Filling machine for filling of a flexible pouch type package

A filling machine for filling flexible pouch type packages each having a filling channel and being essentially flat in a non-filled state of the package, the filling machine comprising

• a transport unit arranged for intermittent, edgewise advancement of the packages in a feeding direction from an upstream station to a downstream station via a filling station,
• the transport unit being movable along an axis parallel with the feeding direction in a reciprocating manner between a first end position A and a second end position B,
• the transport unit comprising a first gripping member which, when the transport unit is in the first end position A, is arranged to retrieve one or more of the packages in a non-filled state from the upstream station and which, when the transport unit is in the second end position B, is arranged to deliver the one or more of the packages in the non-filled state to the filling station,
• the transport unit comprising a second gripping member which, when the transport unit is in the first end position A, is arranged to retrieve one or more of the packages in a filled state from the filling station and which, when the transport unit is in the second end position B, is arranged to deliver the one or more of the packages in the filled state to the downstream station,
• the transport unit comprising a suction cup member arranged for opening-up of the filling channel of the one or more of the packages in the non-filled state retrieved by the first gripping member while the transport unit is moved from the first end position A to the second end position, and
• a cam arrangement comprising a first cam unit associated with the first and second gripping members, a second cam unit associated with the suction cup member, and a cam driver which is displaceable along a longitudinal axis parallel with the feeding direction,
• wherein the operation of the first and second gripping members as well as of the suction cup member is controlled by displacement of the cam driver along the longitudinal axis, and
• wherein the suction cup member for each package retrieved by the first gripping member comprises a pair of oppositely arranged suction cups which are movably arranged in order to engage and separate side wall sections defining the filling channel of the associated package.