Flexible bag automatic filling and capping apparatus

Abstract

An automatic bag filling and capping apparatus includes an input ramp for receiving a continuous web of flexible laminated plastic bags each having a capped tubular filling fitment. A linear drive conveyer engages the leading bag fitment and pushed it along the ramp to a fitment gripper and, at that point, a severing blade separates the leading bag from the continuous web. The separate bag is then passed to a filling position where the fitment is held by side grippers on a three-position elevator, a cap gripper on a shuttle comes in to grasp the cap which is removed when the elevator is lowered. The elevator is then raised to engage the open fitment with a filling tube. When filled, a pair of temporary sealing cups are brought in to pinch the filled flexible bag just below the fitment to seal the bag against the admission of air. The elevator carrying the temporarily sealed bag is lowered, the cap gripper positions the cap over the fitment, the elevator is raised to reapply the cap, and the sealing cups and elevator side grippers are retracted to permit the filled and sealed bag to settle on an output conveyer. An alternate embodiment of the cap gripper permits new caps which may include a dispenser tap and which enter the apparatus on a vibrating conveyer to be placed on a bag fitment previously supplied without a cap.