Patent ID: 6247293
Filing Date: 2001-06-19
Classification: B29C,B31B,B65B

Abstract:
A modular pouch making apparatus for forming pouches from a wound roll of planar material, the apparatus comprising:a plurality of modules each adapted to be independently operated and tested, the modules comprising;a supply module having a pair of infeed rolls adapted to pull the planar material from the roll and through the supply module, a variable speed motor drivingly connected to the infeed rolls, a drive connected to the motor for adjusting the speed of the motor, and a plow upstream of the infeed rolls for folding the material into mating first and second sides,a sealing module downstream of the supply module having a pair of drive rolls adapted to pull the folded material therethrough, a variable speed motor drivingly connected to the drive rolls, a drive connected to the motor for adjusting the speed of the motor, a longitudinally adjustable mechanism for making seals between the first and second sides at spaced locations, and a cutter downstream of the drive rolls for cutting the material at the seals, anda filling module having an endless carrier with a plurality of clamp pairs mounted thereon and adapted to grip the individual pouches, a variable speed motor drivingly connected to the endless carrier, a drive connected to the motor for adjusting the speed of the motor, a device for transferring the pouches from the cutter to the clamp pairs, a variable speed motor drivingly connected to the transfer device, a drive connected to the motor for adjusting the speed of the motor, a mechanism for opening and closing the pouches before and after filling, respectively, and a device for sealing the pouches after the pouches are closed; anda controller connected to the drives for coordinating the speeds of the motors in each of the modules.