Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to liquid filling and packaging machines and more particularly, the present invention relates to a retrofit arrangement for optimizing the size of the pouches used for storing the liquids.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The consumer goods market aims at providing perishable goods at reasonable costs to the masses. Packaging plays a vital role in extending the shelf life of these short-lived food items. Packaging in the form of cans, jars, boxes, cartons, and trays made from a variety of food-grade materials is available in the market. However, for the packaging of liquid foods, flexible packaging provides an economic alternative.
Pouches are a form of flexible packaging that are light-weight, yet, strong and can be sized and configured according to different applications, resulting significantly in a reduction of shipping costs. Pouches can be manufactured with a lesser amount of plastic as compared to rigid containers and degrade in a shorter span than rigid containers. They demonstrate excellent chemical, oxygen, moisture, light, and puncture resistance. Moreover, the printing of brand names and logos is easier on the pouches.
Reference may be made to a liquid filling and packaging machine (100) presently available as shown in Figure 1. The machine (100) primarily comprises an arrangement to store the liquid and various assemblies that aid in filling the liquid into the containers. A tank (101) is configured to store the liquid product that is to be filled in the pouches. The liquid filling machine (100) integrates assemblies for pouch formation and liquid storing and filling. The pouch formation assembly (103) includes a combination of a roller and a tensioner. A polymeric film for making the pouches is placed on the roller. A combination of tensioner and motors facilitates firm and precise pull of the film into the machine. A film-pulling assembly (105) is configured to pull the film of the required length to get the desired length of the pouch. After printing the details such as date, and production batch code on the film, it moves to pouch forming assembly wherein the edges of the film are overlapped to shape the pouch. The bottom portion of the pouch is then sealed by a horizontal seal assembly (106). The filling of liquid is carried out automatically as soon as the pouch is ready. A positive pressure is maintained in the tank during the filling operation. The liquid is dosed to a fill pipe through a filling coil (102). The filling coil (102) decides the volume of the liquid in each pouch. The top of the pouch is sealed once the required amount of liquid is filled into it. Side and central seals are created by pressing the overlapped material and fusing it by heating. Once the bag is filled and sealed, it is cut. A pouch slider assembly (107) is configured to transfer the sealed pouch filled with liquid for further processing.
However, irrespective of the mode of operation of the machines, whether semi-automatic or automatic, it becomes advantageous to reduce the amount of polymeric material used for producing a single pouch to reduce the carbon footprint.
Accordingly, there exists a need to provide an arrangement, that when fitted to existing packaging machines, results in a reduction of the size of pouches for storing liquids, without compromising the shelf life and quantity of the liquid stored in the pouch.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a retrofit arrangement for the size optimization of pouches for the storage of liquids.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a retrofit arrangement for the size optimization of pouches for the storage of liquids, that can be fitted to existing packaging machines, without requiring any further modifications therein.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a retrofit arrangement for the size optimization of pouches for the storage of liquids, that minimizes the amount of air in the pouch after the filling operation.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a retrofit arrangement for the size optimization of pouches for the storage of liquids, that deploys a suction mechanism to suck the air inside the pouch after the filling of the liquid.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This section is provided to introduce certain objects and aspects of the present disclosure in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify the key features or the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The present disclosure generally relates to liquid filling and packaging machines. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a retrofit arrangement for the size optimization of the pouches for the storage of liquids (hereinafter referred to as “retrofit arrangement”).
In an aspect, the retrofit arrangement for size optimization of pouches for storage of liquids is configured to be deployed with a liquid filling and packaging machine that executes tasks such as the formation of a tube from the polymeric film, sealing the edges of the tube to convert the same into a pouch, filling of the pouch with a predefined amount of liquid, sealing of the pouch, cutting the filled pouch, and transfer of the pouch. The retrofit arrangement includes a suction valve configured to suck the air from the pouch by creating negative pressure on the suction side and transporting the sucked air out. The retrofit arrangement includes a set of pipes and a set of ducts configured to transfer the negative pressure generated by the suction valve to the pouch to suck the air therefrom in a predefined time. The retrofit arrangement includes a pouch guide configured to guide the pouch as the polymeric film moves to form it. The retrofit arrangement includes a web aligner assembly configured to hold the tube in a desired position, thus restricting movement thereof, and guiding the tube further for pouch formation and keeping track of the film path for a desired alignment, and a control unit programmed with a set of instructions that when executed results in a sequential operation of the liquid filling and packaging machine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the disclosure is read in conjunction with the following figures, wherein
Figure 1 shows an existing liquid filling and packaging machine (100);
Figure 2 shows a retrofit arrangement (200), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 3 shows a web aligner assembly (205) in the retrofit arrangement (200), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The foregoing objects of the invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiment.
Throughout this application, with respect to all reasonable derivatives of such terms, and unless otherwise specified (and/or unless the particular context clearly dictates otherwise), each usage of:
“a” or “an” is meant to read as “at least one.”
“the” is meant to be read as “the at least one.”
References in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” mean that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail. For clarity of the description, known constructions and functions will be omitted.
The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in brackets in the following description and a table below.
Reference
No. Component Reference
No. Component
200 Retrofit arrangement 1 Roller
201 Suction valve 2 Lever
202 Pipe(s) 3 Spring
203 Flexible duct(s)
204 Pouch guide
205 Web aligner assembly
Figure 2 represents a preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating the retrofit arrangement (200) comprising components such as a set of pipes, a set of ducts, a suction valve, a pouch guide, and a web aligner assembly. The retrofit arrangement (200) is configured to reduce the air content in the pouch, in turn, reducing the size of the pouch. During the filling operation of the liquid in the pouch, the air above the liquid also enters inside the pouch. The retrofit arrangement (200) aims to suck the air instantly, resulting in minimizing the volume of the air in the pouch and optimizing the pouch dimensions. This ensures a reduction in the consumption of polymeric material used per pouch. The entire operation of the liquid filling and packing machine (hereinafter referred to as “the machine”) is sequenced and controlled by a control unit (not shown). The control unit is configured to run a set of instructions, that results in a sequential operation of the machine, comprising stages such as the formation of a tube from the polymeric film (hereinafter referred to as “tube”), sealing the edges of the tube to convert the same into a pouch, filling of the pouch with a predefined amount of liquid, sealing of the pouch, cutting the filled pouch, and transfer of the filled pouch for further storage and usage. The control unit may be in the form of a microcontroller-based embedded system, or a programmable logic controller (PLC). For effectively sucking the air from the pouch, it is vital to retain the shape of the pouch. The pouch guide (204) is configured to hold the tube steady at a specific position. Moreover, the pouch guide (204) guides the pouch as the polymeric film moves to form it. The polymeric film is flexible and has a very low thickness, and hence, may be subjected to shape deformation. In the deformed condition of the pouch, suction of the air therefrom may not be done effectively, due to lack of insufficient area for insertion of air-sucking components. Referring to Figure 3, the web aligner assembly (205) is configured to hold the tube in a desired position, thus restricting its movement, and guiding the tube further for pouch formation and keeping track of the film path with a desired alignment. The web aligner assembly consists of a roller (1), a lever (2), and a spring (3). The roller (1) rotates as the polymeric film moves and applies pressure to hold a part of the tube against the pouch guide (204). The lever (2) is configured to align the roller (1). The spring (3) is configured to keep positive pressure on the roller (1) to get it aligned with the film flow. The suction valve (201) is configured to suck the air from the pouch by creating negative pressure on the suction side and transporting the sucked air out. Each of the pipes (202) and each of the ducts (203) has a first end and a second end. The first end of the pipe is coupled to the pouch. The second end of the pipe is connected to the first end of the flexible duct. The second end of the flexible duct is connected to the suction valve (201). A combination of the pipes (202) and the ducts (203) is configured to transfer the negative pressure generated by the suction valve (201) to the pouch to suck the air therefrom in a predefined time interval. Advantageously, the control unit is configured to generate a time interval for the suction operation of the valve. The suction valve (201) is communicatively coupled to the control unit of the machine via a solenoid valve (not shown). As the filling operation is over, the control unit communicates with the solenoid valve to activate the suction valve (201). The time interval generated by the control unit may range between 100 ms to 1 second, during which the suction valve (201) sucks the air from the pouch filled with liquid. Once the suction valve (201) operation is done, the pouch gets sealed completely and transferred for further storage and usage.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
1. The retrofit arrangement (200) can be easily deployed in the existing liquid filling and packaging machines, resulting in size optimization of the pouches.
2. The retrofit arrangement (200) facilitates the reduction in the quantity of the polymeric material used for making the pouches.
3. The retrofit arrangement (200) when deployed in the liquid filling machine causes the pouches of smaller sizes, thus reducing the costs related to material, packaging, and logistics.
4. The retrofit arrangement (200) aids in sucking the air from the pouch, contributing to an improved shelf life of the product.
5. The retrofit arrangement (200) reduces the quantity of polymeric material used per pouch, thus decreasing the carbon footprint.
The foregoing objects of the invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with prior art techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention described in the present embodiment. Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein; however, it is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure, or matter. The embodiments of the invention as described above and the methods disclosed herein will suggest further modification and alterations to those skilled in the art. Such further modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
, Claims:We claim:
1. A retrofit arrangement (200) for size optimization of pouches for storage of liquids configured to be deployed with a liquid filling and packaging machine that executes tasks such as the formation of a tube from the polymeric film, sealing the edges of the tube to convert the same into a pouch, filling of the pouch with a predefined amount of liquid, sealing of the pouch, cutting the filled pouch, and transfer of the pouch, the retrofit arrangement (200) comprising:
a suction valve (201), the suction valve (201) configured to suck the air from the pouch by creating negative pressure on the suction side and transporting the sucked air out;
a set of pipes (202) and a set of ducts (203), the set of pipes (202) and the set of ducts (203) configured to transfer the negative pressure generated by the suction valve (201) to the pouch to suck the air therefrom in a predefined time;
a pouch guide (204), the pouch guide (204) configured to guide the pouch as the polymeric film moves to form it;
a web aligner assembly (205), the web aligner assembly (205) configured to hold the tube in a desired position, thus restricting movement thereof, and guiding the tube further for pouch formation and keeping track of the film path for a desired alignment; and
a control unit programmed with a set of instructions that when executed results in a sequential operation of the liquid filling and packaging machine.
2. The retrofit arrangement (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the suction valve (201) is communicatively coupled to the control unit of the machine via a solenoid valve.
3. The retrofit arrangement (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the first end of each of the pipes (202) is coupled to the pouch, and the second end of each of the pipes (202) is connected to the first end of the duct (203).
4. The retrofit arrangement (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the second end of the duct (203) is connected to the suction valve (201).
5. The retrofit arrangement (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the web aligner assembly (205) comprises a roller (1), a lever (2), and a spring (3),
the roller (1) configured to rotate as the polymeric film moves and apply pressure to hold a part of the tube against the pouch guide (204);
the lever (2) configured to align the roller (1); and
the spring (3) configured to keep positive pressure on the roller (1) to get it aligned with the film flow.
6. The retrofit arrangement (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the control unit is programmed to generate a time interval ranging between 100 ms to 1 second, during which the suction valve (201) sucks the air from the pouch filled with liquid.
7. The retrofit arrangement (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the control unit is in the form of a microcontroller-based embedded system, or a programmable logic controller (PLC).

Dated this 26th day of August 2024

Prafulla Wange
Agent for the Applicant
(IN/PA-2058)