Patent ID: 11905059
Assignee: ATLANTA ATTACHMENT COMPANY
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 0:
1. A packaging machine for applying a packaging material to a product comprising:
a supply of the packaging material arranged along a path of travel of the product so as to be engaged by and applied about the product as the product moves along the path of travel in a packaging area;
an upper sealing assembly located along the packaging area, the upper sealing assembly comprising an upper sealing element; and
a lower sealing assembly located opposite to the upper sealing assembly, the lower sealing assembly comprising a lower sealing element and one or more inflatable sealing tubes configured to receive a fluid therein so as to be expandable and compressible, wherein the lower sealing element is operably coupled to the one or more inflatable sealing tubes such that a position of the lower sealing element adjusts, relative to the upper sealing element, in response to a force bearing on the lower sealing element due to compression or expansion of the fluid within the one or more inflatable sealing tubes to compensate for inconsistencies in engagement between the upper and lower sealing assemblies;
wherein at least one of the upper sealing element or the lower sealing element is moveable towards the other of the upper sealing element or the lower sealing element and the position of the lower sealing element adjusts, due to the operable coupling with the one or more inflatable sealing tubes, to the upper sealing element to engage, heat, and seal a portion of the packaging material between the upper sealing element and the lower sealing element.