Abstract: A method of manufacturing a structural member includes preheating a plurality of fibers to a first temperature, moving the preheated fibers along an assembly line, applying a binder to at least one of the preheated fibers, providing a die shaped to receive the preheated fibers, wherein the die moves together with the preheated fibers along at least a portion of the assembly line, maintaining a temperature of the plurality of fibers at a temperature substantially similar to the first temperature, and compressing the plurality of fibers within the die while maintaining a temperature.

Abstract: It is disclosed a device (1) for altering the storage capacity of a tubular mesh bag of heat sealable material during the manufacture thereof and the bag (15) obtained from its using. The device comprises an expansion core (2) to which the tubular mesh is peripheral, which is essentially oblong and will be inserted vertically inside the tubular mesh, thus determining two from faces (21) and two side faces of said mesh as it passes over the expansion core. The device has a mechanism for inserting, in a variable way as the mesh passes over the expansion core, sections of the peripheral tubular mesh into it, thus accumulating a greater or smaller quantity of mesh in each longitudinal section of mesh corresponding with one bag unit.

Abstract: It is disclosed a device (1) for altering the storage capacity of a tubular mesh bag of heat sealable material during the manufacture thereof and the bag (15) obtained from its using. The device comprises an expansion core (2) to which the tubular mesh is peripheral, which is essentially oblong and will be inserted vertically inside the tubular mesh, thus determining two from faces (21) and two side faces of said mesh as it passes over the expansion core. The device has a mechanism for inserting, in a variable way as the mesh passes over the expansion core, sections of the peripheral tubular mesh into it, thus accumulating a greater or smaller quantity of mesh in each longitudinal section of mesh corresponding with one bag unit.

Abstract: In order to produce tobacco bags from sheet material having a pocket and a fold-over flap and a tape as closure means, the tape is applied (as are possibly further applications) to a continuous sheet-material web (22) for producing the bags by transversely directed severing cuts. The procedure here is such that the sheet-material web (22) is provided in the first instance, by folding, with a continuous web leg and then with transversely directed connecting seams in the region of the web leg, and thereafter the tape is applied to the sheet-material web prepared in this way. Bags (10) provided with a tape are then severed from the sheet-material web. The tapes are applied to the sheet-material web (22) in the region of an application station (30). Following this, the bags (10) are severed in a severing station (27).

Abstract: For the continuous production of tobacco bags from a sheet-material web (19), the latter is, in the first instance, folded in the region of a folding device (30) to form a continuous web leg (20) corresponding to a pocket of the bag. The web (19) prepared in this way is directed through a sealing subassembly for the purpose of providing transversely directed connecting seams as a lateral boundary to the pockets of successive bags. The sealing subassembly (31) is arranged in an upright position with sealing devices one beneath the other. The web (19) is directed through the sealing subassembly (31) in an upright plane and is largely free of tensioning during the sealing operation.

Abstract: A vertical form fill and seal continuous pouch machine includes a forming tube having a cross section area of CA is disclosed. A film tube is continuously formed about the forming tube and fed downward. A horizontal sealing assembly includes at least one pair of opposing sealing bars that make horizontal seals on the film, thereby forming pouches. The horizontal seals are formed in a horizontal sealing zone, and the vertical distance from a lower end of the forming tube to the center of the horizontal sealing zone is a transition distance that is (in inches) preferably no more than 0.5 multiplied by the cross-section area (in sq inches).

Abstract: A vertical form fill and seal continuous pouch machine includes a forming tube having a cross section area of CA is disclosed. A film tube is continuously formed about the forming tube and fed downward. A horizontal sealing assembly includes at least one pair of opposing sealing bars that make horizontal seals on the film, thereby forming pouches. The horizontal seals are formed in a horizontal sealing zone, and the vertical distance from a lower end of the forming tube to the center of the horizontal sealing zone is a transition distance that is (in inches) preferably no more than 0.5 multiplied by the cross-section area (in sq. inches).

Abstract: A vertical stand-up pouch, flat bottom bag, or flexible package, and method for manufacturing same, constructed with a quick change module modification to existing vertical form and fill packaging machines. The invention involves producing a vertical stand-up pouch or flat bottom bag from a single sheet of packaging film by creating one or two vertical creases along the packaging film tube prior to forming a transverse seal on the tube. Such creases are formed using fixed or stationary modifications to prior art vertical form, fill, and seal machines comprising, in part, a quick change module that easily installs on the base of a forming tube.

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: Process and apparatus for folding or shaping a continuous material web (10) made of thin packaging material. In this case, the material web (10) is directed through a shaping subassembly (27) which uses fixed shaping elements, namely shaping webs (46, 47 and 50, 52) and a mating web (53), to deform the material web (10) during transportation of the same.

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: An envelope blank is conveyed through a folding mechanism that folds one or more flaps of the blank. In folding a side flap the leading edge of the blank adjacent to the score line follows in a helical path a convex face of a plowshare. The plowshare face applies at the leading edge of the blank adjacent to the score line a force which bends the side flap through an angle of 180° to a position where the flap is folded to overlap the blank. The folding of the flap is initiated by the convex face of the plowshare so that the flap folding forces are applied to the score line where the flap has the least resistance to bending. The folding forces are removed from the flap free edge which is supported to follow the movement of the flap leading edge.

Abstract: A tube-forming machine has a tube forming section for receiving webs of material and forming it into a tube. The tube-forming section has multiple sets of tube formers for forming different types of tubes, and the tube formers are supported on opposite sides of a former bed that is rotatable to bring one or the other of the sets of tube formers into operative position to form a tube.

Abstract: When manufacturing bags from tubular paper sections of a single layer or multiple layers, at least one end of each flat, tubular section is expanded into a bottom square. Lateral flaps formed in this way are folded such that they overlap and partially cover corner flaps. In order to easily bond expanded bottom squares together, the regions of the tubular sections which are to be bonded together are provided with coatings of thermoplastic which are heated and pressed together.

Abstract: A folding mechanism for a bag knitting apparatus which is intended to fold inwardly the text-printed sides of the double-layer material strip to overcome the problems of conventional bag knitting apparatus. The folding mechanism comprises a clamping roller set, a folding rod set, a supporting set, and a pressing wheel set. The double-layer material strip to be folded is opened to enclose the lower end of the folding rod set such that the sides are positioned between groove surfaces formed on the outer sides of the folding rod set and the pressing wheel set. The material strip is folded as it passes upward between the groove surfaces of the folding rod set and the pressing wheel set.

Abstract: Folding stations are provided successively in a single running direction of an apparatus for the single or z-like folding of lateral tongues of a sheet layer. The first station has an offset rising folding curve for tongue straightening, the second station has a rotating roll for z-shaped prefolding of a tongue, and the third station has juxtaposed folding curves for the finish folding of differently long tongues and the first pressing rolls for the smoothing of the fold breaks. Therefore, very different and complicated folds can be carefully made in a single pass through the apparatus.

Abstract: An envelope blank is conveyed by a transport system in an envelope making machine to a folding mechanism that folds one or more flaps of the blank. In folding a side flap, the leading edge of the blank adjacent to the score line is conveyed along a convex face of a plowshare. The plowshare face applies at the leading edge of the blank adjacent to the score line a force which bends the side flap through an angle of 180.degree. to a position where the flap is folded to overlap the blank. A crease is formed on the score line to permanently set the flap on the blank. The folding of the flap is initiated by the convex face of the plowshare. Extending from the upper edge of the plowshare face is a grid-like network of flexible rods mounted to follow the helical path of the plowshare face. The free edge portion of the flap is supported by the grid to follow the flap leading edge being folded by the plowshare.

Abstract: In a bag making machine the longitudinal side edges and adjacent portions of an elongate plastic web, which is folded in half medially of its centerline, pass from a set of inlet rolls over and under, respectively, a pair of vertically spaced separating rolls before merging at a set of outlet rolls. The separating arms extend inwardly between the two separated portions of the web only part way toward the fold line, and are spaced apart exactly twice the depth of the gusset that is to be formed.

Abstract: Fine paper that is sized with a 2-oxetanone alkaline sizing agent and that does not encounter machine feed problems in high speed converting or reprographic machines, including continuous forms bond paper and adding machine paper, processes for converting the paper into envelopes, continuous forms bond paper and adding machine paper, and paper products of the processes.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a bag or sack bottom from tubular sections of paper or plastic web. Tubular sections of web material are fed into a feeding plane where they are subsequently sealed along selected seams by a sealing means. The sections are then inverted and fed in parallel to a scoring, gluing and folding section. The tubular section is then inverted again and passed to a pressing section. The tubular sections are stacked on top of each other in a partially overlapping manner as they are passed through the pressing section. After pressing, the tubular sections are passed to a separating station for again separating them before being passed to a packaging station. The invention concerns, moreover, an apparatus for operating the above mentioned method.

Abstract: A gusseted envelope or box making apparatus and method including the use of a tractor feed unit (11) which perforates the web stock (5) prior to a subsequent printing step. A thermal print head (61) precisely activates thermal ribbon (57) which is accurately registered with the web (5) by means of pin feed holes (16,17). A product conveyor (74) manipulates the product (75) so as to automatically load the box or envelope (69) thus manufactured and printed. A multipart form (141) is disclosed including a continuous envelope (167), return reply envelope (173) and enclosed coupon (166) which may all be imprinted with unique customer information (161). The complete form (141) is folded and inserted into a parent envelope (167) by a series of vacuum plates (376) and insertion rams (392).

Abstract: A flexible pouch formed from a single sheet of plastic material folded over upon itself along an umbrella like fold assembly to provide the opposed walls of a chamber for storing a product and an optional second sheet to form the bottom of the chamber. The walls and the bottom are sealed along their periphery to form the chamber. The pouch has a self-opening spout formed in part by the fold assembly which expands and springs open when the sealed end of the spout is cut off. The fold assembly not only provides a large spout opening, but also provides a spring force which keeps the spout open so that all the product may be emptied from the chamber.

Abstract: A flexible pouch is made having a gusseted bottom structure and an inwardly folded top structure from two webs. A first web is folded over on itself to form an inverted U-shape portion and excess web material is pushed inwardly at the top of the fold to create a U-shaped fold at the top of the pouch. A second web is moved into contact with the open end to form the gusseted bottom. The webs are sealed and served to form the individual pouches.

Abstract: The present invention includes a process and apparatus for producing highly specialized individual product pouches with high efficiency and simplicity at production speeds that are easily obtainable with present day forming machines, particularly, horizontal-type form-fill-seal machines. The subject process and apparatus advantageously form pouches from a continuous supply of flexible web material by folding the flexible web material into two side walls and a bottom gusset and performing one or more forming operations on only one of the gusset portion and lower side wall combinations at one time. Such forming operations may include any operation which physically or perspectively alters the appearance or nature of the pouches. After at least one such forming operation is conducted, a plurality of side seals are provided to define at least one specialized pouch.

Abstract: A bag-making apparatus which comprises a support table carrying a bag material which is put thereon, a pair of side guides being provided above the support table, being movable in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the bag material and controlling both side of the bag material, a pair of top guides being movable in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the bag material together with the side guides, having the space therebetween gradually narrower from the approach side to the leaving side of the bag material, and controlling the front face of the bag material made tubular, and forming rollers being disposed on the approach side of the bag material from the top guides, being movable in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the bag material, and pressing the bag material onto the support table.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing sacks, made of polyethylene or other heat-sealable material, obtained by superposing two films or sheets which are unwound from respective rolls and are submitted to a pair of longitudinal welds to form a tube, and to transverse welds cuts. The edges of one of the sheets are formed with a re-entrant fold whereby the edges will overlap, with a portion of their outer faces, corresponding portions of the inner face of the other sheet. When only one of the sheets is folded at the edges, the welding of the overlapped end portions is effected by a single respective sealing bar acting on the outer face of the edges to be joined and having an opposite stationary contrasting member.

Abstract: Computer controlled method and apparatus for paper sheet bending in a bag making machine for making hand bags, pocketbooks, vanity cases, etc. Two computers are used to store the information needed to allow the machine to make bags of various types and sizes from paper of various qualities and thicknesses. Data concerning the bag itself is stored in the memory of a first computer while data concerning the properties of the paper to be used is stored in the second computer. Both types of data are needed to precisely and automatically position the guide plates for properly locating the desired bends in the paper. The bag type and paper type can be changed quickly with little loss in production time.

Abstract: An envelope forming apparatus has a vacuum table with apertures through which a vacuum is applied onto the surface of the vacuum table. A series of parallel endless belts move across the vacuum table and transport an envelope blank across the vacuum table. The vacuum through the apertures in the vacuum table holds the blank on the belts as they move across the vacuum table and as the blank is folded by a plowshare folder located relative to the vacuum table. Alternatively, a single wide belt with apertures may be substituted for the series of parallel belts.

Abstract: A readily removable apparatus for use with an envelope blank-forming machine for the forming of envelopes from those blanks. The apparatus comprises an adhesive sprayer for applying adhesive on one side of a side flap of the envelope blank. It also includes an air lifter to lift a leading edge of the blank into engagement with a buckle bar. A plow folds the side flaps over a rear portion of the envelope blank, and rollers press the adhesive-covered side of the side flaps onto a rear portion of the blank to form an envelope.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing items in selected configurations and a system and method for controlling the same. More particularly, an apparatus for producing mail pieces and a system and method for controlling it to produce mail pieces in a variety of configurations are disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser printer and folding sealing apparatus controlled by a data processor. The folder sealer apparatus combines sheets printed by the laser printer with pre-printed sheets and envelope forms, which also may be printed by the laser printer or may be windowed envelopes, folds the sheets as necessary and folds and seals the envelope form about the folded sheets to produce a mail piece. A user inputs a configuration for the mail piece which is translated by the data processor into a data structure and transmitted to the controller of the folder sealer apparatus.

Abstract: A gusseted tubing former designed to be incorporated in a bag manufacturing line, preferably for manufacturing paper bags from a continuous paper web. The web is formed around the periphery of the former to produce a continuous tubing. As the tubing moves along the former in the manufacturing line, it emerges in the form of a flat tubing which includes two inwardly directed gussets, or folds. To prevent transverse stresses on the web during the formation of the gussets, the former includes edges which longitudinally extend in a direction which follows the folding lines of the gussets of the tubing as the tubing is progressively flattened from an upstream end to a downstream end of the former.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a pleated multi-layer bag, a tubular synthetic resinous film collapsed flatly, with each side edge of the film folded inwardly to form a pair of pleats extending along the side edge, is laid upon a length of an outer-layer bag material. The film and the bag material are transported while one of the pair of pleats at each side edge of the film is set upright to form an upstanding section. Subsequently, opposite side portions of the outer-layer bag material are folded back toward the tubular synthetic resinous film. The upstanding section is folded down toward the other pleat. A part of each of the opposite side portions is forced into a space between the upstanding section and the other pleat at a corresponding one of the opposite side edges of the tubular synthetic resinous film. The opposite side portions of the outer-layer bag material are folded over the tubular synthetic resinous film in such a manner that the opposite side portions extend along the outer surface of the film.

Abstract: A corner forming unit of a package forming machine which employs an H-shaped guide over which the packaging material passes after it has been longitudinally sealed. A pair of rollers outside of the tube of material forms the edges of the packaging material into the H-shaped guide to form the corners of the material from which individual filled rectangular packages will be formed.

Abstract: A shaping device for a web of flexible film having projecting ports comprising a shaping plate having a slit, for receiving the film, and an opening for receiving the port. An adjustable member is provided for limiting the length of the slit. A member is also provided for guiding the port into the opening.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a flexible tubing (S) from a single-ply or multi-ply web (B) as it is continuously advanced includes two size-defining metal plates (9, 10) which define the width of the flattened tubing and are substantially parallel to each other and are movably mounted in the machine frame (1, 2, 3) and have receiving end portions about which the web is deflected to raise edge portions of the web which are to be infolded to overlap each other. The plates are adjustable by a screw (34) or the like to control the distance between their receiving end portions. The plates are provided at their delivery end portions with straps (17) or the like for controlling the distance between the plates.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing a trapezoidally-shaped paper bag comprises a cutting and processing device to form a continuous line of blanks in a paper strip, left and right guide rail units for raising up the side flaps of successive blanks, left and right folding ruler members arranged in an inverted V in the direction of advance of the paper strip, a base rod for causing forward and backward reciprocating movement of the left and right ruler members on the upper surface of the blank being processed between the guide rail units, and inwardly and outwardly reciprocating left and right sliding plates for folding up the side folding flaps of the blank by moving inwardly over the left and right ruler members, respectively, in an overlapping relation.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for forming a pair of inwardly turned hems in the adjoining free edges of superposed layers of a longitudinally folded moving pliable material web, particularly superposed thermoplastic film panels for forming plastic bags having draw tapes in the hems. The moving web is passed over the cylindrical surface of a roller with the free edge of the inner layer of the web passing over a plurality of rollers disposed at one end of the first-named roller. The surfaces of the plurality of rollers extend substantially to the periphery of the roller. The free edge of the outer layer of the web is passed over a semicylindrical surface adjacent the plurality of rollers. The free edges of the layers of the web are guided to a hem folder at the downstream side of a hem forming block where they are folded inwardly adjacent the respective layers of the web to provide a pair of inwardly turned hems in the adjoining free edges of the opposing layers of the web.

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: The present invention provides an apparatus for producing a shipping form characterized by a folding mechanism, a cutting off mechanism, an aligning and feeding mechanism, a form inserting mechanism and a cutting mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding large sheets of thermoplastic film in a U-shaped fold comprising a trapezoidal former or frame which tapers from a relatively wide width to a substantially narrower width about one-half the width of the relatively wide width and which extends downwardly across a flat plane about the width of the narrower width, a tucker bar or V-shaped member mounted on the trapezoidal former for receiving and inwardly folding the edges of the film to be folded, and a top plane mounted on the trapezoidal former just above and substantially parallel to the tucker bar for receiving and guiding the unfolded portion of the plastic film thereover. Means for receiving the sheet of plastic film and guiding the film over the trapezoidal former and a means for receiving the plastic film after it has been folded are also provided. Adjustment means are further provided for raising and lowering the tucker bar.

Abstract: Draw tape bags are made with folding surfaces which decrease in width to the final bag height. One edge of each side of a moving web of film is tucked onto a side of a surface to produce a hem in each edge of the moving web. Rollers, which are canted with respect to the direction of movement of the web, pull the hem of the film tight against the surface to insure that the web is at the final bag length when the web leaves the surfaces.

Abstract: A form, fill and seal apparatus for producing flexible containers having fitments located at one end of the container. The invention provides a former for folding into a tubular shape a substantially flat web of film with attached fitments. The former includes a substantially V-shaped member, an elongated member secured to the V-shaped member, and a U-shaped member. The V-shaped member, elongated member, the U-shaped member cooperate to fold the substantially flat web of film to bring opposite longitudinal portions thereof into aligned relationship.

Abstract: A forming shoulder for an HFFS machine comprises a pair of side wires 3a and 3b each comprising an upper limb 11 joined to a lower limb 14 at an elbow 12 and each supported near a respective end of a support bar 16. The width of the tube, defined by side walls where the tube passes inwardly of the two lower limbs 14 and by a floor (defined by the marginal portions of the film 10) and a ceiling (defined by the central portion 10a of the film spanning the gap between the two elbows 12), is adjustable by re-positioning of the side wires 3a and 3b on the support bar 16 and the height of the tube is adjustable by replacement of one pair of side wires by a different pair having an alternative geometry.

Abstract: A method of folding a continuous web of a thermoplastic film material incorporating complementary interengagable profiled fastener elements, and aligning and interengaging the complementary fastener elements. Moreover, also provided is a device over which the web of thermoplastic film material is folded, with the device possessing structure for superimposing and aligning the fastener elements and interengaging the fastener elements which are adapted to be utilized in the production of reclosable plastic bags.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming draw tape bags wherein the bag material moves continuously during the manufacture, except for the last step. A roll of folded web is provided, and the loose edges are turned inwardly to form upper hems for the bags. 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. The web is further carried to a tandem sealer, the web passing over a roll where heated air is directed at the area of the hem. A "Teflon" strip is placed between the hems to prevent sealing them together. The web continues to a second sealing roll where the opposite side is sealed in the same way. The final step utilizes a stop-start apparatus with a side sealing blade. The side sealing blade has one radius for the body of the bag, and a larger radius for the hemmed area.

Abstract: An improved former and method of forming superposed hems in superposed panels forming a continuous pliable and foldable web, especially thin plastifilm panels for forming plastic bags includes a first turning edge for turning at least an intermediate portion of the superposed panels from a first direction to a second direction, a second turning edge adjoining one side of the first turning edge for turning superposed free side edge portions of the web transverse to the intermediate portions and third and fourth turning edges spanning both the turned intermediate portions and turned side edge portions of the web for turning a separate one of the side edge portions against the turned intermediate portion thereby forming the hem.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping a web of film with attached fitments into a tubular shape. The apparatus including a plate member including a cut-out portion and an oblong member. The plate member and oblong member defining a channel and cooperating to fold a web of film with attached fitments into a substantially tubular shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoplastic bag which is characterized by having a pair of carrying handles formed integrally with the bag walls and extending upwardly from opposite sides of an open mouth portion of the bag. The handle members are reinforced and comprise at least two layers of thermoplastic material, one of the layers forming the bag body and handles and the other layer serving as a reinforcement layer. The reinforcement layer is provided only in the handle areas of the bag structure.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for automatically effecting a widthwise folding of a long, flexible web advanced therethrough. The web is trained about a first roller at a point where the folding begins and about a second roller at a point where the folding ends. A displacement edge or bar is mounted in a fixed location equidistant from the first and second rollers, and a portion of the web is trained about the displacement edge or bar during the folding. Webs of different widths are accommodated by adjusting the positions of the first and second rollers without changing the shapes of three similar triangles. The first triangle is defined by a first point where a first edge of the web intersects the first roller, a second point where the same edge of the web intersects the second roller, and a third point where the opposite edge of the web intersects the first roller.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a single-fin wrapper sleeve about articles advanced through the apparatus, comprises a conveyor for advancing the articles in a conveying direction and in a plane of conveyance and a shaping body having a vertical longitudinal halving plane extending parallel to the conveying direction and perpendicularly to the plane of conveyance. The shaping body includes a first main forming surface including a planar surface portion and a second main forming surface joining the first main forming surface downstream as viewed in the conveying direction. The second main forming surface has a gradually closing tubular shape surrounding the conveyor and a longitudinal slot extending underneath the plane of conveyance parallel to the conveying direction and symmetrically with respect to the halving plane.