Patent ID: 7392639

Claim:
A method for moving an actuator rod that is operatively connected to opposing sealing jaws of a top sealer, for forming a top seal on a carton being conveyed along a processing path on a form, fill and seal packaging machine, the carton including top fin panels configured for sealing to one another to form a top seal, the method comprising the steps of: (a) actuating a first control valve from a first position to a second position that provides communication between a first pressurized pneumatic fluid source and a first port of an actuator having a movable actuator rod; (b) actuating a second control valve from a first position to a second position that stops the escape of pneumatic fluid from the actuator through a second port of the actuator; (c) moving the actuator rod toward a first position in response to passing of pressurized pneumatic fluid through the first port of the actuator, the actuator rod operatively connected to the sealing jaws to move the sealing jaws in a clamping direction while the actuator rod moves toward the first position; and (d) slowing the movement of the actuator rod toward the first position in response to the actuating of the second control valve in the second position, to slow the movement of the sealing jaws in the clamping direction.