# US 8,998,787 B2 · Method and apparatus for a bag machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,998,787 B2 - Document ID: US8998787B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/336,328 - Filed: 2008-12-16 - Published: 2009-05-21 - Granted: 2015-04-07 - Earliest claimed: 2006-02-02 - Assignees: CMD Corporation - Applicants: Paul A. Selle; Gordon M. Breier; David G. Kuchenbecker; Gregory T. Prellwitz - Inventors: Paul A. Selle; Gordon M. Breier; David G. Kuchenbecker; Gregory T. Prellwitz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8998787B2 ## CPC - B31B 70/649: {using tools mounted on a drum} - B31B 70/00: Making flexible containers, e.g. envelopes or bags - B31B 70/006: {Controlling; Regulating; Measuring; Safety measures} - B31B 70/14: Cutting, e.g. perforating, punching, slitting or trimming (cutting window openings B31B70/83) - B31B 70/8134: {Applying strings; Making string-closed bags} - B31B 2155/00: Flexible containers made from webs - B31B 2160/10: rectangular and flat, i.e. without structural provision for thickness of contents - B31B: MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER (making wound articles, e.g. wound tubes, B31C; combined making and filling B65B) ## Abstract A bag machine, and method of making bags, has a sealing station a perforating station, and a downstream seal and perforation inspection station, or a perforation detection station and/or a seal inspection station is disclosed. Control of the perforating and sealing stations is preferably closed loop. The seal and perforation inspection station preferably includes a perforation detector that triggers a vision system and/or a camera, and the film is illuminated. Preferably, the inspection station is enclosed in an opaque housing, or the ambient light is otherwise blocked. The seal and perforation inspection station preferably provides an image output a display visible to a user. The vision system preferably includes a perforation location module and/or determines the distance between the seal and perforation. A downstream processing station can be provided, and can have a detected fault input, connected to a fault detect output from the seal and perforation inspection station. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for making bags, comprising: imparting at least one seal to a film; thereafter imparting at least one perforation to the film, thereby creating a bag; thereafter monitoring the distance between the at least one imparted seal and the at least one imparted perforation; automatically adjusting a skirt length for at least some subsequent bags in response to the monitoring; and repeating the method to form a plurality of bags. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein imparting at least one seal includes rotating a sealing drum that is in contact with the film. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein monitoring includes detecting the imparted perforation and obtaining an image of the film as it passes a location in response to detecting, and illuminating the film at least in the location. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 further comprising blocking ambient light from the location. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, further comprising displaying the image on a user-viewable display. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring includes determining a relative distance between the at least one imparted perforation and the at least one imparted seal, relative to the distance between seals. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising adjusting a skirt length for at least some subsequent bags in response to the monitoring in the event the relative distance is outside of a desired range. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the at least one seal is two seals, and the desired range is seventy percent of the distance between the two seals, centered between the two seals. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6 further comprising providing a reject signal for at least one bag in response to the monitoring in the event the relative distance is outside of a second desired range. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one seal is two seals, and the seals desired range is ninety percent of the distance between the two seals, centered between the two seals. ### Claim 11 A bag machine for making bags, comprising: means for imparting at least one seal to a film; means for thereafter imparting at least one perforation to the film, thereby creating a bag; and means for thereafter monitoring the distance between the at least one imparted seal and the at least one imparted perforation. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The bag machine of claim 11, further comprising means for adjusting a skirt length for at least some subsequent bags in response to the monitoring. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The bag machine of claim 12, wherein the means for imparting at least one seal includes a sealing drum that is in contact with the film. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The bag machine of claim 13, wherein the means for monitoring includes means for detecting the imparted perforation and means for obtaining an image of the film as it passes a location in response to the means for detecting, and means for illuminating the film at least in the location. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The bag machine of claim 14, further comprising means for blocking ambient light from the location. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The bag machine of claim 15, further comprising means for displaying an image of the film on a user viewable display. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The bag machine of claim 14, wherein the means for monitoring includes means for determining a relative distance between the at least one imparted perforation and the at least one imparted seal. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The bag machine of claim 17, further comprising means for providing a reject signal for at least one bag in response to the means for determining.