Heat-sealing apparatus for wrapping articles
AssigneeBarry-Wehmiller Company
InventorsMark Davidson, Joshua Riddle, Adrianus Claessens
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a heat-sealing apparatus of a flow wrapper machine which facilitates efficient, reliable and versatile operation. Notably, the apparatus includes multiple ring gears driven by multiple servo motors in a desirably compact configuration, with the arrangement including quickly removable heat-sealing die heads for efficient operation and service. The improved drive mechanism facilitates more accurate heat-sealing head placement, smoother operation, controlled stops, independent temperature control, and continuous running through die jams. Also included is a four-bar link on the heat-sealing head for opening and closing the heat-sealing dies.
Claims5
A heat-sealing apparatus for handling a plurality of articles carried on a heat-sealable web, comprising:
- a plurality of ring gear members arranged in parallel relationship with each other for rotation about a central axis;
- a plurality of heat-sealing assemblies each mounted on the periphery of a respective one of said ring gear members for rotation therewith, each of said heat-sealing assemblies being movable between opened and closed positions for effecting heat-sealing of said web between adjacent ones of said articles carried by said heat-sealable web;
- a plurality of drive spindles positioned within said plurality of ring gear members for guiding rotational movement of said ring gear members, each of said drive spindles being operatively connected to a respective one of said ring gear members so that said drive spindles drive said ring gear members about said central axis;
- and
- a plurality of drive motors respectively connected to said drive spindles, so that operation of said drive motors drives said drive spindles and said ring gear member to advance said heat-sealing assemblies about said central axis to draw said heat-sealable web and said articles through said apparatus;
- whereby selective operation of said drive motors positions said heat-sealing assemblies at predetermined intervals whereupon the heat-sealing assemblies can be operated to heat-seal said web to thereby effect heat-sealing of the articles carried on said web.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.