US4617779A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and an arrangement for the manufacture of packing containers
Assignee: Tetra Pak AB
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Filing: 1983-09-09
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Granted: 1986-10-21
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Expires: 2003-09-09
Abstract
Abstract The manufacture of non-returnable packages is frequently carried out by the conversion of web-shaped, laminated packing material to a tube, filling of the tube with milk, and sealing and forming the filled packing containers to the desired shape. During the forming, which is done by external forming devices, the contents are used as a mandrel or a holder-up for the forming device, so that the desired shape can be achieved without creasing or other deformations. The above-mentioned forming principle works less well if the packing containers are not completely filled, but have a certain air space or headspace. The proportioning of the contents also becomes uncertain and the desired accuracy of volume cannot always be achieved. These difficulties are overcome by the invention wherein a sealed off part of the packing material tube is pressurized with the help of gas during the forming process, so that the internal back pressure required during the forming is obtained, independently of the quantity of contents. The method also permits an accurate proportioning of the contents either by continuous feed at a controlled flow rate or by discontinuous feeding in portions. The invention also relates to an apparatus for the realization of the method.
Inventors
- 👤 Jan Nygren
- 👤 Anders Hilmersson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:24
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B9/00; B65B9/10; B65B9/20; B65B9/2049; B65B31/00; B65B31/04; B65B31/044; B65B31/045; B65B9/2035
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for manufacturing and filling packing containers comprising the steps of: advancing a continuous web of packing material in a predetermined direction; forming said web into a tube and sealing said web longitudinally at a first location while said web advances; conducting a liquid material through a fill pipe from above said first location; continuously conducting gas through a gas pipe from above said first location; sealing the tube at a zone transverse to said predetermined direction, the zone constituting a bottom of a packing container; establishing a greater gas pressure inside said tube between said first location and said zone from gas conducted through said gas pipe; feeding said liquid material to be packaged into the tube to a predetermined level; applying forming jaws against the exterior of said tube after said liquid material to be packaged is fed into the tube to produce flattened sides of a predetermined shape of a packing container; sealing said portion of said tube at a zone transverse to said predetermined direction and above the level of contents.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for manufacturing and filling packing containers comprising the steps of: advancing a continuous web of packing material in a predetermined direction; forming said web into a tube and sealing said web longitudinally at a first location while said web advances; conducting a liquid material through a fill pipe from above said first location; continuously conducting gas through a gas pipe from above said first location; sealing the tube at a zone transverse to said predetermined direction, the zone constituting a bottom of a packing container; establishing a greater gas pressure inside said tube between said first location and said zone from gas conducted through said gas pipe; feeding said liquid material to be packaged into the tube to a predetermined level; applying forming jaws against the exterior of said tube after said liquid material to be packaged is fed into the tube to produce flattened sides of a predetermined shape of a packing container; sealing said portion of said tube at a zone transverse to said predetermined direction and above the level of contents.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pressure gas is air.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pressure gas is an inert gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method in accordance with claim 3, wherein the inert gas is nitrogen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the step of feeding material is continuous.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the step of feeding material includes feeding material in intermittent batches.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
241 words
An apparatus for manufacturing and filling packing containers comprising: means for advancing a continuous web of packing material in a downward vertical direction; forming means for forming said web into a tube; seam sealing means for sealing together the longitudinal edges of said web at a first location while said tube advances; bottom sealing means for sealing said tube at a first transverse zone thereof so as to form a bottom of a packing container, said first location being spaced vertically above said first transverse zone; a first feed pipe for feeding a liquid to be packaged into said tube, said first feed pipe extending vertically from a location above said first location; seal means between said first location and said transverse zone for providing a seal between the interior tube wall and said first feed pipe; a second feed pipe for continuously supplying a pressurized gas to the interior of said tube, said second feed pipe extending vertically from a location above said seal means and through said seal means; shaping means for shaping said tube below said first location into a packing container of desired shape while the interior of the tube is pressurized and filled with the material to be packaged; and top sealing means for sealing said tube at a second transverse zone spaced above said first transverse zone, whereby the shape of said tube is maintained by the gas pressure during operation of said shaping means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
241 words
An apparatus for manufacturing and filling packing containers comprising: means for advancing a continuous web of packing material in a downward vertical direction; forming means for forming said web into a tube; seam sealing means for sealing together the longitudinal edges of said web at a first location while said tube advances; bottom sealing means for sealing said tube at a first transverse zone thereof so as to form a bottom of a packing container, said first location being spaced vertically above said first transverse zone; a first feed pipe for feeding a liquid to be packaged into said tube, said first feed pipe extending vertically from a location above said first location; seal means between said first location and said transverse zone for providing a seal between the interior tube wall and said first feed pipe; a second feed pipe for continuously supplying a pressurized gas to the interior of said tube, said second feed pipe extending vertically from a location above said seal means and through said seal means; shaping means for shaping said tube below said first location into a packing container of desired shape while the interior of the tube is pressurized and filled with the material to be packaged; and top sealing means for sealing said tube at a second transverse zone spaced above said first transverse zone, whereby the shape of said tube is maintained by the gas pressure during operation of said shaping means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said second feed pipe is laterally offset from said first feed pipe.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein the sealing means includes a flexible lip seal resting against the inside of the tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein the lip seal is manufactured from silicone rubber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein the first feed pipe includes an adjustable constant flow valve.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-10-20 | 1990-04-21 | 1990-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-10-20 | 1994-04-21 | 1994-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-10-20 | 1998-04-21 | 1998-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |