Abstract: A method and apparatus for bag making includes an input section, a sealing section and an output section. The sealing section includes a seal bar having a heat pipe with a relief zone, through which pressure is relieved. The heat pipe is preferably disposed in or near the seal bar. The relief zone can be a valve that opens and closes, or other reusable devices, or it can be a destructive relief zone. The heat pipe is preferably a generally closed cylindrical shape with the relief zone located on one end. The heat pipe can have a second relief zone, possibly located at the other end of the heat pipe. Fluid may be in the heat pipe. The invention can be implemented as a bag machine with a seal bar, or a seal bar with a heat pipe, or solely as a heat pipe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bag making includes an input section, a sealing section and an output section. The sealing section includes a seal bar having a heat pipe with a relief zone, through which pressure is relieved. The heat pipe is preferably disposed in or near the seal bar. The relief zone can be a valve that opens and closes, or other reusable devices, or it can be a destructive relief zone. The heat pipe is preferably a generally closed cylindrical shape with the relief zone located on one end. The heat pipe can have a second relief zone, possibly located at the other end of the heat pipe. Fluid may be in the heat pipe. The invention can be implemented as a bag machine with a seal bar, or a seal bar with a heat pipe, or solely as a heat pipe.

Abstract: Devices and methods for inflating and sealing packaging pillows from a material web are shown for consistently producing high-quality packaging pillows. A web of material is advanced past an inflation nozzle, inflated with gas, and sealed closed by a sealing element. The temperature of the sealing element is monitored using a thermocouple connection and automatically adjusted using a closed-loop system. A sealing clamp parallel to the sealing element maintains two sheets of the web in contact through the sealing step. The inflation nozzle is provided with two inflation outlets: a first outlet inserting gas longitudinally into the web of material, and a second outlet inserting gas laterally into the material. Gas input is controlled with the use of relief valves to maintain pillow quality at all stages of production.