Air extraction apparatus for continuous package making
OwnerFranc W. Rauscher, Daniel P. McEnteeinventors
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Abstract
The present invention relates to an improved air extraction apparatus for continuous package making. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved air extraction apparatus that continuously packages a continuous succession of objects in a continuous length of heat-sealable packaging film. The apparatus extracts air from the packaging film that has been folded in a manner so that margins along opposite longitudinal edges of the film form a seam with two overlapping flaps for heat sealing, wherein just ahead of a heat sealing station, the improved apparatus of the invention extracts air from between the film flaps.
Claims17
An improved air extraction apparatus for drawing air from an interior volume of a longitudinally extending, continuously moving tube of packaging material with a continuous succession of objects enclosed therein, the tube having an unsealed longitudinally extending seal from which project two unsealed overlapping flaps, the apparatus comprising:
- a pair of conveyor top surfaces for engaging and supporting the continuously moving tube, the pair of top surfaces being substantially coplanar and laterally spaced apart forming a longitudinally extending slot between the top surfaces;
- a pair of conveyor side surfaces each joined to and depending downward from one of the pair of top surfaces, the pair of side surfaces being substantially parallel and laterally spaced apart so that they mutually oppose each other and form a longitudinally extending slot between the side surfaces that is an extension of the slot between the top surfaces, the side surfaces directing the overlapping flaps of the packaging material longitudinally through the slot between the side surfaces as the packaging material is continuously moved over the conveyor top surfaces;
- means for subjecting the slot between the side surfaces to a vacuum pressure for drawing air out of the interior volume of the packaging material and through portions of the overlapping flaps directed through the slot as the packaging material is continuously moved over the conveyor top surfaces;
- means provided in the slot between the side surfaces at longitudinally spaced positions on opposite sides of the means for subjecting the slot to vacuum pressure for sealing across the slot between the side surfaces;
- the means for sealing across the slot between the side surfaces also engages against the overlapping flaps of packaging material at opposite longitudinal ends of the portions of the overlapping flaps directed through the slot;
- and
- the means for sealing across the slot engages against the overlapping flaps of packaging material for causing the overlapping flaps to press against each other.
An improved air extraction apparatus that continuously packages a series of objects in a continuous length of packaging material folded around the objects in a manner that produces a continuous seam with two projecting, overlapping flaps, the apparatus including a pair of driven rollers with opposed gripping surfaces that move the packaging material over the apparatus and seal the flaps together when gripping the flaps therebetween;
- the apparatus comprising:
- a block member having a conveyor surface thereon for supporting the packaging material as it moves over the apparatus, the block member having a longitudinal slot formed therein, the slot having a pair of opposed side surfaces extending downward from the conveyor surface to a bottom wall of the slot that extends laterally between the side surfaces, the block member and the slot being positioned relative to the driven rollers so that packaging material moved over the apparatus by the rollers moves over the conveyor surface and the overlapping flaps of the packaging material move longitudinally through the slot prior to being gripped between the driven rollers;
- means producing a vacuum pressure in the slot for drawing air out of the slot and out of the packaging material through the overlapping flaps as the overlapping flaps move longitudinally through the slot;
- and,
- means within the slot for sealing laterally across the slot and for pressing the overlapping flaps against each other as the flaps move longitudinally through the slot.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.