1 3 ~
The present invention relates to strip
material for use in the manufacture of small
containers.
This Application is a division of Canadian
Paten-t Application, S.N. 5~2,3~7, filed July 17,
1987.
There is also disclosed herein an apparatus
and me-thod adapted to form, fill and seal a plas-tic
container. ~}liS method and apparatus has par-ticular
application for the forming, filling and sealing of
small con-tainers such as creamers and/or conAiments
where the container is preferably sized for a single
serving.
Apparatus for forming, filling and sealing
of creamers are known and have a number of advantages
over the pre-fol~med creamer containers which are
subsequently used in a ~illing and sealiny machine.
The container forming operation su:itable for the
forming of plastic containers is normally
accomplished b~ heating of a flat substr~te in
preparation for an extruding or shaping step. This
heating opera-tion acts to partially disinfect or
sterilize what will become the interior o the
container. Form fill seal machines are also
advantageous in that the supply stock, namely, flat
plastic disks, sheeting, strip material of plastic or
Eoil paper laminate and the like are easily stored.
The main advantage wi-th a form, fill and seal machine
is the reduced overall production cost :Eor the seal
machine is the reduced overall production cost for
the operator as the container is formed in the
filling apparatus and is made from relatively low
cost material which may or may no-t be pre-cut by a
diecutting operation. In most cases, the forming
material is pre-printed and little additional
labelling is required.
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The packaging of creamers has been
qenerally conEined -to small frusto conical containers
which have a flat lid of a paper foil laminate heat
sealed -the~eto. The volume of the container is quite
small and the normal practice is -to fill the con-
tainer with 3/~ to 5/8 of an ounce of pro~uct.
Numerous approaches have been -taken with respect to
filling oE these containers, as generally -the fillin~
step determines the maximum ou-tput of -the machine.
In known filling machines, preformed open top con-
tainers are moved along a prede-termined path past a
filling operatlon and subsequen-tly advanced through a
heat sealing operation where a suitable lid is
aligned with an~ heat sealed to the container. In
some cases, the apparatus will have a conveyor driven
intermittently, with various stations along the
length of the conveyor which operate when the con-
veyor is stationary; or in other cases, the con-
tainers are continuously advanced and the various
operations are carried out as the containers are
advanced. In designing machines oE ei-ther type
described above, high output is difficult due to the
time required for filling and sealing of the con-
-tainers. The conventional containers are relatively
shallow, and product splash can contaminate the
generally flat flange area at the open top of the
containers which is used for heat sealing the lid
material to the container. Typically, the paper foil
laminate has a thermally ac-tivated adhesive film on
the lower surface to effect a seal between the lid
and the container flange.
According to the present invention, a form,
fill and se~l appara-tus and method are possible,
suitable for the packaging of cream as well as other
liquid like products including condiments. The
apparatus and method allow the forminq, filling and
sealing of a container made from a previously diecut
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formable strip material such as plas-tic or foil.
This method and appara-tus in most cases reduces the
unit cost to the operator, such as a dairy, for
filling of a container as the need ror previously
formed containers is eliminated. A unique container
is also disclosed which can be filled at a faster
rate due to its generally closed configura-tion and is
of a particular shape to render -the container more
stable in a free-s-tanding disposition.
In accordance wi-th the invention -there is
provided strip material for use in thermoforming
containers comprising a series of inter~connected
paired container blanks symmetrically disposed, and
made of a thin plastic -thermoformable material, each
container blank being connected to adjacent container
blanks of the series at connection segments forming
an extension of the blanks i.n the length o~ the strip
material which connecting segmen-ts are to be severed
to separate the blanks, each container blan]c having a
curved body portion generally of a semi-circular
shape smoo-thly merging with an elongate throat
portion tapering extending to one of the connecting
segments, said curved body por-tion opposite said
throat portion including at an edge -thereof a fur-ther
connecting segment, each container blank being
oriented to be the mirror image of blanks immediately
either si~e thereoE such that the orientation of the
blanks continuously alternates in the length of the
strip material and said throat por-t:ions extend in the
length of the strip.
The strip material is employed in the
manufacture of a disposab]e container which is
shallow and includes support surfaces :Eor supporting
the container in a f.ree-standing disposition with the
container having a low profile due to the shallow
depth of the con-l-ainer. The container is shaped to
lirnit the extent:. of inadvertent -tipping oE the
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container ~n~ to provide an inherent bias urgin~ the
con-tainer to return to the ~ree-s-tanding disposition.
The throat of -the container is positioned ~o take
advantage of this inheren-t bias and reduce the
likelihood of spilled product if the contalner is
inadver-tently tipped.
Such a disposable container suitable for
retaining liquids and the like comprises two opposed
container sections r formed from the s-trip material,
each having a peripheral ring like Elange about a
recess with the flanyes being sealed therebetween.
The recesses in the con-tainer halves defines a common
central cavity of the container and the flanges
include a throat which opens into -the cavity through
which product within -the cavity can be dispensed.
The throat is at least partially defined by the
opposed flanges. Each container section is of a
similar thermoformable plastic material and the
sections collectively define the cavity.
The strip of packaging material of the
invention, used in the form.ing of the container may
suitably have diecut side edges and includes con-
tainer body sections each having a neck portion which
serves to join container body sections. The strip is
suitably of a thermoformable sheet material which, on
one side, may include an adhesive, preferably a
thermally activated adhesive, appropriately placed
for eventual sealing of opposed container sections.
The strip o:E the shape described above is
passed along predetermined path past a number of
stations to produce a strip of thermoformed plastic
container sections joined in series, with each
container section having a flat generally planar
peripheral flange area surrounding the upper edge of
a generally upwardly opening cen-tral cavity. The
flange is in-terrupted by a sunken neck portion which
connects with the neck portion of an adjacent con-
:~ 3 ~
tainer. Each flange incl~ldes means on the uppersurface thereoE used to eventually join opposed
container sections.
A plastic container oF fixed shape may be
formed by intermi-t-tently advancing, along predeter-
mined paths, two s-trips of plastic thermoformable
ma-terial through separa-te thermoforming operations.
These thermoforming operations shape each strip to
form the strip material of the inven-tion having a
series of container sec-tions with each half container
section having a recess -therein generally surrounded
b~ a similarly sized flange and including a neck
area, with the neck area accessing -the recess. The
flange is used as a sealing surface for joining o~
the container sections in forming a finished con-
tainer. Following the thermoforming operation, the
strips are aligned in an opposed manner to create a
series of containers, with each container being
defined by a pair of container sections with said
respec-tive neck areas aligned to define a narrow
throat for filling of the container. The
WH-6691-1 ~46~HJ0081F
aligned strips are then sealed about the containers by applying
sufficient heat to sai~ flanges while maintaining the narrow
throat open. All this preferably occurs as the strips are helû
stationary during a dwell time between aavances of the strip.
The containers are retained in a predetermined position within
the conveyor and are subsequently cut From the strlp in
preparation for the filling operation. The containers are then
appropriately filled through the throat of each container and
after completion, the throat is sealed and tne containers are
released and removed frorn the Conveyor for bul~c packaging.
A packaging machine for the forming? filling and
sealing of a container comprises two forming conveyors, each
advancing thermoformable plastic strip material through
separate forming operations, means for bringing tne output of
the forming operations intD appropriate registration; container
sealing means for sealing said container sections to provi~e a
generally sealed container with a throat through which pro~uct
"
can be introduced; a further conveyor for receiving the sealea
strip of containers, said further conveyor engaging each
container and a~vancing the same through cu~ting, fill
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WH-6691A-1 0382H/0051F
sealing stations associated witll said further conveyor for
first cutting said containers from said strips, orienting said
containers, filling said containers and sealing said filled
containers; and means associated with said further conveyor for
discharging said sealed filled containers.
~RIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~IE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in
the drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a partial side elevation showing the
packaging machine;
Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of the strip
material;
Figure 3 is a partial perspective view showing the
strip material after it has been shaped;
Figure 4 is a partial perspective view showing the
registration of opposed container halves;
Figure 5 is a partial perspective view showing the
strip material after the first sealing operation and after the
cutting operation;
Figure 6 shows the containers positioned for filling;
Figure 7 shows the containers after they have been
subjected to a heat sealing operation after the filling step;
Figure ~ is a cross-section through a conveyor plate
and the forming station;
WH-6691A-1 0382H~0051f
Figure 9 is a view sirnilar to Figure 8 with the
forming station in a position clear of the strip;
Figure 10 is a sectional view through the first heat
sealing station;
Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 10 with the pad
of the heat sealing station in contact with the strip material;
Figure 12 is a partial perspective view showing the
conveyor plates used in the forming of the strip material;
; Figure 13 is a sectional view showing movement of the
~;;.~,
final conveyor plates to a filling orientation;
Figure 14 is a top view showing a rnechanism for
retaining the containers in the final conveyor;
Figure 15 is an elevation showing the sealing of the
filled containers;
Figure 16 is an end view of a filled container; and
FiguIe 17 is a front view of the filled container.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE_PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The packaging machine 2 shapes previously diecut flat
strip material generally shown as 4 by passing the same through
Forming stations 6. The forming stations heat the strip
material after it has been registered in a conveyor and
therefore physically urge the material into the conveyor plate
and create the first formed container strip 8 and the second
formed container strip 10. These formed container strips,
after passing through trle:ir separate forming stations 6, are
WH-6691A-1 0382H/0051F
brought into opposed alignment as generally indicated at point
12 immediately upstream of the flange sealing station 14 and
are so maintained by thE.~ conveyor plate~ Each of the formlng
stations 6 have their own conveyor 16 comprising linked plates
having recesses therein for recei,ving in a registered manner
the flat strip material 4. The recesses also define the final
shape of the container sections and are used in the forming
thereof. T,he aligned strips, at point 12, are both engaged by
the conveyor 16 of the second forming station and are advanced
together by the conveyor. Both conveyors are of the
intermittent movement type and the various operations,
particularly the forming, are carried out while the conveyor is
stationary.
The conveyor plates are shown in section in figures 8
and 9 and the strip is advanced with the conveyor as the formed
container se~tiDns are nested therein. The cavity o~ the
plates are similar to those of the final conveyor, shown in
figure 12 and, additionally, may be recessed to engage
connecting portions 52 of the strip material to assist in
registrati.on. Flange sealing station 14 operates on four
containers disposed in series and seals the container sections
generally about the periphery by thermally activating an
adhesive between opposed flanges. The preferred hot melt
adhesive is activated by applying heat to the upper flange as
the containers are held stationary at the sealing station.
Care must be exercised as the activation temperature of the hot
melt adhesive is normally
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WH-6691A-1 0382H/0051F
only about 30F to 50F below the softening point of the
thermoformable materia~. Too much heat will cause adhesion of
the flange to the heating members and the flange would not
fulfill its intended function essentially as an inert separator
between the heating member and the hot melt adhesive. Styrene,
a suitable paci<aging material generally softens or starts to
become active at about 300F and therefore the rate of heat
transfer to the flanges is important to avoid the flanges
reaching a temperature resulting in adhesion of the flanges to
the heads~ These heads are preferably coated with a Teflon or
like material to reduce adhesion problems.
The partially sealed containers are then advanced
across a transition zone gene~ally designated as 21 downstream
of the flange sealing station 14 and upstream of the final
oonveyor 26.
The final conveyor 26 has Totatable platPs to cause
the containers to rotate for the filling and final sealing
ope~ations. The first station associated with the final
conveyor is the slitting station 1~ which includes
reciprocating slitters 20. During the conveyor d~ell time, the
slitters cut the containers fro~ the strip material and thus
allow the containers during the next advancement of the
conveyor to rotate as gene~ally shown at position 27 Once the
containers are rotated, product is filled through a throat-like
opening while the containers are stationary at the fil~ing
station 22. After the fi ling station, the throat sealing
*Tra~e-Mark
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WH-6691A-1 0382H/0051F
station 24 closes the container, whereafter the containers are
finally discharged for bulk packaging at 28. The dlscharged
containers from the final conveyor 26 are suitably collected at
collection point 30. An automatic bulk packaging arrangment
can be used in conjunction with and controlled by the packaging
machine 2.
Figures 2 through 7 illustrate the various steps
completed to transform the container strip material 4 into the
separate containers shown as 68. The flat strip material 4 is
made up of a number of container blanks 40, having a suitable
non-toxic, food safe adhesive at least about the periphery of
the container blank. This adhesive is preferably previously
printed or otherwise applied, on the strip of packaging
material and thus the strip material 4 used by the filling
machine has been previously coated with the adhesive. It
should also be noted that the adhesive need not be restricted
to peripheral areas and in some cases can entirely cover one
~ . "
surface of the container blank. Note that the strip material 4
comprises a series of paired container blanks symmetrically
disposed with the pair of container blanks being interconnected
to adjacent pairs by connecting portions 46. Neck connecting
portion 48 serves to join container blanks of a pair. Notches
49 are associated with khe neck portion and have been
previously formed by die cutting and are used to assist in
opening the filled and sealed container. The notches ~9 in the
finished container are prel`erably about 3/8 of an inch from the
sealing ~ 11 -
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~IlH-6691A-l 0~2H/OOSlF
end of the throat (sealed bead 72 in Figure 7). The outer
periphery of the flat strip material 4 is also die cut and is
used to cooperate with -the conveyor plates to assure proper
registration of the container blanks in the conveyor plates,
particularly of the forming conveyors. The die cut periphery
is generally shown as 44.
In figure 3 the container blànks 40 have undergone the
forming operation resulting in individual container sections 50
each having a perhipheral flan9e 52 extending laterally
therefrom with the adhesive 42 on this peripheral flange.
Container section 50 has an open container section cavity 54
and a container section inlet 56 opening into the container
section cavity 54. A flat panel 58 defines the lo~er portion
of the container section cavity and will provide a support
surface or area for the finished container 68. Sidewall ~0
extends upwardly from the panel 58 oF a container section 5û
-. and Joins the panel with the peripheral flange 52. The inlet
56 is generally positioned at the upper edge of the container
section sidewall 60.
The formed strip of container sections are brought
into registration with an opposed formed strip of container
sections as illustrated in figure 4. Each container section ls
in an opposed Facing relationship with a like container section
to cooperate therewith and eventually define the strip of
joined containers 61. The opposed connecting portions 46 of
the strip mater~al are secured and each container section is
secured to
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WH-6691A-1 0382H/0051F
an opposed container section by means of the adhesive 42 on the
peripheral flanges 52. The opposed container section inlet 56
now define a throat 62 which is in cnmmunication with the
cavity of the open container generally shown as 59 in
figure 5. The throat 62 is in a sidewall of the container 59
intermediate and spaced from panels 58.
The open containers 59 have been cut one from the
other by the cutting station and are shown oriented for filling
in figure 6. The throat 62 is oriented to allow filling of the
__
open containers 59 through the throat mouth 63 which is in
direct fluid flow communication with the container cavity. The
containers are maintained in their vertical orientation after
filling to effect sealing of the containers to produce the
sealed containers 68 shown in figure 7. These seal2d
containers each have a melted bead 72 which extends across the
throat and serves to assist the adhesive in maintaining the
throat closed. Note that the thr~at has been partially
collapsed by the sealing operation and the seal of the throat
area is somewhat more dif~icult. By melting the edges o~ the
opposed container sections in this area, -the possibility of
release of the adhesive and leakage o~ the product is reduced.
As shown in the cut-away portion of one of the filled
and sealed containers 68, a liquid portion 70 is retained
within the container cavity and when the container is in
position as shown in figure 7, this product kends to accumulate
in the lower portion of the container. rhus when the container
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WH-66~1~-l 0382H/0051F
is open the likelihoo~ of spillage of the product is reduced.
The flat strip material 4 can be pre-printed such that the flat
panels 58 act as labelling surfaces and include a pre-printed
label thereon. The thermoforming operation will not
significantly affect the print on this location as it is merely
being displaced within the cavity and most extrusion of the
strip material occurs in the sidewall 6û.
These panel portions 58 act as support surfaces for
the container whether open or closed and when supported on one
of these surFaces the throat extends laterally from th~
container cavity and is at a raised position relative to the
support surface. In this position any residual product in an
open container is maintained within the container cavity to the
extent that the product is below the level of the throat mouth
63. Thus panels surfaces 58 are used to support the container
in one of two free-standing dispositions. In this free-
standing disposition as generally shown in figure 5, the
container due to its inherent shape and shallow depth is not
prone to tipping and even if inadvertently tipped, g~avity
serves to create a bias which will force the container back to
the free-standing disposition. The parhipheral Flanges 52 also
cooperate with the panels 58 to act as a stop surface limiting
the extent of the inadvertent tipping of the container due to
the -~lange coming into Contact with the support surface. Thus
the eontainer has an inherent bias urging it to one of two
free-standing dispositions and in ei-ther clisposition the throat
3 p
W~-6691A-1 û382H/0051F
is a raised point relative to the support surface. The
peripheral flange as it extends about the container limits the
angle through which the container can be tipped and gravity
acting on the container forces the con-tainer to return to the
free~standing disposition. The shallow profile o~ the
container is also less prone to being accidentally tipped by
the user.
The formed containers are elongated and of shallow
depth with the depth of the cavity being less than one-third of
~,' ,r
the maximum width. The c:avity volume in the case of creamers
is preferable about 5/8 ounces and the filled quantity of
creamers is normally about 1/2 ounce or less. The panels 58,
which each act as a support surface and a la~elling surface,
could be modified and the entire panel 58 need not be part of
the support surface. For example, support feet could be formed
in the container about the periphery of the panel 58 which
collectively define a support surface similar to 58 in that the
container would continue to have the inherent bias to assume
the free~standing disposition on a planar surface.
The container is less prone to tipping, and even if
inadvertently tipped returns to the free-standing disposition.
The container if tipped may not result in the spilling of
product, as the throat may not be displaced to a position which
would result in the product leaving the container. The
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WH-6S91A-l 0382H~005lF
container ls also more convenient to fill due to its generally
closed container cavity with product being introduced through a
filling tube inserted in the formed throat 62.
A further advantage of the container is the labelling
are~ defined by the panels 58 and khe manner in which one of
these panels is always presented at the top of the container
when the container is in its free-stanr~ing disposition. Such
is not the case with the prior art creamer cups where labelling
iS restricted to the lid area.
Figure 8 shows the forming station which includes
conveyor plates 80 having vacuum ports 82 for clrawing the
plastic in contact therewith. Forming pad 84 is shaped
according to the final shape of the container and ineludes a
heated face 86. In order to protect the preferred thermally
activated adhesive, the formincl pad 84 also includes a flange
protecting portion 88, which has a fluid cooling jacket 90.
Thus, when the heating pad is brought into contact with the
plastic sheet material, the flange area is cooled by the
cooling jacket or at least maintained at a temperature below
the activation of the adhesive. The forming pad 84 is mounted
on shaft 94 which is sliclably received in cylinder portion 96.
A spring bias 92 is provided bet~een the pad 84 and cylinder
portlon 96 to assist the forming of the container sections.
The pad, when it first comes into contact with the sheet
material, does not boktom ouk within the cavity of the conveyor
plate due to compression of the spring bias 92 and the pad will
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WH-6691A-1 0382H/0051F
initially heat the sheet ma-terial and as the sheet material
softens, the pad will move within the cavity in accordance with
the spring bias and the strength of the softened sheet. From
the above it can be appreciated it is preferable to restrict
the adhesive to -the flange area, thus simplifying in the
forming operation and reducing contamination of the heating
face 86.
The movement of the sheet material within the conveyor
plate 80 is assisted by the vacuum box 100 which has been
brought into engagement with the lower surface of the conveyor
plate. A vacuum force effectively draws the sheet material
against the interior surface of the conveyor plate. Each plate
80 includes in the lower surf`ace thereof vacuum ports 82. The
vacuum box loO is pneumatically actuated by actuator 102 and
moves in timed sequence with the conveyor into and out of
contact with the plates and similarly the forming pad 54 is
r~ciprocated via the pneumatic actuator generally indicated as
98. The extreme positions of the reciprocating movement of the
forming pad 84 are shown in Figure 8 ancl Figure 9 where the pad
has been fully withdrawn in Figure 9 ancl the pad fully inserted
in Figure 8. In Figure 9, the conveyor has been advanced to
bring a new portion of sheet material within the forming
station. The vertical reciprocating motion of the pad is
indicated by arrow 106. Note that the forming station shown in
Figure 1 includes two pairs of Forming pads and only one set o~
these pads has been shown in Figure B. In effect, the forming
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WH~6691A-1 0382H/0051F
stati~n ~orms four container sections for each cycle of the
conveyor and Figure 8 only shows two heads. The forming
operation is the most time consuming operation and therefore
pairing of the forming pads allows the overall packaging
machine to operate at a higher output. Typically, the cycle of
the machine when four containers are fc)rmed per line is about
2.4 seconds, of which the stationary time is 1.8 seconds.
Thus, each index of the conveyor results in the advancement of
four containers.
Details of one of the sealing heads 110 of the sealing
staticn 14 is shown in Figures lû and 11. Interior to the
sealing head 110 is a water cooled central member 112 which
slides within the outer housing 114 of the head. The water
cooled central member 112 is hollow and water is circulated
through the cavity via water inlet 118 and water outlet 120.
The central member 112 is shaped to lie in intimate contact
with the upper surface o~ the container to essentially limit
the heat of sealing to the overlapping flange area or at least
protect the rest of the container from damaging heat. The
outer housing 114 includes heated surfaces 116 which contact
the upper flange and heat the same. This heat is conducted
through the flange to activate the adhesive between the opposed
flanges of the container sections and effect sealins of the
container sections. Pressure is exerted between the sealing
head and the conveyor plate and the central member is
spring-biased as indicated by spring 122 such that the central
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WH-6691A-1 0382H/0051F
member initially contacts the container and further movernent of
the sealing head will bring the heated surfaces 116 into
contact with the container flanges. This spring biasing
arrangement will also ensure that the heated surfaces 116 are
first to release contact from the containers~
The water cooled central member 112 is secured at one
end of the piston-like rod 124 and the outer housing 114 is
movable on the lod 124. The piston-like rod 124 telescopes
within the sleeve 126 and the sealing head 110 is reciprocated
to effect initiation and removal of the sealing head from the
container. As the central member bottoms out against the
container, the spring 122 is compressed as indicated in Figure
11 and the outer housing is driven into contact with the
flanges due to contact of the sleeve 126 with the upper surface
of the housing generally indicated as 128. Therefore, as the
sealing head is brought into contact with the container, the
central member initially bottoms out against an upper container
section and subsequent movement of the sealing head will cause
compression of the spring and eventual contact of the heated
surfaces 116 with the flanges of the container. As sleeve 126
is initially rernoved from the container sections, the heated
surfaces 116 will move therewith due to the action of the
spring 122 while the central member remains in contact to
further ensure that integrity of container sections is
maintained. Thus, this sealing head seIves to isolate the heat
of the sealing head to the periphery ol` the container sec-tions,
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WH-6691A-1 0382H/0051F
and the water cooled central member protects areas of the
container which are not to be raised to this higher
temperature. This heat removal also serves to set the adhesive
more quickly.
The sealing head of Figure 10 and 11 is only one such
head for sealin~ of the flanges of two containersl however the
sealing station 14 would include a second set of heads to
complete sealing of four containers disposed in series along
the length of the conveyor~ Thus, each of the container
secti~ns is paired within a ~nveyor plate and each operation
is effected on a pair of conveyor plates. Therefore, each
operation is being carried out on a series of containers four
in length and any number of series of containers sections can
be disposed across the machine. Power is introduced to the
heated surfaces 116 through the electric~l connecti~ns 1l7
The conveyor plates of the final conveyor are shown as
140 in Figure 12 and include a central member 142 secured to
the chain drive and are of a generally 'I' shaped. ~xtending
in the longitudinal axis of the member 142 is the slitter guide
143 to effect separation of the symmetrically opposed throat
sections of a pair of containers. Secured to the central
member 1421 to one side, is the trailing pivotal plate 144 and,
to the opposite side, a leading pivotal plate 146 is secured.
These plates pivot relative to the central member. Pins 148
are secured to the respective plates 144 and ll~6 and are
rotatably received by central member 142.
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WH-6691A-1 0382H~0051F
Cam actuator 152 is secured to one pins of the leading
plate and a cam actuator 150 is secured to one of pins of the
~railing conveyor plate. Cam actuator 152 cooperates with the
stationary cam shown as 156 and cam actuator 15û cooperates
with stationary cam 154. The cam actuators 150 and 15~ control
the position of the movable plates 144 and 146 and will cause
the containers to move to the generally vertical orientation
shown in Figures 13 and 14 for carrying out the filling
operation. Two different cams are used, 154 and 156, due to
~ .,
the opposite rotation that each plate must undergo. Note that
the conveyor plates 144 and 146 rotate intermediate the space
between the chain drive.
Prior to rotating of the plates to a generally
vertical orientation, container retaining arms 16û move across
the upper surface of the container to retain the container
within the cavity of the pivotal plate. These container
retaining arms are pivotally secured within the respective
pivotal plates and pass through the plate where an actuator 162
is located on the lower surface of the plate for controlling
the position of the arms.
The pivotal plates 144 and 146 have been rotated in
Figure 13 and thz containers received in the plates are aligned
beneath a filling tube 17û of the filling station 22 when the
conveyor is brought to rest. Thus, the throat of the
containers are aligned and in registry with the filling tubes
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WH-6691A-1 03~2H/0051F
170 whereafter the filling head may be lowered such that the
filling tube is inserted throu~h the throat tc commence filling
of the containers.
The movement of the pivotal plates 144 and 146 and the
mechanism for actuating the reta.ining arms 160 have been
described with respect to various cam mechanisms and it can be
appreciated that other arrangements are also possible. In
particular, the retaining arms could be biased to one position
and only require Forced movement in one direction, or the aIms
could be free moving and as such, full control over the
actuators 162 would be necessary. Therefore, the embodiments
as shown in Figures 12 and 13 can be modified and, in
particular, the actuators 150 and 152 may be controlled along
the entire conveyor length as opposed to merely contact.ing
various cam members as indicated in Figure 12.
In order to maintain registration7 all conveyors are
advanced in timed sequence.
Sealing of the filled containers occurs at the station
24 and one such sealing operation is generally shown in Figure
15. A pair of pinch arms 174 move down over a portion of the
throat of the container and are actuated, deforming the throat
to flatten a portion thereof. Heat is then applied to both
sides of the Flattened portion to activate the hot melt
adhesive located on this portion of the container and to soften
the previously shaped plastic to reduce the required adhesive
force. Each pinch arm includes a heated pad generally
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WH-6691A~1 03~2H/0051F
indicated as 176. A~ter the throat has been deformed, a
melting bar 178 is preferat~ly brought into engagement with the
top of the throat of the container which has been deformed and
the purpose of the bar is to melt the plastic and provide a
generally round bead 72 at the end of the throat to ensure a
complete seal thereof. Sealing of this throat region is
somewhat more difficult in that it has been de~ormed to define
the throat and the strength inherent in this deformation must
~i be overcome. This area is more difficult to seal and a melted
~. .i
bead at the top will ensure that the throat is fully sealed.
Melting of the plastic has been described as one approach to
avoid the possibility of "leakers", however it may not be
required in all cases. In some cases, it may be preferable to
heat the plastic material in the throat to flatten and reshape
the same, whereby sealing is easier. Therefore, other
arrangements are possible including merely relying on the
n, strength of the adhesive.
The sealed product is generally shown in Figure 17 and
the product level within the container is generally indicated
in the end view of Figure 16. This teardropped shaped product
can be bulk packed in a random orien~ation and is not prone to
leakage. The container, when used, is orientated in generally
an upright condition and the throat of the container is opened
assisted by notches 49. As can be appreciated, the product is
essentially retained within the lower central cavity and the
person opening the container is deforming the container in the
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WH-6~91A-1 0382H~0051F
throat region and product is retained in the container cavity.
Therefore, the likelihood of spilling any of the contents of
the container is greatly reduced. Tearing of the throat region
will result in some pinching of the throat~ thus further
reducing the likelihood of any contents of the container being
inadvertently discharged.
Although various preferred embodiments of the present
invention have been described herein ir-l detail, it will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be
. .
made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention
or the scope of the appended claims.
. ~ .;
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