초록

A method of and apparatus for sealing unsealed surgical suture packages by applying heat and sealing pressure substantially simultaneously to both the sealed edge and the unsealed edge of an unsealed surgical suture package, thereby forming a sealed surgical suture package.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for sealing unsealed individual packages of surgical sutures, said packages being generally rectangular including first and second sealed ends and a pair of sides with one side being sealed and the opposite side being unsealed, which comprises:a loading station

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for sealing unsealed individual packages of surgical sutures, said packages being generally rectangular including first and second sealed ends and a pair of sides with one side being sealed and the opposite side being unsealed, which comprises:a loading station adapted to receive individual unsealed packages;a discharge station adapted to discharge individual sealed packages;a belt driven in a path to move individual packages between said loading station and said discharge station;a sealing station positioned along the path of said belt between the loading station and the discharge station, said sealing station comprising:a first sealing die including a pair of sealing surfaces, said sealing surfaces of said first sealing die being spaced apart from each other a distance substantially equal to the distanced between said seal and unsealed sides;a second sealing die including a pair of sealing surfaces, said sealing surfaces of said second sealing die being spaced apart from each other a distance substantially equal to the distance between said sealing surfaces of said first sealing die, and said first and second sealing dies being spaced apart from each other; and,means for moving said first and second sealing dies into sealing contact with a package positioned therebetween each time an individual package enters the sealing station, whereby both the sealed and unsealed sides of the individual packages are sealed at the same time regardless of the orientation of said first and second sealed ends.