Abstract: A sealer to bond film having a high temperature resistance (e.g., ceramic) substrate with properly sized groove receiving a heater element as in a flat faced wire band in a tight, flush to adjacent film presentation surface arrangement. A stacked ceramic plate set with wire band within a groove defined by an intermediate stack insert is a suitable substrate. The band is retained flush by a positioner securely locking down one end while the other end is provided at a housing body access location. The sealer is suited for use as a product-in-bag sealing device (products such as air, foam, foodstuff, etc.) with the heater element in contact with film to form a seal. A drag seal arrangement, where film layers are drawn past a fixed or adjustably mounted heater element is an example.

Abstract: A film supply apparatus supplying film in a foam-in-bag system having a film feeding device for feeding film from a film source to a location for bag formation, a bag forming apparatus, a foam material dispenser positioned for feeding foam material for reception in a bag of the bag forming apparatus, and a web tensioning system with a web tensioning driver in driving communication with the film source and which is in communication with a controller for monitoring the film feed and web tension states and directing adjustments in the web tension system. The web tensioning driver is arranged to move film backwards or in a direction opposite to a direction of film feed induced by the film feeding means and with the film source including a roll of film and the web tensioning system including a drive transmission in communication with the roll of film for rotational driving of the roll of film and also in communication with web tensioning driver.

Abstract: An in-line chemical feed pump for a foam dispenser system that has an inlet conduit for receiving chemical fluid, a pump head in chemical fluid communication with the inlet conduit, an outlet conduit in chemical fluid communication with the pump head, and a driver. In addition, there is provided a pump drive transmission system positioned in drive transmission communication between the driver and pump head, with the pump drive transmission system including a magnetic coupling with first and second magnetic coupling members placed to opposite sides of an intermediate protective shroud, and with the shroud having a coupling reception cavity which receives one of said first and second magnetic coupling members. A method of dispensing foam using an in-line chemical feed pump is also featured including use of a system where two chemical lines are involved each with the in-line pump assembly and each line feeding to a mixing module of a dispenser.

Abstract: A system and method for providing operational control and/or remote monitoring of a manufacturing device as in a foam dispenser device such as a foam-in-bag dispensing device. In architecture, the remote monitoring system includes a server device containing a remote monitoring system. The remote monitoring system further includes a transceiver to receive an indication of a help condition, connect to the manufacturing device; and receive data from the manufacturing device. The present invention can also be viewed as a method for providing remote monitoring of a manufacturing device. The method operates by (1) receiving an indication of a help condition; (2) connecting to the manufacturing device; and (3) receiving data from the manufacturing device.

Abstract: A mixing module that includes a mixing chamber formed of a cold flow material and placed within a housing which includes a compression device for compressing the cold flow material through which extends a reciprocating rod, preferably in the form of a valve rod relative to one or more chemical ports formed in the mixing chamber to mix or deliver chemicals within a mixing reception recess. The mixing chamber features a locking arrangement between the cold flow material mixing chamber and the housing which acts to prevent movement of the mixing chamber within the housing due to a sticking of the reciprocating rod to the mixing chamber which otherwise produces a position change in the mixing chamber as the compression device is temporarily compressed until the rod be comes unstuck and releases.

Abstract: A mixing module that includes a mixing chamber formed of a cold flow material and placed within a housing which includes a compression device for compressing the cold flow material through which extends a reciprocating rod, preferably in the form of a valve rod relative to one or more chemical ports formed in the mixing chamber to mix or deliver chemicals within a mixing reception recess. The mixing chamber features a locking arrangement between the cold flow material mixing chamber and the housing which acts to prevent movement of the mixing chamber within the housing due to a sticking of the reciprocating rod to the mixing chamber which otherwise produces a position change in the mixing chamber as the compression device is temporarily compressed until the rod be comes unstuck and releases.

Abstract: Gas generating and releasing articles consisting essentially of a polymer and a gas generating solid dispersed therein are described. The article generates a controlled fast and followed by a slow release gas in response to moisture.

Abstract: A material spill prevention system with feed location sensing system to reduce the possibility of material spillage relative to the film being utilized for bag formation. The material spill prevention system monitors whether there is a proper film feed situation and, if not, precludes the release of material from the dispenser as in by precluding a flow controller opening and the release of material to the bag intended to receive the release chemical (e.g., a foam packaging bag). The prevention system is applicable to a variety of film feed arrangements as in a C-fold film drawn by a nip roller arrangement from a roll source with the dispenser mechanism positioned intermediate the nip and film source relative to film travel. An embodiment of the spill prevention system also features an absolute position transducer for monitoring position of a flow controller which controls output of material from the dispenser.

Abstract: A foam chemical dispenser apparatus having a chemical supply device and a dispenser device with housing and foam chemical output. A chemical passageway is provided from the source to the output. In a preferred embodiment, the passageway is at least partially defined by a hose and a chemical conduit formed in the dispenser housing. A heating system is included having a first heater element extending within the hose from a first end positioned closer to the chemical supply device to a second feedthrough supported end positioned closer to the dispenser device, and a second heating element is provided in the dispenser device. A temperature sensor system is included with a first temperature sensor positioned for sensing temperature of chemical in the hose and a second temperature sensor positioned for sensing chemical temperature in the dispenser device.

Abstract: A dispenser system as in a foam-in-bag dispenser system with a smooth dispenser housing over which the film passes without interruption and which houses a mixing module with reciprocating rod and supports drive components of a drive transmission which is engaged with the rod for reciprocation within the mixing module. Also the drive transmission of a preferred embodiment includes a sliding crank mechanism covered by the dispenser housing and a motor is in driving engagement with the drive transmission with the motor being positioned external to the housing. The driver of the drive transmission for the rod also preferably functions to drive a physical outlet cleaning device and the housing also features a plurality of passages for receiving chemicals, a solvent and a heater unit.

Abstract: A hand held dispenser system with associated dispensed material supply assembly as in separate source chemical foam precursor feeding into, for example, streamlined chemical passageways preferably each comprised of, in series, a castellated swivel hose filter, a valve assembly housing, a wing extensions of a manifold, which manifold supports a high efficiency drive system and is supported by a handle that provides for a compact assembly and receives a rugged trigger assembly. The manifold design provides for elongated filter and, temperature controlled cartridge heater insertion. There is further provided in a preferred embodiment a readily releasable electric source feed line plug connection at the butt end of the dispenser. The dispenser is well suited for the dispensing of methane foam as in a product packaging setting.

Abstract: A venting device with base and an adjuster supported by the base, and a driver driving the adjuster. The adjuster includes a film vent former moved by the driver between vent formation mode and non-vent formation mode. The adjuster includes an adjustable blade moving from non-vent mode position with the blade on a first side of the film to vent mode position with a segment of the blade positioned on an opposite film side. The blade has a blade segment traveling within a nip region of the film driver of a foam-in-bag dispenser, where the venting device is nestled in a film drive component slot in the nip zone, and an opposite nip zone roller across the film path has a reception groove receiving the blade segment. The blade is contained in a housing shaped to perform a film wrap around prevention function relative to the bag forming assembly.

Abstract: A foam-in-bag dispending system is featured with a dispenser with chemical output port, a film feed assembly which feeds film to the dispenser for receiving chemical output from the dispenser. The film feed assembly includes a film drive roller set which includes a first roller and a second roller rotating on non-coincident axes, an a support structure which supports the film drive roller set. The support structure includes a first frame structure and a second frame structure with the first frame structure supporting the first roller and being adjustable relative to the second frame structure so as to move said fist roller away from said second roller.

Abstract: A film supply apparatus supplying film in a foam-in-bag system having a film feeding device for feeding film from a film source to a location for bag formation, a bag forming apparatus, a foam material dispenser positioned for feeding foam material for reception in a bag of the bag forming apparatus, and a web tensioning system with a web tensioning driver in driving communication with the film source and which is in communication with a controller for monitoring the film feed and web tension states and directing adjustments in the web tension system. The web tensioning driver is arranged to move film backwards or in a direction opposite to a direction of film feed induced by the film feeding means and with the film source including a roll of film and the web tensioning system including a drive transmission in communication with the roll of film for rotational driving of the roll of film and also in communication with web tensioning driver.

Abstract: A foam chemical dispenser device that includes a dispenser housing having a body portion defining a mixing module reception area, and a mixing module positioner adjustably supported by the dispenser housing between a mixing module hold position and a mixing module access position. Further included is a finger releasable locking device which, when in a locking mode, locks the mixing module positioner in the hold position and when in a release mode provides for positioner adjustment to the access position. Also included is a dispenser having a dispenser housing with a chemical inlet section and a chemical outlet section, and a closure device dimensioned for contact with a mixing module positioned to receive chemical from the chemical outlet section of the dispenser housing, and the closure device being pivotable between a mixing module hold position and a mixing module access position.

Abstract: A foam-in-bag assembly with a film feed mechanism which feeds film with a film driver and a bag forming assembly which includes an edge sealer that contacts film being fed by the film driver and which is supported on a moving member of the film feed mechanism and retains a fixed position relative to the moving member while in sealing engagement with the film being fed by the film driver. The edge seal assembly is preferably for use with a nip roller set and has a bearing through which a driving shaft of the nip roller extends and an edge wire is received on an edge wire support of the edge sealer. The support for the edge wire retains a fixed edge seal position while the driving member rotates within the sleeve.

Abstract: An end sealer shifting assembly, comprising a transmission, a push rod assembly which is driven by the transmission, and end seal compression jaw in driving engagement with the push rod assembly, and a compliance assembly for jaw compliance with a contact member (e.g., a heater wire cutter cross cut jaw) when the jaw is driven into a compression relationship with the contact member. The compliance device preferably includes springs and the transmission assembly preferably includes a cam device with a second spring working to retain a contact relationship and work together with the compliance spring. A method of assembling such a device and operating such a device is also featured.

Abstract: A mixing module for use in a dispenser system having a housing with a front end, a rear end and an interior opening between the front and rear end, and the housing having a cap covering at the front end. A rod and a mixing chamber are received within the interior opening in the housing and have a rod reception passageway which receives the rod. The mixing module has at least one chemical inlet opening into the rod reception passageway, and the rod is adjustably received within the rod reception passageway with a forward end of travel that places the rod at the front end of the housing. A solvent feed passageway extends in a rearward to forward direction entirely within a wall portion of the housing. There is also a cap covering the housing defining a solvent feed space (e.g., a double wall combination) at the front end with the solvent feed space extending radially inward for solvent feed to the rod upon rod positioning at the front end).

Abstract: A foam dispenser component drive mechanism which includes a foam dispenser component drive transmission comprising a crank and slide assembly, and wherein said drive transmission includes a transmission housing and the crank and slide assembly includes a crank pivotably supported by said housing and a slide assembly. The invention also features an apparatus for driving a reciprocating rod of a foam dispenser having a full retraction position and a full extension position relative to a mixing module of the dispenser, having a driver, a drive transmission system with said drive transmission system being arranged to coincide maximum rod reciprocation force application coincident with the full extension and full retraction positions of the reciprocating rod.