The invention relates to a plastic bag making apparatus.
In a plastic bag making apparatus, plastic films are fed intermittently and longitudinally thereof. The plastic films are heat sealed with each other by heat seal means whenever being fed intermittently to successively make plastic bags of the plastic films. It is often that the plastic films are punched out by a punch so that the plastic bags can be cut at corners, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2,805,515.
In this case, the plastic films generate wastes naturally when being punched out to make the plastic bags cut at corners. It is therefore problematic in that the wastes may adhere to the plastic bags. In particular, this problem is serious when the plastic bags are filled with food goods after making the plastic bags of the plastic films by reason that the wastes may be mixed into the food goods.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a plastic bag making apparatus in which plastic films are fed intermittently and longitudinally thereof, the plastic films being heat sealed with each other by heat seal means whenever being fed intermittently to successively make plastic bags of the plastic films, which can prevent wastes from adhering to the plastic bags when the plastic bags are cut at corners.
The application includes two inventions. According to the first invention, the apparatus includes a trimming cutter for trimming selvages off the plastic films when the plastic films are fed. The apparatus further includes drive means by which the trimming cutter is moved whenever the plastic films are fed intermittently so that the plastic bags can be cut at corners by the trimming cutter with wastes kept being continuous with the selvages.
In a preferred embodiment, the trimming cutter is moved downstream for a distance when the plastic films are fed not to trim the selvages off the plastic films for the distance. The plastic films therefore include portions not subjected to trimming. The trimming cutter is returned to the original position when the plastic films are stopped. The trimming cutter is moved toward the original position and away from the selvages and then moved toward the original position and toward the selvages when being returned to the original position to make the plastic bags cut at corners with the wastes kept being continuous with the selvages.
The trimming cutter may be controlled by control means when the plastic films are fed not to trim the selvages off the plastic films for a distance. The plastic films therefore include portions not subjected to trimming. The trimming cutter is moved downstream for the distance and then returned to the original portion when the plastic films are stopped. The trimming cutter is controlled by the control means when being moved downstream for the distance not to trim the selvages off the plastic films. The trimming cutter is moved toward the original position and away from the selvages and then moved toward the original position and toward the selvages when being returned to the original position to make the plastic bags cut at corners with the wastes kept being continuous with the selvages.
The trimming cutter may be moved downstream and away from the selvages and then moved downstream and toward the selvages when being moved downstream for the distance to make the plastic bags cut at corners with the wastes kept being continuous with the selvages. The trimming cutter is controlled by the control means when being returned to the original position not to trim the selvages off the plastic bags.
In another embodiment, the trimming cutter is moved widthwise of the plastic films when the plastic films are fed to make the plastic bags cut at corners with the wastes kept being continuous with the selvages.
According to the second invention, the apparatus includes drive or control means by which the trimming cutter is moved or controlled whenever the plastic films are fed intermittently not to trim the selvages off the plastic films for a distance. The plastic films therefore include portions not subjected to trimming. The apparatus further includes a Thomson blade disposed upstream or downstream of the trimming cutter. The Thomson blade is pressed against the plastic films whenever the plastic films are fed intermittently and within the portions not subjected to trimming so that the plastic bags can be out at corners by the Thomson blade with wastes kept being continuous with the selvages.
In a preferred embodiment, the trimming cutter is moved downstream for the distance when the plastic films are fed not to trim the selvages off the plastic films for the distance. The plastic films therefore include the portions not subjected to trimming. The trimming cutter is returned to the original position when the plastic films are stopped without trimming the selvages off the plastic films. The Thomson blade is pressed against the plastic films when the plastic films are stopped to make the plastic bags cut at corners.
The trimming cutter may be controlled by the control means when the plastic films are fed not to trim the selvages off the plastic films for the distance. The plastic films therefore include the portions not subjected to trimming.
Embodiments of the invention are as follows.
Turning now to the drawings,
The apparatus includes a trimming cutter 7 for trimming selvages 8 off the plastic films 1 when the plastic films 1 are fed. In the embodiment, two trimming cutters 7 are disposed adjacent to the opposite side edges of the plastic films 1. The trimming cutters 7 slit the plastic films 1 along the opposite side edges thereof and trim the selvages 8 off the plastic films 1. The selvages 8 are therefore formed along the opposite side edges of the plastic films 1. In addition, the selvages 8 are guided by a guide roller 9 to be directed to and taken up about a real 10. This arrangement is also known generally in the apparatus. The trimming cutter 7 comprises a trimming blade or an ultrasonic cutter.
The apparatus further includes drive means by which the trimming cutter 7 is moved whenever the plastic films 1 are fed intermittently so that the plastic bags can be cut at corners by the trimming cutter 7 with wastes 11 kept being continuous with the salvages 8, as shown in
In the embodiment, the drive means comprises actuators 12, 13 and 14. An arm 15 is provided with the trimming cutter 7 at one end while the actuator 12 and 13 are supported on a carriage 16. The arm 15 extends widthwise of the plastic films 1 to be connected to and supported by the actuators 12 and 13. The carriage 16 is connected to and supported by the actuator 14. The actuator 12 and the arm 15 are lowered by the actuator 13 so that the trimming cutter 7 can be pressed against the plastic films 1 and a receiver 17. The plastic films 1 are sandwiched between the trimming cutter 7 and the receiver 17 so that the trimming cutter 7 can be thrust into the plastic films 1. The trimming cutter 7 therefore trims the selvages 8 off the plastic films 1 when the plastic films 1 are fed. For example, the actuator 13 comprises a cylinder.
In addition, the carriage 16 is moved by the actuator 14 downstream or in a direction corresponding to the direction X for the distance L when the plastic films 1 are fed in the direction X so that the trimming cutter 7 can be moved downstream for the distance L (
The trimming cutter 7 is returned to the original position when the plastic films 1 are stopped. In the embodiment, the arm 15 is moved and turned by the actuator 12 clockwise about a turn center 18 in
The actuator 12 and the arm 15 are then lifted by the actuator 13 so that the trimming cutter 7 can be taken out from the plastic films 1. The carriage 16 is then moved by the actuator 14 upstream or in a direction reverse to the direction X for the distance L to be returned to the original position. The turn center 18 is therefore moved upstream for the distance L. At the same time or then, the arm 15 is moved and turned by the actuator 12 counterclockwise about the turn center 18 in
The arm 15 is then moved and turned by the actuator 12 clockwise about the turn center 18 in
The plastic films 1 are fed intermittently again. The trimming cutter 7 trims the salvages 8 off the plastic films 1 when the plastic films 1 are fed. In addition, the trimming cutter 7 is moved downstream again when the plastic films 1 are fed. The trimming cutter 7 is moved and turned about the turn center 18 again when the plastic films 1 are stopped, the same steps being accomplished again.
The apparatus can therefore make the plastic bags cut at corners with the wastes 11 kept being continuous with the selvages 8. The selvages 8 are then directed to and taken up about the reel 10. Accordingly, the wastes 11 cannot adhere to the plastic bags.
In the embodiment in which the trimming cutter 7 comprises the trimming blade or the ultrasonic cutter, the trimming cutter 7 has to be taken out from the plastic films 1 when the turn center 18 is moved upstream for the distance, as described previously. Subsequently, the arm 15 and the trimming cutter 7 are turned reversely. The trimming cutter 7 is then thrust into the plastic films 1 at the position at which it was taken out. Under the circumstances, the trimming cutter 7 may comprise a laser cutter. In this case, the trimming cutter 7 may be controlled by control means to be changed into off when the turn center 18 is moved upstream for the distance. Subsequently, the arm 15 and the trimming cutter 7 are turned reversely. The trimming cutter 7 is then controlled by the control means to be changed into on at the position at which it was changed into off. The laser cutter does therefore not have to be thrust into and taken out from the plastic films 1.
The trimming cutter 7 may be guided by a guide groove 19 or a guide rail to be moved along the guide groove 19 or the guide rail, as shown in
In the amendment of
The drive means includes an actuator 25, a carriage 26 being connected to and supported by the actuator 25. The carriage 26 includes a guide groove 27 formed therein. A pin 28 is fitted with the guide groove 27 to be supported by the carriage 26. The pins 21 are formed on the pin 28 while the trimming cutter 7 is fixed to and supported by the pin 28. The pin 28 is guided by the guide groove 27 to be moved along and rotated in the guide groove 27. The guide groove 27 extends widthwise of the plastic films 1.
It should be understood that in the apparatus, the carriage 26 and the pins 21 and 28 are moved by the actuator 25 so that the trimming cutter 7 can be moved downstream for the distance when the plastic films 1 are fed. The pins 21 are inserted into and moved along the guide groove 22 to reach the guide groove 24. For example, the actuator 25 comprises a cylinder.
In addition, the carriage 26 and the pins 21 and 28 are moved by the actuator 25 so that the trimming cutter 7 can be returned to the original position when the plastic films 1 are stopped. The pins 21 are inserted into and moved along the guide groove 19 to reach the guide groove 23 while the pin 28 is moved along the guide groove 27 and widthwise of the plastic films 1. The trimming cutter 7 is therefore moved toward the original position and away from the selvages 8 and then moved toward the original position and toward the selvages 8 to make the plastic bags cut at corners with the wastes 11 kept being continuous with the selvages 8.
In this case, the pins 21 have to be inserted not into the guide groove 22 but into the guide groove 19 when the trimming cutter 7 is returned to the original position. It is therefore preferable that the guide groove 22 is curved at a position adjacent to the guide groove 24 to prevent the pins 21 from being inserted into the guide groove 22. The guide groove 22 may be blocked by a movable plate to prevent the pins 21 from being inserted into the guide groove 22. In addition, the pins 21 have to be inserted not into the guide groove 19 but into the guide groove 22 when the trimming cutter 7 is moved downstream for the distance. The guide groove 19 may therefore be blocked by a movable plate to prevent the pins 21 from being inserted into the guide groove 19.
In the embodiment of
The guide grooves 19, 22, 23 and 24 may have a certain shape in section, as shown in
In addition, there has been recently used a movable cutter utilizing a system of Cartesian coordinate robot. In this connection, the apparatus may include the system of Cartesian coordinate robot so that the trimming cutter 7 can be moved by the system of Cartesian coordinate robot when being moved downstream for the distance and then returned to the original position.
In the embodiments of
On the contrary, after being controlled by the control means and changed into on, the trimming cutter 7 may be moved downstream and away from the selvages 8 and then moved downstream and toward the selvages 8 when being moved downstream for the distance to make the plastic bags cut at corners with the wastes 11 kept being continuous with the selvages 8. In this case, the trimming cutter 7 is controlled by the control means and changed into off when being returned to the original position not to trim the selvages 8 off the plastic films 1.
The trimming cutter 7 may be moved widthwise of the plastic films 1 when the plastic films 1 are fed to make the plastic bags cut at corners with the wastes 11 kept being continuous with the selvages 8, as shown in
In a plastic bag making apparatus of
Furthermore, the apparatus includes drive or control means by which the trimming cutter 7 is moved or controlled whenever the plastic films 1 are fed intermittently not to trim the selvages 8 off the plastic films 1 for a distance L, as shown in
In the embodiment, the drive means comprises actuators 30 and 31. The trimming cutter 7 is connected to and supported by the actuator 30 which is supported on a carriage 32. The carriage 32 is connected to and supported by the actuator 31. The trimming cutter 7 is lowered by the actuator 30 to be thrust into the plastic films 1. The trimming cutter 7 then trims the selvages 8 off the plastic films 1 when the plastic films are fed. For example, the actuator 30 comprises a cylinder.
In addition, the carriage 32 is moved downstream or in a direction corresponding to the direction X for the distance L by the actuator 31 when the plastic films 1 are fed. The trimming cutter 7 is therefore moved downstream for the distance L (
The trimming cutter 7 is lifted by the actuator 30 to be taken out from the plastic films 1 when the plastic films 1 are stopped. Subsequently, the carriage 32 and the trimming cutter 7 are moved upstream or in a direction reverse to the direction X for the distance L by the actuator 31 to be returned to the original position. The trimming cutter 7 is then lowered by the actuator 30 to be thrust into the plastic films 1 (
The plastic films 1 are then fed intermittently again. The trimming cutter 7 trims the selvages 8 off the plastic films 1 when the plastic films 1 are fed. It should therefore be understood that in the apparatus, the plastic films include the portions not subjected to trimming.
In addition, the apparatus includes drive means comprising an actuator 33, the Thomson blade 29 being connected to and supported by the actuator 33. The Thomson blade 29 is lowered by the actuator 33 to be pressed against the plastic films 1 and a receiver 34 when the plastic films 1 are stopped and within the portions not subjected to trimming. The plastic films 1 are therefore sandwiched between the Thomson blade 29 and the receiver 34 to make the plastic bags cut at corners with the wastes 11 kept being continuous with the selvages 8. The Thomson blade 29 is curved into an arced shape to make the plastic bags cut at corners into the arced shape. For example, the actuator 33 comprises a cylinder.
In the embodiment, the Thomson blade 29 is disposed upstream of the trimming cutter 7. The trimming cutter 7 therefore trims the selvages 8 off the plastic films 1 after the plastic bags are cut at corners by the Thomson blade 29, so that the wastes 11 can be kept being continuous with the selvages 8.
The apparatus can therefore make the plastic bags cut at corners with the wastes 11 kept being continuous with the selvages 8. The selvages 8 is then directed to and taken up about the reel 10. Accordingly, the wastes 11 cannot adhere to the plastic bags.
In the embodiment of
In the case of the laser cutter, the trimming cutter 7 may be controlled by control means when the plastic films 1 are fed not to trim the selvages 8 off the plastic films 1 for the distance. The plastic films 1 therefore include the portions not subjected to trimming.
The selvages 8 may be handled by a system not utilizing the reel 10 about which the selvages 8 are taken up.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2010-072891 | Mar 2010 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
PCT/JP2011/057207 | 3/24/2011 | WO | 00 | 1/31/2012 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2011/118718 | 9/29/2011 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2595421 | Spalding | May 1952 | A |
3847708 | Takahashi et al. | Nov 1974 | A |
3856599 | Bylund | Dec 1974 | A |
4358973 | Rozman | Nov 1982 | A |
4605392 | Achelpohl et al. | Aug 1986 | A |
5367931 | Kitamura | Nov 1994 | A |
7044184 | Totani | May 2006 | B2 |
20090175565 | Totani | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20110212815 | Totani | Sep 2011 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
03197124 | Aug 1991 | JP |
08019989 | Jan 1996 | JP |
09309096 | Dec 1997 | JP |
2000117854 | Apr 2000 | JP |
2004160780 | Jun 2004 | JP |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20120135845 A1 | May 2012 | US |