to sit
on the rim of a drinking vessel (15). In addition the bowing of the
support members opens the upper end of the bag and provides as
opening through which water can be poured onto the coffee contained
in the two compartments (36, 38) of the bag.
[0052] It will also be appreciated that the design allows the bag
to be supported from the rim of the vessel so that the coffee
containing portion sits in the liquid in the vessel once the water
has been poured into the bag.
[0053] The support members (14) can be formed by the method
described in WO 01/51383, but their formation is not in any way
restricted to this method.
[0054] Another embodiment of the infusion package is shown in FIGS.
5 to 7. Elements common to the first embodiment are shown by the
same reference numerals.
[0055] In this embodiment in the vicinity of the heat sealed end
portion each support member has a crease (25) formed therein. The
crease extends perpendicularly to the long dimension of each
support member. Each support member has on its internal surface a
series of score lines (24) disposed between the ends (16) and
extending perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the member
and parallel to the end (16, 20). The creases (25) facilitate the
movement of the support members from a closed position (FIG. 5) to
an open position as shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings. The score
lines results in an eye shaped opening in the open condition.
[0056] The support members can be produced essentially as a single
flat element as shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings. The two members
are foldable about an axis (28) to the position in FIG. 1. The axis
is principally a cut line but the portions defining the two members
are joined at relatively short sections 29. It will be seen that
these are spaced inwardly a short distance from the end of each
member so that there is a relatively long central cut line (26) and
two short end cut lines (27). This design facilitates folding of
the support member to a juxtaposed condition.
[0057] In use of the second embodiment the bag is removed from a
sachet in which it has been stored and the support members are
folded upwardly to bring the infusion package into the condition
shown in FIG. 5. A compressive force is applied to the opposite
ends of the support member causing the members to bow outwardly in
the region of the score lines (24). This movement is facilitated by
the crease (25). As shown in FIG. 6 the result is that the support
members adopt a generally eye shaped configuration allowing the
projections (18) to sit on the rim of a drinking vessel (15). In
addition the bowing of the support members opens the upper end of
the bag and provides as opening through which water can be poured
onto the coffee contained in the two compartments (36, 38) of the
bag.
[0058] It will also be appreciated that the design allows the bag
to be supported from the rim of the vessel so that the coffee
containing portion sits in the liquid in the vessel once the water
has been poured into the bag.
[0059] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7 the side edges (32) of the
bag are parallel. It will be appreciated that this is not essential
and they could for example taper towards the bottom edge.
[0060] Referring to FIGS. 8 to 12 apparatus for forming an infusion
package of the type described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7
comprises a housing 90. In the housing 90 there is a reel 100 on
which is wound a web of material for forming the container part 12
of the infusion package. This material may comprise any suitable
porous heat sealable material used for forming infusion packets.
The reel is carried on a cantilevered shaft 102 mounted on the
housing 90. The web of material is fed from the reel 100 along a
path 101, which can include a pivoted guide roller assembly, and a
spring loaded dancing arm 103 to a forming section 108. The guide
roller assembly allows fine adjustment of the web during operation.
The dancing arm 103 controls web tension and can govern material
unwind through a pneumatic brake.
[0061] The forming section 108 includes a fixed plate type flow
former 104 which converts the flat web into a U-shape. A fixed
blade 106 then creates in the U-shape the gusset 34 which has been
described above with reference to FIG. 2 of the drawings. The
arrangement is such that one downwardly depending portion of the
W-shape, which defines one compartment of the container part, lies
on one side of the blade and the other compartment lies on the
other side of the blade. Guide bars are used to control the
vertical alignment of the web.
[0062] The folded material is then fed into a sealing section 110.
In this section two sealing operations are carried out by means of
electrically heated movable jaws which are positioned on opposite
sides of the folded web of material. A heated fixed-plate 112 is
located centrally in the sealing section and the limbs of the
W-shape locate so that they straddle the plate 112. At a first
sealing position the sealing jaws create a seal profile of the form
shown at 114 in FIG. 6 and at a second sealing position another set
of sealing jaws create the profile 115. Each movable jaw operates
such that it nips the web between it and the fixed plate 112 in
order to form the seal profile 114 in each limb of the W-shape. A
similar operation creates the seal profile 115. The seals are
carried out in such a way as to retain the position of the gusset
formed in the forming section. It will be appreciated that the use
of a heated blade provides relatively rapid heat sealing.
[0063] The sealing jaws can be operated pneumatically or by way of
cams to provide the necessary sealing force. After the sealing
section the web is fed into a cutting section 118 which is designed
to form a cut along the line 120 through each previously formed
sealed portion so that the seal formed in the sealing section forms
the trailing edge of one container part and the leading edge of the
next container part. At this stage the long edges of each
compartment defined by the W-shape are not sealed to each other so
that the bag part defined by the seals has a saddle like
configuration.
[0064] The cutting section is shown at 118 in FIG. 8 of the
drawings. The cutting section operates to cut a single container
part from the leading edge of the web, that cut line being central
to the vertical seal as just explained. The profile of the cut
effected by the cutting section is shown at 120 in FIG. 9 of the
drawings.
[0065] The cutting section 118 includes an anvil and knife which
are loaded together pneumatically, or via cams, in order to provide
the necessary cutting force. The leading container part (122) is
separated from the web in a subsequent operation by advancing that
container part a greater distance than the web.
[0066] Immediately before the cutting station and disposed below
the path of the container parts there is provided a mechanism (124)
(FIG. 11) for moving apart the two compartments of each container
part. This mechanism comprises a pair of juxtaposed plates 125
which can be moved upwardly to locate in the gusset between the two
compartments of each container part. The plates are expandable
laterally to move apart those compartments to ensure that as the
container part is advanced the container parts locate one on each
side of and straddle the forward part 126 of an elongate beam
127.
[0067] Up until this point in the machine the web of material has
been advanced along its linear path by means of a web advance
gripper which draws the material off the reel up until its position
in the cutting station. The web is arranged to be advanced 90mm
during each machine cycle. The web advance gripper includes a
pneumatically or cam actuated clamp mounted on a linear slide which
grips the web. The clamp and slide are driven by a cam actuated
lever (125a). After each advance stroke the clamp is designed to
release the web and the gripper and slider are returned to their
start position. Whilst the web is not being indexed forward the web
is held in position by a clamp.
[0068] The next process carried out by the apparatus is to apply
support elements or tags 14 to the just formed container part. The
machine includes a magazine 130 in which are loaded a plurality of
pre cut blanks of the type shown in FIG. 7 each of which is to form
a support element. This magazine typically has a capacity for 600
blanks. As can be seen the magazine is disposed vertically and the
lowest blank is supported by a lip at the bottom end of the
magazine. Suction cups operate to draw the lowest blank vertically
from the stack so that the lip then supports the next blank in the
stack. These suction cups are actuated pneumatically and position a
blank just above the top of a container portion. Each blank is
located by means of side guides and supported on its base. The
blank is then released above the container part and driven forward
with the container part by drive pins on a walking beam assembly
shown generally at 132. The blanks are folded from their flat
condition into a V-shape by means of a folding shoe. An initial
fold is made over a central support to an included angle of
approximately 50.degree.. The shoe holds the fold in this position
until at a support element sealing section yet to be described
completes the folding operation. The folding shoe is driven
pneumatically or via cams.
[0069] Each container part and its associated, partly folded, tag
or support element 14 is then moved through a sealing section 135
which comprises a series of four sealing stations by means of a
walking beam assembly. In the arrangement shown in the drawings
each container part and its associated tag undergo four sealing
operations. These sealing operations are designed to seal the tag
to the upper open end of the container part. To this end the
sealing section 135 includes four sets of electrically heated jaws
spaced longitudinally therealong on both sides of the tag. The
sealing jaws are actuated pneumatically or via cams to provide the
necessary sealing force. The walking beam assembly is designed to
advance the container parts and tags from the bag cutting section
to a filling station and during each machine cycle the containers
parts with their tags are advanced approximately 130 millimetres.
Beams provide a system for gripping and releasing the bags. A cam
driven lever provides the forward and return motion to the
beam.
[0070] The sealing positions are shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 of the
drawings at 140, 141, 142 and 143. In sealing station 140, sealing
occurs along area 150, in sealing station 141 sealing occurs at
areas 151, and at station 142 creases 25 are formed. In the sealing
stations 140, 141 and 142 the compartments of each container part
are held apart by a relatively deep part 128 of the beam 127. In
the sealing station 143 the beam 127 has a relatively shallow part
129. This is to enable the upright edges of each compartment to be
sealed together at 152 except at the part where the beam part 129
passes therethrough. After being sealed at position 143 the tag is
securely sealed to its container part to form an infusion
package.
[0071] Downstream of the tag sealing section is a filling section
145. The filling section includes a hopper 146 disposed above the
path of the infusion packages. The mouth of the hopper includes a
servo driven auger which is arranged to deliver an accurate amount
of coffee which is stored in the hopper 146 to each infusion
package as it passes below the mouth of the hopper. At the filling
station each package is opened by means of pneumatically or cam
actuated suction cups in order to allow coffee to enter through the
mouth of the package. The two compartments defined by the W section
of the container part 12 are still disposed on opposite sides of
the beam part 129 at this stage and hence coffee delivered from the
hopper 146 enters both of these compartments substantially in equal
quantities. The compartment separating means which in this
embodiment is the beam part 129 plays an important function in
ensuring that the two compartments receive equal quantities of
coffee.
[0072] Sensors can be provided to check that each infusion package
is correctly positioned and open and the compartments of the
container part can be opened by means of an air blast prior to the
coffee being dispensed therein. The apparatus can include a
vibrator for vibrating the package in order to prevent coffee
bridging in the container part.
[0073] After filling each infusion package is closed and the bag is
transferred from the filling station on the walking beam assembly
to a reject station 160. The reject station 160 is designed to
provide for automatic rejection of the packages if they do not meet
certain criteria.
[0074] The next stage in the apparatus is a tag or support element
folding section shown at 170. In this section as shown in FIG. 9 of
the drawings each tag or support element is folded over so that is
lies alongside its associated container part the fold line
occurring in the container part material. This act of folding the
tag over securely closes the infusion package and maintains the
coffee in the container part during transit. A plough can be used
to fold the tag towards the inside of the apparatus and guides
support the tag and container part as it is transferred to the next
section.
[0075] The final section of the apparatus is a sachet forming
section 180 which is designed to enclose each filled infusion
package in a sealed sachet. The apparatus includes a reel 200 on
which a web of material for forming the sachet is wound. Material
is fed from the reel 200 along a path 201 past a spring loaded
dancing arm 202 to the sachet forming section 180. A sachet advance
gripper draws material from the reel 200 up to a sachet seal and
cut module 204 which carries out the operation shown at 205 and 206
in FIG. 9. The material is sealed vertically and then the sachets
are then cut by forming a cut in the leading edge of the web that
cut line being central to the formed vertical sachet seal.
[0076] The heated blade (112) of the sealing section (110)
comprises two side by side electrically conductive blade parts
which are separated by electrically insulating material. Electrical
current can be supplied to the blade parts via leads (210) shown in
FIG. 12. The blade end portion (112a) is relatively thick whilst
the blade end portion (112b) is relatively thin and therefore
becomes hotter because of its higher resistance. The blade (112) is
made of high resistance material such as titanium.
[0077] The sealing section 135 also includes a centrally located
heated blade (220). The support elements after being dispensed from
hopper (130) are folded so that they straddle this blade (220) The
blade comprises a first part (221) which is formed from phosphor
bronze and a second part (222) which is formed from titanium. The
transversely movable sealing jaws of the sealing stations in the
sealing section (135) press the folded support element against the
blade (220) with the upper part of a container being sandwiched
between the blade (220) and the support element. Heat from the
blade head seals the support element to the container upper or
mouth part.
[0078] Heat sealing from the inside in this manner is an efficient
and effective way of carrying out this operation.
[0079] The station shown at (225) in FIG. 12 includes creasing jaws
which have cooperating grooves and ridges. These jaws are actuable
to engage opposite sides of the support element (14) in order to
form the creases (25) described above with reference to FIGS. 5 to
7. Forming the creases (25) at this stage in the process rather
than in the preformed blank ensures that the creases are accurately
aligned.
[0080] As described the support elements or tags 14 are formed from
pre cut blanks stored in a magazine 130. It is possible to also
form the tags from a continuous web of material fed from a reel
such as that shown at 210.
[0081] Also as described the compartment separating means at the
filling station comprises a beam part 129. Alternative arrangements
are possible. For example a finger could be provided below the
filling station 145, the finger being actuable to locate between
the two compartments of each container part to hold apart those
compartments. The finger can be movable upwardly to its operative
position by pneumatic or cam actuating means.
* * * * *