Patent ID: 8826959
Filing Date: 2014-09-09
Classification: B29C,B29K,B29L,B32B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A system for closing and sealing an upper end of a preformed tube having opposite first and second sides that each extend between the upper end of the preformed tube and an opposite lower end of the preformed tube, wherein the first side of the preformed tube includes a first outer portion of the preformed tube and a second outer portion of the preformed tube, the second side of the preformed tube includes a third outer portion of the preformed tube and a fourth outer portion of the preformed tube, and the system comprises: a transportation system for transporting the preformed tube in a downstream direction along a path; a folding apparatus positioned above the transportation system and along the path, wherein a supplying apparatus positioned above the transportation system and along the path for being in opposing face-to-face relation with, and for causing heat transfer with, at least one outer portion of the preformed tube while the transportation system transports the preformed tube so that the upper end of the preformed tube is proximate the supplying apparatus, wherein the at least one outer portion of the preformed tube is selected from the group consisting of the second outer portion of the preformed tube, the third outer portion of the preformed tube, and the fourth outer portion of the preformed tube, and wherein a nipping apparatus positioned downstream from both the folding apparatus and the supplying apparatus along the path, for receiving the upper end of the preformed tube, wherein the nipping apparatus is for nipping at least the first, second, third and fourth outer portions of the preformed tube that are located in the upper end of the preformed tube,