Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
An apparatus for feeding a zig-zag strip which apparatus comprises a series of support members engageable with spaced transverse locations along the strip, means to guide the strip to the support members and to form loops of the strip between the support members the improvement wherein the support members are arranged in two series which are movable around respective closed paths that intersect one another with each member of each series passing between a pair of adjacent members in the other series at the points of intersection of the paths, means being provided to feed the strip between the members in the respective series at a point of intersection of the paths whereby after that point of intersection the members carry the strip in a zig-zag configuration.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
127 words
An apparatus for feeding a zig-zag strip which apparatus comprises a series of support members engageable with spaced transverse locations along the strip, means to guide the strip to the support members and to form loops of the strip between the support members the improvement wherein the support members are arranged in two series which are movable around respective closed paths that intersect one another with each member of each series passing between a pair of adjacent members in the other series at the points of intersection of the paths, means being provided to feed the strip between the members in the respective series at a point of intersection of the paths whereby after that point of intersection the members carry the strip in a zig-zag configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means for welding and separating into individual heat sealed articles a strip of two superimposed layers of heat sealable material or of a material which is coated, or impregnated, with a heat sealable material when carried in a zig-zag configuration by said support members, said welding means being arranged to weld together the two layers transversely of the strip at or adjacent each support member located on one side of the zig-zag.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the paths around which the support members move are adjustable to vary the depth of the zig-zag in which the strip is held.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the welding means comprises a single welding device, said support members at said one side of the zig-zag being movable to present the transverse crests of the strip on said one side of the zig-zag.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein each support member at said one side of the zig-zag is resiliently mounted to press the strip against the welding device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the welding device is movable towards and away from the co-operating resiliently mounted support members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said closed paths are circular with the centres of the circles offset from one another.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the members in each series extend longitudinally between respective pairs of end plates to which they are secured, the end plates associated with one series of members being mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to and offset from the axis of rotation of the plates associated with the other series of members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein at least one of the plates associated with one series of members is annular and the inner periphery of that plate is provided with series of slots one between each of the points of connection of the members to the plate, the arrangement being such that the member in the other series engage and disengage in respective slots at the points of intersection of the paths to provide a geared drive of the plate on movement of the members in said other series, means being provided to move the members in the other series around their respective paths.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein Said means to move the members in the other series comprise at least one toothed belt which engages with portions of the members with the belt teeth fitting in the spaces between those members and drive means being provided to drive the belt.