Sigma Systems Corporation

Charles M Blackburn

Philip L Reid

Clifton W Heffner

Daniel L Reuter

Ravi C Krishnan

A packaging machine processes a continuous web fed from a roll to form a sequence of packages or bags preferably filled with a product during its formation and sealing. The bag is formed by folding the web and sealing two web edges together longitudinally and thereafter transversely processing the web to close and seal the package ends before cutting the package from the web. In processing the package, the transverse processing mechanism operates intermittently cyclically or upon demand to grasp the web, move it, seal it and selectively to cut it to produce optionally either individual packages or a web connected sequence of two or more packages. The transverse processing mechanism comprises a piston operated reciprocable member with links moving two jaws on opposite sides of the web together into engagement with the web. The jaws have grasping, sealing and cutting members thereon, with the cutting member optionally programmed for cutting the web at will thereby permitting choice of individual or multiple package output products. Firm contact operation with low operating power is achieved by moving in opposite directions two jaws by a reciprocating rocker movable over an arc of about 90.degree. to extend two links to substantially linear disposition in opposite directions when the jaws close to grasp the web.

Web processing mechanism for forming packages

This invention provides a packaging system for processing a web from a roll to fold it, insert a product and to seal it about the product to form the package. All web processing equipment is cantilevered to one side of a panel to permit ready replacement and feeding of a new web roll. Quick changeover features are also included for changing web and package size. The entire drive mechanism for pulling the web through the system is a motor driven reciprocating member grasping and pulling a length of web through the system for each programmed package. Preferably the web is of a thermoplastic material which can receive and display such products as peanuts, and other food products, hardware, and the like. All mechanisms are in the form of cantilevered members for passing the web through a feed path held stationarily in place on a single panel except for the single reciprocating drive member. Only two other parts move in the system for processing the package, namely, respective longitudinal and transverse sealing mechanisms.

Packaging system with cantilevered web feed system accessible for

A web feeding system reels the web off a web roll in increments of predetermined length for forming a package by a braked web spool and dancing roller array to pass through a work station such as a printer for registration at package sealing stations. The web is yanked, one package length at a time, by a reciprocating web transit motivating member grasping and withdrawing the web from the roll on an advance stroke and synchronized to brake the roll and to prevent movement through the feed path upon the return stroke.

Web feeding system for package forming machine

A continuously moving stream of pieces taken from a storage bin is separated into precisely counted batches, for bagging, or the like. The flow speed of the pieces is optimized and substantially constant at a highest possible speed of flow higher than the batcher operating speeds will handle. Thereby this invention provides an alternative to eliminate the need for reducing flow speed because batchers require relatively long operating times and to avoid the disadvantage that reduction of the flow line speed when handling many successive batch pieces which is a slow process because of the high inherent inertia to changes of speed. In order to increase the flow speeds to higher effective batch handling rates, some of the pieces are removed from a high speed stream flow to create gaps in the flow stream between batches, thereby permitting optimized time interfacing with the necessary batching operations which thereby may proceed at a slower rate than the average piece by piece flow rate. Also, this technique assures that there is always an exact count since the batcher, which is time limited at the critical system point, has adequate time to perform its function in the gap period without losing or gaining a piece from the stream. Also, handling and storage of pieces removed from the stream is expedited by removing the pieces from the stream directly back into the storage bin feeding the stream, and simplified control systems responsive to gap detection techniques can be used.

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Davidsonville, MD, United States of America

Charles M Blackburn