GB986590A - Sheet packaging machine - Google Patents

Abstract

986,590. Packaging-machines. EASTMAN KODAK CO. Jan. 23, 1964, No. 2885/64. Heading B8C. A packaging-machine, Fig. 12, which successively packages individual sheets 34 between superposed webs 26, 26 of wrapping material comprises transverse gripping and sealing members 109, 112 which at a first position seal the trailing end of a first package to complete the packaging thereof and seal the leading edge of a succeeding package, means for moving both packages and members 109, 112 longitudinally of the web to a second position where sealing members 54, 65 seal the longitudinal edges of the succeeding package and knife means transversely sever the two packages, and means for returning members 109, 112 to the first position during which movement air is purged from the incomplete succeeding package and the first package is discharged. The machine is particularly intended for the packaging of sheets of X-ray film and the wrapping material is preferably Kraft paper coated with black latex and a heat-sealing compound. A carriage 23, Fig. 1, which carries the members 109, 112, which comprise a vertically reciprocable anvil and heat and pressure-applying bar respectively, is reciprocated horizontally by the piston-rod 90 of an air cylinder 91 and moves on rods 82, 86, Fig. 3, its throw being adjustable to accommodate sheets of varying length. A vertically reciprocable knife 124, Fig. 6 (not shown), is so disposed with respect to bar 112 that its line of severance is between the two abovementioned transverse seals. Carriage 23 also transports a pair of endless belts 107, 108 whose adjacent runs are sufficiently close together that the webs 26, 26 are pressed together. The belts are supported by rollers 92, 101, 102, 104, the first of which is driven when carriage 23 moves from right to left and the consequent motion of roller 101 is transferred to roller 104 so that both belts move at the same speed. The sealing members 54, 65, which apply heat and pressure, are vertically reciprocable being actuated by an air cylinder 36, Fig. 1, and are adjustable horizontally towards or away from one another to accommodate webs or sheets of various widths. Support means for the webs 26, 26 as the carriage moves from left to right comprise glass cloth belts 127, 128 attached to fixed shafts 129- 132 and brought into contact above and below the webs by rollers 134-137 on the carriage. Operation.-Considering Fig. 12, the heater bar 112, anvil 109 and belts 107, 108 are part way in their movement from left to right and the transverse seals have been made. Webs 26, 26 are being drawn from supply rolls 25, 25 and are supported to the left of bar 112 by the above-mentioned belts 127, 128. At this stage a further sheet 34 is manually fed between the webs. Subsequently the movement to the right is completed, sealers 54, 65 close to longitudinally seal the web adjacent the further sheet and knife 124 severs the packages. Movement of carriage 23 to the left is preceded by the vertical displacements of bar 112, anvil 109 and sealers 54, 65 and is accompanied by the movement of belts 107, 108 at such a speed that they have rolling engagement with the incomplete package and withdraw from the completed package (Fig. 15, not shown), there being no relative movement between the belts and the webs. The completed package falls into a bin 35 and air in the incomplete package is squeezed out. Each web 26 passes from a roll 25 through a splicing mechanism 27, Fig. 1, means being provided to stop the machine when the end of a web is detected, and then passes adjacent printing heads 30 which imprint indicia on the webs when carriage 23 is stationary in its right-hand position. The operator receives a visual signal when the machine is ready to receive a further sheet 34 and the machine incorporates a cycle counter. The electrical circuit and pneumatic system are illustrated and described.