Packaging method and apparatus

Claim 2

In a packaging machine: a. structure establishing a path of travel for a web of interconnected heat-sealable bag-like containers; b. means for advancing said web along said path to successively position each of said containers at a loading station; c. sealing means establishing a sealing station for sealing a loaded container; d. said sealing means comprising a movably mounted assembly including a heater bar, a gripper bar and a sealing bar; e. actuator means for relatively moving said sealing bar and said heater bar toward and away from one another; f. said gripper bar being operative to grip the web along a line in the region near the area of the heat seal being formed on said loaded container; and, g. said assembly being movable to sever said loaded container from said web along a line of weakness of the web during that portion of the heat sealing cycle subsequent to the engagement of the web by said gripper bar and prior to the release of the web by said gripper bar.

Claim 3

The packaging machine of claim 1 wherein said assembly is pivotally mounted about an axis perpendicular to the plane of said path of travel so as to apply container separation forces to a line of weakness connecting the loaded container to the web serially along the line from a starting point on one end of the line.

Claim 4

The packaging machine of claim 1 wherein said sealing station is disposed laterally of said path of travel and said sealing bar is operable to move the loaded container laterally of said loading station to said sealing station and to clamp opposite sides of the loaded container between said heater bar and said sealing bar while causing said gripper bar to engage the web near the region being heat sealed.

Claim 5

The packaging machine of claim 1 additionally including stripper means for stripping a sealed loaded container from said heater bar once the force clamping said heater bar and said sealing bar against the loaded container has been released.

Claim 6

The packaging machine of claim 4 wherein said sealing bar includes a magnet adapted to move said stripper means to strip a sealed loaded container from said heater bar during outward movement of said sealing bar away from said heater bar.

Claim 7

The packaging machine of claim 1 wherein said gripper bar is toothed to form a series of punctures in said web along said line.

Claim 8

The packaging machine of claim 6 wherein said gripper bar is mounted on said pivotally mounted assembly of said heater bar and said gripper bar is provided with a heat dissipator to prevent its becoming substantially heated by said heater bar.

Claim 9

The packaging machine of claim 1 wherein: said sealing bar is supported by a pair of rods; said pair of rods are movably supported by said pivotally mounted assembly for axial movement relative thereto; and said actuator means connects with said support rods to move said support rods and said sealing bar.

Claim 10

The packaging machine of claim 8 wherein said actuator means comprises a fluid-pressure responsive cylinder.

Claim 11

A packaging machine comprising: an outer protective cabinet; structure within said cabinet establishing a path of travel for said web of interconnected heat-sealable bag-like containers; means for advancing said web along said path to successively position each of said containers at a loading station; sealing means establishing a sealing station rearwardly of said loading station for closing a loaded container about its contents; said sealing means comprising a pivotally mounted assembly including a heater bar, a knife bar, and a sealing bar; a first actuator means mounted on said pivotally mounted assembly and operative to move said sealing bar toward and away from said heater bar; a second actuator means mounted on said cabinet and connecting with said pivotally mounted assembly to pivotally move said assembly about its pivotal connection; a knife bar operative to grip said web along a line in the region above the area of the heat seal being formed on said loaded container; and said assembly being pivotally movable to tear said loaded container being sealed from said web along a line of weakness in the web concurrently with the formation of said heat seal.

Claim 12

A packaging machine comprising: an outer protective cabinet; structure within said cabinet establishing a path of travel for said web of interconnected heat-sealable bag-like containers; means for advancing said web along said path to successively position each of said containers at a loading station; sealing means establishing a sealing station rearwardly of said loading station for closing a loaded container about its contents; said sealing means comprising a pivotally mounted assembly including a heater bar, a knife bar, and a sealing bar; a first actuator means mounted on said pivotally mounted assembly and operative to move said sealing bar toward and away from said heater bar; a second actuator means mounted on said cabinet and connecting with said pivotally mounted assembly to pivotally move said assembly about its pivotal connection; a knife bar operative to grip said web along a line in the region above the area of the heat seal being formed on said loaded container; and said assembly being pivotally movable to tear said loaded container being sealed from said web along a line of weakness in the web concurrently with the formation of said heat seal.

Claim 13

The packaging machine of claim 10 wherein: said sealing bar has a rubber pad formed therealong; said knife bar is mounted on said assembly above said heater bar adjacent said heater bar; and said rubber pad is operative to clamp the opposite sides of said loaded container against said heater bar and to cause knife bar to puncture said web.

Claim 14

The packaging machine of claim 11 wherein said knife bar and said heater bar are shielded from contact by a guard bracket having an opening formed therethrough such that said sealing bar serves to position said web through said opening and in contact with said heater bar and said knife bar during the formation of a heat seal.

Claim 15

The packaging machine of claim 11 wherein said sealing bar is operable to move said loaded container rearwardly of said loading station to said sealing station.

Claim 16

The packaging machine of claim 11 wherein said knife bar is toothed to form a series of punctures in said web and is provided with a heat dissipator to prevent its becoming substantially heated by said heater bar.

Claim 17

The packaging machine of claim 11 additionally including a stripper bar pivotally mounted adjacent said heater bar for stripping a sealed loaded container from said heater bar during movement of said sealing bar away from said heater bar.

Claim 18

The packaging machine of claim 13 wherein said sealing bar additionally includes a magnet adapted to engage said stripper bar when said sealing bar is moved to its inward position and to move said stripping bar to strip a sealed loaded container from said heater bar during movement of said sealing bar away from said heater bar.

Claim 19

The packaging machine of claim 8 wherein said advancing means comprises a pair of feed rolls and at least one of said feed rolls is movable away from the other feed roll to facilitate threading of said web between said feed rolls.

Claim 20

The packaging machine of claim 17 additionally including a pair of pivotally mounted arms supporting said one feed roll, and lock means operable to releasably position said one feed roll in engagement with said other feed roll.

Claim 21

The packaging machine of claim 16 wherein said pivotally mounted assembly is pivotally mounted from one of said arms.

Claim 22

In a packaging machine: structure establishing a path of travel for a web of interconnected heat sealable bag-like containers; means for advancing said web along said path to successively position each of said containers at a loading station; sealing structure for closing said containers about their contents including at least one sealing member movable into engagement with the loaded container to be sealed; actuator means for moving said at least one sealing member; support structure for positioning said sealing structure laterally spaced from said patH; and a manually controlled mechanism operative to effect operation of said actuator means and said advancing means; whereby loaded containers are detachable from said web immediately upon being loaded and said manually controlled mechanism is operable to simultaneously effect sealing of said loaded container and feeding of a successive container to said loading station.

Claim 23

In a packaging machine: structure establishing a path of travel for a web of interconnected heat sealable bag-like containers; means for advancing said web along said path to successively position each of said containers at a loading station; sealing structure for closing said containers about their contents including at least one sealing member movable into engagement with the loaded container to be sealed; actuator means for moving said at least one sealing member; support structure for positioning said sealing structure laterally spaced from said patH; and a manually controlled mechanism operative to effect operation of said actuator means and said advancing means; whereby loaded containers are detachable from said web immediately upon being loaded and said manually controlled mechanism is operable to simultaneously effect sealing of said loaded container and feeding of a successive container to said loading station.

Claim 24

The packaging machine of claim 20 wherein said sealing structure includes a heater bar and a sealing bar for clamping opposite sides of said container together against said heater bar to seal said container.

Claim 25

The packaging machine of claim 21 wherein said heater bar is rigidly mounted behind said loading station and said sealing bar is mounted for movement toward and away from said heater bar.

Claim 26

The packaging machine of claim 22 wherein said actuator means comprises a fluid-pressure responsive cylinder connected to said sealing bar to effect movement of said sealing bar.

Claim 31

The method of packaging of claim 25 additionally including the step of pivoting said sealing element during the formation of said seal to tear said loaded container from said web along a line of weakness.

Claim 32

The method of packaging of claim 26 additionally including the step of puncturing said web along a line above the region of said seal simultaneously with the formation of said seal.

Claim 33

The method of packaging of claim 26 wherein said pivoting of said sealing element is performed only during the formation of selected seals such that chains of interconnected loaded containers are formed.

Claim 34

The method of claim 26 additionally including the step of stripping said sealed container from said sealing element subsequent to the detaching of said sealed container from said web.

Claim 35

The method of claim 25 additionally including the step of detaching said loaded container from said web while in said loading station prior to moving said loaded container to said sealing station.

Claim 36

The mEthod of claim 30 wherein the sealing of said detached container comprises the steps of inserting the open end of said detached container into said sealing station and actuating a manually operable means to effect sealing of said container.

Claim 37

The method of claim 31 wherein said manually operable means is operative both to effect the sealing of said container and to effect the advancement of said web along said path to move a successive one of said containers into loading position.

Claim 38

In a packaging machine: a. structure establishing a path of travel for a web of interconnected bag-like containers; b. means for advancing said web along said path to successively position each of said containers at a loading station; c. closure means establishing a container closure station for effecting closure of a loaded container; d. said closure means comprising a movably mounted assembly including gripper means, closure securing means, and bar means movable relative to said gripper means and said closure securing means for clamping opposite sides of a loaded container to assure a positive closure thereof and to permit the securing of such closure by said closure securing means; e. actuator means for relatively moving said bar means toward and away from said gripper means and said closure securing means; f. said assembly being movable so as to sever the loaded container from the web along a line of weakness of the web; and, g. said gripper means being operable in conjunction with said bar means to engage the web near the region of operation of said closure securing means to effectively isolate this region from such forces as are applied to sever the web during movement of said assembly whereby the closure securing operation and the web severing operations can, if desired, be performed substantially concurrently.

Claim 39

In a packaging machine: a. structure establishing a path of travel for a web of interconnected bag-like containers; b. means for advancing said web along said path to successively position each of said containers at a loading station; c. closure means establishing a container closure station for effecting closure of a loaded container; d. said closure means comprising a movably mounted assembly including gripper means, closure securing means, and bar means movable relative to said gripper means and said closure securing means for clamping opposite sides of a loaded container to assure a positive closure thereof and to permit the securing of such closure by said closure securing means; e. actuator means for relatively moving said bar means toward and away from said gripper means and said closure securing means; f. said assembly being movable so as to sever the loaded container from the web along a line of weakness of the web; and, g. said gripper means being operable in conjunction with said bar means to engage the web near the region of operation of said closure securing means to effectively isolate this region from such forces as are applied to sever the web during movement of said assembly whereby the closure securing operation and the web severing operations can, if desired, be performed substantially concurrently.

Claim 42

In a packaging machine: a. web feed means establishing a path of travel for a packaging web; b. means for advancing such web along said path to successively position each of a plurality of successive web portions as a container at a loading station; c. closure means for closing a loaded container, and establishing a closing station spaced laterally from said path but sufficiently near said loading station such that the web may be fed along the path past said closing station, and such that a container positioned in the loading station will extend below the closing station; d. said closure means including relatively movable closure members movable into engagement with said loaded container to move the container to the load station, to bring its faces together and to effect a closure; e. said closure means comprising a pivotally mounted assembly with said closure members including a heater bar, a gripper bar, and a sealing bar; f. actuator means mounted on said pivotally mounted assembly and operative to move said sealing bar toward and away from said heAter bar; g. control means operable to release said closure members to permit a closed and loaded container to be removed from said closure station; h. said gripper bar being operative to engage said web in regions near the area of a heat seal being formed on said loaded container; and, i. said assembly being movable to tear said loaded container being sealed from said web along a line of weakness in the web substantially concurrently with the formation of said heat seal.

Claim 43

In a packaging machine: a. web feed means establishing a path of travel for a packaging web; b. means for advancing such web along said path to successively position each of a plurality of successive web portions as a container at a loading station; c. closure means for closing a loaded container, and establishing a closing station spaced laterally from said path but sufficiently near said loading station such that the web may be fed along the path past said closing station, and such that a container positioned in the loading station will extend below the closing station; d. said closure means including relatively movable closure members movable into engagement with said loaded container to move the container to the load station, to bring its faces together and to effect a closure; e. said closure means comprising a pivotally mounted assembly with said closure members including a heater bar, a gripper bar, and a sealing bar; f. actuator means mounted on said pivotally mounted assembly and operative to move said sealing bar toward and away from said heAter bar; g. control means operable to release said closure members to permit a closed and loaded container to be removed from said closure station; h. said gripper bar being operative to engage said web in regions near the area of a heat seal being formed on said loaded container; and, i. said assembly being movable to tear said loaded container being sealed from said web along a line of weakness in the web substantially concurrently with the formation of said heat seal.

Claim 44

The packaging machine of claim 35 wherein said assembly is pivotally mounted about an axis perpendicular to the plane of said path of travel in the region of said loading station, said axis being transversely spaced from said path of travel.

Claim 45

In a packaging machine: a. web feed means establishing a path of travel for a packaging web; b. means for advancing such web along said path to successively position each of a plurality of successive web portions as a container at a loading station; c. closure means for closing a loaded container, and establishing a closing station spaced laterally from said path but sufficiently near said loading station such that the web may be fed along the path past said closing station, and such that a container positioned in the loading station will extend below the closing station; d. said closure means including relatively movable closure members movable into engagement with said loaded container to move the container to the load station, to bring its faces together and to effect a closure; e. actuator means for moving said closure members relatively; f. control means operable to release said closure members to permit a closed loaded container to be removed from said closure station; and g. said control means comprising control means a manually controlled mechanism operative to effect operation of said actuator means and said advancing means, whereby loaded containers are detachable from said web immediately upon being loaded and said manually controlled mechanism is operative to effect sealing of said loaded container and to simultaneously advance a successive container to said loading station.

Claim 46

In a packaging machine: a. web feed means establishing a path of travel for a packaging web; b. means for advancing such web along said path to successively position each of a plurality of successive web portions as a container at a loading station; c. closure means for closing a loaded container, and establishing a closing station spaced laterally from said path but sufficiently near said loading station such that the web may be fed along the path past said closing station, and such that a container positioned in the loading station will extend below the closing station; d. said closure means including relatively movable closure members movable into engagement with said loaded container to move the container to the load station, to bring its faces together and to effect a closure; e. actuator means for moving said closure members relatively; f. control means operable to release said closure members to permit a closed loaded container to be removed from said closure station; and g. said control means comprising control means a manually controlled mechanism operative to effect operation of said actuator means and said advancing means, whereby loaded containers are detachable from said web immediately upon being loaded and said manually controlled mechanism is operative to effect sealing of said loaded container and to simultaneously advance a successive container to said loading station.

Claim 47

The packaging machine of claim 37 wherein: a. said sealing means includes a heater bar and a sealing bar; and b. said actuator means is operative to move said sealing bar toward and away from said heater bar.

Claim 48

In a packaging machine: a. web feed means establishing a path of travel for a packaging web; b. means for advancing such web along said path to successively position each of a plurality of successive web portions as a container at a loading station; c. closure means for closing a loaded container, and establishing a closing station spaced laterally from said path but sufficiently near said loading station such that the web may be fed along the path past said closing station, and such that a container positioned in the loading station will extend below the closing station; d. said closure means including relatively movable closure members movable into engagement with said loaded container to move the container to the load station, to bring its faces together and to effect a closure; e. actuator means for moving said closure members relatively; f. control means operable to release said closure members to permit a closed and loaded container to be removed from said closure station; g. said advancing means comprises a pair of feed rolls; h. one of said feed rolls is supported by a pair of pivotally mounted arms such that said one feed roll may be moved away from said other feed roll to facilitate threading of said web between said feed rolls; i. said pivotally mounted assembly is pivotally mounted from one of said arms; and, j. a second actuator means is provided for pivoting said pivotally mounted assembly about its pivoted connection with said arm.

Claim 49

In a packaging machine: a. web feed means establishing a path of travel for a packaging web; b. means for advancing such web along said path to successively position each of a plurality of successive web portions as a container at a loading station; c. closure means for closing a loaded container, and establishing a closing station spaced laterally from said path but sufficiently near said loading station such that the web may be fed along the path past said closing station, and such that a container positioned in the loading station will extend below the closing station; d. said closure means including relatively movable closure members movable into engagement with said loaded container to move the container to the load station, to bring its faces together and to effect a closure; e. actuator means for moving said closure members relatively; f. control means operable to release said closure members to permit a closed and loaded container to be removed from said closure station; g. said advancing means comprises a pair of feed rolls; h. one of said feed rolls is supported by a pair of pivotally mounted arms such that said one feed roll may be moved away from said other feed roll to facilitate threading of said web between said feed rolls; i. said pivotally mounted assembly is pivotally mounted from one of said arms; and, j. a second actuator means is provided for pivoting said pivotally mounted assembly about its pivoted connection with said arm.

Claim 50

The packaging machine of claim 39 wherein said second actuator means comprises a fluid-pressure responsive cylinder connected to said pivotally mounted assembly to effect movement of said pivotally mounted assembly.

Claim 51

A packaging apparatus comprising: a. structure establishing a path of travel for a packaging web to a loading station; and, b. container closure and gripping means for: i. closing a container after it has been loaded at the loading station; ii. gripping the loaded container so as to confine subsequently applied container separation forces to a limited portion of the container; iii. thereafter applying such container separation forces to a line of weakness connecting the loaded container to the web, said forces being applied to the line of weakness while the bag is being gripped to isolate the separation forces; and c. said closure and gripping means including structure for at least partially penetrating the web to positively engage the web and facilitate the separation of the loaded container from other portions of the web.

Claim 52

A packaging apparatus comprising: a. structure establishing a path of travel for a packaging web to a loading station; and, b. container closure and gripping means for: i. closing a container after it has been loaded at the loading station; ii. gripping the loaded container so as to confine subsequently applied container separation forces to a limited portion of the container; iii. thereafter applying such container separation forces to a line of weakness connecting the loaded container to the web, said forces being applied to the line of weakness while the bag is being gripped to isolate the separation forces; and c. said closure and gripping means including structure for at least partially penetrating the web to positively engage the web and facilitate the separation of the loaded container from other portions of the web.

Claim 53

The packaging apparatus of claim 41 wherein said structure comprises a toothed gripper bar.

Claim 54

In a packaging machine: a. web feed means establishing a path of travel for a packaging web: b. means for advancing such web along said path to successively position each of a plurality of successive web portions as a container at a loading station; c. closure means establishing a container closure station for closing a loaded container; d. said closure means comprising a movably mounted assembly including relatively movable closure members movable into engagement with a loaded container to bring its faces together and to effect a closure; e. actuator means coupled to said members to effect relative movement of said members toward and away from each other; f. said assembly being movable to sever a loaded container from the web along a line of weakenss in the web; and g. said members being operable to grip the web in regions near the area of the closure to effectively isolate the area of the closure from such forces as are applied to sever the web during movement of said assembly, whereby the closure and web severing operation can, if desired, be performed substantially concurrently.

Claim 55

In a packaging machine: a. web feed means establishing a path of travel for a packaging web: b. means for advancing such web along said path to successively position each of a plurality of successive web portions as a container at a loading station; c. closure means establishing a container closure station for closing a loaded container; d. said closure means comprising a movably mounted assembly including relatively movable closure members movable into engagement with a loaded container to bring its faces together and to effect a closure; e. actuator means coupled to said members to effect relative movement of said members toward and away from each other; f. said assembly being movable to sever a loaded container from the web along a line of weakenss in the web; and g. said members being operable to grip the web in regions near the area of the closure to effectively isolate the area of the closure from such forces as are applied to sever the web during movement of said assembly, whereby the closure and web severing operation can, if desired, be performed substantially concurrently.

Claim 56

The packaging machine of claim 43 wherein: a. said closure station is spaced laterally from said path but sufficiently near said loading station that the web may be fed along the path past said closure station, and such that a container positioned in the loading station will extend below the closure station; and b. said members are additionally operable to move a loaded container to the closure station.

Claim 57

The packaging machine of claim 43 wherein said assembly is pivotally mounted and is operable to apply container separation forces to a line of weakness connecting the loaded container to the web in such manner as will effect separation of a loaded container from the web serially along the line from a starting point near one end of the line.

Claim 58

The packaging machine of claim 43 wherein: a. said members are operable to heat seal a loaded container and comprise a heater bar, a sealing bar, and a gripper means; b. said actuator means is operable to move said sealing bar toward and away from said heater bar; and c. said gripper means is operative to engage said web in regions near the heat seal being formed on a loaded container to effectively isolate the region of the heat seal from such container separation forces as may be applied to the web during movement of said assembly.

Claim 59

The packaging machine of claim 46 additionally including a stripper bar pivotally mounted adjacent said heater bar for stripping a sealed loaded container from said gripper bar during movement of said sealing bar away from said gripper bar.

Claim 60

The packaging machine of claim 46 wherein said heater bar is shielded from contact by a guard bracket and said sealing bar is movably mounted for bringing the faces of a loaded container together between said heater Bar and said sealing bar to effect a heat seal.

Claim 61

The packaging machine of claim 48 wherein: a. said actuator means comprises an air actuator which is sufficiently weak to prevent injury to an operator''s hand accidentally positioned between said guard bracket and said sealing bar during a sealing operation; and b. said sealing bar carries a resilient pad which further serves to protect the operator''s hand.

Claim 62

The packaging machine of claim 48 wherein said gripper bar is disposed adjacent said heater bar and shielded from contact by said guard bracket.

Claim 63

The packaging machine of claim 43 wherein: a. said advancing means comprises a pair of feed rolls; b. one of said feed rolls is supported by a pair of pivotally mounted arms such that said one feed roll may be moved away from said other feed roll to facilitate threading of said web between said feed rolls.

Claim 64

The packaging machine of claim 51 additionally including lock means adapted to releasably lock said one feed roll in engagement with said other feed roll.

Claim 65

The packaging machine of claim 51 wherein said assembly in pivotally mounted from one of said arms.

Claim 66

The packaging machine of claim 53 wherein a second actuator means is provided for pivoting said pivotally mounted assembly about its pivoted connection with said arm.

Claim 67

The packaging machine of claim 54 wherein said second actuator means comprises a fluid-pressure responsive cylinder connected to said pivotally mounted assembly to effect movement of said pivotally mounted assembly.

Claim 68

A packaging apparatus comprising: a. structure establishing a path of travel for a packaging web to a loading station; b. feeding means for advancing said web along said path to successively position each of a series of containers on the web at the loading station; c. container closure and gripping means carried by said structure and including a movably mounted assembly having relatively movable means for closing a container after it has been loaded at the loading station and for gripping a closed loaded container to confine subsequently applied container separation forces to a limited portion of the loaded container; and, d. actuator means for moving said assembly subsequent to the engagement of said relatively movable means with the loaded container to apply container separation forces to a line of weakness connecting the loaded container to the web to sever the container from the web.

Claim 69

A packaging apparatus comprising: a. structure establishing a path of travel for a packaging web to a loading station; b. feeding means for advancing said web along said path to successively position each of a series of containers on the web at the loading station; c. container closure and gripping means carried by said structure and including a movably mounted assembly having relatively movable means for closing a container after it has been loaded at the loading station and for gripping a closed loaded container to confine subsequently applied container separation forces to a limited portion of the loaded container; and, d. actuator means for moving said assembly subsequent to the engagement of said relatively movable means with the loaded container to apply container separation forces to a line of weakness connecting the loaded container to the web to sever the container from the web.

Claim 70

A packaging apparatus, comprising: a. structure establishing a path of travel for a packaging web to a loading station; b. container closure and gripping means movably carried by said structure and including relatively movable closure members for closing a container after it has been loaded at the loading station, gripping means for gripping a closed loaded container to confine subsequently applied container separation forces to a limited portion of the container, and actuator means for moving said closure and gripping means subsequent to the engagement of said closure members with a loaded container to apply container separation forces to a line of weakness connecting the loaded container to the web to sever the container from the web; c. said closure and gripping means being pivotally mounted such that said container separation forces are applied serially along said line of weakness starting from a point on one end of the line, by pivoting said closure and gripping means relative to the path of travel of the web.

Claim 71

A packaging apparatus, comprising: a. structure establishing a path of travel for a packaging web to a loading station; b. container closure and gripping means movably carried by said structure and including relatively movable closure members for closing a container after it has been loaded at the loading station, gripping means for gripping a closed loaded container to confine subsequently applied container separation forces to a limited portion of the container, and actuator means for moving said closure and gripping means subsequent to the engagement of said closure members with a loaded container to apply container separation forces to a line of weakness connecting the loaded container to the web to sever the container from the web; c. said closure and gripping means being pivotally mounted such that said container separation forces are applied serially along said line of weakness starting from a point on one end of the line, by pivoting said closure and gripping means relative to the path of travel of the web.

Claim 72

The packaging apparatus of claim 57 additionally including sealer means for sealing the loaded container during the gripping of the loaded container by said closure and gripping means.

Claim 73

The packaging apparatus of claim 58 wherein said sealer means includes a heater bar against which the loaded container is clamped during closure to effect a heat seal.

Claim 74

A packaging apparatus, comprising: a. structure establishing a path of travel for a packaging web to a loading station; b. container closure and gripping means movably carried by said structure and including relatively movable closure members for closing a container after it has been loaded at the loading station, gripping means for gripping a closed loaded container to confine subsequently applied container separation forces to a limited portion of the container, and actuator means for moving said closure and gripping means subsequent to the engagement of said closure members with a loaded container to apply container separation forces to a line of weakness connecting the loaded container to the web to sever the container from the web; c. sealer means for sealing the loaded container during the gripping of the loaded container by said closure and gripping means, including a heater bar against which the loaded container is clamped during closure to effect a heat seal; and, d. a stripper bar movably mounted near said heater bar for stripping a sealed loaded container from said heater bar.

Claim 75

A packaging apparatus, comprising: a. structure establishing a path of travel for a packaging web to a loading station; b. container closure and gripping means movably carried by said structure and including relatively movable closure members for closing a container after it has been loaded at the loading station, gripping means for gripping a closed loaded container to confine subsequently applied container separation forces to a limited portion of the container, and actuator means for moving said closure and gripping means subsequent to the engagement of said closure members with a loaded container to apply container separation forces to a line of weakness connecting the loaded container to the web to sever the container from the web; c. sealer means for sealing the loaded container during the gripping of the loaded container by said closure and gripping means, including a heater bar against which the loaded container is clamped during closure to effect a heat seal; and, d. a stripper bar movably mounted near said heater bar for stripping a sealed loaded container from said heater bar.

Claim 76

A packaging apparatus for heat sealing loaded containers at a sealing station, comprising: a. structure establishing a path of travel for movement of a web of bag-like containers to position a loaded container in the sealing station; b. a pair of sealing members movable relatively toward each other to bring together and heat seal opposite faces of a loaded container positioned between the members; c. a shield having a recess formed therein; d. one of said members comprising a heater mounted inwardly of said recess and shielded therein from contact by an operator; e. the other of said members being operative during movement toward said one member to move at least a portion of a loaded container into said recess and into engagement with said heater to heat seal the container; f. means mounting said members for movement as a unit relative to said structure to apply container separation forces to separate a loaded container from the web; and g. gripper means for gripping a loaded container to isolate the region of the heat seal being formed thereon from such container separation forces as result when said members move as a unit relative to said structure.

Claim 77

A packaging apparatus for heat sealing loaded containers at a sealing station, comprising: a. structure establishing a path of travel for movement of a web of bag-like containers to position a loaded container in the sealing station; b. a pair of sealing members movable relatively toward each other to bring together and heat seal opposite faces of a loaded container positioned between the members; c. a shield having a recess formed therein; d. one of said members comprising a heater mounted inwardly of said recess and shielded therein from contact by an operator; e. the other of said members being operative during movement toward said one member to move at least a portion of a loaded container into said recess and into engagement with said heater to heat seal the container; f. means mounting said members for movement as a unit relative to said structure to apply container separation forces to separate a loaded container from the web; and g. gripper means for gripping a loaded container to isolate the region of the heat seal being formed thereon from such container separation forces as result when said members move as a unit relative to said structure.

Claim 78

The packaging apparatus of claim 61 wherein said other member additionally serves to clamp the web against said gripper means to positively engage the web thereby facilitating separation of a loaded container from other portions of the web.

Claim 79

The packaging apparatus of claim 61 additionally including: a. feeding means for advancing the web along said path comprising at least a pair of feed rolls disposed on opposite sides of said path for engaging and feeding the web; b. one of said rolls being stationarily mounted on said structure; c. supporting means mounting the other of said rolls and being adapted to selectively support said other roll at an operative position adjacent said one feed roll or at a threading position spaced from said one feed roll a sufficient distance to permit manual threading of the web between said feed rolls; and, d. said supporting means being movably mounted on said structure and additionally supporting said members.

Claim 80

A packaging apparatus comprising: a. means establishing a path of travel for a packaging web, having a plurality of spaced preformed lines of weakness thereon defining container ends, to a loading station and for sequentially positioning a container formed on the web in registry with the loading station; b. closure means operative while said container is positioned at said loading station and without moving said container into registry with any other station, to open said container for loading, close said container once it has been loaded, secure the closure, and initiate severance of said loaded container from the remainder of the web.

Claim 81

A packaging apparatus comprising: a. means establishing a path of travel for a packaging web, having a plurality of spaced preformed lines of weakness thereon defining container ends, to a loading station and for sequentially positioning a container formed on the web in registry with the loading station; b. closure means operative while said container is positioned at said loading station and without moving said container into registry with any other station, to open said container for loading, close said container once it has been loaded, secure the closure, and initiate severance of said loaded container from the remainder of the web.

Claim 82

The packaging apparatus of claim 64 wherein said closure means is additionally operative to remove said loaded container from the loading station to complete the severaNce of the loaded container from the remainder of the web.

Claim 85

The method of claim 66 additionally including the step of removing the loaded container from the loading station to complete the severance of the container from the remainder of the web.