In Fill-Accuracy During Pouch Formation
In one of its aspects, the present invention relates to a process for forming a flexible liquid-packaging pouch. This process improves fill-accuracy of the flowable material contained in the pouch. Specifically, the invention relates to a process for improving the fill-accuracy of a pouch by incorporating at least one stand-pipe in a balance tank that feeds the pouch with flowable material to be packaged. This invention also relates to such apparatus for improving the fill-accuracy of the flexible liquid-packaging pouch.
1 . A pouch formed with improved fill-accuracy according to a process comprising the steps of:
(A) providing a continuous tube of flexible and sealable film;
(B) supplying the continuous tube with a predetermined flow-rate of flowable material fed from an external balance tank; wherein said balance tank comprises an inlet for said flowable material, at least one outlet for said flowable material, and at least one stand-pipe within said balance tank and over said at least one outlet, wherein said stand-pipe is flowably attached to said at least one outlet, such that the inside of said balance tank is at a steady state, and localized disturbances are reduced, and wherein said balance tank feeds at least one continuous flexible tube, and wherein the height of said stand-pipe, measured as a percentage of the level of said flowable material in said balance tank, is in the range from about 1% to about 99%.
2 . The pouch as recited in claim 1 , wherein the height of the stand-pipe, measured as a percentage of the level of said flowable material in said tank, is in the range of from about 3% to about 25%.
3 . The pouch as recited in claim 1 , wherein said at least one stand-pipe is substantially centrally-located on said at least one outlet.
4 . The pouch as recited on claim 1 , wherein said balance tank has a floor, and said balance tank comprises at least one drain-hole on the floor of said balance tank.
5 . The pouch as recited on claim 1 , wherein said balance tank comprises at least one drain-hole on said stand-pipe.
6 . The process as recited on claim 1 , wherein said balance tank comprises at least one drain-hole on said stand-pipe, wherein said drain-hole is at the base of said stand-pipe.
7 . The pouch as recited on claim 1 , wherein said balance tank has a floor, and said balance tank comprises at least one drain-hole on said stand-pipe and at least one drain-hole on the floor of said balance tank.
8 . The pouch as recited on claim 1 , wherein said balance tank comprises at least one baffle in said balance tank.
9 . The pouch as recited in claim 1 , wherein said balance tank is filled at least 30% of its volume by a flowable material.
10 . A package comprising the pouch of claim 1 inside a secondary container.
11 . The package as recited in claim 10 , wherein said secondary container is a card-board box.
12 . A balance tank for providing flowable material to a fill-seal machine, comprising an inlet for said flowable material, at least one outlet for said flowable material, and at least one stand-pipe over said at least one outlet, wherein said stand-pipe is flowably attached to said at least one outlet, such that the inside of said balance tank is at a steady state, and localized disturbances are reduced, and wherein said balance tank feeds at least one continuous flexible tube, and wherein the height of said stand-pipe, measured as a percentage of the level of said flowable material in said balance tank, is in the range from about 1% to about 99%.
13 . The balance tank as recited in claim 12 , wherein the height of the stand-pipe, measured as a percentage of the level of said flowable material in said tank, is in the range of from about 3% to about 25%.
14 . The balance tank as recited in claim 12 , wherein said at least one stand-pipe is substantially centrally located on said at least one outlet.
15 . The balance tank as recited on claim 12 , wherein said balance tank has a floor, and said balance tank comprises at least one drain-hole on the floor of said balance tank.
16 . The balance tank as recited on claim 12 , wherein said balance tank comprises at least one drain-hole on said stand-pipe.
17 . The process as recited on claim 12 , wherein said balance tank comprises at least one drain-hole on said stand-pipe, wherein said drain-hole is at the base of said stand-pipe.
18 . The balance tank as recited on claim 12 , wherein said balance tank has a floor, and said balance tank comprises at least one drain-hole on said stand-pipe and at least one drain-hole on the floor of said balance tank.
19 . The balance tank as recited on claim 12 , wherein said balance tank comprises at least one baffle in said balance tank.
20 . The balance tank as recited in claim 12 , wherein said balance tank is filled at least 30% of its volume by a flowable material.
21 . The balance tank as recited in claim 12 , wherein said at least one stand-pipe comprises a cross-section selected from the group consisting a circular cross-section, a random cross-section, a cross-section that varies in vertical direction, and a cross-section with at least three defined angles, wherein the sides of said cross-section are equilateral.