Abstract: A method and apparatus fueling vehicle with gaseous fuel includes storage vessels, dispensing sub-stations and a controller. The storage tanks or vessels can be at different pressures. The plurality of dispensing sub-stations each include a dispensing hose and a control valve. Each dispensing sub-station is in controllable fluid communication with the storage vessels so that fluid can flow from the storage vessels through the dispensing sub-station to a vehicle tank. A dispensing hose, and a control valve of the dispensing sub-stations are in the fluid flow paths. The controller receives feedback indicative of a filling parameter from the dispensing sub-stations, and provides control signals to the control valves of the first and second dispensing sub-station to implement one or more desired fill schemes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making bags with hem seals is disclosed. The machine includes an infeed section and a draw tape section. Bags are made from a film and a film path extends through the infeed section and through the draw tape section. The draw tape section includes a hem sealer that includes a stationary sealing plate on one side of the film path such that film path passes across the stationary plate. A sealing head is on the second side of the film path, opposite the first side, such that the film following the film path passes between the sealing head and the stationary plate. A sealing section may be included. The draw tape section may include driven infeed an outfeed nips.

Abstract: A pouch machine includes an infeed section, a sealing section, and an outfeed section. The infeed section provides a pouch or laminate to the sealing section, and the outfeed section receives the sealed pouch from the infeed section. The sealing section includes at least one sealer that has a sealing fixture disposed to move in a first direction toward and away from a sealing position. A linear actuator is mounted to provide a controlled motion in a second direction, that is not the first direction. A linkage is connected between the linear actuator and the sealing fixture. The linkage translates the controlled motion of the actuator into controlled motion of the sealer. The linkage preferably multiplies force when the sealer is in the sealing position, and multiplies distance/velocity when the sealer is retracted. The sealing fixture preferably includes a die backing member and a sealing die. The die backing member has at least one clip mounted on it.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming pouches and/or bags is disclosed. A seal and/or insert is crushed using a multiphase sealer or crusher.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making bags from a film that follows a film path through a bag machine includes an input section located on the film path, a sealing section located on the film path down stream of the input section, an output section located on the film path downstream of the sealing section, and a controller, connected to control the sealing section. The sealing section includes a sealer that includes a heater block and a manifold. There is an air flow path from the heater block to the manifold. Air is heated in the heater block in response to a control signal provided by the controller to the heater block. The heated air is provided through the air path to the manifold. A temperature sensor is disposed in at least one of the air path and the manifold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making pouches is disclosed. The pouches are made with at least one seal bar. The seal bar includes a base that is not removable and a removable sealing member that is held to the base using at least one easy release structure. A seal bar with a top member and a mating bottom member can also be included. The top member is above a film and the bottom member is below the film. A seal is formed on the film where the top member and bottom member mate. A linkage connects the top member and the bottom member such that when an adjustment of the position of one of the top member and the bottom member in a plane parallel to the film is made, a like adjustment a second plane parallel to the film is made to the other of the top member and the bottom member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming pouches and/or bags is disclosed. A seal and/or insert is crushed using a multiphase sealer or crusher.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making pouches is disclosed. It includes using one or more of the following features: using two servo motors to drive a platen, providing a calibration routine is run at start-up and/or after the machine has been operating; controlling in response to feed back from the servo motor(s) such as feedback indicative of the distance the platen travels; the feedback is not of force exerted by the platen; and/or the platen is controlled to prevent unacceptable fracturing of the film laminate.

Abstract: A machine and method for converting film into bags or other articles includes a web traveling from an input section to a rotary drum, to an output section. The rotary drum includes at least one seal bar with a sealing zone and a weakening zone, or it can include or at least one sealing die that extends in the machine direction. The single sealing zone or sealing die may be a heated perforator, and may include a heating wire. The heating wire may be an NiCr wire stitched into the heater, and be disposed on a cap or on the seal bar. The weakening zone may create a line of weakness that is uniform or varies in intensity. The sealing zone may include temperature zones, cartridge heaters, cooling air, or heated air, or a source of ultrasonic, microwave or radiative energy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making pouches is disclosed. It includes using one or more of the following features: using two servo motors to drive a platen, providing a calibration routine is run at start-up and/or after the machine has been operating; controlling in response to feed back from the servo motor(s) such as feedback indicative of the distance the platen travels; the feedback is not of force exerted by the platen; and/or the platen is controlled to prevent unacceptable fracturing of the film laminate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making bags or pouches is disclosed. An ultrasonic sealer may be used to form the seals. Sealing patterns may be used to provide a desired strength profile.

Abstract: A machine and method for making bags is described and includes a web traveling from an input section to a rotary drum, to an output section. The rotary drum includes at least one seal bar, having a sealing zone, and a weakening zone disposed within the single sealing zone. The single sealing zone may be a heated perforator, and may include a heating wire. The heating wire may be an NiCr wire stitched into holes in a cap or on the seal bar. Bushings may be disposed in the holes.

Abstract: A machine for making bags is disclosed and includes input, drum, and output sections. The drum section has at least one seal bar on a drum. The sections are mounted to side frames that are single metal plates. The frames are not coated after being formed and/or are comprised of at least one of galvanized steel, galvannealed steel, stainless steel or aluminum. The drum is comprised of first and second plates, and opposing third and fourth plates. The first plate is rotatable with respect to the second plate, and the third plate is rotatable with respect to the fourth plate. The distance from the seal bars to the center of the drum is responsive to the rotation of the plates. The first plate has a plurality of non-radial grooves, and the second plate has a plurality of radial slots, with fixtures in the slots and grooves. The fixtures are connected to seal bars. The non-radial grooves are curved and/or spiraled. The plates are comprised of zinc plated steel and/or are discs.

Abstract: A bag machine includes input, drum, and output sections. The drum has at least one seal bar. The sections are mounted to side frames that are single metal plates, not coated after being formed, and/or are comprised of galvanized steel, galvannealed steel, stainless steel or aluminum. The drum has opposing pairs of rotatable zinc plated steel plates. The distance from the seal bars to the drum center responds to the plates rotating. One plate has non-radial (such as curved and/or spiraled) grooves, and the other radial slots, with fixtures having seal bars in the slots and grooves. The winder has a rotatable turret with center and surface wind and center wind only positions. When one collapsible spindle is in the center and surface wind position, another is in the center wind only position. A push off palm mounted in a push off position.

Abstract: A machine and method for making bags is described and includes a web traveling from an input section to a rotary drum, to an output section. The rotary drum includes at least one seal bar, having a single sealing zone, and a weakening zone disposed within the single sealing zone. The single sealing zone may be a heated perforator, includes a heating wire. The heating wire may be an NiCr wire stitched into the heater, and be disposed on a cap or on the seal bar. The weakening zone may create a line of weakness that is uniform or varies in intensity. The sealing zone may include temperature zones, cartridge heaters, cooling air, or heated air, or a source of ultrasonic, microwave or radiative energy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making bags or pouches is disclosed. It includes a track, at least two sleds that move on the track, and operating stations mounted on the sleds. The film moves along the track, and the sleds move with the film while performing operations on the film. The system can have the sleds stationary while operating for an intermittent machine, and move to reconfigure when the film is moving. The operating stations include one or more of a sealer, a heater, a cooler, an inserter, a knife, a punch, a perforator, a static charger, and a printer. The track forms a continuous path or is linear. A controller controls the sleds and operating stations. The controller includes an operating time and/or a reconfiguration module. The operating time module is responsive to a user set material thickness or a sensed material thickness.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for banding rolls of bags is disclosed. It can include a bag machine and/or a winder as the source of rolls. The bander includes multiple banding stations. The source of rolls provides rolls at a faster rate than any banding station can apply bands. By selectively using each banding station the bander can have the same throughput as the source of rolls of bags.

Abstract: A machine and method for making bags is described and includes a web, traveling from an input section to a rotary drum, to an output section. The rotary drum includes at least one seal bar, having a first sealing zone, and an adjacent weakening zone. The weakening zone may be a heated perforator, includes a heating wire, or be disposed to create an auxiliary sealed area. The heating wire can have, connected thereto, a source of power that is at an adjustable voltage or magnitude, and/or pulsed, and/or a feedback loop. The heating wire may be an NiCr wire and make intermittent contact with the web and be disposed in an insert. The weakening zone may create a line of weakness that is uniform or varies in intensity, is a separating zone, or includes a heat film, a toothed blade, a row of pins, a source of air, or a source of vacuum. The sealing zones may include temperature zones, cartridge heaters, cooling air, or heated air, or a source of ultrasonic, microwave or radiative energy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming pouches and/or bags is disclosed. A seal and/or insert is crushed using a multiphase sealer or crusher.

Abstract: A method and apparatus fueling vehicle with gaseous fuel includes storage vessels, dispensing sub-stations and a controller. The storage tanks or vessels can be at different pressures. The plurality of dispensing sub-stations each include a dispensing hose and a control valve. Each dispensing sub-station is in controllable fluid communication with the storage vessels so that fluid can flow from the storage vessels through the dispensing sub-station to a vehicle tank. A dispensing hose, and a control valve of the dispensing sub-stations are in the fluid flow paths. The controller receives feedback indicative of a filling parameter from the dispensing sub-stations, and provides control signals to the control valves of the first and second dispensing sub-station to implement one or more desired fill schemes.