Apparatus and method for the production of flexible products
AssigneeThe Dow Chemical Company
InventorsDavid A. Smith, Herbert B. Geiger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for making individual flexible web products whereby a web material is tucked outwardly from the surface of a product drum by fixed projections, severed and sealed, and provided to one or more transfer points. The products are there transferred to open or more transfer drums with corresponding indentations, which deliver the products to packing devices. An alternative embodiment provides multiple delivery points by using lateral-shifting transfer drums. The apparatus and method provides a simple means to vary and control flexible product width without introducing a multiplicity of moving parts, and discloses means to enhance separation of individual products during transfer while increasing overall production rates.
Claims15
An apparatus for the continuous production of individual flexible products from a folded web of material comprising:
- a source of a continuous folded web of material;
- a rotatable product drum having a plurality of sever and seal stations located about the outer periphery thereof for forming individual bags, each of said sever and seal stations having associated therewith means for severing and sealing said folded web of material;
- means for continuously feeding said folded web of material onto the surface of said drum;
- and
- means positioned between adjacent sever and seal stations for tucking said web of material outwardly from the periphery of said drum, said means comprising a series of projections attached to the surface of and extending above the surface of said drum, said projections including means for expansion and contraction comprising a flexible diaphragm communicating with a source of positive air pressure and engaging said web of material, to provide tension relief in said web.
An apparatus for the continuous production of individual flexible products from a folded web of material comprising:
- a rotatable product drum having a plurality of sever and seal stations located about the outer periphery thereof for forming individual bags;
- a source of a continuous folded web of material;
- means for continuously feeding said folded web of material onto the surface of said drum;
- means positioned between adjacent sever and seal stations for tucking said web of material outwardly from the periphery of said drum, said means comprising a series of fixed projections extending above the surface of said drum;
- means for transferring individual flexible products from said product drum to a delivery point,
- said transfer means including a vacuum transfer drum, means for rotating said vacuum transfer drum, and a vacuum source including first and second manifolds,
- said vacuum transfer drum adapted to accept said products from said product drum, and including vacuum ports in communication with said first manifold for securing the leading edges of said products,
- said vacuum transfer drum further having a corresponding series of indentations on the surface thereof, said indentations mating with said projections as said product and transfer drums rotate, and
- said indentations including vacuum ports communicating with said second vacuum manifold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.