Patent ID: 6931824
Filing Date: 2005-08-23
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
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.