Thermal Sealing Device

Abstract

A thermal sealing device includes a frame (1) for supporting the various elements, a handle or grip bar (2), a roll support (3) with a roll-carrying shaft, possibly a guide (4) through which the seal passes, and a device for cutting (5) the seal, wherein the seal includes a paper seal roll (6) provided with a thermal adhesive which is activated when it is subjected to the action of a heat source, the sealing device also including an element (7) for applying the seal and at least one arm (9) for carrying an element (7) for applying the seal in an automatic actuation embodiment, a seal heater being provided in both cases, which is normally arranged on the applicator element.

Claims

1. A thermal sealing device, which comprises: a frame for supporting different elements of the thermal sealing device; a grip connected with the frame; a roll support, with a roll-holder shaft, mounted to the frame, for holding a paper seal roll of paper sealing tape having a thermal adhesive thereon that is activated by heat; a guide mounted on the frame for guiding the sealing tape; a cutting device for cutting the sealing tape; an application element for applying the sealing tape to an object; and a heater for heating the sealing tape and positioned in the application element.

2. The thermal sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the heater for heating the sealing tape is provided with a heat source, and includes at least one of the following: at least one electric resistance, a gas burner, a source of infrared radiation, and a conduit for passing through hot gases.

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. The thermal sealing device according to claim 2, further comprising one of the following elements: an electric battery; a connector for electrical supply from an external source; a gas tank; a connector for a gas supply from one of a tank and external conduit; and a connector for a supply of hot gases.

8. The thermal sealing device according to claim 1, further comprising a device for feeding the sealing tape through the thermal sealing device.

9. The thermal sealing device according to claim 8, further comprising a trigger on the grip for activating the device for feeding the sealing tape through.

10. The thermal sealing device according to claim 1, further comprising a switch on the grip for activating the heater.

11. The thermal sealing device according to claim 2, further comprising a thermal insulation element between the heat source and the seal roll.

12. The thermal sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the cutting device includes a fixed cutting edge which is one of: continuous and in the form of saw teeth.

13. The thermal sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the cutting device includes a manually operated moving blade.

14. The thermal sealing device according to claim 13, further comprising a thermal insulation element between the heater and the seal roll; and wherein the moving blade is placed in a cold zone one of: far away from the heater, and close to the thermal insulation element.

15. The thermal sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the guide includes a set of rollers between which the sealing tape runs.

16. The thermal sealing device according to claim 15, wherein the rollers between which the sealing tape runs include an anti-rollback arrangement that ensures that the rollers rotate in a single direction.

17. The thermal sealing device according to claim 15, wherein at least one of the rollers is made of an adhesive-repellent material and is provided with the heater, in the form of a thermal roller.

18. A thermal sealing device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one thermostat for controlling the temperature of the heater.

19. A thermal sealing device according to claim 17, further comprising a device for keeping the sealing tape away from the rollers, and from the thermal roller, in a rest position.

20. The thermal sealing device according to claim 1, further comprising one of the following items: a connection for electricity supply from an external source; and a connection for supply of hot gases.

21. The thermal sealing device according to claim 15, further comprising a finishing roller which is provided with a heater.

22. The thermal sealing device according to claim 1, further comprising an arrangement for separating the heater and the sealing tape.

23. The thermal sealing device according to claim 24, wherein the carrying arm is hinged to the frame and provided with an elastic return.

24. The thermal sealing device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one carrying arm for carrying the application element.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0068] In order to illustrate the explanation which is to follow, we are enclosing with this descriptive report two sheets of drawings in which two figures represent the essence of this invention as an example thereof:

[0069] FIG. 1. Shows a schematic side view of the manual sealing device according to a first form of embodiment;

[0070] FIG. 2. Shows a schematic side view of the manual sealing device of the invention, according to a second form of embodiment.

[0071] FIG. 3.Shows a schematic side view of the sealing device according to a preferred embodiment in its automatic version.

[0072] The following reference numbers are used in these figures:

[0073] 1 frame

[0074] 2 handle or grip

[0075] 3 seal roll support

[0076] 4 guide for the seal to pass through

[0077] 5 seal cutting device or means

[0078] 6 roll of seal

[0079] 7 element or roll for applying the seal

[0080] 8 trigger for feeding the seal

[0081] 9 thermal insulation element

[0082] 10 button for activating the heating means

[0083] 11 securing plate

[0084] 12 9 arms holding the rollers

[0085] 13 10 free end of the sealing tape

[0086] 14 11 finishing roller

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERENTIAL FORMS OF EMBODIMENT

[0087] In FIGS. 1 and 2 there is a description of a manual tool for sealing (sealing device) with a paper seal provided with glue activated by heat. This sealing device comprises a frame (1) which is provided with a handle (2) for manually gripping this. The frame (1) comprises a support (3) of a seal roll (6) and cutting means (5) for the seal. The sealing device also comprises an application element (7) for the seal. This application element (7) is normally a roller or a curved skid, along whose surface area the seal slides in the sealing operation. The application element (7) is provided with a heating means, to ensure that this has acquired a temperature in the application phase high enough to transmit the heat necessary to the seal in order to activate the thermal glue which said seal is provided with.

[0088] The heating of the application element can be performed by any of the following means: [0089] At least one electric resistance; [0090] A gas burner; [0091] A source of infrared radiation; [0092] A conduit for allowing air or hot gases through.

[0093] According to a preferential form of embodiment, the heating energy of the application element comes from a rechargeable battery placed, for example, in the handle (2) of the sealing device, as usually implemented in portable electrical tools.

[0094] According to another option, the heating energy comes from a gas heater, with a gas tank placed in the sealing device, in its handle (2) for example.

[0095] In alternative embodiments, the heating energy comes from an external electrical connection, a gas supply, or by means of an external supply of hot air.

[0096] The sealing device comprises a device for feeding the seal through, which in a preferred option is mechanically operated by means of a trigger (8) placed in the handle (2). However, in alternative embodiments, this could be activated by an electric motor, for example. The feed device is integrated in the guide (4) for allowing through the seal and is preferably made up of a set of rollers between which the seal runs, trapping this, and making it move. Preferably the rollers between which the seal runs can turn in a single direction, thus constituting an anti-rollback device. In one option there could be one or more rollers which are made of a material repelling the adhesive and which are provided with heating means for pre-heating the seal.

[0097] There is a thermal insulation element (9) between the hot zone and the seal roll (6).

[0098] The sealing device also comprises a seal cutting means (5). This cutting means can be a fixed or moving knife, with a continuous or discontinuous edge, for example in the form of saw teeth. The moving blade will be capable of being manually activated by the proper activating device.

[0099] In the event of the blade being mobile, this will be placed in the cold zone furthest from the heat source of the thermal insulation element (9) or in a position close to this.

[0100] In the event of the blade being fixed, this would be placed in the final zone, after the hot roller, its location being like those on the traditional sealing devices.

[0101] In any event, the sealing device of the invention can comprise a securing plate (11), which enables applying pressure on the seal when it has already adhered, or is in the stage of adhesion to the package, for perfect securing.

[0102] The roll of paper is placed in its roll-holder support, and the end of the paper tape that constitutes the seal is partially extracted, towards the cutter. After a period of inactivity it is intended for the heating means to go into a standby stage, in which there is either no heating or a basic heat is maintained. To reactivate operation and thus heating, it is intended for the sealing device to have a switch or pushbutton (10), normally placed in the handle or grip (2), which activates or reactivates (or deactivates) the heating. The connection device can have three positions: off, constantly on, maintenance heat with reactivation under use.

[0103] In any event, this will have a thermostat for controlling the temperature of the heating means.

[0104] The application element thus acts as a support for the outgoing paper and for going over and pressing this on when required, after cutting the piece of the seal roll which is going to be used.

[0105] According to a second form of embodiment, the cutting blade is placed behind the application element and this is used in the conventional way. In this case there will not be a moving blade, and the device for guiding the seal will be located in an upper zone, so that the travel along the hot surface of the application element is greater.

[0106] Obviously all the rollers and especially the rollers for guiding the seal (4) are made of or coated with anti-adherent material.

[0107] It is also designed for the sealing device to comprise a device for keeping the seal away from the rollers, and especially from the heat roller, in the rest position.

[0108] FIG. 3 describes an automatic embodiment of the thermal sealing device with a paper seal provided with a thermally-activated glue. This sealing device comprises a frame (1). The frame (1) comprises a support (3) of a seal roll (6) and cutting means (5) for cutting the seal. The sealing device also comprises an application element (7) for the seal. This application element (7) is normally a roller, along whose surface area the seal slides during the sealing operation. The application element will normally be placed on a carrying arm (12). This carrying arm (12) will normally be provided with a hinged item and elastic means so that it always tends to be close to the box to be sealed, but can withdraw in the event of coming up against an obstacle, a larger-sized box or similar. The application element (7) is provided with a heating means which ensures that this has become hot enough in the application phase to transmit the amount of heat needed to the seal to activate the thermal glue which this seal is provided with.

[0109] According to one option, a pre-heating track or chamber for the seal, also provided with the heating means, is provided prior to the application element.

[0110] Just as occurs in the embodiment of the manually activated thermal sealing device, the heating of the application element and/or of the pre-heating track or chamber can be implemented by one of the following means: [0111] At least one electric resistance; [0112] A source of infrared radiation. [0113] A conduit for allowing air or hot gases through.

[0114] The heating energy comes from an external electrical connection, is supplied by gas or by means of an external hot air supply.

[0115] The seal path is preferably made up of a set of rollers between which the seal runs, which constitute a seal guide (4), trapping this and making it move, or of a tension roller. According to one option, there can be one or more rollers which are made of an adhesive-repellent material and provided with heating means for preheating the seal.

[0116] The sealing device further comprises a cutting means in the form of a blade or saw.

[0117] The roll of paper is placed on its roll-holder support, and the free end (13) of the paper tape constituting the seal is partly drawn out. After an idle period the heating means is intended to go into a standby or rest status in which there is no heating or the basic heat is maintained. In another option, the temperature is kept at a minimum threshold and the optimum temperature is attained only when there is a voluntary activation or movement of the roll of paper, of the thermal roller or activation of the feeding of the product that is to be sealed, thus ensuring minimised consumption, staying in operating condition at all times, as well as incorporating three modes such as the constant active ON state, going into maintenance mode after an idle period and disconnection of the heat source in the event of any lengthy inactivity.

[0118] In any event, this will have a thermostat for controlling the temperature of the heating means and, depending on several factors such as the environmental temperature, working speed, substrates on which this is to stick, the optimum working temperature can thus be ensured.

[0119] Obviously the guide, path, application or finishing rollers (14) of the sealing device could be coated with anti-adherent material.

[0120] In both embodiment versionsmanual and automatic, the thermal sealing device is particularly appropriate for its application and use in commercial and industrial business requiring safe packaging of products, including transport, distribution operations, etc.

[0121] The versatility of having two versions or embodiments of this sealing device means that this is a highly functional device in both specific sealing operations, for example in the office or shop (use of the manual sealing device) and on the industrial level (automatic sealing device), able to absorb the sealing of a considerable volume of boxes or similar. The manual sealing device's ability to adapt to boxes with a range of volumes and sizes is also considerable, thanks to the action of its adjustable carrying arm.

[0122] Of course the frame of the automatic sealing device can also vary and have its format adapted to be fitted on specific support points, to be integrated for example, in a production line or directly to be the main part of a new sealing line.

[0123] It is not considered necessary to make this description any longer for any expert in the field to understand the scope of the invention and the advantages meant by this. The materials, shape, size and arrangement of the different parts may be altered on condition that this does not entail any alteration to the essential nature of the invention. The terms in which this report has been drawn up must always be taken in a broad and non-limiting sense.