Method and apparatus for filling valve bags

In a system for filling with particulate material valve bags having a filling valve with a water activated sealing means on an interior surface of the valve, apparatus for sealing the filling valve comprising:

• an elongated member for insertion into the filling valve;
• first conduit means extending into the elongated member from outside the filling valve to a position in the filling valve adjacent the water activated sealing means with the elongated member inserted a predetermined distance into the filling valve, the first conduit means supplying air under pressure from outside the filling valve to said position in the filling valve adjacent the water activated sealing means in order to free the water activated sealing means at said position from contamination by the particulate material;
• and
• second conduit means extending into the elongated member from outside the filling valve to the position in the filling valve adjacent the water activated sealing means with the elongated member inserted said predetermined distance into the filling valve, the second conduit means supplying a water spray from outside the filling valve to said position in the filling valve adjacent the water activated sealing means and directing the spray onto at least one surface of the sealing means to activate the sealing means in order to form a seal between said one surface and another opposing surface of the filling valve when the elongated member is removed from insertion into the filling valve.

A filling spout for filling with particulate material valve bags having an elongated valve lined with a water activated sealing means comprising:

• an elongated member for insertion into the valve and having a material passage therethrough for the flow of material into the interior of the valve bag, the elongated member including an exterior portion that remains outside the valve with the member inserted into the valve in a filling position, an interior portion that extends into the interior of the valve bag with the member inserted in the filling position, and an intermediate portion that extends into the valve with the member in the filling position;
• first conduit means extending along the elongated member and providing a fluid passage between the interior and exterior portions of the member, the first conduit means providing an exhaust path for air within the valve bag during a filling operation;
• and
• second conduit means extending along the elongated member and providing a fluid passage from the exterior portion of the member to the intermediate portion of the member to a water spray passage at a location on the outside of the intermediate portion adjacent a surface of the water activated sealing means;
• and
• means connected to said second conduit means for producing a water spray comprising a mixture of air and water, the second conduit means delivering said water spray to said water spray passage at said location outside the member adjacent the surface of the water activated sealing means to activate said sealing means in order to seal the valve at the termination of a filling operation.

A method for filling and sealing valve bags of the type having elongated valve communicating between the interior and exterior of the valve bag wherein the valve includes a water activated sealing means on an interior surface thereof, the method comprising the steps of:

• inserting an elongated, generally hollow nozzle into the valve such that an exterior portion of the nozzle remains outside the valve, an interior portion of the nozzle extends into the interior of the valve bag, and an intermediate portion of the nozzle extends through the valve;
• dispensing a flowable material through the interior of the nozzle into the interior of the valve bag until the valve bag contains a predetermined amount of the material;
• venting air from the interior of the valve bag while dispensing the flowable material into the valve bag;
• producing a water spray by mixing a predetermined amount of water with air;
• delivering the water spray through a conduit along the nozzle to a water spray passage at a location on an outside surface of the intermediate portion of the nozzle after the valve bag contains the predetermined amount of material in order to discharge the water spray over a surface of the water activated sealing means and thereby activate the sealing means;
• and,
• removing the nozzle from the valve in order to seal the valve.