Importance

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Abstract

A modular reciprocating heat seal jaw assembly is disclosed for sealing reclosable fastener strips to a web of thermoplastic film and for sealing the web of thermoplastic film into a series of reclosable bags. The jaw assembly includes first and second sealing jaws and means for slidably mounting the first and second sealing jaws on a first pair of parallel shafts near the lateral ends of the first and second sealing jaws in a horizontal configuration. A mechanical system is providing for selectively effecting reciprocal movement of the first and second sealing jaws together and apart as required. A modular frame is provided for supporting the first and second sealing jaws and the first and second pairs of parallel shafts and for maintaining the lateral and vertical position of the first and second sealing jaws as they are moved toward or away from each other. The modular frame and heat seal jaw assembly may be inserted into existing form-fill-seal machine to make them more efficient and accurate. An additional feature of the invention is the use of third and fourth sealing jaws constructed and arranged for sealing the reclosable fastener strips to the back wall of a web of thermoplastic film. A second mechanism is provided for selectively effecting reciprocal movement of the third and fourth sealing jaws together and apart as required to seal the fastener strips to the web of thermoplastic film. A pair of air cylinders is provided having drive shafts extending therefrom for providing mechanical force to move the first and second sealing jaws and the third and fourth sealing jaws as required. A unique mechanical drive system simultaneously advances the first and second sealing jaws together or apart in opposite movement to the third and fourth sealing jaw members, so as to either cross seal the web of thermoplastic film into a series of reclosable bags or to seal the reclosable fastener strips to the thermoplastic film as required. A method of performing the sealing of the reclosable fastener strips and web thermoplastic film into a series of reclosable bags is also disclosed.

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First Claim