Optical sealing clamp and a method for sealing and cutting polymeric sheets with a laser
US7344671B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 26, 2003 |
| Grant date | Mar 18, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 1, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T156/1313
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention is specially directed towards intermittent motion packaging machines where the packages are momentarily immobilized at a forming station for the time duration of the package sealing and cutting. The polymeric sheets or films are sealed and cut after being exposed to a laser beam in a controlled and optimized manner. The laser beam is shaped with appropriate optical elements to provide a desired intensity profile in the section of the films to be sealed or sealed and cut. With this method, a package can be sealed and cut simultaneously in one exposure step. An optical clamp holds the films together while they are being sealed by the laser. The optical clamp can reflect back to the films, partially or totally, the laser beam intensity that has not been previously absorbed. The optical clamp further allows to monitor the sealing and cutting process while the process is being performed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.