Apparatus and method for filling flexible foil bags
A method of filling flexible foil bags, wherein a foil bag is shaped at least partially by a gaseous medium and is then filled with a liquid filling material, with the gaseous medium disinfecting the foil bag. Also, an apparatus for filling foil bags comprising a shaping unit for shaping the foil bags using a gaseous medium, a filling unit for filling the foil bags with a liquid medium, with the ability of adding a disinfecting effect to the gaseous medium.
1. A method of expanding a flexible foil bag prior to filling the bag with a liquid, the method consisting essentially of:
providing a flattened foil bag;
inflating the foil bag by introducing a disinfecting gaseous medium for inflating the foil bag to create a cavity therein and simultaneously disinfecting the cavity of the foil bag prior to filling the foil bag with a liquid; and
filling the foil bag with a liquid, whereby the gaseous medium is displaced from the foil bag.
2. A method according to, claim 1 , wherein the gaseous medium is selected from the group consisting of ozone, hydrogen peroxide, and mixtures thereof.
3. A method according to, claim 1 , wherein the liquid is a beverage.
4. A method according to, claim 1 , wherein the inflating the foil bag comprises partially inflating the foil bag with the gaseous disinfecting medium, and then fully inflating the foil bag with one of a disinfected medium, or a sterile medium.
5. A method of expanding a flexible foil bag prior to filling the bag with a liquid, the method consisting essentially of:
providing a flattened foil bag;
inflating the foil bag by introducing a disinfecting gaseous medium for inflating the foil bag to create a cavity therein and simultaneously disinfecting the cavity of the foil bag prior to filling the foil bag with a liquid;
removing one or more gases from the foil bag before inflating the foil bag; and
filling the foil bag with a liquid, whereby the gaseous medium is displaced from the foil bag.
6. A method of expanding a flexible foil bag prior to filling the bag with a liquid, the method consisting essentially of:
providing a flattened foil bag;
inflating the foil bag by introducing a disinfecting gaseous medium for inflating the foil bag to create a cavity therein and simultaneously disinfecting the cavity of the foil bag prior to filling the foil bag with a liquid;
removing one or more gases from the foil bag after inflating the foil bag, and subsequently inflating the foil bag by introducing one of a disinfected gaseous medium, a sterile gaseous medium, the liquid, and mixtures thereof; and
filling the foil bag with a liquid, whereby the gaseous medium is displaced from the foil bag.
7. A method of expanding a flexible foil bag prior to filling the bag with a liquid, the method consisting essentially of:
providing a flattened foil bag;
inflating the foil bag by introducing a disinfecting gaseous medium for inflating the foil bag to create a cavity therein and simultaneously disinfecting the cavity of the foil bag prior to filling the foil bag with a liquid;
rinsing the foil bag with one of a disinfected medium, a sterile medium, and mixtures thereof after inflating the foil bag; and
filling the foil bag with a liquid, whereby the gaseous medium is displaced from the foil bag.
8. A method of expanding a flexible foil bag prior to filling the bag with a liquid, the method consisting essentially of:
providing a flattened foil bag;
heating a gaseous medium before introducing the gaseous medium into the foil bag;
inflating the foil bag by introducing the disinfecting gaseous medium for inflating the foil bag to create a cavity therein and simultaneously disinfecting the cavity of the foil bag prior to filling the foil bag with a liquid;
filling the foil bag with a liquid, whereby the gaseous medium is displaced from the foil bag.
9. A system for filling flexible foil bags consisting essentially of:
an inflating assembly constructed and arranged to inflate a flattened foil bag to create a cavity within the foil bag and disinfect the cavity of the foil bag by introducing a disinfecting gaseous medium into the foil bag,
a filling assembly constructed and arranged to displace the disinfecting gaseous medium and fill the foil bags with a liquid, and
a disinfecting assembly constructed and arranged to render the gaseous medium disinfecting.
10. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the disinfecting assembly comprises a heating assembly constructed and arranged to either heat the gaseous medium or add one of ozone and/or hydrogen peroxide to the gaseous medium.
11. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the inflating assembly and the filling assembly are separate assemblies.
12. A system for filling flexible foil bags consisting essentially of:
an inflating assembly constructed and arranged to inflate a flattened foil bag to create a cavity within the foil bag and disinfect the cavity of the foil bag by introducing a disinfecting gaseous medium into the foil bag;
a filling assembly constructed and arranged to displace the disinfecting gaseous medium and fill the foil bags with a liquid;
a disinfecting assembly constructed and arranged to render the gaseous medium disinfecting; and
an evacuating assembly constructed and arranged to remove one or more gases from the foil bag.
13. A system for filling flexible foil bags consisting essentially of:
an inflating assembly constructed and arranged to inflate a flattened foil bag to create a cavity within the foil bag and disinfect the cavity of the foil bag by introducing a disinfecting gaseous medium into the foil bag;
a filling assembly constructed and arranged to displace the disinfecting gaseous medium and fill the foil bags with a liquid;
a disinfecting assembly constructed and arranged to render the gaseous medium disinfecting; and
a sealing assembly constructed and arranged to seal the foil bag.
14. A method of filling flexible foil bags with a liquid, the method comprising:
providing a flattened foil bag having an opening and an inside;
inserting a gas tube into the opening of the foil bag;
inflating the foil bag by introducing a disinfecting gaseous medium into the foil bag for inflating and disinfecting the foil bag;
inserting a liquid tube into the opening of the foil bag, the liquid tube being different from the gas tube; and
filling the foil bag with a liquid.
15. A method of filling flexible foil bags with a liquid, the method comprising:
providing a flattened foil bag having an inside;
separating two sides of the foil bag to open the foil bag;
introducing a disinfecting gas into the foil bag; wherein the gas disinfects the inside of the foil bag; and
filling the foil bag with a liquid.
16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:
rinsing the foil bag with one of a disinfected medium, a sterile medium, and mixtures thereof.