Retractable web separator

An apparatus for manufacturing an article formed from multiple webs with a seal formed between the webs, the apparatus comprising:

• a guide for guiding the webs and for spacing the webs;
• a conveyor for conveying the webs along a predetermined path of travel to a sealing station;
• a sealer for sealing the webs together to form a seal at the sealing station;
• a retractable web separator for temporary insertion between the spaced webs to provide a gap between the webs adjacent the sealing station;
• means for transporting the retractable web separator in the direction of web travel and for travel to a location adjacent the sealer station;
• means for inserting the retractable web separator between the spaced webs to provide the gap between the webs for performance of an operation in the gap between the webs and for withdrawing the retractable web separator from the gap between the webs at a location adjacent the sealer;
• and
• means for inserting a member into the gap between the webs and adjacent the retractable separator.

Apparatus for manufacturing an article formed from multiple webs comprising:

• means for supplying multiple webs having elongated edges;
• gripping means disposed on opposite lateral sides of the webs for gripping the longitudinal edges of the webs;
• a conveyor for carrying a series of gripping means in an endless path and for conveying the webs gripped by the gripping means;
• means for inserting a retractable web separator between the edges of the webs for providing a predetermined gap between said edges and for retracting the web separator from between the plastic webs;
• means for inserting a member into the gap between the webs adjacent a sealer station;
• and
• a sealer at the sealer station for forming an article seal between the webs and adjacent the member.

An apparatus for forming bags with ports from a pair of plastic webs, said apparatus comprising:

• a guide for guiding the pair of webs face to face into a sealing station;
• a sealer at the sealing station to fuse the webs to form seals between the webs to form bags;
• an inserter for insertion of at least a port into position between the webs to be sealed by the sealer to the webs and to the package being formed;
• a retractable web separator for separating the webs by a sufficient gap and for a sufficient period of time for the port to be inserted between the webs;
• a conveyor for transporting the webs;
• opposed gripping means on the conveyor for insertion between opposite longitudinal edges of the webs for gripping the webs and moving them forwardly;
• and
• a cutter for cutting the bags to form individual discrete bags to be transferred to a discharge station.

A method of manufacturing a product formed from multiple webs comprising:

• feeding the webs into facing relationship with one another;
• inserting a retractable separator between said webs to space the webs apart for making the product;
• gripping said webs with a carrier to move the product being formed forward;
• performing an operation in the space between the webs;
• retracting the web separator from between webs;
• forming a product from the webs;
• discharging the product;
• and
• disconnecting the carrier from the webs.

A method of manufacturing a package formed from multiple webs comprising:

• feeding the webs into facing relationship with one another;
• providing a retractable web separator to separate the webs and a gripping device to grip said webs;
• inserting a port between said separated webs;
• retracting the web separator;
• sealing the webs together to form a package seal;
• moving the webs and the gripping device along a predetermined path;
• cutting the sealed webs to form a package having a seal around a substantial portion of its perimeter and having a port;
• and
• disconnecting the gripping device from the webs.

A method of manufacturing an article formed from two webs comprising:

• feeding the webs into a facing relationship with one another;
• inserting a retractable separator between said webs to provide a predetermined distance between said webs;
• inserting a member in between the facing surfaces of said webs;
• retracting said separator;
• sealing said webs together;
• and
• cutting an article from said webs in the vicinity of said seal.