Method of rejecting a defective unit dose pouch from a manufacturing line

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9233768-B2
Application number	US-201213406127-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 27, 2012
Priority date	Feb 27, 2012
Publication date	Jan 12, 2016
Grant date	Jan 12, 2016

Abstract

An in-line method of rejecting composition-filled pouches having a defect such as a leak comprises inspecting a first composition-filled pouch. If a leak is detected, that pouch is rejected from the manufacturing process. The pouch adjacent to the leak is also rejected.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An in-line method of rejecting composition-filled pouches having a defect from a pouch converting line, wherein the pouch converting line comprises a platen having a surface, the platen comprising a plurality of pouch cavities in the surface of the platen, wherein each of the pouch cavities is:
a) surrounded by a plurality of platen edges;
b) arranged in lanes and rows such that the location of each cavity is defined by a single lane, L disposed between Lane L−1 and Lane L+1, and a single row, R disposed between row R−1 and Row R+1; and
c) in combination with the plurality of platen edges defines an area comprising at least four zones selected from the group of: Top Zone adjacent to Row R−1; Bottom Zone adjacent to R+1, a Left Zone adjacent to L−1; and a Right Zone adjacent to L+1;
the method comprising the step of inspecting a first composition-filled pouch located in the cavity at lane, L, row, R for a defect in at least one of the four zones, such that if a defect is detected in:
i. the Top Zone, the first composition-filled pouch is rejected and a second composition-filled pouch if present in a cavity at Lane, L, row, R−1 is rejected;
ii. the Bottom Zone, the first composition-filled pouch is rejected and a second composition-filled pouch if present in a cavity at Lane, L, row R+1 is rejected;
iii. the Left Zone, the first composition-filled pouch is rejected and a second composition-filled pouch if present in a cavity at Lane, L−1, row, R is rejected;
iv. the Right Zone, the first composition-filled pouch is rejected and a second composition-filled pouch if present in a cavity at Lane, L+1, row, R is rejected.

wherein the defect is leakage of the composition from the first composition-filled pouch, wherein the composition is selected from the group consisting of: liquid; gel; solid; power; and combinations thereof.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is selected from the group consisting of: light duty liquid detergent compositions; heavy duty liquid detergent compositions; hard surface cleaning compositions; detergent gels; bleach and laundry additives; shampoos and body washes.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a photosensitive agent.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the photosensitive agent is a fluorescent agent.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the fluorescent agent is C.I. Fluorescent Brightener 351.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the defect is detected in at least two of the Zones and two second composition-filled pouches are rejected.

Assignees

• Meskens Stefan
• Johnson Kerry Brian
• Byrd Jr Leon
• Khalaf Suzanne
• Procter & Gamble

Inventors

• Meskens Stefan
• Johnson Kerry Brian
• Byrd Jr Leon
• Khalaf Suzanne

Classifications

• B65B9/042 Primary

  for fluent material · CPC title

• B65B57/02

  responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of binding or wrapping material, containers, or packages · CPC title

• G01M3/26

  by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors · CPC title

• G01M3/025

  Details with respect to the testing of engines or engine parts · CPC title