EP1292496B2 - Process and apparatus for filling a bag with powdered or granular material - Google Patents

Process and apparatus for filling a bag with powdered or granular material Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1292496B2
EP1292496B2 EP01929852A EP01929852A EP1292496B2 EP 1292496 B2 EP1292496 B2 EP 1292496B2 EP 01929852 A EP01929852 A EP 01929852A EP 01929852 A EP01929852 A EP 01929852A EP 1292496 B2 EP1292496 B2 EP 1292496B2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bag
chamber
base
powdered
puncture hole
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP01929852A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1292496B1 (en
EP1292496A2 (en
Inventor
Timoth John Michael Hegarty
Richard Hugh Baldry
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BLUE BAG (INNOVATION) Ltd
Original Assignee
BLUE BAG (INNOVATION) Ltd
BLUE BAG INNOVATION Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
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Priority claimed from GB0011730A external-priority patent/GB0011730D0/en
Application filed by BLUE BAG (INNOVATION) Ltd, BLUE BAG INNOVATION Ltd filed Critical BLUE BAG (INNOVATION) Ltd
Publication of EP1292496A2 publication Critical patent/EP1292496A2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1292496B1 publication Critical patent/EP1292496B1/en
Publication of EP1292496B2 publication Critical patent/EP1292496B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B1/00—Packaging fluent solid material, e.g. powders, granular or loose fibrous material, loose masses of small articles, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B1/20—Reducing volume of filled material
    • B65B1/26—Reducing volume of filled material by pneumatic means, e.g. suction

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a process for filling a bag with a measured quantity of powdered or granular material, for example powdered cement.
  • the packing density of the powdered material within a filled bag is typically very low, which has a number of disadvantages. Firstly, the loosely packed material within the bag will make the bag difficult to manipulate. Secondly, when the bag is opened, for example by hitting the bag with the blade of a shovel, a large amount of the powdered material may be dispersed into the surrounding atmosphere, thereby giving rise to a potential health hazard. Thirdly, a loosely packed bag, if sealed, will be more likely to burst when subjected to external pressure, for example when the bag is stored in a stack.
  • a process for filling a bag with a powdered or granular material wherein a measured quantity of said material is subjected to a vacuum to compact the material prior to its being dispensed into the bag and once the bag has been filled with said material, said process further comprises fully sealing the mouth of the bag, and is characterised by compressing and/or vibrating the sealed bag to cause air within the bag to collect adjacent a point, forming a puncture hole in the bag at the point and then subjecting the bag to a vacuum and/or compressing the bag to remove air from the interior of the bag through the puncture hole.
  • the material is compacted within a chamber and is dispensed by positioning the chamber within the bag, such that the base of the chamber extends substantially to the base of the bag, and then releasing the compacted material from the base of the chamber whilst simultaneously separating the base of the chamber from the base of the bag.
  • the compacted material will thus remain relatively undisturbed as it is dispensed and therefore will maintain its high packing density.
  • the top of the chamber is pressurised to encourage the release of the compacted material into the bag.
  • the chamber may be positioned within the bag by lowering the chamber into bag and/or by raising bag to envelop the chamber.
  • the base of the chamber may be separated from the base of the bag by raising the chamber and/or by lowering bag.
  • the volume of air within the bag may be further reduced by inserting a suction device into the material contained in the bag, via the mouth of the bag, and applying suction via the suction device.
  • the puncture hole is preferably closed, for example by a weld or by applying an adhesive patch to the bag to cover the hole.
  • DE-A-4107495 discloses a method and apparatus for filling a bag with powdered material, wherein a quantity of the material is subject to a vacuum in a form chamber to compact the material prior to being dispensed into a bag.
  • a hopper 2 is shown, from which powdered material is fed by an screw 4 to a weighing chamber 6. Once the desired weight of material has accumulated in the weighing chamber, the material is discharged into a conditioning chamber 8, within which the material is compacted by evacuating air from the chamber.
  • the compacted material is then released from the base of the conditioning chamber 8 into a plastics bag 10 which is positioned such that it envelops the conditioning chamber, with the base of the chamber extending substantially to the base of the bag.
  • the plastics bag 10 is gradually lowered away from the conditioning chamber 8, thereby minimising any disturbance which might loosen the compacted material.
  • a pressure differential is preferably established by re-introducing air into the top of the chamber.
  • the filled bag is then transported to a possing station where the mouth of the bag is held open as its contents are subjected to a low frequency jog, for example by repeatedly raising and dropping the bag or by subjecting the bag to a series of blows.
  • the filled bag may pass through a series of possing stations according to the rate at which filled bags are delivered from the conditioning chamber and the level of deaeration required.
  • a suction device (not shown) is then inserted into the material contained in the bag, via the mouth of the bag, and suction applied via the suction device to further compact the material.
  • the apparatus is preferably arranged such that, between successive suction operations, air is blown through the suction device to dislodge any residual material therefrom, which might otherwise reduce the suction capability of the device.
  • the bag is then partially sealed by forming a series of welds 12 across its mouth and then compressed between a pair of opposed plates 14 to expel excess air from its interior through the partially sealed mouth.
  • a pair of opposed rollers 16 run across the top of the bag 10 as it is compressed to expel any remaining air from the ullage region of the bag.
  • Excess air may also or otherwise be expelled from the interior of the partially sealed bag by subjecting the bag to a vaccuum, for example by placing the partially sealed bag in a vaccuum chamber which is then evacuated.
  • a second series of welds 18 is finally formed across the top of the bag 10, in parallel with the first series of welds 12, with the two series of welds being staggered to provide a series of convoluted channels which allow further air to escape from the bag, for example if the bag is compressed within a stack, but which also inhibit the release of the powdered or granular material from, or the ingress of moisture into, the bag.
  • the mouth of the bag is fully sealed and the bag transported on its side along a vibrating conveyor belt, causing any remaining air to accumulate against the upper surface of the bag.
  • the fully sealed bag may also or otherwise be compressed, before the uppermost side of the bag is punctured and the bag compressed and/or subjected to a vaccuum, e.g. within a vaccuum chamber, to expel the accumulated air.
  • a vaccuum e.g. within a vaccuum chamber
  • the puncture hole is scaled by a weld or by applying an adhesive patch over the hole.

Abstract

A process and apparatus for filling a bag with a powdered or granular material wherein a measured quantity of said material is subjected to a vacuum to compact the material prior to its being dispensed into the bag.

Description

  • The present invention relates to a process for filling a bag with a measured quantity of powdered or granular material, for example powdered cement.
  • It has long been known to fill a bag with powdered material such as cement by dispensing measured quantities of the material into the bag from a hopper.
  • However, using a conventional filling process, the packing density of the powdered material within a filled bag is typically very low, which has a number of disadvantages. Firstly, the loosely packed material within the bag will make the bag difficult to manipulate. Secondly, when the bag is opened, for example by hitting the bag with the blade of a shovel, a large amount of the powdered material may be dispersed into the surrounding atmosphere, thereby giving rise to a potential health hazard. Thirdly, a loosely packed bag, if sealed, will be more likely to burst when subjected to external pressure, for example when the bag is stored in a stack.
  • We have now devised a process for filling a bag with powdered material which overcomes the limitations of existing processes.
  • According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process for filling a bag with a powdered or granular material wherein a measured quantity of said material is subjected to a vacuum to compact the material prior to its being dispensed into the bag and once the bag has been filled with said material, said process further comprises fully sealing the mouth of the bag, and is characterised by compressing and/or vibrating the sealed bag to cause air within the bag to collect adjacent a point, forming a puncture hole in the bag at the point and then subjecting the bag to a vacuum and/or compressing the bag to remove air from the interior of the bag through the puncture hole.
  • It will be appreciated that by increasing the density of the powdered or granular material, the volume of air within the filled bag will be minimised.
  • Preferably the material is compacted within a chamber and is dispensed by positioning the chamber within the bag, such that the base of the chamber extends substantially to the base of the bag, and then releasing the compacted material from the base of the chamber whilst simultaneously separating the base of the chamber from the base of the bag.
  • The compacted material will thus remain relatively undisturbed as it is dispensed and therefore will maintain its high packing density.
  • Preferably, having been evacuated to compact the powdered or granular material, the top of the chamber is pressurised to encourage the release of the compacted material into the bag.
  • The chamber may be positioned within the bag by lowering the chamber into bag and/or by raising bag to envelop the chamber.
  • The base of the chamber may be separated from the base of the bag by raising the chamber and/or by lowering bag.
  • Once filled, the volume of air within the bag may be further reduced by inserting a suction device into the material contained in the bag, via the mouth of the bag, and applying suction via the suction device.
  • Once the bag has been compressed and/or subjected to a vaccuum, the puncture hole is preferably closed, for example by a weld or by applying an adhesive patch to the bag to cover the hole.
  • In accordance with this invention as seen from a second aspect there is provided apparatus for filling a bag with powdered or granular material in accordance with the process of the first aspect.
  • DE-A-4107495 discloses a method and apparatus for filling a bag with powdered material, wherein a quantity of the material is subject to a vacuum in a form chamber to compact the material prior to being dispensed into a bag.
  • Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a schematic illustration of an in-line bag packing process in accordance with the present invention.
  • Referring to the drawing, a hopper 2 is shown, from which powdered material is fed by an screw 4 to a weighing chamber 6. Once the desired weight of material has accumulated in the weighing chamber, the material is discharged into a conditioning chamber 8, within which the material is compacted by evacuating air from the chamber.
  • The compacted material is then released from the base of the conditioning chamber 8 into a plastics bag 10 which is positioned such that it envelops the conditioning chamber, with the base of the chamber extending substantially to the base of the bag. As the compacted material is being released, the plastics bag 10 is gradually lowered away from the conditioning chamber 8, thereby minimising any disturbance which might loosen the compacted material. To assist in the release of material from the conditioning chamber, a pressure differential is preferably established by re-introducing air into the top of the chamber.
  • The filled bag is then transported to a possing station where the mouth of the bag is held open as its contents are subjected to a low frequency jog, for example by repeatedly raising and dropping the bag or by subjecting the bag to a series of blows.
  • The filled bag may pass through a series of possing stations according to the rate at which filled bags are delivered from the conditioning chamber and the level of deaeration required.
  • A suction device (not shown) is then inserted into the material contained in the bag, via the mouth of the bag, and suction applied via the suction device to further compact the material. The apparatus is preferably arranged such that, between successive suction operations, air is blown through the suction device to dislodge any residual material therefrom, which might otherwise reduce the suction capability of the device.
  • In a process not covered by the claims the bag is then partially sealed by forming a series of welds 12 across its mouth and then compressed between a pair of opposed plates 14 to expel excess air from its interior through the partially sealed mouth. A pair of opposed rollers 16 run across the top of the bag 10 as it is compressed to expel any remaining air from the ullage region of the bag.
  • Excess air may also or otherwise be expelled from the interior of the partially sealed bag by subjecting the bag to a vaccuum, for example by placing the partially sealed bag in a vaccuum chamber which is then evacuated.
  • A second series of welds 18 is finally formed across the top of the bag 10, in parallel with the first series of welds 12, with the two series of welds being staggered to provide a series of convoluted channels which allow further air to escape from the bag, for example if the bag is compressed within a stack, but which also inhibit the release of the powdered or granular material from, or the ingress of moisture into, the bag.
  • In an alternative process which is covered by the claims, the mouth of the bag is fully sealed and the bag transported on its side along a vibrating conveyor belt, causing any remaining air to accumulate against the upper surface of the bag.
  • The fully sealed bag may also or otherwise be compressed, before the uppermost side of the bag is punctured and the bag compressed and/or subjected to a vaccuum, e.g. within a vaccuum chamber, to expel the accumulated air.
  • Finally, the puncture hole is scaled by a weld or by applying an adhesive patch over the hole.
  • The processes thus described result in a tightly packed bag of powdered material which contains a minimal volume of air.

Claims (8)

  1. A process for filling a bag (10) with a powdered or granular material wherein a measured quantity of said material is subjected to a vacuum within a chamber (8) to compact the material prior to its being dispensed into the bag (10), wherein said compacted material is dispensed into the bag by positioning the chamber within the bag such that the base of the chamber extends substantially to the base of the bag, and then releasing the compacted material from the base of the chamber while simultaneously separating the base of the chamber from the base of the bag and is characterised by
    separating the base of the chamber from the base of the bag by lowering the bag, and once the bag (10) has been filled with said material, said process is further characterised by fully sealing the mouth of the bag (10), compressing and/or vibrating the sealed bag (10) to cause air within the bag (10) to collect adjacent a point, forming a puncture hole in the bag (10) at the point and then subjecting the bag (10) to a vacuum and/or compressing the bag (10) to remove air from the interior of the bag through the puncture hole.
  2. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein, once the chamber (8) has been evacuated to compact the compact the powdered or granular material, the top of the chamber is then pressurised to encourage the release of the compacted material into the bag (10).
  3. A. process as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the chamber (8) is positioned within the bag (10) by lowering the chamber into bag.
  4. A process as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the chamber (8) is positioned within the bag (10) by raising the bag to envelop the chamber.
  5. A process as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein, once the bag (10) has been compressed and/or subjected to a vacuum, the puncture hole is then dosed.
  6. A process as claimed in claim 5, wherein the puncture hole is closed by a weld.
  7. A process as claimed in claim 5, wherein the puncture hole is closed by applying an adhesive patch to the bag (10) to cover the hole.
  8. An apparatus arranged to fill a bag (10) with a powdered or granular material according to the process of any preceding claim.
EP01929852A 2000-05-17 2001-05-17 Process and apparatus for filling a bag with powdered or granular material Expired - Lifetime EP1292496B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0011730A GB0011730D0 (en) 2000-05-17 2000-05-17 Bag filling process
GB0011730 2000-05-17
GB0023384A GB0023384D0 (en) 2000-05-17 2000-09-25 Bag filling process
GB0023384 2000-09-25
PCT/GB2001/002188 WO2001087715A2 (en) 2000-05-17 2001-05-17 Process and apparatus for filling a bag with powdered or granular material

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1292496A2 EP1292496A2 (en) 2003-03-19
EP1292496B1 EP1292496B1 (en) 2007-05-02
EP1292496B2 true EP1292496B2 (en) 2009-11-11

Family

ID=26244279

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01929852A Expired - Lifetime EP1292496B2 (en) 2000-05-17 2001-05-17 Process and apparatus for filling a bag with powdered or granular material

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1292496B2 (en)
AT (1) ATE361234T1 (en)
AU (1) AU2001256532A1 (en)
DE (1) DE60128222T2 (en)
DK (1) DK1292496T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2286121T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2001087715A2 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1312547A1 (en) * 2001-11-16 2003-05-21 Arodo BVBA Device and method for packaging a flowable solid material
NL1022560C2 (en) 2003-02-03 2004-08-04 Arodo Bvba Device and method for packing flowable mould material such as powders and granulates involve a container with interior in horizontal surface surrounded by inside of at least one vertical wall

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3469364A (en) † 1966-05-17 1969-09-30 Hoefliger & Karg Method and apparatus for filling bags or the like
GB1353697A (en) † 1972-01-18 1974-05-22 Mckenzie Brown Ltd Handling bags
CH569620A5 (en) † 1973-06-27 1975-11-28 Electrotechnic & Chemical Engi Removing air from and compacting powdered materials - reduces packaging requirements, volume, cost of handling time
GB1433871A (en) † 1972-05-03 1976-04-28 Mckenzie Brown Ltd Handling bags
EP0695685A2 (en) † 1994-06-08 1996-02-07 Librawerk Maschinenfabrik GmbH Method for filling bulk material in sacks

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4107495A1 (en) * 1991-02-21 1992-08-27 Icoma Packtechnik Gmbh METHOD AND DEVICE FOR FILLING PACKAGES

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3469364A (en) † 1966-05-17 1969-09-30 Hoefliger & Karg Method and apparatus for filling bags or the like
GB1353697A (en) † 1972-01-18 1974-05-22 Mckenzie Brown Ltd Handling bags
GB1433871A (en) † 1972-05-03 1976-04-28 Mckenzie Brown Ltd Handling bags
CH569620A5 (en) † 1973-06-27 1975-11-28 Electrotechnic & Chemical Engi Removing air from and compacting powdered materials - reduces packaging requirements, volume, cost of handling time
EP0695685A2 (en) † 1994-06-08 1996-02-07 Librawerk Maschinenfabrik GmbH Method for filling bulk material in sacks

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE60128222T2 (en) 2008-01-10
WO2001087715A3 (en) 2002-04-04
DK1292496T3 (en) 2007-09-03
EP1292496B1 (en) 2007-05-02
AU2001256532A1 (en) 2001-11-26
WO2001087715A2 (en) 2001-11-22
DE60128222D1 (en) 2007-06-14
ES2286121T3 (en) 2007-12-01
ATE361234T1 (en) 2007-05-15
EP1292496A2 (en) 2003-03-19

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