US3735673A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bag manufacturing machine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-04-04
•
Granted: 1973-05-29
•
Expires: 1992-04-04
Abstract
Abstract A plastic bag producing machine and method adapted for continuous production of plastic bags from extruded tubing such as conventional polyethylene plastic or the like; said machine being adapted for high rate operation in line with an extruder and for receiving plastic tubing in flat condition directly downstream from the extruder and for heat sealing and perforating the plastic tubing at evenly spaced positions therealong, during which time the plastic tubing is constantly moving; said machine having a movable carriage adapted to move backward toward the extruder and to move forward at a rate of movement of the plastic tubing from the extruder, and to heat seal, as well as cool the heat sealed area, while the plastic tubing is clamped between a pair of clamp means to avoid tension separation of the heat sealed portion thereof; said machine also having separator means adapted automatically to separate each perforated portion of flat tubing for delivering separate bags in timed relation to the heat sealing and perforating functions, or the machine of the invention may be selectively operated to roll the heat sealed and perforated tubing into a roll, if desired.
Inventors
- 👤 R Sheehan
- 👤 T Guard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:34
CPC Classifications
B; B31; B31B; B31B70/00; B31B70/02; B31B70/022; B31B2155/00; B31B2155/003; B31B2160/00; B31B2160/10; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/465; Y10T83/4757; Y10T83/476
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
587 words
In a bag producing machine, the combination of: a frame; a carriage movable in forward and backward directions on said frame; reversible drive means disposed on said frame and coupled to said carriage for moving said carriage in said forward and backward directions on said frame; first means for continuously moving flat tubular plastic in said forward direction relative to said frame; a platen on said carriage, adjacent to which said tubular plastic may slide in said forward direction; an elongated heat seal bar on said carriage; an elongated perforator bar disposed generally parallel with and in close proximity to said heat seal bar, said perforator bar being supported on said carriage; said platen having a slot therein through which said perforator bar may pass as it perforates said flat tubular plastic; said heat seal bar and said perforator bar disposed at an angle to said forward and rearward directions; a pair of clamp means coupled to said carriage and disposed to straddle an area wherein said heat seal bar and said perforator bar are disposed; said pair of clamp means and said platen being respectively movable toward and away from each other; said clamp means being disposed to grip said flat tubular plastic securely relative to said carriage and said platen; second means for moving at least one of said clamp means, when moving said tubular plastic on said platen, in a direction toward said heat seal bar to relieve tension in saId tubular plastic in the area of said heat seal bar; said heat seal bar and said platen being relatively movable toward and away from each other; third means for sequentially and respectively causing relative movement between said platen and said clamp means, and said perforator bar and said heat seal bar, to thereby cause sequential engagement of said tubing on said platen by said clamp means, said perforator bar and said heat seal bar; said reversible drive means adapted for concurrently moving said carriage in said forward direction at a rate equal to that at which said first means moves said plastic tubing in said forward direction; control means for causing relative actuation of said platen and said pair of clamp means, said heat seal bar, said perforator bar and for actuating said reversible drive means in said forward and rearward directions; said control means comprising a first switch means supported by said frame and operable by movement of said carriage on said frame at a stop position in said rearward direction; said first switch means disposed to energize said reversible drive means to operate in said forward direction; said first switch means disposed to activate said third means; said control means comprising a second switch on said frame and spaced from said first switch in said forward direction; said second switch disposed to actuate said first means for causing relative movement of said platen and said heat seal bar from each other to disengage said heat seal bar from said plastic tubing; said control means comprising a third switch on said frame and spaced in said forward direction from said second switch; said third switch disposed for actuating said third means for causing relative movement of said clamp means and said platen away from each other and for releasing said pair of clamp means from said plastic tubing and said control means having a fourth switch on said frame spaced from said third switch in said forward direction; said fourth switch disposed to energize said reversible drive means in said backward direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
587 words
In a bag producing machine, the combination of: a frame; a carriage movable in forward and backward directions on said frame; reversible drive means disposed on said frame and coupled to said carriage for moving said carriage in said forward and backward directions on said frame; first means for continuously moving flat tubular plastic in said forward direction relative to said frame; a platen on said carriage, adjacent to which said tubular plastic may slide in said forward direction; an elongated heat seal bar on said carriage; an elongated perforator bar disposed generally parallel with and in close proximity to said heat seal bar, said perforator bar being supported on said carriage; said platen having a slot therein through which said perforator bar may pass as it perforates said flat tubular plastic; said heat seal bar and said perforator bar disposed at an angle to said forward and rearward directions; a pair of clamp means coupled to said carriage and disposed to straddle an area wherein said heat seal bar and said perforator bar are disposed; said pair of clamp means and said platen being respectively movable toward and away from each other; said clamp means being disposed to grip said flat tubular plastic securely relative to said carriage and said platen; second means for moving at least one of said clamp means, when moving said tubular plastic on said platen, in a direction toward said heat seal bar to relieve tension in saId tubular plastic in the area of said heat seal bar; said heat seal bar and said platen being relatively movable toward and away from each other; third means for sequentially and respectively causing relative movement between said platen and said clamp means, and said perforator bar and said heat seal bar, to thereby cause sequential engagement of said tubing on said platen by said clamp means, said perforator bar and said heat seal bar; said reversible drive means adapted for concurrently moving said carriage in said forward direction at a rate equal to that at which said first means moves said plastic tubing in said forward direction; control means for causing relative actuation of said platen and said pair of clamp means, said heat seal bar, said perforator bar and for actuating said reversible drive means in said forward and rearward directions; said control means comprising a first switch means supported by said frame and operable by movement of said carriage on said frame at a stop position in said rearward direction; said first switch means disposed to energize said reversible drive means to operate in said forward direction; said first switch means disposed to activate said third means; said control means comprising a second switch on said frame and spaced from said first switch in said forward direction; said second switch disposed to actuate said first means for causing relative movement of said platen and said heat seal bar from each other to disengage said heat seal bar from said plastic tubing; said control means comprising a third switch on said frame and spaced in said forward direction from said second switch; said third switch disposed for actuating said third means for causing relative movement of said clamp means and said platen away from each other and for releasing said pair of clamp means from said plastic tubing and said control means having a fourth switch on said frame spaced from said third switch in said forward direction; said fourth switch disposed to energize said reversible drive means in said backward direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein: said reversible drive means is provided with speed increasing means adapted to move said carriage in said backward direction at a higher rate of speed than in said forward direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
124 words
The invention as defined in claim 2, wherein: said reversible drive means comprises a pair of spaced apart sprockets on said frame; a chain on said sprockets; said carriage coupled to said chain; a speed increasing gear train; and a direct drive means both coupled to one of said sprockets; a motor drive; a first magnetic clutch disposed to couple said motor drive to said direct drive means; a second magnetic clutch disposed to couple said motor drive to said speed increasing gear train; said speed increasing gear train also disposed to operate said one of said sprockets and said carriage in said backward direction oppositely from said forward direction, in which said direct drive operates said one of said sprockets and said carriage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein: said first means comprises a pair of opposed drive rollers having peripheries between which said flat tubular plastic is compressively engaged; means for driving said drive rollers to pull said flat tubular plastic in said forward direction; said first means being spaced from said carriage in said forward direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention as defined in claim 4, wherein: a power driven storage roller is spaced in said forward direction from said drive roller; said storage roller disposed to wind said flat tubular plastic thereon after it has been heat sealed and perforated at a plurality of spaced apart positions thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein: at least one of said switches is movable in one of said directions to vary the distance between areas of said flat tubular plastic which are successively contacted by said heat seal bar and said perforator bar, to thereby vary the length of the bags beiNg produced by said machine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
545 words
In a bag producing machine, the combination of: a frame; a carriage movable in forward and backward directions on said frame; reversible drive means disposed on said frame and coupled to said carriage for moving said carriage in said forward and backward directions on said frame; first means for continuously moving flat tubular plastic in said forward direction relative to said frame; a platen on said carriage, adjacent to which said tubular plastic may slide in said forward direction; an elongated heat seal bar on said carriage; an elongated perforator bar disposed generally parallel with and in close proximity to said heat seal bar, said perforator bar being supported on said carriage; said platen having a slot therein through which said perforator bar may pass as it perforates said flat tubular plastic; said heat seal bar and said perforator bar disposed at an angle to said forward and rearward directions; a pair of clamp means coupled to said carriage and disposed to straddle an area wherein said heat seal bar and said perforator bar are disposed; said pair of clamp means and said platen being respectively movable toward and away from each other; said clamp means being disposed to grip said flat tubular plastic securely relative to said carriage and said platen; said heat seal bar and said platen being relatively movable toward and away from each other; third means for sequentially and respectively causing relative movement between said platen and said clamp means, and said perforator bar and said heat seal bar, to thereby cause sequential engagement of said tubing on said platen by said clamp means, said perforator bar and said heat seal bar; said reversible drive means adapted for concurrently moving said carriage in said forward direction at a rate equal to that at which said first means moves said plastic tubing in said forward direction; control means for causing relative actuation of said platen and said pair of clamp means; said heat seal bar, said perforator bar and for actuating said reversible drive means in said forward and rearward directions; said control means comprising a first switch means supported by said frame and operable by movement of said carriage on said frame at a stop position in said rearward direction; said first switch means disposed to energize said reversible drive means to operate in said forward direction; said first switch means disposed to activate said third means; said control means comprising a second switch on said frame and spaced from said first switch in said forward direction; said second switch disposed to actuate said first means for causing relative movement of said platen and said heat seal bar from each other to disengage said heat seal bar from said plastic tubing; said control means comprising a third switch on said frame and spaced in said forward direction from said second switch; said third switch disposed for actuating said third means for causing relative movement of said clamp means and said platen away from each other and for releasing said pair of clamp means from said plastic tubing and said control means having a fourth switch on said frame spaced from said third switch in said forward direction; said fourth switch disposed to energize said reversible drive means in said backward direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
545 words
In a bag producing machine, the combination of: a frame; a carriage movable in forward and backward directions on said frame; reversible drive means disposed on said frame and coupled to said carriage for moving said carriage in said forward and backward directions on said frame; first means for continuously moving flat tubular plastic in said forward direction relative to said frame; a platen on said carriage, adjacent to which said tubular plastic may slide in said forward direction; an elongated heat seal bar on said carriage; an elongated perforator bar disposed generally parallel with and in close proximity to said heat seal bar, said perforator bar being supported on said carriage; said platen having a slot therein through which said perforator bar may pass as it perforates said flat tubular plastic; said heat seal bar and said perforator bar disposed at an angle to said forward and rearward directions; a pair of clamp means coupled to said carriage and disposed to straddle an area wherein said heat seal bar and said perforator bar are disposed; said pair of clamp means and said platen being respectively movable toward and away from each other; said clamp means being disposed to grip said flat tubular plastic securely relative to said carriage and said platen; said heat seal bar and said platen being relatively movable toward and away from each other; third means for sequentially and respectively causing relative movement between said platen and said clamp means, and said perforator bar and said heat seal bar, to thereby cause sequential engagement of said tubing on said platen by said clamp means, said perforator bar and said heat seal bar; said reversible drive means adapted for concurrently moving said carriage in said forward direction at a rate equal to that at which said first means moves said plastic tubing in said forward direction; control means for causing relative actuation of said platen and said pair of clamp means; said heat seal bar, said perforator bar and for actuating said reversible drive means in said forward and rearward directions; said control means comprising a first switch means supported by said frame and operable by movement of said carriage on said frame at a stop position in said rearward direction; said first switch means disposed to energize said reversible drive means to operate in said forward direction; said first switch means disposed to activate said third means; said control means comprising a second switch on said frame and spaced from said first switch in said forward direction; said second switch disposed to actuate said first means for causing relative movement of said platen and said heat seal bar from each other to disengage said heat seal bar from said plastic tubing; said control means comprising a third switch on said frame and spaced in said forward direction from said second switch; said third switch disposed for actuating said third means for causing relative movement of said clamp means and said platen away from each other and for releasing said pair of clamp means from said plastic tubing and said control means having a fourth switch on said frame spaced from said third switch in said forward direction; said fourth switch disposed to energize said reversible drive means in said backward direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
259 words
The invention as defined in claim 7, wherein: said platen is vertically movably mounted to move up and down on said carriage; said heat seal bar being mounted on said carriage stationarily above said platen; said perforator bar being mounted stationarily on said carriage above said platen; said pair of clamp means being movably mounted on said carriage above said platen and spring loaded downwardly toward said platen and provided with stop means limiting said spring loaded downward movement; a first elevator means adapted to elevate said platen upwardly to cause said relative movement and to fully engage with said pair of clamp means, to project said slider portion of said platen beyonD said perforator bar and to engage said heat seal bar with said plastic tubing on said platen; said first switch adapted to activate said first elevator to raise said platen; a second elevator adapted to support said platen at a lower elevation than said first elevator for holding said platen in a position at which said heat seal bar is disengaged from said plastic tubing, and wherein said clamp means are both remaining in engagement with said plastic tubing to hold it relaxed therebetween and to prevent tension from pulling the heat sealed area apart during cooling thereof; said second switch adapted to activate said second elevator and de-energize said first elevator in order to drop said platen downward to the level of said second elevator; said third switch adapted to de-energize said second elevator and completely to release said clamp means from said plastic tubing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
165 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein: said second means comprises a pivotal mounting for one of said clamp means, said pivotal mounting carried by said carriage; said pair of clamp means spring loaded toward said platen and movable in relation to said carriage when engaged by relative movement of said clamp means and said platen toward each other; and cam means operable by movement of said clamp means for pivotally moving said pivotal mounting and for urging one of said clamp means in said direction toward said heat seal bar; said platen having a movable portion adapted to engage an opposite side of said plastic tubing from said pivotally mounted clamp means to thereby permit said cam means readily to move said clamp means and said movable platen portion together with the said tubular plastic toward said heat seal bar for creating slack therein and for relieving tension on said tubular plastic during the heat sealing operation performed by said heat seal bar.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
The invention as defined in claim 8, wherein: said pair of clamp means is supported on said carriage and spring loaded in a direction toward said platen; stop means on said carriage for limiting spring loaded travel of said pair of clamp means toward said platen so that said platen and said pair of clamp means may be separated relative to each other.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
330 words
The invention as defined in claim 7, wherein: said first means comprising two pairs of opposed drive rollers having peripheries between which said flat tubular plastic is compressibly engaged; said pairs being spaced apart; means for driving said drive rollers to pull said flat tubular plastic in said forward direction; said first means being spaced from said carriage in said forward direction; each of said rollers of said pairs having a plurality of peripheral grooves spaced axially along each respective roller, said grooves aligned with each other; guide bars extending generally tangentially relative to and between said peripheries of both pairs of said drive rollers, said guide bars disposed in said grooves; said guide bars bridging the distance between said pairs of said drive rollers; said guide bars secured to said frame and having opposite ends extending generally at an angle away from portions of said guide bars which extend between said pairs of said drive rollers; a bag separator bar rotatably mounted on an axis disposed adjacent to and transversely relative to said guide bars; said separator bar having radially disposed fingers of a length to pass between said guide bars when said separator bar is rotated about said last mentioned axis; said guide bars disposed to guide said flat tubular plastic between said last mentioned axis and said guide bars; and a single revolution clutch mechanism disposed and adapted intermittently to rotate said separator bar a single revolution to thereby engage said flat tubular plastic adjacent said perforations formed by said perforator bar and to force said tubular plastic against said guide bars and to tearingly separate said flat tubular plastic at said perforations successively into separate bags; and separator control switch means on said frame and momentarily operable by movement of said carriage; said separator control switch means disposed and adapted for energizing said single revolution clutch mechanism in timed relationship with each operating cycle of said carriage and said heat seal bar and said perforator bar.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
201 words
The invention as defined in claim 11, wherein: said single revolution clutch comprising a constantly operable power driven member; an electrically operable clutch adapted intermittently to couple said power driven member with said separator bar; a cam having a precipice portion; said cam coupled to said separator shaft; a stop dog pivoted on said frame and adapted to engage said precipice portion for stopping rotation of said separator shaft in a position for holding said fingers in spaced relation to said guide bars; a solenoid coupled to said stop dog for pivoting it out of interference with said precipice portion; means tending to force said stop dog to engage said precipice portion; and single revolution control switch means coupled to said last mentioned clutch and responsive to movement of said stop dog away from said precipice portion to energize said clutch for rotating said separator bar; said momentarily operable separator control switch disposed to energize said solenoid and to de-energize said solenoid before said precipice portion approaches said stop dog; and said stop dog being disposed to operate said single revolution control switch to de-energize said last mentioned clutch before said precipice portion rotates into full engagement with said stop dog.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for producing bags from flat tubular plastic material in line with an extruder, comprising: constantly moving a flat tubular plastic material from an extruder; engaging a heat seal bar with said constantly moving tubular plastic material, and moving said heat seal bar at the same rate of movement of said flat tubular plastic and concurrently holding said plastic at opposite sides of said heat seal bar to prevent tension separation thereof, and then releasing said heat seal bar from said plastic and continuing to move said heat seal bar and holding means at a constant rate of movement of said tubular plastic and allowing the heat sealed portion to cool; then releasing said tubular plastic from the clamping means and returning said heat seal bar and said clamping means backwardly relative to a forward direction of movement of said tubular plastic and then completing the aforementioned operation of said heat seal bar and said clamping means.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for producing bags from flat tubular plastic material in line with an extruder, comprising: constantly moving a flat tubular plastic material from an extruder; engaging a heat seal bar with said constantly moving tubular plastic material, and moving said heat seal bar at the same rate of movement of said flat tubular plastic and concurrently holding said plastic at opposite sides of said heat seal bar to prevent tension separation thereof, and then releasing said heat seal bar from said plastic and continuing to move said heat seal bar and holding means at a constant rate of movement of said tubular plastic and allowing the heat sealed portion to cool; then releasing said tubular plastic from the clamping means and returning said heat seal bar and said clamping means backwardly relative to a forward direction of movement of said tubular plastic and then completing the aforementioned operation of said heat seal bar and said clamping means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
127 words
The invention as defined in claim 13, wherein: said flat tubular plastic is gripped on a platen between a pair of said clamping means in straddling relation to said heat seal bar and one of said clamping means frictionally grips and moves said plastic toward said heat seal bar to create slack between said pair of clamping means and to relieve tension in the area of said heat seal bar to thereby prevent tension separation of said plastic at an area of said heat seal bar until said heat seal bar is removed therefrom and until said plastic has cooled, during which time said heat seal bar and said clamp means are moved at a constant rate of movement with the movement of said flat tubular plastic.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-28 | 1976-11-27 | 1977-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-28 | 1980-11-27 | 1981-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-28 | 1984-11-27 | 1985-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |