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US 12,097,989 B2Granted
Methods and apparatus to facilitate plastic film processing
AssigneeS. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
InventorsBryan L. Ackerman, Daniel P. Zimmerman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system includes a film processing module, a processor, and memory. The processor and memory are in communication with the film processing module. The processor is configured to dynamically coordinate movement of the film processing module relative to a moving web of film and to perform a function on the web of film with the film processing module.
Claims63
A system, comprising:
- a supporting rail;
- a film processing module moveably mounted on the supporting rail;
- and
- a processor and memory in communication with the film processing module to:
- dynamically coordinate movement of the film processing module relative to a moving web of film,
- perform a function on the web of film with the film processing module to form a film product,
- control an air controller of the film processing module to draw a vacuum to retain the film product, and
- deposit the film product on a conveyor at a transfer position.
5 more elements
A film processing module, comprising:
- a carriage assembly configured to move along a supporting rail;
- a linear actuator engaged with the carriage assembly;
- an upper multi-functional assembly engaged with and cantilevered relative to the linear actuator to perform a function on a film adjacent to the supporting rail, the upper multi-functional assembly adapted to clamp, cut, and seal the film;
- and
- a module sensor to detect a demarcation of the film.
2 more elements
A method for producing film products, the method comprising:
- dynamically coordinating, with a processor, movement of a film processing module relative to a moving web of film;
- determining, with the processor, an offset of the film processing module relative to a demarcation on the web of film based on information from a module sensor mounted in the film processing module;
- instructing,
- instructing, with the processor, the film processing module to independently perform a function on the web of film;
- and
- controlling, with the processor, an air controller of the film processing module to draw a vacuum to retain a film product formed from the web of film.
3 more elements
A film processing module, comprising:
- a carriage assembly moveable along a supporting rail;
- a linear actuator engaged with the carriage assembly;
- a base engaged with the linear actuator;
- and
- an upper multi-functional assembly driveably engaged with the linear actuator to move relative to the base, the upper multi-functional assembly including:
- a support arm;
- a clamping plate suspended from the support arm to selectively clamp a portion of a film against the base;
- and
- a cutting mechanism to cut and seal the portion of the film.
6 more elements
A method for producing sealed film products, comprising:
- moving, with a processor, an upper multi-functional assembly of a film processing module to a ready position relative to a base of the film processing module;
- moving, with the processor, the film processing module to an aligned location on an oblong supporting rail such that a portion of a film running parallel to the oblong supporting rail is between the upper multi-functional assembly and the base;
- moving, with the processor, the upper multi-functional assembly toward the base to a clamping position to clamp the film;
- energizing, with the processor, a cutting mechanism of the upper multi-functional assembly to heat the cutting mechanism;
- moving, with the processor, the upper multi-functional assembly toward the base to a cutting position to cut the film;
- moving, with the processor, the upper multi-functional assembly away from the base to an open position;
- and
- moving, with the processor, the film processing module to a transfer location on the oblong supporting rail such that a conveyor is between the upper multi-functional assembly and the base,
- wherein the processor and the film processing module are in wireless communication with one another.
6 more elements
A system, comprising:
- an oblong supporting rail;
- a power source and a controller in electrical communication with the supporting rail;
- and
- a film processing module moveably engaged with the supporting rail, the film processing module including:
- a base;
- an upper multi-functional assembly including a clamping plate and a cutting mechanism in electrical communication with the power source and the controller to cut and seal film;
- and
- a linear actuator fixed to the base and driveably engaged to the upper multi-functional assembly to move the upper multi-functional assembly along a guide rail relative to the base.
5 more elements
A film processing module, comprising:
- a carriage assembly configured to move along a supporting rail;
- a linear actuator engaged with the carriage assembly;
- and
- an upper multi-functional assembly engaged with and cantilevered relative to the linear actuator to perform a function on a film adjacent to the supporting rail,
- wherein one or more of the carriage assembly, the linear actuator, and the upper multi-functional assembly are electrically powered by a bus disposed concentrically to the supporting rail.
2 more elements
A film processing module, comprising:
- a carriage assembly configured to move along a supporting rail;
- a linear actuator engaged with the carriage assembly;
- an upper multi-functional assembly engaged with and cantilevered relative to the linear actuator to perform a function on a film adjacent to the supporting rail;
- a module sensor to detect a demarcation of the film;
- and
- a battery, one or more of the carriage assembly, the linear actuator, and the upper multi-functional assembly electrically powered by the battery.
3 more elements
A film processing module, comprising:
- a carriage assembly configured to move along a supporting rail;
- a linear actuator engaged with the carriage assembly;
- an upper multi-functional assembly engaged with and cantilevered relative to the linear actuator to perform a function on a film adjacent to the supporting rail;
- a module sensor to detect a demarcation of the film;
- and
- a transceiver to receive wireless instructions from a remote controller.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.