Packaging machine and method and article produced thereby

Claim 2

A machine for packaging a workpiece in a heat-sealable film, said machine comprising a frame, a generally U-shaped sealing pad mounted on said frame and shaped to form a film bridge defining a central U-shaped trough therein and defining within said sealing pad a work area, means for establishing a longitudinal reach of film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad, a generally U-shaped heater mounted on said frame and shaped and arranged to overlie said sealing pad, means for urging a workpiece against the reach of film and into said work area to provide superimposed lengths of film positioned between said sealing pad and said heater and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, drive mechanism providing relative movement of said heater and said sealing pad between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, said sealing pad and said heat in said receiving position being spaced apart to receive a workpiece in said work area, said sealing pad and said heater in said sealing-severing position being juxtaposed to place said heater in said trough and in contact with the superimposed lengths of film to seal and sever the same along one side and the ends of the workpiece, thus to provide a package of a workpiece in a closed envelope of the heat-sealable film and to reestablish a longitudinal reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad.

Claim 3

The machine defined in claim 1, wherein said sealing pad includes a pair of spaced-apart generally U-shaped yieldable pads.

Claim 4

The machine defined in claim 2, wherein said yieldable pads are made of sponge rubber.

Claim 5

The machine defined in claim 1, wherein said sealing pad is fixedly mounted on said frame said heater is shiftably mounted on said frame and movable between said sealing-severing position and said receiving position.

Claim 6

The machine defined in claim 1, whereIn said heater includes a generally U-shaped knife edge shaped to overlie the trough in said sealing pad.

Claim 7

A machine for packaging a workpiece in a heat-sealable film, said machine comprising a frame, a generally U-shaped sealing pad mounted on said frame and defining within said sealing pad a work area, a supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a roll of heat-sealable film to provide a reach of film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad, a generally U-shaped heater mounted on said frame and shaped and arranged to overlie said sealing pad, means for urging a workpiece against the reach of film and into said work area to provide superimposed lengths of film positioned between said sealing pad and said heater and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, drive mechanism providing relative movement of said heater and said sealing pad between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, means for operating said supply mechanism to withdraw film from the roll of heat-sealable film to supply the same to the reach of film for forming the envelope during movement of said heater and said sealing pad to said sealing-severing position, said sealing pad and said heater in said receiving position being spaced apart to receive a workpiece in said work area, said sealing pad and said heater in said sealing-severing position being juxtaposed to place said heater in contact with the superimposed lengths of film to seal and sever the same on one side and the ends of the workpiece, thus to provide a package of a workpiece in a closed envelope of a heat-sealable film and to reestablish a reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad.

Claim 8

A machine for packaging a workpiece in a heat-sealable film, said machine comprising a frame, a generally U-shaped sealing pad mounted on said frame and defining within said sealing pad a work area, a supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a roll of heat-sealable film to provide a reach of film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad, a generally U-shaped heater mounted on said frame and shaped and arranged to overlie said sealing pad, means for urging a workpiece against the reach of film and into said work area to provide superimposed lengths of film positioned between said sealing pad and said heater and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, drive mechanism providing relative movement of said heater and said sealing pad between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, means for operating said supply mechanism to withdraw film from the roll of heat-sealable film to supply the same to the reach of film for forming the envelope during movement of said heater and said sealing pad to said sealing-severing position, said sealing pad and said heater in said receiving position being spaced apart to receive a workpiece in said work area, said sealing pad and said heater in said sealing-severing position being juxtaposed to place said heater in contact with the superimposed lengths of film to seal and sever the same on one side and the ends of the workpiece, thus to provide a package of a workpiece in a closed envelope of a heat-sealable film and to reestablish a reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad.

Claim 9

The machine set forth in claim 6, wherein said supply mechanism includes a pair of horizontally disposed spaced-apart rolls for holding a roll of heat-sealable film thereon.

Claim 10

The machine set forth in claim 6, wherein said supply mechanism is mounted above said sealing pad and said heater to feed the longitudinal reach of film downwardly adjacent to said sealing pad.

Claim 11

The machine set forth in claim 6, and further comprising drive structure positively to feed film from a roll thereof mounted on said supply mechanism.

Claim 12

A machine for packaging a workpiece in a heat-sealable film, said machine comprising a frame, a generally U-shaped sealing pad mounted on said frame and defining within said sealing pad a work area, a supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a roll of heat-sealable film to provide a longitudinal reach of film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad, a generally U-shaped heater mounted on said frame and shaped and arranged to overlie said sealing pad, means for urging a workpiece against the reach of film and into said work area to provide superimposed lengths of film positioned between said pad and said heater and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, drive mechanism providing relative movement of said heater and said sealing pad between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, means for anchoring the film on the side of said work area opposite that on which is disposed said supply mechanism, operation of said drive mechanism to move said heater and said sealing pad toward one another causing film to be fed from a roll thereof mounted on said supply mechanism into the longitudinal reach of film, said sealing pad and said heater in said receiving position being spaced apart to receive a workpiece in said work area, said sealing pad and said heater in said sealing-severing position being juxtaposed to place said heater in contact with the superimposed lengths of film to seal and sever the same along one side and the ends of the workpiece, thus to provide a package of a workpiece in a closed envelope of the heat-sealable film and to reestablish a longitudinal reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad.

Claim 13

A machine for packaging a workpiece in a heat-sealable film, said machine comprising a frame, a generally U-shaped sealing pad mounted on said frame and defining within said sealing pad a work area, a supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a roll of heat-sealable film to provide a longitudinal reach of film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad, a generally U-shaped heater mounted on said frame and shaped and arranged to overlie said sealing pad, means for urging a workpiece against the reach of film and into said work area to provide superimposed lengths of film positioned between said pad and said heater and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, drive mechanism providing relative movement of said heater and said sealing pad between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, means for anchoring the film on the side of said work area opposite that on which is disposed said supply mechanism, operation of said drive mechanism to move said heater and said sealing pad toward one another causing film to be fed from a roll thereof mounted on said supply mechanism into the longitudinal reach of film, said sealing pad and said heater in said receiving position being spaced apart to receive a workpiece in said work area, said sealing pad and said heater in said sealing-severing position being juxtaposed to place said heater in contact with the superimposed lengths of film to seal and sever the same along one side and the ends of the workpiece, thus to provide a package of a workpiece in a closed envelope of the heat-sealable film and to reestablish a longitudinal reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad.

Claim 14

A machine for packaging a workpiece in a heat-sealable fIlm, said machine comprising a frame, a generally U-shaped sealing pad mounted on said frame and defining within said sealing pad a work area, a supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a roll of heat-sealable film to provide a longitudinal reach of film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad, a generally U-shaped heater mounted on said frame and shaped and arranged to overlie said sealing pad, tensioning mechanism mounted on said frame for maintaining the reach of film taut, means for urging a workpiece against the taut reach of film and into said work area to provide superimposed taut lengths of film positioned between said sealing pad and said heater and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, drive mechanism providing relative movement of said heater and said sealing pad between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, a film supply drive for withdrawing film from a roll on said supply mechanism and feeding the film into the longitudinal reach of film, said film supply drive being controlled by said tensioning means in response to the tension in the reach of film so as to maintain the reach of film taut during the operation of said drive mechanism between the receiving positions and the sealing-severing positions of said heater and said sealing pad, said sealing pad and said heater in said receiving position being spaced apart to receive a workpiece in said work area, said sealing pad and said heater in said sealing-severing position being juxtaposed to place said heater in contact with the superimposed lengths of film to seal and sever the same along one side and the ends of the workpiece, thus to provide a package of a workpiece in a closed envelope of the heat-sealable film and to reestablish a longitudinal reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad.

Claim 15

A machine for packaging a workpiece in a heat-sealable fIlm, said machine comprising a frame, a generally U-shaped sealing pad mounted on said frame and defining within said sealing pad a work area, a supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a roll of heat-sealable film to provide a longitudinal reach of film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad, a generally U-shaped heater mounted on said frame and shaped and arranged to overlie said sealing pad, tensioning mechanism mounted on said frame for maintaining the reach of film taut, means for urging a workpiece against the taut reach of film and into said work area to provide superimposed taut lengths of film positioned between said sealing pad and said heater and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, drive mechanism providing relative movement of said heater and said sealing pad between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, a film supply drive for withdrawing film from a roll on said supply mechanism and feeding the film into the longitudinal reach of film, said film supply drive being controlled by said tensioning means in response to the tension in the reach of film so as to maintain the reach of film taut during the operation of said drive mechanism between the receiving positions and the sealing-severing positions of said heater and said sealing pad, said sealing pad and said heater in said receiving position being spaced apart to receive a workpiece in said work area, said sealing pad and said heater in said sealing-severing position being juxtaposed to place said heater in contact with the superimposed lengths of film to seal and sever the same along one side and the ends of the workpiece, thus to provide a package of a workpiece in a closed envelope of the heat-sealable film and to reestablish a longitudinal reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad.

Claim 16

A machine for packaging a workpiece in a heat-sealable film, said machine comprising a frame, a generally U-shaped sealing pad mounted on said frame and defining within said sealing pad a work area, a first film supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a first roll of heat-sealable film, a second film supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a second roll of heat-sealable film, said first and second film supply mechanisms being spaced apart to provide a reach of film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad, the film from the first and second rolls of film being joined at a seam extending transversely of the reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad, a generally U-shaped heater mounted on said frame and shaped and arranged to overlie said sealing pad, means for urging a workpiece against the reach of film and into said work area to provide superimposed lengths of film positioned between said sealing pad and said heater and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, the film for forming the envelope being withdrawn from the rolls of film on said first and second supply mechanisms, drive mechanism providing relative movement of said heater and said sealing pad between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, means for operating one of said supply mechanisms to withdraw film from the roll of film supported thereon to supply the same to the reach of film for forming the greater portion of the envelope during movement of said heater and said sealing pad to said sealing-severing position, said sealing pad and said heater in said receiving position being spaced apart to receive a workpiece in said work area, said sealing pad and said heater in said sealing-severing position being juxtaposed to place said heater in contact with the superimposed lengths of film to seal and sever the same along one side and the ends of the workpiece, thus to provide a package of a workpiece in a closed envelope of the heat-sealable film and to reestablish a reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad with a seam extending transversely of the reach of film adjacent to sAid sealing pad.

Claim 17

A machine for packaging a workpiece in a heat-sealable film, said machine comprising a frame, a generally U-shaped sealing pad mounted on said frame and defining within said sealing pad a work area, a first film supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a first roll of heat-sealable film, a second film supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a second roll of heat-sealable film, said first and second film supply mechanisms being spaced apart to provide a reach of film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad, the film from the first and second rolls of film being joined at a seam extending transversely of the reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad, a generally U-shaped heater mounted on said frame and shaped and arranged to overlie said sealing pad, means for urging a workpiece against the reach of film and into said work area to provide superimposed lengths of film positioned between said sealing pad and said heater and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, the film for forming the envelope being withdrawn from the rolls of film on said first and second supply mechanisms, drive mechanism providing relative movement of said heater and said sealing pad between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, means for operating one of said supply mechanisms to withdraw film from the roll of film supported thereon to supply the same to the reach of film for forming the greater portion of the envelope during movement of said heater and said sealing pad to said sealing-severing position, said sealing pad and said heater in said receiving position being spaced apart to receive a workpiece in said work area, said sealing pad and said heater in said sealing-severing position being juxtaposed to place said heater in contact with the superimposed lengths of film to seal and sever the same along one side and the ends of the workpiece, thus to provide a package of a workpiece in a closed envelope of the heat-sealable film and to reestablish a reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad with a seam extending transversely of the reach of film adjacent to sAid sealing pad.

Claim 18

The machine defined in claim 12, wherein said means for withdrawing film from one of said film supply mechanisms is operative to withdraw film from the roll on said first film supply mechanism and during the movement of said sealing pad and said heater to the sealing-severing positions thereof.

Claim 19

The machine defined in claim 12, wherein said means for withdrawing film from one of said film supply mechanisms is operative to withdraw film from the roll on said second film supply mechanism after the movement of said sealing pad and said heater to the sealing-severing positions thereof to change the position of the seam relative thereto.

Claim 20

A machine for packaging a workpiece in a heat-sealable film, said machine comprising a frame, a generally U-shaped sealing pad mounted on said frame and defining within said sealing pad a work area, a first film supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a first roll of heat-sealable film, a second film supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a second roll of heat-sealable film, said first and second film supply mechanisms being spaced apart to provide a longitudinal reach of film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad, the film from the first and second rolls of film being joined at a seam extending transversely of the reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad, a generally U-shaped heater mounted on said frame and shaped and arranged to overlie said sealing pad, means for urging a workpiece against the reach of film and into said work area to provide superimposed lengths of film positioned between said sealing pad and said heater and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, drive mechanism providing relative movement of said heater and said sealing pad between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, means for operating said first supply mechanism to withdraw film from the first roll to supply the same to the reach of film during movement of said heater and said sealing pad to said sealing-severing position for forming the envelope, means for operating said second supply mechanism to withdraw film from the second roll to supply a small amount of the same to the reach of film when said heater and said sealing pad are in said sealing-severing position for indexing the seam with respect to said sealing pad, said sealing pad and said heater in said receiving position being spaced apart to receive a workpiece in said work area, said sealing pad and said heater in said sealing-severing position being juxtaposed to place said heater in contact with the superimposed lengths of film to seal and sever the same along one side and the ends of the workpiece, thus to provide a package of a workpiece in a closed envelope of the heat-sealable film and to reestablish a longitudinal reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad with a seam extending transversely of the reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad.

Claim 21

A machine for packaging a workpiece in a heat-sealable film, said machine comprising a frame, a generally U-shaped sealing pad mounted on said frame and defining within said sealing pad a work area, a first film supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a first roll of heat-sealable film, a second film supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a second roll of heat-sealable film, said first and second film supply mechanisms being spaced apart to provide a longitudinal reach of film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad, the film from the first and second rolls of film being joined at a seam extending transversely of the reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad, a generally U-shaped heater mounted on said frame and shaped and arranged to overlie said sealing pad, means for urging a workpiece against the reach of film and into said work area to provide superimposed lengths of film positioned between said sealing pad and said heater and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, drive mechanism providing relative movement of said heater and said sealing pad between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, means for operating said first supply mechanism to withdraw film from the first roll to supply the same to the reach of film during movement of said heater and said sealing pad to said sealing-severing position for forming the envelope, means for operating said second supply mechanism to withdraw film from the second roll to supply a small amount of the same to the reach of film when said heater and said sealing pad are in said sealing-severing position for indexing the seam with respect to said sealing pad, said sealing pad and said heater in said receiving position being spaced apart to receive a workpiece in said work area, said sealing pad and said heater in said sealing-severing position being juxtaposed to place said heater in contact with the superimposed lengths of film to seal and sever the same along one side and the ends of the workpiece, thus to provide a package of a workpiece in a closed envelope of the heat-sealable film and to reestablish a longitudinal reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad with a seam extending transversely of the reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad.

Claim 22

A machine for packaging a workpiece in a heat-sealable film, said machine comprising a frame, a generally U-shaped sealing pad mounted on said frame and defining within said sealing pad a work area, means for establishing a longitudinal reach of film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad, a generally U-shaped heater mounted on said frame and shaped and arranged to overlie said sealing pad, a feed platform mounted on said frame and shiftable between a workpiece-receiving position and a workpiece-delivery position, said feed platform in said workpiece-delivery position being disposed adjacent to said sealing pad in position to receive a workpiece, said feed platform in said workpiece-delivery position urging the workpiece against the reach of film and into said work area to provide superimposed lengths of film positioned between said sealing pad and said heater and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, and drive mechanism providing relative movement of said heater aNd said sealing pad between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, said sealing pad and said heater in said receiving position being spaced apart to receive a workpiece in said work area when said feed platform is in said workpiece-delivery position, said sealing pad and said heater in said sealing-severing position being juxtaposed to place said heater in contact with the superimposed lengths of film to seal and sever the same along one side and the ends of the workpiece, thus to provide a package of a workpiece in a closed envelope of the heat-sealable film and to reestablish a longitudinal reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad.

Claim 23

A machine for packaging a workpiece in a heat-sealable film, said machine comprising a frame, a generally U-shaped sealing pad mounted on said frame and defining within said sealing pad a work area, means for establishing a longitudinal reach of film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad, a generally U-shaped heater mounted on said frame and shaped and arranged to overlie said sealing pad, a feed platform mounted on said frame and shiftable between a workpiece-receiving position and a workpiece-delivery position, said feed platform in said workpiece-delivery position being disposed adjacent to said sealing pad in position to receive a workpiece, said feed platform in said workpiece-delivery position urging the workpiece against the reach of film and into said work area to provide superimposed lengths of film positioned between said sealing pad and said heater and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, and drive mechanism providing relative movement of said heater aNd said sealing pad between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, said sealing pad and said heater in said receiving position being spaced apart to receive a workpiece in said work area when said feed platform is in said workpiece-delivery position, said sealing pad and said heater in said sealing-severing position being juxtaposed to place said heater in contact with the superimposed lengths of film to seal and sever the same along one side and the ends of the workpiece, thus to provide a package of a workpiece in a closed envelope of the heat-sealable film and to reestablish a longitudinal reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad.

Claim 24

The machine set forth in claim 16 and further comprising second drive mechanism mounted on said frame for moving said platform between said workpiece-receiving position and said workpiece-delivery position.

Claim 25

The machine defined in claim 16, and further comprising an infeed conveyor system adjacent said feed platform for transferring a workpiece to said feed platform when said feed platform is in said workpiece-receiving position.

Claim 26

A machine for packaging a workpiece in a heat-sealable film, said machine comprising a frame, a generally U-shaped sealing pad mounted on said frame and defining within said sealing pad a work area, a chute positioned below said work area to receive a workpiece and extending to a discharge point, means for establishing a longitudinal reach of the film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad, a generally U-shaped heater mounted on said frame and shaped and arranged to overlie said sealing pad, a feed platform mounted on said frame and shiftable between a workpiece-receiving position and a workpiece-delivery position, said feed platform in said workpiece-receiving position being disposed adjacent to said sealing pad in position to receive a workpiece, said feed platform in said workpiece-delivery position urging the workpiece against the reach of film thereby causing the workpiece to fall into said work area and upon said chute to provide superimposed lengths of film positioned between said sealing pad and said heater and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, and drive mechanism providing relative movement of said heater and said sealing pad between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, said sealing pad and said heater in said receiving position being spaced apart to receive a workpiece in said work area and upon said chute when said feed platform is in said workpiece-delivery position, said sealing pad and said heater in said sealing-severing position being juxtaposed to place said heater in contact with the superimposed lengths of film to seal and to sever the same along one side and the ends of the workpiece, thus to provide a package of a workpiece in a closed envelope of the heat-sealable film and to reestablish a longitudinal reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad, the package exiting from said machine along said chute to said discharge point.

Claim 27

A machine for packaging a workpiece in a heat-sealable film, said machine comprising a frame, a generally U-shaped sealing pad mounted on said frame and defining within said sealing pad a work area, a chute positioned below said work area to receive a workpiece and extending to a discharge point, means for establishing a longitudinal reach of the film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad, a generally U-shaped heater mounted on said frame and shaped and arranged to overlie said sealing pad, a feed platform mounted on said frame and shiftable between a workpiece-receiving position and a workpiece-delivery position, said feed platform in said workpiece-receiving position being disposed adjacent to said sealing pad in position to receive a workpiece, said feed platform in said workpiece-delivery position urging the workpiece against the reach of film thereby causing the workpiece to fall into said work area and upon said chute to provide superimposed lengths of film positioned between said sealing pad and said heater and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, and drive mechanism providing relative movement of said heater and said sealing pad between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, said sealing pad and said heater in said receiving position being spaced apart to receive a workpiece in said work area and upon said chute when said feed platform is in said workpiece-delivery position, said sealing pad and said heater in said sealing-severing position being juxtaposed to place said heater in contact with the superimposed lengths of film to seal and to sever the same along one side and the ends of the workpiece, thus to provide a package of a workpiece in a closed envelope of the heat-sealable film and to reestablish a longitudinal reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad, the package exiting from said machine along said chute to said discharge point.

Claim 28

A machine for packaging a cylindrical workpiece in a heat-sealable film, said machine comprising a frame, a generally U-shaped sealing pad fixedly mounted on said frame, said sealing pad having two spaced-apart generally parallel legs and a bight interconnecting said legs and extending therebeyond, said bight and said legs all having a central trough therealong and cooperating to define a work area therebetween, first cooling means disposed in said trough for cooling said sealing pad, a chute positioned below said work area to receive a workpiece thereon and extending to a discharge point, a first film supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a first roll of heat-sealable film, second film supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a second roll of heat-sealable film, said first and second supply mechanisms become spaced apart to provide a longitudinal reach of film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad and having a Width no greater than the length of said bight with a seam extending transversely thereof, a generally U-shaped heater shiftably mounted on said frame and having two spaced-apart generally parallel legs and a bight interconnecting said legs and extending therebeyond, a guide mounted on said heater and having second cooling means in thermal contact therewith, a feed platform mounted on said frame and shiftable between a workpiece-receiving position and a workpiece-delivery position, said feed platform in said workpiece-receiving position being disposed adjacent to said sealing pad in position to receive a workpiece, said feed platform in said workpiece-delivery position urging the workpiece against the reach of film and into said work area and onto said chute to provide superimposed lengths of film positioned between said sealing pad and said heater and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, drive mechanism providing movement of said heater between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, tensioning means mounted on said frame for maintaining the reach of film taut, means for operating said first supply mechanism to withdraw film from the first roll to supply the same to the reach of film during movement of said heater and said sealing pad to said sealing-severing position for forming the envelope, means for operating said second supply mechanism to withdraw film from the second roll to supply a small amount of the same to the reach of film when said heater and said sealing pad are in said sealing-severing position for indexing the seam with respect to said sealing pad, said heater in said receiving position being spaced apart from said sealing pad to receive a workpiece in said work area, said heater in said sealing-severing position being juxtaposed with said sealing pad to place said heater in contact with the superimposed lengths of the film to seal and sever the same along one side and the ends of the workpiece, said first and second cooling means cooperating when said heater is in said sealing-severing position to cool the lengths of film adjacent to said heater and said sealing pad, thus to provide a package of a workpiece in a closed envelope of the heat-sealable film and to reestablish a longitudinal reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad with a seam extending transversely of the reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad, the package exiting from said machine along said chute to said discharge point.

Claim 29

A machine for packaging a cylindrical workpiece in a heat-sealable film, said machine comprising a frame, a generally U-shaped sealing pad fixedly mounted on said frame, said sealing pad having two spaced-apart generally parallel legs and a bight interconnecting said legs and extending therebeyond, said bight and said legs all having a central trough therealong and cooperating to define a work area therebetween, first cooling means disposed in said trough for cooling said sealing pad, a chute positioned below said work area to receive a workpiece thereon and extending to a discharge point, a first film supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a first roll of heat-sealable film, second film supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a second roll of heat-sealable film, said first and second supply mechanisms become spaced apart to provide a longitudinal reach of film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad and having a Width no greater than the length of said bight with a seam extending transversely thereof, a generally U-shaped heater shiftably mounted on said frame and having two spaced-apart generally parallel legs and a bight interconnecting said legs and extending therebeyond, a guide mounted on said heater and having second cooling means in thermal contact therewith, a feed platform mounted on said frame and shiftable between a workpiece-receiving position and a workpiece-delivery position, said feed platform in said workpiece-receiving position being disposed adjacent to said sealing pad in position to receive a workpiece, said feed platform in said workpiece-delivery position urging the workpiece against the reach of film and into said work area and onto said chute to provide superimposed lengths of film positioned between said sealing pad and said heater and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, drive mechanism providing movement of said heater between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, tensioning means mounted on said frame for maintaining the reach of film taut, means for operating said first supply mechanism to withdraw film from the first roll to supply the same to the reach of film during movement of said heater and said sealing pad to said sealing-severing position for forming the envelope, means for operating said second supply mechanism to withdraw film from the second roll to supply a small amount of the same to the reach of film when said heater and said sealing pad are in said sealing-severing position for indexing the seam with respect to said sealing pad, said heater in said receiving position being spaced apart from said sealing pad to receive a workpiece in said work area, said heater in said sealing-severing position being juxtaposed with said sealing pad to place said heater in contact with the superimposed lengths of the film to seal and sever the same along one side and the ends of the workpiece, said first and second cooling means cooperating when said heater is in said sealing-severing position to cool the lengths of film adjacent to said heater and said sealing pad, thus to provide a package of a workpiece in a closed envelope of the heat-sealable film and to reestablish a longitudinal reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad with a seam extending transversely of the reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad, the package exiting from said machine along said chute to said discharge point.

Claim 30

A machine for packaging a workpiece in a heat-sealable film, said machine comprising a frame, a general U-shaped sealing pad mounted on said frame and defining within said sealing pad a work area, a supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a roll of heat-sealable film and to provide a longitudinal reach of film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad, said supply mechanism including a first idler roller mounted on said frame for rotation about a fixed axis and a second idler roller swingably mounted upon said frame for rotation about a shiftable axis and a drive roller mounted on said frame for rotation about a fixed axis, said second idler roller being disposed between said first idler roller and said drive roller and cooperating with said first idler roller to support a roll of heat-sealable film thereon, a generally U-shaped heater mounted on said frame and shaped and arranged to overlie said sealing pad, means for urging a workpiece against the reach of film and into said work area to provide superimposed lengths of film positioned between said sealing pad and said heater and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, drive mechanism providing relative movement of said heater and said sealing pad between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, said sealing pad and said heater in said receiving position being spaced apart to receive a workpiece in said work area, said sealing pad and said heater in said sealing-severing position being juxtapoSed to place said heater in contact with the superimposed lengths of film to seal and sever the same along one side and the ends of the workpiece, thus to provide a package of a workpiece in a closed envelope of the heat-sealable film and to reestablish a longitudinal reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad.

Claim 31

A machine for packaging a workpiece in a heat-sealable film, said machine comprising a frame, a general U-shaped sealing pad mounted on said frame and defining within said sealing pad a work area, a supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a roll of heat-sealable film and to provide a longitudinal reach of film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad, said supply mechanism including a first idler roller mounted on said frame for rotation about a fixed axis and a second idler roller swingably mounted upon said frame for rotation about a shiftable axis and a drive roller mounted on said frame for rotation about a fixed axis, said second idler roller being disposed between said first idler roller and said drive roller and cooperating with said first idler roller to support a roll of heat-sealable film thereon, a generally U-shaped heater mounted on said frame and shaped and arranged to overlie said sealing pad, means for urging a workpiece against the reach of film and into said work area to provide superimposed lengths of film positioned between said sealing pad and said heater and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, drive mechanism providing relative movement of said heater and said sealing pad between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, said sealing pad and said heater in said receiving position being spaced apart to receive a workpiece in said work area, said sealing pad and said heater in said sealing-severing position being juxtapoSed to place said heater in contact with the superimposed lengths of film to seal and sever the same along one side and the ends of the workpiece, thus to provide a package of a workpiece in a closed envelope of the heat-sealable film and to reestablish a longitudinal reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad.

Claim 32

A machine for packaging a workpiece in a heat-sealable film, said machine comprising a frame, a generally U-shaped sealing pad mounted on said frame and defining within said sealing pad a work area, a first film supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a first roll of heat-sealable film, a second film supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a second roll of heat-sealable film, each of said film supply mechanisms including a first idler roller mounted on said frame for rotation about a fixed axis and a second idler roller swingably mounted upon said frame for rotation upon a shiftable axis and a drive mechanism mounted upon said frame for rotation about a fixed axis, said second idler roller being disposed between said first idler roller and said drive roller in each of said supply mechanisms and cooperating with said first idler roller to support an associated roll of heat-sealable film thereon, said first and second film supply mechanisms being spaced apart to provide a longitudinal reach of film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad, the film from the first and second rolls of film being joined at a seam extending transversely of the reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad, a generally U-shaped heater mounted on said frame and shaped and arranged to overlie said sealing pad, means for urging a workpiece against the reach of film and into said work area to provide superimposed lengths of film positioned between said sealing pad and said heater and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, the film for forming the envelope being withdrawn from the rolls of film on said first and second supply mechanisms, drive mechanism providing relative movement of said heater and said sealing pad between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, said sealing pad and said heater in said receiving position being spaced apart to receive a workpiece in said work area, said sealing pad and said heater in said sealing-severing position being juxtaposed to place said heater in contact with the superimposed lengths of film to seal and sever the same along one side and the ends of the workpiece, thus to provide a package of a workpiece in a closed envelope of the heat-sealable film and to reestablish a longitudinal reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad with a seam extending transversely of the reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad.

Claim 33

A machine for packaging a workpiece in a heat-sealable film, said machine comprising a frame, a generally U-shaped sealing pad mounted on said frame and defining within said sealing pad a work area, a first film supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a first roll of heat-sealable film, a second film supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a second roll of heat-sealable film, each of said film supply mechanisms including a first idler roller mounted on said frame for rotation about a fixed axis and a second idler roller swingably mounted upon said frame for rotation upon a shiftable axis and a drive mechanism mounted upon said frame for rotation about a fixed axis, said second idler roller being disposed between said first idler roller and said drive roller in each of said supply mechanisms and cooperating with said first idler roller to support an associated roll of heat-sealable film thereon, said first and second film supply mechanisms being spaced apart to provide a longitudinal reach of film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad, the film from the first and second rolls of film being joined at a seam extending transversely of the reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad, a generally U-shaped heater mounted on said frame and shaped and arranged to overlie said sealing pad, means for urging a workpiece against the reach of film and into said work area to provide superimposed lengths of film positioned between said sealing pad and said heater and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, the film for forming the envelope being withdrawn from the rolls of film on said first and second supply mechanisms, drive mechanism providing relative movement of said heater and said sealing pad between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, said sealing pad and said heater in said receiving position being spaced apart to receive a workpiece in said work area, said sealing pad and said heater in said sealing-severing position being juxtaposed to place said heater in contact with the superimposed lengths of film to seal and sever the same along one side and the ends of the workpiece, thus to provide a package of a workpiece in a closed envelope of the heat-sealable film and to reestablish a longitudinal reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad with a seam extending transversely of the reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad.

Claim 34

A machine for packaging a workpiece in a heat-sealable film, said machine comprising a frame, a generally U-shaped sealing pad mounted on said frame and having a U-shaped central trough therein and defining within said sealing pad a work area, means for establishing a reach of film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad, a generally U-shaped heater mounted on said frame and shaped and arranged to overlie said sealing pad, a film guide mounted on said frame adjacent to said heater and positioned normally to hold the film adjacent to but out of contact with said heater, means for urging a workpiece against the reach of film and into said work area, drive mechanism providing relative movement of said heater with said guide and said sealing pad between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, said guide and said sealing pad cooperating in the sealing-severing positions thereof to provide superimposed lengths of film positioned therebetween and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, said heater in the sealing-severing position thereof overlying trough and contacting the superimposed lengths of film bridged thereacross to seal and sever the same along one side and the ends of thE workpiece, said sealing pad having the surfaces thereof adjacent to said trough sloping away from said trough and said guide, said guide including spaced-apart portions bridging said trough in the sealing-severing positions of the parts to hold the superimposed lengths of film taut across said trough, thus to provide a package of a workpiece in a closed envelope of the heat-sealable film and to reestablish a reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad.

Claim 35

A machine for packaging a workpiece in a heat-sealable film, said machine comprising a frame, a generally U-shaped sealing pad mounted on said frame and having a U-shaped central trough therein and defining within said sealing pad a work area, means for establishing a reach of film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad, a generally U-shaped heater mounted on said frame and shaped and arranged to overlie said sealing pad, a film guide mounted on said frame adjacent to said heater and positioned normally to hold the film adjacent to but out of contact with said heater, means for urging a workpiece against the reach of film and into said work area, drive mechanism providing relative movement of said heater with said guide and said sealing pad between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, said guide and said sealing pad cooperating in the sealing-severing positions thereof to provide superimposed lengths of film positioned therebetween and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, said heater in the sealing-severing position thereof overlying trough and contacting the superimposed lengths of film bridged thereacross to seal and sever the same along one side and the ends of thE workpiece, said sealing pad having the surfaces thereof adjacent to said trough sloping away from said trough and said guide, said guide including spaced-apart portions bridging said trough in the sealing-severing positions of the parts to hold the superimposed lengths of film taut across said trough, thus to provide a package of a workpiece in a closed envelope of the heat-sealable film and to reestablish a reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad.

Claim 36

A machine for packaging a workpiece in a heat-sealable film, said machine comprising a frame, a generally U-shaped sealing pad mounted on said frame and defining within said sealing pad a work area, a first film supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a first roll of heat-sealable film, a second film supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a second roll of heat-sealable film, said first and second film supply mechanisms being spaced apart to provide a reach of film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad, the film from the first and second rolls of film being joined at a seam extending transversely of the reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad, tensioning means mounted on said frame adjacent to one of said film supply mechanisms for maintaining the reach of film taut, a generally U-shaped heater mounted on said frame and shaped and arranged to overlie said sealing pad, means for urging a workpiece against the reach of film and into said work area to provide superimposed lengths of film positioned between said sealing pad and said heater and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, the film for forming the envelope being withdrawn from the rolls of film on said first and second supply mechanisms, drive mechanism providing relative movement of said heater and said sealing pad between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, said sealing pad and said heater in said receiving position being spaced apart to receive a workpiece in said work area, said sealing pad and said heater in said sealing-severing position being juxtaposed to place said heater in contact with the superimposed lengths of film to seal and sever the same along one side and the ends of the workpiece, thus to provide a package of a workpiece in a closed envelope of the heat-sealable film and to reestablish a reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad with a seam extending transversely of the reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad.

Claim 37

A machine for packaging a workpiece in a heat-sealable film, said machine comprising a frame, a generally U-shaped sealing pad mounted on said frame and defining within said sealing pad a work area, a first film supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a first roll of heat-sealable film, a second film supply mechanism mounted on said frame for rotatably supporting a second roll of heat-sealable film, said first and second film supply mechanisms being spaced apart to provide a reach of film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad, the film from the first and second rolls of film being joined at a seam extending transversely of the reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad, tensioning means mounted on said frame adjacent to one of said film supply mechanisms for maintaining the reach of film taut, a generally U-shaped heater mounted on said frame and shaped and arranged to overlie said sealing pad, means for urging a workpiece against the reach of film and into said work area to provide superimposed lengths of film positioned between said sealing pad and said heater and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, the film for forming the envelope being withdrawn from the rolls of film on said first and second supply mechanisms, drive mechanism providing relative movement of said heater and said sealing pad between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, said sealing pad and said heater in said receiving position being spaced apart to receive a workpiece in said work area, said sealing pad and said heater in said sealing-severing position being juxtaposed to place said heater in contact with the superimposed lengths of film to seal and sever the same along one side and the ends of the workpiece, thus to provide a package of a workpiece in a closed envelope of the heat-sealable film and to reestablish a reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad with a seam extending transversely of the reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad.

Claim 38

A machine for packaging a workpiece in a heat-sealable film, said machine comprising a frame, a generally U-shaped sealing pad mounted on said frame and defining within said sealing pad a work area, means for establishing a reach of film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad, a generally U-shaped heater mounted on said frame and shaped and arranged to overlie said sealing pad, a feed platform pivotally mounted on said frame and pivotable between a workpiece-receiving position and a workpiece-delivery position, said feed platform in said workpiece-receiving position being disposed adjacent to said sealing pad in position to receive a workpiece, said feed platform in said workpiece-delivery position urging the workpiece against the reach of film and into said work area to provide superimposed lengths of film positioned between said sealing pad and said heater and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, and drive mechanism providing relative movement of said heater and said sealing pad between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, said sealing pad and said heater in said receiving position being spaced apart to receive a workpiece in said work area when said feed platform is in said workpiece-delivery position, said sealing pad and said heater in said sealing-severing position being juxtaposed to place said heater in contact with the superimposed lengths of film to seal and sever the same along one side and the ends of the workpiece, thus to provide a package of a woRkpiece in a closed envelope of the heat-sealable film and to reestablish a reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad.

Claim 39

A machine for packaging a workpiece in a heat-sealable film, said machine comprising a frame, a generally U-shaped sealing pad mounted on said frame and defining within said sealing pad a work area, means for establishing a reach of film normally disposed adjacent to said sealing pad, a generally U-shaped heater mounted on said frame and shaped and arranged to overlie said sealing pad, a feed platform pivotally mounted on said frame and pivotable between a workpiece-receiving position and a workpiece-delivery position, said feed platform in said workpiece-receiving position being disposed adjacent to said sealing pad in position to receive a workpiece, said feed platform in said workpiece-delivery position urging the workpiece against the reach of film and into said work area to provide superimposed lengths of film positioned between said sealing pad and said heater and forming an envelope open along one side and the ends of the workpiece, and drive mechanism providing relative movement of said heater and said sealing pad between a receiving position and a sealing-severing position, said sealing pad and said heater in said receiving position being spaced apart to receive a workpiece in said work area when said feed platform is in said workpiece-delivery position, said sealing pad and said heater in said sealing-severing position being juxtaposed to place said heater in contact with the superimposed lengths of film to seal and sever the same along one side and the ends of the workpiece, thus to provide a package of a woRkpiece in a closed envelope of the heat-sealable film and to reestablish a reach of film adjacent to said sealing pad.