Flexible bags – Plural
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-27
2001-09-04
Pascua, Jes F. (Department: 3727)
Flexible bags
Plural
C383S061100, C383S063000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283633
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a series of interconnected plastics bags incorporating recloseable elements and an apparatus and method for the automatic charging and sealing thereof. In particular the invention relates to such a series of bags adapted for bottom filling and which are linked by a continuous strip adapted to support the bags during a charging process and provide automatic separation following the charging and sealing thereof.
BACKGROUND ART
Plastic bags incorporating recloseable elements including bags interconnected in a series to assist automatic charging are well known. Also various apparatus is available and known for the automatic charging of such interconnected bags. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,665,552, 4,630,311, 4,514,962 relate to such interconnected bags and charging apparatus. A problem can arise in charging such bags with, in particular, detritus or similar fine ground matter from the top as some of the charge may lodge in or on the recloseable elements hindering their operation. A further problem can be that with such a recloseable bag evidence of tampering, such as unauthorised access via the recloseable elements, is not provided for. An object of this invention is to provide a series of interconnected bags which it is envisaged will overcome or at least alleviate the aforesaid problems. Further, it is envisaged that the associated charging apparatus and method will provide a particularly effective way of achieving these desired objects.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
According to a first aspect of this invention there is provided a series of bags each having engaged recloseable elements disposed adjacent what will become tops of the bags, side edges of the bags being formed by heat seals and associated severing which separate the bags from one another except for a continuous strip including a support rail extending along what will become bottom extremities of the bags, the edge forming seals also sealing the edges of a fold of the bag forming material which extends between the engaged recloseable elements to form the tops of the bags.
According to a second aspect of this invention there is provided a series of bottom opened interconnected bags having engaged recloseable elements adjacent what, following charging through and sealing of a bag bottom, will become a top of the bag comprising a continuous strip interconnecting the bags along bottom opening defining extremities of opposing sides of the bags, each strip including a support rail by which the bags in a bottom uppermost and open mode can be supported during charging, the support rails being appropriately spaced from the conjunctions of the strips with the bottom opening defining extremities of the bags to provide a bag of a required volume following charging and then sealing the bottom openings of the bags while they remain supported on the support rails prior to severing of the bags from the strips.
According to a third aspect of this invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a series of bottom opened interconnected bags having engageable recloseable elements comprising the steps of blow forming a tube of parent bag forming material incorporating recloseable elements adjacent what will become a top of the bags and, substantially opposite the recloseable elements and bordering what will become the bottom of the bags, a section which will form strips connecting the bags, engaging the recloseable elements together either before or after slitting the tube longitudinally along the connecting strip forming section to form a connecting strip to each side thereof and applying at bag forming intervals transversely disposed heat seals and associated severing extending across the parent material except for the connecting strips.
According to a fourth aspect of this invention there is provided a method of charging a series of interconnected bags as claimed herein comprising the steps of providing, if not already provided, a support rail for each of the strips from which the series of bags can be suspended bottom uppermost, advancing the series of bags through a charging station, at which the bottom of each bag is opened and a charge inserted, to a sealing station at which the bottoms of the bags are sealed and then transporting the bags to severing means and severing the bags from the interconnecting strips.
According to a fifth aspect of this invention there is provided an apparatus for charging a series of bottom opened interconnected bags provided with support rails as claimed herein comprising a support track for each of the strips and along which a series of bags can be advanced through a charging station to a sealing station comprising pinch operative sealing elements, at the charging station a pair of arms being mounted to be engageable one with each of the opening defining sides of the bags to space them apart to individually open each bag and support same during charging thereof, the apparatus then transporting the bags to severing means downstream of the sealing station and which severs the bags from the interconnecting strips.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4260116 (1981-04-01), Collin
patent: 4630311 (1986-12-01), Bentson
patent: 4637060 (1987-01-01), Ausnit
patent: 4654878 (1987-03-01), Lems
patent: 4665552 (1987-05-01), Lems et al.
Crowe Malcolm Alexander
Gillespie Neill Peter
Minigrip Flexible Packaging Limited
Pascua Jes F.
Young & Thompson
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