Method for dispensing fluent material

Abstract

A method for dispensing a fluent material to articles which receive the fluent material. The method comprises the steps of selectively dispensing fluent material to the articles through open ends of nipples of a first flexible bag positioned for dispensing fluent material to the articles by deforming the nipples to eject fluent material therefrom. The open ends of the nipples of the first flexible bag are sealed. A second flexible bag having nipples is positioned for dispensing fluent material from the nipples to the articles, and fluent material is selectively dispensed to the articles through open ends of the nipples of second flexible bag by deforming the nipples to eject fluent material therefrom.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to dispensing of a fluent material, and more particularly to a method of dispensing fluent material from a flexible bag by manipulation of the bag.

[0003] Manufacturing and merchandising processes frequently have as a component element the dispensing of a fluent material to a container. Such fluent materials include food, beverages, and medicinal products in the form of liquids, powders, slurries, dispersions, particulate solids or other pressure transportable fluidizable material. The product is typically provided through a vending or processing machine.

[0004] Food and medicinal products must be handled by the machine in such a way as to maintain aseptic conditions. Accordingly, the parts of the machine which handle the food are made of materials (e.g., stainless steel) which are highly resistant to corrosion and can be cleaned. However, such materials are expensive and significantly increase costs. Many food products are prone to leave crumbs, residue or other debris as they are handled, which cause the machine to become unsanitary. It is inefficient to frequently clean a machine and this increases the cost of the product.

[0005] A beverage merchandiser for dispensing a selected beverage should also provide for precise mixing of beverage components, accurate volumetric delivery, and ready replenishment. Unfortunately, merchandisers of the prior art do not provide these capabilities in an efficient and clean system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] A method of the invention dispenses a fluent material to articles which receive the fluent material. The method comprises the steps of selectively dispensing fluent material to the articles through open ends of nipples of a first flexible bag positioned for dispensing fluent material to the articles by deforming the nipples to eject fluent material therefrom. The open ends of the nipples of the first flexible bag are sealed. A second flexible bag having nipples is positioned for dispensing fluent material from the nipples to the articles, and fluent material is selectively dispensed to the articles through open ends of the nipples of second flexible bag by deforming the nipples to eject fluent material therefrom.

[0007] Other objects and features of the present invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of apparatus for automatically filling containers of the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 2A is a diagrammatic flow of the apparatus illustrating its operation in a forward feed mode;

[0010] FIG. 2B is a diagrammatic flow of the apparatus illustrating its operation in a fill, seal and separate mode;

[0011] FIG. 3 is an elevation of a flexible bag with parts broken away to show the integral connection of nipples to the bag;

[0012] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective of the apparatus showing a pump thereof without the bag and open in preparation for receiving the bag nipples;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a enlarged, fragmentary elevation taken from the vantage indicated by line 5-5 of FIG. 1 with parts broken away to illustrate the reception of nipples in the pump;

[0014] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, schematic elevation similar to FIG. 5 but showing another pump capable of delivering fluent material at different rates or in different amounts from the different nipples;

[0015] FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of apparatus similar to that shown in FIG. 1 but including a bag squeezing mechanism to force fluent material toward the nipples and pump;

[0016] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view of the flexible bag showing one of the nipples receiving a needle in its outlet;

[0017] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective of another flexible bag having resealable nipples;

[0018] FIG. 9A is a view similar to FIG. 9 showing a version of the bag having nipples of varying diameters;

[0019] FIG. 10 is a perspective of a second version of the pump;

[0020] FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 showing the bag of FIG. 9 installed in the pump;

[0021] FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, schematic perspective of platens of the pump squeezing one of the nipples to pump fluent material;

[0022] FIG. 13A is a section in plan taken on line 13-13 of FIG. 12 showing a nipple being squeezed;

[0023] FIG. 13B is a view similar to FIG. 13A showing a nipple released from squeezing;

[0024] FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13A and illustrating a stroke of the platens;

[0025] FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14 and illustrating a reduced stroke;

[0026] FIGS. 16A and 16B are elevations of one platen of a pump illustrating options in groove geometry on platens for metering flow;

[0027] FIG. 17A is a section in plan illustrating a third version of the pump having three platens and capable of accepting ten nipples;

[0028] FIG. 17B is a section similar to FIG. 17A with a platen moved to a position to squeeze the nipples;

[0029] FIG. 18 is a section similar to FIG. 17A showing a fourth version of the pump having independently moveable platen elements;

[0030] FIG. 19 is an elevation of a second embodiment of the present invention in the form of a point of sale merchandiser;

[0031] FIGS. 20 and 21 are schematic, internal elevations of first and second versions of the merchandiser of FIG. 19;

[0032] FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating control of the merchandiser; and

[0033] FIG. 23 is a perspective of a third embodiment of the present invention in the form of another merchandiser illustrating its reception of flexible bags.

[0034] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, apparatus of the present invention for forming containers 10, filling the containers with a fluent material F and sealing the containers is indicated generally at 12. The apparatus includes a support 14 which suspends a flexible bag (or “reservoir”) 16 holding the fluent material F, and mounts a pump 18 (the reference numerals designating their subjects generally). The fluent material F may be a food or medicinal product, but is not limited to materials consumed or otherwise used on or in the body. Moreover, the material may be of such a nature that it is fluent only at the time it is delivered from the bag 16. The present invention is particularly adapted for use to maintain an aseptic environment for the fluent material F, but has application where it is not necessary that such an environment be maintained. Although the substance is preferably a liquid or semi-liquid, solids which are sufficiently granular to flow may also be held in the flexible bag 16. As one example of the type of product packaged, the fluent material F could be honey to be packaged in small, disposable containers 10 such as for single serving use by customers of a restaurant.

[0036] A conveyor of the apparatus 12 is generally indicated at 19 and includes in the illustrated embodiment a first feed roller 20 holding a roll of material to form containers 10 extending forward from the first feed roller in a web 22, and a take-up roller 24 which receives a remnant of the web. A first guide roller 26 is provided to locate the web 22 in a horizontal position while permitting the web to change direction to reach the take-up roller 24. A belt conveyor 28 located under the web 22 at the downstream end of the web receives sealed containers 10 which are separated from the web, and conveys them for tumble packaging in a box B. It is to be understood that the illustration of the conveyor 19 is schematic as the details of construction are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art in the field of such apparatus. Moreover, although the conveyor 19 is illustrated to include rollers 20, 24 which let out and take up the web 22 of material from which the containers 10 are formed, other conveyors are envisioned. For instance, a belt or other moving surface or support (not shown) which receives pre-formed containers could be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. In that instance, the first feed roller 20 and belt conveyor 28 would not be present.

[0037] Further, it is envisioned that a conveyor for establishing relative motion between the containers 10 and the flexible bag 16 could include not only the conveyor 19, but also structure for moving the bag while the containers are stationary, or structure which produces some combination of movement of the bag and movement of the containers. In any event if the bag 16 is the frame of reference, the containers 10 will move past the bag. Still further, it is not necessary that the fluent material F be used to fill containers of any type. Indeed the fluent material can be applied to the exterior of an article (or “receiving member”), such as the application of icing to a manufactured food product, which does not “contain” the fluent material. The fluent material could also be injected into the article.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, containers 10 are formed from the web 22 by a die 32 and a form (not shown) which come together just upstream from the first feed roller 20 to deform the web into rectangular, flat-bottomed depressions constituting the containers. The die 32 contains recesses 34 having shapes substantially the same as that of the containers 10 to be formed. The form, which would be located above the web 22, has not been shown so as not to obstruct the view of the flexible bag 16. The shape of the end of the form is the reverse of the recess so that the form may fit into the recess, forming the web 22 between them. The form and die 32 create one laterally extending row of containers 10 from the web 22 on a single stroke. In the illustrated embodiment, the rows constitute an array of containers 10. However as used herein, an array can refer to a single file line of containers or only a single container placed under the bag 16 for filling. As shown, the containers 10 are formed by stretching the web 22 without substantially affecting the lateral dimension or shape of the web. However, some dimensional variation can be tolerated if the containers 10 retain their relative arrangement. Once formed, the containers 10 retain their shape, but remain part of the web 22 and move with the web. The containers may also be thermoformed without departing from the scope of this invention.

[0039] The web 22 passes forwardly from the form and die 32 under the flexible bag 16 held by the support 14.

[0040] The bag 16 is made of a flexible material (which as used herein would include a limp material), which can be formed in a sterile environment or formed and filled in a non-sterile environment and then subject to a sterilizing process. However as mentioned above, the bag 16 could also be used for products not requiring a aseptic conditions. Any suitable material could be used to form the bag 16, such as an appropriate polymer, including without limitation polyvinyl chloride, polyolefin, polymer laminates and polymer alloys. As shown, the bag 16 is transparent so that the flowable product carried by the bag can be readily seen to determine if the bag is empty. However, other ways (not illustrated) of establishing whether the bag 16 is nearing empty can be employed, such as electronic eyes which view the level of fluent material F, and devices to weigh the bag.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 3, the bag 16 comprises a thin-walled body 38 which encloses a volume containing the large majority of the fluent material F. At the upper end of the body 38, two laterally elongate loops 40, together constituting in the illustrated embodiment “a hanger”, are formed as one piece with the remainder of the bag 16. The loops 40 can be also formed separately from the bag 16 and attached to the body 38 in a suitable manner such as by welding, adhesive or with a mechanical fastener(s). The loops 40 receive a mounting rod 42 of the support 14 which extends laterally of the bag and holds the bag on the support. The ends of the rod 42 are received in upwardly opening, U-shaped receptacles 44 at the upper ends of uprights 45 of the support 14. The receptacles 44 hold the rod 42 and the bag 16, but permit the bag to be removed from the support 14 and replaced, by lifting the rod out of the receptacles, sliding the loops 40 off of the rod and sliding a new bag (not shown) onto the rod. The rod 42 supporting the new bag can then be replaced with its ends in the U-shaped receptacles 44 for continued operation. Of course other ways of supporting the bag 16 may be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. Preferably, the bag 16 is supported so that it can be readily removed and replaced. It is envisioned that structure, such as a second support and pump (not shown), could be used so that bags could be changed out without any interruption in operation of the apparatus 12.

[0042] At the lower end of the body 38, four nipples 46 extending down from the body are in fluid communication with the interior of the bag 16 for delivery of the fluent material F out of the bag and into the containers 10, as will be described more fully hereinafter. The number of nipples 46 is preferably the same as the number of containers 10 formed in each row. Naturally, the number of nipples and their precise arrangement can be varied as necessary for the particular manufacturing operation. The nipples 46 are generally elongate tubes which are integral with the body 38. The nipples have circular cross sectional shape as shown in the drawings (i.e., the nipples are generally cylindric) but may have any shape without departing from the scope of this invention. The nipples 46 may be formed separately from the body 38 and attached in a suitable manner, such as by welding, adhesive or mechanical fastener(s) to achieve integration with the bag material which forms the body. However in the preferred embodiment, the nipples 46 are formed of the same piece of material as the body 38 of the bag 16. As initially formed, the lower ends of the nipples 46 are closed (as shown in FIG. 3) to seal the interior of the bag 16 to hold the fluent material F in the bag. In manufacturing operation, the ends are cut or otherwise made to have outlets to allow the fluent material F to flow out of the bag 16. Preferably, the nipples 46 are tubular with no internal structure. However, it is envisioned that the nipples could be equipped with internal valves or re-expansion devices (not shown) without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0043] The bag 16 can be formed in any suitable fashion. A typical way of forming the bag 16 is to provide two webs of material which are brought together and cut to shape by a die (not shown) to form an enclosure. At the same time the webs are cut to shape, adjacent the peripheral edges of the bag are welded together in the die, such as by a solvent or RF welding. The adjacent edges could also be heat sealed, for example. As one alternative, a single web of polymeric material could be folded over against itself to form the enclosure. The folded web could be cut and sealed in a similar way as for the bag formed from two webs. Adjacent peripheral edges may be left unattached along a portion of the bag 16 to provide an opening for filling the bag with fluent material.

[0044] The nipples 46 are received through the pump 18 which acts on the nipples as by deforming the nipples to produce a metered flow of the fluent material F out of the bag 16. The pump 18 is mounted on the support 14 which also holds the bag 16 and extends transversely over the web 22. The pump 18 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 is a shuttle pump, which includes a shuttle 50 and an anvil 52. The shuttle is mounted on a stationary crosspiece 54 for sliding movement relative to the crosspiece and anvil 52 in a direction transverse to the web 22. A housing 56 at the left end of the crosspiece 54 encloses a shuttle actuation mechanism (not shown). A door 58 hingedly attached to the crosspiece 54 carries the anvil 52. The door can be opened as shown in FIG. 4 to facilitate reception of the nipples 46 in the pump 18, and locked with a latch 60 in a closed position for operation, as will be more fully described. Referring to FIG. 4, both the shuttle 50 and the anvil 52 are shaped to have five flat plateaus (50A, 52A) separated by four valleys (50B, 52B). Except when the pump 18 is actuated to deliver fluent material F, the plateaus 50A, 52A and valleys 50B, 52B of the shuttle 50 and the anvil 52 are in substantial registration when the door 58 is closed.

[0045] The nipples 46 are received in the aligned valleys 50B, 52B such that each nipple is surrounded by the shuttle 50 and anvil 52. In the illustrated embodiments, the nipples 46 are the portions or regions of the bag 16 which are received in or acted upon by the pump 18. Two of the nipples 46 are illustrated in FIG. 5 as received in the valleys 50B, 52B, but only the valleys 50B may be seen because the door 58 and anvil 52 have been broken away. The crosspiece 54 is further formed with upper and lower aligned slots 62 which are vertically aligned with the valleys of the anvil 52. The nipples 46 pass through these slots 62 upon entering and exiting the pump 18.

[0046] An upper pincher 64 and a lower pincher 66 located on one side of each slot 62 are mounted for extension and retraction from the crosspiece 54 across the slot (i.e., transverse to the web 22). Alternately, the pinchers can be mounted for extension and retraction from the valleys 50B, 52B. The pinchers 64, 66 extend to pinch the nipples off, closing the nipples from fluid flow past the points where the nipples are pinched. The pinchers 64, 66 are separately actuated from the shuttle 50 and the upper pinchers are separately actuated from the lower pinchers, as will be described more fully hereinafter, to facilitate accurate dispensing of the fluent material F. A pump of the same general type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Other pumps are disclosed in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/978,649, entitled “Pump Having Flexible Liner and Compounding Apparatus Having Such a Pump,” filed Oct. 16, 2001, and co-assigned U.S. application Ser. No. 10/156,732, entitled “Pump Having Flexible Liner and Merchandiser Having Such A Pump,” filed May 28, 2002. Each of these applications is incorporated herein by reference.

[0047] Although the shuttle pump 18 is believed to be adequate for use in the apparatus 12, other forms of pumps may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present pump 18 may be so configured that the upper pinchers 64 in each slot are separately actuated from each other, as are the lower pinchers 66 so that fluid flow from each nipple 46 is independent of that of the other nipples. However, the pump or fluid flow control device may take on other, entirely different forms. For instance and without limitation, a peristaltic pump (generally indicated at 70) of the type shown in FIG. 6 could be used. The peristaltic pump 70 has a pump wheel 72 for each nipple 46 including pegs 74 which extend perpendicularly outward from the wheel near its periphery. Each wheel 72 is mounted for rotation, such as by an individual electric motor (not shown) so that the pegs 74 are brought into sequential engagement with the nipple 46 to force fluent material F out of the nipple. By stopping the wheel 72 as shown in FIG. 6, the nipple would be pinched off so that no fluent material would exit the bag 16. The wheels 72 could be run at different times and at different speeds to vary the sequence of fluid delivery and/or the flow rate between nipples 46. The angular spacing between adjacent pegs 74 on the wheels 72 could be different so that the amount of fluent material dispensed for the same angular rotation of the wheels is different. It is to be understood that FIG. 6 is but one example of an alternate pump which could be used.

[0048] It will be necessary for viscous fluent material F to provide a mover in addition to the pump 18 to cause the fluent material to flow for refilling the nipples 46 after a discharge by the pump. A second mover of this type is indicated generally by the reference numeral 90 in FIG. 7. The second mover is shown to comprise a pair of rollers 92 mounted on arms 94 and located on opposite sides of the bag 16. The rollers 92 are mounted for free rotation about their longitudinal axes, and can be separated to facilitate removal and replacement of the bag 16. The arms 94 are connected to a controlled actuator (not shown) which is capable of indexing the arms down to gradually squeeze the bag 16 from top to bottom to empty the bag. The downward movement of the arms 94 to squeeze the body 38 of the bag 16 is used to force the fluent material F downwardly into the nipples 46. It is envisioned that the arms 94 could be indexed down after the pump 18 has discharged to assist in refilling the nipples 46 for the next discharge.

[0049] As stated previously, the apparatus 12 has application where fluent material F is applied onto an article, or injected into an article. Referring to FIG. 8, the bag 16 may have a fitment, in this case in the form of an injection needle 96, attached to each nipple 46 (only one is shown). The needle 96 is formed of a suitably rigid material and sealingly attached in the outlet of the nipple 46. The needle 96 could be captured by an injection device (not shown) to move the needle down into the article before operation of the pump 18 to eject fluent material. Alternatively, the needle 96 could be held stationary and the articles moved upward into the needles. It is to be understood that other types of fitments (not shown) could be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. For instance a fitments which allow the nipple 46 to be attached to another nipple or tube (not shown), or which shape the fluent material F as it flows out of the nipple could be used. Moreover, the end of the nipple 46 could be formed to shape or control flow of the fluent material. Further, polymer material having different material characteristics (e.g., such as density and rigidity) could be integrally formed with the material of the bag 16 at the outlets for such purposes.

[0050] Downstream from the support 14 and the bag 16 is a mechanism for closing the containers 10 filled with fluent material F. As shown in FIG. 1, a web 78 from a roll of closure material held by a second feed roller 80 is fed downwardly under a second guide roller 82 toward and under the first guide roller 26 to the take-up roller 24. Thus, it may be seen that the take-up roller 24 collects both remnants of the container material web 22 and the closure material web 78. After passing under the second guide roller 82, the closure material web 78 is in face-to-face relation with the unformed material of the web 22 surrounding the open tops of the containers 10. The closure mechanism comprises a heat sealing device 84 capable of coming down against the closure material web 78 and sealing the closure material with the container material of the web 22 so that the open tops of all four containers 10 in the row are separately closed, sealing in the fluent material F in the containers. A punch 86 and a die 88 downstream from the closing mechanism are operable to move together to punch through the closure material web 78 and the container material web 22 to separate each container 10 (including its own closure) from the container material web and the closure material web. The remnants of the container material web 22 and the closure material web 78 remain in tact for movement to the take-up roller 24. The punch 86 has four rectangular projections 86A (only one is shown) and the die has four holes 88A (only one is shown), one for each container 10 in the row. The projections 86A are received in the holes 88A when the punch 86 and die 88 are activated to cut through the closure material web 78 and container material web 22. The containers 10 drop down through the die 88 to the belt conveyor 28 for transport to the box B.

[0051] Having described the construction of the apparatus 12 and the flexible bag 16, the operation of the apparatus will be described. As an initial matter, flexible bags such as bag 16 will have been formed, filled with the fluent material F (e.g., honey) to be packaged in the containers 10, and sealed at a remote location, such as a processing plant. The method of the present invention is not limited to remote forming, filling and sealing of the bags, but is suited for this type of manufacturing arrangement. The bags 16 are formed, filled with the fluent material F and sealed at the processing plant, and then placed in a suitable transport to the manufacturing facility where the final packaging is to be done. The bags can be formed, filled and sealed in an aseptic form/fill/seal machine, or could be formed under non-aseptic conditions and then sterilized along with the fluent material after the bag is filled. As previously stated, it is not necessary that the bags 16 be aseptic where the conditions do not require it, but bags of this type are particularly adapted for use where aseptic conditions are needed, such as in food or medicine packaging.

[0052] Once at the final packaging site, one of the bags 16 is loaded into the apparatus 12 by lifting at least one end of the rod 42 out of the U-shaped receptacles 44 and sliding the bag onto the rod so that the rod is received through both of the loops 40 at the top of the bag. The rod 42 is then replaced on the support 14 with its ends in the receptacles 44. The door 58 of the pump 18 is open, substantially as shown in FIG. 4, and the nipples 46 are positioned in the upper and lower slots of the crosspiece 54 in registration with the valleys of the shuttle 50. The door 58 is then closed and the latch locked so that the nipples 46 are received in both the valleys of the shuttle 50 and the valleys of the anvil 52 (FIG. 5). The first feed roller 20 will have had a roll of container material mounted thereon and the web 22 of container material is threaded from the roll around the first guide roller 26 and attached to the take-up roller 24. Similarly, the roll of closure material is received on the second feed roller 80 and the web 78 of closure material is threaded around the second guide roller 82 to the first guide roller 26 and then attached to the take-up roller 24. The apparatus 12 is ready for production operation to form, fill and seal containers 10.

[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the sequence of operation of the apparatus 12 is described. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the first and second feed rollers 20, 80 and the take-up roller 24 are actuated (such as by one or more electric motors, not shown) to index the container material web 22 and the closure material web 78 forward one increment. The increment in the illustrated embodiment corresponds to the dimension of one containers 10 to be formed which is parallel to the lengthwise extent of the web 22 plus a predetermined amount corresponding to the spacing between adjacent rows of containers. The first and second feed rollers 20, 80 and the take-up roller 24 are halted to stop the forward advance of the container material web 22 and closure material web 78 for a dwell. The form and die 32 are actuated to engage the container material web 22 to form a row of containers 10 still attached to the container material web. The index and form steps are initially repeated until a row of formed containers 10 underlies the nipples 46 when the container material web 22 dwells.

[0054] This time the shuttle pump 18 is actuated to deliver a preselected charge of fluent material F to each of the four containers 10 in the row. After the bag 16 was installed in the apparatus 12 as described above, the lower pinchers 66 were extended (to the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 5) to pinch the nipples 46 near, but spaced somewhat above their lower ends against the crosspiece 54 in the slots 62. The ends of the nipples 46 were cut open to form outlets for delivering fluent material F. The upper pinchers 64 are then extended to pinch off the nipples 46 near their upper ends (the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 5) and define a charge of fluent material F located in each nipple between the upper pincher and the lower pincher 66. After the first row of containers 10 stops under the nipples 46, the pump 18 is activated to retract the lower pinchers 66 into the crosspiece 54 (the position shown in phantom lines in FIG. 5) and slide the shuttle 50 in a direction transverse to the container material web 22. Retraction of the lower pinchers 66 allows fluent material to flow out of the nipples 46 under the force of gravity. However, the pump 18 also deforms the nipples 46 by squeezing to make certain the charges of fluent material F between the pinchers 64, 66 is delivered out of the nipples. The sliding of the shuttle 50 moves the valleys 50B substantially out of registration with the nipples 46 and moves the plateaus 50A substantially into registration with the valleys 52B of the anvil 52, squeezing the nipples and forcing the fluent material out of the outlets at the lower ends and into the containers 10.

[0055] The shuttle 50 moves back to its original position and the lower pinchers 66 are extended to close off the nipples 46 against further flow of fluent material F. The upper pinchers 64 are retracted and more fluent material moves down into the nipple, re-filling it. The upper pinchers 64 are then closed to pinch off the upper ends of the nipples and define new charges of the same volume as the previous charges and the cycle is repeated. The re-filling of the nipples 46 preferably occurs in the time it takes for the container material web 22 to be advanced forward one row. It will be appreciated that the pump 18 operates at the same time a new row of containers 10 is being formed during a dwell of the container material web 22. It is envisioned that additional rollers or other devices (not shown) to hold the web 22 from vibrating under the bag 16 as a result of the act of forming of the containers could be used as needed.

[0056] The filled containers 10 in the row move downstream with each feed of the container material web 22, eventually passing under the closure material web 78. The open tops of the containers 10 are covered by the closure material web 78 when the containers reach the heat sealing device 84. During the dwell, the heat sealing device 84 moves down against the closure material web 78 and seals the closure material to the unformed material of the container material web 22 surrounding the open upper ends of the containers 10. The fluent material F is now sealed inside the containers 10. The containers continue to be attached to the container material web 22 and are now also attached to the closure material web 78. The attachment is illustrated by the dashed lines on the closure material web 78.

[0057] At a subsequent dwell, the row of sealed containers 10 is aligned with the punch 86 and die 88 which are actuated to cut through the closure material web 78 and container material web 22 to separate the sealed containers from the webs. The containers 10 fall through the holes 88A in the die 88 onto the belt conveyor 28. The belt conveyor may run continuously to carry the loose containers to the box B. In the illustrated embodiment, the containers 10 simply fall into the box B (i.e., are tumble packed). It will be understood that other final packing arrangements within the knowledge of those of ordinary skill could be used. The remnants of the container material web 22 and the closure material web 78 continue on around the second guide roller 82 to the take-up roller 24.

[0058] When the bag 16 is exhausted of fluent material F, it may be removed and replaced with a new bag. The exhausted bag 16 can be disposed. It will be appreciated that none of the machinery of the apparatus 12 comes into contact with the fluent material F in the packaging operation. The bags 16 themselves, rather than the fluent material F, are acted upon by the pump 18 to cause the containers 10 to be filled so that the bags may serve as the aseptic surfaces in the apparatus 12. Of course, the container material and the closure material must be aseptic when conditions require it, but in every circumstance it will be easier to keep the parts of the apparatus 12 which handle this material clean. It will not be necessary in the ordinary course to clean the fluent material from the apparatus 12.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 9, a second embodiment 100 of the bag has six nipples 102 which are resealable. In this embodiment, the nipples 102 take the form of tubes formed separately from a body 104 and attached in a suitable manner, such as by welding, adhesive or mechanical fastener(s) to achieve integration with the bag material which forms the body. However, the nipples 102 may be formed in one piece with the body 104. As before, the nipples 102 continue to be part of the bag 100 whether formed separately from the body 104 and attached or formed as one piece with the body. The resealability feature improves flexibility and reduces waste because a bag 100 may be partially used, resealed, and then used later in the same or different apparatus. Plugs 106 are included for each nipple 102 for insertion into or over the open ends which function as caps to close and seal the open ends.

[0060] Each plug 106 may be selectively removed to re-open the corresponding nipple 102. Although the plugs 106 may be separate and independently attachable, the preferred configuration as shown in FIG. 9 includes a stringer 108 which connects the plugs together at a fixed spacing corresponding with a spacing of the nipples. The stringer 108 and plugs 106 collectively define a plug device, indicated generally at 110, which may be attached to all nipples 102 simultaneously to close the bag 100 and block removal of fluent material F from the bag. The stringer 108 includes a finger grip portion 109 which facilitates removal of the plugs 106 from the nipples 102. For this embodiment, the nipples 102 are preferably formed of a highly resilient material to better maintain a general shape of the cross sections (i.e., circular) after repeated deformation and facilitate sealing installation of plugs 106 in the open end of a nipple. However, the plugs 106 could be installed in nipples 102 made of a limp material provided a sealing arrangement is maintained at the open end. Structure to reform the nipples after deformation may be separately provided.

[0061] The bag 100 may be provided from the manufacturer or processing plant with the plug device 110 pre-installed after the bag is filled with fluent material.

[0062] The bag is preferably filled in an aseptic environment at the processing plant, and/or may be sterilized after filling. When ready for use, the user installs the bag 100 in the apparatus and removes the plug device 110 to simultaneously unseal all nipples.

[0063] The user may dispense fluent material F sequentially from two or more flexible bags having the same construction as bag 100. After dispensing from a first flexible bag 100, the user seals the open ends of the nipples 102 by inserting the removable plugs 106 into the open ends. A second flexible bag (not shown) is positioned for dispensing, unsealed, and squeezed by the apparatus as needed for dispensing fluent material. These steps may be repeated by sealing the open ends of the nipples 102 of the second bag, and re-positioning the first bag or a third bag and unsealing it for use.

[0064] A check valve 112 is located in the outer end of each of the nipples 102 to inhibit unintentional flow out from the nipples, including dripping. The valve 112 may also serve to prevent back flow. It is understood that many types of conventional check valves may be used which are well known to those skilled in the art and are not herein described. One example type of check valve 112 comprises two opposite resilient flaps (not shown) which are shaped to remain engaged in a closed position until internal pressure exceeds a predetermined level, at which point the flaps separate to open the valve. In general, the check valves 112 will not open unless pressure within the nipples 102 exceeds a level corresponding with that when the nipples are deformed or squeezed.

[0065] In lieu of loops 40, the bag 100 of the second embodiment has a hanger 114 (FIG. 9) for hanging the bag. The hanger 114 comprises a flat region on a side of the bag 100 generally opposite the nipples 102. The flat region has at least one opening 116 therein for mounting the bag 100 on the support 14. The bag 100 of FIG. 9 is shown in an inverted orientation. On installation (e.g., FIG. 11), the bag will hang from the hanger 114 with the nipples 102 extending downwardly so that gravity will assist the movement of fluent material into the nipples and then into containers 10. However, the bag 100 can be used in any orientation with movement of fluent material achieved solely by external pressure and pumping, without departing from the scope of this invention.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 9A, a third embodiment 120 of the bag has nipples 122 of differing internal volumes for use in delivering different quantities of fluent material F with improved accuracy. At least some of the nipples 122 have different diameters than the other nipples to hold a different quantity of fluent material. The use of such a bag 120 will be explained in more detail hereinafter. It is understood that variations in volume other than by diameter do not depart from the scope of this invention.

[0067] A second version of the pump is indicated generally at 132 in FIGS. 10-15. The pump 132 includes a frame 134 having a stationary crosspiece and first and second platens 136, 138 mounted on the frame. The first platen 136, like the shuttle 50 of the first embodiment, is laterally slidable relative to the frame 134. The second platen 138 comprises a portion of a door panel 140 which is pivotally connected to the frame 134 at outer hinges 142 (FIGS. 10 and 11), but laterally fixed in position relative to the frame. However, the second platen 138 may be laterally moveable without departing from the scope of the invention. Protruding latch members 144 on the door panel 140 are receivable in slots 146 on the frame 134 to secure the door panel at a closed position. The frame 134 includes mounts 148 to receive the openings 116 and hang the bag 100 on the frame.

[0068] The first and second platens 136, 138 are adapted to receive portions of at least one of the flexible bags 100 therebetween. Grooves 150 on the platens 136, 138 are arranged in corresponding, generally opposed pairs and sized for receiving the portions of the bag. In the illustrated embodiments, the grooves 150 are sized for receiving the nipples 102. As shown in FIG. 11, the nipples 102 are received between the first and second platens 136, 138, although another portion of the bag 100 such as the body 104 may be received therebetween without departing from the scope of this invention. Movement of the first platen 136 squeezes the nipples 102 and deforms them, thereby increasing internal pressure and expelling the fluent material contents. The first platen 136 moves between a first position 152 (FIG. 13A) in which the first and second platens 136, 138 define a first space 154 for containing the nipples 102 and a second position 156 (FIG. 13B) in which the first and second platens define a second space 158 for containing the nipples.

[0069] The grooves 150 of the first and second platens 136, 138 are generally in registration in the first position 152 and at least partially out of registration in the second position 156. Accordingly, the second space 158 is smaller than the first space 154. As the platens move from the first position 152 to the second position 156, the nipples 102 are deformed by squeezing along the grooves 150 such that fluent material F is forced through the check valves 112 and expelled from outer ends of the nipples 102. As shown in FIG. 12, an upper pincher 160 is extended to block the nipple 102 above the platens 136, 138. A lower pincher 162 is retracted to open the nipple 102 below the platens. Accordingly, fluent material F will flow in the downward direction when the nipple 102 is squeezed between the platens 136, 138. The pump may be run in reverse so that fluent material F flows in the upward direction. The lower pincher 162 is extended and the upper pincher 160 is retracted, such that when the nipple 102 is squeezed by the platens the material within the nipple moves upwardly and returns into the body 104 of the bag.

[0070] The invention provides flexibility in a variety of options for metering the flow to provide a desired quantity of fluent material. A first option is to vary the speed of operation of the pump 132 by controlling the frequency of cyclical motion of the first platen 136 and pinchers 160, 162. A second option is to vary the length of the stroke of the pump 132. As shown in FIG. 14, the first platen 136 has a stroke S extending from the configuration shown in solid to that shown in phantom. Thus, the nipple 102 is squeezed, re-opened and squeezed again in a single stroke. A fairly continuous flow of fluent material F may be achieved by repeatedly moving the first platen 136 back and forth through the stroke S. The stroke S can vary to correspondingly vary the quantity of fluent material which is expelled per cycle. For instance, the first platen 136 may move from the position 152 shown in FIG. 13A in only one direction to squeeze the nipple 102, or the movement in both directions may be lessened so that the grooves 150 are less out of registration at the ends of the stroke to reduce the quantity of fluent material delivered, as illustrated in FIG. 15. The first and second platens 136, 138 are at a third position 164 (FIG. 15) in which the first and second platens define a third space 166 for containing nipples, the third space being smaller than the first space 154 and larger than the second space 158.

[0071] A third option in metering flow is variation in volume provided by the grooves 150 to affect volume of fluent material dispensed. The differences in groove volume may be accomplished by different widths (FIG. 16A) or by different lengths (FIG. 16B) between corresponding grooves 150 of at least one groove pair. The volume of material dispensed per stroke approximates a differential volume in the grooves 150 between the first and second positions 152, 156 (i.e., the difference in volume between the first space 154 and second space 158). The bag 120 of FIG. 9A is used with the version of the pump shown in FIG. 16A. Each nipple 122 is received into a correspondingly rigid groove 150.

[0072] A third version of the pump indicated generally at 170 is illustrated in FIGS. 17A and 17B. The pump 170 having a double set of pairs of grooves for simultaneously pumping from multiple flexible bags 100 or from one bag having a greater number of nipples (not shown). The pump 170 includes a first, moveable platen 172 with grooves 173 on two opposite sides. A second platen 174 and a third platen 176 are mounted on the frame in laterally fixed position. The second and third platens 174, 176 each have grooves (designated 175 and 177 respectively) which are in generally opposed relation with respective grooves 173 of the first platen to define groove pairs. The first and second platens 172, 174 are adapted to receive nipples 102 of the flexible bag 100. The first and third platens 172, 176 are adapted to receive nipples 102′ of another bag (identical to bag 100). The first, second and third platens 172, 174, 176 are mounted for movement relative to each other between a first position 178 (FIG. 17A) in which the groove pairs of the first and second platens and the first and third platens each define a first space for containing the nipples 102, 102′ and a second position 182 (FIG. 17B) in which the first and second platens and the first and third platens each define a second space for containing the nipples. The second space is smaller than the first space, such that fluent material F contained in the nipples 102, 102′ is expelled when the platens move to the second position.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 18, a fourth version of the pump 190 includes multiple, separate first platen elements 192. Each of the first platen elements 192 is adapted to receive a respective nipple 102 and to operate independently of the other first platen elements. More specifically, each platen element 192 is mounted on a shaft 191 for pivoting relative to a platen mount 193. The platen mount forms part of the first platen. Each is mounted for movement relative to the other first platen elements 192 and relative to a second platen 194 between first and second positions 196, 198. An advantage of the pump 190 is that a selected number of nipples 102, less than or equal to all of the nipples, may be squeezed to expel a desired quantity of fluent material F.

[0074] A second embodiment of the present invention comprises a merchandiser, indicated generally at 200, for selectively dispensing fluent materials and for point of sale mixing of fluent materials. The merchandiser 200 is in the form of a beverage dispenser for dispensing a beverage containing a mixture of beverage components. Referring to FIGS. 19-21, the merchandiser 200 includes a cabinet 202 having a front door 204 hingedly mounted on the remainder of the cabinet and an interior compartment 206. It is to be understood that “cabinet” also encompasses built in, as opposed to stand alone merchandisers. A selector indicated generally at 208 is associated with the cabinet 202 for actuation by a customer to initiate operation of the pump 132 to dispense fluent material. Preferably, the selector 208 is located on the front face 204 of the cabinet, is coin operated, and includes selection indicators 209 (FIG. 19) as conventionally known in the vending machine industry. In this sense, the term “coin” refers to money of all forms including metallic coinage and paper currency. A conventional money receptacle 210, coin return 212, and cup holder 214 are positioned on the cabinet 202.

[0075] A mount which in the illustrated embodiment comprises pegs 216 (FIG. 20), removably mounts at least one flexible bag 100 of fluent material in the interior compartment 206. In a typical application, each bag 100 holds a beverage of a different flavor or a component of a drink mixture. The provision of the bags ensures that the merchandiser 200 is easily supplied with fluent material. The bags may be readily removed, are disposable, are easily replaced, and avoid the need for cleaning the merchandiser. The entire delivery conduit is replaced each time the bag is replaced. When the material forming the bags 100 is transparent or partially transparent, visual inspection of a material upper surface 220 (FIG. 20) is possible for detecting low quantity and the need for replacement.

[0076] The pump 132 is mounted in the cabinet and receives at least a portion of each flexible bag 100 (e.g., receives five nipples 102 from five bags) and deforms each bag to produce flow of fluent material out of the bag without contact of the fluent material by the pump. An advantage is reduced likelihood of contamination, such that certain components of the merchandiser 200 may be made of a greater variety of materials (e.g., not restricted to stainless steel). The pump 132 mounted in the cabinet 202 may have the configuration of any the embodiments described above.

[0077] The merchandiser 200 facilitates dispensing material exclusively from one flexible bag 100, or alternatively facilitates mixing of beverage components to produce a desired mixture. In the configuration of FIG. 20, each flexible bag 100 is about the same size. In the configuration of FIG. 21, one flexible bag 222 is considerably larger and may contain a fluent material which is needed to be mixed with other fluent materials. A mixing chamber 224 is provided, and there may be additional mixing in the article into which the materials are dispensed (i.e., a cup) before the beverage is consumed. The merchandiser 200 may be constructed to simultaneously dispense fluent material to several articles.

[0078] The bag 100 provides that the fluent material F is never exposed to ambient air until it is expelled from the merchandiser. Bags are disposable and take up less volume than rigid containers.

[0079] A third embodiment of the present invention comprises a modified merchandiser 230, shown in FIG. 23, which is adapted for sliding reception of multiple flexible bags 100 into the cabinet simultaneously in side-by-side position. The mount of the merchandiser 230 includes retractable tracks 231 mounted on the cabinet 202 so as to permit limited range of sliding motion between a retracted position within an interior compartment 206 of the cabinet and an extended position projecting partially from the compartment. The second track 231 from the right is shown in the extended position. A slide 232 for each of the tracks 231 is capable of sliding into and out of the track. The slide 232 is mounted on a respective one of the bags 100, which depends from the slide. Thus by sliding the slide 232 into the track 231, the bag 100 is mounted in the compartment 206. Each bag 100 may have its own slide 232, or the slide may be made readily released from one bag and re-attached to another. FIG. 23 illustrates an empty bag 100′ removed from the corresponding track and a full bag 100″ ready for insertion into the cabinet. Parts of the merchandiser 230 which are the same as the merchandiser 200 are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0080] A block diagram of a control system 240 of the merchandisers 200, 230 is shown in FIG. 22. The selector 208 is connected to a control 242 which is responsive to the selection indicators 209 to select from at least two different operation modes of the flow control (indicated as the pump 132 on FIG. 22) to dispense fluent material. The control 242 is pre-programmed with quantities of fluent materials and/or flow control metering instructions for various selections from the selection indicators 209. The selection indicators 209 are capable of selecting modes of operation of the pump 132 which differ in at least one of the following ways: the amount of fluent material dispensed and the flexible bag 100 or bags from which fluent material is dispensed. At least one of the modes of operation the pump 132 is adapted to dispense fluent material from at least two flexible bags 100 at the same time. That provides for mixing of fluent materials. The pump 132 is adapted to dispense fluent material from at least one of the flexible bags 100 in all modes of operation of the flow control.

[0081] In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

[0082] When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0083] As various changes could be made in the above without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A method of dispensing a fluent material to articles which receive the fluent material comprising the steps of: selectively dispensing fluent material to the articles through open ends of nipples of a first flexible bag positioned for dispensing fluent material to the articles by deforming the nipples to eject fluent material therefrom; sealing the open ends of the nipples of the first flexible bag; positioning a second flexible bag having nipples for dispensing fluent material from the nipples to the articles; selectively dispensing fluent material to the articles through open ends of the nipples of second flexible bag by deforming the nipples to eject fluent material therefrom.

2. A method of dispensing a fluent material as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the steps of: sealing the open ends of the nipples of the second flexible bag; positioning the first flexible bag for dispensing fluent material from the nipples to the articles; unsealing the open ends of the nipples of the first flexible bag; selectively dispensing additional fluent material to the articles through open ends of the nipples of the first flexible bag.

3. A method of dispensing fluent material as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of sealing the open ends of the nipples of the first flexible bag comprises inserting removable plugs into the open ends of the nipples.

4. A method as set forth in claim 3 further comprising the steps of: forming the flexible bag; filling the flexible bag with the fluent material; sealing the flexible bag by inserting the removable plugs.

5. A method as set forth in claim 4 wherein the step of filling the flexible bag is carried out in an aseptic environment.

6. A method as set forth in claim 4 further comprising sterilizing the flexible bag and fluent material after said filling step.

7. A method as set forth in claim 4 wherein subsequent to the sealing step and prior to the step of selectively dispensing fluent material, the method further comprises transporting the sealed flexible bag to a different location.