A set of sealing jaws incorporating an adjustable seal area to seal the vertical portion of a bottom gusseted style of package. An adjustable seal surface allows a packaging machine to run different film web widths without the need to change jaws. The sealing jaws to be converted to run bottom gusset packages to pillow packages without the requirement to change jaws.

A novel spring-loaded device utilizes a linear or rotary measuring sensor to measure distance and control heat using a PID loop or other type of control loop feedback program. The power of the heating element is controlled by a program, which takes distance from the target into consideration when determining output power. For example, if the target distance is 10 mm away the algorithm will apply 100% power until reaching 9 mm, at which point it will lower power to 90%. When the distance is 5 mm from the target, the power level will be 50%, and so on and so forth. The closed loop nature of the system will reduce power automatically using pulse width modulation (PWM) of the input power. This will allow modulation of the power to the heating element on the fly.

A set of sealing jaws incorporating an adjustable seal area to seal the vertical portion of a bottom gusseted style of package. An adjustable seal surface allows a packaging machine to run different film web widths without the need to change jaws. The sealing jaws to be converted to run bottom gusset packages to pillow packages without the requirement to change jaws.

A novel spring-loaded device utilizes a linear or rotary measuring sensor to measure distance and control heat using a PID loop or other type of control loop feedback program. The power of the heating element is controlled by a program, which takes distance from the target into consideration when determining output power. For example, if the target distance is 10 mm away the algorithm will apply 100% power until reaching 9 mm, at which point it will lower power to 90%. When the distance is 5 mm from the target, the power level will be 50%, and so on and so forth. The closed loop nature of the system will reduce power automatically using pulse width modulation (PWM) of the input power. This will allow modulation of the power to the heating element on the fly.

A tool (1) for a tool holder (3) of a blister packing machine. The tool (1) comprises a body member (25) extending from a proximal front end (30) to a distal rear end (32) and defines a major engagement face (27) for abutting a corresponding abutment face (5) of the tool holder (3), and an opposite major working face (29) which acts on the material to be worked on by the tool (1). An elongated alignment member (35) extending from a proximal end (40) to a distal end (42) extends centrally along the body member (25) from a location adjacent the proximal end (30) of the body member (25) towards the distal end (32). The alignment member (35) is of T-shaped transverse cross-section having a central member (37) and a pair of side flanges (39) extending from the central member (37) for slideably engaging a corresponding T-shaped receiving groove (10) in the tool holder (3). The alignment member (35) terminates adjacent the distal end (42) thereof in an engagement member (45) defining an arcuate abutment face (48) for engaging a distal arcuate limit stop (20) in the receiving groove (10) of the tool holder (3) for locating the tool (1) in the tool holder (3). The side flanges (39) of the alignment member (35) terminate in an engagement flange (47) extending outwardly from the engagement member (45), which defines an engagement surface (55) engageable with a workface of a tension bolt (22) in the tool holder for securing the tool (1) in the tool holder (3).

A self-aligning, pivotally engaging container sealing device is provided. The device comprises a base, a sealing head including an upper die member pivotally mounted relative to the base, and a lower die member supported by the base for free pivotal and vertical movement relative thereto. The lower die member is biased generally upwardly by a spring or other biasing mechanism, while permitted to tilt substantially freely about a generally horizontal axis. The device may be manually actuated by pivotally lowering the sealing head to operatively engage the die members. Initial contact by the descending upper die member on a part of the lower die member impels the lower die member to tilt into parallel alignment with the upper die member, before any significant force from the biasing member is transmitted through the lower die member to the upper die member to clamp and form a seal between a container flange and container cover located between the upper and lower die members.