Sealed Air Corporation (us)

Shanklin Corporation

Robert Simonelli

Thomas P Orsini

Michael Kalinowski

Russell T Christman

Mark Garceau

John Gilbert

David Cenedella

Kyle Brown

Zi K Chan

Todd R Brown

Robert J O'Dowd

Mitchell W Smith, Sr

Kenneth Chrisman

Steven Edward Maston

Charles P Tatarian

Norman D Shanklin

William G Peabody

Todd Brown

A form-fill-seal system includes a tube feeding system, an end seal carriage, and a computing device. The tube feeding system feeds a tube of flexible material at a first velocity. The computing device controls the end seal carriage to cause an increase in a velocity of the end seal carriage to substantially the first velocity, a start of a dwell time of the end seal mechanism on the tube of flexible material while the velocity of the end seal carriage is at substantially the first velocity, and an increase in the velocity of the end seal carriage to a second velocity during the dwell time. The end seal mechanism cuts a package from the tube during the dwell time. The increase in the velocity of the end seal carriage to the second velocity results in an increased distance of the package from the tube.

End seal carriage velocity differential

A system for enhanced conveying of flexible packages includes a packaging system, an inflation system, and a conveying system. The packaging system is configured to place an object in a flexible package. The inflation system is configured to insert a gas into the flexible package. The packaging system is further configured to seal an edge of the flexible package in an inflated state with the object and the inserted gas inside the flexible package. The conveying system is configured to convey the flexible package while the flexible package is substantially in the inflated state. The flexible package is configured to permit gas to escape the flexible package at a controlled flow rate such that the flexible package remains substantially in the inflated state while being conveyed by the conveying system and the flexible package transitions to being substantially in a deflated state after being conveyed by the conveying system.

Flexible package conveyance

A system for enhanced conveying of flexible packages includes a packaging system (), an inflation system (), and a conveying system (). The packaging system is configured to place an object in a flexible package. The inflation system is configured to insert a gas into the flexible package. The packaging system is further configured to seal an edge of the flexible package in an inflated state with the object and the inserted gas inside the flexible package. The conveying system is configured to convey the flexible package while the flexible package is substantially in the inflated state. The flexible package is configured to permit gas to escape the flexible package at a controlled flow rate such that the flexible package remains substantially in the inflated state while being conveyed by the conveying system and the flexible package transitions to being substantially in a deflated state after being conveyed by the conveying system.

A cushion package can be formed around an object. The object can be removed from and reinserted into the cushion package. The cushion package includes a cushion material () having a longitudinal length and two longitudinal edges (). The two longitudinal edges () of the cushion material are folded into an overlapping position to form a tube of the cushion material. The cushion package includes first and second transverse seals () in the tube of the cushion material. The first and second transverse seals () respectively form first and second ends of the cushion package. Each of the first transverse seal and the second transverse seal () seals the cushion material with the two longitudinal edges () in the overlapping position. The two longitudinal edges () of the cushion material are uncoupled between the first transverse seal and the second transverse seal ().

Method and system for forming cushion packages for object protection

A sealing machine having a movable carriage assembly which utilizes a counterbalance and two servo motors is disclosed. The counterbalance allows high throughput operation without excessive mechanical vibration. The use of two servo motors allows independent control of the horizontal movement of the movable carriage assembly and the vertical movement of the jaws. The use of two servo motors also allows adaptation to articles or packages of various dimensions. In some embodiments, an optical sensor is used to detect the position of the package to be sealed, and the movement of the movable carriage assembly and the jaw is altered based on the detected position.

Counterbalanced servo end seal carriages

A sealing machine adapted to support a plurality of different heating/sealing/cutting mechanisms, including tubular heaters and heated cutting blades, is disclosed. The sealing machine utilizes a common interface and mounting system for all side sealers. In addition, in some embodiments, the control system within the sealing machine is adapted to monitor and control the temperature of these various mechanisms automatically so as to create proper seals.

Interchangeable cutting elements for sealing machine

Apparatus for the automatic packaging of one or more articles. One or more modular infeed systems are provided, each adapted to feed product to a wrapping machine, and each preferably adapted to communicate with a wrapping machine to identify its configuration to the wrapping machine. In a preferred embodiment, each modular infeed includes a film roll unwind assembly, an integrated film folding head, a product conveyance mechanism and a closed-loop communications network.

Modular infeeds for automatic forms/fill/seal equipment

Apparatus and method for the automatic packaging of one or more articles. An adjustable web guide structure that guides the webs of film into a configuration that mimics the geometry of a package to be wrapped is provided. The webs are conveyed over the guide structure, which structure provides an appropriate predetermined shape defining a web envelope for proper package entry and flow through the wrapping system. The position and geometry of the guides causes the web envelope to form around the corners of the product to be package to minimize film requirement, and allows for fluid transition from web supply rolls to package shape. External tension rods can be used to assist in preventing or minimizing web wrinkling. Guide rolls can be used in conjunction with the guide structure to assist in guiding and tracking the web material, as well as to provide axial transverse tension for proper web forming.

Growing community of inventors

Worcester, MA, United States of America

Robert Simonelli