# US 2013/0152516 A1 · Apparatus for making, handling, and filling pouches > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0152516 A1 - Document ID: US20130152516A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/316,525 - Filed: 2011-12-11 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-11 - Inventors: Michael SAMMONS; Roger Calabrese; Oliver Watmough - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130152516A1 ## CPC - B65B 7/02: Closing containers or receptacles deformed by, or taking-up shape, of, contents, e.g. bags, sacks - B65B 9/087: the web advancing continuously - B65G 54/02: electrostatic, electric, or magnetic - Y02P 70/10: Greenhouse gas [GHG] capture, material saving, heat recovery or other energy efficient measures, e.g. motor control, characterised by manufacturing processes, e.g. for rolling metal or metal working - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS ## Abstract A conveyor for a pouch-filling machine has an endless track with a working stretch and a return stretch extending from a downstream end of the working stretch to an upstream end of the working stretch. A plurality of carriages each carrying at least one permanent magnet and a clamp ride on the track for movement through the stations on the working stretch and for movement from the downstream end of the working stretch along the return stretch back to the upstream end of the working stretch. An array of electromagnets on the track only along the working stretch and an electronic controller connected to the electromagnets together constitute a frequency-controlled linear direct drive that advances the carriages downstream through the working stretch while varying the travel speeds of at least half of the carriages in the working stretch. A mechanical or frequency-driven conveyor is provided in the return stretch. ## Claims ### Claim 1 In a machine having a production path provided with an upstream intake where individual pouches are made from a weldable film or individual premade pouches are loaded in and oriented with mouths of the pouches directed upward, a filling station downstream therefrom where contents are inserted into the open pouches through the upwardly open mouths of the pouches, and a sealing station downstream therefrom where the open mouths of the pouches are closed, a transport system comprising: an endless track having a working stretch extending along the path and a return stretch extending from a downstream end of the working stretch to an upstream end of the working stretch; a plurality of carriages each carrying at least one permanent magnet and a clamp, the carriages riding on the track for movement through the stations on the working stretch and for movement from the downstream end of the working stretch along the return stretch back to the upstream end of the working stretch; an array of electromagnets on the track only along the working stretch; an electronic controller connected to the electromagnets to advance the carriages downstream through the working stretch while varying the travel speeds of at least half of the carriages in the working stretch so as to pucker and depucker pouches held in the clamps of the carriages; and a mechanical or frequency-driven conveyor for displacing the carriages along the return stretch from the downstream end of the path to the upstream end of the path at a generally constant speed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The transport system defined in claim 1 wherein the return stretch includes arcuate upstream and downstream turnaround regions at the upstream and downstream ends of the working stretch and a straight region extending generally parallel to the working stretch between the turnaround regions. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The transport system defined in claim 2 wherein the simple conveyor includes respective upstream and downstream wheels at the turnaround regions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The transport system defined in claim 2 wherein each of the turnaround regions has a respective arcuate array of electromagnets connected to the controller, the mechanical conveyor extending only along the straight stretch. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The transport system defined in claim 1 wherein the simple conveyor displaces the carriages along the return stretch at a higher average speed than an average speed at which the carriages are moved by the controller in the working stretch ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The transport system defined in claim 1 wherein the machine further has downstream of the intake station and upstream of the filling station: a puckering station where individual pouches made from a weldable film are opened for filling, and downstream therefrom a depuckering station downstream where the upwardly directed mouth of the puckered pouch is opened.