DIVING NOZZLE FOR GAS PURGING A PACKAGE AND METHOD FOR THE SAME

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a diving nozzle. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a diving nozzle capable of preforming a gas purging operation on a package and method for the same.

BACKGROUND

It is well known in the art to perform a purging operation after a package, such as a flexible pouch, has been filled with a variety of products including consumable liquids and other edible products. In order to extend the shelf life of the product in the flexible pouch, oxygen present in the pouch must be purged by an inert gas prior to the sealing of the flexible pouch. The presence of oxygen in the pouch increases the chance of a bacteria forming or may affect the taste of the consumable liquid or other edible products within the packaged pouch.

Previously known pouch filling and sealing machines included a separate gas flush or gas purge station positioned after a filling station. The separate gas purge station purged the interior of the pouch with the inert gas prior to the sealing of the pouch. However, there are several disadvantages of the previously known fill-seal machines which include a gas purge or flush station positioned between the filling station and the sealing station.

Specifically, the inclusion of a separate station of the fill-seal machine for the sole purpose of purging the interior of the pouch of oxygen decreases the operational efficiency of the fill-seal machine operation. The requirement for a separate station increases the overall time required for the flexible pouch to undergo the fill-seal operation. Moreover, the inclusion of a separate station for the purging operation increases the overall size of the fill-seal machine and reduces the number of pouches which can undergo simultaneous operation at each station.

Moreover, by conducting the purging operation at a separate station from the filling station requires that the pouch be displaced from the filling stage to the separate purge station. The movement of the pouch from the filling station to the purge station often disrupts product filled within the flexible pouch which may be splattered or otherwise adhered to the interior portion of the upper edge of the flexible pouch. The contamination of the upper edge of the pouch can decrease the effectiveness of a later applied seal that seals the upper edge of the pouch.

Overcoming these concerns would be desirable. Thus, there is a need for an improved diving nozzle which overcomes the disadvantages of the previously known flexible pouch filling systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the claims are not limited to a specific illustration, an appreciation of the various aspects is best gained through a discussion of various examples thereof. Although the drawings represent illustrations, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated to better illustrate and explain an innovative aspect of an example. Further, the exemplary illustrations described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limiting or restricted to the precise form and configuration shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description. Exemplary illustrates are described in detail by referring to the drawings as follows:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a fill-seal apparatus;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the inventive diving nozzle with the diving nozzle in the raised position and the second tube in the retracted position;

FIG. 3 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the diving nozzle in the lowered position and the second tube in the retracted position;

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view with the diving nozzle in the lowered position and the second tube in the extended position;

FIGS. 5A to 5C illustrate perspective views of a purge pipe according to an example, which may be used with the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the purge pipe in a region of the lower end;

FIG. 7 illustrates a view of the purge pipe purging a package;

FIGS. 8A to 8C illustrates alternative examples of the purge pipe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the drawings, where like numerals and characters indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, exemplary illustrates are shown in detail. The various features of the exemplary approaches illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures may be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures, as it will be understood that alternative illustrations that may not be explicitly illustrated or described may be able to be produced. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative approaches for typical applications. However, various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of the present disclosure may be desired for particular applications or implementations.

With reference to FIG. 1, an apparatus for filling and sealing packages (e.g., pouches) is generally illustrated at 10. The apparatus 10 (e.g., a fill machine) is particularly adapted for consumable products including powders and liquids such as juice, carbonated beverages, and alcoholic beverages. However, it is appreciated, of course, that the diving nozzle is not limited to liquids or consumable products.

The apparatus 10 is configured to fill and seal a variety of packages such as flexible pouches 12 having a variety of different shapes. It is appreciated, of course, that the apparatus 10 is not limited to packages such as flexible pouches 12, and is operable to fill and seal a variety of different packages illustratively including cans, boxes, jars, bottles, rigid pouches and other similar packages.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 3-4, the pouches 12 include a top end 14, an opposite bottom end 16, and a pair of sides 18 extending between the top end and the bottom end 16. It is appreciated, of course, that the flexible pouches 12 may be formed from a single piece of material or two separate panels sealed together to form the pouch 12. In addition, the flexible pouches may include a variety of additional features including bottom or side gussets, fitments, and resealable zip type openings.

In the illustrated example, the top end 14 of each of the flexible pouches 12 defines an opening for filling, specifically, an open top end. It will be appreciated that the bottom end 16 or the side(s) 18 may instead define an opening for filing. In an example of the pouch 12 formed using two sheets of material, the side edges 18 may be joined along two side seams, such as a flat seam or a fin style seam, extending from the top end 14 to the bottom end 16. Moreover, the top end 14 may include a spout that defines the opening for filling.

As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus 10 is a rotary fill-seal machine having a turret 20 (e.g., rotary turret), which is sequentially rotated in a counterclockwise direction through a plurality of stations or stages by a motor. It is appreciated, of course, that although the illustrated embodiment depicts the apparatus 10 for filling and sealing the flexible pouches 12 as a rotary machine, the present specification is not limited to such a configuration and is optionally a linear type fill-seal machine. Moreover, the present specification is not limited to a fill-seal configuration, and is optionally a fill machine in which pouches are then transferred to a separate machine for sealing.

The rotating turret 20 rotates through a plurality of stations in which the apparatus 10 performs an operation on a single pouch 12 or a plurality of pouches 12 simultaneously. The rotating turret 20 of the apparatus 10 includes a loading station 22, a first accessory station 24, a first opening station 26, a second opening station 28, a filling and gas purging station 30 (which may be in a single station or separate stations), a second accessory station 32, a sealing station 34, and a discharge station 36. Each of the stations 22-36 applies a specific operation on a single pouch 12 or a plurality of pouches. After completion of the operation, the rotating turret 20 rotates the pouches 12 to a subsequent station. It will be appreciated that more or fewer stations may be provided without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

As best seen in FIG. 2, each of the stations of the rotating turret 20 includes at least one gripper pair 38 which hold the sides 18 of the pouches 12 to secure the pouch 12 therein. It is appreciated, of course, that at each of the stations, a multitude of gripper pairs 38 such as double, triple, or quadruple gripper pairs are provided. Moreover, at each of the stations, the operation performed thereon is applied to each of the pouches within the plurality of gripper pairs 38 so that each of the plurality of pouches 12 at each individual station undergoes the same operation simultaneously.

At the loading station 22, a robotic transfer device 40 transfers the pouches 12 from a pouch supply 42 into the open gripper pairs 38 at the loading station 22. After the pouch 12 has been received and gripped by the gripper pairs 38, the rotating turret 20 rotates the pouches 12 to the subsequent station. Specifically, the first accessory station 24 which applies a first accessory to the pouch 12, illustrating including indicia, spouts, zipper closures, RFID tags, and so on. The pouch 12 is initially opened at the first opening station 26 and is then rotated to the second opening station 28 in which the pouch is fully opened. Afterwards the opened pouch 12 is then rotated to the filling and purge station 30 in which the pouch 12 undergoes a filling operation and a gas purge operation by a single diving nozzle or separately by a filling diving nozzle and a purging diving nozzle. For example, the station 30 may be a dedicated purging station with a purge diving nozzle, and the filling station may be provided between station 28 and station 30, or the filling station may replace second opening station 28. As such, reference to fill-purge station 30 should be understood to encompass both a single/combined filling and purging station with a single diving nozzle, a single filling and purging station with separate filling and diving nozzles, and a separate fill station distinct from a purge station, each with associated diving nozzles.

Once the pouch 12 has been filled with a product and purged of any excess oxygen at the fill-purge station 30, the rotating turret 20 rotates the pouch 12 to the second accessory station 32 at which additional accessories are provided to the pouch 12. The open upper end or top end 14 is sealed at the sealing station 34 and the completed filled and sealed pouch 12 is discharged at the discharge station 36.

Operation of the apparatus 10 is controlled by an electronic control unit 44 which is in electronic communication with the rotating turret 20 so as to control all operations of the apparatus 10. The electronic control unit 44 includes a central processing unit, memory, and a communication bus so as to interface with the various components of the apparatus 10. Specific characteristics of the pouch 12 and the product to be filled therein can be stored in the storage device of the electronic control unit 44 so as to efficiently operate the apparatus 10.

With reference to FIG. 2, the inventive diving nozzle 46 will now be explained. The diving nozzle 46 is positioned at the fill-purge station 30 of the apparatus 10. The diving nozzle 46 allows for the pouch 12 to undergo a fill operation and a gas purge operation at a single station of the apparatus 10. The diving nozzle 46 is connected to a vertical displacement mechanism 48 and suspended above the fill-purge station 30. The vertical displacement mechanism 48 vertically displaces the entire diving nozzle 46 in the direction of arrow A1 from the raised position as illustrated in FIG. 2 to the lowered position as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The vertical displacement mechanism 48 further raises the entire diving nozzle 46 from the lowered position to the raised position in the direction of arrow A2 as seen in FIG. 4.

In the raised position the diving nozzle 46 is positioned above the open top end 14 of the pouch 12, and in the lowered position a portion of the diving nozzle 46 is positioned below the top end 14 and into the interior of the pouch 12. In the raised position the diving nozzle 46 is positioned above the pouch 12 so as to allow for the pouches 12 to be rotated by the rotating turret 20. As such, the diving nozzle 46 and the vertical displacement mechanism 48 do not rotate with the rotating turret 20.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the diving nozzle 46 includes a first tube 50 and a second tube 52. The first tube 50 and the second tube 52 are formed as generally hollow cylindrical tubes. The second tube 52 is positioned so as to extend coaxially with the first tube 50. The second tube 52 at least partially extends within the first tube 50.

The first tube 50 includes an open distal end 54 and an upper end 56. A first inlet 58 is provided on the first tube 50 so as to provide a passage through the interior of the first tube 50 from the first inlet 58 to a first outlet 55. The first outlet 55 is formed at the open distal end 54 of the first tube 50 and will be described in greater detail below.

The upper end 56 (e.g., including a top wall) of the first tube 50 includes an aperture 60 through which a portion of the second tube 52 extends. A resilient seal 62 is positioned within the aperture 60 so as to provide a fluid-tight seal between the upper end 56 of the first tube 50 and the second tube 52 while still allowing for relative movement of the second tube 52 with respect to the first tube 50.

The second tube 52 includes a distal end 64 having a second outlet 66 and an opposite end wall 68. A second inlet 70 is provided so as to provide a passageway through the hollow second tube 52 from the second inlet 70 to the second outlet 66.

An actuator 72 is provided at the upper end of the diving nozzle 46. The actuator 72 provides for vertical displacement of the second tube 52 with respect to the first tube 50. Simply put, the actuator 72 vertically displaces only the second tube 52 while the first tube 50 remains stationary. The actuator 72 is optionally a fluid controlled actuator that converts fluid pressure into motion, such as a pneumatic actuator. The actuator 72 includes an actuator case 74. An aperture 76 is provided within the bottom wall 78 of the actuator case 74. A shaft 80 extends through the aperture 76 and is sealed by a resilient seal 82.

A lower end of the shaft 80 is connected to the end wall 68 of the second tube 52 and an upper end of the shaft 80 is connected to a piston 84. The piston 84 is positioned within the actuator case 74 between a first port 86 and a second port 88. The first port 86 and the second port 88 are connected to a supply of a fluid having pumps or pressure tanks controlled by the electronic control unit 44 so as to control the ingress and egress of fluid into the first port 86 and the second port 88.

The first inlet 58 of the first tube 50 is connected to a supply 90 of a purging gas. The second inlet 70 of the second tube 52 is connected to a supply 92 of a product to be packaged within the pouch 12.

The supply 90 is a supply of compressed purging gas. The purging gas is optionally an inert gas such as nitrogen (N2) or carbon dioxide (CO2), although other gases operable to purge oxygen remaining in the pouch 12 and avoid spoilage of the product are applicable. Each of the supply 90 of the purging gas and the supply 92 of the product individually actuated discharge mechanisms 90a and 92a, respectively, such as pumps, check valves, or the like which are controlled by the electronic control unit 44.

A flange 94 extends from the exterior of the first tube 50, and a flange 96 extends from the exterior of the actuator case 74. A pair of struts 98 extend between the flange 94 and the flange 96 so as to provide a rigid connection between the first tube 50 and the actuator case 74. Connectors 100 connect the diving nozzle 46 to the vertical displacement mechanism 48.

With reference to FIG. 4, the distal end 64 of the second tube 52 is formed with a stopper 102. The stopper 102 includes a generally frustoconical shape having a lower base portion 104 and a frustoconical shaped portion 106 extending between the cylindrical base portion 104 to the second tube 52. The cylindrical base portion 104 has an outer diameter that corresponds to the inner diameter of the distal end 54 of the first tube 50. When the second tube is in the retracted position, as seen in FIG. 3, the stopper 102 acts as a seal to close the first port of the first tube 50.

In order to facilitate a better understanding of the inventive diving nozzle 46, the operation of the fill-purge operation at the fill-purge station 30 will now be explained. Once a pouch 12 has been rotated by the rotating turret 20 to the fill-purge station 30, the vertical displacement mechanism 48 lowers the entire diving nozzle 46 from the raised position, as seen in FIG. 2, to the lowered position, as seen in FIG. 1, in the direction of arrow A1. The electronic control unit 44 controls the vertical displacement mechanism 48 to vertically displace the entire dive nozzle 46 from the raised position to the lowered position.

Upon reaching the lowered position, the electronic control unit 44 controls discharge mechanism 92a of the supply 92 of product 108 to enter the second inlet 70 and extends through the second tube 52 to the second outlet 66 so as to dispense the product 108 into the interior of the pouch 12. The product 108 is preferably a liquid product which is to be packaged in the flexible pouch 12. Upon completing a dispensing of a predetermined amount of the product 108, the electronic control unit 44 controls the discharge mechanism 92a to stop the dispensing of the product 108.

Immediately after, or just prior to the completion of the dispensing operation (filling operation), the electronic control unit 44 actuates the actuator 72 by controlling the pumps or pressure tanks so as to supply a fluid in the direction of arrow A4 into the first port 86 so as to move the piston 84 in the direction of arrow B1 which displaces the shaft 80 and the second tube 52 from the retracted position, as seen in FIG. 3, to the extended position as seen in FIG. 4. Any fluid disposed on the opposite side of the piston 84 is discharged through the second port 88 in the direction of arrow A5.

As the actuator 72 moves the second tube 52 from the retracted position to the extended position, as seen in FIG. 4, the vertical displacement mechanism 48 begins to move the entire dive nozzle 46 from the lowered position towards the raised position. During the ascent of the diving nozzle 46 the electronic control unit 44 controls the discharge mechanism 90a to dispense the purging gas 110 from the supply 90 to enter the first inlet 58 and extend through the first tube 50 and exit the first outlet 55. As the stopper 102 has been moved from the retracted position, which closes off the first outlet 55, to the extended position which opens up the first outlet 55, the purging gas 110 is dispensed from the first outlet 55 at the first distal end 54 of the first tube 50.

As the stopper 102 is formed with the frustoconical shaped portion 106, the purging gas dispensed from the first outlet 55 is deflected off the frustoconical shaped portion 106 of the stopper 102 and is diffused throughout the interior of the pouch 12 so as to purge any remaining oxygen.

Once the diving nozzle 46 has been moved from the lowered position to the raised position, the electronic control unit 44 controls the pumps or pressure tanks such that fluid enters the second port 88 in the direction of arrow A7. The pressure pushes the piston 84 in the direction of arrow B2 and any remaining fluid contained in the opposite side of the actuator case 74 is exited through the first port 86 in the direction of arrow A8.

It is appreciated, of course, that the supply 90 is optionally a product 108 which is dispensed through the first outlet when the diving nozzle 46 is in the lowered position with the second tube 52 in the extended position. After filling of the pouch 12 with a predetermined amount of product 108, the actuator 72 actuates the second tube 52 from the extended position to the retracted position so as to close off the first outlet 55 to prevent any further discharge of the product 108. Once the second tube 52 has been positioned in the retracted position, the electronic control unit 44 optionally discharges a purging gas 110 contained in the supply 92 through the interior of the second tube 52 through the second outlet 66. The discharge of the purging gas 110 which will purge any remaining oxygen from the interior of the pouch 12.

In such an embodiment in which the supply 90 is a product for packaging, the electronic control unit 44 optionally actuates the discharge mechanism 90a so as to fill the interior chamber of the hollow first tube 50 such that upon actuation of the actuator 72 to move the second tube 52 from the retracted position to the extended position the predetermined amount of product 108 contained within the first tube 50 is dispensed.

Alternatively, the diving nozzle 46 actuates the second tube 52 from the retracted position to the extended position and simultaneously discharges a product 108 from the supply 92 through the second outlet 66 of the second tube 52 while the purging gas 110 from the supply 90 is discharged through the first outlet 55 at the open distal end 54 of the first tube 50. The simultaneous filling and purging operation allows for an increase in filling and purging efficiency as the time required for the pouch to undergo the filling and purging operation is reduced.

With reference to FIGS. 5A-7, there is shown a purge pipe or portion 200 according to another example that may be used or incorporated into the apparatus 10 and the diving nozzle 46 as shown and described with reference to FIGS. 1-4. The purge pipe 200 may be used at a purge station, e.g., station 30, which may be separate from a fill station or combined with a fill station. The purge portion 200 may be used to pump a gas, e.g., purge gas such as O₂and/or CO₂and/or N₂, into the pouch 12 to remove oxygen from the pouch 12 (e.g., after filling the pouch with contents such as food).

Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, perspective views of the purge portion 200 are shown in detail. The purge portion 200 comprises a tube 202 (e.g., a straight hollow tube portion) having a lower or distal end 204 (lower hollow portion) with an outlet opening 206, the lower end 204 extending transversely to the tube 202 or respectively being angled relative to the tube 202. With embodiments, varying configurations (e.g., shapes and sizes) of the lower end 204 may influence the distribution of purging gas 110 within the pouch 12. The lower end 204 may facilitate the distribution of purging gas 110 to sides of the pouch 12; thus, generating a swirl of gas within the pouch 12 that may move air or oxygen in an upward direction (e.g., vertically), to purge the interior of the pouch. In generating the swirl of gas within the pouch 12, any products and/or debris residing within the pouch 12 may not be blown (e.g., forced) upwardly into a sealing region 12A of the pouch 12 (e.g., shown in FIG. 7), ultimately enhancing the integrity of the seal by reducing debris dust. As the sides of the pouch 12 absorb the directed pressure from the purging gas 110, residual products and/or debris do not directly receive the pressure and may not be displaced vertically into the sealing region 12A. This reduces or eliminates products and/or debris from contaminating the sealing region 12A which may compromise the integrity of the seal for the pouch 12. Further, the shelf-life of the pouch is increased because, as a seal of the sealing region 12A is dried and/or cooled, less debris or product resides within the sealing region that may compromise the integrity of the seal.

According to the illustrated example, the lower end 204 is arranged at an angle α, e.g., an obtuse angle, relative to the tube 202 (cf. FIG. 5B). Stated alternatively, the lower end 204 is arranged at an angle (e.g., 110°-160°, in particular 135°) relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the tube 202 (cf. FIG. 5C). Stated alternatively, an axis of the lower end 204 is angled at 20°-70°, in particular 45°, relative to an extension of the longitudinal axis of the tube 202. The angle formed at the lower end 204 helps facilitate a circular flow or movement of purge gas to remove a greater amount of oxygen from the pouch 12 and more uniformly purge the interior of the pouch 12. Pursuant to implementations, the purge portion 200 (e.g., purge pipe) with an angled lower end 204 removes 75% more oxygen from within the pouch than a straight tube. Additionally, the angled or bent lower end 204 directs the purge gas towards the sides 18 of the pouch 12, instead of towards the bottom of the pouch 12, so as to not touch the product filled therein or direct gas directly onto the product.

The outlet opening 206 is arranged at a terminal or distal end of the lower end 204 of the purge pipe 200. The outlet opening 206 may be arranged on a plane extending transversely to the vertical and/or horizontal plane. Pursuant to an example, the outlet opening 206 is inclined to both the vertical plan and the horizontal plane. Pursuant to another example, the outlet opening 206 is inclined to the vertical plane (e.g. perpendicular) and parallel to the horizontal plane. The angle of the outlet opening 206 (e.g., inclined to the vertical and/or horizontal plane) may help influence the flow direction of the purge gas. Further, the outlet may be circular in cross-section, or slot-shaped (e.g., rectangular) in cross-section.

The purge pipe 200 includes an inlet 208 coupled to a supply (not shown), such as a supply of purge gas (N₂and/or O₂and/or CO₂). For example, the inlet 208 may include or be coupled to a connector 210 comprising a (first) opening 212 for a first supply (e.g., N₂) and a (second) opening 214 for a second supply (e.g., CO₂). The purge pipe 200 forms a flow path for purge gas from the inlet 208, through the tube 202 and the lower end 204, and out of the outlet opening 206 where the purge gas is directed to a side 18 of the pouch 12. An interior transition from the tube 202 to the lower end 204 may be rounded to facilitate a smooth change of direction and thereby reduce turbulences.

In a region of the inlet 208, the purge portion 200 may comprise a mounting mechanism including a clamping element 216 optionally with a clamping spring (not shown), a clamping strip 218, and a clamping lever 220.

FIG. 6 shows a view of the purge portion 200 of a diving nozzle 46 at a purge station of the apparatus 10. As shown, the purge portion 200 comprises the tube 202, the lower end 204 angled relative to the tube 202, and the outlet opening 206 at the bottom of the lower end 204. A shield 222 (e.g., a baffle, plate, etc.) may be provided above the lower end 204, e.g., at or near a transition of the straight tube 202 to the lower end 204, to prevent filling contents or contaminates from enter the pouch 12 and/or deflect or diffuse the remaining gas (oxygen) being purged from the pouch 12. The shield 222 may extend transversely (e.g., perpendicularly) to the longitudinal axis of the straight tube 202, and be disposed at a positioned between the inlet 208 and the transition to the lower end 204. A gasket or seal 224 may be provided to seal the connection between the shield 222 and the tube 202.

As best seen in FIG. 7, the gripper pair 38 holds the sides 18 of the pouch 12 at a purging station of apparatus 10. The purging pipe 200 is lowered, so that the lower end 204 is moved (lowered) into the interior of the pouch 12, with the outlet opening 206 directed towards one side 18 of the pouch. The shield 222 is positioned at the top of the open top (or bottom) of the pouch 12. A supply of purge gas (e.g., O₂and/or CO₂and/or N₂) flows through the purging pipe 200 via the tube 202 and the lower end 204, where the flow of purge gas (shown by arrow) is directed out of the outlet opening 206 towards the side 18 of the pouch 12, away from the bottom and any contents therein. The configuration of the lower end 204 directed towards the side 18 of the pouch 12 (i.e., the lower end 204 angled relative to the tube 202) facilities a circular flow within the pouch 12, maximizing the amount of purging to remove any remaining oxygen in the pouch 12.

As little as 0.05% gas may remain after purging with the purging portion 200. Then, the purge pipe 200 is raised to remove the lower end 204 from the pouch 12, and the pouch is sealed and the completed filled and sealed pouch 12 is discharged from the apparatus 10.

Operation of the purging pipe 200 may be controlled by the ECU 44, as described above.

It will be appreciated that the purging pipe 200 may include any number of lower ends with respective outlet openings, each lower end arranged at an angle to the straight tube 202. For example, two lower ends may be provided, each configured to be directed towards one of the two sides 18 of the pouch 12. FIGS. 8A-8C show possible configurations of the purging portion 200 including tube 202 and lower end 204.

As is also appreciated, and illustrated via FIGS. 6, 7, 8A, 8B, and 8C, the tube 202 may include a length that may vary with different size packages. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the tube 202 may include a shorter length that may be compatible with shorter sized packages connected at the gripper pairs 38. In other examples, as shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C, the tube 202 may include a longer length that may be compatible with taller sized packages connected at the gripper pairs 38. Additionally or alternatively, the lower end 204 may include a varying length to accommodate different widths of packages.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C show one or more various embodiments for the lower end 204 of the purge portion 200. As discussed previously, the lower end 204 of the purge portion 200 facilitates the flow or movement of purge gas within the pouch 12. The flow or movement of purge gas within the pouch 12 may influenced by the shape and/or form of the lower end 204. FIG. 8A illustrates a lower end 204 that extends from the tube 202 in more than one direction. For example, the lower end 204 may extend proximate to both sides 18 of the pouch to direct purge gas in a first direction B1 and a second direction B2 to both sides 18. In such a configuration, the lower end 204 may include any variety of shape that may direct purging gas 110 proximate/about the sides 18 of the pouch 12. For example, the lower end 204 may be trapezoidal shaped, V-shaped, and/or any other structure to accomplish the swirling of purging gas 110 within the pouch 12.

Turning to FIG. 8B, in embodiments, the lower end 204 of the purge portion 200 may be formed uniformly with the tube 202 which may direct purging gas 110 in a third direction B3 (e.g., which may be substantially coaxial with the tube 202). Additionally or alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8C, the lower end 204 of the purge portion 200 may direct purging gas 110 in a fourth direction B4, which may be disposed at an angle with respect to the tube 202 (as discussed previously in connection with FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C).

The purging pipe 200 including tube 202 and lower end 204 may be made of metal. The lower end 204 may be welded to an end of the straight tube 202 to form a one-piece purging pipe 200. Alternatively, the straight tube 202 may be bent at its distal region to form the lower end 204.

The purge pipe 200 may be disposed at a purge station of apparatus 10, separate from a filling station where contents are filled into the pouch. Thus, the purge portion 200 may be designed for purging contents (e.g., oxygen) from a filled pouch 12. Alternatively, the purge portion 200 may be used in combination with a fill tube at a fill-purge station, for example by forming the first or second tube 50, 52 of diving nozzle 46 according to FIGS. 1-4.

According to a first aspect, a diving nozzle for purging a package with purging gas includes a straight hollow tube and a lower hollow end extending transversely to the straight hollow tube. The straight hollow tube and the lower hollow end define a flow path for purging gas.

Pursuant to an implementation, the lower end is arranged at an obtuse angle relative to the straight hollow tube. For example, an axis of the lower hollow end is arranged at an angle of 110° to 160° relative to a longitudinal axis of the straight hollow tube. Pursuant to an implementation, the angle is 135°.

Pursuant to an implementation, an inner transition from the straight hollow tube to the lower hollow end is rounded (e.g., without edges to provide a smooth profile).

Pursuant to an implementation, a shield is disposed on the straight hollow tube at a position above a transition between the straight hollow tube and the lower end.

Pursuant to an implementation, the lower end extends transversely from the straight hollow tube in a first direction and a second direction. Accordingly, the flow of purging gas may be directed towards a first side and a second, opposite side of the package.

According to a second aspect, a filling machine for filling a pouch with a product includes a purge station and a diving nozzle positioned (e.g., mounted or arranged) at the purge station. The diving nozzle includes a straight hollow tube with an inlet coupled to a supply of purging gas, and a lower hollow end extending transversely to the straight hollow tube, the lower hollow end having an outlet disposed at a terminal end thereof. The straight hollow tube and the lower hollow end define a flow path for purging gas, and the lower hollow end directs the purging gas towards a side of the pouch.

Pursuant to an implementation, the supply of purging gas includes one or more of N₂, CO₂, and O₂.

Pursuant to an implementation, the lower hollow end is configured to direct a flow of purging gas towards one side of the package.

Pursuant to an implementation, the lower end is vertically displaceable into and out of the pouch.

Pursuant to an implementation, the lower end is configured to direct a flow of purging gas towards a first side and a second side of the pouch, and the first side is opposite the second side.

According to a third aspect, a method for purging a package includes moving a purge pipe with an angled lower end into an interior of the package; and directing a flow of purge gas to a side of the package via the angled lower end.

Pursuant to an implementation, the method further includes directing the flow of purge gas to another side of the package via the angled lower end, the other side being opposite thereto.

Pursuant to an implementation, the flow of purge gas is directed simultaneously to both the (first) side and the (second) other side of the package.

Pursuant to an implementation, the purge pipe includes an inlet coupled to a supply of purge gas. The purge gas includes one or more of N₂, CO₂, and O₂.

The purge gas may be directed into the package, and towards the side of the package, after filing the package with a product to remove residual oxygen (or air) from the package after filing.

Pursuant to an implementation, the angled lower end is arranged at an angle of 110° to 160° relative to a longitudinal axis of a straight hollow tube of the purge pipe. Such an angle facilities discharging the purge gas in a swirling-manner within the package.

It will be appreciated that the aforementioned, apparatus, system, and/or method may be modified to have some components and steps removed, or may have additional components and steps added, all of which are deemed to be within the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, even though the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated that the various modifications and changes can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the technologies discussed herein, and that the disclosed method, device and/or article will be incorporated into such future developments. Thus, the specification and the drawings are to be regarded as an illustrative thought instead of merely restrictive thought.

Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “with embodiments,” “in embodiments,” or “an embodiment,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “with embodiments,” “in embodiments,” or “an embodiment,” or the like, in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment/example may be combined, in whole or in part, with the features, structures, functions, and/or characteristics of one or more other embodiments/examples without limitation given that such combination is not illogical or non-functional. Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope thereof.

As used herein, spatial or directional terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “up,” “down,” “left,” “right,” “first,” “second,” “third,” and the like, relate to the illustrations shown in the figures and are not to be considered as limiting. Further, all numbers expressing dimensions, ratios and the like, used in the specification and claims, are to be understood to encompass tolerances and other deviations as represented by the term “about” or “approximately.” Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass any and all sub-ranges subsumed therein.

All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their broadest reasonable constructions and their ordinary meanings as understood by those knowledgeable in the technologies described herein unless an explicit indication to the contrary in made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc. should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary. Further, the use of “at least one of” is intended to be inclusive, analogous to the term and/or. Additionally, use of adjectives such as first, second, etc. should be read to be interchangeable unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary.

It should be understood that a computer, a system, and/or a processor (e.g., ECU 44) as described herein may include a conventional processing apparatus known in the art, which may be capable of executing preprogrammed instructions stored in an associated memory, all performing in accordance with the functionality described herein. To the extent that the methods described herein are embodied in software, the resulting software can be stored in an associated memory and can also constitute means for performing such methods. Such a system or processor may further be of the type having ROM, RAM, RAM and ROM, and/or a combination of non-volatile and volatile memory so that any software may be stored and yet allow storage and processing of dynamically produced data and/or signals.

It should be further understood that an article of manufacture in accordance with this disclosure may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a computer program encoded thereon for implementing logic and other functionality described herein. The computer program may include code to perform one or more of the methods disclosed herein. Such embodiments may be configured to execute via one or more processors, such as multiple processors that are integrated into a single system or are distributed over and connected together through a communications network, and the communications network may be wired and/or wireless. Code for implementing one or more of the features described in connection with one or more embodiments may, when executed by a processor, cause a plurality of transistors to change from a first state to a second state. A specific pattern of change (e.g., which transistors change state and which transistors do not), may be dictated, at least partially, by the logic and/or code.

DIVING NOZZLE FOR GAS PURGING A PACKAGE AND METHOD FOR THE SAME

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