JPH0489227A - Method and device for manufacture of tubular material - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain a plastic product including high quality bead seal by providing a plastic film feeding means, a printing machine, a bending unit, a frame seal mechanism, a softening means and a winding unit, moving a printed web along a moving path in a work holder and projecting the edge of the web slightly from the work holder to form a bead seal thereby forming a tube while keeping an acute angle between the axis of each frame jet and the moving path. CONSTITUTION: Forward end part of a coil is fed to a bending station 276 through a printing machine 274. When the machine is operated independently, a web is fed to a V board bending unit. A camming plate 218 is then started to lift all retaining rolls 170 to disengages them from a base roll, i.e., a drum. The web is fed to the process at a softening station 158 thence to winding process. Subsequently, jet is fired and the distance and direction to the web are adjusted until an appropriate beads seal is obtained. Printing is started at the moment.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the manufacture of plastic products, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for the high speed manufacture of plastic tubular materials.

[Prior Art and Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Many products are commercially available in plastic bottles. Plastic bottles have cost and many other advantages over glass and metal bottles. However, plastic bottles have the disadvantage that they are difficult to label.

Using preprinted and preformed PlusDeck sleeves as labels is one, if not the only, method for labeling such plastic bottles.
It has become widely accepted as the preferred method. A method and apparatus for labeling bottles with plastic label sleeves is described in detail in U.S. Pat. ing. Please refer to the disclosure of this US patent specification.

Sleeve-type labels are commonly made from polyethylene film. First, desired illustrations and information are printed on the film.Next, the film is bent and then a seal is formed in the longitudinal direction to form a tube from the folded film. Furthermore, a perforation line is drawn in the transverse direction as the outline of the sleeve end. The tube with the cut line inserted is rolled up into a coil and transported to the location where the bottles will be labeled.

In the manufacture of tubes, a method traditionally used to form bead seals in superimposed film layers is the use of so-called "pot knives." A hot knife is a heated metal element that can both cut and join stacked films. Although potknives have been used for a long time, they are not very satisfactory in the manufacture of sleeves because they are a limiting factor in manufacturing speed.

As a measure to speed up the manufacture of sleeves, methods of forming lap seals have been used. The method involved heating the edges of the stacked film layers with hot air to form a seal. However, with this seal, when the sleeve is placed over the bottle, the "flag"
The disadvantage was that it formed a protrusion known as ``.'', which spoiled the appearance.

In addition, so-called "flame sealing" of plastic films has been known for many years. For example, one method used to make sample sleeves or bags is to place two pieces of plastic film between stacked precision flat plates. Sandwich the film so that its edges slightly protrude from the flat plate,
Heat the protruding part with a propane torch to form a bead seal. This method was not satisfactory as a manufacturing technique because it was time consuming.

A method using an inline flame jet has also been proposed. This method generally utilizes tubes as manifolds. Drill holes at intervals in series in the axial direction of the tube,
Natural gas or propane gas is injected through these holes to generate a series of flames. Although such methods have been proposed, to the best of the inventors' knowledge, they have not been demonstrated to yield at least high quality seals at the high production speeds required for sleeve manufacture.

[Means and operations for solving the problem] An in-line system for manufacturing plastic sleeves etc. according to the present invention comprises: a) means for supplying a plastic film; b) operatively connected to the supply means, receiving the film, and supplying the same. -C) A folding device which is flexibly connected to the printing press and takes the plastic film and bends it into a multi-layered workpiece; a frame seal connected to receive the workpieces and forming a bead seal to connect the workpieces into a tube; e) a profile operatively connected to said sealing mechanism and serving as the end of the interconnected tube; tube softening means forming a line of weakness in the transverse direction for the insertion of the line; and f) a winding device operatively connected to said weakening means and receiving the interconnected tubes.

Further, the method for manufacturing a label for a glass bottle according to the present invention includes the steps of: a) moving the folded and printed web along a path in a workholder; b) slightly bending the edge of the web; C) ejecting the tube from the workholder by forming a bead seal by impinging a flame jet on said edge of the web and into the air surrounding it at longitudinally spaced locations along the path of travel; and d) maintaining the axis of each said flame jet at an acute angle to the path of travel.

Flame-sealing coffins can be constructed of highly directional high-temperature flame jets in series. The film can be fed into a drum and tensioned on this to take up any slack. A series of rolls can also be placed in a biased position with respect to the film. It is also possible to pair one jet and one roll so that the number of rolls is equal to the number of jets.

The appropriate number of jets is linearly related to the speed at which the film is advanced. 183m/2nil polyethylene
(600 ft/min), install 11 to 14 jets. film at 366 m/min (120
0 ft/min), 22 to 28 jets would be installed. In other words, in this example, if the film to be supplied is 2111 polyethylene, 1
Install one burner per film speed of 3-17 m/min (43-55 ftZ min).

Since high throughput can be achieved with the sealing system of the present invention, this is no longer a limiting factor in sleeve production. Indeed, the sealing system of the present invention is suitable for use with multicolor printing presses. With continuous operation,
The film is printed at a speed close to 183 m/min (600 ft/min), bent into a V or U shape, heat sealed, and wound into a coil, all at a speed of 183 m/min (600 ft/min). can do. In contrast, the maximum speed achieved with a hot knife is 36.
6 m/min (120 ft/min), and pot air [91 m/min (300 ft/min) in the flagco system]
minutes).

In the preferred embodiment disclosed herein, the heating system for welding two layers of plastic film includes a burner assembly that applies a series of flames to the film;
and a support or work holder to hold the plastic during application of the flame. The support takes the form of a set of the drum and roll. Each flame is emitted by a hollow torch tip and supporting torch body. The inner diameter of the torch tip is approximately 0.406 mm (
0,016 inches) or less.

The central axis of each torch tip lies within a plane formed by the axis of the drum and the axis of the roll corresponding to the drum. The axis of the torch is substantially 15' to the radius of the corresponding roll.
When in use, the plastic should be held just a short distance from the edge of the drum, approximately 1.59 mm.
(1/16 inch) protrudes, and the center axis of the torch tip intersects with the plastic. This allows about half of the flame to hit the plastic and the other half to burn in the air. These elements work well together to create a system that produces high-quality bead seals.

The torch body is comprised of a conduit for receiving gaseous fuel, a pipe connected to the conduit for receiving fuel therefrom, and a nozzle for reducing the cross-section of the fuel flow path and delivering the fuel to the torch tip.

For position adjustment, the tip of each burner is mounted for adjustment both radially and axially of the drum. For this purpose, a base member is attached to the burner frame. A pair of orthogonal adjustable support members is provided, one attached to the base member and the other attached to a support member attached to the base member. The latter support member supports the burner tip. Adjustment screws are provided to move the support members relative to each other and the base member.

The gas generator is one type that generates a stoichiometric gas mixture, preferably one that mixes hydrogen and oxygen in a substantially stoichiometric manner, i.e., in a weight ratio of 1 part hydrogen to 8 parts oxygen. Some gas generators have means for decomposing water into its constituent elements.

The drum and holding roll function as a heat sink and support. For this purpose, the base roll or drum is preferably made of aluminum and the wear surface is coated with nickel.

A stainless steel ring is used for the wear surface of the drum that the holding roll hits. The holding roll is preferably made of copper or copper alloy; the support and heat sink ensures that the thermal effect of the impinging flame is limited to the formation of a bead and does not have any harmful thermal effects on the main part of the sleeve itself. be done.

In summary, a preferred system for welding two plastic films consists of a burner assembly and a support. The burner assembly has a fuel waste generator, a conduit for receiving gas, and a set of torch subassemblies. Each torch subassembly includes a torch holder,
It has a torch consisting of a torch body and a torch tip.

The support has a heat transfer drum or base roll and a number of holddown rolls. 211 polyethylene to 18
For a speed of 600 ft/min (3 m/min), the number of burner assemblies is preferably 14.

The connection system of the invention is suitable for use as part of a larger system for manufacturing bottle sleeves.

The large-scale system also includes a plastic film feeder, a printing machine for printing on the strip of film fed from the feeder, and a machine that prints the printed strip of film in the longitudinal direction.
A folding device that bends into a U” or “V” shape and adjusts the approximate position so that the welded parts of the workpiece overlap, and the contour line of the sleeve end on the workpiece formed into a tube. It consists of a separation device that inserts horizontal lines of weakness, etc.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved method for manufacturing plastic products containing high quality bead seals.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent and better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1, a heating device according to the invention is shown generally at 10, and has a number of burner assemblies, one of which is shown schematically at 12, and also includes a support or work holder. is generally indicated by 14.

4 and 5, the preferred burner assembly has a torch tip 20 and a torch body consisting of a tube 22 and a conduit 24. In FIGS. The tube 22 is partially surrounded by a sleeve 26 and bent at 28 to allow the torch tip 20 to be directed toward the workpiece at an angle.

The inner diameter of the torch tip @20 is approximately 0.41mm (0°01
6 inch) hollow tube. It must be made of a material that can withstand the flame temperatures near the exit end 30 without significantly affecting the dimensions of the inner diameter.

At the top of the torch tip 20 is a tube 22 that fluidly connects with the tip. The tube 22 is substantially larger in cross-section than the tip and serves as a convenient "handle" for engaging the burner support with the burner. A sleeve 26 surrounds the tube 22 to further facilitate engagement of the burner by the support.

Relatively large diameter tube 2 to reduce fuel friction losses
By positioning the nozzle 32 between the tip 20 and the relatively small diameter tip 20, the cross-section of the flow path is shaped rather than abruptly.
Make it smaller gradually.

Preferably, conduit 24 comprises a flexible tube.

The flexible tube can be connected to the tube 22 by pulling it up over the end of the tube 22.The flexible tube can then be connected to the tube 22 by clamping or tying the wall of the flexible tube to the end of the tube. , the fitting can be sealed.

A preferred fuel supply system for burner assembly 12 comprises a scum generator 34, a flashback arrester 50, and a purging valve 36. A suitable gas generator 34 is one that mixes hydrogen and oxygen stoichiometrically, ie, in a weight ratio of one part hydrogen to eight parts oxygen, by splitting water into its elements. Such a scum generator is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,4 issued to Hennes.
No. 25,215, U.S. Patent No. 4, issued to Hanson.
No. 424.105, and US Pat. No. 4,339,324 to Haas.

The purging system including the purging valve 36 includes: 1
U.S. Patent Application No. 0, filed December 9, 988
Briefly, the purging system comprises a compressed air supply 38 and two three-way solenoid valves 40, 42, as disclosed in detail in US Pat. two electromagnetic (j collectively logical N
1, which operates as an AND gate and provides fuel only if remote switch 44 is not activated and pressure transducer 46 does not indicate a pressure drop below the threshold;
Compressed air is purged from the supply device 38 to the burner assembly 12 when the operator activates the remote switch 44 or when the pressure drop in the conduit 24 causes the pressure transducer 46 to actuate and activate the switch 48. .

Although the purging system should be prevented from flashback, ie, flame back injection in the direction of the gas generator 34, it can be additionally equipped with a flashback arrester 50 as a precautionary measure. In one embodiment, a check valve that prevents backflow from the solenoid valve 40 to the scum generator 34 is used as the flashback arrester 50.

In FIG. 4, the preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes a burner assembly support 60 for supporting and positioning the burner assembly 12 above the workpiece.

The burner assembly support 60 includes a base 62, a first
A member 64, a second member 66, a yoke 68, and a first member for vertically and horizontally positioning the first and second members.
and a second threaded connector 70.72.

The base 62 is secured to the head assembly 130, (FIG. 1) by two bolts 74, 76 with a post 78 securely mounted on top of the base 62. The pillar 78 has
There is a smooth six 80 for passing the first threaded connector 70 therethrough. The first threaded connector 70 is held to the post 78 by a knob 82 and a splice 84.

In one preferred embodiment, the knob 82 is held to the threaded connector 70 by a set screw 86 and the circumferential surface 88 of the knob 82 is knurled to allow the operator to turn the connector 70.

The first member 64 is placed horizontally on a sheet 90 that is attached to the base 62 and constitutes a part thereof. A number of rolls 92 are arranged between the first member 64 and the sheet 90, so that the member rolls over the sheet. Allow for easy sliding.

A block 94 is bolted onto the first member 64.

This block 94 has a threaded hole 98 therethrough for engaging the first threaded connector 70 .

A nut 100 is placed between the collar 84 and the block 94 of the threaded connector 70.

By grasping the knurled surface 88 of the knob 82 and rotating the first threaded connector 70, the operator can adjust the horizontal position of the burner assembly 12. Once the horizontal position of the burner assembly 12 is determined, the first member 6
In order to fix 4 so that it does not move horizontally, tighten nut 10.
0 is arranged so that it hits block 94 exactly.

A sheet 102, which is bolted to and constitutes a part of the first member 64, is attached to the first member 64.

The second member 66 is arranged to perpendicularly abut the sheet 102. A number of rolls 116 are positioned between the sheet 102 and the second member 66 to facilitate sliding of the member relative to the sheet.

The column 104 is bolted to the second member 66. Pillar 10
4 has a flat hole 106 for passing the second screw connector 72. The second screw connector 72 is connected to the knob 10
8 and a splice 110 to the post 104.

In one preferred embodiment, knob 108 is secured to set screw 1.
12 to the threaded connector 72 and knurling the circumferential surface 114 of the knob 108 to allow the operator to turn the connector 72.

A block 1 having a first member 64 having a threaded hole 122 therethrough for engaging a second threaded connector 122.
Also install 18. Replacement of screw connector 72 11
Nut 124 is placed between block 118 and block 118.

By grasping the knurled surface 114 of the knob 108 and rotating the second threaded connector 72, the operator can adjust the vertical position of the burner assembly 12. Once the vertical position of burner assembly 12 is determined, nut 124 is positioned snugly against block 118 to secure second member 66 from vertical movement.

The yoke 68 is fixed to the second member 66 with bolts and grips the sleeve 26.

Returning to FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support includes a head assembly 130 and a base roll or drum 132 that functions as a support to define the path of travel of the workpiece. A number of hold-down roll assemblies (one shown as 134) are rotatably attached to head assembly 130. A workpiece consisting of a strip of plastic film folded so that its longitudinal edges are generally aligned is held in the nip between the holddown roll 170 and the base roll 132 during passage under the burner assembly 12.

As best shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b, the preferred base roll 132 consists of a pair of drums 140 142 secured to a shaft 144. Furthermore, this shaft 144 is fixed to a pulley 146. The drum is preferably made of nickel-plated aluminum, shaft 14
4 is not shown as 148 150, both ends of the drum are supported by bearings,
In operation, the base roll 132 is rotated by a motor (not shown) connected to a pulley 146 by a belt (not shown), which can rotate relative to the system cradle. The drum 140, shown in cross-section, has a central sleeve 15
2, an external cylinder 154, and a pair of circular webs 15
Consists of f3.158. The central sleeve 152 has a pair of end caps 160, 162 and a connecting member 164 connecting the end caps 160, 162. As best shown in Figure 6a, there are a number of holes 164 in the web 156, 158. . These features of drum 140 are particularly suitable for removing heat from the workpiece and discharging it to the surrounding atmosphere.

In one embodiment, the stainless steel wear section 166 is bolted to the end of the drum 140. It is this wear portion 166 that cooperates with the holddown roll 170 to form a nip that holds the workpiece during heating.

The structure of drum 142 is the same as drum 140.

The two drums are approximately 1 inch apart, and the flame acts on the workpiece through this gap. In one embodiment,
Approximately 1.59mm (0,062mm) of plastic film
The workpiece is placed in the nip between the base roll 132 and the holddown roll 170 so that the flame impinges on the workpiece.

Returning again to FIGS. 1 and 2, head assembly 130
supports a number of hold down roll assemblies 134,
Holder roll assembly 134 cooperates with base roll 132 to position the workpiece below burner assembly 12 . Each burner assembly 12 has a corresponding holddown roll assembly 134. In a preferred embodiment, the holddown roll assembly 134 includes a pair of rolling bearings 1
It consists of a solid holding roll 170 supported on a shaft 172 by 74.176. This holding roll is made of copper to facilitate the removal of heat from the workpiece.

The hold-down roll assembly 134 is rotatably mounted on the head assembly cradle 178 and is used for pivoting the hold-down roll into and out of cooperation with the base roll 132, as shown in FIG. Some of the holddown roll assemblies 134 are spring biased against the base roll 132 and others are gravity biased against the base roll 132 due to their own weight.

Pawl 180 positions shaft 172 and holddown roll 170 in a cooperative position with base roll 132 .

As clearly shown in FIG. 2, one end of the pawl 180 is fixed to the shaft 172 with a bolt 182, and the other end is
It is fixed to the shaft 184 at 186. shaft 184
is secured to the head assembly cradle 178 by a pair of rolling bearings 188, 190.

The holding roll 170 is held by the pawl 18 by the spacer 192.
Separate from 0. Similarly, the pawl 180 is connected to the spacer 194.
The head assembly is separated from the pedestal 178 by.

In the spring-loaded hold-down roll assembly 134, the yoke 1
96 is fixed to the shaft 184 with a bolt 198.

The yoke 196 further secures to the vec 200 having a fillet 202 for receiving the hooked end of the coil spring 204. Yoke 196 is separated from head assembly cradle 178 by spacer 206 .

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, spring 204
is held at one end by a beng 200 and the other end by a beng 208 fixed to the frame 178 of the head assembly. When activated, the spring 204 pulls the peck 200, the beng 200 pulls the yoke 106, and the shaft 184
Rotate the claw 180. As the bed is pulled upward by the spring 204 and away from the base roll 132, the pawl 180 pushes down on the shaft 172 and the hold down roll 170 is pushed down into cooperation with the base roll 132.

As clearly shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of mounting assemblies such as 220 are used to attach an arc-shaped plate 218 to the U-shaped trough of the head assembly frame 178. , head assembly mount 17
Each mounting is aligned vertically in the assembly position by means of rolling bearings 222 placed transversely across a flat plate 224 bolted to the assembly position. Similarly, arc-shaped flat plate 2
18 is 1 which was taken by bolt 230°232 and 14cJ.
A pair of cam rolls 226 and 228 adjust the position to be horizontal.

Returning to FIG. 2, the arc-shaped flat plate 218 has a number of holes, including holes 234. Additionally, each presser roll assembly 134
has a yoke 236 fixed to shaft 184 and having a beg 238 attached thereto. One beg 238 is placed in each hole 234.

As clearly shown in FIG. 1, a rotary actuator 240 is installed at one end of the head assembly pedestal 178. When the actuator 240 starts, the cam wheel (
(not shown) rotates, and the arcuate plate 218 changes orientation within the head assembly cradle 178. As the plate rotates, the begs 238 engage the sides of the holes 234 and the holddown roll assembly 134 and base roll 132 are disengaged.

Burner assembly support 60 is mounted on head assembly cradle 178 over hold-down roll assembly 134 . The base 62 is attached to a flat plate (not shown) bolted to the concave top surface of the head assembly cradle 178. Tube 22 is held radially above base roll 132. Accordingly, the nozzle 32 and torch tip 20 located below the bend 28 (FIG. 4) of the tube 22 locally extend substantially 15 mm relative to the direction perpendicular to the surface of the workpiece, i.e. in the radial direction of the base roll 132. ° to 20°
Orient it so that it takes the angle of

In operation, it is desirable to be able to adjust the vertical and horizontal position of the burner assembly 12 so that the workpiece is at the highest flame temperature; This is accomplished by rotating the knob 82.108 and moving the torch tip 20 relative to the base roll 132.

In a preferred embodiment, the hottest part of the flame is about 6,
Reaching 000°F. The size and speed of base roll 132 is determined by the dwell time to produce the highest quality bond.

Head assembly 130 includes a pair of hollow upright rods 25
2.254, in which the head assembly pedestal 17 is supported by bearings.
8 can be lifted away from the base roll 132.

A preferred application of the heating device of the invention is the use as a seeker for label sleeves for plastic bottles.6 As schematically shown in FIG. a plastic film supply device 3jj272; a printing machine 274 operatively connected to the supply device for receiving the film and printing thereon; a printing machine 274 operatively connected to the printing machine 274 for receiving and folding the plastic web; Folding into multiple stacked workpieces m276
, a frame seal mechanism 278 operatively connected to the folding mechanism 276 for receiving the workpieces and connecting the workpieces into a tube by forming a bead seal; It has a tube softening means 280 for drawing a soft lateral line forming the end of the tube, and a winding device 282 operatively connected to the softening means and for receiving the connected tube.

In practice, two frame seal head assemblies 13
0 are arranged adjacent to each other, and the said workpieces are 2
It can also be made into a book tube. The assemblies are designed to be identical to allow interchangeability, but nested when reversed. That is, the burner assemblies 12 and supports 14 are arranged in a zigzag pattern to allow nesting of two adjacent systems in opposite orientations.

In operation, a strip of polyethylene is created by conventionally extruding the polyethylene into a tube and then slitting the tube and winding the resulting strip of film into a coil. The coiled polyethylene is transported to the printing press.

In setup, the tip of the coil is sent to a bending varnishing section 276 via a printing@274. At the bending station, if the machine is operated independently, there is a
Activate the camming plate 218 to send the web to the folding device that bends it into a shape, and all the holding rolls 1
70 is raised and disengaged from the base roll or drum 142. In the case of double actuation, the other set of rolls is also disengaged from the other drum 140, and then the web is sent to a softening station 158 and then to a winding step (not shown). ).

After the web has been passed through the sleeve forming system in the manner described above, and before printing actually begins, a holddown roll is engaged with the web and the machine is started to feed the plastic into the machine. Ignite the jet and adjust its distance and orientation to the web until a proper bead seal is achieved.

By moving the jet inward toward the workpiece until a bead forms where the plastic shines brightly adjacent to the appropriate drum 140-142, the operator , the node can be checked to see if the jet position has been properly adjusted.

Printing begins at this point. Of course, another method is
It is also possible to make adjustments to the printing press before adjusting the bead forming mechanism. In any event, the working wheel must then also perform the task of properly aligning the line of weakness with the printing press and ensuring that the ends of the sleeve being produced actually match and are not offset.

Once all of this is complete, the system can begin continuous operation and produce sleeves at film run speeds of 600 ftZ.

- Assuming 5-1/2 labels produced by boat, a production rate of about 1 million sleeves can be routinely achieved in an 8-hour shift.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it is understood that modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims.
it is obvious.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partial rear view of the sealer head assembly showing the locations of the base roll, holddown roll assembly, burner assembly, and take-up roll in a preferred embodiment of a nine burner heating system. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred spring-loaded assembly of holddown rolls taken along line 1iA-A of FIG. FIG. 3 is a detailed view of an assembly for attaching an arc-shaped flat plate to a groove of a head assembly cradle. FIG. 4 is a front view of the torch body and burner assembly support of the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the burner assembly. Figure 6a is an axial front view of the preferred base roll of the embodiment, showing one of the drums in cross-section. Figure 6b is a partial cross-sectional view of the preferred base roll of the embodiment taken along line B--B of Figure 6a. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a sleeve manufacturing apparatus incorporating the heating system of the above embodiment. 10. , heating device, 12. , , ,Burner assembly, 14. , ,Support or work holder, 20. ,,Torch tip,32. , , nozzle, 34. , , ,gas generator, 130, ,
, head assembly, 140.142. ,,,drum,
132, , , base roll, 170. , ,
, , Suppressing roll procedural amendment September 19, 1990

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A frame seal system, wherein the frame seal system comprises: a) a support defining one side of a major portion of the path of travel of a multi-ply plastic web; b) an opposite side of the major portion of the path of travel. c) a restraining mechanism defining a workholder and cooperating with said support to constitute a workholder; c) a set of nozzles spaced close to said path of travel for emitting a flame jet in use; d) said nozzle such that said jet impinges on an edge of a workpiece moving along a small portion of said path of travel adjacent to a workholder and alongside said main portion; and d) said path of travel; A frame seal system comprising: an axis of each jet forming an angle; 2. A heating device according to claim 6 or 8, characterized in that said angle is about 15° to about 20°. 3 further comprising a torch support, the torch support comprising: i) a base member; ii) a first member movable in a first direction relative to the base member;
a support member; iii) a first connector that is engaged with either the base member or the first member and adjusts the position of the first member with respect to the base member along the first direction; iv) the first connector; a second support member movable in a second direction; v) engaged with either the first member or the second member to adjust the position of the second member relative to the first member along the second direction; 3. The system of claim 1 or 2, comprising: a second connector for supporting the burner assembly; and vi) a collar fixed to the second member for supporting the burner assembly. 4. A system according to claims 1 to 3, further comprising a fuel generating device comprising means for splitting water into its constituent elements. 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the support is a base roll and the restraining mechanism is a restraining roll. 6. System according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one of the rolls consists primarily of copper. 7. A system according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the support is a base roll. 8. System according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the support comprises two spaced cylinders. 9. System according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that two frame sealing mechanisms are arranged to form two tubes from the workpiece. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the two frame seal mechanisms are identical and nested in opposite orientations. 11. In an in-line system for manufacturing plastic sleeves etc., the in-line system comprises: a) a means for supplying a plastic film; b) a printing machine operatively connected to the supply means, receiving the film and printing thereon; c) a folding mechanism operatively connected to said printing press for receiving a plastic film and folding it into multiple stacked workpieces; d) operatively connected to said folding mechanism for receiving a workpiece; and a frame sealing mechanism operatively connected to said frame sealing mechanism to form a bead seal and interconnecting the workpieces into tubes; e) a frame sealing mechanism operatively connected to said frame sealing mechanism to insert a line of weakness laterally into the interconnected tubes to seal the ends of the tubes; An in-line system for manufacturing plastic sleeves, etc., characterized in that it consists of: tube softening means for drawing a contour; and f) a winding device operatively connected to said tube softening means and receiving the interconnected tubes. . 12. A method for manufacturing labels for plastic bottles, wherein the label manufacturing method includes: a) moving a folded and printed web along a movement path in a work holder; ejecting the portion from the workholder; c) forming a bead seal and closing the tube by applying a flame jet to the portion and the air surrounding it at spaced locations along the length of the travel path; and d) maintaining the axis of each jet at an angle to the path of travel. 13. A method according to claim 12, characterized in that each acute angle ranges from 70° to 75° in a plane containing the axis of the jet and transverse to the path of travel. 14. Claim 14, characterized in that the web is fed to spaced parallel workholders and two sets of flame jets are applied to the web at positions between the workholders to create two tubes. 13. The label manufacturing method according to 12 or 13. 15. The label manufacturing method according to claim 12, wherein the small portion is a margin edge. 16 further comprising: a) feeding the plastic web along the travel path; b) feeding the plastic web along the travel path;
and c) feeding the plastic web along the travel path;
16. The label manufacturing method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of folding the printed web so that the printed side faces outward. 17. A method according to claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the step of feeding the web to the workholder includes the step of bringing the web into close contact with the surface of a cylindrical drum. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising biasing the holddown roll against the web while the web is in contact with the drum. 19. The label manufacturing method according to claim 12, wherein the web is a folded web, and the edge is laterally opposite to the fold. 20. A method according to claims 12 to 19, characterized in that the axis of the flame jet makes an acute angle to and intersects an imaginary line positioned by contact with the web of the corresponding roll. 21. A method according to claims 12 to 20, characterized in that the axis of each flame jet lies in a plane located by the imaginary line and the radius of the corresponding roll.