Apparatus and method for filling a pouch type package

An apparatus for filling a pouch type package with a liquid product, the pouch type package comprising two flexible opposing side walls defining a product compartment communicating with the environment via a filling duct and a separate handle compartment communicating with the environment via a gas inlet arranged in one of the two side walls, wherein the product compartment is adapted to be filled with the liquid product through the filling duct and wherein the handle portion is adapted to be filled with gas through the gas inlet, the apparatus comprising

• a plurality of stations arranged to consecutively receive and handle the pouch type package, the plurality of stations comprising
• a filling station for filling the product compartment with the liquid product and comprising a filling tube insertable into the filling duct of the pouch type package,
• a sealing station for sealing the product compartment after having been filled with the liquid product and comprising a first sealing member arranged to provide the pouch type package with a first seal closing the filling duct,
• a gas filling station arranged to introduce gas into the handle compartment for inflation thereof and comprising a nozzle applicable over the gas inlet, and
• a transfer unit comprising a gripping member for retrieving the package from the gas filling station and transferring it to a neighboring down-stream situated station, characterized by
• a gas sealing unit integrated in and movable together with the gripping member of the transfer unit, the gas sealing unit comprising a second sealing member arranged to provide the pouch type package with a second seal entrapping gas introduced into the handle compartment.