Package making – Progressively seamed cover web or web folds – Multirow
Patent
1991-06-25
1993-11-30
Culver, Horace M.
Package making
Progressively seamed cover web or web folds
Multirow
53553, 53559, 53560, B65B 904, B65B 106, B65B 122
Patent
active
052654010
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing flexible containers and especially for manufacturing flexible containers comprising particulate material located between two flexible web members and a flexible container manufactured by such an apparatus.
BACKGROUND ART
Flexible containers such as containers made of fabric or mesh material are usually formed from a single sheet of material which is folded to define edges and then sealed along those edges. Normally, one edge is left unsealed through which material can be inserted into the container whereafter that edge is also sealed. This process however is cumbersome and does not easily lend itself to inexpensive manufacture of such containers.
It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for manufacturing flexible containers which may overcome the abovementioned disadvantages.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
In one form, the invention resides in an apparatus for manufacturing a flexible container comprising particulate material located between two flexible web members, said apparatus comprising
first feed means for advancing a first flexible web member through said apparatus,
metering means for metering the particulate material onto one side of said first flexible web member,
second feed means for passing a second flexible web member over said first flexible web member subsequent to the particulate material being metered thereon, and,
sealing means for sealing said first and second flexible web members together to form the flexible container containing the particulate material.
The first feed means suitably includes one or more drive roller assemblies for advancing the first flexible web member through the apparatus. The first feed means may also include one or more guide members to assist in the advancement of the first flexible web member.
The or each drive roller assemblies may comprise a pair of opposed rollers between which the first flexible web member can pass. Suitably, one of the pair of rollers is a driven roller and the other of the pair of rollers is a free roller. The pair of opposed rollers may be disposed such that one roller extends substantially above the second roller and it is preferred that in this configuration the upper roller is a free roller and the lower roller is a driven roller.
The spacing between the pair of opposed rollers may be varied to allow web members of various thickness to pass between the rollers. Suitably, the driven roller is fixed and the free roller is movable towards and away from the driven roller. The free roller may be freely movable towards and away from the driven roller or may be actuated by an actuating means.
The actuating means may be mechanically, hydraulically or pneumatically powered to move the free roller away from and/or towards the drive roller. Preferably, the actuating means comprises a ram.
The first feed means suitably comprises at least two drive roller assemblies spaced from each other.
The guide members may comprise elongate tubes having a smooth external radial surface along which the first flexible web member may advance. The guide members can assist in guiding the web member to, from, or between the various rollers in the apparatus. The guide members are suitably fixed in position and do not rotate.
The metering means suitably comprises a metering roller. The metering roller is suitably driven about its longitudinal axis. The metering roller may have an outer radial periphery provided with at least one recess to accept the particulate material. Preferably, the periphery is provided with a plurality of such recesses. The recesses may be regularly spaced along the periphery of the roller and in substantially linear alignment and may also be spaced about the periphery of the roller. The recesses may comprise single recesses or groups of recesses.
The first flexible web member suitably contacts the metering roller after the particulate material has been added thereto and may be maintained in contact with the metering roller upon rotation thereof to reta
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Gujer Heinz
Tintor Branko
Culver Horace M.
Thermarite Pty. Ltd.
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