Method and device for the protection of the transversal seals during the formation of packaging containers

Claim 2

In a method for forming, filling and sealing tubular packages an improved process for the protection of the transversal seals during the continuous formation of packaging containers by transversally sealing a longitudinally sealed hose of packaging material and thereafter cutting said seals along their centerlines, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of clamping said hose during the application of a transversal seal along a line spaced above said transversal seal, maintaining said clamping action during a pair of travel of said seal from a pair of sealing jaws to the cutting jaws, and releasing the clamping action after the seal is gripped between said cutting jaws.

Claim 3

In an apparatus for forming, filling and sealing tubular packages an improved device for the protection of the transversal seals during the formation of packaging containers by transversally sealing a longitudinally sealed hose of packaging material, said device comprising: sealing jaws for applying a transversal seal, cutting jaws for gripping and cutting said seal, clamping Means for gripping said hose along a line spaced above said transversal seal, wherein the improvement comprises the means for maintaining said clamping means gripping said hose during the travel of said seal from said sealing jaws to said cutting jaws and to release said clamping means when the transversal seal is gripped by said cutting jaws.

Claim 4

In an apparatus for forming, filling and sealing tubular packages an improved device for the protection of the transversal seals during the formation of packaging containers by transversally sealing a longitudinally sealed hose of packaging material, said device comprising: sealing jaws for applying a transversal seal, cutting jaws for gripping and cutting said seal, clamping Means for gripping said hose along a line spaced above said transversal seal, wherein the improvement comprises the means for maintaining said clamping means gripping said hose during the travel of said seal from said sealing jaws to said cutting jaws and to release said clamping means when the transversal seal is gripped by said cutting jaws.

Claim 5

A device according to claim 2, wherein said clamping means comprise two groups of crosspieces, each crosspiece of one group coacting with one crosspiece of the second group to form a pair of clamps, the crosspieces of each pair gripping the hose between them above the level at which said transversal seal is being applied and following the hose in its motion until said transversal seal is gripped by said cutting jaws, thereby protecting said transversal seal from the pressure of the overlying liquid column in the hose during said travel.

Claim 6

A device according to claim 3, wherein the crosspieces of each group are fastened between two revolving endless chains and guide bars for guiding said crosspieces towards the corresponding crosspieces of the other group into said hose-clamping relationship, said guide bars being swingable from an open position receiving said crosspieces to a closed position in which they press said crosspieces from both sides against said hose above the level of said transversal seal.

Claim 7

A device according to claim 4, further comprising guide means extending from below said guide bars to a level above said cutting jaws to guide said pairs of crosspieces from the lower end of said guide bars to a level above said cutting jaws in a hose clamping relationship.

Claim 8

A device according to claim 2, further comprising a metering chamber for metering the volume of the liquid going into each container, said metering chamber extending between said sealing jaws and said cutting jaws and comprising two lateral plates located at both sides of the hose and two wedges, one at each internal face of each said plate, each wedge being vertically displaceable to adjust said volume.

Claim 9

A device according to claim 2, wherein one of said cutting jaws comprises a horizontal longitudinal slot and a seal-cutting knife reciprocable within said slot, while the other cutting jaw comprises a groove matching said slot, into which said knife projects when said cutting jaws are closed, said cutting jaws being additionally provided with conduits for the circulation of a cooling liquid within them.