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 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 machine is disclosed for securing a closure system onto a discrete pouch. The machine includes first, second and third stations. The first station is capable of advancing discrete pouches and lifting and folding a portion of a first major surface of each pouch upon itself to form a lip, and exposing an inner surface of a second major surface. The second station is capable of positioning and attaching a closure system transversely across the exposed inner surface. The closure system includes a track having first and second legs each having an outer surface. The first and second legs are joined together by an opening/closing mechanism which includes a movable member capable of being moved back and forth. The third station is located downstream from the second station and is capable of unfolding the lip and securing opposite ends of the lip to the outer surface of the second leg.

Abstract: A discrete pouch is disclosed having a closure system transversely secured across an open end thereof. The discrete pouch includes first and second major surfaces joined together by a pair of sides. The discrete pouch also has a closed bottom, an open top, and a closure system secured to the second major surface adjacent to the open top. The discrete pouch is designed to have the open top sealed after it is filled with products and the closure system is thereafter capable of being opened and closed multiple times.

Abstract: An in-line method is disclosed for securing a closure system onto a discrete pouch. The method includes advancing a discrete pouch through a first station in a machine direction with the closed bottom of the pouch being the leading edge and a first major surface of the pouch faces upward. The first major surface is folded upon itself to form a lip having an exposed first surface while a second major surface of the pouch has an exposed inner surface. The method also includes routing the pouch to a second station where a closure system is transversely attached across the exposed inner surface. The closure system includes an opening/closing mechanism. The method further includes routing the pouch to a third station where the lip is unfolded and opposite ends of the lip are secured to the outer surface of the closure system.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for securing a closure system onto a discrete pouch. The machine includes first, second and third stations. The first station is capable of advancing discrete pouches and lifting and folding a portion of a first major surface of each pouch upon itself to form a lip, and exposing an inner surface of a second major surface. The second station is capable of positioning and attaching a closure system transversely across the exposed inner surface. The closure system includes a track having first and second legs each having an outer surface. The first and second legs are joined together by an opening/closing mechanism which includes a movable member capable of being moved back and forth. The third station is located downstream from the second station and is capable of unfolding the lip and securing opposite ends of the lip to the outer surface of the second leg.

Abstract: An in-line method is disclosed for securing a closure system onto a discrete pouch. The method includes advancing a discrete pouch through a first station in a machine direction with the closed bottom of the pouch being the leading edge and a first major surface of the pouch faces upward. The first major surface is folded upon itself to form a lip having an exposed first surface while a second major surface of the pouch has an exposed inner surface. The method also includes routing the pouch to a second station where a closure system is transversely attached across the exposed inner surface. The closure system includes an opening/closing mechanism. The method further includes routing the pouch to a third station where the lip is unfolded and opposite ends of the lip are secured to the outer surface of the closure system.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for securing a closure system onto a discrete pouch. The machine includes first, second and third stations. The first station is capable of advancing discrete pouches and lifting and folding a portion of a first major surface of each pouch upon itself to form a lip, and exposing an inner surface of a second major surface. The second station is capable of positioning and attaching a closure system transversely across the exposed inner surface. The closure system includes a track having first and second legs each having an outer surface. The first and second legs are joined together by an opening/closing mechanism which includes a movable member capable of being moved back and forth. The third station is located downstream from the second station and is capable of unfolding the lip and securing opposite ends of the lip to the outer surface of the second leg.

Abstract: An in-line method is disclosed for securing a closure system onto a discrete pouch. The method includes advancing a discrete pouch through a first station in a machine direction with the closed bottom of the pouch being the leading edge and a first major surface of the pouch faces upward. The first major surface is folded upon itself to form a lip having an exposed first surface while a second major surface of the pouch has an exposed inner surface. The method also includes routing the pouch to a second station where a closure system is transversely attached across the exposed inner surface. The closure system includes an opening/closing mechanism. The method further includes routing the pouch to a third station where the lip is unfolded and opposite ends of the lip are secured to the outer surface of the closure system.

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 machine for applying a closure to a series of pouches includes a conveyor extending at least partially through the machine, first and second (optional) infeed modules, a culling module (optional), a replacement infeed module (optional) and a closure module (optional). The infeed modules feed pouches to the conveyor. The culling module includes a sensor that senses an undesired pouch in the series of pouches, and a rejection module that culls the undesired pouch in response thereto. The replacement infeed module feeds a replacement pouch into the gap left by the undesired pouch. The conveyor may be at least partially an intermittent conveyor. The infeed modules may be in a plane with the conveyor. The closure module may be a recloseable closure module, a zipper closure module or a slider closure module. The culling module may be part of each infeed module, and/or distributed over several locations.

Abstract: An in-line method is disclosed for securing a closure system onto a discrete pouch. The method includes advancing a discrete pouch through a first station in a machine direction with the closed bottom of the pouch being the leading edge and a first major surface of the pouch faces upward. The first major surface is folded upon itself to form a lip having an exposed first surface while a second major surface of the pouch has an exposed inner surface. The method also includes routing the pouch to a second station where a closure system is transversely attached across the exposed inner surface. The closure system includes an opening/closing mechanism. The method further includes routing the pouch to a third station where the lip is unfolded and opposite ends of the lip are secured to the outer surface of the closure system.

Abstract: A discrete pouch is disclosed having a closure system transversely secured across an open end thereof. The discrete pouch includes first and second major surfaces joined together by a pair of sides. The discrete pouch also has a closed bottom, an open top, and a closure system secured to the second major surface adjacent to the open top. The discrete pouch is designed to have the open top sealed after it is filled with products and the closure system is capable of being opened and closed multiple times.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for securing a closure system onto a discrete pouch. The machine includes first, second and third stations. The first station is capable of advancing discrete pouches and lifting and folding a portion of a first major surface of each pouch upon itself to form a lip, and exposing an inner surface of a second major surface. The second station is capable of positioning and attaching a closure system transversely across the exposed inner surface. The closure system includes a track having first and second legs each having an outer surface. The first and second legs are joined together by an opening/closing mechanism which includes a movable member capable of being moved back and forth. The third station is located downstream from the second station and is capable of unfolding the lip and securing opposite ends of the lip to the outer surface of the second leg.

Abstract: A splicing apparatus for an unwinder automatically splices the trailing end of a web from one roll to the leading end of a web from a second roll. A pair of roll support frames are mounted for movement between an unwinding position in which a roll on the support frame is aligned with the path of web movement and a loading position in which a roll on the support frame is laterally offset from the path of web movement. A vacuum retainer is mounted on each of the roll support frames for retaining a leading edge of the web of a new roll. A movable vacuum belt is mounted adjacent the path of web movement, and a slitter is mounted upstream of the vacuum belt. When a first roll in the unwinding position is to be replaced, the first web is secured by the vacuum belt and cut by the slitter to form a trailing end. The roll support frames are moved to bring a second roll into the unwinding position. The leading end portion of the second web is adjacent the trailing end portion of the first web.

Abstract: Food is automatically and periodically dispensed to an aquarium over long periods of time by means of a pivotally mounted arm which has a shallow food containing bowl on one end and which operates directly responsive to evaporation of liquid from a liquid containing cup on the opposite end. A supply of food is placed in the shallow bowl which extends over the surface of the aquarium water. A prescribed volume of water or other liquid having an established rate of evaporation is placed in the liquid containing cup to balance the reciprocating arm by weight. Additional water or liquid in an amount known to evaporate in a given period of time is then added to the liquid already in the cup. As the measured liquid evaporates the food containing bowl will begin to tilt downwardly after an initial period and the food will spill into the aquarium at a preselected time determined by the rate of liquid evaporation.