Abstract: A system for heat sealing two or more components together into at least one sealed package is disclosed. The system includes a heat press configured to heat seal the two or more components together into the at least one sealed package, a seal fixture including an upper seal fixture plate configured to support the two or more components, and an ejector plate under the upper seal fixture plate. The ejector plate is configured to move between a retracted position and a deployed position to at least partially raise the at least one sealed package off of the upper seal fixture plate.

Abstract: A shrink wrap machine has a shrink wrap tunnel with an entrance and an exit. A conveyor transports products to be shrink wrapped from the entrance through the tunnel to the exit. A source of gas is coupled to the inside of the tunnel and bathes the products. A heater controls the gas temperature in the tunnel. A pump controls the gas volume and/or velocity in the tunnel. An input device receives product identification information. A memory stores different process parameters, namely gas volumes, gas velocities, conveyor speeds, and/or temperatures applicable to the product identification information. A computer selectively retrieves process parameters from a memory responsive to the input device and sets the pump, the heater, and/or the conveyor to match the retrieved process parameters. The computer and memory are preferably a programmable logic controller (PLC). A machine readable product code such as UPC is as the product identifier and a code reader as the input device.

Abstract: An automatic high speed packaging machine for wrapping packages in polymer film is disclosed wherein the film seal at the sides and ends of the packages is made at a high rate of speed as the packages travel through the machine. The packages travel continuously in a straight line through the machine. The packages are delivered at the input end of the machine by an in-feed conveyor into a film inverting head where the packages are surrounded by longitudinally half-folded polymer film. Thereafter, the packages are transported to a side sealing mechanism which forms a longitudinal seal in the film on the side opposite the fold. Finally, the packages are transported to a traveling end seal mechanism where a lateral seal is formed at each end of the package and the film web connecting succeeding packages is severed. The machine produces packages which have a sealed film wrap around the entire package.

Abstract: A machine for packaging newspapers comprises a conveyor which transports a newspaper through an entrance into the machine. The newspaper imparts a tension on both a top sheet, deployed from a first roll, and a bottom sheet, deployed from a second roll. A top and bottom dance bar communicates with the top and bottom sheet, respectively. In response to the tension, each dance bar simultaneously releases a brake and activates an electric motor, causing the first and second rolls to rotate and feed out the top and bottom sheet, respectively. The top and bottom sheet is guided over the top and bottom surface of the newspaper by a pair of first and second edge guides, respectively, for preventing lateral movement of the top and bottom sheets. A cutting and sealing mechanism comprising a front sealing bar is placed into contact with the top and bottom sheets near the rear edge of the newspaper for simultaneously sealing together and cutting the top and bottom sheets.