Patent ID: 8413409
Filing Date: 2013-04-09
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
1. A pouch handling apparatus for separating a flexible pouch from a chain of flexible pouches, and filling the flexible pouch, the apparatus comprising: a presentation means for presenting at least one chain of flexible pouches into a feeder mechanism through which said chain of pouches passes, said flexible pouches being interlinked via their spouts, the feeder mechanism including a ratchet arm movable in a first direction wherein the ratchet arm will pivot away from the pouches passing by the chain of interlinked pouches without engaging them, and movable in a second opposite direction in which the ratchet arm engages with the chain of interlinked pouches and moves them into the feeder mechanism, a means operable to engage with a spout of an end pouch of said interlinked chain, and to convey said end pouch from the feeder mechanism towards a filling position, a means to pull, via the interlinked spouts, a remainder of the pouches towards the feeder mechanism; a means of separating a flexible pouch from an end of the chain of interlinked pouches; a means of filling a flexible pouch via the spout thereof in the filling position; a means of closing the spout; and a means of releasing the pouch from the pouch handling apparatus.