Apparatus and method for sealing an article

• US 6,481,188 B1
• Filed: 06/30/2000
• Issued: 11/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC (Owens Corning)
• Original Assignee: Owens- Corning Fiberglas Technology Incorporated (Owens Corning)
• Inventors: Graham, William David, Aschenbeck, David P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Eugene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tawfik, Sameh
• Application Number:
  US09/608,058
• Time in Patent Office: 872 Days
• Field of Search: 534/79, 534/80, 533/735, 533/895, 534/16, 534/77, 533/745
• US Class Current: 53/479
• 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 65/305 involving the use of cartridge heaters
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/003 Protecting areas of the parts to be joined from overheating B29C66/348, B29C66/8744 take precedence
• 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 66/344 Stretching or tensioning the joint area during joining
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/4312 for making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles, e.g. transversal seams
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/73715 heat-shrinkable
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/80 General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8161 said pressing elements being supported or backed-up by springs or by resilient material
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8226 Cam mechanisms; Wedges; Eccentric mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/83523 Cooperating jaws mounted on cooperating bands or belts and moving in a closed path
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/83533 Cooperating jaws mounted on cooperating chains and moving in a closed path
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/849 Packaging machines
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8491 welding through a filled container, e.g. tube or bag
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/91421 of the joining tools
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/919 characterised by specific temperature, heat or thermal flux values or ranges specific electrical resistance values B29C66/81262
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 51/30 Devices, e.g. jaws, for applying pressure and heat, e.g. for subdividing filled tubes

Abstract

An apparatus and method is provided for sealing a package. The apparatus comprises a first rotating belt and a second rotating belt adjacent to the first rotating belt. The first and second rotating belt have a synchronized travel speed. The first rotating belt carries a sealing device for sealing a package, the package being located between said first and second belts.

Claims

1. An apparatus for sealing a package comprising:

a) a first rotating belt;

b) a second rotating belt adjacent to said first rotating belt;

c) said first rotating belt and said second rotating belt having a synchronized travel speed;

d) said first rotating belt carrying a sealing device for sealing said package between said first and second belts; and

e) a cam plate for releasably engaging said sealing device to force said sealing device into engagement with said second rotating belt.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sealing device is spring biased.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sealing device is retractable.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plate opposed to said second rotating belt.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first rotating belt and said second rotating belt operate at adjustable speeds.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sealing device comprises a sealing bar.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said sealing bar maintains a temperature between 300 and 700°

F.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sealing bar seals polymeric film packaging material.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said polymeric film packaging material is sealed by contacting said film with said sealing bar that is heated.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said polymeric film packaging material is sealed by contacting said film with said sealing bar using ultrasound.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said plurality of devices for sealing said package are spring biased.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a cam plate for releasably disengaging said plurality of sealing devices to force said sealing devices away from engagement with said package.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said polymeric film packaging material is sealed by contacting said film with said sealing bar using vibration.

14. An apparatus for sealing a package comprising:

a) a first rotating belt;

b) a second rotating belt adjacent to said first rotating belt;

c) said first rotating belt and said second rotating belt having a synchronized travel speed;

d) said first rotating belt carrying a plurality of devices for sealing said package between said first and second belts; and

e) a cam plate for releasably engaging at least one of said plurality of devices to force at least one of said plurality sealing devices into engagement with said second rotating belt.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said plurality of devices for sealing said package are retractable.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said plurality of sealing devices engage said package due to the weight of the sealing devices, the apparatus further comprising a cam plate to remove said sealing devices away from engagement with said package.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a plate opposed to said second rotating belt.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said heat sealing bar is attached to said first rotating belt by a bracket means.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said first rotating and said second rotating belt operate at adjustable speeds.

20. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said plurality of devices for sealing said package maintain a temperature between 300 and 700°

F.

21. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said plurality of devices seal polymeric film packaging material.

22. A process for sealing a package comprising the steps of:

a) providing a first rotating belt carrying a sealing device;

b) providing a cam plate;

c) providing a package surrounded by a tube of polymeric film packaging material;

d) providing a second rotating belt adjacent to said first rotating belt;

e) rotating said first and second belts at a synchronized travel speed;

f) moving said package surrounded by said film between said belts;

g) contacting said film with said sealing device between said first and second belts;

h) sealing the package; and

i) engaging said sealing device with said cam plate so that said sealing device is not in contact with said film.

23. The process of claim 22, wherein said package is sealed by contacting said film with said sealing device that is heated.

24. The process of claim 22, wherein said package is sealed by contacting said film with said sealing device using ultrasound.

25. The process of claim 22, wherein the sealing of said package is performed d by contacting said film with said sealing device using vibration.

26. The process of claim 22, wherein said package includes a first side and a second side and said first and second side are sealed.

27. The process of claim 22, wherein said sealing device maintains a temperature between 300 and 700°

F.

28. The process of claim 22, wherein said sealing device is spring biased.

29. The process of claim 22, wherein said sealing device is retractable.

30. The process of claim 22, wherein said first rotating belt and said second rotating belt operate at adjustable speeds.

31. The process of claim 22, wherein said package is roofing material at least partially wrapped in polymeric film packaging material.

32. The process of claim 22 wherein said package is a package of roofing material and said sealing process comprises the steps of:

a) providing a first rotating belt carrying a sealing device;

b) providing second rotating belt adjacent to said first rotating belt;

c) providing a plate opposed to said second rotating belt;

d) rotating said first and second belts at a synchronized travel speed;

e) moving said package between said belts;

f) contacting said package with said sealing device between said first and second belts at a temperature between 300 and 700°

F.; and

g) sealing the package.