Bag transporting and filling apparatus

An apparatus for transporting and liquid filling of a bag utilizing an existing liquid filler mechanism. The apparatus includes a support for the bag, a track for guiding the bag, and a shuttle for urging the bag to the conveyor of the existing liquid filler mechanism. The support, track, and shuttle are positioned at an angle to the conveyor platform of the existing liquid filler mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many potable liquids, such as wine, juice, dairy products, and the like are packaged in a flexible pouch or container. In many cases, such packaging utilizes a bag-in-box method where the pouch or bag is seated inside a box, which may be a corrugate fiberboard box. Automated filling systems are used to create a bag-in-box packaging where webbed bag are fed into such filling systems. Webbed bags generally have perforations between each of the bags. The automated filling systems separate the bags automatically and fill the same with a particular liquid.

Reference is made to a high production automatic web fed filler system identified as the “Torr Model 145B”. Such filler utilized a web of perforated bags with the cap of each bag in a trailing position. The bags are filled automatically while still on the web and sent down an outfeed conveyor in this process. The filled bag is then automatically placed into a box to complete the packaging.

The processing of liquids such as wine, syrups, milk products, and the like are often packaged in a bag of a particular construction, identified as a “standup” bag. Standup bags are generally less flexible and incompatible with the bag fillers used to process bag-in-box bags. Consequently, different fillers must be used to process bags associated with bag-in-box packaging and standup bags. Thus, a need exists for an apparatus which is capable of processing bag-in-box bags, as well as standup bags in a common apparatus.

In the past, manipulating of flexible bags by liquid filling the same in a conveyor mechanism have been devised. For example, China Patent 1165452C describes the processing of a double bag by the use of an endless conveyor.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,055,032 describes the formation of flexible bags on a web and the securing of a tap to the bags to allow filling of the same.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,233 shows an apparatus for a conveyor that supports filled flexible bags from one location to another on a continuous basis utilizing a conveyor system.

German Patent DE19929529 describes a transport mechanism in which left and right transport feeds deliver items to a longitudinal central conveyor.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,931,824 describes a method of filling a flexible pouch and delivering the pouches to an end feed conveyor in a predetermined orientation. The pouches are then sealed, cooled, and checked for integrity.

There is a need for providing an apparatus for the transporting and liquid filling of bags of a particular configuration utilizing the body of an established bag-in-box filling mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present application, an apparatus for transporting a bag for filling, utilizing an existing liquid filler mechanism, having a liquid delivery device for an incompatible bag, is herein provided.

The apparatus of the present application employs a support having a surface for slidingly engaging the bag. A track lies adjacent the support for the bag and includes a slot for guiding the bag fitment along the track as well as guiding the bag body along the support. The support and track are oriented in a dimension that is angularly disposed to the dimension of the immobilized conveyor platform of an existing liquid filler mechanism. The support and track are supported to the existing liquid filler mechanism such that the conveyor dimension of the existing liquid filler mechanism orients along a first dimension while the support track for the bag is oriented along a second dimension. In essence, the support and track may constitute a “side feed” relative to the conveyor platform of the existing liquid filler mechanism. The bags being fed to the support and track of such “side feed” may be manually or automatically accomplished.

The bags exiting the slot of the track are then directed to a shuttle. The shuttle includes an element for engaging the bag filament and urging the filament and connected bag body to a position above the conveyor platform of the existing liquid filler mechanism and against an edge deflector, which is lowered to the conveyor platform. The movement of such conveyor platform has been interrupted. Needless to say, the conveyor platform's first dimension is used as a reference for the movement of the bag sliding along the support and moving through the track, which is oriented in the second dimension. The shuttle element is alternately positioned from contact with the filament of the bag to a location apart from the fitment of the bag, in order to accommodate the handling of successive bags. Once the bag has been moved to the conveyor platform, the edge deflector is retracted

A plate overlies the conveyor platform and comprises a surface for holding at least a portion of the bag urged to a position above the conveyor platform by the shuttle. An active pusher of the liquid delivery device of the existing liquid filler mechanism urges the bag to an active liquid dispenser of the same device. Once positioned on the plate, a motivator advances the plate to the active liquid dispenser of the existing liquid filler mechanism where the bag is filled with a particular liquid. The motivator further repositions to force the liquid filled bag from the conveyor platform. Consequently, the motivator also causes the plate to then retreat in order to receive a successive bag which has been urged onto a position above the conveyor platform by the shuttle.

The motivator, shuttle, and edge deflectors are operated by air cylinders which are activated by sensors that detect the position of the bag along its route from the bag support to the liquid dispenser of the existing liquid filler mechanism. A bin may be employed to lie adjacent the liquid deliver device of the existing liquid filler mechanism in order to gather liquid filled bags.

It may be apparent that a novel and useful apparatus for transporting a bag for liquid filling with the liquid deliver device of an existing liquid filler mechanism, has been hereinabove described.

It is therefore an object of the present application to provide an apparatus for filling and transporting a bag in conjunction with an existing liquid filler mechanism, which employs the existing liquid filler mechanism, stationary conveyor platform, and the liquid delivery device of the liquid filler mechanism.

Another object of the present application is to provide an apparatus for filling and transporting a bag utilizing an existing liquid filler mechanism that feeds the bag to the stationary conveyor platform of the existing liquid filler mechanism at an angle relative to the conveyor platform, constituting a side feed arrangement.

Another object of the present application is to provide an apparatus for filling and transporting a bag in conjunction with an existing liquid filler mechanism that is able to fill the bag with liquid utilizing the liquid delivery device of the existing liquid filler mechanism, even though the bag being filled has an incompatible characteristic with the bags normally processed by the existing liquid filler mechanism.

Another object of the present application is to provide an apparatus for filling and transporting a bag in conjunction with an existing liquid filler mechanism that obviates the need for providing multiple liquid filler mechanisms that are independent of one another.

Another object of the present application is to provide an apparatus for filling and transporting a bag in conjunction with an existing liquid filler mechanism that is economical in use.

Yet another object of the present application is to provide an apparatus for filling and transporting a bag in conjunction with an existing liquid filler mechanism where the apparatus is easily connected to the existing liquid filler mechanism for support therefrom.

The application possesses other objects and advantages especially as concerns particular characteristics and features thereof, which will become apparent as the specification continues.

For a better understanding of the application, reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be referenced to the prior described drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Various aspects of the present application will evolve from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be taken in conjunction with the prior referenced drawings.

With reference toFIG.1, it may be observed that an apparatus10for transporting and filling flexible bags12is depicted schematically. Flexible bags12are typically constructed of plastic material and have a body15defining an inner chamber14and a fitment17which is employed to fill liquid contents associated with bag12. For example, bag12may hold juice, syrup, wine, dairy products, and the like. Apparatus10is connected to and operates with a known or existing conventional liquid filler mechanism16, such as one identified as the “Torr Model 145B” manufactured and distributed by Torr Industries, Inc. of Redding, CA. Liquid filler mechanism16is normally used to package bag-in-box containers. However, liquid filler mechanism16is not able to process other types of flexible bags, such as bags known as “standup bags”. The use of apparatus10permits the processing of bag-in-box packaging as well as standup bags, as will be described hereinafter. Again, viewingFIG.1, it may be seen that apparatus10includes a feeder mechanism18which deposits flexible bags12on a conveyor surface20of liquid filler mechanism16. Conveyor20has been disabled and merely serves as a stationary support or a platform. On the other hand, the liquid delivery device of liquid filler mechanism16is active and used in conjunction with apparatus10. Feeder mechanism18is angularly disposed relative to conveyor or platform20, a “side feed arrangement”. The details of the interaction between apparatus10and liquid filler mechanism16will be detailed as the specification continues.

Looking atFIG.2, it may be observed that the connection of apparatus10to liquid filler mechanism16is partially depicted and shows a support24which has a surface26for slidingly contacting a bag, such as bag12, being fed into apparatus10,FIGS.1and2. Support24is held to structural elements of liquid filler mechanism16in any conventional manner and is shown, in part, as being connected by angle iron28to surface30and to a U-shaped beam32by plate34. Of course, other structural beams may be employed to connect apparatus10to liquid filler mechanism16as long as the support24of feeder mechanism18allows a bag, such as bag12, to pass to conveyor surface20of liquid filler mechanism16. It should also be noted that rods36and38are shown onFIG.2and are used to further support bag, such as bag12, in its movement to conveyor surface20.

FIGS.3and4illustrate the track40, which is a portion of feeder mechanism18. Track40is formed of parts41and43which are individually supported by existing liquid filler mechanism16through guides45and47, as well as hangars49and51. Again, other suitable supports may be used to connect track40to existing liquid filler mechanism16. Track40is provided with an entry lip42and a formed slot44. Slot44is capable of engaging the fitment of a bag17connected to bag body15.FIG.3illustrates slot44holding fitments46and48of bags50and52. The fitment54of bag55is about to enter slot44. It should be noted that bags12,50,52, and55are stacked upon each other and are manually fed into slot44of track40, the bodies of which lie atop support24and rods36and38,FIG.2, and beneath track40. Directional arrow57,FIG.3, indicates the movement of bags12,50,52, and55relative to track40.

A shuttle56moves bags from track40to conveyor surface20. Shuttle56is shown inFIG.5and includes air cylinder58and air cylinder60. Air cylinder58may be of the type identified by 20BX100S while air cylinder60may be of the type identified by 16BX75S. Air cylinders58and60may originate from Automation Direct of Atlanta, Georgia. Shuttle56also includes element62having an end surface64for contacting fitments of bags being fed along track40. Fitment17of bag12is illustrated inFIG.5as being in contact with end surface64of element62. Air cylinder58moves element62according to directional arrow66, in a generally horizontal direction, while air cylinder60moves element62according to directional arrow68, in a generally vertical direction. Plate70is employed to fasten shuttle56to existing liquid filler mechanism16for support. Sensors72and74of air cylinder60are employed to control the movement of air cylinder60according to directional arrow68. Likewise, sensors76and78are employed to control the movement of air cylinder58according to directional arrow66.

FIG.6depicts the travel of element62with respect to exemplar fitment17and are sequentially labeled (A)-(D) onFIG.6. Initially, element62lies in position (A) until exemplar fitment17moves into the vicinity of shuttle56. Once sensors72and74detect fitment17, element62is lowered into position (B) to engage fitment17, the body15of bag12being connected thereto. Such lowering of element62is actuated by air cylinder60and is indicated by directional arrow80. When element62and end surface64engage fitment17, fitment17is moved horizontally according to directional arrow82to a position above the conveyor surface20, indicated by rendition (C). At this point, element62is lifted vertically according to directional arrow84into position (D) by air cylinder60. Air cylinder58then moves element62back to position (A), according to directional arrow86, to begin the cycle again and in order to engage the succeeding fitment shown as fitment46of bag44onFIG.3. Again, the movement of any of the bags shown inFIG.3may be done manually or by automation in order to assume a position for contacting element62of shuttle56.

ViewingFIG.7, bag12is shown as being moved to a position directly above conveyor platform20. At this juncture, an edge deflector88is lowered to conveyor platform20to prevent bag12from traveling beyond conveyor platform20. Edge deflector88includes an air cylinder90which may be identified as a Model 12BX125S, available from Automation Direct of Atlanta, Georgia. In addition, a sensor92, which may be identified as a Model 4MMT-Slot, aids in the movement of edge deflector88to a position adjacent bag12on conveyor platform20. Directional arrow94indicates the movement of edge deflector88relative to conveyor platform20.

Turning toFIG.8, it may be observed that bag12has been positioned relative to conveyor platform20to lie at least partially atop a plate96, which sits above conveyor platform20. Bag20is then able to be advanced along conveyor platform20by a pusher98, which is an active portion of liquid delivery device22found in liquid filler mechanism16, the movement of which will be discussed as the specification continues.

Looking atFIGS.9and10, it may be observed that bag12is shown as lying over conveyor platform20and against edge deflector88with at least a portion of the same positioned atop plate96, which itself is movable by a motivator in the form of a linked air cylinder100,FIG.8. Bag12is illustrated with fitment17shown in greater detail and with chamber14defined by body15.

FIG.11A-Dshows the sequential movement of bag12relative to conveyor platform20to effect the filling process.FIG.11shows active pusher98of liquid deliver device22contacting fitment17of bag12to move fitment17along plate96, which has been positioned along conveyor platform20by motivator100to lie beneath bag liquid dispenser102, which is also an active portion of existing liquid delivery device22. Directional arrow104illustrates the movement of plate96relative to conveyor platform20.FIG.11Bshows the movement of bag12to a position directly beneath bag liquid dispenser102. Directional arrow106illustrates the movement of pusher98to and from the vicinity of bag liquid dispenser102.FIG.11Cshows the filling of chamber14of bag12by bag liquid dispenser102while bag12lies atop plate96. Directional arrow108depicts the retreat of plate96from filled bag12andFIG.11Dshows the position of plate96after its retreat from bag12.FIG.11Dalso shows the position of plate96where it contacts with filled bag12. Directional arrow111depicts filled bag12being moved or nudged away from conveyor20over an end bar110by the force exerted by plate96. Directional arrow112shows the falling of bag12into a bin114for storage.

Turning toFIG.12, a block diagram illustrates the overall processing of a flexible bag, such as bag12, that is schematically shown inFIG.1. Following the path revealed byFIG.1, bag12is loaded onto track40such that fitment17lies in slot44. The body15of bag12then lies on top of support24and rods36and38. Shuttle element62, in turn, engages the fitment17of bag12and urges bag12to a position over conveyor platform20and, at least partially, atop plate26. Edge deflector88is then lowered to conveyor platform20to . . . further position bag12. Shuttle26and edge deflector88are retracted. Pusher98then moves bag along plate96to bag liquid dispenser102. Filled bag12is then nudged or forced into bin14using plate96. Plate86is then retracted to an area between edge deflector88and shuttle26for the transporting of a subsequent bag, shown as bag50onFIG.1.

In essence, apparatus10permits the filling of incompatible bags and obviates the need for the provision of separate bag fillers to achieve this result.

While in the foregoing, embodiments of the application have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the application, it may be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the spirit and principles of the application.