Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous cleaning of bag making machinery is provided. A single roll with a cleaning material attached thereto contacts a rotating drum to remove debris from the surface thereof. When the portion of the cleaning material in contact with the drum becomes saturated with debris, the roll is rotated to present fresh cleaning material to the surface of the drum. The compact design of the cleaning apparatus permits its use in the limited space found around bag making machinery.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making individual flexible web products whereby a web material is tucked outwardly from the surface of a product drum by fixed projections, severed and sealed, and provided to one or more transfer points. The products are there transferred to one or more transfer drums with corresponding indentations, which deliver the products to packing devices. An alternative embodiment provides multiple delivery points by using lateral-shifting transfer drums. The apparatus and method vary and control flexible product width introducing a multiplicity of moving parts, and enhance separation of individual products during transfer while increasing overall production rates.

Abstract: Apparatus for severing a plurality of plies of a thermoplastic material and sealing the severed margins thereof is provided. The apparatus comprises a hot-wire element proximate the thermoplastic material for severing and sealing the thermoplastic material. The apparatus further comprises a chamber or manifold for enveloping the hot-wire element in an inert atmosphere which impinges on a proximal portion of the thermoplastic material to be severed and sealed. The apparatus further comprises an actuating mechanism, associated with the hot-wire element, for translating the hot-wire element toward the proximal portion of the thermoplastic material. As a result, the hot-wire element severs the plurality of plies and seals the severed margins thereof so that the severed margins are enveloped by the inert atmosphere impinging on the thermoplastic material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making individual flexible web products whereby a web material is tucked outwardly from the surface of a product drum by fixed projections, severed and sealed, and provided to one or more transfer points. The products are there transferred to open or more transfer drums with corresponding indentations, which deliver the products to packing devices. An alternative embodiment provides multiple delivery points by using lateral-shifting transfer drums. The apparatus and method provides a simple means to vary and control flexible product width without introducing a multiplicity of moving parts, and discloses means to enhance separation of individual products during transfer while increasing overall production rates.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous production of individual flexible products from a folded web of material, in particular, heat sealable thermoplastic material, is described having improved means for providing tension relief in such web material, and for tucking such web material outwardly from the surface of the product drum. The tuck rolls remain extended above the surface of the product drum throughout product drum rotation, and are retracted by cam arrangement to provide tension relief. Three alternative support assemblies and related cam arrangements are disclosed, two of which employ adjustable, compressible tuck roll support assemblies.

Abstract: A bag making machine and method for the continuous production of bags from a folded web of thermoplastic material is provided. The apparatus includes a capability for making bags of differing widths as well as making bags having consistent widths for the particular size of bag selected. The apparatus includes a rotatable drum having a plurality of sever and seal stations for forming individual positioned about the outer periphery of the drum. A source of a continuous folded web of thermoplastic material is also provided, and continuously fed onto the surface of the drum. Means positioned between adjacent sever and seal stations tuck the web of material inwardly from the periphery of the drum. To prevent the occurrence of stretching forces which may adversely affect the web and the resulting width of the bags during processing, a film tension compensation means is provided for maintaining a constant path length for the web of material between the web source and the sever and seal stations.

Abstract: A bag making machine and method for the continuous production of bags from a folded web of thermoplastic material is provided. The apparatus includes a capability for making bags of differing widths. The apparatus includes a rotatable drum having a plurality of sever and seal stations for forming individual positioned about the outer periphery of the drum. A source of a continuous folded web of thermoplastic material is also provided, and continuously fed onto the surface of the drum. Means positioned between adjacent sever and seal stations tuck the web of material inwardly from the periphery of the drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for producing a reclosable bag film. The bag film is produced by extruding a bag film web having a relatively thinner first portion and relatively thicker second portions which are formed unitarily with the first portion. Closure members preferably in the form of male and female fastener profiles, are formed separately from the web portion and joined to the thicker second portions before the thicker second portions have become cooled to an ambient temperature.

Abstract: An article transport arrangement for conveying articles along a pair of generally parallel transport paths from a first location to a second location includes a pair of vacuum belt conveyors which extend between the first and second locations, generally above the transport paths. A vacuum arrangement for applying a suction force to the articles in excess of that applied to the articles by the vacuum belt conveyors is positioned opposite the vacuum belt conveyors so as to ingest articles through a pair of collection openings.

Abstract: A device for engaging articles of varying thicknesses includes an anvil defining a gripping surface, a gripper finger assembly, and a finger actuator means for pivoting the gripper finger assembly with respect to the anvil. The gripper finger assembly includes a gripper finger, a finger support, and a spring which engages the finger and finger support and spring biases the finger into a neutral position with respect to the finger support. The finger may be moved out of its neutral position in either direction when forces in excess of predetermined forces are applied to the finger.

Abstract: Apparatus for clamping and transferring to another location a stack of thermoplastic bags or the like wherein the bag walls have varying thicknesses. The apparatus preferably includes sets of clamping jaws for grasping the stack of bags. Each set comprises two pairs of the jaws. One pair is designed to rigidly clamp upon the stack while the other pair is spring-loaded or otherwise adjustable so that it can close differently than the first pair to compensate for the varying bag thicknesses even when the pairs of jaws are closed by the same drive mechanism. Each set of clamping jaws is independent of the other so that they can operate independently if one set were to jam.