Abstract: A device for producing tubular bags filled with bulk goods from continuous foil tubes. The device includes a pair of sealing tools that seal or weld the foil tubes in bag-length intervals. A pair of closing bars connected to the sealing tools are biased toward each other and press the foil tubes before the sealing tools are closed. A stripper is provided to remove the residue of the bulk goods from the area of the seal by a wiping motion in the direction of bag movement through the device. The closing bars are connected to the stripper so that through a closing movement of the closing bars, the stripper is pulled along in the run direction of the foil while touching the foil to strip the area to be sealed before the sealing tools close.

Abstract: A vertical form fill seal, stand-up, bag and a method of making the same is disclosed. The bag made of a flexible and resilient material such as plastic, has hollow interior, a horizontal bottom seal located below the hollow interior and a top horizontal seal located above the hollow interior. The bag can stand, preferably on or near the bottom seal, when filled with contents. A recloseable seal, such as a finger closure zipper or a slide zipper in other embodiments, is on a perimeter of the hollow interior, and between the top and bottom seals. The recloseable seal extends in a direction other than horizontal, and may extends the entire distance, or only a part of the distance, between the top horizontal seal and the bottom horizontal seal. The recloseable seal is fixed to sealed horizontal sides, or other than the sealed horizontal sides, and may be flush with the bag or extending beyond the edges of the bag. The bag has a handle above the top horizontal seal.

Abstract: A plastic bag making machine is disclosed, and includes a dancer assembly that receives film from which the bags are to be made. The film travels from the dancer assembly to a drum-in nip and then to a sealing drum. After the sealing drum, the film travels to a drum-out nip. Then the film travels to a device-in nip, vertically through a processing device, and then to a device-out nip. A controller is connected to and controls the drum-in nip, the drum-out nip, the device-in nip, the device out nip, the dancer assembly and the sealing drum (including the seal bars and/or the sealing blanket drives). The controller includes a memory in which at least one set of operating parameters used-to control the machine is stored.

Abstract: A folder and method for folding plastic bags includes at least one folding station. The folding station has a folding point where an input, an output and a storage portion meet. The bag travels in the input portion in a different direction than in the storage portion. The output direction is substantially the same as the input direction. A turning air source is disposed to direct the bag into the storage portion and an air source is disposed to direct the bag into the output section. A fin helps guide the bag into the output portion. A turning roll disposed above the turning point, and imparts motion to the bag, generally in the storage direction. A second folding station, similar to the first, is downstream the first folding station. The output direction for the first station is the same as the input direction for the second station, and the bag path between the first and second folding stations is substantially linear.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for winding film includes haul-in rolls, a spindle, an airhorn, a kick-roll, and a belt or ropes to convey the film. A source of air creates an air curtain downstream of the spindle. The air curtain directs the leading edge of the film into the airhorn and over the spindle. A film guide located upstream of the airhorn guides a leading edge of the film back into its own nip. An air guide located between the film guide and the conveyor leading to the spindle prevents air from going back upstream of the airhorn. The guides are comprised of a non-stick material. Holes near the edge of guide allow air to exit the air horn, without perturbing the film where it tucks into its own nip. A static pinner may pin the leading edge of the film to the spindle. The spindle may have a winding surface tapered by less 0.03 inches per foot. The spindle has an air inlet, and outlet holes. The inlet area is greater than the hole area, by up to a 7:1 ratio.

Abstract: A plastic bag making machine is disclosed, and includes a dancer assembly that receives film from which the bags are to be made. The film travels from the dancer assembly to a drum-in nip and then to a sealing drum. After the sealing drum, the film travels to a drum-out nip. Then the film travels to a device-in nip, vertically through a processing device, and then to a device-out nip. A controller is connected to and controls the drum-in nip, the drum-out nip, the device-in nip, the device out nip, the dancer assembly and the sealing drum (including the seal bars and/or the sealing blanket drives). The controller includes a memory in which at least one set of operating parameters used to control the machine is stored.

Abstract: This invention pertains to apparatus and methods for breaking a web along spaced lines of weakness. The invention includes a compact breaker bar assembly comprising at least one breaker bar in a gap. The apparatus also includes driving apparatus to power the breaker bar assembly in breaking the web. In some embodiments, one or more breaker bars engage and stress the web along a single transverse line across the web, breaking the web. In other embodiments, at least first and second breaker bars engage and stress the web along spaced first and second transverse lines across the web. The breaker bars can be mounted on one or more rotary elements, or can be mounted on one or more belts or other breaker bar carriers, traversing closed-loop paths.

Abstract: This invention pertains to apparatus and methods for breaking a web along spaced lines of weakness. The invention includes a compact breaker bar assembly comprising at least one breaker bar in a gap. The apparatus also includes driving apparatus to power the breaker bar assembly in breaking the web. In some embodiments, one or more breaker bars engage and stress the web along a single transverse line across the web, breaking the web. In other embodiments, at least first and second breaker bars engage and stress the web along spaced first and second transverse lines across the web. The breaker bars can be mounted on one or more rotary elements, or can be mounted on one or more belts or other breaker bar carriers, traversing closed-loop paths.

Abstract: This invention pertains to apparatus and methods for breaking a web along spaced lines of weakness. The invention includes a compact breaker bar assembly comprising at least one breaker bar in a gap. The apparatus also includes driving apparatus to power the breaker bar assembly in breaking the web. In some embodiments, one or more breaker bars engage and stress the web along a single transverse line across the web, breaking the web. In other embodiments, at least first and second breaker bars engage and stress the web along spaced first and second transverse lines across the web. The breaker bars can be mounted on one or more rotary elements, or can be mounted on one or more belts or other breaker bar carriers, traversing closed-loop paths.

Abstract: This invention pertains to apparatus and methods for breaking a web along spaced lines of weakness. The invention includes a compact breaker bar assembly comprising at least one breaker bar in a gap. The apparatus also includes driving apparatus to power the breaker bar assembly in breaking the web. In some embodiments, one or more breaker bars engage and stress the web along a single transverse line across the web, breaking the web. In other embodiments, at least first and second breaker bars engage and stress the web along spaced first and second transverse lines across the web. The breaker bars can be mounted on one or more rotary elements, or can be mounted on one or more belts or other breaker bar carriers, traversing closed-loop paths.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for winding film includes guiding a strip of the film through a winding machine to a rotating spindle. At least one deflector and/or at least one source of air, such as a nozzle, is moved to the path of the film downstream from the spindle, and an airhorn is moved to the spindle. The leading edge of the strip is directed into the airhorn by the deflector and/or air from the nozzle, and then directed by air within the airhorn into its own nip. Finally, the strip is wound about the spindle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for registration of a seal to a perforation on a plastic bag include a drum for forming a seal on a continuous plastic film and a downstream perforator/cutting station for forming a perforation on the film with respect to the location of the seal. The perforation is properly registered to the seal by sensing the seal location directly, with a seal sensor located near the perforator/cutting station.

Abstract: This invention pertains to draw tape equipment, and methods for incorporating draw tapes into plastic and like bags. In general, a continuous plastic web is slit at a slitting station to form layers, and respective free edges. The web then passes to a hole forming station where holes are punched in the top and bottom layers adjacent the free edges. After the holes are punched, edge regions of the top and bottom layers are separated from each other, followed by forming of hems in the separated layers at hem forming stations arranged in parallel with each other. Concurrent with forming of the hems, continuous draw tapes are fed to the hem forming stations and the hems are formed about the draw tapes. The formed hems, with the draw tapes incorporated therein, optionally pass through first temperature control stations where the temperature of the plastic web is controlled to a desired temperature before hem sealing. The formed hems are then sealed to the main bodies of the respective top and bottom layers.

Abstract: This invention pertains to draw tape equipment, and methods for incorporating draw tapes into plastic and like bags. In general, a continuous plastic web is slit at a slitting station to form layers, and respective free edges. The web then passes to a hole forming station where holes are punched in the top and bottom layers adjacent the free edges. After the holes are punched, edge regions of the top and bottom layers are separated from each other, followed by forming of hems in the separated layers at hem forming stations arranged in parallel with each other. Concurrent with forming of the hems, continuous draw tapes are fed to the hem forming stations and the hems are formed about the draw tapes. The formed hems, with the draw tapes incorporated therein, optionally pass through first temperature control stations where the temperature of the plastic web is controlled to a desired temperature before hem sealing. The formed hems are then sealed to the main bodies of the respective top and bottom layers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for detecting a formation or change in the consistency of a moving sheet material. The apparatus includes a radiation source, a radiation receiver, a support base for the sheet material, and a signal processor for producing a signal in response to the detection of a formation in the material. The apparatus may be modified to include moving or stationary support bases, and may be further modified to include structure for automatically positioning the source and receiver to optimize the detection of formations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for registration of a seal and perforation on a plastic bag include a drum for forming a seal on a continuous plastic film with respect to a registration mark on the film and a perforator/cutting station for forming a perforation on the film with respect to the location of the seal. This method and apparatus is used in a plastic bag making machine to produce bags of different lengths. A detector locates the registration mark printed on the film and the drum diameter may be adjusted to form the seal at a desired location on the film with respect to the registration mark. A seal detecting station locates the seal and a controller adjusts the speed of the perforator/cutting station to properly locate the perforation with respect to the seal and to maintain a desired skirt length.

Abstract: A plastic bag making machine includes a cylindrical drum with a variable diameter. A plurality of seal bars define the circumference of the drum, and are substantially parallel to the drum's rotational axis. The bags are made from a plastic film with registration marks that are detected by a detector disposed near the film. A detector also detects each revolution of the drum and an encoder provides signals indicative of the position of the film. A controller determines the distance phase of the registration marks and the rum size error. The drum diameter is adjusted in response to an output of the controller in such a way as to correct for both the initial drum size error, the initial phase error, and the phase error accumulated while the drum diameter is being corrected.

Abstract: A plastic bag making machine includes a cylindrical drum with a variable diameter. A plurality of seal bars define the circumference of the drum, and are substantially parallel to the drum's rotational axis. A controller determines the distance between registration marks on the film using the output of an encoder as a position signal, and adjusts the diameter of the drum in response to the determined distance. The controller also determines the position of the seal bars relative to the registration marks and adjusts the diameter of the drum in response to the relative position. A downstream device includes a perforation to seal registration controller with a registration control input. The controller provides a control signal to the registration control input in response to changes in the diameter of the drum.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for detecting a formation or change in the consistency of a moving sheet material. The apparatus includes a radiation source, a radiation receiver, a support base for the sheet material, and a signal processor for producing a signal in response to the detection of a formation in the material. The apparatus may be modified to include moving or stationary support bases, and may be further modified to include structure for automatically positioning the source and receiver to optimize the detection of formations.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for winding bags. A winder in accordance with the present invention includes a dancer assembly for speed regulation, a haul-in assembly for receiving a film, and a tumbler assembly to receive the film from the haul-in assembly. The tumbler assembly increases the path length the film travels to either separate bags and/or to provide for interleaving.