Condiment packaging apparatus, systems, and methods

Abstract

A sachet filling apparatus is disclosed having a cartridge inlet configured to couple to a removable cartridge containing an aqueous food product. The sachet filling apparatus includes a pump coupled to the cartridge inlet and operable to pump aqueous food product from the cartridge toward a dispensing outlet. The sachet filling apparatus includes a sachet processing system operable to position a sachet having an open end at the dispensing outlet to be filled with aqueous food product pumped from the cartridge by the pump. The sachet processing system includes a sealer operable to seal the open end of the sachet. The sachet processing system is operable to dispense the filled sachet to a sachet receptacle.

Description

CONDIMENT PACKAGING APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims benefit of United States Provisional Application Number 63 / 527,400, filed July 18, 2023, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates to packaging devices and, in particular, to packaging devices for viscous food products such as condiments.BACKGROUND

[0003] Restaurants often provide customers with one or more condiments for their food items. These condiments include, as examples, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and barbeque sauce, as well as other condiments including particulate. Some restaurants provide large containers of one or more condiments along with a hand pump that is actuated to dispense the condiment into a container to use with their food. One such container is a paper cup that does not include a lid and thus cannot be easily transported with food, for example, in a to-go bag. Other types of containers include a plastic cup with a removable plastic lid. Such plastic cups can be safely transported with food items but are not biodegradable. Use of these types of containers requires restaurant staff or the customer to manually fill the containers upon the customer placing an order.

[0004] Some restaurants provide sealed sachets filled with condiment, however, these sealed sachets are often formed of a plastic and / or foil material that is not biodegradable. Biodegradable materials generally have not been used for sachets because the shelf life of such sealed sachets is too short to be filled at a manufacturing facility, distributed to restaurants, and provided to customers to use with their food.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a sachet filling apparatus.

[0006] FIG. IB is a perspective view of the sachet filling apparatus of FIG. 1A illustrating a portion of the sachet filling apparatus partially withdrawn from a housing.

[0007] FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the sachet filling apparatus of FIG. 1 A shown with a condiment cartridge removed and a fluid transfer system withdrawn.

[0008] FIG. ID is a perspective view of the sachet filling apparatus of FIG. 1A shown with the condiment cartridge and fluid transfer system removed and a roll of sachet material withdrawn.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cartridge receiver of the condiment packaging apparatus of FIG. 1A.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the sachet filling of FIG. 1A shown without the housing and cartridge receiver.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a sachet processing system of the sachet filling apparatus of FIG. 1A.

[0012] FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of a fill tube of the sachet filling apparatus of FIG. 1A.

[0013] FIG. 5B is a rear perspective view of the fill tube of FIG. 5A.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the fold, seals, and cuts of a sachet dispensed from the sachet filling apparatus of FIG. 1A.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a condiment packaging system including the condiment packaging apparatus of FIG. 1A.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of an example method of operation by the sachet filling apparatus of FIG. 1A to process and dispense filled sachets.

[0017] FIG. 9A illustrates a portion of the sachet filling apparatus of FIG. 1A mounted to a rotatable platform.

[0018] FIG. 9B illustrates two sachet filling apparatuses mounted to the rotatable platform of FIG. 9A.

[0019] FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a sachet filling apparatus according to another embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the sachet filling apparatus of FIG. 10A shown with the condiment cartridge and fluid transfer system withdrawn.

[0021] FIG. 10C is a rear perspective view of the sachet filling apparatus of FIG. 10A shown without a front cover and with the condiment cartridge withdrawn from a cartridge receiver of the sachet filling apparatus.

[0022] FIG. 10D is a perspective view of the sachet filling apparatus of FIG. 10A shown with a tray withdrawn from a support body of the condiment packaging apparatus.

[0023] FIG. 10E is a perspective view of the sachet filling apparatus of FIG. 10A shown with a front portion of the tray detached to load or remove a roll of sachets.

[0024] FIG. 10F is a perspective view of the sachet filling apparatus of FIG. 10A shown with the roll of sachets removed from the tray.

[0025] FIG. 10G is a block diagram of a condiment packaging system including the sachet filling apparatus of FIG. 10A.

[0026] FIG. 11 is a side view of a fluid transfer system of the sachet filling apparatus of FIG. 10A in a disassembled configuration.

[0027] FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a sachet processing system of the sachet filling apparatus of FIG. 10A.

[0028] FIG. 12B is a perspective view of a sealer of the sachet processing system of FIG. 12A.

[0029] FIG. 12C is a side elevation view of the sealer of FIG. 12B.

[0030] FIG. 13 a diagram illustrating the fold, seals, and cuts of a sachet dispensed from the sachet filling apparatus of FIG. 10A.

[0031] FIG. 14 is a flow diagram of an example method of operation by the sachet filling apparatus of FIG. 10A to process and dispense filled sachets.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] With respect to FIGS. 1 A-1 D, a packaging apparatus such as sachet filling apparatus 100 is provided having a sachet processing system 102 operable to form sachets from a roll 105 of sachet material 106 and a fluid transfer system 104 operable to fill the formed sachets with a viscous food product such as an aqueous food product. As one example, the fluid transfer system 104 may fill the formed sachets with food product such as a condiment, from a condiment cartridge 108. The condiment cartridge 108 may contain a fluid condiment including, as examples, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, TK, and barbeque sauce. Other condiments, aqueous food products, and flowable materials may also be used. For simplicity, the following discussion primarily relates to packaging condiment, however, those having skill in the art will readily appreciate that aqueous food product and other flowable materials may similarly be packaged. The sachet processing system 102 is operable to seal the filled sachets and dispense the sealed sachets for use. The sachet material may include a dissolvable film. The sachet material may include at least some biodegradable and compostable materials unlike many existing sachets formed of plastics and / or aluminum foil. Once filled, the sachets formed of the biodegradable material may, however, have a limited shelf life. For example, the water content, acidity, and other properties of the condiment may cause at least a portion of the sachet to degrade over time. Thus, to ensure that the condiment of the sachet is usable when provided to a customer, the sachet filling apparatus 100 may be used to fill the sachets at the restaurant, for example, in the kitchen. The sachet filling apparatus 100 thus enables condiment to be distributed to customers while mitigating the impact on the environment.

[0033] The sachet filling apparatus 100 includes a base 110 and a housing 112 mounted on the base 110. The base 110 includes a bottom 114 and sidewalls 116 extending upward from the bottom 114 to form a sachet receptacle 118. The sidewalls 116 support the housing 112 above the sachet receptacle 118 such that the sachet processing system 102 is above the sachet receptacle 118. The sachet processing system 102 may dispense or drop sealed sachets into the sachet receptacle 118 where a worker may retrieve the filled sachets. The front portion 110A (FIG. 1A) of the base 110 may extend forward further than the housing 112 and / or the sidewalls 116 be shorter than the rear portion HOB (FIG. 1A) of the base 110 to provide access to the sachets in the sachet receptacle 118.

[0034] The housing 112 includes walls 112A forming a cavity 124 in which the sachet processing system 102, the fluid transfer system 104, and the condiment cartridge 108 may be contained. The housing 112 may include a door 120 that may be pivoted relative to the housing 112 to selectively provide access to the sachet processing system 102, the fluid transfer system 104, and the condiment cartridge 108. For example, the door 120 may be closed to prevent users from inadvertently contacting the sachet processing system 102 when in use and / or disrupting the operation of the sachet filling apparatus 100 when in use. The housing 112 may form an enclosure about the sachet processing system 102, the fluid transfer system 104, and the condiment cartridge 108 to prevent debris from reaching these components. The door 120 may be opened to service the sachet filling apparatus 100, for example, to replace the roll of sachet material 106 when empty, to replace or refill the cartridge 108 when empty, and / or to clean the sachet filling apparatus 100.

[0035] The housing 112 may include a movable platform 122 on which the sachet processing system 102, the fluid transfer system 104, and the condiment cartridge 108 are mounted. As shown in FIG. IB, the door 120 may be opened and the movable platform 122 withdrawn at least partially from the cavity 124 of the housing 112 to access these components of the sachet filling apparatus 100, for example, to service the sachet filling apparatus 100 as described above. The movable platform 122 may be similar to a drawer permitting the movable platform 122 to be withdrawn from and inserted into the cavity 124 of the housing 112. For example, the housing 112 may include slides (e.g., ball bearing drawer slides, roller slides) mounted to the movable platform 122 and internal surface of the walls 112A to support and facilitate movement of the movable platform 122. The movable platform 122 may include an opening 128 (see FIG. 1C) through which the sealed sachets may be dispensed into the sachet receptacle 118.

[0036] With reference to also to FIG. 2, the sachet filling apparatus 100 includes a cartridge receiver 130 mounted on the movable platform 122. The cartridge receiver 130 includes a slot or cavity 132 for receiving a portion of the fluid transfer system 104. The cartridge receiver 130 further includes a cartridge inlet 131 to which the cartridge 108 may be mounted to the cartridge receiver 130 and connected to the fluid transfer system 104. The cartridge inlet 131 may be above the cavity 132 of the cartridge receiver 130. An outlet 108A of the cartridge 108 may extend into the cavity 132 of the cartridge receiver 130 when placed on the cartridge inlet131. The outlet 108A of the cartridge 108 may connect directly to an inlet 144 of the fluid transfer system 104 positioned within the cartridge receiver 130. As shown in FIG. 1C, the fluid transfer system 104 may be withdrawn from the cavity 132 of cartridge receiver 130 as a single unit as discussed in further detail below, for example, for cleaning.

[0037] With reference to FIGS. 1C and 3, the fluid transfer system 104 includes a pump 140 and a spout such as fill tube 142. The fluid transfer system 104 is operable to pump fluid from the inlet 144 to an outlet 146 of the fluid transfer system 104 to fill sachets with condiment. The pump 140 includes a pump tray 148 having a membrane 150 that includes a diaphragm portion 152 that is moved in a reciprocating motion, or upward and downward, to increase and decrease the volume within a pumping chamber of the pump tray 148. As the membrane 150 moves upward, the volume of the pumping chamber increases which draws fluid from the cartridge 108 and into the pumping chamber. As the membrane 150 is moved downward, the volume of the pumping chamber decreases which forces the fluid in the pumping chamber toward the pump outlet 140A and up the fill tube 142. The pump tray 148 forces the fluid along the fill tube 142 which causes fluid to be dispensed out the dispensing outlet 146 of the fill tube 142 when fluid fills the length of the fill tube 142. The cartridge 108 may include a one-way valve to prevent fluid from returning into the cartridge 108 when the volume of the pumping chamber is decreased due to the downward movement of the membrane 150. Likewise, the pump outlet 140A of the pump tray 148 may include a one-way valve to prevent fluid from being drawn from the fill tube 142 when the volume of the pumping chamber is increased due to the upward movement of the membrane 150. The fluid transfer system 104 may include an actuator 262 (e.g., a solenoid, linear actuator, motor) that drives the membrane 150 upward and downward to pump fluid through the pump form the cartridge 108 and up the fill tube 142. Further details regarding the cartridge 108, the pump tray 148, and actuator systems can be found in PCT / US2022 / 036165, filed July 6, 2022, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

[0038] With reference to FIGS. 5A-5B, the fill tube 142 may be a hollow tube defining a flow path for the condiment from the pump 140 to the sachet. The fill tube 142 may be formed of a food grade plastic or polymer material (e.g., acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)) and may be dishwasher safe such that the fill tube 142 may be washed in a dishwasher machine. The fill tube 142 includes a first end portion 160, a second end portion 162, and a connecting portion164. The first end portion 160 is removably connectable to the outlet 140A of the pump 140. The second end portion 162 extends from the connecting portion 164 to the dispensing outlet 146. The connecting portion 164 extends between the first end portion 160 and the second end portion 162. The connecting portion 164 may be curved to change a direction of a flow of fluid from the first end portion 160 to the second end portion 162. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, the connecting portion 164 has a U-shape bend to change the direction of the flow of the condiment in the fill tube 142 about 180 degrees. Thus, the condiment may be pumped upward through the first end portion 160 and flow downward through the second end portion 162. The first end portion 160 may have a vertical length that is greater than that of the second end portion 162 such that the dispensing outlet 146 is vertically above the pump 140. Positioning the dispensing outlet 146 above the pump 140 allows the sachet filling apparatus 100 to be more compact because the sachet processing system 102 is able to be positioned higher relative to the cartridge 108 such that the cartridge 108 does not extend above the sachet processing system 102.

[0039] The fill tube 142 may be formed of two portions 142A, 142B that are removably joined together along the length of the flow path. The fill tube 142 may thus be separated to provide access to the entire length of the flow path. Providing access to the entire length of the flow path is beneficial in cleaning the flow path. Since the condiment pumped through the fill tube 142 is a food item, the flow path along with the condiment flows must be cleaned thoroughly. By forming the fill tube 142 with two separable portions 142A, 142B, the fill tube 142 may be separated for cleaning and sanitation. For example, the fill tube 142 may be separated and placed in a dishwasher machine for cleaning.

[0040] Each portion 142A, 142B of the fill tube 142 may include an attachment flange 168, 170 that may be used to join the two portions 142A, 142B together. With reference to FIG. 5B, the attachment flange 170 includes an opening 172 having a first keyway 174 and a second keyway 176. The attachment flange 168 similarly includes an opening aligned with the opening 172 when the portions 142A, 142B are joined together. The fill tube 142 further includes a key 180 having a knob 182, a shaft 184 extending from the knob 182, and a first bit 186 and a second bit 188 extending radially outward from the shaft 184. The first bit 186 and second bit 188 may extend in opposite directions from the shaft 184. The bits 186, 188 of the key 180 may be aligned with the keyways 174, 176 of the openings 172 of the attachment flanges 170 and be extendedtherethrough until the bits 186, 188 have passed through the openings 172. The key 180 may then be rotated (e.g., by turning the knob 182) to misalign the bits 186, 188 with the key ways 174, 176. The bits 186, 188 and the knob 182 may contact the attachment flanges 168, 170 to clamp the flanges 168, 170 together to secure the two portions 142A, 142B of the fill tube 142 together. To separate the two portions 142A, 142B of the fill tube 142, the key 180 may be rotated to align the bits 186, 188 with the keyways 174, 176 and the key 180 withdrawn from the attachment flanges 168, 170. The portions 142A, 142B may then be manually separated from one another to access the interior surfaces of the fill tube 142. In other forms, the portions 142A, 142B of the fill tube 142 may be attached together with clips and / or may be connected by an interference connection such that the portions 142A, 142B may be snapped together.

[0041] With reference to FIGS. 1A-1D and 3-4, the sachet processing system 102 includes a drive system 190 that may be operated to draw sachet material 106 from the roll of sachet material 106 and through a forming collar 192 to form and / or fold the sachet material. A sealer system 194 includes a side sealer 196 positioned to seal a longitudinal length of two portions of the sachet material together forming a tubular shape with a side seal 232 (see FIG. 6). The sealer system 194 further includes a bottom sealer 198 positioned to seal a bottom end portion of the tubular shaped sachet material to form a bottom seal 236. The sealer system 194 further includes a top sealer 200 positioned to seal a top end portion of the tubular shaped sachet material once filled with a condiment to form a top seal 238 seal the condiment in the sachet 210. The sachet processing system 102 further includes a separator or cutter 224 that cuts the sealed sachet 210 from the remainder of the sachet material to from a cut 240. Once cut, the sealed sachet falls through the opening 128 of the movable platform 122 into the sachet receptacle 118.

[0042] The sachet processing system 102 may include a first support member 202 and a second support member 204 that extend substantially vertically relative to the movable platform 122. The first support member 202 and second support member 204 may be mounted to the cartridge receiver 130. The first support member 202 and second support member 204 are separated by a gap. The fluid transfer system 104 is able to be withdrawn from and inserted into the cartridge receiver 130 through the gap between the first and second support members 202, 204. The sachet processing system 102 may include a first set of support arms 206 that support the roll of sachet material. One support arm 206 may be attached to the first support member 202 and the other support arm 206 may be attached to the second support member 204. The rollof sachet material may include a core that is supported across the support arms 206 and permit the roll and / or core to rotate. The sachet processing system 102 may include a second set of support arms 208 that support a rotatable rod 212 that the sachet material rolls over. The rod 212 may aid to keep the sachet material flat and inhibit the sachet material from folding or rolling before reaching the forming collar 192. The sachet processing system 102 may include a tension bar 214 between the roll of sachet material and the rotatable rod 212 that aids to keep the sachet material engaged with the rotatable rod 212 to aid to keep the sachet material from folding and / or rolling.

[0043] The forming collar 192 may also be supported by the first and second support members 202, 204. The forming collar 192 includes a body 216 mounted to the support members 202, 204 and forming an opening 218 therein (see FIG. 4). The edges 220 of the opening 218 may be rounded or chamfered to aid in directing the sachet material therethrough as it is drawn from the rotatable rod 212. The opening 218 may be sized to receive the second end portion 162 of the fill tube 142 therethrough. The opening 218 of the forming collar 192 and the fill tube 142 together form an annular opening through which the sachet material is drawn to form the sachet. As the sachet material is drawn through the forming collar 192 about the fill tube 142, the sachet material is rolled into a tubular shape extending longitudinally and in the direction the sachet material being drawn. The overlapping ends of the sachet material that are directed toward one another as the sachet material is rolled (e.g., the ends that extending longitudinally) are sealed together by the side sealer 196 to form a side seal 232 (see FIG. 6). The end of the sachet 210 opposite the side seal 232 may form a fold 234 (see FIG. 6).

[0044] The body 216 of the forming collar 192 may include a first portion 192A attached to the first support member 202 and a second portion 192B attached to the second support member 204. The portions 192A, 192B of the forming collar 192 may be separated from one another to permit the fill tube 142 of the fluid transfer system 104 to be withdrawn and / or inserted as discussed above. For example, the first portion 192A of the forming collar 192 may be slidably mounted to the first support member 202 such that the first portion 192A is able to be slid laterally toward or away from the second portion 192B of the forming collar 192. Additionally or alternatively, the second portion 192B of the forming collar 192 may be slidably mounted to the second support member 204 such that the second portion 192B is able to be slid laterally toward or away from the first portion 192A of the forming collar 192. In some forms, the firstand / or second portion 192A, 192B of the forming collar 192 are pivotable relative to the support members 202, 204 to permit the fill tube 142 to pass through the forming collar 192 and to secure the fill tube 142 within the opening 218 of the forming collar 192.

[0045] The side sealer 196 of the sealer system 194 includes a first seal block 196A movably mounted to the first support member 202 and second seal block 196B movably mounted to the second support member 204. One or more actuators 256 (e.g., motors, solenoids, and / or linear actuators) may be used to reversibly drive the first and second seal blocks 196A, 196B into contact with one another to seal the sachet material together and form the longitudinal side seal 232 of the sachet 210. For example, the seal blocks 196A, 196B may include a linear gear that engages a gear turned by one or more motors to drive the seal blocks 196 A, 196B toward and away from each other. In some forms, one of the seal blocks 196A, 196B is stationary while the other seal block 196A, 196B moves relative to the stationary seal block. The side sealer 196 may further include a heating element that heats at least a portion of one of the seal blocks 196 A, 196B such that when the seal blocks 196A, 196B clamp two layers of the sachet material together, heat is applied to the sachet material to seal or weld the sachet material together and form the side seal.

[0046] The bottom sealer 198 of the sealer system 194 includes a first seal block 198A movably mounted to the first support member 202 and second seal block 198B movably mounted to the second support member 204. One or more actuators 256 (e.g., motors, solenoids, and / or linear actuators) may be used to reversibly drive the first and second seal blocks 198 A, 198B into contact with one another to seal the sachet material together and form the bottom seal 236 of the sachet 210 (see FIG. 6). For example, the seal blocks 198 A, 198B may include a linear gear that engages a gear turned by one or more motors to drive the seal blocks 198A, 198B toward and away from each other. In some forms, one of the seal blocks 198A, 198B is stationary while the other seal block 198A, 198B moves relative to the stationary seal block. The bottom sealer 198 may further include a heating element that heats at least a portion of one of the seal blocks 198A, 198B such that when the seal blocks 196A, 196B clamp two layers of the sachet material together, heat is applied to the sachet material to seal or weld the sachet material together and form the bottom seal.

[0047] The top sealer 200 of the sealer system 194 includes a first seal block 200A movably mounted to the first support member 202 and second seal block 200B movably mounted to the second support member 204. One or more actuators 256 (e.g., motors, solenoids, and / or linear actuators) may be used to reversibly drive the first and second seal blocks 200A, 200B into contact with one another to seal the sachet material together and form the top seal 238 of the sachet 210 (see FIG. 6). For example, the seal blocks 200 A, 200B may include a linear gear that engages a gear turned by one or more motors to drive the seal blocks 200 A, 200B toward and away from each other. In some forms, one of the seal blocks 200A, 200B is stationary while the other seal block 200A, 200B moves relative to the stationary seal block. The top sealer 200 may further include a heating element that heats at least a portion of one of the seal blocks 200A, 200B such that when the seal blocks 200A, 200B clamp two layers of the sachet material together, heat is applied to the sachet material to seal or weld the sachet material together and form the top seal.

[0048] In some embodiments, the bottom sealer 198 and the top sealer 200 are the same and are comprised of the same seal blocks to form an end sealer. In such embodiments, the sachet material may be moved relative to the end sealer to seal the bottom and the top seals of the sachet 210.

[0049] The cutter 224 of the sachet processing system 102 may be a blade mechanism to mechanically cut the sachet 210 at or above the top seal 238 from the remainder of the sachet material to form a cut 240 (see FIG. 6). The cutter 224 may include a first portion 224A movably mounted to the first support member 202 and second portion 224B movably mounted to the second support member 204. One or both of the first portion 224A and second portion 224B may include a blade to cut the sachet material when the first and second portions 224A, 224B are brought into contact with one another. In some forms, one of the first portion 224A and second portion 224B includes a flat surface against which a blade of the other of the first portion 224A and second portion 224B presses against to cut the sachet material. One or more actuators 260 (e.g., motors, solenoids, and / or linear actuators) may be used to reversibly drive the first and second portions 224A, 224B into contact with one another to cut the sachet 210 from the remainder of the sachet material. For example, the portions 224A, 224B may include a linear gear that engages a gear turned by one or more motors to drive the portions 224A, 224B toward and away from each other. In some forms, one of the portions 224A, 224B is stationary while theother portion 224A, 224B moves relative to the stationary portion. In some forms, the cutter 224 includes a heating element that heats at least a portion of one of the portions 224 A, 224B to a temperature such that when the portions 224 A, 224B clamp the sachet 210 therebetween, the sachet material melts thereby cutting the sachet 210 from the remainder of the sachet material. In other forms, the cutter 224 is a laser.

[0050] The drive system 190 of the sachet processing system 102 may include two wheels or rollers 222 that receive the side seal of the sachet therebetween. The radially outer surface of the rollers 222 clamp the side seal therebetween such that rotation of the rollers 222 moves the sachet material. One or both of the rollers 222 may be operably coupled to motors 258 such that operation of the motors causes the rollers 222 to rotate and move the sachet material. The motors may be operated to draw the sachet material from the roll, over the rotatable rod 212, through the forming collar 192 to form the sachet 210, to the side sealer 196 where the side seal is formed, to a processing location where the bottom sealer 198 forms the bottom seal and the sachet 210 is filled, and to the top sealer 200 and cutter 224 for sealing and dispensing the filled sachet to the sachet receptacle 118.

[0051] The rollers 222 of the drive system 190, the bottom sealer 198, top sealer 200, and / or cutter 224 may be mounted to a movable panel 230. The panel 230 may extend from the first support member 202 to the second support member 204 across the gap therebetween. The panel 230 may be movable from the gap to permit the fluid transfer system 104 to be withdrawn and / or inserted through the gap. An end of the panel 230 may be hingedly connected to the first support member 202 or second support member 204 to permit the panel 230 to be pivoted as shown in FIG. 1C.

[0052] With respect to FIG. 7, a condiment packaging system 270 is shown. The condiment packaging system 270 includes the sachet filling apparatus 100, a network 266, and a remote computer 264. The sachet filling apparatus 100 includes a processor 250 and memory 252. The memory 252 may include programs and instructions for carrying out various operations and providing functionality to the sachet filling apparatus 100. For example, the memory 252 may include instructions for operating the drive system 190 and / or sealer system 194. For instance, the memory 252 may store data regarding how long to operate the drive system 190 to draw a desired amount of sachet material from the roll, to move the sachet 210 to the proper locationsfor forming the top, bottom, and side seals and cutting the sachet from the remainder of the sachet material. The memory 252 may also store information relating to how long to operate the pump actuator 262 of the pump 140 to dispense a certain amount the condiment into the sachet 210. The memory 252 may also store data regarding how much condiment has been dispensed from a cartridge and / or how many sachets have been filled. The processor 250 may determine how much condiment is left in the cartridge 108 by tracking the number of sachets 210 that have been filled since a full cartridge was installed. The processor 250 may control the motors 258 of the drive system 190 and pump 140 to move the sachet material through the sachet processing system 102 and to fill the sachet with condiment. The processor 250 may also control the pump actuator 262 to pump condiment into the sachet 210, the actuators 256 of the sealing system to seal the sachet 210, and the cutter actuators 260 to cut the sachet. The processor 250 is configured to communicate with the memory 252 to access the programs and instructions to provide functionality to the sachet filling apparatus 100 as described in further detail below with respect to FIG. 8.

[0053] The sachet filling apparatus 100 further may include communication circuitry 254. The processor 250 may use the communication circuitry 254 to communicate with remote devices. For example, the communication circuitry 254 may be configured to communicate via wired and wireless communication protocols including, as examples, cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, Zigbee, ethernet, and the like. The processor 250 may communicate signals via the communication circuitry 254 to remote devices and receive signals from remote devices via the communication circuitry 254. The sachet filling apparatus 100 may be configured to communicate with the remote computer 264 (e.g., a server computer) via the network 266 using the communication circuitry 254. The network 266 may include a cellular network, Wi-Fi network, and / or the internet as examples. The sachet filling apparatus 100 may communicate data with the remote computer 264 such as how much sachet material is left on the roll, how many sachets 210 have been formed and sealed, how much condiment is left in the cartridge 108, and / or when the sachet filling apparatus 100 should be cleaned (e.g., based on the length of time the condiment has been in the pump 140). The sachet filling apparatus 100 and / or remote computer 264 may communicate with a user via the communication circuitry 254, for example a user device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, cash register, etc.) to alert a user or staff of a restaurant when the condiment cartridge 108 and / or roll of sachet materialis low or running low. The sachet filling apparatus 100 may also receive a communication from the remote computer 264 to create a certain number of sachets with the condiment. For example, upon receiving an order from a customer, a cash register may send a request to the sachet filling apparatus 100 to fill a certain number of sachets for the order.

[0054] The sachet filling apparatus 100 may also alert the user or staff to errors and / or when the sachet filling apparatus 100 should be serviced. The sachet filling apparatus 100 and / or remote computer 264 may be associated with a smartphone application and information pertaining to the sachet filling apparatus 100 may be presented to the user and / or viewable by a user in the smartphone application. A user may also be able to use the smartphone application (or other such program) to record the type of condiment the user has installed and the time / date when the condiment cartridge was installed. A user may also use the smartphone application (or similar program) to determine how much condiment is left in the sachet filling apparatus 100, how much sachet material is left, and / or when the condiment cartridge was installed. The user may also receive alerts from the sachet filling apparatus 100 to refill or service the sachet filling apparatus 100, for example, when the condiment cartridge and / or sachet material is running low. The sachet filling apparatus 100 may also include a user interface 268, for example, a touchscreen display, that the user may operate to access and enter such information from memory 252 and / or the remote computer 264.

[0055] The sachet filling apparatus 100 may be powered by a power source 274. The power source 274 may include an electrical cord with a plug for attaching to a wall outlet to receive mains power. Alternatively or additionally, the power source 274 may include a battery. The battery may be replaceable and / or rechargeable. Powering the sachet filling apparatus 100 with a battery increases the locations within a restaurant where the sachet filling apparatus 100 may be placed. For example, the sachet filling apparatus 100 need not be placed close to an electrical outlet. The sachet filling apparatus 100 may be placed on an island within a kitchen that may, for instance, not have an electrical outlet.

[0056] With respect to FIG. 8, a method 300 of forming, filling and sealing sachets with the sachet filling apparatus 100 is provided. The method includes the sachet filling apparatus 100 drawing 302 sachet material from a roll of sachet material. The processor 250 may control the motors 258 of the drive system 190 to draw the sachet material from the roll of sachet materialand along the sachet processing system 102. The sachet filling apparatus 100 folds 304 the sachet material about the fill tube 142. The sachet filling apparatus 100 may fold the sachet material by drawing the sachet material through the forming collar 192 to bring the side end portions of the sachet material toward one another.

[0057] The sachet filling apparatus 100 seals 306 a length of the side end portions of the sachet material together to form the side seal 232 of the sachet 210. The processor 250 of the sachet filling apparatus 100 may control an actuator 256 of the sealing system to bring the seal blocks 196 A, 196B toward one another and to clamp the end portions of the sachet material together to form the side seal 232. The seal blocks 196 A, 196B may be heated by a heating element such that the seal blocks 196 A, 196B apply heat to the sachet material to form the seal.

[0058] The sachet filling apparatus 100 seals 308 a bottom end of the folded sachet material together to form the bottom seal 236 of the sachet 210. The processor 250 of the sachet filling apparatus 100 may control an actuator 256 of the sealing system to bring the seal blocks 198A, 198B of the bottom sealer 198 toward one another and to clamp the bottom end portion of the sachet material together to form the bottom seal 236. The seal blocks 198A, 198B may be heated by a heating element such that the seal blocks 198 A, 198B apply heat to the sachet material to form the seal.

[0059] Upon sealing the bottom end of the sachet, the sachet filling apparatus 100 may fill 310 the partially sealed sachet with a condiment. The processor 250 may control the pump actuator 262 to cause the pump 140 of the fluid transfer system 104 to pump condiment out of the outlet 146 of the fluid transfer system 104 and into the sachet through the unsealed top end of the sachet.

[0060] The sachet filling apparatus 100 may then move the partially formed sachet to the top sealer 200 and cutter 224 of the sachet processing system 102. The sachet filling apparatus 100 seals 312 the top end portion of the sachet to completely seal the condiment within the sachet. The processor 250 of the sachet filling apparatus 100 may control an actuator 256 of the sealing system to bring the seal blocks 200A, 200B of the top sealer 200 toward one another and to clamp the top end portion of the sachet material together to form the top seal 238. The seal blocks 200A, 200B may be heated by a heating element such that the seal blocks 200A, 200B apply heat to the sachet material to form the seal.

[0061] The sachet filling apparatus 100 cuts 314 the sealed sachet from the remainder of the sachet material. The processor 250 of the sachet filling apparatus 100 may control an actuator 260 of the cutter to bring the first and second portions 224A, 224B of the cutter 224 toward one another and to cut sealed sachet from the remainder of the sachet material. The cutter 224 may form a cut across or above the top seal such that the sachet remains sealed. Cutting the sealed sachet from the remainder of the sachet material causes the sealed sachet to be dispensed from the sachet filling apparatus 100. The sealed sachet may fall through the opening 128 of the platform 122 and into the sachet receptacle 118. The sealed sachets may be retrieved by a user from the sachet receptacle to use with a food item, for example, the sachet may be placed in a to-go bag along with one or more food items.

[0062] With respect to FIG. 9A, in some forms, the sachet filling apparatus 100 may be mounted on a rotatable platform 280. The rotatable platform 280 may be used as an alternative to the movable platform 122. In other forms, the rotatable platform 280 may be used in addition to the movable platform 122, for example, the rotatable platform 280 may be mounted on the movable platform 122. The platform 280 may be positioned within the housing 112. The platform 280 may be rotated to provide access to various parts of the sachet filling apparatus 100. For example, rotatable platform 280 may be rotated to provide access to the cartridge 108, for example, to remove and / or replace the cartridge 108 or for cleaning and / or servicing.

[0063] With respect to FIG. 9B, two sachet filling apparatuses 100 are shown mounted to the rotatable platform 280. In other forms, three or more sachet filling apparatuses may be positioned in the housing 112. The sachet filling apparatuses 100 and rotatable platform 280 may be positioned within the housing 112. In some forms, the condiment in each cartridge is different. For example, one cartridge may contain ketchup while the other contains mustard such that sachets filled with different condiments are dispensed to the sachet receptacle 118. The rotatable platform 280 and / or the movable platform 122 may include openings therethrough that are aligned with the sachet processing systems 102 that the sealed sachets fall through to dispense the sachets to the sachet receptacle. The rotatable platform 280 may be rotated to access the side or rear portions of the sachet filling apparatuses 100, for example, for servicing and / or cleaning.

[0064] With respect to FIGS. 10A-10G, a sachet filling apparatus 400 is provided according to another embodiment. The sachet filling apparatus 400 is similar in many respects to the sachet filling apparatus of FIG. 1A discussed above such that the differences will be highlighted. With reference to FIG. 10A-10B, the sachet filling apparatus 400 includes a support body 402, a base 404, and a tray 406 including the sachet processing system 407. The support body 402 is mounted on the base 404. The tray 406 may be movably attached to the support body 402 and / or the base 404 such that the tray 406 may be withdrawn from the support body 402 (see FIG. 10D). As one example, the tray 406 may be mounted to the support body 402 via slides (e.g., similar to a drawer).

[0065] The support body 402 includes a cartridge inlet 408 for receiving a cartridge 410. The cartridge inlet 408 may be formed in an upper portion of the support body 402. The cartridge inlet 408 may be configured to couple to the cartridge 410 to secure the cartridge 410 to the support body 402. The cartridge inlet 408 may include a conical recess in the top surface of the support body 402 sized to receive and support a conical end 412 of the cartridge 410. The cartridge 410 may be removably attached to the support body 402 to provide condiment to the sachet filling apparatus 400 to be filled into sachets 414. The cartridge 410 may be removed (see FIGS. 10B-10C) and replaced with another cartridge when the cartridge 410 is emptied. The cartridge 410 may also be refilled and connected to the support body 402.

[0066] The support body 402 includes a slot or cavity 418 for removably receiving the fluid transfer system 416 similar to the cavity 132 of the cartridge receiver 130 of the sachet filling apparatus 100 discussed above. For instance, the fluid transfer system 416 may be inserted into the cavity 418 and coupled to the cartridge 410 such that fluid flows directly from the cartridge 410 to the fluid transfer system 416. The cartridge inlet 408 may be above the cavity 418. An outlet 410A of the cartridge 410 may extend into the cavity 418 of the support body 402 when placed on the cartridge inlet 408. The outlet 410A of the cartridge 410 may connect directly to an inlet of the fluid transfer system 416 positioned within the support body 402. As shown in FIG. 10B, the fluid transfer system 416 may be withdrawn from the cavity 418 of support body 402 as a single unit as discussed in further detail below, for example, for cleaning. The cartridge 410 may inhibit the fluid transfer system 416 from sliding along the cavity 418 (e.g., to be removed) when the cartridge 410 is coupled to the inlet of the fluid transfer system 416. The cartridge 410may be removed from the support body 402 to permit the fluid transfer system 416 to be withdrawn, for example, for cleaning.

[0067] With reference also to FIG. 11, the fluid transfer system 416 includes a pump 420 and a fill tube 422. The pump 420 is similar to the pump 140 discussed above such that the discussion will not be repeated. The fill tube 422 includes an attachment portion 424, a spout portion 426 and a flow portion 428 extending between the attachment portion 424 and the spout portion 426. The attachment portion 424 may be removably connected to the outlet of the pump 420 similar to the fill tube 142 discussed above. The flow portion 428 extends substantially horizontally to the spout portion 426. The condiment is pumped through the fill tube 422 to the spout portion 426 where the condiment is dispensed through a dispensing outlet 427 into the sachets.

[0068] The flow portion 428 may include a bellows 429 that may be compressed and released to aid in expelling the condiment from the fill tube 422 The bellows 429 bubbles or extends outward from the fill tube 422. The bellows 429 may be formed of a semi-flexible material such as rubber, silicon, or polyurethane and the like such that the bellows 429 may be pressed or flexed inward toward the fill tube but returns to its normal shape extending from the fill tube 422 when force is removed. For example, a piston that operates the pump 420 may have or move with a plunger portion that presses the bellows 429 inward as the piston is moved downward. Pressing the bellows 429 inward reduces the volume in the fill tube 422 which aids to force condiment out the dispensing outlet 427 and into the sachets. As the piston moves upward, the plunger portion is withdrawn from the bellows 429 permitting the bellows 429 to expand. This expansion increases the volume in the fill tube 422 which draws the condiment from the dispensing outlet 427 back into the fill tube 422. Drawing the condiment from the dispensing outlet 427 aids in preventing condiment from dripping from the dispensing outlet 427 between sachets or when condiment is not intended to be dispensed.

[0069] A separator or wedge 430 may be attached to the fill tube 422. The wedge 430 may be configured to be positioned into the mouth of unsealed sachets to separate opposing side walls of the unsealed sachets from one another to hold the sachets open for filling. The wedge 430 may be removably attachable to the spout portion 426 of the fill tube 422. The wedge 430 may include a cylindrical body 431 defining an opening through which the spout portion 426 ofthe fill tube extends. The wedge 430 includes wedge shaped prong portions 432 extending along the spout portion 426 of the fill tube 422 to hold the sachets open while condiment is pumped through the fill tube 422 into the sachets. The dispensing outlet 427 may thus be positioned between portions of the wedge 430.

[0070] The base 404 of the sachet filling apparatus 100 includes a bottom 436 and sidewalls 437 extending upward from the bottom 436 to form a sachet receptacle 440. The sidewalls 437 support the support body 402 above the sachet receptacle 440 such that the tray 406 and sachet processing system 407 are above the sachet receptacle 440. As discussed below, the sachet processing system 407 may dispense or drop sealed sachets into the sachet receptacle 440. The front portion 404A (FIG. 10A) of the base 404 may extend forward further than the support body 402 and / or the sidewalls 437 of the front portion 404A may be shorter than the rear portion 404B (FIG. 10A) of the base 404 to provide access to the sachets in the sachet receptacle 440.

[0071] The sachet filling apparatus 400 may include a cover 442 that covers a portion of the fluid transfer system 416 and the tray 406. The cover 442 may be slidably mounted to the support body 402 such that the cover 442 may be slid upward (see FIG. 10B) to provide access to the fluid transfer system 416 and / or the tray 406. The cover 442 may be slid downward (see FIG. 10A) and over the fluid transfer system 416 and the tray to prevent debris from entering the sachet processing system 407. The cover 442 may also protect users from inadvertently contacting the fluid transfer system 416 and / or sachet processing system 407 during operation.

[0072] With reference to FIGS. 10D-10F, the tray 406 includes a receptacle 444 for receiving a roll of sachets 438 and a sachet processing system 407. The sachet processing system 407 is operable to transport the sachets to be filled at the dispensing outlet 427 and to seal and dispense the filled sachets to the sachet receptacle 440. The roll of sachets 438 includes a plurality of sachets strung together. With reference to FIG. 13, each of the sachets of the roll are sealed or folded at the bottom 470 and sealed along the left side 472 and right side 474 prior to installing the roll into the sachet filling apparatus 400 (e.g., when manufactured). The top of the sachet is unsealed to permit the sachets to be filled through the top of the sachet. The sachets are connected along the side seals. In some forms, the side seals are perforated to permit the sachets to be separated from one another.

[0073] The tray 406 includes a releasable portion 450 that may be released from the remainder of the tray 406 to load the roll of sachets 438 into the tray 406 and to position the string of sachets along the sachet processing system 407 for filling and sealing. Once the roll of sachets 438 is loaded and properly positioned, the releasable portion 450 may be connected to the remainder of the tray 406 with the string of sachets between the releasable portion 450 and the remainder of the tray 406. The releasable portion 450 may be released by pressing a button to disconnect the releasable portion 450 from the remainder of the tray 406. In some forms, the releasable portion 450 does not entirely separate from the remainder of the tray 406, but instead may be hingedly connected to the remainder of the tray 406 (e.g., along the bottom edge) and be pivoted outward to provide access to the sachet processing line to install the string of sachets therein. The tray 406 and releasable portion 450 form a horizontal pathway 462 (see FIG. 10D) along which the sachets may be transported substantially horizontally from the roll to be filled, sealed, and dispensed to the sachet receptacle 440. The tray 406 and releasable portion 450 form side walls along the pathway that support the sachets in an upright position which prevents the sachets from tipping over and / or spilling condiment.

[0074] With reference also to FIG. 12A, the sachet processing system 407 includes a drive system 452, a sealer 454, and a separator 456. The drive system 452 may include one or more motors 453 that drive rollers 455. The rollers 455 may receive the string of sachets 438 and draw the sachets from the roll 448 along the processing line. The rollers 455 may engage the top portion of the sachets (e.g., the top seal) and apply a force to the sachets to move the sachets along the sachet processing system 407. The drive system 452 may be operated to bring each unsealed sachet to a filling position below the dispensing outlet 427. Once positioned beneath the dispensing outlet 427, the wedge 430 may hold the unsealed top portion of the sachet open and the fluid transfer system 416 operated to dispense a dose of condiment into the sachet. The sachet filling apparatus 400 may include a pump actuator 458 that actuators the pump 420 to pump condiment out of the dispensing outlet 427.

[0075] With reference to FIGS. 12B-12C, once filled with condiment, the sealer 454 may be operated to seal the top portion of the sachet to form the top seal 476 (see FIG. 13). The sealer 454 may include a first sealing block 454A and a second sealing block 454B. The sealing blocks 454A, 454B may be positioned on opposite sides of the string of sachets and be movable toward one another to clamp the sachet therebetween to form the seal. One or both of the sealing blocks454A, 454B may be heated by a heating element such that when the sealing blocks 454A, 454B clamp the sachet therebetween the sealer 454 applies heat to the sachet to form the seal. In one embodiment the sealer 454 may include a first arm 480 and a second arm 482. The first arm 480 includes the seal block 454A at one end and a driving portion 483 including a cam surface 484. The first arm 480 is pivotable about a pivot point 485 between the driving portion 483 and the seal block 454A. The second arm 482 includes the seal block 454B at one end and a driving portion 486 including a cam surface 488. The second arm 482 is pivotable about a pivot point 487 between the driving portion 486 and the seal block 454B. The sealer 454 further includes a cam shaft 490 having an oblong or ovular cross-sectional shape. The cam shaft 490 engages the cam surfaces 484, 488 as the cam shaft 490 is rotated. The sealer 454 may include a sealer actuator 492, such as a motor, that rotates the cam shaft 490. Rotation of the cam shaft 490 drives the driving portions 483, 486 away from one another and toward one another which causes the first and second arms 480, 482 to pivot about the pivot points 485, 487 bringing the seal blocks 454A, 454B toward one another and away from one another. The seal blocks 454A, 454B may be driven toward one another to seal the sachets 438 and moved away from one another to allow the drive system 452 to transport the sachets 438 along the sachet processing system 407.

[0076] Returning to FIG. 12A, once the sachet is sealed, the drive system 452 may operate the rollers to draw the next unsealed sachet to the filling position to be filled with a dose of condiment and filled as described above. The sealed condiment is transported along the sachet processing system 407 to the separator 456. The separator 456 is configured to separate the sealed sachet from the string of sachets and form cut 478 (see FIG. 13). The separator 456 may be driven by a separator actuator 457, e.g., such as a solenoid or motor, to separate the sachets. In forms where the side seals of the sachets are perforated, the separator 456 may include a blade or wedge that is pressed by the actuator 457 against the perforation to tear the sachet from the string of sachets along the perforation. In other forms, the separator 456 is similar to the cutter 224 of the sachet filling apparatus 100 discussed above to cut the filled, sealed sachet from the string of sachets along the side seals joining the sachets together. The separator 456 may include blades on each side of the sachet that are moved toward one another with the sachet therebetween to cut the sachet. The separator may include one blade and an opposing cutting block against which the blade is pressed against with the sachet therebetween to cut the sachet. In other forms, the separator may include a heated bar that is pressed against the side seal to cut(e.g., by melting the sachet material) the filled sachet from the string of sachets. Once separated, the sealed sachet may fall through an opening 464 (see FIG. 12A) in the tray 406 to the sachet receptacle 440.

[0077] The sachet processing system 407 may include wedge members 460 upstream of the filling position and / or downstream of the filling position that aid to hold the unsealed end of the sachets opened for filling. When the string of sachets are positioned in the sachet processing system 407, the user may position the wedge members 460 and / or wedge 430 of the fluid transfer system 416 in the unsealed end of the sachets to hold the sachets open.

[0078] With reference to FIG. 10G, the sachet filling apparatus 400 may be part of a condiment packaging system 401 including the remote computer 264 discussed above. The sachet filling apparatus 400 may include a processor 500 and memory 502 that provide functionality to the sachet filling apparatus 400. The sachet filling apparatus 400 may be configured to communicate with the remote computer as discussed above with respect to the condiment packaging system 270. Specifically, the processor 500 of the sachet filling apparatus 400 may communicate with the remote computer 264 via communication circuitry 504 of the sachet filling apparatus 400. The sachet filling apparatus 400 may communicate directly with the remote computer 264 and / or via the network 266. Similar to the sachet filling apparatus 100 discussed above, the sachet filling apparatus 400 may communicate information relating to how many sachets were made, how many sachets are left on the roll, how much condiment is left in the cartridge 410, to replace the condiment cartridge, to install a new roll of sachets 438, to service and / or clean the sachet filling apparatus 400, etc. The sachet filling apparatus 400 may also receive a communication from the remote computer 264 to create a certain number of sachets 438 with the condiment. For example, upon receiving an order from a customer, the cash register may send a request to the sachet filling apparatus 400 to fill a certain number of sachets for the order.

[0079] The processor 500 may control the operation of the sachet filling apparatus 100 to fill, seal, and dispense the sachets 438. The processor 500 may operate the motors 453 of the drive system 452 to turn the rollers 455 to draw the string of sachets 438 from the roll through the sachet processing system 407. The processor 500 may draw the sachets 438 until an unfilled sachet 438 is positioned at the filling position with the sachet 438 under the dispensing outlet427. The processor 500 may be in communication with a sensor (e.g., an optical sensor) that detects the position of the sachets 438 along the sachet processing system 407 to ensure that the sachet 438 is properly aligned with the dispensing outlet 427. The processor 500 may operate the motors 453 until the processor 500 determines that a sachet 438 is at the filling position. In some forms, the processor 500 may operate the motor 453 for a predetermined length of time to transport an unsealed sachet to the filling position and to transport the sealed, filled sachet to the separator 456 for dispensing to the sachet receptacle 440.

[0080] The processor 500 may control the pump actuator 458 to cause condiment to be pumped out of the dispensing outlet 427 and into the unsealed sachet 438. The processor 500 may operate the pump actuator 458 for a predetermined length of time to dispense a set dose of condiment into the sachet 438. In some forms, the processor 500 may operate the pump actuator 458 to cause the pump actuator 458 to actuate the pump 420 to a certain number of times to dispense a set dose of condiment.

[0081] The processor 500 may operate the sealer 454 to form the top seal 476 on the sachet 438 to seal the condiment within the sachet 438. The processor 500 may control the seal actuator 492 of the sealer 454 to drive the seal blocks 454A, 454B toward one another to form the seal 476. For example, the processor 500 may control a motor operably coupled to the cam shaft 490 to rotate the cam shaft 490 to bring the seal blocks 454A, 454B together to form the seal and to further rotate the cam shaft 490 to separate the seal blocks 454 A, 454B to permit the sachets 438 to be transported along the sachet processing system 407. The seal actuator 492 may be a servo motor that may rotate the cam shaft 490 to a precise position to control the position of the seal blocks 454A, 454B.

[0082] The processor 500 may control the operation of the separator 456 to separate a sealed sachet 438 from the remainder of the string of sachets 438 to dispense the sealed sachet 438 to the sachet receptacle 440. The processor 500 may control the separator actuator 457 to move the separator 456 into engagement with a portion of the string of sachets 438 between two sachets to cut or otherwise separate a sealed, filled sachet from the string of sachets.

[0083] The sachet filling apparatus 400 may further include a user interface 494 and a power source 496 similar to that of the sachet filling apparatus 100 discussed above.

[0084] With respect to FIG. 14, a method 550 of filling, sealing, and dispensing sachets with the sachet filling apparatus 400 is provided. The method includes the sachet filling apparatus 400 drawing 552 an unsealed sachet from a roll of unsealed sachets. As discussed above, each sachet of the roll of sachets may have a top that is unsealed that provides an opening for filling the sachet 438. The processor 500 of the sachet filling apparatus 400 operate the motors 453 of the drive system 452 to draw the string of sachets 438 from the roll of sachets through the sachet processing system 407 until a sachet 438 is positioned beneath the dispensing outlet 427 and a sachet 438 is positioned at the separator 456.

[0085] The sachet filling apparatus 400 separates 554 the sides of the sachets at the unsealed opening to open the sachet 438 for filling with condiment. The wedge members 460 and / or wedge 430 of the fluid transfer system 416 may extend partially into the sachets 438 to space the opposing sidewalls of the sachets 438 apart from one another. The wedge members 460 and / or wedge 430 may remain partially in the sachets 438 as the sachets 438 are drawn through the sachet processing system 407. The wedge members 460 and / or wedge 430 may thus passively open and hold open the sachets 438 as they are drawn along the sachet processing system 407.

[0086] The sachet filling apparatus 400 fills 556 the unsealed sachet with the condiment. The processor 500 controls the pump actuator 458 to pump fluid from the cartridge 410 toward the dispensing outlet 427. The processor 500 may operate the pump 140 to dispense a dose of condiment from the dispensing outlet 427 into the sachet 438 at the filling position.

[0087] The sachet filling apparatus 400 seals 558 the opening of the sachet 438 positioned at the filling position once filled. The processor 500 may control the sealer actuator 492 of the sealer 454 to drive the sealing blocks 454 A, 454B toward one another and against the sachet 438 to form the top seal 476.

[0088] The sachet filling apparatus 400 separates 560 the filled, sealed sachet 438 from the remainder of the string of sachets to dispense the filled, sealed sachet 438. The processor 500 may control the separator actuator 457 to use the separator 456 to cut or otherwise separate the filled, sealed sachet 438 from the remainder of the string of sachets. For instance, the separator actuator 457 may press the separator 456 into engagement with the sachet 438 to cut the sachet438. Cutting the sachet 438 from the remainder of sachets causes the sachet 438 to fall through the opening 464 in the tray 406 to the sachet receptacle 440.

[0089] Uses of singular terms such as "a," "an," are intended to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms. It is intended that the phrase "at least one of" as used herein be interpreted in the disjunctive sense. For example, the phrase "at least one of A and B" is intended to encompass A, B, or both A and B.

[0090] While there have been illustrated and described particular embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A sachet filling apparatus comprising: a cartridge inlet configured to couple to a removable cartridge containing an aqueous food product; a dispensing outlet; a pump coupled to the cartridge inlet and operable to pump aqueous food product from the cartridge toward the dispensing outlet; a sachet receptacle for receiving filled sachets; and a sachet processing system operable to position a sachet having an open end at the dispensing outlet to be filled with aqueous food product pumped from the cartridge by the pump, the sachet processing system including a sealer operable to seal the open end of the sachet, the sachet processing system operable to dispense the filled sachet to the sachet receptacle.

2. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a cartridge receiver body including the cartridge inlet, the cartridge removably mounted to the cartridge inlet of the cartridge receiver body to connect the cartridge to the pump.

3. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 2 wherein the cartridge receiver body includes a slot into which the pump is received, wherein the pump is removable from the cartridge receiver body along the slot.

4. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sachet processing system includes a holder receiving a roll of sachet material and a drive system operable to transport the sachet material from the roll along a process line of the sachet processing system.

5. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 4 wherein the sachet material comprises a dissolvable film.

6. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the sachet processing system is movable to remove the pump. . The sachet filling apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a fill tube connected to an outlet of the pump, the fill tube including the dispensing outlet, wherein the sachet processing system forms the sachet having the open end about the fill tube.

8. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 7 wherein the fill tube includes a first end portion connected to the outlet of the pump, a second end portion including the dispensing outlet, and a connecting portion between the first end portion and the second end portion, the connecting portion being curved to change a direction of a flow of fluid from the first end portion to the second end portion.

9. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a movable base, the base supporting at least one of the cartridge, pump, and sachet processing system, the base movable relative to provide access to the at least one of the cartridge, pump, and sachet processing system.

10. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 9 wherein the base at least one of slides and rotates relative to the receptacle.

11. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 9 wherein the base includes a holder receiving a roll of sachet material and a process line of the sachet processing system, the base slidable relative to a support frame.

12. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 11 wherein at least a portion of the base is removable to position a portion of the sachet material along the process line.

13. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pump is below the cartridge inlet and the dispensing outlet, wherein the pump transfers fluid at least in part horizontally from the cartridge to the dispensing outlet.

14. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sachet processing system includes a separator configured to separate the filled sachet from adjacent sachet material to dispense the filled sachet.

15. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sachet processing system includes a first support member and a second support member separated by a gap, a filling tube including the dispensing outlet extending within the gap.

16. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 15 wherein the sachet processing system includes a forming collar extending from the first support member to the second support member, the filling tube extending through the forming collar.

17. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 16 wherein the forming collar includes a first portion separable from a second portion such that the filling tube and pump are removable through the gap.

18. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 1 wherein positioning the sachet at the dispensing outlet includes operating drive system of the sachet processing system to transport sachet material from a roll of sachet material toward the dispensing outlet.

19. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 18 wherein the sachet having the open end is formed from the sachet material as the sachet material is transported from the roll.

20. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 19 wherein forming the sachet having the open end includes folding the sachet material, sealing a side portion of the folded sachet material, and sealing a bottom portion of the folded sachet material.

21. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 18 wherein the roll of sachet material includes a plurality of sachets joined together that each have an open end.

22. A sachet filling apparatus comprising: a support body including a cartridge inlet in an upper portion configured to couple to a removable cartridge containing an aqueous food product; a dispensing outlet; a pump slidably inserted into an upper portion of the support body, the pump coupled to the cartridge inlet and operable to pump fluid from the cartridge inlet toward the dispensing outlet; a sachet receptacle for receiving filled sachets; and a tray slidably attached to the support body, the tray including a receptacle receiving a roll of sachets and a sachet processing line operable to transport the sachets to be filled at the dispensing outlet and to seal and dispense the filled sachets to a lower portion of the support body.

23. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 22 wherein the sachet processing line includes at least one wedge to open a non-sealed end of each sachet of the roll of sachets.

24. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 22 further comprising a spout connected to an outlet of the pump, the spout including the dispensing outlet, the spout including at least one wedge at the dispensing outlet to open a non-sealed end of the sachets for filling.

25. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 22 wherein the sachet processing line includes a drive system to transport the sachets substantially horizontally within the tray along the sachet processing line.

26. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 25 wherein the drive system transports a sachet of the sachets to a filling position, wherein at the filling position a wedge opens the sachet, the pump pumps fluid from the cartridge into the sachet, and a sealer seals the filled sachet.

27. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 22 wherein the upper portion of the support body includes a slot into which the pump is removably inserted.

28. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 27 wherein the connection of the cartridge to the inlet of the pump inhibits the pump from sliding along the slot.

29. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 22 wherein the sachet processing line includes a sealer, the sealer operable to seal the filled sachets.

30. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 22 wherein the sachet processing line includes a separator configured to separate a filled sachet from the roll of sachets.

31. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 22 wherein a portion of the tray is releasable to load the sachets into the sachet processing line.

32. A sachet filling apparatus comprising: a cartridge receiver body configured to couple to a removable cartridge containing an aqueous food product; a fluid flow path extending from an inlet to a dispensing outlet, the inlet fluidly connectable to the cartridge, at least a portion of the fluid flow path received within the cartridge receiver body to connect the cartridge to the inlet, the fluid flow path removable as a single unit from the cartridge receiver body; a sachet processing system operable to form a sachet having an open end about a portion of the fluid flow path at the dispensing outlet to be filled with aqueous food product flowing from the cartridge along the fluid flow path, the sachet processing system including a sealer operable to seal the open end of the sachet, the sachet processing system operable to dispense the filled sachet to the sachet receptacle, at least a portion of the sachet processing system movable to permit the fluid flow path to be removed from the cartridge receiver body; and a sachet receptacle for receiving filled sachets.

33. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 32 wherein the cartridge receiver body includes a slot into which the at least a portion of the fluid flow path is received, wherein the fluid flow path is removable from the cartridge receiver body along the slot.

34. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 32 wherein the fluid flow path includes a pump operable to pump fluid from the inlet toward the dispensing outlet along the fluid flow path.

35. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 32 wherein the cartridge receiver body includes on opening through which the cartridge connects directly to the inlet of the fluid flow path.

36. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 32 wherein the sachet processing system includes a first support member and a second support member separated by a gap, a portion of the fluid flow path including the dispensing outlet extending within the gap.

37. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 36 wherein the sachet processing system includes a forming collar extending from the first support member to the second support member, the portion of the fluid flow path extending through the forming collar such that the forming collar forms the sachet about the portion of the fluid flow path.

38. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 37 wherein the forming collar includes a first portion separable from a second portion such that the fluid flow path is removable from the cartridge receiver body through the gap.

39. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 36 wherein the sachet processing system includes a holder mounted to the first support member and second support member receiving a roll of sachet material and a drive system operable to transport the sachet material from the roll along a process line of the sachet processing system.

40. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 32 wherein the inlet of the fluid flow path is below the cartridge, the fluid flow path extending at least in part horizontally and upward from the inlet to the dispensing outlet.

41. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 40 wherein a portion of the fluid flow path is curved to direct fluid at least in part downward from the dispensing outlet.

42. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 32 further comprising a housing containing the cartridge receiver, fluid flow path, and sachet processing system.

43. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 42 further comprising a platform supporting the cartridge receiver, fluid flow path, and sachet processing system, the platform movable relative to the housing withdraw the cartridge receiver, fluid flow path, and sachet processing system from the housing.

44. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 32 further comprising a platform supporting the cartridge receiver, fluid flow path, and sachet processing system, the platform rotatable to provide access to one or more of the cartridge receiver, fluid flow path, and sachet processing system.

45. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 32 wherein forming the sachet at the dispensing outlet includes operating a drive system of the sachet processing system to transport sachet material from a roll of sachet material toward the dispensing outlet.

46. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 45 wherein the sachet having the open end is formed from the sachet material as the sachet material is transported from the roll.

47. The sachet filling apparatus of claim 46 wherein forming the sachet having the open end includes folding the sachet material, sealing a side portion of the folded sachet material, and sealing a bottom portion of the folded sachet material.

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