Heat sealer for stretch wrapping apparatus
AssigneeLantech.com, LLC
InventorsPatrick R. Lancaster, III, David Eldridge, Steven Hack
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A heat sealing device for sealing layers of plastic film together is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the heat sealing device is incorporated into a stretch wrapping apparatus for wrapping a load. The heat sealing device includes a heater element, an air compressor or blower, and a sealing head in fluid communication with the heater element to distribute the heated air. The sealing head is preferably flexible and includes a plurality of convection ports configured to apply heated air to a portion of the packaging material without being completely covered by the packaging material. At least one insulated film contact portion is provided to distance the convection ports from the plastic film.
Claims27
A method of wrapping a load with plastic film, comprising:
- placing a load on a load wrapping surface;
- providing relative rotation between the load and a plastic film dispenser to wrap plastic film around the load;
- pressing a portion of a top layer of the plastic film into a layer of plastic film below the top layer with at least a portion of a sealing head;
- and
- applying a stream of heated air to the portion of the top layer of the plastic film from a plurality of convection ports to seal the portion of the plastic film to the layer of plastic film below it, wherein the convection ports are not completely covered by the portion of the plastic film.
A method of wrapping a load with plastic film, comprising:
- placing a load on a load wrapping surface;
- providing relative rotation between the load and a plastic film dispenser to wrap plastic film around the load;
- pressing a portion of a top layer of the plastic film into a layer of plastic film below the top layer with at least a portion of a sealing head;
- and
- applying a stream of heated air to the portion of the top layer of the plastic film from a plurality of convection ports to seal the portion of the plastic film to the layer of plastic film below it while maintaining the convection ports a set distance from the portion of top layer of plastic film.
A method of wrapping a load with plastic film, comprising:
- placing a load on a load wrapping surface;
- providing relative rotation between the load and a plastic film dispenser to wrap plastic film around a top of the load and a bottom of the load wrapping surface;
- extending a top portion of a clamp assembly from below the load wrapping surface;
- overwrapping the top portion of the clamp assembly with a top layer of plastic film;
- pressing a portion of the top layer of the plastic film into a layer of plastic film below the top layer with at least a portion of a sealing head;
- and
- applying a stream of heated air to the portion of the top layer of the plastic film from a plurality of convection ports of the sealing head to seal the portion of the plastic film to the layer of plastic film below it.
A method of rotary stretch wrapping of a load with plastic stretch wrap film, comprising:
- placing a load on a load wrapping surface;
- providing relative rotation between the load and a plastic stretch wrap film dispenser to wrap plastic stretch wrap film around the load;
- pressing a portion of a top layer of the plastic stretch wrap film into a layer of plastic stretch wrap film below the top layer with at least a portion of a sealing head;
- and
- applying a stream of heated air to the portion of the top layer of the plastic stretch wrap film from a plurality of convection ports of the sealing head to seal the portion of the plastic stretch wrap film to the layer of plastic stretch wrap film below it, wherein the convection ports are not completely covered by the portion of the plastic stretch wrap film.
A method of rotary stretch wrapping of a load with plastic stretch wrap film, comprising:
- placing a load on a load wrapping surface;
- providing relative rotation between the load and a plastic stretch wrap film dispenser to wrap plastic stretch wrap film around the load;
- pressing a portion of a top layer of the plastic stretch wrap film into a layer of plastic stretch wrap film below the top layer with at least a portion of a sealing head;
- and
- applying a stream of heated air to the portion of the top layer of the plastic stretch wrap film from a plurality of convection ports of the sealing head to seal the portion of the plastic stretch wrap film to the layer of plastic stretch wrap film below it while maintaining the convection ports a set distance from the portion of top layer of plastic stretch wrap film.
A method of rotary stretch wrapping of a load with plastic stretch wrap film, comprising:
- placing a load on a load wrapping surface;
- providing relative rotation between the load and a plastic stretch wrap film dispenser to wrap plastic stretch wrap film around a top of the load and a bottom of the load wrapping surface;
- extending a top portion of a clamp assembly from below the load wrapping surface;
- overwrapping the top portion of the clamp assembly with a top layer of plastic stretch wrap film;
- pressing a portion of the top layer of the plastic stretch wrap film into a layer of plastic stretch wrap film below the top layer with at least a portion of a sealing head;
- and
- applying a stream of heated air to the portion of the top layer of the plastic stretch wrap film from a plurality of convection ports of the sealing head to seal the portion of the plastic stretch wrap film to the layer of plastic stretch wrap film below it.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.