Abstract: A vertical form, fill and seal machine for making a reclosable package with a reclosable fastener includes a reclosable fastener handling assembly, a forming tube, a vertical seal assembly and a sealing jaw assembly. The seal assembly includes a rotary ultrasonic sealing assembly having a rotary horn and at least one rotary anvil.

Abstract: A form, fill and seal machine includes a support frame having an L-shaped track with first and second track portions. A sealing jaw assembly includes first and second guides moveable along the track from a first position, wherein the first and second guides are positioned in the first track portion, to a second position, wherein the first and second guides are positioned in the second track portion. The sealing jaw assembly is rotated 90 degrees as the first and second guides are moved from the first position to the second position. A method of converting a form, fill and seal machine from a first configuration to a second configuration is also provided.

Abstract: A vertical form, fill and seal machine for making a reclosable package with a reclosable fastener includes a reclosable fastener handling assembly, a forming tube, a vertical seal assembly and a sealing jaw assembly. The seal assembly includes a rotary ultrasonic sealing assembly having a rotary horn and at least one rotary anvil.

Abstract: A form, fill and seal machine for making a reclosable package with a reclosable fastener includes a reclosable fastener handling assembly, a forming tube, a vertical seal assembly and a sealing jaw assembly. The handling assembly includes a flattening device, a reclosable fastener feed device and a slack sensor. A form, fill and seal machine alternatively includes a forming tube, a vertical seal assembly disposed adjacent the forming tube, wherein the vertical seal assembly is configured to continuously seal the film tube, and a tear notch applicator positioned downstream of the vertical seal assembly and configured to apply a slit to the continuously moving film tube. The tear notch applicator is positionally fixed in the machine direction. Methods for continuously forming a reclosable package are also provided.

Abstract: A form, fill and seal machine includes a support frame having an L-shaped track with first and second track portions. A sealing jaw assembly includes first and second guides moveable along the track from a first position, wherein the first and second guides are positioned in the first track portion, to a second position, wherein the first and second guides are positioned in the second track portion. The sealing jaw assembly is rotated 90 degrees as the first and second guides are moved from the first position to the second position. A method of converting a form, fill and seal machine from a first configuration to a second configuration is also provided.

Abstract: A form-fill-seal machine, for converting a continuous sheet of sealable film into bags, filling and then sealing the bags, in which the vertical forming tube is fabricated from a rectangular sheet of stainless steel material by making a plurality of equal angle and equal spaced bends in the stainless steel material and joining the ends together with a butt weld such that the vertical forming tube has a regular polygon cross section

Abstract: A weighing system for making up two discrete quantities of solid product, each having a preferred product weight, from a plurality of product holding chambers, without refilling such product holding chambers. Each weighing scale is efficiently used in every machine cycle. Source product is divided into a plurality of smaller quantities which are a fraction of the target weight. Each of the fractional weight quantities becomes part of a set for which all possible double discharge fractional weight combinations are determined. The first combination capable of providing two acceptable discharges of the target weight, or the preferred weight closest to the target weight, is selected. Thus, two packages are efficiently delivered for each scale cycle. Efficiency of scale usage is assured by ordered selection of the holding chambers from which the discharges are made.

Abstract: A weighing machine is disclosed that accepts product from a source, segregates it into discrete quantities, and combines a number of the discrete quantities into a group that closely approximates a target weight. The machine includes a feeder means that selectively transports product from the source. Accumulator means receive product from the feeder means and discharge discrete quantities of product therefrom. Weighing means accept product from the accumulating means and determine the weights thereof. Divertor means receive product from the weight sensing means and direct it in one of a plurality of directions. Holding means receive product from the divertor means and retain the product until it is selectively discharged. Collecting means receives product from the holding means, consolidates it, and directs it to another location.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the weight of product charges fed to a receptacle, such as a weigh bucket associated, for example, with a packaging machine, in order to minimize product giveaway, is disclosed, wherein there is but a single receptacle to which the product is fed, and the product is check-weighed one or more times before being discharged from the receptacle. Flow of product to the receptacle is stopped when a predetermined feed cut-off weight is sensed by weighing means, and the product is then checkweighed. If the weight being sensed is less than the minimum package weight allowed or desired, one or more additional charges of product may be fed to the receptacle, and when the desired weight is reached, which may be equal to or above the minimum package weight, product is discharged. The additional charges of product fed to the receptacle after a checkweighing operation may comprise either a pulsed feed or a continuous feed until minimum package weight is reached.

Abstract: A control system for a cyclically operating machine is disclosed wherein one or more operations are to be performed during each successive machine cycle. Signal generating means or a voltage generating means proportional to machine speed establish a sequence of signals or a voltage during each machine cycle, for producing a charge. An initial charge level or voltage is established, which can have a value of either a zero voltage or some other predetermined voltage at the beginning of each cycle. The voltage is changed as the signals are received or voltage is generated until a second predetermined voltage is reached, which can be either higher or lower than the initial voltage, at which time a control signal is emitted which may perform an operation associated therewith, such as by starting or stopping a machine motion.