# US 5,705,026 A · Modular sealing machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,705,026 A - Document ID: US5705026A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/419,997 - Filed: 1995-04-10 - Granted: 1998-01-06 - Earliest claimed: 1995-04-10 - Inventors: Melvin R. Latter - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5705026A ## CPC - B29C 66/8244: {magnetically driven} - B29C 65/18: using heated tools - B29C 65/222: {comprising at least a single heated wire} - B29C 66/1122: {Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints (B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence)} - B29C 66/244: {said joint lines being non-straight, e.g. forming non-closed contours} - B29C 66/43: {Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles (B29C66/45 takes precedence)} - B29C 66/73921: {characterised by the materials of both parts being thermoplastics} - B29C 66/8167: {Quick change joining tools or surfaces} - B29C 66/82: {Pressure application arrangements, e.g. transmission or actuating mechanisms for joining tools or clamps} - B29C 66/8221: {Scissor or lever mechanisms, i.e. involving a pivot point} - B29C 66/8242: {Pneumatic or hydraulic drives (using fluid pressure directly acting on the parts to be joined B29C66/8266)} - B29C 66/8324: {Joining or pressing tools pivoting around one axis (scissor or lever transmission mechanisms B29C66/8221; tools self-aligning to the joining plane B29C66/8163)} - B29C 66/849: {Packaging machines} - B29C 66/876: {Maintenance or cleaning} - B65B 51/148: {Hand-operated members} - B65B 59/04: Machines constructed with readily-detachable units or assemblies, e.g. to facilitate maintenance - B29C 66/8227: {using springs} - B29C 66/934: {by controlling or regulating the speed} - B29C 66/94: {by measuring or controlling the time} - Y10T 156/1313: Cutting element simultaneously bonds [e.g., cut seaming] - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract This invention is a modular sealing machine. It is comprised of a base unit to which parts may be modularly added to customize the machine. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A modular sealing system for sealing plastic wrap around an item, the system comprising: a base unit; electrical components in the base unit for controlling and powering the system: a first electrically powered modular hot sealing frame for sealing a first layer of plastic wrap and a second layer of plastic together, the first hot sealing frame including a first elongated heated portion extending in a first direction and a second elongated heated portion extending in a second direction different from the first direction wherein the first and second elongated heated portions contact only the first layer of plastic wrap so that the first layer of plastic wrap melts to the second layer of plastic wrap, the hot sealing frame being detachably mountable to the base unit and detachably electrically connectable to the electrical components, wherein the first electrically powered modular hot sealing frame is interchangeable with a second electrically powered modular hot sealing frame including two elongated heated portions each extending in a direction different from the other for sealing plastic wrap together, the second electrically powered modular hot sealing frame being detachably mountable to the base unit and detachably electrically connectable to the electrical components, the second electrically powered modular hot sealing frame having a different configuration or functioning in a different manner from the first electrically powered modular hot sealing frame. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first modular hot sealing frame and the electrical components complete an electrical circuit and an electrical current from the electrical components is carried through a portion of the first modular hot sealing frame. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base unit is detachably connectable to and operable with a separably operable, electrically powered modular unit, the modular unit being detachably electrically connectable to the base unit, the modular unit Upgrading or downgrading the system without requiring a portion of the system to be removed or replaced. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the base unit is detachably connectable to and operable with a separably operable, electrically powered modular unit, the modular unit being detachably electrically connectable to the base unit, the modular unit upgrading or downgrading the system without requiring a portion of the system to be removed or replaced. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base unit is detachably connectable to and operable with one or more of the following additional modular units that upgrade the system: an automatic plastic feeder; a manual plastic feeder; a pneumatic cylinder device to automatically raise and lower the hot sealing frame; a magnetic device to lock the hot sealing frame in place for a selected time; a conveyor device; and a scissor jack for raising or lowering the item being sealed in the plastic wrap. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the base unit is detachably connectable to and operable with one or more of the following additional modular units that upgrade the system: an automatic plastic feeder; a manual plastic feeder; a pneumatic cylinder device to automatically raise and lower the hot sealing frame; a magnetic device to lock the hot sealing frame in place for a selected time; a conveyor device; and a scissor jack for raising or lowering the item being sealed in the plastic wrap. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A system as claimed in claim 1, the system further comprising a modular unit detachably mountable to the base unit, the modular unit being selected from the group consisting of a manual modular unit and an automatic, electrically powered modular unit, the automatic modular unit being detachably electrically connectable to the electrical components, the manual modular unit and the automatic modular unit being interchangeable with each other. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) A system as claimed in claim 2, the system further comprising a modular unit detachably mountable to the base unit, the modular unit being selected from the group consisting of a manual modular unit and an automatic, electrically powered modular unit, the automatic modular unit being detachably electrically connectable to the electrical components, the manual modular unit and the automatic modular unit being interchangeable with each other. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) A system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the modular unit is a plastic feeder for feeding the plastic wrap. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the modular unit is a plastic feeder for feeding the plastic wrap. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) A system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the modular unit is a scissor jack for raising or lowering the item being sealed in the plastic wrap. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the modular unit is a scissor jack for raising or lowering the item being sealed in the plastic wrap. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system is a modular L-sealing system. ### Claim 14 (depends on 2) A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the system is a modular L-sealing system. ### Claim 15 (depends on 5) A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the system is a modular L-sealing system. ### Claim 16 (depends on 5) A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the modular units are separably operable. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system further comprising a conveyor detachably connectable to the system, the conveyor being operable with the system when attached thereto or operable independently of the system when disconnected therefrom. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system further comprising a pneumatic cylinder device to automatically raise and lower hot sealing frame, the pneumatic cylinder device being detachably connectable to the system, the pneumatic cylinder device being operable with the system when attached thereto or operable independently of the system when disconnected therefrom. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) A system as claimed in claim 1, the system further comprising a magnetic device to lock the hot sealing frame in place for a selected time, the magnetic device being detachably connectable to the system, the magnetic device being operable with the system when attached thereto or operable independently of the system when disconnected therefrom. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A system as claimed in claim 1, the system further comprising an automatic feed mechanism detachably connectable to the system for automatically operating the hot sealing frame. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrical components are a separate unit detachably placeable within the base unit to power modular units connectable to the system and to coordinate the operation of the modular units. ### Claim 22 (depends on 2) A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the electrical components are a separate unit detachably placeable within the base unit to power modular units attachable to the system and to coordinate the operation of the modular units. ### Claim 23 (depends on 3) A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the electrical components are a separate unit detachably placeable within the base unit to power modular units attachable to the system and to coordinate the operation of the modular units. ### Claim 24 (depends on 5) A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the electrical components are a separate unit detachably placeable within the base unit to power modular units attachable to the system and to coordinate the operation of the modular units.