Patent ID: 6725888
Filing Date: 2004-04-27
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
Method of filling and degassing a pouch contained in a cartridge, comprising the steps of:(a) providing a cartridge containing a pouch to be filled and degassed; (b) providing a fluid injection unit having a fluid injection member, a support member for holding said cartridge, means for determining said weight of said pouch to be filled, and means for pivoting said cartridge from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position; (c) mounting said cartridge containing said pouch to be filled onto said support member of said fluid injection unit in a substantially horizontal position so that fluid injection member is inserted into said pouch to be filled; (d) pivoting said cartridge from said substantially horizontal position to said substantially vertical position thereby repositioning said pouch to be filled in a substantially vertical position; (e) determining the weight of said pouch to be filled prior to injection of a fluid; (f) pivoting said cartridge to be filled from said substantially vertical position to said substantially horizontal position thereby repositioning said pouch to be filled in a substantially horizontal position; (g) introducing said fluid into said pouch to be filled to a level that exceeds a predetermined level forming an at least partially filled pouch; (h) pivoting said cartridge containing said at least a partially filled pouch from said substantially horizontal position to said substantially vertical position; (i) determining the weight of said at least partially filled pouch containing said fluid; (j) evacuating excess fluid and entrapped air contained in said at least partially filled pouch; and, (k) pivoting said cartridge containing said at least partially filled pouch from said substantially vertical position to said substantially horizontal position.