GB1072086A - Method and machine for making a package from flexible sheet material - Google Patents

Abstract

1,072,086. Seaming non-metallic sheet material; sheet forming. IVERS-LEE CO. Aug. 3, 1965, No. 33112/65. Headings B5A and B5K. [Also in Division B8] In forming shaped sachets, two webs 1a, 2a, Figs. 3 and 7 (latter not shown), are fed stepby-step downwards on opposite sides of a vertical filling tube G. At the end of one step, at least one web is pressure moulded to form a recess (8); at the end of the next step, the two webs are sealed together along the outline of the recess, leaving a filling opening in the top through which the filling pipe extends. While the webs are still at rest the compartment is filled and, at the end of the next step, is closed. The webs may have on discrete areas corresponding to the inner surface of each recess a coating or film of a non-porous substance such as silicone that is inert to the substance to be packaged. The compartments may be filled with liquid, paste, powder, tablets or pills. The two webs la, 2a are intermittently fed to the machine by a vertically reciprocating yoke (14), Fig. 1 (not shown), carrying rollers (15) round which the webs are entrained. A brake, comprising a reciprocating non-rotatable roll (19) and a co-operating plate (20), prevents backfeed of the webs during the upward movement of the yoke (14), but allows the webs to be drawn through the machine by rollers (C), during the downward movement of the yoke (14). At the end of each movement of the webs, movable mould members 17, see also Fig. 5 (not shown), are pivoted into contact with a fixed mould member 16 to clamp the webs between the two members. Simultaneously air is blown through outlets 21, in the member 16, to mould the webs into cavities 25 of the members 17, vents 29 permitting the escape of air as the webs are pressed into the cavities. The members 17 are pneumatically operated, and are pivoted on the machine frame at 27. The member 16 is provided with heaters 26 to keep the webs at the required temperature. A stationary heating plate 34, acting against a reciprocating plate 35 may also be used to preheat each web. The webs are then drawn down between two horizontally reciprocating sealing blocks 54, each having a recess 55 surrounded on three sides by a sealing jaw (56), (57), Fig. 4 (not shown), which may be flat or serrated. The blocks are moved together to form an openended compartment between the webs. Where the material is heat-sealable, the sealing blocks 54 are heated by electric heaters K, but where some form of cold sealing adhesive is used, the heaters are omitted or de-energized. A portion 61 at the top of the sealing blocks provides clearance for the filling tube G and permits the unsealed upper portions of the packaging webs to bend outwardly, Fig. 6 (not shown). The compartments are then filled. The sealing blocks are then moved apart, spring-biased stripping pins 64 pushing the sealed strips out of contact with the jaw (56), (57). The filled compartment is then drawn down to the lower half of the sealing blocks where it is closed, the open mouth being heat sealed between jaws (60) on the blocks 54. The strips of package finally slides along a receiving surface (J), Fig. 1 (not shown), to a die-cutting machine (not described) which shapes and severs the individual packages, Fig. 8 (not shown), from the strip.