Patent · US Expired

Packaging machine and method

US5289671A · kind A · utility

44Cited by
11References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 30, 1992
Grant dateMar 1, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 30, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65B51/303
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A jam prevention device comprises a light beam source that emits a light beam and is located on a main frame structure of a packaging machine in the machine's sealing section. During operation, the light beam is reflected off two reflective surfaces located on a moveable support operably connected to a prime mover. The reflected beam is received by a receiver located opposite the source. A clamping sub-assembly includes a seal bar and a reciprocatable seal pad housing. The housing is spring-mounted on the clamping sub-assembly and substantially surrounds the seal bar. The reflective devices are mounted on the housing. The prime mover moves the clamping sub-assembly towards a heater bar sub-assembly. The housing defines two cavities for receiving the reflective devices. The movement of the clamping sub-assembly brings a loaded bag into contact with the heater bar sub-assembly for the purpose of effectuating a seal of the bag. The pressure applied by the clamping sub-assembly during the meeting of the clamping sub-assembly and the heater bar sub-assembly causes the housing to move during the sealing process thereby moving the reflective devices into the cavities and disrupting the li…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.