Patent ID: 7685795

Claim:
A method for encapsulating an article in a heat sealable film comprising the steps of: providing a center folded film having two layers and an opening along one side; placing an article between said two layers; providing a first set of pulleys, positioned on said open side of said film, wherein each of said pulleys comprise a channel adapted to contain at least one belt; providing a first belt located in said channels of said first set of pulleys, said first belt comprising an inner surface adapted to contact said channel in said first set of pulleys, and a first pattern of protrusions and depressions on its outer surface, said first belt adapted to contact one side of said film; providing a second set of pulleys, positioned on the opposite side of said film, wherein each of said pulleys comprise a channel adapted to contain at least one belt; providing a second belt located in said channels of said second set of pulleys, said belt comprising an inner surface adapted to contact said channel in said second set of pulleys, and a second pattern of protrusions and depressions on its outer surface, said second belt adapted to contact the opposite side of said film, and grasping said film between said first and said second belts, whereby said first pattern and said second pattern are formed such that the protrusions in said first belt are aligned with said depressions in said second belt and said depressions in said first belt are aligned with said protrusions in said second belt, such that said belts mesh in the longitudinal and in the transverse directions; wherein the meshing of said belts positively locks said belts in the longitudinal and transverse directions.