Abstract: The envelope comprises layers of plain un-coated kraft paper and of bubble-wrap polyethylene. A stack of the layers is joined at the marginal edges of the envelope by squeezing the stack between a pair of points-dies, which are formed with points that puncture the kraft paper but do not puncture the polyethylene. The points push crowns of un-punctured polyethylene through the punctured boles in the paper. Then, the marginal edges are squeezed flat between flat-dies, the flat-dies being heated enough to cause fuse-bonding. The margins of the finished envelope are held together not only by fuse-bonding, but by the presence of the crowns, which, penetrating right through the holes in the paper, serve as mechanical rivets.

Abstract: The invention provides tube-filling machines and methods for, in such machines, end sealing of double tubes (10), that is to say the tube type which has concentric packing tubes (11, 12) which are connected to a common tube shoulder (13) provided with a dispensing opening. The invention provides a two-part hot-gas nozzle (22) with individual supply of hot gas to the inner side of the inner tube and the outer tube for thermal activation of the scaling end of the double tube intended for heat sealing.

Abstract: A method for making recessed tray liners for storing objects in a storage container is disclosed. The first step in the method is to size a structural thermoplastic foam liner to fit within a tray. The foam liner is preferably a foamed polyethylene plastic. After the tray is lined with the foam liner, the object or objects to be held in the tray are then heated to a temperature sufficient to soften the thermoplastic foam. The temperature of the heated object is selected to be above the softening temperature of the thermoplastic foam, but below the melting temperature of the foam. After the object or objects have reached the appropriate temperature, the heated object is pressed into the foam lining to form a cavity. The heated foam will flow such that the cavity will conform to the contours of the object being pressed into the foam. After the object is sufficiently pressed into the foam, it is rapidly cooled to a temperature below the softening temperature of the foam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing a drawtape to a hem of a thermoplastic film structure is disclosed. The thermoplastic film structure includes a panel, the hem, and the drawtape. The hem is formed along one end of the panel, and the drawtape is housed within the hem. In the method, the film structure is conveyed to a stationary heat sealer that includes a stationary heated block and a hot air blower spaced from the heated block. The film structure is momentarily stopped at the stationary heat sealer with hem disposed between the heated block and the hot air blower. While the film structure is stopped, the hot air blower blows heated air onto the hem to force the hem against the heated block, thereby sealing the drawtape to the hem.

Abstract: An end seal wrapping machine (10), and method of forming an end seal in a spaced series of articles (A) moved therethrough, is disclosed. The wrapping machine has a first rotating shaft (40) on which at least a first upper sealing and crimping head (41a, 41b) is positioned, with a spaced second counter-rotating shaft (81) on which a second opposed sealing and crimping head (82a, 82b) is positioned. The wrapping machine is supplied with a regularly spaced series of articles which are substantially enclosed in a continuous tube (27) of packaging film (20) upstream of the sealing and crimping heads. The articles in the tube of packaging film are passed between the sealing and crimping heads for being wrapped within the film. The first sealing and crimping head includes an elongate knife (43) formed as a part thereof, with an elongate platen (92) formed as a part of the second sealing and crimping head, and opposed to the knife.

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: Vertical sealer apparatus in a pouch form, fill and seal machine capable of reducing undesirable vertical seal growth along a web of heat-sealable material. The apparatus includes a drum cast of aluminum and having a plurality of elongated slots directed along either side of a plurality of radially extending heated land areas which contact the web to form transverse seals. The apparatus further includes a fan to blow air through the elongated slots in the drum and along either side of the land areas to cool the web during intermittent operation of the vertical sealer apparatus.

Abstract: A machine and method for loading bags of a preformed web of side interconencted bags. The top of a bag web is slit open and then fed between a pair of belt conveyors. The tops of the bags projecting over the conveyors belts are folded down over them and then gripped by a second pair of conveyor belts. At a load station the belts are spread to open bags sequentially and one at a time for loading. After loading a bag is separated from the web and fed through a sealing section comprising two pairs of hot air cartridges which are movable such that they do not emit hot air into the path of bag travel when it is undesirable to do so and a pair of crimp rollers.

Abstract: Apparatus for heat sealing the respective layers of film in a pair of hems in a moving web of film in the manufacture of draw tape bags. A pair of hot air hem sealer units is provided each of the units including a hot air hem sealer heat exchanger having a plurality of nozzles which direct hot air against a continuously moving film. The nozzles are in line with film movement and the film is backed up by a metal plate positioned between the hems. Following the heating phase cool compressed air is directed against the film in the heated area to cool the film prior to contact with the hem seal on the other side of the bag. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of circumferential grooves which deliver hot air to the nozzles. A thermocouple controls the temperature of the hot air.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making containers (40) in which a sheet of thermoplastic material (10) that is adapted to be formed into a pouch is introduced into a mold cavity (14). A molding compound (22) is also introduced into the mold cavity (14). The molding compound (22) is permitted to be bonded with the thermoplastic sheet (10) inside the mold cavity (14) to form a container port (20) in situ. The thermoplastic sheet (10) and bonded molding compound (22) are removed from the mold cavity (14) and the sheet carrying the port (20) formed from the bonded molding compound is folded and cut to form a container (40).

Abstract: An automatic form-and-fill packaging machine especially adapted for the ultrasonic sealing of food products in flexible bags from ultrasonically sealable flexible packaging material, and a method to utilize said machine. A packaging machine is provided with a first ultrasonic back seal forming unit for producing a continuous longitudinal back seal on the bag, and a second ultrasonic sealing unit provided in a pair of jaw members which are adapted to form the end seals of the bag perpendicular to the direction of travel of the packaging material. The second ultrasonic sealing unit is provided with a horn and an anvil in opposing jaw members, such that when the jaws are shut, the flexible packaging material is tensioned against sealing land areas to provide the end seals.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing tubular-pouch packages with heat-sealed transverse seams. In order that the bottom seam will harden rapidly following the securing process, a cooling medium is blown onto it by a nozzle. The nozzle is disposed in the tubular body from which tubular-pouch packages are made and is directed at the pressing plane of the transverse-seam welding apparatus.