B29C65/18

Apparatus for sealing the top of a package for a food product and system for forming and filling a food package

An apparatus for sealing the top of a package for a food product is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pair of oppositely disposed first and second sealing jaws configured for reversibly engaging each other over the top of the package, at least one wedge on the first sealing jaw configured for contacting a first top portion of the package to form a first gable panel, a key on the second sealing jaw configured for contacting a second top portion of the package to form a second gable panel, at least one lug on the key configured for reducing skewing of the package prior to sealing, and a rubber dolly on either the first or the second sealing jaw, the rubber dolly and the opposing sealing jaw being configured to form and seal a fin between the rubber dolly and the opposing sealing jaw thereby sealing the top of the package. A system for forming, filling, and sealing a package containing a food product comprising the apparatus is also disclosed.

Microplate and methods for making the same
11548005 · 2023-01-10 · ·

A microplate (10) includes a carrier (12) having a plate (20) and an annular perimeter wall (30) to define a recess (34). An array of holes (26) extends through the plate (20). A tape piece (16), die cut from a flexible tape (60) includes an array of wells (54) each extending through and having an opening (56) extending into the well (54). The array of wells (54) has a number and locations corresponding to the array of holes (26). The openings (56) have sizes corresponding to the holes (26). An upper surface (50) of the tape piece (16) is abutted with and bonded to the bottom face (24) of the plate (20) with the openings (56) corresponding to the array of holes (26). The slideable receipt of an annular outer periphery (58) of the tape piece (16) insures that the array of wells (54) are aligned to correspond to the array of holes (26) as die cutting of tape piece (16) insures that the array of wells (54) are at consistent positions relative to the annular outer periphery (58).

Microplate and methods for making the same
11548005 · 2023-01-10 · ·

A microplate (10) includes a carrier (12) having a plate (20) and an annular perimeter wall (30) to define a recess (34). An array of holes (26) extends through the plate (20). A tape piece (16), die cut from a flexible tape (60) includes an array of wells (54) each extending through and having an opening (56) extending into the well (54). The array of wells (54) has a number and locations corresponding to the array of holes (26). The openings (56) have sizes corresponding to the holes (26). An upper surface (50) of the tape piece (16) is abutted with and bonded to the bottom face (24) of the plate (20) with the openings (56) corresponding to the array of holes (26). The slideable receipt of an annular outer periphery (58) of the tape piece (16) insures that the array of wells (54) are aligned to correspond to the array of holes (26) as die cutting of tape piece (16) insures that the array of wells (54) are at consistent positions relative to the annular outer periphery (58).

Film sealing and wrapping machine with rotary cut and seal jaw
11548672 · 2023-01-10 · ·

The film sealing and wrapping machine with a rotary cut and seal jaw is provided. The rotary cut and seal jaw has an internal sliding mechanism which provides for smooth and quiet operation. The rotational speed of the jaw may be varied to increase through put and to provide for a title bag around products. The rotary cut and seal jaw may comprise a seal bar and pressure pad may both be spring loaded to self align the seal bar and pressure pad during the sealing and cutting process. Lastly, a gap defined by a belt disposed upstream and downstream of the seal bar and pressure pad may be mechanically linked to the pressure pad through a control carriage.

Film sealing and wrapping machine with rotary cut and seal jaw
11548672 · 2023-01-10 · ·

The film sealing and wrapping machine with a rotary cut and seal jaw is provided. The rotary cut and seal jaw has an internal sliding mechanism which provides for smooth and quiet operation. The rotational speed of the jaw may be varied to increase through put and to provide for a title bag around products. The rotary cut and seal jaw may comprise a seal bar and pressure pad may both be spring loaded to self align the seal bar and pressure pad during the sealing and cutting process. Lastly, a gap defined by a belt disposed upstream and downstream of the seal bar and pressure pad may be mechanically linked to the pressure pad through a control carriage.

INDUCTION WELDING OF THERMOPLASTIC WITH METALLIC STRIPS

Methods and apparatus' for induction welding a first workpiece to a second workpiece at a welding region may include a metallic strip. The metallic strip may be a mesh. The properties of the metallic strip, such as, for example, pore size, thickness, and density, may be configured to conduct heat uniformly across the welding region and prevent eddy current formation across a workpiece. The metallic strip may be embedded in a workpiece or may be fixed to an induction welding tool that acts on the welding region during induction welding. A removable polymer tape may be disposed between a workpiece and a metallic strip fixed to an induction welding tool. The workpieces may be thermoplastic composite structures and thermoplastic composite stiffeners in aircraft structures.

USE OF REMOVABLE METAL FRAMES TO CONTROL INDUCTION WELDING OF THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITE EDGES

Systems and methods for induction welding a stiffener to a thermoplastic composite structure using a removeable metal mask to reduce excess heat along the edges of the stiffener generated from an electromagnetic field of an induction welding tool.

Tubular container with invisible longitudinal overlapped side seam
11691791 · 2023-07-04 · ·

A laminate tube with an invisible longitudinal overlapped side seam formed from overlap welding an edge of one margin of a laminate sheet comprising an outer plastic layer (A), a barrier layer (B), and an inner plastic layer (C) of the same material type as the outer plastic layer (A) to the other edge of the opposite margin of the laminate sheet, such that an inner surface of the laminate tube has a hump in a overlapped region, while an outer surface of the laminate tube is smooth without a hump in the overlapped region; and a process for manufacturing the laminate tube by a laminate tube manufacturing machine. The laminate permits fracture-proof welding of longitudinal margins of said laminate to give a continuous tube which is suitable for manufacturing of high-quality plastic tubes, high-quality plastic bags and the like.

Method for manufacturing microprojection unit
11690990 · 2023-07-04 · ·

A method for manufacturing a microprojection unit (10) according to the invention involves: a microprojection tool forming step of forming a microprojection tool (1) by bringing a projecting mold part (11) into contact from one surface (2D) side of a base sheet (2A) including a thermoplastic resin, and thus forming a protrusion (3) that protrudes from another surface (2U) side, and withdrawing the projecting mold part (11) from the interior of the protrusion (3); a joining step of joining the one surface (2D) side of the base sheet (2A), in which the microprojection tool (1) has been formed, and a tip end of a base component (4); and a cutting step of cutting the base sheet (2A), to which the base component (4) has been joined, along a contour (4L) of the base component (4) at a position more inward than the base component's contour (4L) in a planar view of the base sheet (2A) as viewed from the microprojection tool (1) side, to manufacture a microprojection unit (10).

Continuous motion impulse heat sealing of film material

A sealing system for heat sealing superimposed walls of heat-sealable film material, e.g. in the production of pouches. The sealing section comprises two or more sealing stations arranged in series along a linear path for the superimposed walls dispensed from an infeed section. Each sealing station comprises a sealing device with first and second jaws and an actuator device to move the jaws between an opened position and a clamped position. Each sealing device comprises a motion device that is configured to move the first and second jaws in synchronicity with the superimposed walls when clamped between the first and second jaws. Each sealing station has a cooling device that is configured to continuously cool at least one of the jaws. At least each first jaw comprises at the respective front surface thereof at least one impulse heatable member embodied as a susceptor element that extends along the respective front surface. Each sealing station is configured to perform an integrated impulse sealing and cooling cycle.