Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.a.

Paul Anderson

Ronald W Swank

David R Anchor

Lars Skarin

Lars Ake Naslund

Lars Martensson

Fredrik Myllykangas

Anders Andren

Arun Deivasigamani

Caroline Blom

Anders H Johansson

Lars Ake Naeslund

Goeran Hermodsson

The invention refers to a device () and method for sterilizing partly formed packages () in a packaging machine. The device () comprises an inner chamber () and an outer chamber (), the inner chamber () being provided with a sterilization unit (). Further, it comprises a carrier unit (), comprising a separating member () and a package carrying member (), which is being adapted to rotate between a first position in which the package carrying member () is located in the outer chamber (), and in which the separating member () separates the inner chamber () from the outer chamber (), and a second position in which the carrier unit () has rotated a package () into the inner chamber () and in which the separating member () separates the inner chamber () from the outer chamber ().

Device and method for sterilization

A top sealer for a gable top package having a sealed top fin includes an arm support and a pair of opposing arms pivotally mounted to the arm support. The arms each have a sealing jaw at about an end thereof. The arms are pivotal to move the sealing jaws toward and away from one another through an arc. The arm support is linearly movable toward and away from the package, as the arms pivot, to move the sealing jaws downward, toward the package, to alter the arc of the pivoting sealing jaws.

Universal top sealing system for gable top package

A bulge reducer is configured for use on a form, fill and seal packaging machine for gable top packages. The machine has a drive element and plurality of discrete package carriers for conveying the packages along a conveyance path through the machine. The bulge reducer includes a drive member operably connected to the machine station chain. A reciprocating member is operably connected to the drive member for the reciprocation toward and away from the conveyance path. The reciprocating member contacts one of the package side walls as the package moves along the conveyance path to exert an inward force on and urge the side wall inwardly of the package.

Bulge reducer for gable top package

A bottom prefolding assembly prefolds the bottom panels of a package having a bottom wall formed with in-folded gusset tips. The prefolding assembly infolds the bottom gusset panels, leading and trailing panels of a carton and in-folds the gusset panel tips prior to forming the sealed carton bottom. The assembly includes a drive, first and second folding arms configured to contact and inwardly prefold the lead and trailing panels and a forming arm movable with the first and second folding arms. The forming arm has a pair of pivotable finger elements mounted thereto. The finger elements each having a carton engaging portion to engage the panel portions that form the gusset tips and fold the panel portions in a direction opposite of the folding of the gusset panels.

Bottom pre-folder for carton with folded-in gusset tips

A head space inserting system is used in a packaging machine for forming, filling and sealing packages. The inerting system directly introduces an inerting gas into the head space of the formed package subsequent to filling and prior to sealing. The inerting system includes an inerting gas source, an inerting gas heater to heat the inerting gas and an inerting gas nozzle. The inerting gas nozzle is disposed within the form, fill and seal packaging machine to introduce the inerting gas directly into the head space of the packages. The nozzle is further disposed between the top heating station and the sealing station. A method for inerting an atmosphere in the package head space is also disclosed.

Method for inerting gable top carton head space

A head space inerting system is used in a packaging machine for forming, filling and sealing packages. The inerting system directly introduces an inerting gas into the head space of the formed package subsequent to filling and prior to sealing. The inerting system includes an inerting gas source, an inerting gas heater to heat the inerting gas and an inerting gas nozzle. The inerting gas nozzle is disposed within the form, fill and seal packaging machine to introduce the inerting gas directly into the head space of the packages. The nozzle is further disposed between the top heating station and the sealing station. A method for inerting an atmosphere in the package head space is also disclosed.

Apparatus for inerting gable top carton head space

A method and apparatus for forming the bottom of a carton on a form, fill and seal packaging machine such as the TETRA REX&reg; packaging machine includes a sealing station for a bottom forming station that includes a pair of rotating spindles. Each spindle has a pre-folding member and a final folding member for infolding the bottom panels of the carton. The sealing station also includes a guide plate for guiding the final folded bottom panels of the carton to a sealing plate for permanent sealing. The bottom formed carton provides a tight seal, particularly for an over-folded carton, for use in packaging a product.

Carton bottom folder

An apparatus and method for forming an erected carton from a blank for cartons having non-traditional configurations is disclosed herein. Such non-traditional configurations may include beveled edge cartons and eight-sided cartons. The apparatus includes rolling means for breaking a first set of crease lines on the blank, force exertion means for breaking a second set of crease lines on the blank, and maintenance means for maintaining the shape of en erected carton. The present invention also includes a mandrel configured to substantially match the side configuration of a carton such as a beveled edge carton.

Carton forming device

A filling system for filling soup into gable top cartons is disclosed wherein the dripping of soup from the fill tube is substantially diminished by the present invention. The filling system includes a product tank, a knife-gate valve, a pump mechanism, a fill tube with a circumferential recessed area, and a sealing cone with a cutting edge. The cutting edge of the sealing cone prevents particulates from interfering with the sealing of the fill tube by the sealing cone. The knife-gate valve prevents the flow of product from the product tank during filling of a carton. The product tank may have an agitating means for evenly distributing the particulates throughout the soup.

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Woodbury, MN, United States of America

Paul Anderson