Method and apparatus for packaging smeltable or fluid material

Claim 3

The method according to claim 1, including the further step of feeding the chain of successive filled portions of the tube through a second cooling bath.

Claim 4

The method according to claim 1, including the step of severing the filled portions of the tube from one another to form individual filled containers.

Claim 5

Apparatus for packaging smeltable or fluid material in flexible synthetic foil containers resistant to water and to the material to be packaged, comprising a. two foil rolls from which foil is fed to a pulse welding station for continuously welding the foil to form an endless web; b. a tube forming means for folding the foil into tubular shape; c. a pulse welder for securing the tube by a longitudinal seam; d. two welding means for sealing the bottom of the tube by a double pinched seam to form a container open at the top; e. a cooling bath; f. means for feeding the tube into said cooling bath; g. a plunger located within the tube forming means for filling the container in predetermined doses through its open top, in such manner that the filler material is situated below the surface of the cooling bath said plunger having means for inflating the tube with air under pressure; h. the welding means sealing the top of the container while the material is fully immersed in the water and simultaneously forming a double mash seam weld in the next tubular section, which is still open at the top; i. means for feeding the chain of filled containers one by one through the cooling bath; and j. cutting means for separating the containers.

Claim 6

Apparatus for packaging smeltable or fluid material in flexible synthetic foil containers resistant to water and to the material to be packaged, comprising a. two foil rolls from which foil is fed to a pulse welding station for continuously welding the foil to form an endless web; b. a tube forming means for folding the foil into tubular shape; c. a pulse welder for securing the tube by a longitudinal seam; d. two welding means for sealing the bottom of the tube by a double pinched seam to form a container open at the top; e. a cooling bath; f. means for feeding the tube into said cooling bath; g. a plunger located within the tube forming means for filling the container in predetermined doses through its open top, in such manner that the filler material is situated below the surface of the cooling bath said plunger having means for inflating the tube with air under pressure; h. the welding means sealing the top of the container while the material is fully immersed in the water and simultaneously forming a double mash seam weld in the next tubular section, which is still open at the top; i. means for feeding the chain of filled containers one by one through the cooling bath; and j. cutting means for separating the containers.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a second cooling bath substantially longer than the first cooling bath, for cooling the chain of containers, means for moving the containers through the second cooling bath by a water current, and means for lifting the containers out of the second cooling bath.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the plunger has a bitumen valve and an air outlet.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 4, including an equalizer roller adapted for up-and-down movement with the aid of a balancing sheave in correspondence with the length of the pause required for fusing the ends of the foils being fed from the foil rolls.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 4, including conveyor belts arranged inside the cooling bath, for effecting movement of the container chain in synchronism with the movement of the plunger.