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US 6,308,493 B1Granted
Film wrapping machine control system and method
OwnerDaniel P. Mack, Donald R. Diekmaninventors
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OwnerDaniel P. Mack, Donald R. Diekmaninventors
Estimating the term…
A control system and control method for use in a machine for wrapping an article in plastic film are disclosed, the machine including a sealing head and a corresponding anvil movable by a pneumatic cylinder from an initial separated position to a contact position. The cylinder has an air exhaust outlet for exhausting air from the cylinder during operation of the cylinder from its initial state to an actuated state. A selectively actuatable valve disposed in the outlet selectively directs exhausting air through a first path of relatively low airflow resistance and a second path of relatively high airflow resistance. The valve directs exhaust air flow from the first path into the second path during operation of the cylinder and just prior to the cylinder being placed in the actuated state to cushion contact between the head and anvil.
In a machine for wrapping an article in plastic film, including a sealing station having a sealing head and a corresponding anvil, and means for moving said head and anvil from an initial separated position to a contact position and back to said initial position, said moving means including a pneumatic cylinder having an initial state in which said head and anvil are in said initial position and an actuated state in which said head and anvil are in said contact position, said cylinder having an air exhaust outlet line for exhausting air from said cylinder during operation of said cylinder from said initial state to said actuated state, the improvement comprising:
A method for controlling a machine for wrapping an article in plastic film, the machine including a sealing station having a sealing head and a corresponding anvil, and means for moving said head and anvil from an initial separated position to a contact position and back to said initial position, said moving means including a pneumatic cylinder having an initial state in which said head and anvil are in said initial position and an actuated state in which said head and anvil are in said contact position, said cylinder having an air exhaust outlet line for exhausting air from said cylinder during operation of said cylinder from said initial state to said actuated state, and a selectively actuatable valve disposed in said outlet line for selectively directing exhausting air through a first path including relatively low airflow resistance and a second path including relatively high airflow resistance, the method comprising the steps of:
A method for controlling a machine for wrapping an article in plastic film, the machine including a sealing station having a sealing head and a corresponding anvil, and means for moving said head and anvil from an initial separated position to a contact position and back to said initial position, said moving means including a pneumatic cylinder having an initial state in which said head and anvil are in said initial position and an actuated state in which said head and anvil are in said contact position, said cylinder having an air exhaust outlet line for exhausting air from said cylinder during operation of said cylinder from said initial state to said actuated state, and a selectively actuatable valve disposed in said outlet line for selectively directing exhausting air through a first path including relatively low airflow resistance and a second path including relatively high airflow resistance, the method comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.