Abstract: A cutting apparatus for cutting blank profiles comprises a first cutting device located at a first position in the apparatus, a second cutting device located at a second position, the second position being separated from the first position along a first axis of the apparatus, and a third cutting device located at a third position, the third position being separated from the first position along a second axis and along a third axis of the apparatus. A chariot moves along the third axis while a support adapted to hold a blank profile is mounted to the chariot and moves along the first and second axes of the apparatus. A greater number of cutting devices may be used. Cutting devices may be arranged in rows along the third axis.

Abstract: A plastic or other film bag is formed from a continuous extruded tube. The tube is flattened and sealed across its width at intervals to form bag bottoms. The bags are joined to one another at a perforation line and folded in thirds lengthwise prior to being rolled into a compact roll, either with or without supporting core. After folding the bags may be chisel cut through the center of the perforation line to assist in dispensing of the bags. The chisel cut will extend through all layers of the bag when folded, resulting in three chisel cuts in the bag. The bags may be gusseted for part or as much as all of their width. The bags may also be corona treated and printed on their outer surfaces. The bags may be formed from partially recycled materials and various combinations of linear low density, medium and high density polyethylene.

Abstract: A stair-step, expandable file folder is disclosed, in which each pocket in the folder has the same depth, rather than the back pockets being deeper than the front pockets. The folder is formed from a group of attached dividers. Each divider in the group is generally planar and includes two horizontal folds near a bottom edge of the divider. The divider area above the folds forms a wall of a pocket. The divider area between the folds extends to an adjacent divider and forms the bottom of the pocket. The divider area below the folds is attached to the adjacent divider. The adjacent divider forms an opposing wall of the pocket. When the group of dividers is compressed front-to-back, the dividers all have the same lateral footprint. When the group is expanded front-to-back, the dividers translate vertically, so that the tops of the dividers are all visible simultaneously from the front of the folder.

Abstract: A process produces web sections from a flexible web material. The flexible web material is provided with tear-off lines at the distance of the length (L) of the web sections to be formed, which tear-off lines weaken the web material but do not bring about a complete separation of the web sections from the web material. The web sections are separated from the web material along the tear-off lines by tearing. The web material comprises a fabric made of small stretched plastic bands, and the tear-off lines are produced by laser beam processing.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a package is provided, comprising a first and second layer attached by a sealing process to create a peelable seal. The package also includes perforation cuts at regular intervals. A traverse cut is provided through both the first and second layer that traverses the perforation cut in the first layer at least once. The traverse cut and perforation cut define a bonded section to form a tab.

Abstract: A system and method for making bags in a continuous in-line process includes a central processing unit and a camera oriented to take an image of a bag based on a triggering signal. The camera provides an image to the central processing unit. The central processing unit is programmed to process the image and calculate a timing signal based on the image. A cylindrical rotatable drum having at least one seal bar provides a triggering signal to the central processing unit, to trigger when the camera should take the image. A perforation knife is controlled by a servo drive. The perforation knife is downstream of the drum. The servo drive receives the timing signal for activating the perforation knife from the central processing unit. The CPU uses the image and based on the distance between the seal region and the perforated line, counts pixels to result in an actual pixel count. The CPU then calculates a pixel count error by subtracting the actual pixel count from a predetermined pixel count setpoint.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a plurality of separable pouches comprising a means for forming sealed pouches, a center cut blade and a means for segregating each sealed pouch with the center cut blade is described. The means for forming the sealed pouches includes placing a plurality of different tablets corresponding to different medications into each sealed pouch. The center cut blade includes a side cut on each end of the blade, a center cut in the middle of the blade, and at least one perforation cut between each side cut and the center cut. The means for separating each sealed pouch with the center cut blade provides each sealed pouch with a sealed top end, a sealed bottom end, and two sides, in which at least one side is also sealed.

Abstract: A machine and method for making bags is described and includes a web traveling from an input section to a rotary drum, to an output section. The rotary drum includes at least one seal bar, having a first sealing zone, and an adjacent weakening zone. The weakening zone may be a heated perforator, includes a heating wire, or be disposed to create an auxiliary sealed area. The heating wire can have, connected thereto, a source of power that is at an adjustable voltage or magnitude, and/or pulsed, and/or a feedback loop. The heating wire may be an NiCr wire and make intermittent contact with the web and be disposed in an insert. The weakening zone may create a line of weakness that is uniform or varies in intensity, is a separating zone, or includes a heat film, a toothed blade, a row of pins, a source of air, or a source of vacuum. The sealing zones may include temperature zones, cartridge heaters, cooling air, or heated air, or a source of ultrasonic, microwave or radiative energy.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a machine and method for performing the laser sealing and laser cutting of flexible material into segments, such as a polymeric web in which the segments will ultimately be individual bags. The machine includes a generally cylindrical drum having openings on an exterior surface. A laser produces a laser beam that contacts the flexible material while the flexible material is being held on the drum. The drum is preferably comprised of drum sections that can be independently moved in the radial direction. The machine includes a cam system causing the drum sections to be sequentially moved in the radial direction. Typically, this radial movement is for the purpose of releasing the individual segments of the flexible material that have been cut by the laser.

Abstract: A perforation device for making roll of plastic bag with an opening and a perforation line on each bag, comprising a cutting unit, an anvil unit and a expanding board, wherein, the cutting unit involves a main unit whereto are fitted with a toothed blade and a specified number of compressing blocks, the expanding board serving to expanding the material bag, the toothed blade on the cutting unit serving to cut and punch a surface of the material bag, making a roll of plastic bags each having an opening on one side, thereby fully automated packaging can be achieved by installing the present invention on an automatic weighing and packaging machine or a in conveyor packaging line for convenient packaging process, to reduce labor cost and enhance packaging efficiency.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method and a device for stacking and packing groups of infusion bags, especially for making tea, whereby in continuous production infusion bags arranged one after another in a series in a strand are separated, their speed of movement is reduced and they are put in a position suitable for making a stack, whereby the infusion bags are arranged one after another in such a way that they at least partly overlap in their subsequent direction of movement.

Abstract: A system for creating and dispensing cushioning dunnage is small and permits flexible installation configuration options for a single or multiple packing stations. A compact apparatus of the system is capable of being pivotally mounted as a unit on a stand and includes a motor and a material feeding arrangement driven by the motor for pulling material from a supply roll of the material supported on a stand of the system, and feeding it through the apparatus. A plurality of material shaping members upstream of the feeding arrangement shape the material in the apparatus to convert it into a continuous strip of cushioning product.

Abstract: In a method for working an elongate web of material, use is made of a machine which comprises a feeding device for feeding the web at a given speed and a cutting device for making cuts in the web. The cutting device comprises a rotary backing roll and a rotary cutting roll with a projecting cutting means. The cutting roll is adapted to move, during a first part of its revolution, the cutting means into engagement with the backing roll to form the cuts in the web and, during a second part of its revolution, define with the backing roll a gap through which the web moves essentially unimpededly. A control means is adapted to control, preferably in an infinitely variable manner, the speed of rotation of the cutting roll relative to the speed of the web during the second part of the revolution for optional adjustment of the distance between succeeding cuts in the web.

Abstract: A system for creating and dispensing cushioning dunnage is small and permits flexible installation configuration options for a single or for multiple packing stations. A compact apparatus of the system is capable of being pivotally mounted as a unit on a stand and includes a motor and a material feeding arrangement driven by the motor for pulling material from a supply roll of the material supported on a stand of the system, and feeding it through the apparatus. A plurality of material shaping members upstream of the feeding arrangement shape the material in the apparatus to convert it into a continuous strip of cushioning product. A perforator driven by the motor perforates the material at spaced locations along the length of the material to allow an operator to manually rip a desired length of cushioning product from the material being dispensed from the apparatus.

Abstract: A folded gusseted plastic bag has a first side gusset formed by first, second, and third longitudinal folds, a second side gusset formed by fourth, fifth, and sixth longitudinal folds, a seventh longitudinal fold being on a side of the bag containing the first, second, and third folds and forming a first folded bag flap, and an eighth longitudinal fold which is on a side of the bag containing the fourth, fifth, and sixth folds, the eighth fold forming a second folded bag flap. The folded gusseted bag also is folded into a total of at least eight contiguous plies. A roll of the folded, gusseted bags includes a continuous web of the folded, flattened bags joined along perforated severance lines. Preferably the perforated severance lines further comprise a centrally-located slit.

Abstract: In the manufacture of bags with handles, an extruded plastics tube is extruded, folded inwardly by a first folding device (21) to form gusseted side portions (4) and flattened. A transverse heat seal is formed by a sealing device (22) and a cutting device (23) removes a central section of the tubing to form handle portions (10). The gusseted side portions (4) are folded in turn onto a medial tubing portion (3) by a second folding device (24) having arcuate folding ramps and a further transverse heat seal and a transverse perforation line are applied to the base of the bag.

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 sleeve used to wrap items such as potted plants. The sleeve may have an open or closed bottom. When closed, the bottom may have a gusset for allowing expansion upon the depositing of the pot into the sleeve. The sleeve has a detachable upper portion. The sleeve may have a bonding material disposed upon an inner or outer portion of the sleeve for attaching the sleeve to the pot or item.

Abstract: A special service mailpiece having at least on integral document section and a method for forming the mailpiece requiring special services is provided. The mailpiece has an integral document section requiring special mailing service and includes a sheet folded into sections along a fold line then sealed to enclose the integral document section. The sheet further has a removably attached section which, after the system is folded and sealed, forms a return postcard and at least one form. The return postcard and the form are integrally formed, but removably attached, such that the return postcard remains attached to the mailpiece until received by the addressee at which time it may be removed.

Abstract: Packs of T-shirt type plastic shopping bags are fabricated in such a manner that when the bags are mounted on conventional racks, as each bag is pulled off the rack, the front wall of the next ensuing bag is pulled out to open the bag for the depositing of articles to be packed in the bag. This is accomplished by providing a special configuration for the central tab which is hooked on the upwardly extending element in the rack. The tab has a narrow neck which is partially slit between the neck edges and is adhered to the tabs of adjacent bags by an adhesive spot applied in hot melt condition below the slit.

Abstract: A container strip in the form of a chain of interconnected preopened bags with openings having longitudinal dimensions of at least about 1/32 inch is disclosed. The container strip provides greatly enhanced facility for bag registration and opening during packaging operations utilizing the improved container strip. A process of forming a chain of pre-opened bags is also disclosed. Face and back plastic webs are independently fed along individual paths of travel to a common path. The webs are differentially tensioned while in their independent paths by stretching the face web more than the back web such that the face web will retract longitudinally more than the back web upon release of the web tension. While so tensioned edge seals are formed between the webs to convert the webs into a tube and longitudinally spaced transverse seals are formed between the webs to delineate bottoms of bags.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for perforating a plastic film fleader section connecting together a plurality of plastic film bags and forming a pack of saddle bags. The saddle bags are carried on a block with the header on the block and the bags draped thereover. The block is in sliding engagement with a track and is selectively moved in position in the apparatus. A pair of pivotally connected arms are selectively pivotally moved in contact with the plastic film bags pulling the bags generally away from the header and causing the header to become taut. A pair of perforation blades are forced toward the carrying block and through the header simultaneously creating two perforation lines, one line on each side of the header.

Abstract: To make blocks of bags having blocked stubs, which are joined by perforation lines substantially only to the lower opening-defining edge of each block, which lower edge is separated by a substantially continuous slit from the upper opening-defining edge, a tubular web of synthetic thermoplastic material is formed in partial regions with perforation lines extending through both plies. Only the upper ply is cut to form separating slits extending substantially throughout the width of that upper ply. The bags are then separated from the tubular web by hot-wire welding and are stacked.

Abstract: A piercing blade for perforating slits in a continuous tubular web of thermo-plastic material is shown. The blade is used in a machine to form individual bags from the tube by heat sealing the bottom and perforating the top of the next bag. The piercing teeth in the blade have formed in the front face a number of horizontal grooves which serve to pick up the edge of the top layer of the slit to form a burr thereon and thus separate the two plys of the tubular web, facilitating the opening of the top of the bag when it is separated from the roll of continuous tubular material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing bags interconnected at their open ends by forming transverse seals across a flattened longitudinal tube of film material and utilizing a cutting die to cut a transverse weakened line across the tube intermediate the transverse seals and to cut a pair of handle openings, one on each side of the transverse weakened line.

Abstract: A process for making a roll of plastic bags made from a two-ply web sealed along its sides. Perforations for the top edges of each bag are made simultaneously and separately in each of the two plys of the web forming the bag. The bottom of each bag is formed by a transverse seal. To further enhance ease of opening, at least a portion of the top edge on one ply of the bag is non-coincident with the top edge on the other ply of the bag.

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: An envelope machine which makes two envelopes at once. One web is used up to a relatively advanced point in the envelope forming process to simultaneously form two envelopes. At a terminal portion of the envelope processing, the web is cut lengthwise to form two envelopes. The device also includes improved structure for maintaining uniform the tension on the web. This need for uniform tension is made more prevalent by the thickness of the web which must be used to form two envelopes in parallel. The structure of the present invention which maintains uniform the thickness of the web is formed herein by a dancer roll which moves in a longitudinal fashion in cooperation with movement of other associated rolls. Whenever the dancer roll reaches one of its stopping points, it sets off a limit switch which operates a piston to change the type of moving being applied to the dancer roles.

Abstract: An improved form, fill, seal and separate packaging machine for reclosable containers is accomplished by a plurality of stations disposed along a path of travel of a thermoplastic web including means to attach a pair of mated, resealable closure strips to the base web. The machine is intermittent in its operation, with movement of the web through the machine controlled so that the various steps of applying the closure strips, forming, filling, sealing and separating the reclosable containers are performed during periodic stops of the machine. The machine is further characterized by its use of two pairs of web belts to move the web through the machine. A first pair of web belts initially receive the folded web stock and partially form and completely fill the containers. The second pair of web belts overlap with the downstream end of the first pair of belts, but are disposed lower than the first belts.

Abstract: A device for perforating a tubular film of plastic material flattened to form a roll of pre-formed bags for individual separation from the roll, has a perforating knife with a plurality of pointed teeth spaced along the bottom edge thereof disposed for reciprocal piercing of a continuous tubular film of plastic passed over a work support surface having a hollow slot therein. The teeth are hollow-ground to provide a slightly arcuate cutting edge along each tooth that produces a non linear perforation in the tubular film of plastic and partially seaprates the top layer of the plastic from the bottom layer. The teeth are spaced apart a desired distance to leave sufficient attaching tabs so that the roll of bags does not prematurely pull apart. Minimum tension and penetrating pressure are achieved with the present invention and result in less distortion and unwanted tearing of the end product and greater life for the piercing blade and a more easily separated and opened bag.

Abstract: A pouch perforator for a form, fill and seal packaging machine of the type which forms pouches from continuous film includes a cutting element and a support element. The cutting element is rotatively mounted on the packaging machine as is the support element with the cutting element located on one side of the film and the support element located on the opposite side of the film. The cutting element includes a plurality of axially extending knife edges located in a circumferentially spaced array. The knife edges rotate in response to rotation of the cutting element. The support element includes a circumferentially extending support surface which rotates in response to rotation of the surface element. The knife edges in response to rotation of the cutting element compress film against the support surface to perforate the film.

Abstract: To make plastic carrying bags or sacks, sections are cut or are severed by hot wire welding from a gusseted tubular film by a formation of transverse seam welds and transverse severing cuts or by hot wire-welded transverse seam welds. At least in their bottom portion the sections are provided with corner seam welds, which are separately formed in the two folds and which diverge obliquely from the outer fold lines toward the top and/or bottom seam weld and terminate short of the inner fold line and merge into the latter. To prevent in the making of the carrying bags an elongation of the intermediate portion of the tubular film, the latter is initially formed with corner seam welds only in one fold of each of the two gussets before the transverse seam welds and transverse severing cuts or hot wire-welded transverse seam welds are formed. When said corner seam welds have cooled, congruent corner seam welds are formed in the respective other folds.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging products in a bag of plastic material comprises means (3-15) for transporting a continuous, flat, tube-like material web (2).

Abstract: A method of forming a severable compartmented T-shirt bag comprising heat welding overlying lengths of a flattened tubular web of thermoplastic material centrally therealong to define a compartment to each side of the heat welding and a side edge seam for each compartment, slitting the web material between the compartments and formed seams, and reengaging the seams and forming a tack joinder therebetween to define a line of severance. The method also including the steps of transversely seaming the lengths of web material into individual bag units and forming a central cutout area in each bag unit to define a bag mouth with a handle to each side of the severance line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating continuous envelopes for use in connection with electronic data processing printers or the like is disclosed. The method and apparatus includes the steps of severing an advancing web along longitudinally spaced-apart transverse lines to provide straight completely severed segments and a non-severed medial segment. In a distinct step, the web is severed along non-linear lines adjacent to the transverse lines, with each non-linear line including a severed longitudinal segment and a severed bridging segment which extends in an oblique direction between the transverse line and the outer end of the associated longitudinal segment to provide a generally triangular cut-out which, when both are removed, yields an envelope backing panel having a tapered closure flap.

Abstract: Method and system for preparing a flat-bottom thermoplastic sack including forming a transverse sealed seam across the mid-section of a collapsed, gusseted tube and simultaneously or subsequently forming a preweakened transverse line closely next adjacent to the sealed seam; forming diagonal sealed seams of each 2 ply gusset fold so as to meet the ends of the transverse sealed seam and removing the four double-film triangular regions outside of the diagonal seams and separating said structures along the preweakend lines to form individual flat bottom sacks. The process also includes forming a handled version of the same sack.

Abstract: A series of bags comprising at least two rows in side by side relationship is disclosed. Each row comprises a plurality of bags separable from the next by perforations between the bottom seal of one bag and the top lip of an adjacent bag. The rows are staggered such that the perforations do not extend entirely across the rows.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing envelope blanks has means for advancing a continuous web of paper along a horizontal path, two sets of rotatable cutter blades are located one on each side of the path of travel of the web. The blades are operable to cut out portions from each side of the web. The blades on each side of the said path being located on a common shaft. Each set of cutter blades comprises at least three cutter blades. Each blade is located on a cutter bracket mounted on the shaft so that the angular position of the blade on the shaft is adjustable through 360.degree.. Each blade in each set is located opposite a similar blade in the other set to form a matching pair and the cutting profiles of the blades in each set are different and including a cutting point in each blade. The positions of the common shafts are also adjustable so that the sets of cutter blades are movable towards each other or away from each other as desired.

Abstract: Method of and device for making perforations in the inner gusset portions of a tubular web of plastics foil which is provided with side gussets. Such perforations serve to remove air from the interior of bags to be manufactured from the tubular web. According to the invention the gussets are opened over a distance sufficient to introduce, in the interior thereof, a punching member, which is activated by exerting a pressure from outside the tubular web. A device adapted to perform this method comprises a separate carrier provided at either one of its ends with rolls and adapted to be introduced into the interior of the tubular web where it is supported and maintained in its place lengthwise of the web, by two sets of rolls which are situated at the exterior of the tubular web. The carrier is provided with perforating units and the machine frame outside the tubular foil is provided with means to exert through the web material, a force and to activate the perforating units.

Abstract: A method of forming a container strip of flexible sheet material having anti-corrosion inserts is disclosed. The method includes the steps of bringing two webs of flexible material into superimposed relationship, applying an adhesive to one of the webs, and feeding inserts, one by one, between the two webs. Thereafter, the webs are passed between rolls which compress the webs and the inserts to adhere the inserts to the web having adhesive. Edge seals, end seals, and perforations then are formed to produce a strip of flexible containers suitable for reception of corrosion prone articles.In an alternative embodiment, an adhesive is applied to both webs at spaced locations and an insert then is compressed between the webs at a location toward one end of the container. This technique produces a container having a header portion to provide support for display purposes.

Abstract: Continuous strip closed-bottom open-mouthed packaging bags are produced by continually making, at spaced intervals in a continuous flattened tubular oriented plastic film supply, a transversely extending heat seal to define a bag bottom, and, adjacent each heat seal, perforating the two plies of the film supply with a blade heated to effect annealing of the edges of the perforations and having a serrated cutting edge with spaced deep recesses to define connecting tabs between perforations.

Abstract: A plurality of expandable bags are serially connected lengthwise in roll form. Each bag is of substantially long length and has an expandable gusset near one end thereof and traversely of the length. The gusset end of each bag is respectively connected to the filling or open end of the next bag by perforated or weakened structure. Various modifications of the position of the opening are incorporated. Also, the bags are rolled into serial form in a compact package for distribution and use with the gusset and opening portions of each bag being rolled inwardly to the inside of the roll, or outwardly to the outside of the roll. The method of making these serially connected bags in roll form is also included.