초록 ▼

A method of filling a flexible pouch having a base and sidewalls extending from the base to define a mouth. The method comprising the steps of delivering the pouches an infeed conveyor to a predetermined orientation and transporting the pouches in a controlled manner toward a filler station, and tra

A method of filling a flexible pouch having a base and sidewalls extending from the base to define a mouth. The method comprising the steps of delivering the pouches an infeed conveyor to a predetermined orientation and transporting the pouches in a controlled manner toward a filler station, and transferring the pouches from the infeed conveyor to a transport conveyor in which the pouch is gripped adjacent to the mouth so as to be suspended from the transport conveyor. Opening the mouth of the pouch to permit filling at the filling station passing the pouches through the filler station, closing the mouth and sealing the mouth prior to release from the transport conveyor.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of filling a flexible pouch having a base and sidewalls extending from said base to define a mouth, said method comprising delivering said pouches to an infeed conveyor in a predetermined orientation, transporting said pouches in a controlled manner by said infeed conveyor toward a fille

1. A method of filling a flexible pouch having a base and sidewalls extending from said base to define a mouth, said method comprising delivering said pouches to an infeed conveyor in a predetermined orientation, transporting said pouches in a controlled manner by said infeed conveyor toward a filler station, transferring said pouches from said infeed conveyor to a transport conveyor in which said pouch is gripped adjacent to said mouth so as to be suspended from said transport conveyor, opening said mouth of said pouch to permit filling at said filling station, passing said pouches through said filler station, closing said mouth and sealing said mouth prior to release from said transport conveyor;wherein movement of said transport conveyor is continuous, wherein a discharge conveyor receives pouches from a pouch maker and delivers said pouches to said infeed conveyor, wherein said pouches are aligned on said discharge conveyor in a preferred orientation, and wherein said pouches are received in containers on said discharge conveyor and biased to said preferred orientation. 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein a vision system detects misalignment of said pouches on said discharge conveyor and a robotic arm adjusts said pouch to said preferred orientation.3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said pouches are transferred from said discharge conveyor to said infeed conveyor by a robotic device.4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said discharge conveyor includes a collection zone at which pouches accumulate and said robotic device transfers pouches from said collection zone to said infeed conveyor.5. A method according to claim 3 wherein said robotic device is adjustable relative to said discharge conveyor in the direction of movement of said discharge conveyor.6. A method according to claim 5 wherein said robotic device is adjustable transversely to the direction of movement of said discharge conveyor.7. A method according to claim 3 wherein a pair of discharge conveyors supply pouches to said infeed conveyor and said robotic device selects pouches from either of said discharge conveyors on an intermittent basis.8. A method according to claim 7 wherein each of said discharge conveyors includes a collection zone to accumulate pouches for selection by said robotic device.9. A method according to claim 8 including monitoring the pouches at said collection zone and determining which of said zones is to have pouches selected by said robotic device.10. A method according to claim 9 wherein monitoring is performed by a vision system.11. A method of filling a flexible pouch having a base and sidewalls extending from said base to define a mouth, said method comprising delivering said pouches to an infeed conveyor in a predetermined orientation, transporting said pouches in a controlled manner by said infeed conveyor toward a filler station, transferring said pouches from said infeed conveyor to a transport conveyor in which said pouch is gripped adjacent to said mouth so as to be suspended from said transport conveyor, opening said mouth of said pouch to permit filling at said filling station, passing said pouches through said filler station, closing said mouth and sealing said mouth prior to release from said transport conveyor;wherein movement of said transport conveyor is continuous, wherein a discharge conveyor receives pouches from a pouch maker and delivers said pouches to said infeed conveyor, wherein said pouches are transferred from said discharge conveyor to said infeed conveyor by a robotic device, and wherein said robotic device deposits said pouches in buckets carried by said infeed conveyor. 12. A method according to claim 11 wherein said buckets bias said pouches to said predetermined orientation.13. A method of filling a flexible pouch having a base and sidewalls extending from said base to define a mouth, said method comprising delivering said pouches to an infeed conveyor in a predetermined orientation, transporting said pouches in a controlled manner by said infeed conveyor toward a filler station, transferring said pouches from said infeed conveyor to a transport conveyor in which said pouch is gripped adjacent to said mouth so as to be suspended from said transport conveyor, opening said mouth of said pouch to permit filling at said filling station, passing said pouches through said filler station, closing said mouth and sealing said mouth prior to release from said transport conveyor;wherein movement of said transport conveyor is continuous, wherein a discharge conveyor receives pouches from a pouch maker and delivers said pouches to said infeed conveyor, wherein said pouches are transferred from said discharge conveyor to said infeed conveyor by a robotic device, and wherein said pouches are arranged on said discharge conveyor in pairs side by side with said mouths oppositely directed and said robotic device rotates at least one of said pouches during transfer to said infeed conveyor to direct said mouths in the same direction. 14. A method according to claim 13 wherein said pouches are supported generally horizontally on said discharge conveyor and said robotic device staggers pairs of pouches in a vertical direction during transfer to said infeed conveyor to facilitate rotation thereof.15. A method of filling a flexible pouch having a base and sidewalls extending from said base to define a mouth, said method comprising delivering said pouches to an infeed conveyor in a predetermined orientation, transporting said pouches in a controlled manner by said infeed conveyor toward a filler station, transferring said pouches from said infeed conveyor to a transport conveyor in which said pouch is gripped adjacent to said mouth so as to be suspended from said transport conveyor, opening said mouth of said pouch to permit filling at said filling station, passing said pouches through said filler station, closing said mouth and sealing said mouth prior to release from said transport conveyor, wherein movement of said transport conveyor is continuous, and including moving said pouches from a horizontal disposition on said infeed conveyor to a vertical disposition for engagement by said transport conveyor.16. A method according to claim 15 including the step of rotating said pouch about a generally horizontal axis and elevating said pouch into a position for engagement by said transport conveyor.17. A pouch filling system for filling a flexible pouch having a base and sidewalls extending from said base to define a mouth, said system including an infeed conveyor having a plurality of containers to maintain said pouches in a predetermined orientation of said infeed conveyor, a filler station to dispense contents into said pouch, a transport conveyor to move said pouch through said filler station, said transport conveyor including a plurality of retainers moveable with said conveyor to grip said pouch adjacent to said mouth so as to be suspended therefrom, and a sealer unit to seal said mouth after said contents are dispensed by said filler whilst gripped by said retainers, where said transport conveyor includes a drive to move said pouches in a continuous manner through said filler, further comprising a discharge conveyor to carry pouches from a pouch maker to said infeed conveyor, and further comprising a plurality of containers on said discharge conveyor, each of said containers receiving a pouch and biasing said pouch to said preferred orientation.18. A system according to claim 17 wherein said containers have an inclined base to bias said pouches to a preferred position.19. A system according to claim 17 wherein said discharge conveyor has pairs of containers arranged side by side and said containers bias said pouches to abut a common partition.20. A system according to claim 17 including a robotic device to transfer said pouches from said discharge conveyor to said infeed conveyor.21. A system according to claim 20 wherein said robotic device has a plurality of heads to transfer corresponding plurality of pouches from said discharge conveyor to said infeed conveyor.22. A system according to claim 21 wherein said robotic device is adjustable relative to said discharge conveyor in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of said pouches and said discharge conveyor.23. A system according to claim 21 wherein said robotic device is adjustable relative to said discharge conveyor in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of said pouches on said discharge conveyor.24. A system according to claim 21 wherein selected ones of said heads is operable to rotate said pouch during movement between said discharge conveyor and said infeed conveyor.25. A system according to claim 24 wherein said heads are relatively adjustable in a vertical direction to facilitate rotation of said pouches.26. A system according to claim 20 including a pair of discharge conveyors, said robotic device being operable to select pouches intermittently from either of said discharge conveyors.27. A system according to claim 26 wherein each of said conveyors includes a collection zone to accumulate pouches.28. A system according to claim 27 wherein said collection zones are located at a position to be accessible by said robotic device.29. A pouch filling system for filling a flexible pouch having a base and sidewalls extending from said base to define a mouth, said system including an infeed conveyor having a plurality of containers to maintain said pouches in a predetermined orientation of said infeed conveyor, a filler station to dispense contents into said pouch, a transport conveyor to move said pouch through said filler station, said transport conveyor including a plurality of retainers moveable with said conveyor to grip said pouch adjacent to said mouth so as to be suspended therefrom, and a sealer unit to seal said mouth after said contents are dispensed by said filler whilst gripped by said retainers, wherein said infeed conveyor includes a plurality of lift arms to elevate said pouches from said containers on said infeed conveyor to said retainers on said transport conveyor.30. A system according to claim 29 wherein said lift arms rotate said pouches from a generally horizontal position to a generally vertical position.31. A system according to claim 30 wherein said lift arms are extendable to elevate said pouches relative to said retainers.