Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.a.

John N Lees

Terry Dean Erickson

Terry B Berglin

Russell Stacy-Ryan

Nicholas Cook

Mike Robertson

Jens Mogard

Andrew J Dahl

Gregory A Reed

Michael Robertson

Thomas Scott Breidenbach

John L Cicha

Ronald W Swank

Sevugan Palaniappan

Jonathan P Buesing

Paul C Sundby

David J Hansen

Donald G Haslach

A carton blank is used in a form, fill and seal machine on which a closure is directly molded onto the carton. The molding portion of the machine includes a tool set having first and second tool elements in which the first tool element has an aligning member extending therefrom in a direction transverse to a direction of loading the carton between the first and second tool elements. The aligning element has a predetermined shape having diverging surfaces. The carton blank includes a rear wall panel, a first side wall panel, a front wall panel and a second side wall panel. Each panel is separated from its adjacent panels by a vertical score line. A closure panel is adjacent the front wall panel, has an opening therein and is configured for having a closure molded thereon. The closure panel is partitioned from the front wall panel by a first horizontal score line. The closure panel has a closure panel fin panel extending from a side opposite the front wall panel. The closure panel fin panel has a height measured to an edge of the fin panel. A first upper side panel is adjacent the first side wall panel and is adjacent the closure panel. The first upper side panel has a first upper side panel fin panel having a height. The closure panel fin panel has a cut-out formed therein. The cut-out has converging edges having a shape complementary to the first tool element aligning member and configured to mate with the first tool element aligning member to laterally align the carton with the first tool.

Carton blank for direct injection molded closures

A form, fill and seal packaging machine is configured to mold a closure directly onto a carton. The machine includes a carton erection station to receive and erect a carton and a direct injection molding station. The molding station has an internal mold tool for receipt of the carton, and an external mold tool set. The internal tool and external tool set are configured to receive and secure a portion of the carton therebetween and define a mold cavity with the portion of the carton disposed therein. The external mold tool set defines an opening for receiving a polymer injection system to inject polymer into the mold cavity. A closure is directly molded in place on the carton, with the polymer encapsulating the inner peripheral edge of the carton opening that is disposed within the mold cavity. The packaging machine also includes a filling station for filling the carton and a sealing station for forming a seal on the carton.

Molding unit for forming direct injection molded closures

A transfer unit is configured for use with a form, fill and seal packaging machine. The transfer unit receives a partially erected carton from a first station in a tubular form, conveys the carton to a second station, and conveys the carton from the second station to a third station. The transfer unit includes a hub defining a longitudinal hub axis and configured for rotational movement about the hub axis. A plurality of car pairs are mounted to the hub for longitudinal movement along the hub. Each of the car pairs includes first and second cars, each of which has first and second mandrels mounted thereto. The mandrels are configured to receive a partially erected carton. Each mandrel has a mandrel axis and is rotational about its respective axis. The mandrel axes are perpendicular and tangential to the hub axis. A drive longitudinally moving the car pairs along the hub and rotationally moves the mandrels about their respective mandrel axes, about 90 degrees, between an untwisted position and a twisted position.

Carton transfer unit

A form, fill and seal packaging machine for forming, filling and sealing a carton, molds a closure directly onto the carton. The machine includes a carton erection station adapted to receive a carton in a generally flat form and to erect the flat form carton into a tubular form defining an internal carton region. A direct injection molding station has an internal mold tool and an external mold tool. The internal mold tool is configured for receipt within the internal carton region and the internal mold tool and the external mold tool are configured to receive and clamp the carton therebetween. The direct injection molding station further includes a polymer injection system for injecting polymer from a location external of the carton to the internal mold tool. The closure is directly molded in place on the carton. A mold tool set, a method for carrying out the molding and a closure molded thereby are also disclosed.

Apparatus for direct injection molded closure

Direct injection molding station for use on a molded closure

Direct injection molded closure and method therefor

An apparatus for providing sterilant to a packaging machine is provided. The apparatus comprises a conduit, for a predetermined mix of atomized hydrogen peroxide and air, within a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is a conduit for steam heat under pressure and comprises and inlet for the steam and an outlet for condensation formed by cooling steam. As the pressurized steam surrounds the conduit heat is transferred to the atomized hydrogen peroxide and air causing the mixture to vaporize. An outlet for hydrogen peroxide vapor is provided at or near a sterilization location in a packaging machine, allowing the vapor to aid in the sterilization of packaging.

Method and apparatus for vaporizing sterilant hydrogen peroxide

A gas supply system connected to vent a tank of a product filling system is set forth. The gas supply system comprises a high pressure/low pressure gas supply having a common outlet. The high pressure/low pressure gas supply is operable in a first mode of operation in which high pressure gas is supplied at the common outlet and a second mode of operation in which low pressure gas is supplied at the common outlet. A sterile filter having an inlet and an outlet is also provided. A steam supply system is disposed in-line between the common outlet of the high pressure/low pressure gas supply and the sterile filter. A tank valve system is provided having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the sterile filter. The tank valve system also has first and second outlets and is operable in a first mode of operation in which the inlet is placed in fluid communication with the first outlet and a second mode of operation in which the inlet is placed in fluid communication with the second outlet. A product tank having a vent in fluid communication with the second outlet of the tank valve system is also provided. The product tank is used to provide a supply of product for use in the fill system when the fill system is in a production cycle of operation. The gas supply system is operable in an autoclaving mode of operation in which steam is supplied by the steam supply system and in which the high pressure/low pressure gas supply and the tank valve system are operated in their respective first modes of operation to autoclave the sterile filter. The gas supply system is also operable in a production mode of operation in which the high pressure/low pressure gas supply and the tank valve system are operated in their respective second modes to thereby vent the product tank.

Sterile tank venting system for a filling machine

A packaging machine for processing a carton blank received from a magazine into a formed, filled and sealed carton package. The packaging machine includes an infeed sterilizer mechanism, a carton lift, a form and fill carousel and a sealing mechanism. The infeed sterilizer sterilizes an erected carton blank having an open top end and an open bottom end, and is disposed on a first level of the packaging machine. The carton lift lifts sterilized cartons from the infeed sterilizer mechanism on the first level to a second level. The form and fill carousel is located on the second level and has a central turret with a plurality of filling mandrels connected thereto. Each of the filling mandrels is in flow communication with a product supply and fills the carton as it is lowered for sealing. The sealing jaw mechanism is disposed to receive a filled carton from a mandrel on the form and fill carousel and to seal an open end of the carton.

Filling machine

A sealing mechanism for sealing the open end of a container being processed on a packaging machine. The sealing mechanism includes a first and second jaw assembly positioned on opposite sides of a longitudinal pathway. Each jaw assembly includes a pair of sealing jaws, a plurality of grippers, a platform and a platform guide. The jaw assemblies operate along a continuous loop about the longitudinal pathway removing containers from filling mandrels during filling and sealing the open end thereof of the previously removed container.

Vertical sealing assembly for a packaging machine

The ultrasonic sealing device (50) may be integrated on a packaging machine (20) such as a TETRA REX.RTM. packaging machine and used for sealing one end of a carton (200). The ultrasonic sealing device (50) includes a frame (52), an anvil (56), a horn (54) and a plurality of adjustable shafts (60-65). The anvil (56) is disposed on one side of a carton pathway (32) and moveably attached to the frame (52). The ultrasonic horn (54) is disposed on another side of the carton pathway (32) opposite the anvil (56) and moveably attached to the frame (52). The plurality of adjustable shafts (60-65) includes a first plurality of adjustable shafts (60,61) connected to the frame (52), and allowing for vertical adjustment of the frame (52) relative to the carton pathway (32). It also includes a second plurality of adjustable shafts (62,63) connected to the frame (52) and allowing for transversal adjustment of the frame (52) relative to the carton pathway (32). Yet further, the plurality of adjustable shafts (60-65) includes a third plurality of adjustable shafts (64,65) connected to the frame (52) and allowing for horizontal adjustment of the frame (52) relative to the carton pathway (32). A cooling jaw assembly (100) is disposed subsequent to the ultrasonic sealing device (50) for cooling of a carton (200) after sealing of one end thereof.

Growing community of inventors

Golden Valley, MN, United States of America

John N Lees