David S. Smith Packaging Limited

Malcolm Shipway

The invention relates to apparatus for filling a container such as a plastic bag with product. The apparatus comprises a fill valve and a chamber formed as an integral unit, in which during a filling operation a container with a cap is in place is offered up to and placed in the bag by gripping devices or jaws, the cap is removed by a capper mechanism the bag is filled with product, and the cap is replaced, all the flow paths and surfaces being sterilised by steam during the filling operation.

Apparatus and method for filling

Dispensing valve

There is shown respectively the other and the one part of a set of parts which when assembled provides a transfer apparatus for transferring flowable material such as food or drink powder, or a liquid such as a drinks concentrate, from a source thereof (not shown) in the form of a plastic bag of a gauge which is pierceable. That bag is usually held in a container such as a cardboard box. The bag and its contents are sterilised and delivered sterile to a point of use, where the bag is pierced to effect transfer. To effect such transfer, the one part, which is an adapter plug is secured to a gland which is part of the bag, though in an alternative the one part may itself be a gland integral with the bag. The other part is tubular and hollow, and has an internal thread in a lower (as viewed) part separated by a shoulder from an upper (as viewed) unthreaded tubular part which has a gland for attachment to another filament, such as a tube (not shown). The lower part has two opposed through bores in its boundary wall, for facilitating ingress of flowable material during transfer. The collar supports sealing means in the embodiment in the form of an element comprising two longitudinally spaced flexible and resilient flanges or lips, which are substantially parallel and are tapered from root to tip to form a respective wedge shape in cross-section, the upper (as viewed) surface being inclined at 15.degree. to the horizontal and the lower (as viewed) surface being inclined at 35.degree. to the horizontal.

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Bristol, United Kingdom

Malcolm Shipway