Abstract: The invention is directed to a thermochemical system such as a thermochemical heat battery that can efficiently operate at relative low temperatures. Accordingly, a system for thermochemical storage is provided which system comprises a thermochemical reactor and a water condenser for dehumidifying a gas stream comprising a condensing surface provided with a hygroscopic material.

Abstract: A closed-cycle thermal energy storage system includes a thermochemical reactor [400] containing a solid thermochemical material, a heat exchanger [402], a fan [406] for creating forced convection of an air/water mixture circulating around the closed cycle, an evaporator/condenser [408], and a pressure control system that includes a pressure sensor [422], a controller [424], and a pump [404]. The pressure control system actively controls the pressure of the air/water mixture to produce a desired temperature difference across the thermochemical reactor [400]. The adjustable pressure control system controls the pressure of the air/water mixture to a first pressure (e.g., between 10 mbar and 1 bar) during a hydration phase and a second pressure (e.g., between 1 bar and 10 bar) during a dehydration phase.

Abstract: An assembly for adjusting the position of a gripper of fill machine. The assembly includes a gripper slidably mounted to a rail and carriage movable along guide rails. The carriage has an engagement arm which engages the gripper. The width of a pouch is entered into an entry portal which is connected to the controller. A controller activates a motor to move the carriage and engagement arm to a new position. The engagement arm is rotated to lock and unlock the gripper from the rail. A sensor locates the position of the gripper.

Abstract: A machine for the production of a stand up pouch from a web includes a film feed which moves the web at continuously at a constant speed through a punching station, a folding station, and a welding station. The welding station includes a pair of seal bars which are driven by a server motor at a speed equal to a speed of the web during the welding. The punch station includes at least one electromagnetic punch.

Abstract: An assembly for adjusting the position of a gripper of fill machine. The assembly includes a gripper slidably mounted to a rail and carriage movable along guide rails. The carriage has an engagement arm which engages the gripper. The width of a pouch is entered into an entry portal which is connected to the controller. A controller activates a motor to move the carriage and engagement arm to a new position. The engagement arm is rotated to lock and unlock the gripper from the rail. A sensor locates the position of the gripper.

Abstract: A closed-cycle thermal energy storage system includes a thermochemical reactor [400] containing a solid thermochemical material, a heat exchanger [402], a fan [406] for creating forced convection of an air/water mixture circulating around the closed cycle, an evaporator/condenser [408], and a pressure control system that includes a pressure sensor [422], a controller [424], and a pump [404]. The pressure control system actively controls the pressure of the air/water mixture to produce a desired temperature difference across the thermochemical reactor [400]. The adjustable pressure control system controls the pressure of the air/water mixture to a first pressure (e.g., between 10 mbar and 1 bar) during a hydration phase and a second pressure (e.g., between 1 bar and 10 bar) during a dehydration phase.

Abstract: The apparatus, for filling a flexible pouch having a bottom end, an opposite top end, and a pair of side edges extending between the bottom and top end, includes a filling station, a supply of compressed purging gas, and a gas purging station. The filling station includes a feeder that dispenses an amount of product into the pouch. The gas purge station is positioned subsequent to the filling station and includes a pair of gas lances. Each of the pair of gas lances have an outlet to discharge the purging gas into the pouch. The pair of gas lances being moveable between an inserted position and a withdrawn position. In the inserted position the pair of gas lances are disposed within the pouch a predetermined distance above the amount of product, and in the withdrawn position the pair of gas lances are provided above the top end of the pouch.

Abstract: A fitment delivery system for delivering a fitment to an open pouch is provided. The fitment delivery system includes a conveyor disposed along a loop. A plurality of carriers are mounted to the conveyor. A fitment deliverer includes a chute configured to accumulate a predetermined number of fitments in a line and to individually drop the fitments into one of the plurality of carriers. A fitment heater is disposed downstream the fitment deliverer and is configured to heat the fitment to a predetermined temperature. A fitment inserter is disposed downstream the fitment heater. The fitment inserter includes an arm support and a pair of fitment grippers mounted on opposite ends of the arm support. The fitment inserter positioned with respect to the conveyor so as to both pick up and insert the fitment into the pouch at the same time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to machines and apparatuses for manufacturing and filling containers, specifically to machines and apparatus for transporting flexible pouches between manufacturing and filling stations with the ability to open and close the flexible pouch. The apparatus includes a movable base with a pair of side arms. Each of the side arms is movable between a first position and a second position. A center arm is attached to the base. The center arm is disposed between the pair of side arms. A gripping mechanism is disposed at an end portion of each of the side arms and the center arm. The pouches are moved between production stations by movement of the base. The present disclosure also includes a method for opening, closing, and moving a flexible pouch between one or more production stations.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously separating a portion of a continuous web of film, having a leading edge and a plurality of spaced apart side seals, includes a base, a plurality of blade pairs, and a film guide device. The blade pairs are moveable between an open and closed positions and are mounted to the base and spaced apart a distance corresponding to the side seals in the film. The film guide device includes a guide member that releasable attaches to a portion of the film adjacent the leading edge. The guide members suspends the film between the plurality of blade pairs in the open position to align the plurality of seals on the film with the plurality of spaced apart blade pairs to accurate separate the film into a plurality of pouches upon movement of the blade pairs to the closed position.

Abstract: The apparatus, for filling a flexible pouch having a bottom end, an opposite top end, and a pair of side edges extending between the bottom and top end, includes a filling station, a supply of compressed purging gas, and a gas purging station. The filling station includes a feeder that dispenses an amount of product into the pouch. The gas purge station is positioned subsequent to the filling station and includes a pair of gas lances. Each of the pair of gas lances have an outlet to discharge the purging gas into the pouch. The pair of gas lances being moveable between an inserted position and a withdrawn position. In the inserted position the pair of gas lances are disposed within the pouch a predetermined distance above the amount of product, and in the withdrawn position the pair of gas lances are provided above the top end of the pouch.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a plurality of flexible pouches from a continuous web of film having a plurality of registration marks spaced a predetermined distance apart. The apparatus includes a film displacement mechanism, a registration mark sensor, and a controller. The film displacement mechanism includes at least one vertically oriented roller that rollingly engages with the continuous web of film. The film displacement mechanism adjusts the tension in the film by horizontally displacing the vertically oriented roller. The registration mark sensor is positioned upstream of the film displacement mechanism and is configured to detect the registration marks. The controller controls the film displacement mechanism to horizontally displace the film upon receipt of a signal from the registration mark sensor.

Abstract: The apparatus, for filling a flexible pouch having a bottom end, an opposite top end, and a pair of side edges extending between the bottom and top end, includes a filling station, a supply of compressed purging gas, and a gas purging station. The filling station includes a feeder that dispenses an amount of product into the pouch. The gas purge station is positioned subsequent to the filling station and includes a pair of gas lances. Each of the pair of gas lances have an outlet to discharge the purging gas into the pouch. The pair of gas lances being moveable between an inserted position and a withdrawn position. In the inserted position the pair of gas lances are disposed within the pouch a predetermined distance above the amount of product, and in the withdrawn position the pair of gas lances are provided above the top end of the pouch.

Abstract: A fitment delivery system for delivering a fitment to an open pouch is provided. The fitment delivery system includes a conveyor disposed along a loop. A plurality of carriers are mounted to the conveyor. A fitment deliverer includes a chute configured to accumulate a predetermined number of fitments in a line and to individually drop the fitments into one of the plurality of carriers. A fitment heater is disposed downstream the fitment deliverer and is configured to heat the fitment to a predetermined temperature. A fitment inserter is disposed downstream the fitment heater. The fitment inserter includes an arm support and a pair of fitment grippers mounted on opposite ends of the arm support. The fitment inserter positioned with respect to the conveyor so as to both pick up and insert the fitment into the pouch at the same time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to machines and apparatuses for manufacturing and filling containers, specifically to machines and apparatus for transporting flexible pouches between manufacturing and filling stations with the ability to open and close the flexible pouch. The apparatus includes a movable base with a pair of side arms. Each of the side arms is movable between a first position and a second position. A center arm is attached to the base. The center arm is disposed between the pair of side arms. A gripping mechanism is disposed at an end portion of each of the side arms and the center arm. The pouches are moved between production stations by movement of the base. The present disclosure also includes a method for opening, closing, and moving a flexible pouch between one or more production stations.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously separating a portion of a continuous web of film, having a leading edge and a plurality of spaced apart side seals, includes a base, a plurality of blade pairs, and a film guide device. The blade pairs are moveable between an open and closed positions and are mounted to the base and spaced apart a distance corresponding to the side seals in the film. The film guide device includes a guide member that releasable attaches to a portion of the film adjacent the leading edge. The guide members suspends the film between the plurality of blade pairs in the open position to align the plurality of seals on the film with the plurality of spaced apart blade pairs to accurate separate the film into a plurality of pouches upon movement of the blade pairs to the closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a plurality of flexible pouches from a continuous web of film having a plurality of registration marks spaced a predetermined distance apart. The apparatus includes a film displacement mechanism, a registration mark sensor, and a controller. The film displacement mechanism includes at least one vertically oriented roller that rollingly engages with the continuous web of film. The film displacement mechanism adjusts the tension in the film by horizontally displacing the vertically oriented roller. The registration mark sensor is positioned upstream of the film displacement mechanism and is configured to detect the registration marks. The controller controls the film displacement mechanism to horizontally displace the film upon receipt of a signal from the registration mark sensor.

Abstract: The apparatus, for filling a flexible pouch having a bottom end, an opposite top end, and a pair of side edges extending between the bottom and top end, includes a filling station, a supply of compressed purging gas, and a gas purging station. The filling station includes a feeder that dispenses an amount of product into the pouch. The gas purge station is positioned subsequent to the filling station and includes a pair of gas lances. Each of the pair of gas lances have an outlet to discharge the purging gas into the pouch. The pair of gas lances being moveable between an inserted position and a withdrawn position. In the inserted position the pair of gas lances are disposed within the pouch a predetermined distance above the amount of product, and in the withdrawn position the pair of gas lances are provided above the top end of the pouch.