Method of and apparatus for producing plastic bags

• US 20020183183A1
• Filed: 06/01/2001
• Published: 12/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson Home Storage Inc.
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson Home Storage Inc.
• Inventors: Turvey, Robert R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,458,925 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 493/394
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2037/80 Identifying, e.g. coding, dating, marking, numbering
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2793/009 after shaping
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/08 using ultrasonic vibrations non-plastics element to plastics elements B29C65/645
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/18 using heated tools
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/743 using the same tool for both joining and severing, said tool being monobloc or formed by several parts mounted together and forming a monobloc B29C65/2046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/02241 Cutting, e.g. by using waterjets, or sawing using heat B29C66/0246; cutting-off or cutting-out a part of a strip-like or sheet-like material, transferring that part and fixing it to an article B29C69/005
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/137 Beaded-edge joints or bead seals for sealing or securing package folds or closures B65B51/24
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/30621 in the form of letters
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/30623 in the form of numbers
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/3452 Making complete joints by combining partial joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/431 Joining the articles to themselves B29C66/4322 and B29C66/4332 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/4312 for making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles, e.g. transversal seams
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/73921 characterised by the materials of both parts being thermoplastics
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/80 General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/81433 being toothed, i.e. comprising several teeth or pins comprising a single tooth B29C66/81429, or being patterned
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/81435 comprising several parallel ridges, e.g. for crimping comprising a single ridge B29C66/81427
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8167 Quick change joining tools or surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8322 Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8511 Bag making machines
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/876 : Maintenance or cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8762 : Cleaning of the joining tools
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2005/00 : Elements of slide fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7128 : Bags, sacks, sachets tea bags B29L2031/7122; medical bags B29L2031/7148
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 70/8131 : Making bags having interengaging closure elements

Abstract

A method of and apparatus for producing plastic bags are disclosed. A web of plastic is folded to form an elongate folded web having free ends and closer tape is secured to the free ends of the elongate folded web. End stops are formed in the closer tape at spaced locations thereof and an indicia is formed in the end stops. The elongate folded web is simultaneously severed and sealed at the spaced locations to produce individual bags.

Claims

1. A method of producing plastic bags, the method comprising the steps of:

folding a web of plastic to form an elongate folded web having free ends;

securing closer tape to the free ends of the elongate folded web;

forming end stops in the closer tape at spaced locations thereof, such step including the step of creating an indicia in each of the end stops; and

simultaneously severing and sealing the elongate folded web at each of the spaced locations to produce individual bags.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of forming end stops comprises the step of ultrasonically embossing a pattern into the closer tape.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of ultrasonically embossing includes the step of moving a weld horn toward an anvil wherein the zipper tape is captured between the weld horn and the anvil.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the pattern is formed by a textured surface of the anvil.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the pattern is formed by a textured surface of a horn.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the indicia is formed by a button removably received in a bore in the anvil.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the indicia designates a production line that produced the plastic bags.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the indicia designates a period of time during which the bags were produced.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of forming the end stops comprises the step of embossing first and second different indicia on opposite sides of each of a plurality of bag end locations and wherein the step of simultaneously severing and sealing comprises the step of severing and sealing the elongate folded web at positions substantially coincident with each of the bag end locations.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first indicia designates a production line that produced the plastic bags.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second indicia designates a period of time at which the bags were produced.

12. The method of claim 1, including the further step of slidably attaching a slider to the closer tape.

13. The method of claim 1, further including the step of forming a knurled pattern in the web of plastic at a point adjacent the end stop.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the knurled pattern is formed by a movable portion of an anvil.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the movable portion is moved by a threaded rod.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the movable portion is movable by at least one screw disposed in a threaded bore.

17. The method of claim 1, including the step of forming a sealed portion in the closer tape adjacent a closer profile.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of forming a sealed portion includes the step of guiding the closer tape using at least one upstanding surface.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of forming the first and second end stops comprises the step of ultrasonically embossing a pattern into the closer tape.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of ultrasonically embossing includes the step of moving a weld horn toward an anvil wherein the zipper tape is captured between the weld horn and the anvil.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the pattern is formed by a textured surface of the anvil.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the pattern is formed by a textured surface of a horn.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the indicia is formed by a button removably received in a bore in the anvil.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the indicia designates a production line that produced the plastic bags.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the indicia designates a period of time during which the bags were produced.

27. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of forming the first and second end stops comprises the step of embossing first and second different indicia on opposite sides of each of first and second bag end locations and wherein the step of simultaneously severing and sealing comprises the step of severing and sealing the elongate folded web at positions substantially coincident with each of the first and second bag end locations.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the first indicia designates a production line that produced the plastic bags.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the second indicia designates a period of time at which the bags were produced.

30. The method of claim 19, including the further step of slidably attaching a slider to the closer tape.

31. The method of claim 19, wherein the first and second areas include a knurled pattern in the web of plastic.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the knurled pattern is formed by a movable portion of an anvil.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the movable portion is moved by a threaded rod.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the movable portion is movable by at least one screw disposed in a threaded bore.

35. The method of claim 19, including the step of forming a sealed portion in the web adjacent a closer profile.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the step of forming a sealed portion includes the step of guiding the closer tape using at least one upstanding portion of a slider ring.

38. The improvement of claim 37, wherein the indicia is created in the closer tape.

39. The improvement of claim 37, wherein the apparatus also forms a welded area in the elongate plastic web adjacent each end stop.

40. The improvement of claim 39, wherein the indicia is created in the welded areas.

41. The improvement of claim 37, wherein the apparatus comprises an ultrasonic welding device.

42. The improvement of claim 41, wherein one of the parts comprises an ultrasonic horn and another of the parts comprises an anvil.

43. The improvement of claim 42, wherein the insert is disposed in a bore in the anvil.

44. The improvement of claim 43, wherein each end stop is formed by a textured surface of the anvil.

45. The improvement of claim 43, wherein each end stop is formed by a textured surface of a movable horn.

46. The improvement of claim 44, wherein the textured surface has an outer periphery and wherein the insert comprises a removable button having an embossing surface disposed within the outer periphery.

47. The improvement of claim 46, wherein the indicia identifies a production line of which the apparatus is a part.

48. The improvement of claim 46, wherein the indicia identifies a period of time during which the plastic bags were produced.

49. The improvement of claim 37, wherein the apparatus carries a pair of inserts that create first and second indicia in the closer tape on opposite sides of each of a plurality of bag end locations.

50. The improvement of claim 49, wherein the first indicia designates a production line that produced the plastic bags.

51. The improvement of claim 50, wherein the second indicia designates a period of time at which the bags were produced.

52. The improvement of claim 37, wherein a knurled pattern is formed in the closer tape by a movable portion of an anvil.

53. The improvement of claim 52, wherein the movable portion is moved by a threaded rod.

54. The improvement of claim 52, wherein the movable portion is movable by at least one screw disposed in a threaded bore.

55. The improvement of claim 37, including a portion carried by and anvil and which forms a sealed portion in the closer tape adjacent a closer profile.

56. The improvement of claim 55, further including at least one surface that guides the closer tape.

57. The improvement of claim 37, wherein the apparatus includes an insert that carries the surface that creates the indicia.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the forming means comprises an ultrasonic welding device.

60. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the ultrasonic welding device includes an ultrasonic horn and an anvil.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the anvil includes a textured surface that forms a pattern.

62. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the ultrasonic horn includes a textured surface that forms a pattern.

63. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the textured surface has an outer periphery and the indicia is formed by a surface of a button and wherein the button surface is disposed in the outer periphery.

64. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the button is removably received in a bore in the anvil.

65. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the textured surface has an outer periphery and first and second indicia are formed by first and second surfaces of first and second buttons, respectively, wherein the first and second surfaces are disposed in the outer periphery.

66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the buttons are removably received in bores in the anvil.

67. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the indicia is created in the closer tape.

68. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the indicia is created in the folded web of plastic adjacent each stop.

69. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein a knurled pattern is formed in the closer tape by a movable portion of an anvil.

70. The apparatus of claim 69 wherein the movable portion is moved by a threaded rod.

71. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein the movable portion is movable by at least one screw disposed in a threaded bore.

72. The apparatus of claim 58, including means for forming a sealed portion in the closer tape adjacent a closer profile.

73. The apparatus of claim 72, further including upstanding surfaces that guide the closer tape.

19. A method of producing a plastic bag, the method comprising the steps of:

folding a web of plastic to form an elongate folded web having free ends;

securing closer tape to the free ends of the elongate folded web;

forming first and second end stops in the closer tape at spaced locations thereof, such step including the steps of welding portions of at least one of the closer tape and the folded web together at first and second areas adjacent the first and second end stops, respectively, and creating an indicia in at least one of the first and second areas and the first and second end stops; and

simultaneously severing and sealing the elongate folded web at each of the spaced locations to produce a bag.

37. In an apparatus for producing plastic bags from an elongate web of folded plastic having closer tape secured to free ends of the elongate plastic web, the improvement comprising:

apparatus that forms end stops in the closer tape at spaced locations thereof, the apparatus including a surface that creates an indicia when each end stop is formed.

58. Apparatus for producing plastic bags from an elongate folded web of plastic having closer tape secured to free ends of the elongate folded web, comprising:

means for forming end stops in the closer tape, the forming means including means for creating an indicia in one of the closer tape and the folded web of plastic; and

means for separating and sealing the elongate folded web at spaced locations thereof to produce individual bags.

74. Apparatus for producing plastic bags from an elongate folded web of plastic having closer tape secured to free ends of the elongate folded web, comprising:

an ultrasonic welding device operable to form end stops in the closer tape, the ultrasonic welding device including at least one removable button that creates an indicia; and

a hot knife that separates and seals the elongate folded web at spaced locations thereof to produce individual bags.

75. The apparatus of claim 74, wherein the ultrasonic welding device includes a movable horn and an anvil.

76. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the anvil includes a textured surface having an outer periphery and wherein first and second removable buttons are disposed in bores in the anvil on opposite sides of a centerline.

77. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the first removable button creates a first indicia and the second removable button creates a second indicia.

78. The apparatus of claim 77, wherein the first and second indicia are different.

79. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the horn includes a textured surface.

80. The apparatus of claim 74, wherein the indicia is created in each end stop.

81. The apparatus of claim 74, wherein the indicia is created in the elongate folded web adjacent each end stop.

82. The apparatus of claim 74, wherein a knurled pattern is formed in the closer tape by a movable portion of an anvil.

83. The apparatus of claim 82, wherein the movable portion is moved by a threaded rod.

84. The apparatus of claim 82, wherein the movable portion is movable by at least one screw disposed in a threaded bore.

85. The apparatus of claim 74, including means for forming a sealed portion in the closer tape adjacent a closer profile.

86. The apparatus of claim 85, further including a slider ring having surfaces that guide the closer tape.