Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
Improved sealing apparatus for cutting and heat sealing thermoplastic sheets which are drawn under tension through sealing jaws, comprising: first and second sealing jaws movable between an open and closed position and each including a sealing section integrally formed with and recessed relative to first and second spaced-apart clamping sections, the sealing section of at least one of said sealing jaws being deformable upon closing of said jaws, heat-applying and cutting means adjacent at least one of said sealing sections for applying heat to cut and heat seal said thermoplastic sheets, and one of said first and second spaced-apart clamping sections including means for preventing said thermoplastic sheets from engaging said heat-applying means while said sealing jaws are open and said thermoplastic sheets are being drawn under tension through said sealing jaws, said first and second spaced-apart clamping sections on each of said sealing jaws including means for coacting with each other to simultaneously apply a clamping force to spaced-apart portions of said thermoplastic sheets when said jaws are closed to overcome the tension on said thermoplastic sheets and to thereby prevent slippage of said thermoplastic sheets relative to said sealing jaws, and said recessed sealing sections being constructed and arranged to simultaneously move with said clamping sections to engage and seal said thermoplastic sheets after said thermoplastic sheets are clamped by said clamping sections.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
Improved sealing apparatus for cutting and heat sealing thermoplastic sheets which are drawn under tension through sealing jaws, comprising: first and second sealing jaws movable between an open and closed position and each including a sealing section integrally formed with and recessed relative to first and second spaced-apart clamping sections, the sealing section of at least one of said sealing jaws being deformable upon closing of said jaws, heat-applying and cutting means adjacent at least one of said sealing sections for applying heat to cut and heat seal said thermoplastic sheets, and one of said first and second spaced-apart clamping sections including means for preventing said thermoplastic sheets from engaging said heat-applying means while said sealing jaws are open and said thermoplastic sheets are being drawn under tension through said sealing jaws, said first and second spaced-apart clamping sections on each of said sealing jaws including means for coacting with each other to simultaneously apply a clamping force to spaced-apart portions of said thermoplastic sheets when said jaws are closed to overcome the tension on said thermoplastic sheets and to thereby prevent slippage of said thermoplastic sheets relative to said sealing jaws, and said recessed sealing sections being constructed and arranged to simultaneously move with said clamping sections to engage and seal said thermoplastic sheets after said thermoplastic sheets are clamped by said clamping sections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for preventing engagement and for clamping include cooperating clamping surfaces adjacent said deformable jaw section for engaging and clamping said thermoplastic sheets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for preventing engagement and for clamping include means formed on said sealing jaws for partially surrounding said heat-applying means so that said thermoplastic sheets are prevented from engaging said heat-applying means while said sealing jaws are open.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the deformable section of said sealing jaws is formed of silicone rubber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said heat-applying and cutting means includes a heater wire which is heated to a point above the melting temperature of the thermoplastic material which is being heat sealed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for preventing engagement and for clamping include coacting male and female sections for applying a clamping force to said thermoplastic sheets, said male and female sections being disposed on said sealing jaws on either side of said deformable sealing jaw section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein said male sections are in the form of extension members and extend beyond the surface of one of said sealing jaws for entering said female sections on the other of said sealing jaws.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein said female sections are in the form of pockets formed in the surface of one of said sealing jaws for receiving said male sections on the other of said sealing jaws.