FR2882027A1 - Product e.g. liquid product, packaging method for e.g. plug/tap unit, involves producing continuous strip of flexible bags in rows by lower and upper films of synthetic material, by successive stamping and welding operations - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves producing a continuous strip (1) of flexible bags (2) in rows (lA, lB, 1C, 1D) by the lower and upper films (3, 4) of a synthetic material, by successive stamping and welding operations at regular intervals. A plug is previously fitted to the film (3) for filling and the subsequent placement of a stopper. The strip of flexible bags is packaged in a sealed transport box. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a plant for carrying out a method for packaging a liquid or non-liquid, foodstuff or non-foodstuff, sterile or non sterile product in a flexible bag (2) a plug/tap unit for carrying out a method for packaging a liquid or non-liquid, foodstuff or non-foodstuff, sterile or non sterile product in a flexible bag.

Description

I

  The invention relates to a method of packaging in flexible bags of liquid or semi-liquid product, food or other, aseptic or not.

  Various solutions have been adopted to date for the flexible pouch packaging liquid product or liquid sami, whether food or not or subject to sterilization constraints.

  It is common to design these soft bags, also called wineskins, by superposition and soldering monolayer or multilayer films. These skins are at this time connected to each other through a pre-cutting line, this so as to form a band. This facilitates the supply of other units of the unit intended to ensure their filling at the manufacturer of the product they must contain. During their design these soft pouches are equipped, each with a dispensing tap. In particular, before assembling the films by welding, it is punched in one of them, with regular space, an opening for the engagement and welding of a plug in which is partially snapped the body of this tap of distribution.

  Thus, on the filling unit of the bottles, a first operation is to take the valve of the plug through which is then injected the product in the further. In a next operation, the valve is reengaged in the bung for a complete snap.

  It is understandable that such a solution requires, during the design of the valve, pre-snap it into the bung that is then welded to one of the walls of the further. During the filling operation, you must first remove the valve to replace it a second time in the bung ensuring its complete snapping. Not only, one multiplies uselessly these operations of assembly and disassembly of the tap, but, moreover, one will notice that during the successive phases of partial fitting of the tap, its withdrawal, then its total snap-in in the bung, particles can detach from the body of this tap or this bung, particles that are found, then, in the content of the off.

  In sum, through a first inventive step, it has been found that by the partial installation of the tap, normally having the function of avoiding contamination of the content of the off, we increase the risks debris deposition in the latter.

  Between the filling unit and the manufacturing unit of these flexible bags, these, made in a band, are packaged in large boxes, through which these flexible bags are treated by irradiation. Thus, being contained in a sealed package, these bottles, after irradiation, can not be contaminated, whether their plug is closed or not by the premounting of a dispensing valve.

  However, precisely, the very presence of this dispensing valve increases the size of a further. Also, a transport case of a determined volume can contain only a limited number of pockets. Furthermore, this dispensing valve, although designed to avoid the presence of sharp edges, nonetheless has sharp edges which, during handling without great care or during transport, can injure such a flexible pouch. In this regard, it should be noted that in case of detection of a defective on a filling line, it generates the total stop of the installation and a clear loss of production.

  To return to irradiation treatment, its cost depends on the volume of a crate, more than its content. In short, if the packaging of a given volume is likely to contain a greater number of bottles, the cost of decontamination reduced to a further becomes less. To this it should be noted that the valve, however, undergoes the same decontamination treatment as the flexible bag that it must necessarily be reprocessed, in the filling phase, before snapping completely on the bung. It can therefore be considered that it undergoes, unnecessarily, a double decontamination treatment.

  Moreover, if at the level of the design unit of these flexible bags, one usually manages a width of lé sufficient for the design of several juxtaposed rows of outres, out of production, these rows are separated by cutting to form flexible single-row pouch strips that alone are likely to be processed by the filling unit. However, this poses the problem of packaging in wide boxes of these strips having only one row of bottles. In fact, it is customary to fold in these boxes several of these strips which, during transport and because of the slippery nature of the materials corresponding to the films making up the flexible bags, tend to become entangled, which poses the problem loading in the filling unit.

  Furthermore, depending on the nature or the destination of the product, or even the end customer, it may be necessary to fill on a filling unit of the bottles that stand out through their faucet. It is understood that the solution described above allows a valve change by replacing the flexible bag strip feeding the filling unit. Also, such a change imposes multiple manipulations. Moreover, a box, containing a limited number of bottles because of the premounted tap, requires the operator to intervene with a certain frequency to ensure the refilling of the filling unit by a new band of flexible bags.

  In an attempt to overcome the drawbacks of the previously described solution, units have already been designed which are capable of designing the flexible bags at the same time and filling them in the process. One of these solutions, in particular described in documents US-A-3 894 381, EP-A-0297814, EP-A-0312393 and WO-A-91 07320, consists in designing, from one or more films adapted material, a tube that a first weld unit has subdivided, at regular spaces, through a first transverse weld line, the second transverse weld line, delimiting the volume of the further, not being performed only after filling the latter.

  In EP-A-0297814, it is further described the establishment of a tap on each further.

  In the end, this known solution makes it possible to carry out on the same site and continuously, the packaging of product, in particular liquid, food or not. So if one can consider, at first glance, that it answers the problem posed, it has been found that it was not without drawbacks.

  Thus, first of all, there is the problem of holding the transverse weld at the time of filling the well. Indeed, the high production rates that can hold a filling unit are hardly compatible with the constraints of welding of plastic films.

  In addition, the filling operation can pollute the area of the second transverse weld, by splashing or otherwise, making this weld, again, less reliable.

  Once again, it should be remembered that the slightest failure on a filling unit immediately results in the shutdown of the installation with, very often, serious consequences on production costs, particularly when treats food products, even aseptic.

  In this context of manufacturing and filling of flexible bags on the same production site, there is the problem of the responsibility of the manufacture of these flexible bags, on the one hand, and that of the filling operation, on the other hand . But if a manufacturer of a product, for example food, has on its production site all the skills directly related to this product, it is difficult for him to join the qualifications of a specialist experienced in the manufacture of such packaging than soft pouches of synthetic material.

  Due to these constraints and limitations of the technology, this total on-site packaging solution does not provide complete satisfaction.

  It is also known from document WO-0043268, a process for the continuous production and filling of flexible containers such as bottles, process consisting in continuously producing bottles, each to provide a partially latched valve on a bung, to fill these skins through the bung after disassembly of the valve, then to mount the latter before bringing the bags to a packaging station and / or storage.

  Thus, the bottles are made by peeling in parallel of two multi-layer complex films, in one of these films being punched at regular intervals, a hole for the reception and welding of a bung on which is preassembled a tap. In a next step, the two films are welded to one another so as to form the bottles that are separated from each other through successive transverse cuts in a suitable cutting unit.

  Again, the pre-assembly of the valve on the bung, disassembly and reassembly are operations at risk of introduction of material chips into the flexible bag, besides that to remove the valve it must be perfectly maintained, without this maintenance does not present a risk of alteration of the pocket itself. This solution still poses the problem of the decontamination of the bottles before filling. In the end, we realize that it is hardly suited to the packaging of aseptic products.

  Furthermore, there are also some difficulties in packaging the filled flexible bags in cardboard protective packaging. Thus, the addition, by its filling weight, usually falls by gravity through a guide funnel in a preformed carton and remained open in its upper part.

  According to a first known solution, the funnel, by a successive up-down movement, is partially engaged in the cardboard package through said opening to guide the introduction of the further. Under the effect of its fall and in contact with the cardboard, it can be altered locally, increasing the risk of leakage.

  Another solution is to use a funnel extended by an introduction tube which is able to dive deep into the box to avoid these risks of tampering. However, this requires the cardboard to be subjected to a rise-and-descent movement of large amplitude in order first to ensure its engagement on said insertion tube and then to withdraw it from the latter once the flexible bag has been put in place.

  In any case, in its part intended to engage in the carton, the funnel must be defined smaller section to be certain of its insertion without a hitch through the opening preserved at this carton. However, in the case of flexible bags of small volume, thus increases the risk of their blockage in the funnel, their weight is not sufficient to force their passage through the latter whose section is reduced.

  The present invention proposes, in the end, to meet the disadvantages of the state of the art mentioned above.

  Thus, this invention particularly relates to a flexible bag packaging method of liquid or semiliquid product, food or other, aseptic or not, characterized in that: - one continuously designs a strip of at least one row of flexible pockets by superposition and welding of at least two films made of suitable synthetic material; by successive operations of punching and welding with regular spaces, one of these films is provided beforehand with a plug for filling and subsequently receiving a shutter; - The said band of flexible pouches thus designed are packaged in a suitable sealed waterproof case.

  At the filling site, the method according to the invention provides that.

  - A strip of flexible bags is engaged in a cutting unit to individualize these flexible bags; each of these flexible bags is positioned through its bung under a filling station; a shutter is mounted permanently on said bung; and the filled flexible bag is conveyed towards a packaging unit.

  Moreover, according to the invention, at the level of a packaging unit of a filled flexible bag: a packaging carton is preformed around a tubular forming mandrel extending an introduction funnel; a flexible bag filled in the preformed packaging carton is poured through said funnel and the forming mandrel; this is removed from the forming mandrel; the packaging carton is completely closed, possibly before or after the fitting of a carrying handle.

  Advantageously, after removal of a flexible bag in its preformed packaging carton and before complete closure thereof, it is carried out a sealing control operation, in particular by weighing.

  According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, during the design of the flexible bags, is made, by superposition of at least two films of suitable synthetic material, a strip comprising two or more rows of juxtaposed pockets and packaged this band with rows of multiple flexible bags in a waterproof case transport.

  On filling site, this multi-row band is engaged in a longitudinal and transverse cutting unit to individualize the flexible bags.

  The advantages that flow from the present invention consist, first of all, in that by avoiding premounting the shutter, such as a dispensing tap, on the filling bung, one avoids the introduction into the flexible pouch of debris resulting from the successive removal and assembly of this shutter in said bung.

  Furthermore, if the bung and the body of the shutter, in particular the valve, were to be designed to allow premounting in view of a subsequent removal of the shutter, these features are no longer required in the solution according to the invention. . In other words, the height of the bung and the length of the valve body may be smaller to allow only a final assembly of one in the other. This results in an obvious gain in material. Moreover, it results in less space for packaging.

  In the embodiment of initially designing a strip of several rows of flexible bags, the packaging of such a strip in a large-sized sealed transport case is made easier.

  Indeed, this band whose width can be adapted to that of this fund is unlikely to intermingle during transport. It should also be noted that if the packaging of a strip comprising only one row of bottles, moreover, pre-equipped with a dispensing tap, could only be made manually, the packaging of a multi-row band, without dispensing tap, is, on the contrary, likely to be automated very easily.

  Moreover, the individualization of the flexible bags, starting from a multi-row band, on the filling site is an operation that is not only very easily managed, but avoids the layout of pre-cut lines like this. has been required in the past.

  Moreover, by preforming the carton of a flexible pouch directly around a tubular forming mandrel extending by a funnel of introduction of said flexible pouch, it is maximized, for a carton of packaging of determined section, the passage section of the flexible bag through the funnel. This allows, therefore, to respond, advantageously, to the problem of the passage of these flexible bags through the funnel, but also to the risk of burning on contact with the packaging board.

  Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description relating to an exemplary embodiment given by way of indication and not limitation.

  The understanding of this description will be facilitated by referring to the attached drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic and perspective representation of an installation illustrating the method of designing a multi-row strip of flexible bags equipped with a filling plug without a dispensing tap - FIG. 2 illustrates the packing step of this plug in a suitable packing box; FIG. 3 schematically represents the installation for filling flexible bags arriving from A multiranged strip - Figure 4 illustrates, schematically, the steps of packaging a filled flexible bag in a carton formed around a tubular forming mandrel surmounted by a funnel introduction of a flexible bag.

  As is apparent from the figures and drawings attached, the present invention relates to a method of packaging in flexible bags of liquid or semi-liquid product, food or other, aseptic or not.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, this method consists of designing a strip 1 of at least one row 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D of flexible bags 2 by superposing and welding at least two films 3, 4 of suitable material .

  It is particularly visible in this FIG. 1 that the upper film 3 and the lower film 4 that has just been superposed for welding consist, in reality, in the form of a multilayer complex starting from several films 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B unfolding simultaneously from reel rollers 5 upstream of the installation 6 of the design of this strip 1 of flexible bags 2.

  In fact, according to the method, before superposition of the films 3, 4, the upper one 3 undergoes a regular distance punching operation so as to create one or, as the case may be, several rows of openings for the engagement and welding of a bung 6 on which can be mounted, permanently, a shutter 7, such as a dispensing valve, this after filling the flexible bags 2.

  Note that the punching operation of the upper film 6 is performed above suction means for recovering the cut piece and any chips that would be likely to pollute the films 3, 4 before assembly.

  It should be noted that, by welding the films 3, 4 one on the other, more particularly by producing longitudinal and transverse weld lines, the flexible bags 2 of the same row are delimited between them. also compared to those of the row or rows of adjacent flexible bags if it is desired to design a multi-banded band 1A, 1B, 1C, ID, as visible in Figure 1.

  Moreover, to facilitate the cutting of the rows relative to each other or a flexible bag 2 relative to the next one at the same row, the width of the longitudinal and transverse weld lines is determined to guarantee the sealing of the various flexible pouches once individualized, just as between two successive rows or two flexible bags that follow can be made a double weld line spaced.

  At the outlet of this installation, the strip 1 of flexible bags 2 having only one plug 6, is packaged in a sealed transport case 8 adapted, as shown in Figure 2. Note that in the case of the design of 1 multi-banded band 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, the width 9 of this band 1 can be substantially adjusted to that 10 of this box 8, which allows the orderly folding of said band 1 in the latter, without risk of entanglement during transport.

  In particular, this band 1 can be folded in an automated way zigzag in the box 8.

  FIG. 3 illustrates the filling unit 11 of the flexible pouches 2 at the production site of the product that they must contain. According to the method, the pockets 2 are separated from each other from the strip 1, whether it is in single or multiple rows, in order to successively position the plug 6 of each of these flexible bags 2 under a filling station, knowing that once a flexible pouch filled with the product to be conditioned, it is mounted permanently on its bung 6 a shutter, more particularly a dispensing valve 12. After that, this flexible bag 2 is discharged to a position d packaging 13.

  Note that under the filling station and outside the filling operation itself, other operations can be provided. Thus, when presenting a bung 6 of a flexible bag 2 under the withdrawal head, a preliminary vacuum can be provided by the latter or an auxiliary head, this to suck air contained in a flexible bag 2 before injecting the product to be conditioned. The presence of air has the effect of foaming the product hindering the filling operation.

  Similarly, once it has been performed and before the setting of the shutter defined by the valve, the air, more particularly oxygen, still contained in the flexible bag 2 can be neutralized by injection of a gas suitable, such as nitrogen or other.

  The shutter can still undergo a decontamination operation including cleaning.

  According to FIG. 3, the filling unit 11 is preferably of the type with multiple stations mounted on a rotary table 14 making it possible to subject a flexible bag to a series of operations in masked time for an optimization of the production rate.

  Similarly, the packaging unit 13 is similarly in the form of a multi-station rotary table 15 for the removal of the flexible bags 2 in cardboard packages or the like.

  According to the process according to the invention, at this packaging unit 13, such a packaging carton 16 is preformed around a tubular forming mandrel 17 extending, at its upper end, by a funnel 18. introduction of a flexible bag 2. Thus, as shown in Figure 3, at this packaging unit 13 are carried the flexible bags 2 from the filling unit 11. This unit 13 is also supplied with cardboard boards 19.

  As shown schematically in Figure 4, one of these boards is first folded around the forming mandrel 17 so as to preform the packaging carton 16, further closed in its lower part. Beyond this preforming station 20, this packaging carton 16, engaged on the forming mandrel 17, is presented under a feed station 21 in filled flexible bags 2. Such a flexible bag 2 falls by gravity into this packing carton 16, guided by the introduction funnel 18 and said forming tube 17. At a finishing station 22 and by a downward movement, this packing box 16 is disengaged from the forming mandrel 7 for closure at the top. It should be noted that before its complete closure, it can undergo a sealing control operation, in particular by weighing, so that in case of leakage the risk of contamination is as low as possible.

  Furthermore, by closing this box later, it can be equipped with a carrying handle. Similarly, it can receive all the necessary advertising or regulatory labels.

  To return to the filling unit 11, the latter is fed with flexible bags 2 through a cutting and separating unit 23 of these flexible bags from a mono or multirange strip 1.

  This cutting unit is capable of being equipped with cutting tools, both transverse and longitudinal. Advantageously, in order to carry out this cutting operation, bungs 6 of the flexible bags 2, necessarily respecting each other a predefined distance both in the longitudinal and transverse directions at the level of the band 1, are used as a marker.

  According to another embodiment, at the level of the installation 7 for the design of the flexible bags 2 are provided means for marking said band by identifiable marks by means of optical reading means or the like that comprises said unit of cutting 23.

  It should be noted that for this cutting operation is working on a reduced strip length, so subjected to low strain voltages. Also with the aid of such tracking means that constitute, as the case, the bungs or markings on the tape, it is possible to obtain a very high precision in cutting. In particular, such a cut can be made at a weld line. It will be recalled, in this connection, that in the context of the state of the art, the cutting was usually carried out between two parallel welding lines resulting in an increased film consumption for the same number of flexible bags designed.

  As can be seen from the foregoing description, the method according to the invention and the installation which makes it possible to use it, advantageously meet the disadvantages of previously known solutions.

  Although the invention has been described with respect to a particular embodiment, it is understood that it is in no way limited and that various modifications of shapes, materials and combinations thereof can be made. various elements without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims (10)

  1. A method of packaging in flexible bags (2) of liquid or semi-liquid product, food or other, aseptic or not, characterized in that: - one continuously designs a strip (1) of at least one row ( 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D) of flexible bags (2) by superposition and welding of at least two films (3, 4) of suitable synthetic material; by successive punching and welding operations with a regular space, one (3) of these films (3, 4) is first provided with a plug (6) for filling and subsequently receiving a shutter ( 12); - Wrapping said band (1) of flexible bags (2) thus designed in a sealed transport case (8) adapted.   2. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that at the filling site: - is engaged a strip (1) of flexible bags (2) in a cutting unit (23) to individualize these flexible bags (2), positions each of these flexible bags (2) through its bung (6) under a filling station; - a shutter (12) is permanently mounted on said bung (6); and the flexible pouch (2) is filled in the direction of a packaging unit (13).   3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that at a packaging unit (13) of a filled flexible bag (2): - a packaging carton (16) is preformed around a tubular forming mandrel (17) extending an insertion funnel (18); a flexible pouch (2) filled in the preformed packaging carton (16) is discharged through said funnel (18) and the forming mandrel (17), the latter is removed from the forming mandrel (17), the packaging carton (16) is completely closed, possibly before or after the fitting of a carrying handle.   4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that after removal of a flexible pouch (2) filled in its preformed packaging box (16) and before complete closure thereof, it is proceeded to an operation of leakage control, in particular by weighing.   5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during the design of the flexible bags (2), is made by superposition of at least two films (3, 4) of suitable synthetic material, a strip (1) comprising two or more rows (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D) of flexible pouches (2) juxtaposed and this strip (1) is packed with rows of multiple flexible bags in a sealed transport case (8) width (10) adapted to that (9) of said strip (1).   6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tape (1) is provided with a recognizable identification marking by means of optical reading means or the like by the cutting unit ( 23) for the separation of the soft bags (2).   7. Installation for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an installation (7) for the design of a band (1) mono or multirange (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D) of flexible bags (2) equipped with a plug (6) for filling and receiving a shutter (12).   8. Installation for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises: - a cutting unit (23) of a band (1) mono or multirange (1A , 1B, 1C, 1D) flexible pouches (2) for supplying individualized flexible pouches (2) a filling unit (11) it comprises a filling head in which are presented said flexible bags (2) through their bung (6); - said filling unit (11) further comprising a mounting head of a shutter (12) on the bung (6) of a flexible bag (2) after filling thereof.   9. Installation according to claim 7 or 8 characterized in that it further comprises a packaging unit (13) comprising a tubular forming mandrel (17) extending at its upper end by a funnel (18) d introduction of a flexible bag (2) around said tubular forming mandrel (17) being designed to be preformed a packaging carton (16) before depositing therein a flexible bag (2) filled with from the filling unit (11).   10. Installation according to claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the filling unit (11) and the packaging unit (13) are in the form of rotating tables (14, 15) with multiple positions.