Patent EA-002846-B1 (EA)
Title: Apparatus for making resealable pouches
Inventor: HOLLOWAY STEPHEN JOHN
IPC: B31B1/90
Filed: 2000-04-28
Abstract: 1. A guide plate for use in apparatus for producing a resealable pouch for tobacco, the guide plate having a lengthwise extending edge over which a thermoplastic film is folded and a lengthwise extending slot parallel to said edge for receiving a resealable fastener in a closed condition between the film on both sides of the guide plate, the slot being closed at its downstream end so as to open the resealable fastener. 2. A guide plate as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, downstream of the closed end of the slot is a groove on each side of the plate for receiving respective parts of the resealable fastener. 3. A guide plate as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the upstream ends of the groove taper to a point coinciding with the downstream end of the slot. 4. A guide plate as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein there is provided a recess downstream of the oppositely disposed grooves, which recess enables the fastener to be closed at predetermined locations along its length. 5. Apparatus for producing a resealable pouch for tobacco comprising feed means for a thermoplastic film, feed means for a two-part resealable fastener, a film guide for folding the thermoplastic film over a guide plate and inside lateral guide walls, said guide plate having a lengthwise extending edge over which the film is folded and a lengthwise extending slot parallel to said edge for receiving the resealable fastener in a closed condition, the slot being closed at its downstream end so as to open the fastener, and welding heater means upstream of the end of the slot for securing the two parts of the resealable fastener to the film on respective sides of the guide plate. 6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 wherein downstream of the closed end of the slot is a lengthwise extending groove on each side of the plate for receiving respective parts of the resealable fastener. 7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the upstream ends of the groove taper to a point coinciding with the downstream end of the slot. 8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 wherein downstream of the closed end of the slot are fastener crushers which compress and weld the ends of the fastener at predetermined intervals according to the desired length of pouch. 9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the fastener crushers act on the fastener by virtue of a recess in the guide plate, which recess is downstream of the grooves. 10. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 wherein downstream of the fastener crushers are side heaters for welding the sides of the pouch from the fold to the fastener. 11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10 wherein downstream of the side heaters is a cutter for cutting along each side weld, perpendicular to the fold, to produce individual pouches. 12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 11 wherein cooling means are provided directly after the welding heater means for the fastener. 13. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 wherein said cooling means comprise liquid cooled blocks. 14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 13 wherein there is provided transfer means for transferring the pouches to a tobacco filling head and also closing means for closing the fastener of each pouch after filling. 15. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 14 wherein the closing means comprises a pivoted roller bar having an elongate operative surface adapted to progressively engage the fastener along its length and urge it closed against a portion of the transfer means. 16. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 15 wherein said operative surface is arcuate and the roller bar is spring biased into an initial end position and the roller bar is movable against the spring by pneumatic means.