Abstract: A package for protecting consumer goods from damage in transit is provided. Such package is defined by a sheet material, such as recycled polyethylene terephthalate felt and other recycled plastics. Edges of the sheet of material are bonded to form a package defining an open top end configured to receive fragile consumer goods therethrough. Means for cinching the open top end around or about the goods, either partially or completely are provided. The sheet of material may define some thickness that provides padding or cushioning between any item stored with the package and any items outside of it. It is contemplated that the packaging may be reused indefinitely to protect items such as glass bottles and others from damage which might otherwise occur between the point of sale and its intended destination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric bags, particularly polymeric drawstring trash bags. The present invention comprises a trash bag having an elastic drawstring. The elastic drawstring trash bag features an integrated short seal comprising an inner seal, an outer seal, and an intermediate seal. The integrated short seal functions to reduce the upper opening of the drawstring trash bag, while the elastic drawstring utilized with the bag provides a bag that allows the bag to fit snugly on many common trash receptacles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric bags, particularly polymeric drawstring trash bags. The present invention comprises a trash bag having an elastic drawstring. The elastic drawstring trash bag features an integrated short seal comprising an inner seal, an outer seal, and an intermediate seal. The integrated short seal functions to reduce the upper opening of the drawstring trash bag, while the elastic drawstring utilized with the bag provides a bag that allows the bag to fit snugly on many common trash receptacles.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a new apparatus and process for manufacturing mesh bags using a tube cloth. The apparatus and process involve supplying a continuous tube cloth and at least one band with preprinted labels, propping up the tube cloth with a dynamic guiding assembly, attaching the preprinted labels to the tube cloth using hot melted adhesive or heat sealing methods and manufacturing a product from the tube cloth with the horizontal preprinted labels, and attaching plastic film to the tube mesh cloth. The invention also teaches a dynamic guiding assembly which can be used to punch holes on the tube cloth with heating press and avoid attaching of two opposite sides of the tube cloth.

Abstract: A trash bag includes a bag body being formed of plastic material and a tying element. The bag body includes a first bag sheet overlain with to a second bag sheet. A cavity is formed between the first and second bag sheets, and a top opening is formed along top edges of the first and second bag sheets. The tying element is impermanently integrated with the bag body. After the use of the bag body, said tying element is torn from the bag body to tie a knot around the top opening of the bag body and to seal the cavity. More specifically, the tying element includes a first tying band and a second tying band integrated with the first and second bag sheets of the bag body respectively, which forms the double-layer tying structure to enhance the tying strength of the tying element.

Abstract: A drawtape bag includes a generally closed bottom, a generally open top, and closed sides connecting the bottom and the top. A drawtape hem, with a drawtape therein, is disposed along the top. There are a plurality of knockouts within the hem. A method and machine for of making such a drawtape bag includes forming at least two notches in the film with a notch section, and forming a plurality of knockouts in the film with a knockout section. A drawtape hem is formed in a drawtape section, which also inserts a drawtape.

Abstract: A fabric gift bag is constructed from elongated fabric made up of two panels that are matching and which are secured by a perimeter seam. This multi-panel composite includes first and second end portions and an intermediate portion. The first end portion is narrower than the second end portion and the intermediate portion is wider than the first and second end portions. The multi-panel composite is reversed to form a modified composite panel. The second end portion of the composite is opened by spreading the two panels and the first end portion is inserted into the second end portion and secured to form the fabric gift bag with an open top and a surrounding wall structure made up of two panel portions disposed in side-by-side relationship. A retainer is extended around an intermediate portion of the fabric gift bag causing an upper portion of the formed bag to flare outwardly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a bottom closure of a container employing multiple assembly lines and including a universally foldable seal fin as a part of the bottom closure. A novel blank for the container is disclosed.

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: A method and apparatus for forming a bottom closure of a container employing multiple assembly lines and including a universally foldable seal fin as a part of the bottom closure. A novel blank for the container is disclosed.

Abstract: A fastener tape for use in the manufacture of reclosable plastic bags is provided. The fastener tape comprises an intermediate layer and a reclosable fastener profile thereon. The intermediate layer includes three layers of co-extruded plastic, with not more than 4% EVA as the outer two layers and HDPE as the middle layer. The intermediate layer is folded so as to bring portions of the intermediate layer into an opposing relationship. These opposing portions are then sealed together by a pair of seal bars. By carefully controlling the sealing temperature, a consistent peel seal is created between the opposing portions of the intermediate layer without the need for an adhesive.

Abstract: A plastic draw tape bag includes a non-destructive hem seal which runs along the width of the bag to secure the draw tape. The seal is created by bonding two layers of film by using an adhesive, a hot seal, or a coextruded film. When stressed by adequate forces, the seal will partially open without tearing the film. However, it will open only to the extent that the load exceeds the seal strength. Once the film absorbs the load and the stress is relieved, the seal will stop opening and the remaining portion of the seal will remain intact. Thus, the stress concentration is dissipated without tearing the film at or near the seal. As a result, the bag will fail only when the forces on the bag exceed the load bearing limit of the film.

Abstract: A package is formed from two sheets of thin film material which are double backed upon each other to form a header and a rigid plastic insert is connected to the header coincident with a cut out formed therein. The cut exposes an internalized J-shaped portion of the insert such that a hook can be readily inserted and maintain the bag in place on a display rack.

Abstract: A drawtape bag comprises a pair of pliable thermoplastic body panels joined to each other along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridging the opposing sides. The bag may be opened along the mouth end formed opposite the bottom. At least one of the body panels forms a hem along the mouth end of the bag, and the hem houses a pliable thermoplastic drawtape. One or more drawtape holes located within the hem expose the drawtape allowing it to be pulled through the holes to close the bag and to be used as a handle. The elastic top feature is provided by an elastomeric strip connected to a looped section of the drawtape housed within the hem. Specifically, the drawtape section is gathered into one or more loops defining a series of crests and troughs, and each trough is sealed to the elastomeric strip.

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: The invention relates to a bag of thermoplastic resin foil and a method of making such a bag provided with a draw strip (3) and a hand hole (8) and in order to provide a relatively high carrying capacity the front wall (1) and the back wall (2) of the bag are each formed by an outer and an inner foil layer (1', 2') and furthermore the draw strip (3) is provided between these foil layers and is joined by side weld seams (5) with the bag.

Abstract: A method of making a gift bag which contains a pair of ribbon loops in the neck which, when pulled in opposite directions, form a cluster at the top of the bag about which the ribbons can be tied to form a fancy package.The method of in-line production of such gift bags includes laying a pair of ribbons near opposite edges of a sheet and folding the edges to form flaps over the ribbon; folding the sheet longitudinally at the middle, punching spaced-apart holes in the sheet-enfolded flaps at intervals corresponding to the width of the bag; guiding the ribbons into registry with the punched holes; sealing along a transverse zone passing through the middle of the punched hole and cutting along the transverse zone to separate the bags.

Abstract: An in-line machine for attaching elongated, flexible closure tie elements to the individual bag portions of a laterally folded plastic film web being continuously discharged from a bag forming station, and being forcibly captured by a winder mechanism, engages and drives the moving web toward the winder mechanism by means of mutually spaced inlet, central and outlet drive rollers. During operation of the machine, first and second slack portions of the film web are respectively positioned between the inlet and central rollers, and between the central and outlet rollers. These slack portions are held in vertically looped configurations by a downwardly directed, yielding vacuum force applied thereto. The inlet and outlet rollers are driven at identical speeds corresponding to the constant linear film web output speed from the bag forming station.

Abstract: An in-line machine for attaching elongated, flexible closure tie elements to the individual bag portions of a laterally folded plastic film web being continuously discharged from a bag forming station, and being forcibly captured by a winder mechanism, engages and drives the moving web toward the winder mechanism by means of mutually spaced inlet, central and outlet drive rollers. During operation of the machine, first and second slack portions of the film web are respectively positioned between the inlet and central rollers, and between the central and outlet rollers. These slack portions are held in vertically looped configurations by a downwardly directed, yielding vacuum force applied thereto. The inlet and outlet rollers are driven at identical speeds corresponding to the constant linear film web output speed from the bag forming station.

Abstract: An open mesh carrying bag having a drawstring closure is constructed of an open mesh material provided with a hem at the closure, the hem including a folded-over portion of the material overlapping a further portion of the material, the folded-over portion and the overlapped further portion being secured together in the hem by the drawstring of the drawstring closure, which drawstring is threaded through registered mesh openings in the folded-over portion and in the overlapped further portion to secure together the folded-over portion and the overlapped further portion and to serve as a carrying handle while enabling selective contraction and closing of the drawstring closure by drawing upon the drawstring.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a web of interconnected bags from a semitubular web of material, in which pockets are formed at a first side of the web and a second side of the web adjacent a first of two longitudinal outer edges of the web. At least one continuous strip is inserted into the pockets before separation of the bags. The strips are cut to predetermined lengths, and their ends are fastened together. The web is welded together along transverse lines substantially perpendicular to the pockets for producing one bag at a time, which is conveyed transversely substantially perpendicular to the direction motion of the web. The pockets project at one of the two sides of the web beyond the pockets on the other side of the web substantially perpendicular to the direction of motion of the web. Each bag is welded and conveyed substantially perpendicular to the direction of motion of the web.

Abstract: A disposal system comprising a temporary, disposal work surface covering of substantially flat, flexible sheet material, such as extruded plastic or the like, having cinch means incorporated therein. While the preferred embodiment of the present invention is exemplified as a disposable tablecloth, the invention is useful in a variety of applications, including lawn care, garbage collection, and any use which requires traditional garbage bags, but at a significant decrease in disposal effort and expense. An alternative embodiment of the invention teaches a tablecloth or the like having a upwardly extended, peripherally surrounding, raised edge areas for preventing liquids from spilling onto the users. Likewise, incorporated therein is a cinch strap system for enveloping the contained refuse.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing draw tape bags, unique tubular films used in the process and the resulting draw tape bags are disclosed. The process begins with the step of forming a tubular film having a longitudinal region with a film strength greater than the film strength of the remainder of the tube. Next, the longitudinal region of greater strength is slit out of the tube and into draw tape ribbons, leaving the remainder of the tube in the form of a continuous sheet with two side edges. A hem with a draw tape access hole is next formed from each of the two side edges, each of the hems encasing a draw tape ribbon. Last, transverse seams are formed in the folded continuous sheet to define individual bag edges and the folded continuous sheets is severed to form individual bags. In one embodiment the longitudinal region of greater strength is made from a resin different than the resin making up the remainder of the tube.

Abstract: An open-mesh net bag is formed of a rectangular piece of open-mesh netting and a pair of elongated flexible cords. A central length portion of each cord is interlaced through the meshes of netting piece along a respective end edge region, a pair of loop-forming length portions are intertwined with each other to form a loop with the central length portion, a pair of intermediate length portions are interlaced through the meshes along about one-half the length of the side edge regions, whereupon terminal end portions of the respective cords are connected to each other. A method of forming the open-mesh bag is also disclosed.

Abstract: A series of bags are fabricated using a continuous, high-speed bag-forming process in which an elongated section of flattened film tubing is longitudinally conveyed toward a receiving station in which the formed bags are suitable packaged. As the flattened tube is moved toward the receiving station, elongated plastic film tie elements are sequentially formed and welded along relatively large area end portions thereof to at least two layers of a side edge portion of the flattened tube at longitudinally spaced locations thereon adjacent the upper end locations of the individual bags, the resulting free end portions of the tie elements overlying the flattened tube.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for continuously sealing a thermoplastic draw tape to a thermoplastic bag at a sealing section. The bag forms one of a plurality of bags formed on a continuous web of thermoplastic material. The bag includes a hem defining a channel wherein the draw tape is disposed. The section of the bag which includes the hem and the tape thus includes a plurality of layers of thermoplastic material. The apparatus comprises a conveyor for continuously moving the web; a first sealing station for forming a heat seal through at least two of the layers of the hem and tape, the seal being formed on a first side of the bag; and a second sealing station for forming a heat seal through the rest of the layers of the hem and tape at the sealing section on a second side of the bag. The first and second sealing stations form the seals while the web is continuously moved by the conveyor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the manufacture of non-roping thermoplastic draw tape handles for insertion into thermoplastic bags and in particular for the continuous application of an adhesive coated reinforcing layer of material to the handled portion of the thermoplastic draw tape to reduce roping.

Abstract: A draw tape bag is formed from a plastic web. An edge folding unit, a notching unit, a tape inserting unit, a heat sealing unit and a web folding unit form a compact continuous line in a rectangular path. The hem folder includes a L-shaped plate within the hem to receive a draw tape. The plate is pivotally mounted the tape within the hem. A wheel is rotatably and pivotally mounted for pulling the hem onto the plate. A single strap on a roll has a width equal to both tapes. The roll is driven and the strap passes over a knife to sever the strap from the tapes. A tension control roll is coupled to moving the strap and controls the strap feed to hold a constant tape tension. A folding board includes spaced edge channels in a V-shape for folding the flat web. An air layer is interposed between the web and the folding channels to provide a low friction movement.

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 draw type bag with two single draw tapes having a front wall and back wall of flexible sheet material joined to each other along edges of the bag. Tubular channels extend along opposed transverse top edges of the front and back walls. The channels define an open mouth for the bag. Each of the channels has openings at the opposite ends of the top edges of the bag. A pair of draw tapes extends through both of the channels. One end of each of the tapes is attached to opposite side edges of the bag beneath the openings in one of the channels and the other end of each of the tapes extends through the openings at the corresponding ends of the other of the channels so that the tapes cross each other in both channels and wrap around the mouth of the bag whereby when the tapes are pulled the mouth of the bag is drawn tightly together.

Abstract: A thermoplastic draw tape bag having a tacky surface on the inside lip of the mouth of the bag and extending around the inner periphery of the lip on the open mouth of the bag, the surface comprising a material having the characteristic of sticking to itself and being adapted to seal the open mouth and hold the bag closed after the draw tape is pulled tight. In one form of the invention, the tacky surface comprises a coating of glycerol mono-oleate. The surface may also comprise a layer of polyvinylidene chloride or a layer of polyisobutylene.

Abstract: A plastic film product manufacturing apparatus includes a pair of draw rollers advancing a continuous length of plastic film, a plurality of guide rollers guiding the plastic film through at least part of the apparatus to the draw rollers and an endless flexible belt driving each of the guide rollers at a circumferential surface speed equal to the speed of the continuous length of plastic film advanced over the guide rollers. When the continuous length of plastic film is intermittently advanced by the draw rollers, and the guide rollers are simultaneously intermittently rotated by the endless belt. A primer mover drives both the draw rollers and the endless flexible belt to coordinate rotation of the draw rollers with the rotation of the guide rollers. One of the guide rollers is mounted on a dancer arm and a system of pulleys is provided for driving that guide roller by the endless flexible belt.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of handling flexible foldable materials, particularly thermoplastic film webs, continuously fed from a supply by continuously moving input nip rolls to a dancer including a roll mounted for movement transversely to its central axis. Intermittently moving draw rolls intermittently advance material from the dancer roll. The dancer roll is reciprocated in coordination with the intermittent advancement so as to decouple the translational inertia of the dancer roll from the material. A flexible belt also simultaneously rotates the dancer roll so as to decouple rotational inertia of the roll from the length of material. The dancer may be driven by a cam in common with a work station reciprocating against the material fed from the dancer.

Abstract: A thermoplastic draw tape bag having a microencapsulated adhesive on the inside surface of each hem of the bag. The adhesive has the characteristic that when the draw tape is withdrawn from the hem thereby causing the hem to gather, the tape pulls easily until it is tight whereupon further pulling of the draw tape causes the adhesive capsules to be broken thereby gluing together the tape and the hem and holding the bag closed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming draw tape bags wherein the bag material moves continuously during the manufacture, except for the last step. The apparatus may be used with an in-line system wherein a tube is extruded and a side gusset is formed to create a hem; or the apparatus may be used with an off-line system wherein folded bag material is used, and a continuous hemmer is provided to turn the loose edges. In the off-line system a constant tension dancer precedes the hemmer to maintain constant tension on the web regardless of the size of the supply roll. The web continues to move, and a cutter is actuated to move through a circle and engage the web to punch finger holes in the hem. A reel of a strip of material is continuously fed, the strip being slit longitudinally to provide the draw tapes which are inserted into the hems. A tape guide tensions the tape and assures that the tape is well within the hem, the hems are sealed, and the bags are side welded.

Abstract: A draw tape bag forming apparatus includes an edge folder for folding the edges of pliable plastic web to form a hem in the edge. A draw tape is fed into the open hem which is then heat sealed along the inner edge of the hem wall to form a tubular hem. The web is of an indefinite length and moves continuously through the machine. The heat sealed hem is an expanded air-filled type hem. An electrostatic generator unit is mounted downstream of the ballooned hem. The generator unit includes a charging bar mounted in spaced relation to reference ground plate to form a gap with the ballooned hem passing therebetween. The hem is aligned with the bar. A 120 volt power supply is connected to the charging bar and establishes a high voltage along the length of the bar.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the manufacture of non-roping thermoplastic draw tape handles for insertion into thermoplastic bags and in particular for the continuous application of a reinforcing layer of material to the handled portion of the thermoplastic draw tape to reduce roping.

Abstract: A draw tape bag apparatus passes a web of plastic material having edge notched hems in the opposite edges to receive closing tapes. A hem sealer unit seals the folded layers of the web longitudinally of the folded edge to form the hem. The sealer unit includes a drum unit rotatably mounted on a shaft. The drum unit includes first and second drum parts having coaxial peripheral surfaces. A heat concentrating and release tape is secured to each drum part. The adjacent intermediate ends of the drum parts have telescoping and mating fingers and receses. Separate adjustment screws are coupled to the machine frame adjacent each drum part. Each screw is coupled to the outer race of a ball bearing secured to the adjacent outer end wall of the drum part. The setting of the screw accurately locates the heat concentrating tape axially of the drum. Hot air nozzles are mounted externally to the drum parts in alignment with the tapes and heat the web passing over the tapes to heat seal the web layers in the hem.

Abstract: A bag forming apparatus passes a hemmed web through a rotating edge notcher and related units to form a taped hem in the web which is passed through an intermittently operated bag making machine. A web supply unit includes a web take-up unit to maintain a constant tension in the continuously moving web to the bag making machine. The web notches are phased with the bag making machine to locate the notches centrally of each bag. During starting and stopping, the web take-up unit changes the web length moving through the notching unit at normal full web speed operation and the web length variations are minimal. A programmable notch controller actuates a stepper motor to rotate the notcher. The controller responds to a control signal to form a notch. A programmable switch is coupled to the bag making machine to generate a first control signal for each bag cycle and is phased with the full web speed to locate the notch centrally of the bag.

Abstract: In the manufacture of draw tape bags hems are formed in the opposing panels of the moving web of folded thermoplastic film by utilizing tucker bars, that tuck the hem for the draw tape bags, equipped with a series of rubber wheels that pull the film diagonally so that it is tight against the edge of the folding boards.

Abstract: A dual draw tape bag has a front wall and back wall of flexible sheet material joined to each other along edges of the bag. Tubular channels extend along opposed transverse top edges of the front and back walls. The channels define an open mouth for the bag. Each of the channels has openings at the opposite ends of the top edges of the bag. A pair of tapes extend through each of the chanels. One of the ends of each of the tapes is attached to the opposite side edges of the bag beneath the openings in the channels and the other ends of the tapes extend through the respective openings at the other end of the channels so that the tapes cross in the channels, whereby when the tapes are pulled, the top of the bag is drawn tightly together.

Abstract: A convertible beach blanket may be easily converted into a tote bag having a number of internal compartments by folding in a first then a second direction and pulling on a cord confined to a portion of the blanket by a series of eyelets formed in a circular configuration.

Abstract: A draw tape bag with two single draw tapes having a front wall and back wall of flexible sheet material joined to each other along edges of the bag. Tubular channels extend along opposed transverse top edges of the front and back walls. The channels define an open mouth for the bag. Each of the channels has openings at the opposite ends of the top edges of the bag. A pair of draw tapes extends through both of the channels. One end of each of the tapes is attached to opposite side edges of the bag beneath the openings in one of the channels and the other end of each of the tapes extends through the openings at the corresponding ends of the other of the channels so that the tapes cross each other in both channels and wrap around the mouth of the bag whereby when the tapes are pulled the mouth of the bag is drawn tightly together.

Abstract: A draw tape bag with two single tapes has a front wall and back wall of flexible sheet material joined to each other along edges of the bag. Tubular channels extend along opposed transverse top edges of the front and back walls. The channels define an open mouth for the bag. Each of the channels has openings at the opposite ends of the top edges of the bag. A tape extends through each of the channels. One of the ends of each of the tape is attached to the opposite side edges of the bag beneath the openings in the channels and the other end of the tape extends through the respective opening at the other end of the channel so that the tapes cross in their respective channels, whereby when the tapes are pulled, the top of the bag is drawn tightly together. A method of forming this draw tape bag is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved thermoplastic film heat bonding apparatus includes a heated seal bar, a support member supporting the heated seal bar for reciprocating motion against a platen and a resilient coupling between the support member and the heated seal bar to allow deflection of the heated seal bar with respect to the support member providing better conformance between the platen and the face of the seal bar contacting the platen for more uniform and repeatable heat seals. Springs are used to provide the resilient coupling between the support member and the heated seal bar. One mounting providing both resilient coupling and continuous adjustable spacing between the support member and the heated seal bar includes a bracket supporting a threaded member passed through the support member and a coil spring biasing the bracket and support member apart. The bracket is itself resiliently mounted to the heated seal bar also by compression coil springs.

Abstract: Apparatus for sealing a hem in a moving web of plastic film having a structure including a folding surface having a web passing on one side of the surface and an edge of the web on the other side of the surface to produce a hem in the web prior to leaving the surface. Heat sealing apparatus is supported adjacent the structure for heat sealing the hem while the web is moving and prior to the sealed hem leaving the surface. The surface is provided with an opening in alignment with the heat sealing apparatus and the heat sealing apparatus seals the hem through the opening.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a machine-direction heat seal in a moving web of plastic film including a block adapted to be supported on one side of the hem and having a plurality of rollers mounted thereon at spaced locations in tandem for engaging the film along the path of the heat seal to be formed in the hem. The block has a corresponding plurality of surfaces each of which is adapted to be engaged by a side of one of the rollers. A heater is provided for heating the block and its plurality of surfaces and the rollers are maintained in contact with the plurality of surfaces whereby movement of the hem though the heat sealing apparatus causes the plurality of rollers to rotate and maintain contact with the plurality of surfaces whereby the rollers are in turn heated by conduction from the block and produce the heat seal in the hem.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a machine-direction intermittent heat seal in a moving web of plastic film including a block adapted to be supported on one side of the hem and having a plurality of wheels having heat conducting surfaces spaced around the periphery and mounted on the block at spaced locations in tandem for engaging the film along the path of the intermittent heat seal to be formed in the hem. The block has a corresponding plurality of surfaces each of which is adapted to be engaged by a side of one of the wheels. Gears interconnect the wheels to maintain the wheels in register with the intermittent portions of the heat seal in the hem during rotation of the wheels.

Abstract: Apparatus for heat sealing a hem in a moving web of plastic film using a plurality of rollers or wheels mounted on a block at spaced locations for engaging the film along the path of a heat seal to be formed in the hem. The rollers are heated by contact of one of their sides against a heated block. The small force holding the rollers against the heated block is provided by a slight angular orientation of the roller relative to the direction of film travel.