Packaging machine for producing reclosable packages
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B65B-061/18
출원번호
US-0624291
(2003-07-21)
발명자
/ 주소
Douglas, Brian
출원인 / 주소
Pro-Pac Services, Inc.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
3인용 특허 :
34
초록▼
A form-fill-and-seal (FFS) packaging machine is described wherein a zipper is attached to the package simultaneously with the sealing operation at the sealing and evacuation station. The attached zipper is thereafter welded in place at the zipper welding and cutting station. A zipper blank feeder an
A form-fill-and-seal (FFS) packaging machine is described wherein a zipper is attached to the package simultaneously with the sealing operation at the sealing and evacuation station. The attached zipper is thereafter welded in place at the zipper welding and cutting station. A zipper blank feeder and a channel-forming die with an impulse sealer are integrated into the sealing die of a packaging machine forming a combination work station. The zipper is installed at an existing work station and shares the existing lifting device. This enables the retrofitting of an FFS packaging machine to include a zipper attachment function without changing the footprint thereof. The combination work station forms a channel for the zipper blank between the thermoformed web and the lidstock. While the sealing die is providing a seal about the lid, the impulse sealer in the channel-forming die attaches the zipper to an initial attachment portion of the packaging film. Upon completion of the package, this initial attachment portion, if retained, becomes the tamper-indication portion of the package. Both the sealing and evacuation station and the zipper welding stations of this invention are of jacketed construction enabling the temperature control of the zipper blank throughout the installation procedures.
대표청구항▼
1. A conversion kit for retrofitting a horizontal FFS packaging machine to include the attachment of a zipper to a package formed thereby, in which said packaging machine includes:a frame; a forming station mounted on said frame and having a forming die functioning cooperatively with a first lift st
1. A conversion kit for retrofitting a horizontal FFS packaging machine to include the attachment of a zipper to a package formed thereby, in which said packaging machine includes:a frame; a forming station mounted on said frame and having a forming die functioning cooperatively with a first lift station to form product-receiving cavities in a lower web of packaging film; a product filling station; a sealing station mounted on said frame and having a sealing die, functioning during a sealing cycle, cooperatively with a second lift station to seal packages with an upper web of packaging film; and, means for conveying said lower web and said upper web of packaging films along said frame from an input side to an output side; wherein said conversion kit comprises: a zipper blank feed means for providing between said lower web and said upper web of packaging films a zipper blank to said sealing station; a sealing and channel-forming die assembly providing a pathway therethrough for said zipper blank, said pathway passing between said lower web and said upper web of packaging films, said sealing and channel-forming die assembly further comprises in turn further comprising; an impulse sealer in said channel-forming die for longitudinally sealing together, upon introduction of said zipper blank into said pathway, said zipper blank, said lower web of packaging film, and said upper web of packaging film; spring means in cooperative functional relationship with said second lift station for raising said lower web of packaging film at said impulse sealer above the level of said lower web of packaging film at said sealing die; and a zipper weld station mounted on said frame adjacent said sealing die, said zipper weld station longitudinally welding said upper web of packaging film to said zipper blank and said lower web of packaging film to said zipper blank and for transversely welding together the ends of said zipper, said lower web of packaging film, and said upper web of packaging film; whereby said horizontal FFS packaging machine is modified to install zippers on packages produced thereby without an additional lift station therefor. 2. A conversion kit for retrofitting a horizontal FFS packaging machine as described in claim 1 wherein said packaging film at said impulse sealer is lifted 5 mm above the level of said packaging films at said sealing die.3. A conversion kit for retrofitting a horizontal FFS packaging machine as described in claim 1 wherein said channel-forming die further comprises:a chiller for dissipating thermal energy generated by impulse sealing and maintaining the zipper blank free from thermal shock during installation thereof. 4. A conversion, kit for retrofitting a horizontal FFS packaging machine as described in claim 3 wherein the zipper blank returns to ambient room temperature within one minute of impulse sealing.5. A conversion kit for retrofitting a horizontal FFS packaging machine as described in claim 4 wherein the zipper blank returns to ambient room temperature within 20 seconds of impulse sealing.6. A conversion kit for retrofitting a horizontal FFS packaging machine as described in claim 3 wherein said chiller further comprises a thermal medium maintained at a temperature of 65°±15° F.7. A conversion kit for retrofitting a horizontal FFS packaging machine as described in claim 6 wherein said thermal medium is recirculating cooling water.8. A conversion kit for retrofitting a horizontal FFS packaging machine to include the attachment of a zipper to a package formed thereby, in which said packaging machine includes:a frame; a forming station mounted on said frame and having a forming die functioning cooperatively with a first lift station to form product-receiving cavities in a lower web of packaging film; a product filling station; a sealing station mounted on said frame and having a sealing die, functioning during a sealing cycle, cooperatively with a second lift station to seal packages with an upper web of packaging film; and, means for conveying said lower web and said upper web of packaging films along said frame from an input side to an output side; wherein said conversion kit comprises: a zipper blank feed means for providing between said lower web and said upper web of packaging films a zipper blank to said sealing station; a sealing and channel-forming die assembly providing a pathway therethrough for said zipper blank, said pathway passing between said lower web and said upper web of packaging films, further comprising, in turn; a chiller for dissipating thermal energy generated by impulse sealing and maintaining the zipper blank free from thermal shock during installation thereof, an impulse sealer in said channel-forming die for longitudinally sealing together, upon introduction of said zipper blank into said pathway, said zipper blank, said lower web of packaging film, and said upper web of packaging film; and, a zipper weld station mounted on said frame adjacent said sealing die, said zipper weld station longitudinally welding said upper web of packaging film to said zipper blank and said lower web of packaging film to said zipper blank and for transversely welding together the ends of said zipper, said lower web of packaging film, and said upper web of packaging film; whereby said horizontal FFS packaging machine is modified to install zippers on packages produced thereby without an additional lift station therefor. 9. A conversion kit for retrofitting a horizontal FFS packaging machine as described in claim 8 wherein said packaging machine is a vacuum packaging machine having, during dwell time at said sealing station, an evacuation and sealing cycle concurrent with which the zipper blank is longitudinally sealed.10. A conversion kit for retrofitting a horizontal FFS packaging machine as described in claim 8 wherein said packaging machine is a modified atmosphere packaging machine having an atmosphere modification cycle wherein the zipper blank installation is concurrent with the atmosphere modification cycle thereof.11. A conversion kit for retrofitting a horizontal FFS packaging machine as described in claim 8, wherein said sealing and channel-forming die assembly further comprises in turn further comprising;spring means in cooperative functional relationship with said second lift station for raising said lower web of packaging film at said impulse sealer above the level of said lower web of packaging film at said sealing die. 12. A conversion kit for retrofitting a horizontal FFS packaging machine as described in claim 11 wherein said packaging film at said impulse sealer is lifted 5 mm above the level of said packaging films at said sealing die.13. A conversion kit for retrofitting a horizontal FFS packaging machine as described in claim 8 wherein the zipper blank returns to ambient room temperature within one minute of impulse sealing.14. A conversion kit for retrofitting a horizontal FFS packaging machine as described in claim 13 wherein the zipper blank returns to ambient room temperature within 20 seconds of impulse sealing.15. A conversion kit for retrofitting a horizontal FFS packaging machine as described in claim 8 wherein said chiller further comprises a thermal medium maintained at a temperature of 65°±15° F.16. A conversion kit for retrofitting a horizontal FFS packaging machine as described in claim 15 wherein said thermal medium is recirculating cooling water.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (34)
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Boeckmann Hugo (Arlington Heights IL) Van Erden Donald L. (Wildwood IL) Bauer Mark D. (Mount Prospect IL), Method and apparatus for sealing reclosable flexible containers without spot sealing.
Wirth Lawrence W. (Neenah) Wegner Wayne M. (Appleton) Tomic Mladomir (Appleton) Buchko Raymond (Appleton WI) Natterer Johann (Bavaria DEX), Method of forming recloseable packages, profiles used therein, and packages produced thereby.
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Malin Art ; Van Erden Donald L. ; Kohl ; Jr. James G. ; McMahon Michael J., Zipper strip and method of positioning the strip transverse longitudinal axis.
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