Abstract: A process for placing a tube spout fitment within a flexible pouch container is provided. The process can include providing a front panel and a back panel, each panel having a top edge, a side edge, and a bottom edge. In addition, the front panel can also have an aperture. A fitment having a fitment base and a spout extending from the fitment base is provided and placed through the aperture using a plate with a channel and a channel stop.

Abstract: The present invention is a pouch assembly that can be used to store a carbonated beverage such as beer. The pouch assembly includes a pouch and a fitment. The fitment is mounted within an opening of the pouch. A thread is disposed around an outer surface of the first end of the tube spout. The tread disposed around the outer surface of the first end of the tube spout includes one or more slots. The fitment includes at least one alignment tab. The alignment tab extends away from the canoe portion and includes one or more notches.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a sealing system for sealing together at least a pair of flexible pouch material layers. The sealing station can have a first sealing bar, a second sealing bar and a drive system that is in contact with the first sealing bar. The drive system is operable to move the first sealing bar between an open position and a closed position such that the first sealing bar can apply a predefined pressure on the flexible pouch material layers when positioned or located between the sealing bars. A pressure sensor is also included and in communication with the drive system, the pressure sensor operable to detect if the drive system applies less or too much pressure than the predefined pressure on the flexible pouch material layers located between the first and second sealing bars.

Abstract: The diving nozzle includes a first tube and a second tube. The first tube having a first inlet and a first outlet. The first inlet connected to a supply of a first material. The first outlet operable to dispense the first material into the package. The second tube is moveable with respect to the first tube. The second tube having a second inlet and a second outlet. The second inlet connected to a supply of a second material. The second outlet operable to dispense the second material into the package. The first material is one of the product and the purging gas, the second material is the other of the product and the purging gas.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a sealing system for sealing together at least a pair of flexible pouch material layers. The sealing station can have a first sealing bar, a second sealing bar and a drive system that is in contact with the first sealing bar. The drive system is operable to move the first sealing bar between an open position and a closed position such that the first sealing bar can apply a predefined pressure on the flexible pouch material layers when positioned or located between the sealing bars. A pressure sensor is also included and in communication with the drive system, the pressure sensor operable to detect if the drive system applies less or too much pressure than the predefined pressure on the flexible pouch material layers located between the first and second sealing bars.

Abstract: A flexible funnel positioned at a filling station of a fill machine. The flexible funnel directs a product dispensed at the filling station of the filling machine into a pouch. The flexible funnel having a rigid upper portion and a plurality of fingers. The rigid upper portion includes an open top end and an open bottom end. Each of the plurality of elongated fingers hingedly connected to the upper portion. The rigid upper portion has a regular polygon shape having a plurality of sides, and each of the plurality of fingers is individually articulatable with respect to one of the plurality of sides of the upper rigid portion.

Abstract: A flexible pouch for containing a carbonated product, and having a curvilinear shaped lower edge and method of producing the same is provided. The pouch includes a pouch body having an upper edge, a curvilinear bottom edge, and a side edge extending between the upper edge and bottom edge. The curvilinear bottom edge includes a curvilinear bottom seal corresponding to the curvilinear bottom edge, to distribute a force from the product evenly across the curvilinear bottom seal. The method forming a pouch body from a panel of laminate material, and aligning the first side edge with the second side edge to form the front wall and back wall of the pouch body. The method includes forming a side seal and forming a curvilinear bottom seal corresponding to the curvilinear bottom edge of the pouch body.

Abstract: The present invention is for a fitment assembly for use with a flexible pouch, the fitment assembly including a fitment having a spout tube, and a cap for sealing the spout tube. The cap for the fitment includes a plug portion. The plug portion extends from the cap, and is received by the spout tube of the fitment, thereby blocking product contained within flexible pouch from entering the spout tube when the cap is attached to the fitment. The cap further has a sealed recess which is designed to hold a tablet.

Abstract: A flexible pouch having a removable cap for use with the tube spout fitment and a method of filling the flexible pouch is provided. The removable cap is formed from a tube of pliable material, and has a first opening and a second opening. The first and second openings each have a peripheral edge. The peripheral edge of the first opening is configured to engage the outer surface of the tube spout fitment. The peripheral edge of the second opening is pressed onto itself and sealed so as to form a flattened edge. The method includes the steps mounting the removable cap onto the tube spout fitment. Filling the pouch, and sealing the second opening of the removable cap so as to form a flattened edge.

Abstract: A load smart system for continuously loading preformed pouches into a fill-seal machine is provided. A plurality of pouches are disposed within a pouch delivery device, each of the pouches having an upper edge and an indicia. The fill-seal machine includes a rotating turret having a plurality of radially extending grippers. The rotating turret rotates the plurality of gripper pairs between a loading station, an opening station, a filling station, a sealing station, and an unloading station. A robotic transfer device is positioned between the pouch delivery device and the loading station of the fill-seal machine. The robotic transfer device includes an optical sensor positioned on a gripper member. During operation, the optical sensor scans the indicia to determine the pouch characteristics and a controlling station controls the gripper member to deposits the pouch within the gripper pairs at the loading station a predetermined distance from the upper edge of the pouch.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved fitment assembly for a flexible pouch, the fitment assembly being sealed into the pouch as part of the pouch manufacturing process. The fitment assembly includes a fitment having a fitment threaded portion and a cap with threads. The threads on the fitment and the cap both have slots which allow pressure to escape from the pouch as the cap is unthreaded and the slots align. The fitment also includes specialized features such as extended tabs with notches in a canoe portion of the fitment that help to secure the fitment to the pouch. The fitment has parallel guide surfaces to aid in alignment and traverse of the fitment in a manufacturing line where the fitment is installed and the pouch is filled.

Abstract: A flexible pouch is provided having arcuate shaped gusset seals sealed to the top and/or bottom of the inner surface wall of the pouch body. The arcuate shaped gussets provide a more durable seam than that of the axially sealed gussets of the prior art. The arcuate shaped gusset seals also allow for greater expansion of the gusset relative to the axially sealed gussets of the prior art. The flexible pouch may further include a plurality of elongated baffles disposed on the skirt. The elongated baffles are operable to provide support for the weight of a filled flexible pouch so as to help the pouch remain upright when placed on its bottom surface. The flexible pouch further includes a gas pocket disposed axially along the side portions of the pouch.

Abstract: A machine and method for filling a container is provided. The container has a fitment. The fitment includes a spout having a collar. The collar includes a support surface for supporting the container in suspension. The machine includes a filling apparatus configured to fill the container with a product, a rail system, a loader, and a carrier. The carrier is configured to hold multiple containers. The carrier is generally elongated and has a pair of spaced apart flanges. The spaced apart flanges define a slot extending the length of the carrier. The slot is configured to slidingly receive the spout of the container and the support surface of the collar engages each of the pair of flanges so as to suspend the container within the carrier. The carrier may be placed into communication with the rail system so as to feed the containers to the filling apparatus.