Method and apparatus for packaging articles of various sizes with a

Abstract

Articles to be packaged are introduced at a constant rate into a continuous length of heat sealable film which is being folded into approximately tubular shape while being fed at a speed selected in accordance with the size of the articles. The side edges of the folded film are heat sealed over the successive articles received therein at longitudinal spacings. A package conveyor receives the side sealed film, together with the articles contained therein, for transporting the same along a linear track between an upper sealer conveyor carrying a series of heater bar assemblies and a lower sealer conveyor carrying a series of anvil bar and cutter assemblies. The heater bar assemblies and the anvil bar and cutter assemblies coact to engage therebetween the side sealed film, at points intermediate the articles received therein, and to cut the film, at the entrance end of the package conveyor. Each coacting pair of heater bar assembly and anvil bar and cutter assembly seals one end of each severed piece of film during its travel on the package conveyor. The speed at which the film is fed while being folded and receiving the articles can be variously determined, within a range not exceeding the predetermined running speed of the package conveyor, for packaging various size articles without waste of the film.