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US 6,550,229 B2Granted
Device for sealing two plies of film together, particularly for enclosing a foamable composition in a flexible container
AssigneeSealed Air Corporation (US)
InventorsCharles R. Sperry, Suzanne Scott
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device for sealing two plies of plastic film together generally includes an electrically conductive heating element and a rotatable support cylinder having an outer, circumferential surface, the cylinder being positioned in abutting relationship with the heating element and capable of rotating against the heating element, which is in fixed position, along a predetermined contact arc such that less than a complete circumference of the outer surface of the cylinder is in contact with the heating element.
Claims24
A device for sealing two plies of plastic film together, comprising:
- a. an electrically conductive heating element having
- (1) a first end secured to a first node,
- (2) a second end secured to a second node,
- (3) a first portion, and
- (4) a second portion, wherein said first portion has a higher degree of electrical resistance relative to said second portion, said first portion being formed of a different material or having a different diameter than said second portion;
- and
- b. a rotatable support cylinder having an outer, circumferential surface, said cylinder being positioned in abutting relationship with said heating element and capable of rotating against said heating element along a predetermined contact arc such that less than a complete circumference of said outer surface of said cylinder is in contact with said heating element,
- whereby, two plies of juxtaposed plastic film may be sealed together by bringing the juxtaposed film plies into contact with said heating element along said contact arc and causing sufficient current to flow through said heating element that said heating element heats to a sealing temperature that causes the juxtaposed film plies to seal together.
5 more elements
An apparatus for dispensing fluid into flexible containers and enclosing the fluid within the containers, comprising:
- a. a mechanism that conveys a web of film along a predetermined path of travel, said film web comprising two juxtaposed plies of plastic film that define a partially-formed flexible container;
- b. a dispenser through which fluid may flow in predetermined amounts, said dispenser positioned adjacent the travel path of the film web such that said dispenser can dispense the fluid into the partially-formed flexible container;
- and
- c. a device for sealing the plies of plastic film together so that the partially-formed container can be completed to thereby enclose the fluid therein, said sealing device comprising
- (1) an electrically conductive heating element having
- (a) a first end secured to a first node,
- (b) a second end secured to a second node,
- (c) a first portion, and
- (d) a second portion, wherein said first portion has a higher degree of electrical resistance relative to said second portion, said first portion being formed of a different material or having a different diameter than said second portion, and
- (2) a rotatable support cylinder having an outer, circumferential surface, said cylinder being positioned in abutting relationship with said heating element and capable of rotating against said heating element along a predetermined contact arc such that less than a complete circumference of said outer surface of said cylinder is in contact with said heating element, said contact arc being positioned in the travel path of the film web,
- whereby, the two plies of juxtaposed plastic film are sealed together when the conveying mechanism brings the film web into moving contact with said heating element along said contact arc and sufficient current is caused to flow through said heating element that said heating element heats to a sealing temperature that causes the juxtaposed film plies to seal together.
8 more elements
A system for dispensing fluid into flexible containers and enclosing the fluid within the containers, comprising;
- a. web of film comprising two juxtaposed plies of plastic film that define a partially-formed flexible container;
- b. a mechanism that conveys said film web along a predetermined path of travel;
- c. a fluid source containing therein a fluid;
- d. a dispenser through which fluid may flow in predetermined amounts, said dispenser being in fluid communication with said fluid source and positioned adjacent the travel path of said film web such that said dispenser can dispense said fluid into said container;
- and
- e. a device for sealing the plies of plastic film together to enclose said fluid within said container, said sealing device comprising
- (1) an electrically conductive heating element having
- (a) a first end secured to a first node,
- (b) a second end secured to a second node,
- (c) a first portion, and
- (d) a second portion, wherein said first portion has a higher degree of electrical resistance relative to said second portion, said first portion being formed of a different material or having a different diameter than said second portion, and
- (2) a rotatable support cylinder having an outer, circumferential surface, said cylinder being positioned in abutting relationship with said heating element and capable of rotating against said heating element along a predetermined contact arc such that less than a complete circumference of said outer surface of said cylinder is in contact with said heating element, said contact arc being positioned in the travel path of the film web,
- whereby, the two plies of juxtaposed plastic film are scaled together when the conveying mechanism brings the film web into moving contact with said heating element along said contact arc and sufficient current is caused to flow through said heating element that said heating element heats to a sealing temperature that causes the juxtaposed film plies to seal together.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.