Patent ID: 6387209
Filing Date: 2002-05-14
Classification: B29C,B65B

Abstract:
An apparatus for sealing films together conveyed along a path, the films having a surface, a middle and an underside, the apparatus comprising(a) a counter shoe including a counter plate and a counter reflector; (b) a sealing shoe defining, with said counter shoe, a clearance through which the films pass; said sealing shoe including (1) an elongated optical energy source having a length dimension oriented generally parallel to said path; (2) activating means for activating said energy source; (3) a-reflector for focussing light emitted by said energy source; said counter plate of said counter shoe being transparent to said light; said counter reflector of said counter shoe and said reflector of said sealing shoe forming a closed optical unit at a moment when said energy source is activated by said activating means; said optical unit having first and second focal points; at said moment said energy source being situated in said first focal point and the films passing through said second focal point; and (4) a window transparent to said light and having an outer surface adapted to be oriented toward said counter shoe for sealing the films by said light; the reflector and the energy source being arranged such that the light is focused on one of the surface, middle and underside of the films; and (c) means for urging said window and said counter shoe toward one another for pressing the films therebetween.