Package making – Apparatus for forming or partially forming receptacle and... – Forming a pocket or pouch by folding and side sealing
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-03
2001-03-06
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Package making
Apparatus for forming or partially forming receptacle and...
Forming a pocket or pouch by folding and side sealing
C053S051000, C053S064000, C053S139200, C053S329200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195967
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to packaging machines, and more particularly relates to horizontal form, fill, and seal packaging machines.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Packaging machines are generally known in which a continuous web of material is converted into a plurality of individual pouches. The continuous web of material is folded in half over a plow to form two continuous side panels joined by a bottom fold. The folded web is passed through a series of seal bars which form transverse seals between the side panels, thereby forming a strip of pouches interconnected by transverse seals. A cutter cuts through each transverse seal to form individual pouches with unsealed top edges. The individual pouches are transferred to a pouch filler, filled with product, and sealed. The sealed pouches are then collected for transport. Machines of this type may be categorized as either horizontal or vertical machines, depending on the general direction of web travel. The present invention relates to horizontal packaging machines in which the web travels horizontally.
The type and volume of product being packaged often determines whether the packaging process should use a continuously or intermittently advancing web. Certain products, such as hard candy, require a fill based on weight instead of volume. Scale fillers require relatively long periods to fill a pouch. As a result, slower cycle continuous motion or intermittent motion is required to provide additional fill time. In addition, larger volume fills require more time, and therefore intermittent motion through the filler may be necessary. More free flowing products, such as sugar, may be dispensed using a diving funnel suitable for filling continuously advancing pouches.
In light of the above, packaging machines have been developed specifically for either intermittent or continuous operation. Continuous motion machines typically require web-engaging components which are moveable and can be phased with the advancing web. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,217 to Cloud discloses a packaging machine for use with a continuously advancing web. The '217 device uses a sealing drum to form the vertical seals of the pouches. Sealing wires are circumferentially spaced about the sealing drum to provide sealing points. The web is entrained about the drum and the drum is rotated so that seals are formed as the web continuously advances. The '217 device further fills the pouches while they are still connected and therefore the web must be continuously advanced through the pouch filler section as well. It is not seen, however, that the '217 device is operable with an intermittently advancing web since it would be difficult to control the sealing drum so that it starts and stops at the appropriate times.
Most conventional intermittent motion machines, on the other hand, have web-engaging components which are stationary and perform operations during dwell periods between incremental advances. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,365 to Garvey, et al. discloses a packaging machine for use with an intermittently advancing web. The '365 device has sealers and a cutter spaced longitudinally along the web path at fixed locations. These components perform their associated operations during web dwells. Accordingly, machines such as that disclosed in the '365 patent are not suitable for use with a continuously advancing web since the stationary components would stretch or tear the web during operation.
Changing a machine over from continuous to intermittent web motion, or vice versa, is further limited by the conventional mechanical line shafting used in such machines. Most previous packaging machines use a drive line with an array of gearboxes and/or cams to operate the various components. To switch between continuous and intermittent operation would require substantial modifications to the drive line to enable it to run in the other mode.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A general aim of the present invention is to provide a packaging machine operable with both intermittently and continuously advancing web.
A related object of the present invention is to provide a packaging machine which is quickly and easily switched between continuous and intermittent modes.
In light of the above, the present invention provides a packaging machine in which the components are independently motor controlled. A pair of drive rolls pull the web through the machine and are operable to advance the web either continuously or intermittently. The machine further comprises at least one seal mechanism adapted to form seals in the web as it advances. The seal mechanism is selectively operable to adjust a dwell time between seal operations. The machine also has a cutter adapted to cut the formed seals as the web advances, the cutter also being selectively operable. As a result, the machine is adapted to pouches of various sizes and may be switched between continuous and intermittent modes. Severed pouches are transferred to a pouch filling section which is adapted for both continuous and intermittent operation.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a motor-controlled reel for dispensing the web of material. The speed of the reel motor may be adjusted to meet downstream demand, thereby minimizing the size of a festoon for storing a buffer length of material.
These and other aims, objectives, and features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Brooker Thomas E.
Conn Gregory A.
Todd James E.
Johnson Brian L.
Klockner Bartelt, Inc.
Leydig Voit & Mayer Ltd
Luby Matthew
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