Patent ID: 6675557
Filing Date: 2004-01-13
Classification: B29C,B31D,B65B

Abstract:
An apparatus for dispensing fluid into pre-formed, flexible containers and enclosing the fluid within the containers, comprising:a. a web of film comprising a series of pre-formed flexible containers, each of said pre-formed containers being capable of holding therein a quantity of fluid and having an opening for receiving such fluid, said film web comprising a film having a pair of longitudinal side edges and a longitudinal fold to form a longitudinally-folded film web having two juxtaposed film plies with said side edges being positioned adjacent to one another, said folded film web comprising: (1) a closed longitudinal edge formed by said longitudinal fold; (2) an open longitudinal edge positioned opposite and substantially parallel to said closed longitudinal edge, said open longitudinal edge formed from said adjacently-positioned longitudinal side edges; and (3) a series of transverse heat seals extending from said closed longitudinal edge and bonding said juxtaposed film plies together such that said folded film web is segregated into said series of pre-formed flexible containers with said open longitudinal edge providing said openings into said containers for receiving fluid, wherein said transverse heat seals each have a first end and a second end, said first end located at said closed longitudinal edge and said second end terminating a predetermined distance from said open longitudinal edge; b. a mechanism that conveys said film web along a path of travel; c. a dispenser through which fluid may flow in predetermined amounts, said dispenser being positioned adjacent the travel path of said film web such that said dispenser is capable of dispensing fluid into said pre-formed containers via said openings therein, wherein (1) said dispenser has a discharge nozzle through which fluid exits said dispenser; and (2) said discharge nozzle is positioned within said folded film web between said open longitudinal edge and said second end of said transverse heat seals; and d. a device for sealing closed said opening in each of said pre-formed containers to partially enclose fluid held within said containers, said sealing device being adapted to form a longitudinal heat seal that bonds said juxtaposed film plies together and is positioned between said open longitudinal edge and said second end of said transverse heat seals, thereby forming a gap between said longitudinal heat seal and said second end of said transverse heat seals.