Patent Application
20250128840
Automated bagging machines are in widespread use for packaging small to medium-size items in shipping containers such as envelopes. The shipping containers, e.g., envelopes, may be provided to the bagging machine as a web of interconnected envelopes. The bagging machine is configured to open each envelope so that the item to be packaged can be loaded into an interior pocket of the envelope. After the item has been loaded, the bagging machine can close the envelope and form a closure seal that seals the envelope shut so that the item is retained within the envelope. The loaded and sealed envelope then may be separated from the web on a manual basis, or automatically by provisions on the bagging machine.
Paper is gaining popularity in use for envelopes and other types of packaging containers due to its environmentally-friendly characteristics, such as recyclability. Paper webs can present challenges, however, when being handled on an automated bagging machine. For example, paper envelopes may tear more easily during handling than envelopes formed from polyethylene and other types of materials typically used in such applications.
Also, automated bagging machines may cause wrinkles to form in the area on the envelope in which the closure seal is formed. Such wrinkling can affect the strength and integrity of the closure seal, which can result in some cases in the unintentional opening of the envelope during transit and the loss of the item packaged therein.
In one aspect of the disclosed technology, a bagging machine for loading envelopes includes a breaking element configured to engage a web at an area thereon proximate a region of weakness of the web that extends transversely and divides the web between a remainder portion and an envelope and that is configured to promote tearing along the region of weakness to facilitate separation of the envelope from the remainder portion.
The bagging machine also includes a pulling device configured to engage a first wall of the envelope that is overlayed on a second wall of the envelope in a first position, the pulling device being associated with the breaking element to move in an opening direction away from the area to pull the engaged first wall away from the second wall and from the restrained remainder portion to form an opening in the first envelope through which an item can be inserted into an interior pocket of the envelope between the first and second walls.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the breaking element includes a web restraint that engages the web at the first location in the area, which first location is sufficiently near the region of weakness in a longitudinal direction along the web, such that the restraint restrains the remainder portion against movement in the opening direction as the pulling device pulls the first wall in the opening direction, thereby causing the second wall to tear progressively from the remainder portion along the region of weakness as the pulling device pulls the first wall in the opening direction.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, a bagging machine for loading envelopes includes a web restraint configured to engage a web at a restrained area thereon proximate a region of weakness in the web that extends transversely and divides the web between a remainder portion and an envelope and that is configured to promote tearing along the region of weakness to separate the envelope from the remainder portion.
The bagging machine also includes a wall handling device configured to engage at a pulling location a first wall of the envelope that is overlayed on a second wall of the envelope in a first position, the wall handling device being associated with the web restraint to move in an opening direction away from the restrained area to pull the engaged first wall away from the second wall and from the restrained remainder portion to form an opening in the first envelope through which an item can be inserted into an interior pocket of the envelope between the first and second walls. The restrained area is sufficiently near the region of weakness in a longitudinal direction along the web to restrain the remainder portion against movement in the opening direction as the wall handling device pulls the first wall in the opening direction, thereby causing the second wall to tear progressively from the remainder portion as the wall handling device pulls the first wall in the opening direction.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the web restraint is operable to move from a restraint engaged position, in which the web restraint is engaged with the web, to a restraint disengaged position, in which the web restraint is disengaged from the web to allow another remainder portion to be placed in position for subsequent engagement with the web restraint.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the bagging machine further includes a sealer configured to close and seal the first and second walls together in a closure area to form a closure seal between the first and second walls. The web restraint is operable to be placed in a first restraint mode in which the web restraint is operable to move between the engaged and disengaged positions, and in a second restraint mode in which the web restraint is retained disengaged from the web.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the bagging machine further includes a controller configured to operate the bagging machine. The controller has a first controller mode in which the controller operates the web restraint in the first restraint mode and the sealer in a first sealer mode, in which the sealer applies a first set of sealing conditions to seal the first and second walls together, which first set is appropriate for sealing the first and second walls of a first material configuration. The controller also has a second controller mode in which the controller operates the web restraint in the second restraint mode and the sealer in a second sealer mode, in which the sealer applies a second set of sealing conditions to seal the first and second walls together, which second set is appropriate for sealing the first and second walls of a second material configuration.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the restrained area includes a first contact point disposed nearer a first transverse edge of the web than the pulling location to cause the second wall to tear progressively inward from the first outer edge when the wall handling device moves in the opening direction.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the web restraint includes a transversely elongated restraint surface configured such that the restrained area is elongated along at least a portion of the region of weakness.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the restrained area includes a second contact point disposed nearer a second transverse edge of the web than the pulling location to cause the second wall to tear progressively inward from the second transverse edge when the wall handling device moves in the opening direction.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the web restraint includes first and second restraint portions that are rigidly connected to each other and are disposed for engaging the web at the first and second contact points.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the web restraint includes first and second web restraint portions that are spaced from each other on opposite transverse sides from the pulling location.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the first and second contact points are disposed proximate the first and second transverse edges of the web.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the wall handling device is configured to close the bag by moving the first and second walls towards each other adjacent the opening after loading of the envelope, and the bagging machine further includes a seal flattener configured to engage the web to smooth a sealing region on the first envelope as the web handling device moves the first and second walls towards each other to reduce or eliminate wrinkles in a closure area where the first and second walls are brought together.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the seal flattener includes first and second flattening portions that move transversely outwardly opposite each other as the wall handling device moves the first and second walls towards each other to smooth the sealing region.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the web restraint includes first and second web restraint portions that are spaced from each other on opposite transverse sides from the pulling location, the first web restraint portion and the first flattening portion depend from each other and are configured to move transversely together, and the second web restraint portion and the second flattening portion depend from each other and are configured to move transversely together.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the first and second restraint portions are configured to disengage from the web when the first and second seal flattener portions are engaged with the web.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the first and second seal flattener portions are configured to disengage from the web when the first and second restraint portions are engaged with the web.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the wall handling device is configured to move in a closing direction, opposite the opening direction, to close the envelope by moving the first wall back against the second wall adjacent the opening.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the wall handling device includes a grip that holds the first wall during movement in the opening and closing directions.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the bagging machine further includes a sealer configured to apply pressure to the first and second walls in the closure area to form a closure seal between the first and second walls.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the sealer is configured to apply heat to the closure area sufficient to activate a heat-activatable material to form the closure seal.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the web includes a series of envelopes, each separated from each other by regions of weakness, and the bagging machine includes a web advancer configured to advance the web to position subsequent envelopes in a loading position for engagement by the wall handling device and the web restraint.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, a bagging system includes a bagging machine for loading envelopes, and a web. The bagging machine includes a breaking element configured to engage the web at an area thereon proximate a region of weakness of the web that extends transversely and divides the web between a remainder portion and an envelope and that is configured to promote tearing along the region of weakness to facilitate separation of the envelope from the remainder portion.
The bagging machine also includes a pulling device configured to engage a first wall of the envelope that is overlayed on a second wall of the envelope in a first position, the pulling device being associated with the breaking element to move in an opening direction away from the area to pull the engaged first wall away from the second wall and from the restrained remainder portion to form an opening in the first envelope through which an item can be inserted into an interior pocket of the envelope between the first and second walls.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the web, the wall handling device, and the web restraint are configured such that the second wall is torn along the region of weakness from the remainder portion as an angle of at least 30° as the web handling device pulls the front wall in the opening direction.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the web, the wall handling device, and web restraint cause the opening to assume an approximately hexagonal shape as the web handling device pulls the front wall in the opening direction.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the first and second walls of the envelope include paper.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the web includes a longitudinal seal extending along the web proximate a transverse edge of the web, a portion of the longitudinal seal fixing the first and second walls of the envelope to each other.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the portion of the longitudinal seal extends along less an entirety of a length of the first envelope so that the longitudinal seal is interrupted between the first envelope and the regions of weakness.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the web includes a sealing material configured to form a closure seal that seals the first and second walls of the first envelope together in a closure area.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the sealing material is a heat-activatable material.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the envelope has a transversely-extending cut formed therein and defining an upper edge of the first wall, the transversely-extending cut being formed at a longitudinal position along the web proximate the longitudinal position of the line of weakness.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the pulling location is located proximate the upper edge of the first wall.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, a bagging machine for loading envelopes includes first and second web restraint portions configured to engage a web at first and second contact points on the web disposed proximate transverse edges of a region of weakness in the web that extends transversely and divides the web between a remainder portion and an envelope and that is configured to promote tearing along the region of weakness to separate the envelope from the remainder portion.
The bagging machine also includes a wall handling device configured to engage at a pulling location a first wall of the envelope that is overlayed on a second wall of the envelope in a first position, the wall handling device being associated with the web restraint to move in an opening direction away from the restrained to pull the engaged first wall away from the second wall and from the restrained remainder portion to form an opening in the first envelope through which an item can be inserted into an interior pocket of the envelope between the first and second walls. The first and second contact points are sufficiently near the region of weakness in a longitudinal direction along the web to restrain the remainder portion against movement in the opening direction as the wall handling device pulls the first wall in the opening direction, thereby causing the second wall to tear from the remainder portion progressively transversely from opposed edges of the web as the wall handling device pulls the first wall in the opening direction.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the bagging machine further includes first and second seal flattener portions configured to engage the web and move transversely opposite each other to smooth a sealing region on the envelope as the wall handling device moves the first and second walls towards each other to reduce or eliminate wrinkles in a closure area where the first and second walls are brought together.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the first web restraint portion and the first flattening portion depend from each other and are configured to move transversely together, and the second web restraint portion and the second flattening portion depend from each other and are configured to move transversely together.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the bagging machine further includes a scaler configured to apply sealing conditions to the first and second walls in the closure area to form a closure seal between the first and second walls.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the first and second seal flattener portions are configured to disengage from the web when the first and second restraint portions are engaged with the web, and the first and second seal restraint portions are configured to disengage from the web when the first and second seal flattener portions are engaged with the web.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, a method of loading envelopes includes engaging a web at a restrained location on the web, which web includes a region of weakness in the web that divides the web between a remainder portion and an envelope and is configured to promote tearing along the region of weakness to separate the envelope from the remainder portion, and pulling a first wall of the envelope that is overlayed on a second wall of the envelope in an opening direction away from the restrained location on the web and away from the second wall and the restrained remainder portion to cause the second wall to tear progressively from the remainder portion and to form an opening in the first envelope through which an item can be inserted into an interior pocket of the envelope between the first and second walls.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the method further includes engaging the web at a first location in the area, which first location is sufficiently near the region of weakness in a longitudinal direction along the web, such that the remainder portion is restrained against movement in the opening direction as the first wall is pulled in the opening direction, thereby causing the second wall to tear progressively from the remainder portion along the region of weakness as the first wall is pulled in the opening direction.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, pulling the first wall of the envelope in the opening direction includes engaging a surface of the first wall facing away from the opening direction, at or proximate an upper edge of the first wall.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the method further includes providing a breaking clement, and engaging the web at the restrained location on the web using the breaking element.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the method further includes closing and sealing the first and second walls together in a closure area to form a closure seal between the first and second walls.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the further includes applying a first set of sealing conditions to seal the first and second walls together, which first set is appropriate for sealing the first and second walls of a first material configuration, and applying a second set of sealing conditions to seal the first and second walls together, which second set is appropriate for sealing the first and second walls of a second material configuration.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, sealing the first and second walls together in a closure area to form a closure seal between the first and second walls includes applying pressure to a sealing area on the first envelope.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, sealing the first and second walls together in a closure area to form a closure seal between the first and second walls further includes heating a sealing material on the first envelope.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the method further includes inserting the item into the interior pocket of the envelope before forming the closure seal.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the method further includes separating the first envelope from the remainder portion after forming the closure seal.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the method further incudes smoothing a sealing region on the first envelope while moving the first and second walls towards each other to reduce or eliminate wrinkles in a closure area where the first and second walls are brought together.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the method further includes providing a seal flattener, and smoothing the sealing region on the first envelope while moving the first and second walls towards each other using the seal flattener.
In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the method further includes pulling the first wall of the envelope in the opening direction away from the restrained location on the web and away from the second wall and the restrained remainder portion to form a hexagonally-shaped opening.
The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.
The inventive concepts are described with reference to the attached figures, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Several aspects of the inventive concepts are described below with reference to example applications for illustration. It should be understood that numerous specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide a full understanding of the inventive concepts. One having ordinary skill in the relevant art, however, will readily recognize that the inventive concepts can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods. In other instances, well-known structures or operation are not shown in detail to avoid obscuring the inventive concepts.
Packaging containers can include parcel packaging and other containers to package items. Packaging containers are configured to contain and hold an item, typically enclosing the item, during shipping or storage of the item. Parcel packaging is configured for shipping and/or storing products, such as for storage in warehouse or retail shelves and displays. Examples of parcel packaging include flexible shipping containers such as envelopes, which can have varying degrees of flexibility and typically are used to ship or mail small or relatively flat items or smaller items around which the walls of the envelope can conform. Flexible shipping containers such as envelopes can be padded or non-padded, can be made of materials such as paper and flexible cardboard, can be configured with or without sidewalls or gussets, and can include larger envelopes such as mailers. Examples of parcel packaging also include bags, such as paper or poly bags, which can have a self-sealing capability and are typically used to ship small to medium-sized items; boxes, which can be formed from paperboard, cardboard, wood, or plastic, and typically have a rigid or semi-rigid structure suitable for holding medium to large-size items and heavier items; and shipping tubes or tube mailers, typically used to ship documents and paper items.
The envelope 120 comprises an envelope body that includes a wall 122 and an opposing wall 124, as shown in
The envelope 120 also includes two inter-wall seals 126, and an inter-wall seal 128. The inter-wall seals 126, 128 can be formed from a bonding element. The bonding element can be, for example, a heat-activatable material, a pressure-sensitive adhesive, a cold glue, a cohesive material, etc. The inter-wall seals 126, 128 affix the walls 122, 124 to each other and define, in part, a pocket border of the envelope pocket 125. The envelope pocket 125 is visible in
The inter-wall seal 128 extends continuously along the bottom edge of the envelope 120, in a transverse direction, i.e., in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and intersects the inter-wall seals 126. The transverse direction is denoted by the arrow “T” in
The opening 140 is located at the top of the envelope 120, and permits the item to be packaged to be inserted into the envelope pocket 125. More specifically, the wall 124 overlies the wall 122 and is affixed to the wall 122 about at least a portion of a pocket border defined by the inter-wall seals 126, 128, with the pocket border enclosing the envelope pocket 125 defined between the walls 122, 124, and with at least one of the walls 122, 124 defining the opening 140 which allows access to the envelope pocket 125 from an exterior of the envelope 120 for loading the item into the envelope pocket 125, when the envelope 120 is unsealed.
A sealing material in the form of a closure-sealing element 230 is disposed on an inwardly-facing surface of the wall 122, i.e., on the surface of the wall 122 that faces the wall 124, proximate the upper end of the wall 122. The term “proximate,” as used herein, is intended to encompass locations at, and near the location being referenced.
The upper edge of the closure-sealing element 230 can be offset from the upper edge of the wall 122 by, for example, about 0.75 inch to about 0.9 inch. The closure-sealing element 230 can be offset from the upper edge of the wall 122 by other distances in alternative embodiments.
In other alternative embodiments, the upper edge of the closure-sealing element 230 can be approximately co-incident with the upper edge of the wall 122.
The closure-sealing element 230 can be, for example, a heat-activatable material, a pressure-sensitive adhesive, a cold glue, a cohesive material, etc. The heat-activatable material from which the closure-scaling element 230 can be formed can be, for example, a heat scalable material or a hot-melt adhesive that, upon being heated and pressed, forms a closure seal (not shown) that adheres the wall 124 to the wall 122. The closure seal thus maintains the opening 140 in a closed state. Also, the closure seal forms another portion of the pocket border, so that the pocket border completely circumscribes the envelope pocket 125 to retain the packaged item within the envelope pocket 125. Thus, prior to formation of the closure seal, the envelope pocket 125 is closed on three sides and open on the fourth side, with the fourth side being closed upon formation of the closure seal. The closure-sealing element 230 and the adjacent portions of the first and second walls 122, 124 define a sealing region on the envelope 120.
The closure-sealing element 230 can be disposed on the wall 124 in alternative embodiments. In other alternative embodiments, a closure-scaling element 230 can be disposed on each of the walls 122, 124.
Hot-melt adhesives are thermoplastic polymers that are solid at room temperature, become molten when heated to an activation temperature above their softening point, and resolidify upon loss of heat at a temperature below a solidifying point, which may be the same as or different than the activation temperature, increasing in strength as they re-solidify. Most hot-melt adhesives, upon melting into a molten state and re-solidifying, do not undergo any chemical reaction such as cross-linking or removal of a carrier, e.g., evaporation of water. Thus, hot-melt adhesives typically can be reactivated, i.e., re-melted and re-solidified, after initially being applied to a substrate.
The hot-melt adhesive, after being applied to the surface to be bonded, can be in a low-tackiness state in which it has a low, or no tackiness in a lower range of temperatures. The hot-melt adhesive is reactivatable. More specifically, the hot-melt adhesive is applied hot, and cools and cures in the converting process. The hot-melt adhesive is reactivated by re-heating the hot-melt adhesive up to an activation temperature within a lower range of temperatures. This lower range of application temperatures in some embodiments, for example, is below about 140° F. In other embodiments, for example, the lower range of temperatures is below about 120° F., below about 125° F., or below about 130° F.
The re-heating of the hot-melt adhesive to the activation temperature causes the hot-melt adhesive to become molten. The subsequent cooling of the hot-melt adhesive, in combination with the application of pressure, causes the hot-melt adhesive to bond to the opposing surface, forming a seal between the surfaces.
A heat seal typically is formed by sealing one thermoplastic to the same or a similar thermoplastic. The thermoplastic material(s) typically is applied to the two substrates to be fixed to each other. At the time the substrates are to be fixed, the thermoplastic material(s) on one or both substrates is subject to heat and pressure sufficient to weld the materials together, thereby fixing the substrates to each other.
In some embodiments, the material for which the closure-sealing element 230 is formed can include one or more polymers including emulsion-based polymers. The one or more polymers can include one or more of vinyl acetate ethylene, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate copolymers, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, dextrin stabilized polyvinyl acetate, vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene copolymers, vinylacrylic, styrene acrylic, acrylic, styrene butyl rubber, polyurethane, polyolefins, and biodegradable materials (e.g., cellulose and starch). For example, the heat-scalable material can be a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) coating on surfaces of the sheets 32a, 32b. In some applications, the PVOH can be coated with polyethylene (PE) or polylactic acid (PLA) to prevent the PVOH from sticking, or from absorbing moisture which causes sticking.
In some embodiments, the closure-sealing element 230 can include a polyolefin based dispersion. The polyolefin dispersion can include polyethylene and/or polypropylene, thermoplastic polymers, polymeric stabilizing agents including at least one polar polymer, water, and/or other suitable polyolefin dispersions. A suitable polyolefin dispersion can include, for example HYPOD™, from Dow Chemical, or other suitable polyolefin dispersions.
In some embodiments, the closure-sealing element 230 can be water-based. The water-based closure-sealing element 230 may include a water-based polymer. The use of a water-based closure-sealing clement 230 can enhance the recyclability of the envelopes 120, since the water-based closure-scaling element 230 can be dissolved and separated easily from the paper pulp during the recycling process.
A cohesive material includes a bonding material that causes one surface to stick to an opposing surface by coming into contact with the same or a complimentary cohesive substance to form the bond between the two surfaces. Cohesives do not stick to other substances sufficiently to adhere to those other substances, or in some cases stick very weakly compared to the bond they form from sticking to each other.
Referring still to
Regions of weakness can be formed in the web 30, between each of the envelopes 120 in the web 30. The region of weakness can be formed, for example, as a series of perforations 50 that extend transversely across the wall 122 of each envelope 120 in the web 30, between the longitudinal inter-wall seals of the web 30. The region of weakness can be formed in other ways, such as scoring, in the alternative.
Cuts can be formed in the web 30, directly below, i.e., downstream of, the perforations 50. The cuts can be, for example, kiss cuts 51. The kiss cuts 51 can be formed in the wall 124 of each envelope 120, and can be longitudinally spaced from their associated perforations 50 in the wall 122 by, for example, about ⅛ inch to about 3/16 inch in the longitudinal direction of the web 30. The kiss cuts 51 permit the top edge of the wall 124 to be separated, i.e., pulled away from, the wall 122 to form the opening 140 in the envelope 120. In alternative embodiments, the kiss cuts 51 and the perforations 50 can overlap, i.e., the kiss cuts 51 and the perforations 50 can be formed at the same longitudinal locations along the web 30.
The web 30 can be provided in a fan-folded configuration, as shown in
The web 30 can have a configuration other than that described above.
The bagging machine 200 is configured to receive the web 30 of preformed envelopes 120; to form the opening 140 in each envelope 120 to provide access the envelope pocket 125 so that the item to be packaged can be loaded into the envelope pocket 125; to seal the loaded envelope 120; and to separate the envelope 120 from the web 30.
The bagging machine 200 comprises a web advancement mechanism 202. The web advancement mechanism 202 is shown in part in
The bagging machine 200 further comprises a sealer 208, depicted in
The sealing jaw 34 is mounted on the track 42, and is configured to slide on the track 42. The sealing jaw actuator 39 is configured to move the sealing jaw 34 horizontally, toward and away from the anvil 36 between a first, or open position shown in
In applications where the closed-sealing clement 230 is a heat-activatable material, the sealing jaw 34 also can heat the closure-scaling element 230 t form the closure seal. The sealer 208 includes a heating unit 37 mounted on the anvil 36. In alternative embodiments, the sealer 208 can include two heating units 37 mounted respectively on the sealing jaw 34 and the anvil 36. The heating unit 37 includes a heating element 38, and a heating bar 43 formed around the heating element 38. The heating element 38 can be, for example, a heated wire. Other types of heating techniques, such as a radiative or ultrasonic heating or heated air, can be used in lieu of a heated wire in alternative embodiments.
The heating bar 43 is heated by the heating element 38, and acts as a heated mass that transfers the heat generated by the heating element 38 to the envelope 120 when the heating bar 43 is driven into contact with the envelope 120 as discussed below
The heating unit 37 is configured to retract into the anvil 306 as shown in
The bagging machine 200 also comprises a wall handling device 220 shown in
The grips 222 and the suction cups 224 are mounted on, and translate with the sealing jaw 34. As discussed below, when the envelope 120 is to be opened, the sealing jaw 34 is moved inward, to its closed position, so that the suction cups 224 are brought into contact with the outwardly-facing surface of the envelope wall 124. The vacuum provided to the suction cups 224 causes the suction cups 224 to engage the wall 124. The suction cups 224 pull the wall 124 wall outwardly, away from the wall 122 and out of its original plane, as the sealing jaw 34 subsequently is moved outwardly, away from its closed position. The suction cups 224 thus open the envelope 120 slightly, to pre-form the opening 140. The bagging machine 200 can include an air blower (not shown) configured to direct air onto the wall 124 to aid in pre-forming the opening 140. Alternative embodiments of the bagging machine 200 be configured without the air blower.
The grips 222 are configured to rotate between a raised, or upper position shown in
The wall handling device 220 also includes two sensors 227 communicatively coupled to the controller 40. The sensors 227 are depicted
Referring to
Each web restraint portion 302 is fixed to a lower end of a corresponding arm 324. An upper end portion of each arm 324 is coupled to a vertically-oriented face of a corresponding actuator 326. Each actuator 326 is mounted on a corresponding carriage 314. As discussed below, the carriages 314 are driven the transverse direction, i.e., transverse to the longitudinal or lengthwise direction of the web 30, so as to move the actuators 326, and their associated arms 324 and web restraint portions 302, in the transverse direction.
The actuators 326 are communicatively coupled to the controller 40. The actuators 326 are configured to move their associated arms 324 vertically, in response to inputs from the controller 40. This movement causes the associated web restraint portions 302 to move vertically, in relation of the base 310, between an upper, or disengaged position shown in
The web restraint portions 302 are configured to contact the web 30 when the web restraint portions 302 are in their lower positions. More specifically, each web restraint 302 has a contact surface configured to engage the web 30 when the web restraint 302 is in its lower position. The contact surface is depicted in
Also, the web restraint portions 302 engage the web 30 proximate the respective transverse edges of the web 30, as shown in
The engagement of the web restraint portions 302 and the web 30 restrains the web 30 at respective restraining locations as the envelope 120 to be loaded, i.e., the downstream envelope 120, is opened by the wall handling device 220, i.e., as the wall 124 of the downstream envelope 120 is pulled out of its original plane and away from the wall 122 of the downstream envelope 120. More specifically, the web restraint portions 302 are configured to restrain the web 30 directly upstream of the line of perforations 50 between the downstream envelope 120 and the adjacent envelope 120 in the web 30, proximate, i.e., at or near, the transverse edges 127 of the web 30. As a result of this restraint, and the association of the wall handling device 220 and the web restraint portions 302, the pulling of the wall 124 away from the wall 122 in the opening direction causes the ties of the perforations 50 proximate the transverse edges of the wall 122 to tear or break, with the tear progressing inwardly as the wall 124 is pulled further from the wall 122 until most, or all of the ties located between the transverse edges 127 and the respective web restraint portions 302 are torn or broken, and with the ties of the perforations 50 in the central portion of the wall 124 remaining intact, as can be seen in
As can be seen in
As can be seen in
The breaking element can have configurations other than that described above in alternative embodiments. For example, the breaking element can be configured as one or more blades, plates, rods, grips, punches, etc. in alternative embodiments. As another example,
Referring to
The breaking element and seal flattener assembly 300 also comprises two mounts 328, two flattener actuators 330, and two guide blocks 331. An upper end of each flattening portion 304 is fixed to an associated mount 328. The mount 328 is coupled to an associated flattener actuator 330. Each flattener actuator 330 is mounted on an associated carriage 314. Each flattener actuator 330, and its associated mount 328 and flattening portion 304, thus travel in the transverse direction along with an associated web restraint portion 302, arm 324, and web restraint actuator 326.
The flattener actuators 330 are communicatively coupled to the controller 40. Each flattener actuator 330 is configured to move its corresponding mount 328 vertically in response to inputs from the controller 40, so that the flattening portions 304 move vertically in relation of the base 310 between an upper, or disengaged position shown in
The flattening portions 304 are configured as vertically-oriented, cylindrical rods having a rounded lower surface. The rods can have an orientation other than vertical in alternative embodiments. Also, the flattening portions 304 can have other configurations in alternative embodiments. The flattening portions 304 can have a protective and/or friction-reducing coating, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The flattening portions 304 can be uncoated in alternative embodiments.
The flattening portions 304 are configured to contact the web 30 when the flattening portions 304 are in their lower positions. More specifically, the flattening portions 304 are configured to contact the inwardly-facing surface of the wall 122 of the downstream envelope 120 after the opening 140 has been formed in the envelope 120 in the above-described manner, proximate the sealing area. As discussed below, the flattening portions 304 are configured to move transversely while in contact with the web 30, from an initial position proximate the centerline of the web 30, so that the flattening portions 304 smooth, or flatten the upper portion of the wall 122, including the sealing area.
Each guide block 331 is fixed to a corresponding mount 328. The guide blocks 331 each include a vertical portion 340, and two horizontal portions 342 as shown in
Referring still to
The carriage mechanism 308 comprises the carriages 314, a base 310, a carriage actuator 312 mounted on the base 310, a drive belt 313, and a guide rail 315 fixed to the base 310.
The carriages 314 are configured to translate in relation to the base 310, in the transverse direction. Each carriage 314 engages the guide rail 315, which guides the carriage 314 along a linear path in the lengthwise direction of the base 310. The carriages 314 are configured to slide along the guide rail 315. In alternative embodiments, the carriages 314 can ride on bearings located between the carriages 314 and the guide rail 315.
As discussed above, one of actuators 326 is associated with the web restraint portion 302, and one of the flattener actuators 330 is associated with the flattening portions 304 are mounted on each of the carriages 314, so that the transverse movement of the carriage 314 causes its associated web restraint portion 302 and flattening portion 304 move transversely, in tandem with each other.
The carriage actuator 312 is coupled to a grooved drive wheel 316 of the trolley mechanism 308, so that the carriage actuator 312 rotates the drive wheel 316. The carriage actuator 312 can be, for example, a reversible electric motor communicatively coupled to a controller 40. The carriage actuator 312 can be configured a another type of actuator, such as a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, etc., in alternative embodiments. The carriage actuator 312 is configured to rotate the drive wheel 316 in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, in response to inputs from the controller 40.
The trolley mechanism 308 further comprises a guide wheel 320 mounted on, and configured to rotate in relation to the base 310. The guide wheel 320 and the drive wheel 316 are mounted on opposite ends of the base 310, as can be seen in
The drive belt 313 is coupled to the drive wheel 316 and the guide wheel 320, so that the activation of the carriage actuator 312 causes the drive belt 316 to move along a path between the rotating drive wheel 316 and the guide wheel 320, with opposite sides of the drive belt 316 moving in opposite directions in relation to the base 310, as denoted by the arrows 322 in
Each carriage 314 is configured to clamp itself to the drive belt 316 so that the carriages 314 move linearly in relation to the base 310 in response to the movement of the drive belt 316. For example, each carriage 314 can include grabbing block having teeth formed thereon, and a clamp block that clamps the drive belt 313 down to the teeth. The engagement of the carriages 314 and the guide rail 315 causes the carriages 314 to move along respective linear paths in the lengthwise direction of the base 310, i.e., in the transverse direction. The carriages 314 are clamped to opposite sides of the drive belt 316, so that the carriages 314 (and their associated web restraint portions 302 and flattening portions 304) move in opposite directions in relation to each other in a mirrored manner when the drive belt 316 is in motion.
The carriage mechanism 308 is configured to move the web restraint portions 302 and the flattening portions 304 transversely, between an outward position shown in
As noted above, because each web restraint 302 is mounted on one of the carriages 314 with an associated flattening portion 304, each web restraint 302 and its corresponding flattening portion 304 move between their respective outward and inward positions in tandem. Also, because the carriages 314 are connected to opposite sides of the drive belt 313, and the opposite sides of the drive belt 313 move in opposite directions in response to the rotation of the drive wheel 316 by the carriage actuator 312, both web restraint portions 302 and both flattening portions 304 move to their respective outward positions when the carriage actuator 312 rotates the drive wheel 316 in a first angular direction. Likewise, both web restraint portions 302 and both flattening portions 304 move to their respective inward positions when the carriage actuator 312 rotates the drive wheel 316 in a second angular direction opposite the first angular direction.
The web restraint portions 302 and flattening portions 304 can be driven in the transverse direction by devices or mechanisms other than the trolley mechanism 308, in alternative embodiments. For example, each web restraint 302 and is associated flattening portion 304 can be directly driven in the transverse direction by a liner actuator, such as a linear pneumatic or a linear hydraulic actuator, without a drive belt 313, in alternative embodiments. In other alternative embodiments, each breaking element 202 can be mounted on the jaw 34 along with an associated actuator configured to move the breaking element 202 horizontally, into contact with the upstream envelope 120.
After the envelope 120 has been loaded and sealed, the envelope 120 can be separated from the remainder of the web 30 by applying a pulling force to the web 30 upstream of the loaded and sealed envelope 120, to tear the region of weakness, i.e., the perforations 50. The pulling force can be created by reversing the direction of rotation the nip rollers 204 while the loaded and sealed envelope 120 is being restrained by the sealing jaw 34 and the anvil 36, so that the web 30 is drawn in the upstream direction so as to separate the loaded and sealed envelope 120 from the remainder of the web 30 along the region of weakness. In alternative embodiments, the loaded and sealed envelope 120 can be separated from the remainder of the web 30 using other techniques, such as one or more cutting edges configured to form a laceration along the region of weakness, the focused application of heat applied along the region of weakness, a heated wire, etc.
The following description of the controller 40 is presented for illustrative purposes only. The controller 40 can have other configurations in alternative embodiments. The controller 40 comprises a processor, such as a microprocessor. The controller 40 also includes a memory, such as a random access memory, communicatively coupled to the processor; and computer executable instructions stored on the memory. The processor is configured so that the processor upon executing the computer executable instructions, carries out the logical operations of the controller 40 described herein. The controller 40 also comprises an internal bus that facilitates communications between the various components of the controller; and an input-output interface communicatively coupled to the processor. The controller 40 can include additional components, a description of which is not necessary to an understanding of the technology disclosed herein.
Referring to
The amount of web 30 advancement to properly position the downstream envelope 120 may be programmed into the controller 40 based on the length of the envelope 120, i.e., the bagging machine 200 may, each time, advance the same amount of web 30, which corresponds to the length of one envelope 120. Alternatively, computer vision, e.g., one or more an optical sensors mounted on the grips 222, may be used to pause the advancement of the web 30 when the sealing area has been aligned with the sealing jaw 34 and the anvil 36.
As can be seen, for example, in
Once the envelope 120 has been properly positioned, the controller 40 activates the sealing jaw actuator 39 of the sealing jaw 34 to cause the sealing jaw 34 to move inward from its open position, toward the wall 124 of the envelope 120 (and the underlying anvil 36), so that the suction cups 224 of the sealer 208 come into contact the outwardly-facing surface of the wall 122, as depicted in
Referring to
As can be seen in
The controller 40 then causes the scaling jaw actuator 39 to continue to move the scaling jaw 34 outward, toward its open position. The movement of the sealing jaw 34 to its open position draws the wall 124 further from the wall 122 and further out of its original plane, forming the hexagonally-shaped opening 140 in the envelope 120 as shown in
The web restraint portions 302 restrain the adjacent or upstream envelope 120 from movement in the outward direction, i.e., from movement in the direction denoted by the arrow 133 in
In some embodiments, the front-to-back dimension of the fully-formed opening 140, i.e., the distance between the walls 122, 124, can be about 5.5 inches. This specific dimension is presented for illustrative purposes only. The optimal or desired dimension of the opening 140 is application dependent, and can vary with factors such as the size of the envelope 120, the size of the item being loaded into the envelope 120, etc. In some embodiments, the open position of the scaling jaw 34 can be varied to accommodate envelopes 120 of different sizes, and/or to facilitate the formation of differently sized openings 140 in the same type of envelope 120. For example, the open position of the sealing jaw 34 of the bagging machine 200 can be varied so that the front-to-back dimension of the fully-formed opening 140 can be as large as 12 inches.
At this point, the ties associated with the perforations 50 located at and near the outer edges of the region of weakness have broken, while the ties associated with the perforations 50 located in the center of the region of weakness have remained intact, as can be seen in
As can be seen in
Once the opening 140 has been formed, i.e., once the sealing jaw 34 has retracted to its open position and the wall 124 has been pulled away fully from the wall 122, the controller 40 causes the actuators 326 to move the web restraint portions 302 to their respective upper positions as depicted in
Once the web restraint portions 302 and the flattening portions 304 have reached their respective inward positions, the controller activates the flattener actuators 330 to cause the flattening portions 304 to move to their lower positions (the web restraint portions 302 remain in their upper positions throughout the remainder of the cycle).
The movement of the flattening portions 304 to their lower positions causes the lower end portion of each flattening portion 304 to enter the newly-formed opening 140 in the downstream envelope 120, and to contact the inner surface of the wall 122, i.e., the surface of the wall 122 that faces the wall 124, as shown in
Once the flattening portions 304 have reached their lower positions, the controller activates the carriage actuator 312 of the trolley mechanism 308 to cause the web restraint portions 302 and the flattening portions 304 to move laterally outward, toward their respective outward positions.
As noted above, the transverse movement of the flattening portions 304 along the upper portion of the wall 122 smooths the upper portion of the wall 122, and the adjacent closure-sealing element 230, which in turn can enhance the strength and integrity of the closure seal subsequently formed from the closure-sealing element 230.
At this point, the downstream envelope 120 can be loaded by inserting the item to be packaged into the envelope pocket 125 by way of the fully-formed opening 140. The item can be inserted manually by the operator, or by automated equipment (not shown). As noted above, the ties associated with the perforations 50 in the center portion of the web 30 are not torn as the opening 140 is formed in the downstream envelope 120. The unbroken ties support the downstream envelope 120 from the remainder of the web 30 while the envelope 120 is loaded.
For example, in some embodiments, more than 50 percent of the ties along the region of weakness can remain unbroken after the opening 140 has been formed.
The sealing portion of the cycle can commence after the envelope 120 has been loaded. The operator can commence the sealing process by providing an input to the controller 40 by way of an input device in the form of a pushbutton 336 depicted, for example, in
At the start of the sealing process, the controller 40 activates the sealing jaw actuator 39 of the sealer 208 to cause the sealing jaw 34 to move inward, from its open position and toward its closed position, with the grips 222 continuing to grasp the upper edge portion of the wall 124 of the downstream envelope 120. In addition, the controller activates the carriage actuator 312 of the trolley mechanism 308 to cause the web restraint portions 302 and the flattening portions 304 to moves further outward, toward their respective outward positions.
The bagging machine 200 can include a pad 332 configured to apply pressure to the envelope 120 to remove air from the envelope 120 as the wall 124 is moved toward the wall 122. The pad 332 can be moveable between the an open position shown in
Referring to
In other embodiments of the bagging machine 200, the controller 40 can be configured to cause the flattener actuators 330 to move the flattening portions 304 to their upper position immediately before the flattening portions 304 reach their associated inter-wall seals 126, so that the flattening portions 304 can travel further outward without contacting the inter-wall seals 126. In other embodiments, the sealer 208 can be configured so that the flattening portions 304 can remain between the walls 122, 124 during the sealing process, without passing over the inter-wall seals 126.
The closure-sealing element 230, and the adjacent portions of the walls 122, 124, become sandwiched between the sealing jaw 34 and the anvil 36 when the sealing jaw 34 reaches its closed position, as depicted in
The optimal values for the sealing parameters, e.g., the sealing temperature, scaling pressure, and dwell time, are application-dependent and can vary with factors such as the desired strength, e.g., the desired peel strength, of the closure seal; the type of material from which the walls 122, 124 are formed; the thickness of the walls 122, 124; the properties of the closure-sealing element 230, etc. In some embodiments, the bagging machine 200 can be configured to automatically set the sealing parameters to predetermined values based on inputs such as the type of material from which the walls 122, 124 are formed, the type of closure-scaling element 230 on the web 30, etc.
The loaded and sealed downstream envelope 120 then can be separated from the web 30. More specifically, the controller 40 can cause the motor 205 of the web advancement mechanism 202 to activate so as to rotate the nip rollers 204 in a direction opposite the direction needed to advance the web 30 in the downstream direction. The reverse rotation of the nip rollers 204 results in an upstream force being exerted on the web 30 upstream of the perforations 50 between the downstream envelope 120 and the adjacent envelope 120. This force, in combination with the restraint of the downstream envelope 120 by sealing jaw 34 and the anvil 36, which continue to grasp downstream envelope 120, cause the unbroken ties along the region of weakness, i.e., the line of perforations 50, to break, thereby separating the envelope 120 from the web 30.
Once the downstream envelope 132 has been separated from the web 30, the controller 40 causes the flattening element actuator 330 to move the flattening portions 304 to their upper positions. Also, the controller 40 causes the pad actuator 333 to move the pad 332 from its closed position to is open position. The controller 40 then causes the scaling jaw actuator 39 to move the sealing jaw 34 toward its open position. At this point, the grips 222 are still grasping the upper end portion of the wall 124, so that the loaded and sealed envelope 120 is moved outward along with the sealing jaw 34. As the sealing jaw 34 moves toward its open position, the controller 40 causes the actuator 223 to rotate the grips 222 upwardly, to their open position, before the sealing jaw 34 reaches its open position, so that the loaded and sealed envelope 120 can drop toward a bag outlet. Once passing through the bag outlet, the envelope 120 can drop onto a conveyer, or into a bin or other holding device (not shown).
At this point, the bagging machine 200 can begin the next operational cycle by advancing the next envelope 120 on the web 30 in the downstream direction until the scaling area of the envelope 120 aligns with the sealing jaw 34 and the anvil 36, as shown in
In some embodiments, the bagging machine 200 can have an operational mode, selectable by the operator, under which the web restraint portions 302 remain in their upper positions throughout the entire operational cycle. Such an operational mode can be used, for example, when opening and sealing envelopes formed from materials that are not prone to tearing or other damage as the envelope is opened and stretched. This feature can be combined with an additional control feature by which the sealing conditions applied to the envelopes 120 are tailored to the type of material from which the walls 122, 124 of the envelope 120 are formed, as discussed above. For example, the web restraint portions 302 may not be needed when opening an envelope formed from polyethylene, and the scaling temperature and sealing pressure needed to seal a polyethylene envelope made be lower that those needed to seal an envelope formed from paper. The bagging machine 200 may be equipped with operator-selectable operating modes that tailor the applied sealing conditions and the engagement (or non-engagement) of the web restraint portions 302 to each type of envelope.
Although the present solution has been illustrated and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In addition, while a particular feature of the present solution may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present solution should not be limited by any of the above described embodiments. Rather, the scope of the present solution should be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
For example, in some alternative embodiments, the web restraint portions 302 and the flattening portions 304 can be mounted separately so that the web restraint portions 302 do not undergo any transverse movement. In such embodiments, the flattening portions 304 can be located in front of the web restraint portions 302 (or a single elongated web restraint 302 as described below), i.e., the flattening portions 304 can be located closer to the sealing jaw 34 than the web restraint portion(s) 302 when the sealing jaw 34 is in its open position. Also, the flattening portions 304 can be passive, i.e., not mechanically actuated to move vertically.
In some embodiments, the passive flattening elements can be configured so as to allow the flattening elements to rotate from their vertical orientations as the flattening elements move transversely toward their inward positions, to help minimize any drag exerted on the wall 122 of the envelope 120 by the flattening elements. Each passive flattening element can be configured with a rotational stop that prevents the flattening element from rotating past its vertical orientation as the flattening element moves transversely toward its outward position, so that the flattening element can move along the wall 122 while exerting a smoothing or flattening effect as discussed above.
In some embodiments, the passive flattening portions 304 can have a fin-type profile in which the inwardly-facing side of the flattening element is curved so as to permit the flattening clement to move over the wall 122 of the envelope 120 with minimal drag. The outwardly-facing side of the flattening portion 304 can be straight, and can have a vertical orientation, to allow the flattening element to move along the wall 122 while exerting a smoothing or flattening effect as discussed above.
In some embodiments, the passive flattening elements can have a stepped configuration, an angled portion, or some other feature that permits at least the lower portion of the flattening element to pass below the breaking element(s) as the flattening element moves between its inward and outward positions.
Other alternative embodiments can be configured with flattening elements in the form of grippers that grab the opposite transverse edges 127 of the downstream envelope 120 proximate the sealing area on the envelope 120, and then retract outward, to pull the sealing area taut during the scaling process.
Other alternative embodiments can be configured without the web restraint portions 302 and their associated components, i.e., alternative embodiments can be configured without the seal-flattening capability of the bagging machine 200. In some such embodiments, the bagging machine can be equipped with the web restraint portions 302 of the bagging machine 200 and their associated actuators 326 and other components. The web restraint portions 302 can be configured to restrain the web 30 as the downstream envelope 120 is opened, as discussed above in relation to the bagging machine 200.
Referring to
The carrier assembly 402 includes a cross-member 418; a breaking element in the form of a single, bar-shaped web restraint 420; and two arms 422. A lower end of each arm 422 is fixed to a respective end of the web restraint 420, and an upper end of each arm 422 is fixed to a respective end of the cross member 418, so that the carrier assembly 402 has a rectangular configuration.
The actuating mechanism 404 includes two rotary actuators 406, and a three-bar linkage 408 coupled to the rotary actuators 406. Each actuator 406 is mounted on a first mounting bracket 410 of the assembly 401. The linkage 408 includes a first bar 412, a second bar 414, and a third bar 416. An end of the first bar 412 is connected to a first of the actuators 406, so that the first bar 412 is configured to be rotated by the first actuator 406. The other end of the first bar 412 is coupled to the third bar 416 proximate a first end of the third bar 416, so that the first bar 412 can rotate in relation to the third bar 416.
An end of the second bar 414 is connected to a second of the actuators 406, so that the second bar 414 is configured to be rotated by the second actuator 406. The other end of the second bar 414 is coupled to the third bar 416 proximate a second end of the third bar 416, so that the second bar 414 can rotate in relation to the third bar 416.
The third bar 416 is slidably coupled to the cross member 418 of the carrier assembly 402 so that the rotation of the first and second bars 412, 414 causes the third bar 416 rise and lower, which in turn causes the cross member 418 to move vertically. The vertical movement of the cross member 418 causes the carrier assembly 402 to move between its lower and upper positions.
The above description of the actuating mechanism 404 is presented for illustrative purposes only. The carrier assembly 402 can be actuated by other devices and mechanisms in the alternative.
The breaking element assembly 401 further includes two linear guide rails (not shown). Each guide rail is mounted so that the guide rail is located adjacent to a respective one of the arms 422 of the carrier assembly 402. The guide rails restrain the carrier assembly 402 laterally, and provide a smooth bearing surface against which the arm 422 and the web restraint 420 can slide as the carrier assembly 402 translates between its lower and upper positions.
The breaking clement assembly 401 also includes two cam followers (not shown). Each cam follower is mounted on a respective one of the guide rails, and includes a roller that contacts, and rides along the forward-facing surface of a corresponding one of the arms 422. The rollers help to restrain the carrier assembly 402 from movement in the forward direction, so that the web restraint 420 of the carrier assembly 402 restrains the upstream envelope 120 when the breaking element 402 is in its lower position.
As noted above, the web restraint 420 is configured as a single bar. The web restraint 420 has an angled contact surface (not shown). The web restraint 420 moves between an upper position (shown in
An operational sequence can begin with web restraint 420 is in its upper position, and the web advancement mechanism 220 of the bagging machine 400 advancing the web 30 in the downstream direction until the sealing area on the downstream envelope 120 is aligned with the scaling jaw 34 and the anvil 36 of the sealing mechanism 208, as discussed above in relation to the bagging machine 200.
Once the web 30 has been properly positioned, the controller 40 causes the scaling jaw 34 to move inward, to its closed position, so that the suction cups 224 of the wall handling device 220 contact the wall 124 of the downstream envelope 120. In addition, the controller 40 causes the actuating mechanism 404 to move the carrier assembly 402 from its upper to its lower position, which in turn moves the web restraint 420 to its lower position and into contact with the web 30 as discussed above.
The sealing jaw 34 subsequently is moved outward, so that the suction cups 224 pull the wall 124 away from the wall 122 so as to pre-form the opening 140 in the downstream envelope 120, as discussed above in relation to the bagging machine 200. Once the opening 140 has been pre-formed, the controller 40 causes the grips 222 of the wall handling device 220 to engage the wall 124, and the jaw 34 to move further outward, to its open position, so as to form the opening 140 in the downstream envelope 120.
The web restraint 420 restrains the upstream envelope 120 from movement in the outward direction, i.e., from movement toward the sealing jaw 34, as the wall 124 of the downstream envelope 120 is drawn outward by the wall handling device 220. This restraint causes the ties between the outermost perforations 50 on each side of the wall 122 to break, in the manner discussed above in relation to the bagging machine 200, which in turn permits the opening 140 in the downstream envelope 120 to assume the hexagonal shape described above.
Once the envelope 120 has been loaded via the opening 140, the sealing process can commence with the movement of the sealing jaw 34 to its closed position. As the sealing jaw 34 is moved toward it closed position, the controller 40 causes the actuating mechanism 404 to move the carrier assembly 402 from its lower to its upper position, which in turn moves the web restraint 420 to its upper position and out of contact with the web 30. The sealing process, and the separation of the sealed envelope 120 from the remainder of the web 30, subsequently proceed in the manner discussed above in relation to the bagging machine 200.
As noted above, the bagging machine 400 does not include the flattening portions 304 or other provisions to flatten or smooth the sealing area on the downstream envelope 120. In alternative embodiments, the single bar-shaped web restraint 420 can be used in conjunction with flattening elements that are shaped or otherwise configured to avoid interfering with the web restraint 420 as the flattening elements move inward and outward.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/591,446, filed Oct. 18, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63591446 | Oct 2023 | US |
