Machine for perforating and heat sealing a web including an elongated element with a multiplicity of drivers

Claim 2

In a macHine suitable for forming articles from plastic film including an elongated forming surface adapted to be heated to a temperature sufficient to weld plastic film and means to move the forming surface in a predetermined path transverse to its length to an operative position against the film, and back therefrom to an inoperative position to allow advance of the plastic film, the improvement wherein said elongated forming surface is defined by an elongated element flexible in the direction of said path, lacking self-support sufficient to maintain the proper geometry of said forming surface throughout its length, stationary structure extending along the length of said movable element and constructed and arranged to allow said motion, a multiplicity of drivers spaced apart along the length of said movable element, positioned at the middle as well as the ends thereof, each driver comprising a cam and roller follower combination, one of said combination comprising a drive-force-receiving portion associated with said movable element and the other comprising a cooperating drive-force-applying portion positioned by stationary structure and movable relative thereto, each said driver adapted, upon movement of its force-applying portion, to position and drive the respective portion of said movable element in said predetermined path, and a drive means for driving all of said force-applying portions of said drivers in synchronism to cause bodily movement of said element, said force-applying portions and said stationary structure adapted to transmit positioning forces through said drivers sufficient to maintain said geometry of said forming surface during its movement, and individual adjustment devices associated with individual drivers, each adjustment device adapted to permit adjustment of the position of the corresponding portion of said elongated element in the direction of travel relative to other portions of said elongated element.

Claim 3

The machine of claim 1 wherein the drive-force-applying portion of said cam and roller-follower drivers are pivotally linked together in an elongated linkage extending parallel to said elongated forming surface, each said portion being free to be displaced relative to the others by the respective adjustment device, and a reciprocating drive moving said linkage axially to drive and allow return of said forming surface.

Claim 4

The machine of claim 1 wherein said elongated element comprises a heat seal bar, a series of support columns spaced apart along the length of said bar are joined thereto through sheet-form flexures flexible only in the direction of the length of said bar, each column carrying thereon said drive-force-receiving portion of a respective cam and roller-follower combination.

Claim 5

In a machine for perforating plastic film in which an elongated plastic perforator element having a desired geometry along its length periodically moves in a predetermined path transverse to said length, the element adapted to move against a web to act thereupon and away to allow web advance, said element associated with strippers movable relative thereto during perforating and withdrawal motions, the improvement wherein said elongated element is comprised of a series of segments joined together, end to end and is flexible lacking self-support sufficient to maintain said desired geometry, stationary structure extending along the length of said movable perforator element and constructed and arranged to allow said motion, a multiplicity of drivers spaced apart along the length of said movable element positioned at the middle as well as at the ends thereof, each driver comprising a cam and roller follower combination, one of said combination comprising a drive-force-receiving portion associated with said movable element and the other comprising a cooperating drive-force-applying portion positioned by stationary structure and movable relative thereto, each said driver adapted, upon movement of its force-applying portion, to position and drive the respective portion of saId movable element in said predetermined path, and a drive means for driving all of said force-applying portions of said drivers in synchronism to cause bodily movement of said element, said force-applying portions and said stationary structure adapted to transmit positioning forces through said drivers sufficient to maintain said desired geometry of said elongated element during its movement.

Claim 6

In a machine for perforating plastic film in which an elongated plastic perforator element having a desired geometry along its length periodically moves in a predetermined path transverse to said length, the element adapted to move against a web to act thereupon and away to allow web advance, said element associated with strippers movable relative thereto during perforating and withdrawal motions, the improvement wherein said elongated element is comprised of a series of segments joined together, end to end and is flexible lacking self-support sufficient to maintain said desired geometry, stationary structure extending along the length of said movable perforator element and constructed and arranged to allow said motion, a multiplicity of drivers spaced apart along the length of said movable element positioned at the middle as well as at the ends thereof, each driver comprising a cam and roller follower combination, one of said combination comprising a drive-force-receiving portion associated with said movable element and the other comprising a cooperating drive-force-applying portion positioned by stationary structure and movable relative thereto, each said driver adapted, upon movement of its force-applying portion, to position and drive the respective portion of saId movable element in said predetermined path, and a drive means for driving all of said force-applying portions of said drivers in synchronism to cause bodily movement of said element, said force-applying portions and said stationary structure adapted to transmit positioning forces through said drivers sufficient to maintain said desired geometry of said elongated element during its movement.

Claim 7

In a machine suitable for forming articles from plastic film including an elongated forming surface adapted to be heated to a temperature sufficient to weld plastic film and means to move the forming surface in a predetermined path transverse to its length to an operative position against the film, and back therefrom to an inoperative position to allow advance of the plastic film, the improvement wherein said elongated forming surface is defined by an elongated element flexible in the direction of said path, lacking self-support sufficient to maintain the proper geometry of said forming surface throughout its length, stationary structure extending along the length of said movable element and constructed and arranged to allow said motion, a multiplicity of drivers spaced apart along the length of said movable element, positioned at the middle as well as the ends thereof, each driver comprising a drive-force-receiving portion associated with said movable element and a cooperating drive-force-applying portion positioned by stationary structure and movable relative thereto, each said driver adapted, upon movement of its force-applying portion, to position and drive the respective portion of said movable element in said predetermined path, and a drive means for driving all of said force-applying portions of said drivers in synchronism to cause bodily movement of said element, said force-applying portions and said stationary structure adapted to transmit positioning forces through said drivers sufficient to maintain said geometry of said forming surface during its movement, and wherein said element comprises a heat seal bar and curtain means associated with said bar, adapted to interpose a protective curtain between said heat seal bar and said plastic, both said heat seal bar and said curtain means being flexible in the direction of said path and individual adjustment devices associated with individual drivers, each adjustment device adapted to permit adjustment of the position of the corresponding portion of said heat seal bar and curtain to the other portions of said heat seal bar and curtain.

Claim 8

In a machine suitable for forming articles from plastic film including an elongated forming surface adapted to be heated to a temperature sufficient to weld plastic film and means to move the forming surface in a predetermined path transverse to its length to an operative position against the film, and back therefrom to an inoperative position to allow advance of the plastic film, the improvement wherein said elongated forming surface is defined by an elongated element flexible in the direction of said path, lacking self-support sufficient to maintain the proper geometry of said forming surface throughout its length, stationary structure extending along the length of said movable element and constructed and arranged to allow said motion, a multiplicity of drivers spaced apart along the length of said movable element, positioned at the middle as well as the ends thereof, each driver comprising a drive-force-receiving portion associated with said movable element and a cooperating drive-force-applying portion positioned by stationary structure and movable relative thereto, each said driver adapted, upon movement of its force-applying portion, to position and drive the respective portion of said movable element in said predetermined path, and a drive means for driving all of said force-applying portions of said drivers in synchronism to cause bodily movement of said element, said force-applying portions and said stationary structure adapted to transmit positioning forces through said drivers sufficient to maintain said geometry of said forming surface during its movement, and wherein said element comprises a heat seal bar and curtain means associated with said bar, adapted to interpose a protective curtain between said heat seal bar and said plastic, both said heat seal bar and said curtain means being flexible in the direction of said path and individual adjustment devices associated with individual drivers, each adjustment device adapted to permit adjustment of the position of the corresponding portion of said heat seal bar and curtain to the other portions of said heat seal bar and curtain.

Claim 9

The machine of claim 5 wherein the drive-force-applying portions of said drivers are pivotally linked together in an elongated linkage extending parallel to said elongated forming surface, each said portion being free to be displaced relative to the others by the respective adjustment device, and a reciprocating drive moving said linkage axially to drive and allow return of said forming surface.

Claim 10

The machine of claim 5 wherein a series of support columns spaced apart along the length of said elongated heat sealing bar and associated curtain means are joined thereto through flexures flexible only in the direction of the length of said heat seal bar, each column associated with a respective driver for transmitting drive and positioning forces to said heat seal bar and curtain means.

Claim 11

In a machine in which an elongated element having a desired geometry along its length periodically moves in a predetermined path transverse to said length, the element adapted to move against a web to act thereupon and away to allow web advance; the improvement wherein said elongated element is flexible in the direction of said path lacking self-support sufficient to maintain said desired geometry, stationary structure extending along the length of said movable element and constructed and arranged to allow said motion, a multiplicity of drivers spaced apart along the length of said movable element positioned at the middle as well as at the ends thereof, each driver comprising a drive-force-receIving portion associated with said movable element and a cooperating drive-force-applying portion positioned by stationary structure and movable relative thereto, each said driver adapted, upon movement of its force-applying portion, to position and drive the respective portion of said movable element in said predetermined path, and a drive means for driving all of said force-applying portions of said drivers in synchronism to cause bodily movement of said element, said force-applying portions and said stationary structure adapted to transmit positioning forces through said drivers sufficient to maintain said desired geometry of said elongated element during its movement, said machine adapted to operate across the width of an elongated traveling web, said stationary structure comprising an elongated beam structure, stationary during operation, supported on end columns and extending across the width of said web, and said machine including the combination of at least two elongated elements of the character above described, one of said elements comprising a heat seal bar and the other comprising a perforator blade, each element having associated therewith an independent drive means, each of said elements positioned by its drivers relative to said elongated beam structure.

Claim 12

In a machine in which an elongated element having a desired geometry along its length periodically moves in a predetermined path transverse to said length, the element adapted to move against a web to act thereupon and away to allow web advance; the improvement wherein said elongated element is flexible in the direction of said path lacking self-support sufficient to maintain said desired geometry, stationary structure extending along the length of said movable element and constructed and arranged to allow said motion, a multiplicity of drivers spaced apart along the length of said movable element positioned at the middle as well as at the ends thereof, each driver comprising a drive-force-receIving portion associated with said movable element and a cooperating drive-force-applying portion positioned by stationary structure and movable relative thereto, each said driver adapted, upon movement of its force-applying portion, to position and drive the respective portion of said movable element in said predetermined path, and a drive means for driving all of said force-applying portions of said drivers in synchronism to cause bodily movement of said element, said force-applying portions and said stationary structure adapted to transmit positioning forces through said drivers sufficient to maintain said desired geometry of said elongated element during its movement, said machine adapted to operate across the width of an elongated traveling web, said stationary structure comprising an elongated beam structure, stationary during operation, supported on end columns and extending across the width of said web, and said machine including the combination of at least two elongated elements of the character above described, one of said elements comprising a heat seal bar and the other comprising a perforator blade, each element having associated therewith an independent drive means, each of said elements positioned by its drivers relative to said elongated beam structure.

Claim 13

In a machine in which an elongated element having a desired geometry along its length periodically moves in a predetermined path transverse to said length, the element adapted to move against a web to act thereupon and away to allow web advance, the improvement wherein said elongated element is flexi ble in the direction of said path lacking self-support sufficient to maintain said desired geometry, stationary structure extending along the length of said movable element and constructed and arranged to allow said motion, a multiplicity of drivers spaced apart along the length of said movable element positioned at the middle as well as at the ends thereof, each driver comprising a drive-force-receiving portion associated with said movable element and a cooperating drive-force-applying portion positioned by stationary structure and movable relative thereto, each said driver adapted, upon movement of its force-applying portion, to position and drive the respective portion of said movable element in said predetermined path, and a drive in synchronism to cause bodily movement of said element, said force-applying portions and said stationary structure adapted to transmit positioning forces through said drivers sufficient to maintain said desired geometry of said elongated element during its movement, and wherein said drivers comprise cam assemblies one of said portions of each assembly comprising a cam follower and the other of said portions comprising a cam surface engaged with said follower, and said cam assemblies are mutually driven by a linkage reciprocating in the direction parallel to the elongated element, the machine including resilient biasing means for resiliently urging said cam followers and cam surfaces together, said biasing means applying a torque tending to rotate said elongated element about its longitudinal axis, and said stationary structure includes bearing surfaces opposing said tendency to rotate, thereby cooperating to position said element, said biasing means comprising a series of springs, one end of each mounted to said stationary structure and the other end of each being positioned to apply a portion of said torque, there being a series of slidable supports spaced apart along the length of and movable with said movable element, each extending from said element to a said driver, each support including a torque arm extending sideways and each said spring engaging a said torque arm.

Claim 14

In a machine in which an elongated element having a desired geometry along its length periodically moves in a predetermined path transverse to said length, the element adapted to move against a web to act thereupon and away to allow web advance, the improvement wherein said elongated element is flexi ble in the direction of said path lacking self-support sufficient to maintain said desired geometry, stationary structure extending along the length of said movable element and constructed and arranged to allow said motion, a multiplicity of drivers spaced apart along the length of said movable element positioned at the middle as well as at the ends thereof, each driver comprising a drive-force-receiving portion associated with said movable element and a cooperating drive-force-applying portion positioned by stationary structure and movable relative thereto, each said driver adapted, upon movement of its force-applying portion, to position and drive the respective portion of said movable element in said predetermined path, and a drive in synchronism to cause bodily movement of said element, said force-applying portions and said stationary structure adapted to transmit positioning forces through said drivers sufficient to maintain said desired geometry of said elongated element during its movement, and wherein said drivers comprise cam assemblies one of said portions of each assembly comprising a cam follower and the other of said portions comprising a cam surface engaged with said follower, and said cam assemblies are mutually driven by a linkage reciprocating in the direction parallel to the elongated element, the machine including resilient biasing means for resiliently urging said cam followers and cam surfaces together, said biasing means applying a torque tending to rotate said elongated element about its longitudinal axis, and said stationary structure includes bearing surfaces opposing said tendency to rotate, thereby cooperating to position said element, said biasing means comprising a series of springs, one end of each mounted to said stationary structure and the other end of each being positioned to apply a portion of said torque, there being a series of slidable supports spaced apart along the length of and movable with said movable element, each extending from said element to a said driver, each support including a torque arm extending sideways and each said spring engaging a said torque arm.

Claim 15

The machine of claim 9 wherein said element includes a heat sealing bar.

Claim 16

The machine of claim 10 wherein said element includes two spaced apart bobbins, and a curtain of heat resistant, non-adherent material extends between said bobbins under said heat sealing bar.

Claim 17

A plastic film-working machine having a pair of elongated plastic-working elements disposed side by side in proximity, each of said elements having a desired geometry along its length and movable in a predetermined path transverse to said length, each element adapted to move against a web to act thereupon and away to allow web advance, each said elongated element is flexible in the direction of said path lacking self-support sufficient to maintain said desired geometry, stationary structure extending along the length of each said movable element and constructed and arranged to allow said motion, each of said elements having a multiplicity of drivers spaced apart along the length of the said movable element positioned at the middle as well as at the ends thereof, each driver comprising a cam and roller-follower combination having a drive-force-receiving portion assocated with the said movable element and a cooperating drive-force-applying portion positioned by stationary structure and movable realtive thereto, each said driver adapted, upon movement of its force-applying portion, to position and drive the respective portion of said movable element in said predetermined path, and each of said element having a separate drive means for driving all of said force-applying portions of the respective set of drivers in synchronism to cause bodily movement of the respective element, said force-applying portions and said stationary structure adapted to transmit positioning forces through said drivers sufficient to maintain said desired geometry of the respective elongated element during it movement.

Claim 18

A plastic film-working machine having a pair of elongated plastic-working elements disposed side by side in proximity, each of said elements having a desired geometry along its length and movable in a predetermined path transverse to said length, each element adapted to move against a web to act thereupon and away to allow web advance, each said elongated element is flexible in the direction of said path lacking self-support sufficient to maintain said desired geometry, stationary structure extending along the length of each said movable element and constructed and arranged to allow said motion, each of said elements having a multiplicity of drivers spaced apart along the length of the said movable element positioned at the middle as well as at the ends thereof, each driver comprising a cam and roller-follower combination having a drive-force-receiving portion assocated with the said movable element and a cooperating drive-force-applying portion positioned by stationary structure and movable realtive thereto, each said driver adapted, upon movement of its force-applying portion, to position and drive the respective portion of said movable element in said predetermined path, and each of said element having a separate drive means for driving all of said force-applying portions of the respective set of drivers in synchronism to cause bodily movement of the respective element, said force-applying portions and said stationary structure adapted to transmit positioning forces through said drivers sufficient to maintain said desired geometry of the respective elongated element during it movement.

Claim 19

In a machine for forming bags from plastic film including an elongated forming surface adapted to be heated to a temperature sufficient to weld superposed plastic films together and means to move the forming surface in a predetermined path transverse to its length to an operative position against the film, and back therefrom to an inoperative position to allow advance of the plastic film, the improvement wherein said elongated forming surface is defined by an elongated element flexible in the direction of said path, lacking self-support sufficient to maintain the proper geometry of said forming surface throughout its length, stationary structure extending along the length of said movable element and constructed and arranged to allow said motion, a multiplicity of drivers spaced apart along the length of said movable element, positioned at the middle as well as the ends thereof, each driver comprising a drive-force-receiving portion associated with said movable element and a cooperating drive-force-applying portion positioned by stationary structure and movable relative thereto, each said driver adapted, upon movement of its force-applying portion, to position and drive the respective portion of said movable element in said predetermined path, and a drive means for driving all of said force-applying portions of said drivers in synchronism to cause bodily movement of said element, said force-applying portions and said stationary structure adapted to transmit positioning forces through said drivers sufficient to maintain said geometry of said forming surfaces druing its movement, said drivers comprising cam assemblies, one of said portions of each assembly comprising a cam follower and the other of said portions comprising a cam surface engaged with said follower, said cam assemblies are mutually driven by a linkage reciprocating in the direction parallel to the elongated element, said linkage including movable portions of said cam assemblies is biased to one position and a push rod and actuator assembly is mounted alongside said linkage at an acute angle thereto, said push rod engaged with said linkage and adapted upon activation of said actuator to push said linkage in the direction overcoming said biasing means, said actuator being a fluid drive cylinder pivotally mounted at a pivot point fixed during operation, said rod engaging the linkage to permit rotation During lenghtening of the cylinder with the attendant change in angle between the push rod and the line of action of said linkage.

Claim 20

In a machine for forming bags from plastic film including an elongated forming surface adapted to be heated to a temperature sufficient to weld superposed plastic films together and means to move the forming surface in a predetermined path transverse to its length to an operative position against the film, and back therefrom to an inoperative position to allow advance of the plastic film, the improvement wherein said elongated forming surface is defined by an elongated element flexible in the direction of said path, lacking self-support sufficient to maintain the proper geometry of said forming surface throughout its length, stationary structure extending along the length of said movable element and constructed and arranged to allow said motion, a multiplicity of drivers spaced apart along the length of said movable element, positioned at the middle as well as the ends thereof, each driver comprising a drive-force-receiving portion associated with said movable element and a cooperating drive-force-applying portion positioned by stationary structure and movable relative thereto, each said driver adapted, upon movement of its force-applying portion, to position and drive the respective portion of said movable element in said predetermined path, and a drive means for driving all of said force-applying portions of said drivers in synchronism to cause bodily movement of said element, said force-applying portions and said stationary structure adapted to transmit positioning forces through said drivers sufficient to maintain said geometry of said forming surfaces druing its movement, said drivers comprising cam assemblies, one of said portions of each assembly comprising a cam follower and the other of said portions comprising a cam surface engaged with said follower, said cam assemblies are mutually driven by a linkage reciprocating in the direction parallel to the elongated element, said linkage including movable portions of said cam assemblies is biased to one position and a push rod and actuator assembly is mounted alongside said linkage at an acute angle thereto, said push rod engaged with said linkage and adapted upon activation of said actuator to push said linkage in the direction overcoming said biasing means, said actuator being a fluid drive cylinder pivotally mounted at a pivot point fixed during operation, said rod engaging the linkage to permit rotation During lenghtening of the cylinder with the attendant change in angle between the push rod and the line of action of said linkage.

Claim 21

The machine of claim 13 wherein said pivot point is formed by an adjustable member engaging said cylinder, thereby to change the position of said pivot point and alter the bottom position of the movable element.

Claim 22

In a machine for forming bags from plastic film including an elongated forming surface adapted to be heated to a temperature sufficient to weld superposed palstic films together and means to move the forming surface in a predetermined path transverse to its length to an operative position against the film, and back therefrom to an inoperative position to allow advance of the plastic film, the improvement wherein said elongated forming surface is defined by an elongated element flexible in the direction of said path, lacking self-support sufficient to maintain the proper geometry of said forming surface throughout its length, stationary structure extending along the length of said movable element and constructed and arranged to allow said motion, a multiplicity of drivers spaced apart along the length of said movable element, positioned at the middle as well as the ends thereof, each driver comprising a drive-force-receiving portion associated with said movable element and a cooperating drive-force applying portion positioned by stationary structure nd movable relative thereto, each said driver adapted, upon movement of its force-applying portion, to position and drive the respective portion of said movable element in said predetermined path, and a drive means for driving all of said force-applying portions of said drivers in synchronism to cause bodily movement of said element, said force-applying portions and said stationary structure adapted to transmit positioning forces through said drivers sufficient to maintain said geometry of said forming surface druing its movement, said drivers comprising cam assemblies, one of said portions of each assembly comprising a cam follower and the other of said portions comprising a cam surface engaged with said follower, said cam assemblies are mutually driven by a linkage follower, said cam assemblies are mutually driven by a linkage reciprocating in the direction parallel to the elongated element, said linkage including movable portions of said cam assemblies is biased to one position and a push rod and actuator assembly is mounted alongside said linkage at an acute angle thereto, said push rod engaged with said linkage and adapted upon activation of said actuator to push said linkage in the direction overcoming said biasing means, said actuator being a fluid rotary actuator, said actuator mounted on supprting structure and said rod engaging said linkage and the rotary actuator through rotary joints to permit an attendant change in angle relative thereto during rotation of said actuator and reciprocation of said linkage.

Claim 23

In a machine for forming bags from plastic film including an elongated forming surface adapted to be heated to a temperature sufficient to weld superposed palstic films together and means to move the forming surface in a predetermined path transverse to its length to an operative position against the film, and back therefrom to an inoperative position to allow advance of the plastic film, the improvement wherein said elongated forming surface is defined by an elongated element flexible in the direction of said path, lacking self-support sufficient to maintain the proper geometry of said forming surface throughout its length, stationary structure extending along the length of said movable element and constructed and arranged to allow said motion, a multiplicity of drivers spaced apart along the length of said movable element, positioned at the middle as well as the ends thereof, each driver comprising a drive-force-receiving portion associated with said movable element and a cooperating drive-force applying portion positioned by stationary structure nd movable relative thereto, each said driver adapted, upon movement of its force-applying portion, to position and drive the respective portion of said movable element in said predetermined path, and a drive means for driving all of said force-applying portions of said drivers in synchronism to cause bodily movement of said element, said force-applying portions and said stationary structure adapted to transmit positioning forces through said drivers sufficient to maintain said geometry of said forming surface druing its movement, said drivers comprising cam assemblies, one of said portions of each assembly comprising a cam follower and the other of said portions comprising a cam surface engaged with said follower, said cam assemblies are mutually driven by a linkage follower, said cam assemblies are mutually driven by a linkage reciprocating in the direction parallel to the elongated element, said linkage including movable portions of said cam assemblies is biased to one position and a push rod and actuator assembly is mounted alongside said linkage at an acute angle thereto, said push rod engaged with said linkage and adapted upon activation of said actuator to push said linkage in the direction overcoming said biasing means, said actuator being a fluid rotary actuator, said actuator mounted on supprting structure and said rod engaging said linkage and the rotary actuator through rotary joints to permit an attendant change in angle relative thereto during rotation of said actuator and reciprocation of said linkage.

Claim 24

The machine of claim 15 wherein said supporting structure is pivotally mounted to permit a change in the bottoming position of said element and said position is adjustable by rotating said structure in the direction of cam reciprocation by means of a supported adjustment member.