US20030230377A1 - Apparatus and method for automated splicing of closer tape - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for automated splicing of closer tape Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20030230377A1 US20030230377A1 US10/172,272 US17227202A US2003230377A1 US 20030230377 A1 US20030230377 A1 US 20030230377A1 US 17227202 A US17227202 A US 17227202A US 2003230377 A1 US2003230377 A1 US 2003230377A1
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- Prior art keywords
- closer tape
- closer
- clamping
- tape
- sections
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H69/00—Methods of, or devices for, interconnecting successive lengths of material; Knot-tying devices ;Control of the correct working of the interconnecting device
- B65H69/08—Methods of, or devices for, interconnecting successive lengths of material; Knot-tying devices ;Control of the correct working of the interconnecting device by welding
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
- B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
- B29C65/18—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
- B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
- B29C65/18—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools
- B29C65/24—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools characterised by the means for heating the tool
- B29C65/242—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools characterised by the means for heating the tool the heat transfer being achieved by contact, i.e. a heated tool being brought into contact with the welding tool and afterwards withdrawn from it
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
- B29C65/78—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus
- B29C65/7802—Positioning the parts to be joined, e.g. aligning, indexing or centring
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
- B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
- B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
- B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
- B29C66/114—Single butt joints
- B29C66/1142—Single butt to butt joints
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
- B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
- B29C66/52—Joining tubular articles, bars or profiled elements
- B29C66/524—Joining profiled elements
- B29C66/5241—Joining profiled elements for forming coaxial connections, i.e. the profiled elements to be joined forming a zero angle relative to each other
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
- B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
- B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
- B29C66/8141—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined
- B29C66/81427—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined comprising a single ridge, e.g. for making a weakening line; comprising a single tooth
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
- B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
- B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
- B29C66/8141—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined
- B29C66/81431—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined comprising a single cavity, e.g. a groove
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
- B29C66/82—Pressure application arrangements, e.g. transmission or actuating mechanisms for joining tools or clamps
- B29C66/824—Actuating mechanisms
- B29C66/8242—Pneumatic or hydraulic drives
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
- B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
- B29C66/832—Reciprocating joining or pressing tools
- B29C66/8322—Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
- B29C66/84—Specific machine types or machines suitable for specific applications
- B29C66/853—Machines for changing web rolls or filaments, e.g. for joining a replacement web to an expiring web
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C2793/00—Shaping techniques involving a cutting or machining operation
- B29C2793/0081—Shaping techniques involving a cutting or machining operation before shaping
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
- B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
- B29C66/301—Three-dimensional joints, i.e. the joined area being substantially non-flat
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
- B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
- B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
- B29C66/8141—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined
- B29C66/81411—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined characterised by its cross-section, e.g. transversal or longitudinal, being non-flat
- B29C66/81415—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined characterised by its cross-section, e.g. transversal or longitudinal, being non-flat being bevelled
- B29C66/81417—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined characterised by its cross-section, e.g. transversal or longitudinal, being non-flat being bevelled being V-shaped
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
- B29C66/92—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools
- B29C66/924—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools
- B29C66/9261—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the displacement of the joining tools
- B29C66/92611—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the gap between the joining tools
- B29C66/92613—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the gap between the joining tools the gap being kept constant over time
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
- B29C66/96—Measuring or controlling the joining process characterised by the method for implementing the controlling of the joining process
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
- B29L2005/00—Elements of slide fasteners
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
- B65H2701/30—Handled filamentary material
- B65H2701/37—Tapes
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to thermoplastic bag production machinery, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for splicing thermoplastic bag closer tape in an automated fashion.
- the process of producing storage bags includes the steps of folding a web of thermoplastic to obtain an elongate folded web of material and laminating a thermoplastic closer or zipper tape to free ends of the elongate folded web of material. Sliding closure members are then placed on the closer tape at spaced locations thereon and end stops are formed in the closer tape between the sliding closure members. The elongate folded web is then severed at the end stops using an automated hot knife to create individual bags.
- thermoplastic closer tape is stored on a rotatable spool and is unwound therefrom during production and fed to a production line.
- the production line must be shut down when the spool has been emptied so that a full spool of closer tape can be substituted for the empty spool. This, in turn, results in significant downtime, and increases the cost of producing bags.
- WO 99/12725 discloses a splicing unit and method of splicing of a reclosable zipper strip. The trailing end of one strip and the leading end of a next strip are brought together in abutting relationship within the splicing unit and sealing material is overlaid on the trailing and leading ends. Heat and pressure are applied to the sealing material and the trailing and leading ends to seal the trailing and leading ends together. Flanges of the zipper strips are held apart by separator plates during the sealing operation.
- an apparatus for splicing closer tape includes a first clamping assembly adapted to hold a first section of closer tape and a second clamping assembly adapted to hold a second section of closer tape.
- a moving assembly is adapted to move the first and second clamping assemblies relative to one another so as to permit alignment of the first and second sections of closer tape.
- a joining assembly is adapted to join the first and second sections of closer tape together.
- an apparatus for splicing closer tape includes first means for clamping a first section of closer tape and second means for clamping a second section of closer tape. Means are provided for moving the first clamping means relative to the second clamping means so as to permit alignment of the first and second sections of closer tape. Means are also provided for joining the first and second sections of closer tape together.
- a method of splicing closer tape includes the steps of clamping a first section of closer tape, clamping a second section of closer tape and moving the first clamping means relative to the second clamping means so as to permit alignment of the first and second sections of closer tape.
- the method further includes the step of joining the first and second sections of closer tape together.
- FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an apparatus for automated splicing of closer tape according to the present invention wherein a front cover plate is removed therefrom to reveal components therein;
- FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the rear of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a fragmentary isometric view of a clamp box subassembly together with a base plate of a heater block subassembly of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;
- FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the subassembly of FIG. 3;
- FIG. 5 is a fragmentary isometric view of the heater block subassembly of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;
- FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the subassembly of FIG. 5;
- FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken generally along the lines 7 - 7 of FIG. 6;
- FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the subassembly of FIG. 5 with a side plate removed to reveal components therein;
- FIG. 9 is an exploded isometric view of the components of FIG. 1 except that front and back cover plates are not shown;
- FIG. 10 is an isometric-fragmentary view of a rear clamping assembly utilized in the apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the rear clamping assembly of FIG. 10;
- FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a cutting assembly utilized in the apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIGS. 13 and 14 are side and front elevational views, respectively, of the cutting assembly of FIG. 12;
- FIG. 15 is an elevational view of a section of closer tape prepared for splicing with another section of closer tape by the apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a tool for preparing the section of closer tape of FIG. 15 for splicing
- FIG. 16A is a trimetric, enlarged, fragmentary view of the tool of FIG. 16;
- FIGS. 17 - 20 are fragmentary isometric views of portions of the apparatus of FIG. 1 during various stages of a splicing operation
- FIG. 21 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7 illustrating the apparatus of FIG. 1 during a joining stage of operation.
- FIG. 22 is a block diagram of a control circuit for controlling the apparatus of FIG. 1.
- an apparatus 30 is operable to splice zipper or closer tape when a spool of the closer tape runs out and is to be replaced by a fresh spool of closer tape.
- This splicing is preferably undertaken automatically and results in little or no downtime of an associated thermoplastic bag production line.
- the apparatus 30 includes first and second clamping assemblies 32 , 34 that are operable during splicing to hold ends of the closer tape sections from the empty spool and fresh spool and a cutter assembly 36 (FIGS. 1, 2, 9 and 12 - 14 ) that severs portions of the closer tape sections. As seen in FIGS.
- the apparatus 30 further includes a moving assembly 38 for moving the clamping assembly 32 holding the closer tape section from the fresh spool into alignment with the clamping assembly 34 holding the closer tape section from the empty spool.
- a joining assembly 40 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 - 8 ) is movable into engagement with the aligned sections of closer tape to join such sections together. Thereafter, the clamping assemblies 32 , 34 open to release the joined sections.
- FIG. 1 illustrates the apparatus 30 during production of thermoplastic bags and before a splicing operation is to occur.
- Closer tape 50 stored on a spool 52 is fed through open clamping assemblies 32 and 34 by a feeding mechanism (not shown) to a thermoplastic bag production line (also not shown).
- the diameter of the stored closer tape 50 decreases as the closer tape 50 is unwound from the spool 52 .
- the diameter of the closer tape stored on the spool 52 reduces to a point where a stored closer tape diameter sensor 54 (FIG. 22) develops a command signal indicating that a splicing operation is to be undertaken.
- FIG. 22 a stored closer tape diameter sensor 54
- the command signal may be developed on a line 56 (shown in dotted lines in FIG. 22) by manually actuating an optional switch 56 commanding initiation of a splicing operation.
- a fresh spool of closer tape is positioned adjacent the apparatus 30 just prior to generation of the command signal and a leading end of the closer tape stored on the fresh spool is prepared and inserted into the clamping assemblies 32 and 34 in a fashion noted in greater detail hereinafter. Thereafter, upon generation of the command signal, the apparatus 30 executes a sequence of steps resulting in splicing of the leading end of the closer tape stored on the fresh spool with a trailing end of the closer tape 50 stored on the spool 52 .
- the apparatus 30 includes a clamp box subassembly 60 (FIGS. 1 - 4 ) and a movable heater block subassembly 62 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 - 8 ) mounted by bearing assemblies 64 a , 64 b (FIGS. 3, 4 and 9 ) in the clamp box subassembly 60 .
- the movable heater block subassembly 62 is movable up and down as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 in the bearing assemblies 64 under the influence of a piston and cylinder device 66 (hereinafter each such device is referred to as a cylinder for simplicity).
- the joining assembly 40 is disposed within and carried by the movable heater block subassembly 62 and is movable therewith.
- a first clamping jaw portion 68 is mounted for sliding movement from side-to-side on a bearing assembly 72 carried by an upper surface 74 of a base plate 75 a of the clamp box subassembly 60 .
- the clamp box subassembly further includes a top plate 75 b and side plates 75 c and 75 d wherein the plates 75 a - 75 d are secured together by bolts or other suitable fasteners (not shown).
- One or more pins may be carried by the base plate 75 a and the top plate 75 b and may extend into corresponding bores in the side plates 75 c and 75 d to assist in aligning the various parts during assembly.
- a second clamping jaw portion 76 is mounted for sliding movement from side-to-side on a bearing assembly 77 secured to a lower surface 78 of a bottom plate 79 a of the movable heater block subassembly 62 .
- the heater block subassembly further includes a top plate 79 b and side plates 79 c and 79 d that are aligned together by alignment pins and secured together by bolts or other suitable fasteners (not shown)).
- the first and second clamping jaw portions 68 , 76 are substantially complementarily-shaped in the sense that the jaw portions 68 , 76 include an m-shaped upper surface 80 and an inverted w-shaped lower surface 82 , respectively.
- the surfaces 80 , 82 are opposed and the second clamping jaw portion 76 is movable up and down with the heater block subassembly 62 toward and away from the first clamping jaw portion 68 .
- First and second spaced alignment pins 84 a , 84 b are carried by the first clamping jaw portion 68 and slide in apertures 86 a , 86 b , respectively, (FIG. 9) in the second clamping jaw portion 76 during relative movement of the clamping jaw portions 68 , 76 so that the opposed surfaces 80 , 82 are maintained in precise alignment with one another.
- a third clamping jaw portion 90 is secured to the upper surface 74 of the base plate 75 a of the clamp box subassembly 60 and a fourth clamping jaw portion 92 is secured to the surface 79 of the movable heater block subassembly 62 .
- the third and fourth clamping jaw portions 90 , 92 are immovable from side-to-side and the fourth clamping jaw portion 92 is movable up and down with the movable heater block subassembly 62 toward and away from the third clamping jaw portion 90 , which is stationary in all respects.
- the third clamping jaw portion 90 includes an m-shaped upper surface 94 and the fourth clamping jaw portion 92 includes an inverted v-shaped surface 96 that opposes a first tapered portion 94 a of the m-shaped upper surface 94 .
- a fifth clamping jaw portion 98 (best seen in FIGS. 9 - 11 ) is mounted on a spring-loaded arm assembly 100 and is guided by posts 95 a and 95 b carried by the third clamping jaw portion 90 that extend into bores 97 a and 97 b in the portion 98 .
- Bushings 99 a - 99 d are disposed in the bores 97 a , 97 b surrounding the posts 95 a , 95 b .
- the jaw portion 98 includes an inverted v-shaped surface 102 opposing a second tapered portion 94 b of the m-shaped upper surface 94 .
- the fifth clamping jaw portion 98 is urged by a spring 104 of the arm assembly 100 toward the position shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 such that the inverted v-shaped surface 102 is normally in engagement with the second tapered portion 94 b of the m-shaped upper surface 94 .
- An operator of the apparatus 30 may push up on a knob 106 mounted on a rod 108 that extends upwardly through a bushing 107 (FIG. 9) of the arm assembly 100 to displace the fifth clamping jaw portion 98 upwardly such that the inverted v-shaped surface 102 is spaced from the second tapered portion 94 b.
- a zipper stop plate 109 (FIGS. 9 - 11 ) is secured by any suitable fasteners to a face of the third clamping jaw portion 90 .
- the moving assembly 38 includes a piston and cylinder device 120 (hereinafter this device as well as other piston and cylinder devices are simply referred to as “cylinders”) (FIGS. 1 - 4 and 9 ) having a connecting rod 122 (FIGS. 4 and 9) that is threaded to the first clamping jaw portion 68 .
- a lock nut (not shown) prevents unthreading of the connecting rod 122 from the first clamping jaw portion 68 .
- the cylinder 120 may include an anti-rotation feature that prevents rotation of the connecting rod 122 during operation of the cylinder 120 , in which case the lock nut would not be required.
- the cylinder 120 when actuated, moves the first and second clamping jaw portions 68 , 76 from the position shown in FIGS. 1 - 4 , 17 and 19 to the position shown in FIG. 20 wherein the tapered portions 80 b and 82 b are aligned with the tapered portion 94 a of the third clamping jaw portion 90 and the inverted v-shaped surface 96 of the fourth clamping jaw portion 92 , respectively.
- the cutter assembly 36 includes a movable bracket 130 having first and second blade mounting portions 132 , 134 .
- the blade mounting portions 132 , 134 are offset relative to another such that cutting edges 136 , 138 of single-edge razor blades 140 , 142 , respectively, are parallel to one another and such that the cutting edges 136 , 138 are spaced apart by a predetermined distance (seen in FIG. 13).
- the predetermined distance is equal to 0.125-0.25 inch, although a different spacing could alternatively be used.
- each of the blade mounting portions 132 , 134 includes a clamping member 144 , 146 , respectively, that bears against a base member of the respective razor blade 140 , 142 .
- a cylinder 148 is carried by a mounting bracket 150 secured to the clamp box subassembly 60 and the cylinder 148 includes a threaded connecting rod 152 that extends though a bushing 154 and which is threaded into a threaded bore in the movable bracket 130 so that the connecting rod 152 and the bracket 130 move together as a unit.
- a lock nut (not shown) may be threaded onto the connecting rod 152 to prevent unthreading of the connecting rod 152 from the movable bracket 130 .
- the cylinder 148 may include an anti-rotation feature that prevents rotation of the connecting rod 152 during operation of the cylinder 148 , in which case the lock nut would not be required.
- the cylinder 148 is actuable to move the bracket 130 and blades 140 , 142 upwardly to a cutting position and downwardly to a retracted position.
- the joining assembly 40 includes a fusing member or bar 160 having a first end 162 .
- the joining assembly 40 further includes a cylinder 164 having a collar 166 threaded into a threaded bore 168 (FIGS. 7 and 9) formed in the upper plate 79 b of the movable heater block subassembly 62 .
- the cylinder 164 includes a cylinder connecting rod 172 having an end 174 threaded into a first threaded bore 176 of a bracket 178 .
- a set screw (not shown) may be threaded onto the end of the connecting rod 172 or the cylinder 164 may have an anti-rotation feature to prevent unthreading of the connecting rod 172 from the bracket 178 .
- a stop member 184 extends through a bore 185 in the upper plate 79 b and includes a lower end 186 threaded into a second threaded bore 188 of the bracket 178 (see FIGS. 7 and 9).
- a threaded stop collar 190 is threaded onto a threaded outer surface 192 of the stop member 184 .
- the outer diameter of the stop member 184 is smaller than the diameter of the bore 185 so that the stop member 184 is freely movable within the bore 185 .
- the position of the stop collar 190 on the stop member 184 is adjusted to define a downward end-of-travel limit for the bar 162 .
- An upward end-of-travel limit for the bar 162 is established by contact of an upper surface 193 of the stop member 184 with a surface 194 of the clamp box subassembly 60 (FIGS. 1 - 4 and 9 ).
- a second end 195 of the fusing bar 160 is secured by suitable fasteners together with first and second thermal insulating members 196 a , 196 b and a cover plate 197 to the bracket 178 (FIGS. 7 - 9 ).
- the first end 162 of the fusing bar 160 is bifurcated whereby first and second wings 200 a , 200 b are separated by an opening 202 .
- the opening 202 includes a tapered portion 204 and a notched portion 206 (FIGS. 7 and 9).
- the second end 162 is disposed in a heater assembly 208 carried on a top surface 209 of the bottom plate 79 a of the movable heater block subassembly 62 .
- the heater assembly includes a cover member 210 disposed over first and second heater blocks 212 a , 212 b , a thermally insulative heater stand-off member 214 and a heater spacer plate 216 .
- the first and second heater blocks 212 a , 212 b include mating mirror-image recesses therein (one of which, 218 , is visible in FIG. 7) and resistive or other heater elements therein that are energized during a splicing operation to develop heat that is transferred to the fusing bar 160 .
- the elements 210 , 212 , 214 and 216 are secured to the base plate 75 a by bolts or other fasteners. Also preferably, the cover member 210 and the heater spacer plate 216 are fabricated of ceramic or other heat resistant material.
- the notch 220 and the hole 221 are formed by a tool 223 shown in FIGS. 16 and 16A.
- the notch 220 is substantially rectangular, approximately 0.125-0.25 inch wide (although a different width might alternatively be formed) and extends from an upper edge 224 to a point just at or beyond a rail 226 of the closer tape section 222 .
- the hole 221 is located a distance of approximately 2.3125 inches from a leading edge 228 of the notch 220 .
- the closer tape includes closer elements 225 that are closed (or occluded) so that the portions of the closer tape are held together.
- Free ends 227 a , 227 b of the leading section 222 opposite the closer elements 225 are spread apart and the leading section 222 is thereafter inserted into the closer tape path 112 , and specifically into the space between the fifth clamping jaw portion 98 and the second tapered portion 94 b , until the free ends 227 a , 227 b rest on the surfaces of the tapered portion 80 b and the surfaces of the tapered portion 94 b and such that the hole 221 is aligned (from front-to-back) with a front surface of a 0.25 inch cover plate (not shown) secured to the front of the apparatus 30 .
- the notch 220 When the closer tape is so positioned, the notch 220 is disposed over the zipper stop plate 109 such that the leading edge 228 of the notch 220 contacts a surface 229 of the zipper stop plate 109 , as seen in FIG. 18. The operator then releases the knob 106 , thereby capturing the leading section 222 of the closer tape between the fifth clamping jaw portion 98 and the second tapered portion 94 b . The closer elements 225 are captured within a slot 230 in the fifth clamping jaw portion 98 (FIG. 9). The apparatus 30 is then in the state illustrated in FIG. 17.
- the sequence of operation may pause until the command signal is generated.
- the closer tape feeding mechanism is automatically or manually deactuated so that further feeding of closer tape 50 from the spool 52 is prevented.
- a controller 232 (FIG. 22) develops a signal to actuate the cylinder 66 , thereby causing the movable heater block subassembly 62 to move downwardly until the second clamping jaw portion 76 and the fourth clamping jaw portion 92 are moved into clamping contact with the leading section 222 and the trailing end of the closer tape 50 from the spool 52 .
- the closer elements 225 of both portions of closer tape are positioned in slots 234 , 236 and 238 in the second clamping jaw portion 76 and the second clamping jaw portion 92 , respectively (FIGS. 9 and 19).
- the controller 232 then actuates the cylinder 148 (FIGS. 1 and 9), thereby driving the bracket 130 upwardly to the cutting position whereby the leading section 222 and the trailing end of the closer tape 50 on the spool 52 are severed.
- the portion of the leading section 222 held by the first clamping jaw portion 68 and the second clamping jaw portion 76 extends rearwardly in the apparatus 30 beyond the portion of the trailing end of the closer tape 50 held by the third clamping jaw portion 90 and the fourth clamping jaw portion 92 by an amount equal to the spacing between the cutting edges 136 , 138 .
- the controller 232 deactuates the cylinder 148 to retract the bracket 130 and actuates the cylinder 120 to cause the clamping jaw portions 68 , 76 to move to the position shown in FIG. 20.
- This movement causes the portion of the leading section 222 held by the first clamping jaw portion 68 and the second clamping jaw portion 76 to contact and slide over the portion of the trailing end of the closer tape 50 held by the third clamping jaw portion 90 and the fourth clamping jaw portion 92 so that the former is disposed atop and overlaps the latter.
- the material of the leading section 222 and/or the material of the trailing end of the closer tape 50 deform as necessary to accommodate such movement.
- the controller 232 actuates the cylinder 164 to move the bar 160 until the end 162 moves out of contact with the heater blocks 212 a , 212 b and into contact with the overlapping portions of closer tape.
- the wings 200 a , 200 b of the bar 160 heat the overlapping portions 222 and 50 of closer tape and fuse such portions together.
- the wings 200 a , 200 b of the bar 160 are not actively heated during fusing of the overlapping portions of closer tape; rather, the heat stored by these portions 200 of the bar 160 is transferred to the sections of closer tape and the bar 160 cools to a temperature below the melting point of the thermoplastic material of the closer tape. Sticking of the bar 160 to the portions of closer tape is thereby avoided.
- the closer elements 225 of both portions of closer tape 222 and 50 are positioned in the notched portion 206 of the opening 202 so that the closer elements 225 are not fused together.
- the controller 232 thereafter deactuates the cylinder 164 to raise the bar 160 .
- the controller 232 deactuates the cylinder 66 so that the movable heater block subassembly 62 is raised.
- This causes the second clamping jaw portion 76 and the fourth clamping jaw portion 92 to be spaced from the first clamping jaw portion 68 and the third clamping jaw portion 90 , thereby releasing the joined sections of closer tape, as well as the severed trailing end of the closer tape 50 from the spool 52 .
- the severed end of the closer tape 50 may then be removed from the apparatus 30 .
- the controller 232 deactuates the cylinder 120 , thereby moving the first and second clamping jaw portions 68 , 76 back to the positions shown in FIG. 17.
- the spliced sections of closer tape slide over the m-shaped upper surface 80 and are positioned in the closer tape path 110 .
- the operator may then (or at any other point in the splicing process subsequent to the severing step) push up on the knob 106 and remove the severed leading end of the closer tape held by the fifth clamping jaw portion 98 .
- the operator may thereafter release the knob 106 and production of thermoplastic bags may resume.
- the present invention is not limited to the concept of splicing portions of closer tape on a strictly automated basis as noted above. Rather, any or all of the steps described herein may be undertaken as a result of manual steps taken by an operator. Also, one or more of the cylinders 120 , 148 and 164 may be replaced by another moving assembly, such as a linear servo or other motor, if desired.
Abstract
An apparatus and method for splicing closer tape utilizes a first clamping assembly adapted to hold a first section of closer tape and a second clam ping assembly adapted to hold a second section of closer tape. A moving assembly is adapted to move the first and second clamping assemblies relative to one another so as to permit alignment of the first and second sections of closer tape. A joining assembly is adapted to join the first and second sections of closer tape together.
Description
- The present invention relates generally to thermoplastic bag production machinery, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for splicing thermoplastic bag closer tape in an automated fashion.
- The process of producing storage bags includes the steps of folding a web of thermoplastic to obtain an elongate folded web of material and laminating a thermoplastic closer or zipper tape to free ends of the elongate folded web of material. Sliding closure members are then placed on the closer tape at spaced locations thereon and end stops are formed in the closer tape between the sliding closure members. The elongate folded web is then severed at the end stops using an automated hot knife to create individual bags.
- The thermoplastic closer tape is stored on a rotatable spool and is unwound therefrom during production and fed to a production line. In a known production process the production line must be shut down when the spool has been emptied so that a full spool of closer tape can be substituted for the empty spool. This, in turn, results in significant downtime, and increases the cost of producing bags.
- WO 99/12725 discloses a splicing unit and method of splicing of a reclosable zipper strip. The trailing end of one strip and the leading end of a next strip are brought together in abutting relationship within the splicing unit and sealing material is overlaid on the trailing and leading ends. Heat and pressure are applied to the sealing material and the trailing and leading ends to seal the trailing and leading ends together. Flanges of the zipper strips are held apart by separator plates during the sealing operation.
- In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for splicing closer tape includes a first clamping assembly adapted to hold a first section of closer tape and a second clamping assembly adapted to hold a second section of closer tape. A moving assembly is adapted to move the first and second clamping assemblies relative to one another so as to permit alignment of the first and second sections of closer tape. A joining assembly is adapted to join the first and second sections of closer tape together.
- According to a further aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for splicing closer tape includes first means for clamping a first section of closer tape and second means for clamping a second section of closer tape. Means are provided for moving the first clamping means relative to the second clamping means so as to permit alignment of the first and second sections of closer tape. Means are also provided for joining the first and second sections of closer tape together.
- According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of splicing closer tape includes the steps of clamping a first section of closer tape, clamping a second section of closer tape and moving the first clamping means relative to the second clamping means so as to permit alignment of the first and second sections of closer tape. The method further includes the step of joining the first and second sections of closer tape together.
- Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description.
- FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an apparatus for automated splicing of closer tape according to the present invention wherein a front cover plate is removed therefrom to reveal components therein;
- FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the rear of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a fragmentary isometric view of a clamp box subassembly together with a base plate of a heater block subassembly of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;
- FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the subassembly of FIG. 3;
- FIG. 5 is a fragmentary isometric view of the heater block subassembly of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;
- FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the subassembly of FIG. 5;
- FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken generally along the lines7-7 of FIG. 6;
- FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the subassembly of FIG. 5 with a side plate removed to reveal components therein;
- FIG. 9 is an exploded isometric view of the components of FIG. 1 except that front and back cover plates are not shown;
- FIG. 10 is an isometric-fragmentary view of a rear clamping assembly utilized in the apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the rear clamping assembly of FIG. 10;
- FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a cutting assembly utilized in the apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIGS. 13 and 14 are side and front elevational views, respectively, of the cutting assembly of FIG. 12;
- FIG. 15 is an elevational view of a section of closer tape prepared for splicing with another section of closer tape by the apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a tool for preparing the section of closer tape of FIG. 15 for splicing;
- FIG. 16A is a trimetric, enlarged, fragmentary view of the tool of FIG. 16;
- FIGS.17-20 are fragmentary isometric views of portions of the apparatus of FIG. 1 during various stages of a splicing operation;
- FIG. 21 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7 illustrating the apparatus of FIG. 1 during a joining stage of operation; and
- FIG. 22 is a block diagram of a control circuit for controlling the apparatus of FIG. 1.
- Referring first to FIGS.1-4 and 9, an
apparatus 30 according to the present invention is operable to splice zipper or closer tape when a spool of the closer tape runs out and is to be replaced by a fresh spool of closer tape. This splicing is preferably undertaken automatically and results in little or no downtime of an associated thermoplastic bag production line. Theapparatus 30 includes first andsecond clamping assemblies apparatus 30 further includes a movingassembly 38 for moving theclamping assembly 32 holding the closer tape section from the fresh spool into alignment with theclamping assembly 34 holding the closer tape section from the empty spool. A joining assembly 40 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 5-8) is movable into engagement with the aligned sections of closer tape to join such sections together. Thereafter, the clamping assemblies 32, 34 open to release the joined sections. - Specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates the
apparatus 30 during production of thermoplastic bags and before a splicing operation is to occur.Closer tape 50 stored on aspool 52 is fed throughopen clamping assemblies closer tape 50 decreases as thecloser tape 50 is unwound from thespool 52. Eventually, the diameter of the closer tape stored on thespool 52 reduces to a point where a stored closer tape diameter sensor 54 (FIG. 22) develops a command signal indicating that a splicing operation is to be undertaken. Alternatively, as seen in FIG. 22, the command signal may be developed on a line 56 (shown in dotted lines in FIG. 22) by manually actuating anoptional switch 56 commanding initiation of a splicing operation. Preferably, a fresh spool of closer tape is positioned adjacent theapparatus 30 just prior to generation of the command signal and a leading end of the closer tape stored on the fresh spool is prepared and inserted into theclamping assemblies apparatus 30 executes a sequence of steps resulting in splicing of the leading end of the closer tape stored on the fresh spool with a trailing end of thecloser tape 50 stored on thespool 52. - The
apparatus 30 includes a clamp box subassembly 60 (FIGS. 1-4) and a movable heater block subassembly 62 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 5-8) mounted bybearing assemblies heater block subassembly 62 is movable up and down as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 in the bearing assemblies 64 under the influence of a piston and cylinder device 66 (hereinafter each such device is referred to as a cylinder for simplicity). The joiningassembly 40 is disposed within and carried by the movableheater block subassembly 62 and is movable therewith. As seen in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 9, a firstclamping jaw portion 68 is mounted for sliding movement from side-to-side on abearing assembly 72 carried by anupper surface 74 of abase plate 75 a of the clamp box subassembly 60. The clamp box subassembly further includes atop plate 75 b andside plates plates 75 a-75 d are secured together by bolts or other suitable fasteners (not shown). One or more pins may be carried by thebase plate 75 a and thetop plate 75 b and may extend into corresponding bores in theside plates - A second
clamping jaw portion 76 is mounted for sliding movement from side-to-side on abearing assembly 77 secured to alower surface 78 of abottom plate 79 a of the movableheater block subassembly 62. (As seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5-8, the heater block subassembly further includes atop plate 79 b andside plates clamping jaw portions jaw portions upper surface 80 and an inverted w-shapedlower surface 82, respectively. Thesurfaces clamping jaw portion 76 is movable up and down with theheater block subassembly 62 toward and away from the firstclamping jaw portion 68. First and second spaced alignment pins 84 a, 84 b are carried by the firstclamping jaw portion 68 and slide inapertures clamping jaw portion 76 during relative movement of the clampingjaw portions - As seen in FIGS. 2 and 9-11, a third
clamping jaw portion 90 is secured to theupper surface 74 of thebase plate 75 a of theclamp box subassembly 60 and a fourthclamping jaw portion 92 is secured to thesurface 79 of the movableheater block subassembly 62. The third and fourthclamping jaw portions clamping jaw portion 92 is movable up and down with the movableheater block subassembly 62 toward and away from the thirdclamping jaw portion 90, which is stationary in all respects. The thirdclamping jaw portion 90 includes an m-shapedupper surface 94 and the fourthclamping jaw portion 92 includes an inverted v-shapedsurface 96 that opposes a first taperedportion 94 a of the m-shapedupper surface 94. A fifth clamping jaw portion 98 (best seen in FIGS. 9-11) is mounted on a spring-loadedarm assembly 100 and is guided byposts clamping jaw portion 90 that extend intobores 97 a and 97 b in theportion 98. Bushings 99 a-99 d are disposed in thebores 97 a, 97 b surrounding theposts jaw portion 98 includes an inverted v-shapedsurface 102 opposing a second taperedportion 94 b of the m-shapedupper surface 94. The fifthclamping jaw portion 98 is urged by aspring 104 of thearm assembly 100 toward the position shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 such that the inverted v-shapedsurface 102 is normally in engagement with the second taperedportion 94 b of the m-shapedupper surface 94. An operator of theapparatus 30 may push up on aknob 106 mounted on arod 108 that extends upwardly through a bushing 107 (FIG. 9) of thearm assembly 100 to displace the fifthclamping jaw portion 98 upwardly such that the inverted v-shapedsurface 102 is spaced from the second taperedportion 94 b. - A zipper stop plate109 (FIGS. 9-11) is secured by any suitable fasteners to a face of the third
clamping jaw portion 90. - When the various parts are in the positions shown in FIGS.1-4 the first and second
tapered portions upper surface 94 are aligned from front to back of theapparatus 30 with correspondingtapered portions upper surface 80. Similarly, the inverted v-shapedsurface 96 and the inverted v-shapedsurface 102 are aligned in the same relationship with taperedportions lower surface 82. Twocloser tape paths 110, 112 (FIGS. 1 and 17) extending from front to back through theapparatus 30 are thereby established through the first through fifthclamping jaw portions - The moving
assembly 38 includes a piston and cylinder device 120 (hereinafter this device as well as other piston and cylinder devices are simply referred to as “cylinders”) (FIGS. 1-4 and 9) having a connecting rod 122 (FIGS. 4 and 9) that is threaded to the firstclamping jaw portion 68. A lock nut (not shown) prevents unthreading of the connectingrod 122 from the firstclamping jaw portion 68. If desired, thecylinder 120 may include an anti-rotation feature that prevents rotation of the connectingrod 122 during operation of thecylinder 120, in which case the lock nut would not be required. Thecylinder 120, when actuated, moves the first and secondclamping jaw portions portions portion 94 a of the thirdclamping jaw portion 90 and the inverted v-shapedsurface 96 of the fourthclamping jaw portion 92, respectively. - Referring next to FIGS. 9 and 12-14, the
cutter assembly 36 includes amovable bracket 130 having first and secondblade mounting portions blade mounting portions edges edge razor blades blade mounting portions member respective razor blade cylinder 148 is carried by a mountingbracket 150 secured to theclamp box subassembly 60 and thecylinder 148 includes a threaded connectingrod 152 that extends though abushing 154 and which is threaded into a threaded bore in themovable bracket 130 so that the connectingrod 152 and thebracket 130 move together as a unit. A lock nut (not shown) may be threaded onto the connectingrod 152 to prevent unthreading of the connectingrod 152 from themovable bracket 130. If desired, thecylinder 148 may include an anti-rotation feature that prevents rotation of the connectingrod 152 during operation of thecylinder 148, in which case the lock nut would not be required. Thecylinder 148 is actuable to move thebracket 130 andblades - Referring next to FIGS. 1 and 5-9, the joining
assembly 40 includes a fusing member or bar 160 having afirst end 162. The joiningassembly 40 further includes acylinder 164 having acollar 166 threaded into a threaded bore 168 (FIGS. 7 and 9) formed in theupper plate 79 b of the movableheater block subassembly 62. Thecylinder 164 includes acylinder connecting rod 172 having anend 174 threaded into a first threaded bore 176 of abracket 178. As was the case with the connectingrods rod 172 or thecylinder 164 may have an anti-rotation feature to prevent unthreading of the connectingrod 172 from thebracket 178. Astop member 184 extends through abore 185 in theupper plate 79 b and includes alower end 186 threaded into a second threaded bore 188 of the bracket 178 (see FIGS. 7 and 9). A threadedstop collar 190 is threaded onto a threadedouter surface 192 of thestop member 184. The outer diameter of thestop member 184 is smaller than the diameter of thebore 185 so that thestop member 184 is freely movable within thebore 185. In addition, the position of thestop collar 190 on thestop member 184 is adjusted to define a downward end-of-travel limit for thebar 162. An upward end-of-travel limit for thebar 162 is established by contact of anupper surface 193 of thestop member 184 with asurface 194 of the clamp box subassembly 60 (FIGS. 1-4 and 9). - A
second end 195 of the fusingbar 160 is secured by suitable fasteners together with first and second thermal insulatingmembers cover plate 197 to the bracket 178 (FIGS. 7-9). Thefirst end 162 of the fusingbar 160 is bifurcated whereby first andsecond wings opening 202. Theopening 202 includes a taperedportion 204 and a notched portion 206 (FIGS. 7 and 9). When the fusingbar 160 is in the position shown in FIG. 7, thesecond end 162 is disposed in aheater assembly 208 carried on atop surface 209 of thebottom plate 79 a of the movableheater block subassembly 62. The heater assembly includes acover member 210 disposed over first and second heater blocks 212 a, 212 b, a thermally insulative heater stand-off member 214 and aheater spacer plate 216. The first and second heater blocks 212 a, 212 b include mating mirror-image recesses therein (one of which, 218, is visible in FIG. 7) and resistive or other heater elements therein that are energized during a splicing operation to develop heat that is transferred to the fusingbar 160. In the preferred embodiment, theelements base plate 75 a by bolts or other fasteners. Also preferably, thecover member 210 and theheater spacer plate 216 are fabricated of ceramic or other heat resistant material. - Referring next to FIGS.16-21, the operation of the
apparatus 30 will now be described under the assumption that the command signal has not yet been generated and the movableheater block subassembly 62 is disposed in the uppermost position so that the firstclamping jaw portion 68 and the thirdclamping jaw portion 90 are spaced from the secondclamping jaw portion 76 and the fourthclamping jaw portion 92. It is also assumed that closer tape is being fed off of a spool of closer tape through thecloser tape path 110 of theapparatus 30 to a production line (not shown). An operator prepares for a splicing operation by cutting or otherwise forming anotch 220 and ahole 221 in a leadingsection 222 of closer tape stored on the fresh spool, as seen in FIG. 15. Preferably, thenotch 220 and thehole 221 are formed by atool 223 shown in FIGS. 16 and 16A. Thenotch 220 is substantially rectangular, approximately 0.125-0.25 inch wide (although a different width might alternatively be formed) and extends from anupper edge 224 to a point just at or beyond arail 226 of thecloser tape section 222. Also preferably, thehole 221 is located a distance of approximately 2.3125 inches from aleading edge 228 of thenotch 220. The operator then pushes up on theknob 106 to space the fifthclamping jaw portion 98 from the second taperedportion 94 b of the thirdclamping jaw portion 90. The closer tape includescloser elements 225 that are closed (or occluded) so that the portions of the closer tape are held together. Free ends 227 a, 227 b of the leadingsection 222 opposite thecloser elements 225 are spread apart and the leadingsection 222 is thereafter inserted into thecloser tape path 112, and specifically into the space between the fifthclamping jaw portion 98 and the second taperedportion 94 b, until the free ends 227 a, 227 b rest on the surfaces of the taperedportion 80 b and the surfaces of the taperedportion 94 b and such that thehole 221 is aligned (from front-to-back) with a front surface of a 0.25 inch cover plate (not shown) secured to the front of theapparatus 30. When the closer tape is so positioned, thenotch 220 is disposed over thezipper stop plate 109 such that theleading edge 228 of thenotch 220 contacts asurface 229 of thezipper stop plate 109, as seen in FIG. 18. The operator then releases theknob 106, thereby capturing the leadingsection 222 of the closer tape between the fifthclamping jaw portion 98 and the second taperedportion 94 b. Thecloser elements 225 are captured within aslot 230 in the fifth clamping jaw portion 98 (FIG. 9). Theapparatus 30 is then in the state illustrated in FIG. 17. - Once the leading
section 222 is clamped, the sequence of operation may pause until the command signal is generated. At this point, the closer tape feeding mechanism is automatically or manually deactuated so that further feeding ofcloser tape 50 from thespool 52 is prevented. Thereafter, a controller 232 (FIG. 22) develops a signal to actuate thecylinder 66, thereby causing the movableheater block subassembly 62 to move downwardly until the secondclamping jaw portion 76 and the fourthclamping jaw portion 92 are moved into clamping contact with the leadingsection 222 and the trailing end of thecloser tape 50 from thespool 52. At this time, thecloser elements 225 of both portions of closer tape are positioned inslots clamping jaw portion 76 and the secondclamping jaw portion 92, respectively (FIGS. 9 and 19). Thecontroller 232 then actuates the cylinder 148 (FIGS. 1 and 9), thereby driving thebracket 130 upwardly to the cutting position whereby the leadingsection 222 and the trailing end of thecloser tape 50 on thespool 52 are severed. As should be evident from the above description, the portion of the leadingsection 222 held by the firstclamping jaw portion 68 and the secondclamping jaw portion 76 extends rearwardly in theapparatus 30 beyond the portion of the trailing end of thecloser tape 50 held by the thirdclamping jaw portion 90 and the fourthclamping jaw portion 92 by an amount equal to the spacing between the cuttingedges - Once the severing step is complete, the controller232 (FIG. 22) deactuates the
cylinder 148 to retract thebracket 130 and actuates thecylinder 120 to cause the clampingjaw portions section 222 held by the firstclamping jaw portion 68 and the secondclamping jaw portion 76 to contact and slide over the portion of the trailing end of thecloser tape 50 held by the thirdclamping jaw portion 90 and the fourthclamping jaw portion 92 so that the former is disposed atop and overlaps the latter. During this movement, the material of the leadingsection 222 and/or the material of the trailing end of thecloser tape 50 deform as necessary to accommodate such movement. - Once the portions of closer tape are aligned as noted above, the
controller 232 actuates thecylinder 164 to move thebar 160 until theend 162 moves out of contact with the heater blocks 212 a, 212 b and into contact with the overlapping portions of closer tape. Thewings bar 160 heat the overlappingportions wings bar 160 are not actively heated during fusing of the overlapping portions of closer tape; rather, the heat stored by these portions 200 of thebar 160 is transferred to the sections of closer tape and thebar 160 cools to a temperature below the melting point of the thermoplastic material of the closer tape. Sticking of thebar 160 to the portions of closer tape is thereby avoided. - In addition to the foregoing, the
closer elements 225 of both portions ofcloser tape portion 206 of theopening 202 so that thecloser elements 225 are not fused together. - The
controller 232 thereafter deactuates thecylinder 164 to raise thebar 160. In addition, thecontroller 232 deactuates thecylinder 66 so that the movableheater block subassembly 62 is raised. This, in turn, causes the secondclamping jaw portion 76 and the fourthclamping jaw portion 92 to be spaced from the firstclamping jaw portion 68 and the thirdclamping jaw portion 90, thereby releasing the joined sections of closer tape, as well as the severed trailing end of thecloser tape 50 from thespool 52. The severed end of thecloser tape 50 may then be removed from theapparatus 30. Thereafter, thecontroller 232 deactuates thecylinder 120, thereby moving the first and secondclamping jaw portions upper surface 80 and are positioned in thecloser tape path 110. The operator may then (or at any other point in the splicing process subsequent to the severing step) push up on theknob 106 and remove the severed leading end of the closer tape held by the fifthclamping jaw portion 98. The operator may thereafter release theknob 106 and production of thermoplastic bags may resume. - The present invention is not limited to the concept of splicing portions of closer tape on a strictly automated basis as noted above. Rather, any or all of the steps described herein may be undertaken as a result of manual steps taken by an operator. Also, one or more of the
cylinders - Numerous modifications to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the invention and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications that come within the scope of the appended claims are reserved.
Claims (30)
1. Apparatus for splicing closer tape, comprising:
a first clamping assembly adapted to hold a first section of closer tape;
a second clamping assembly adapted to hold a second section of closer tape;
a moving assembly adapted to move the first and second clamping assemblies relative to one another so as to permit alignment of the first and second sections of closer tape; and
a joining assembly adapted to join the first and second sections of closer tape together.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the joining assembly comprises a heated element.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the joining assembly includes a heater block and wherein the heated element comprises a bar having a bifurcated end portion movable into thermal contact with the heater block.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the bifurcated end portion is moved out of thermal contact with the heater block and into contact with one of the first and second sections of closer tape during a fusing operation.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the heater block is movable under the influence of a piston and cylinder device relative to the first and second sections of closer tape.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including a cutter assembly for severing portions of the closer tape prior to joinder thereof.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the cutter assembly is operated by a piston and cylinder device.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the moving assembly comprises a piston and cylinder device.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including a controller adapted to automatically operate the first and second clamping assemblies, the moving assembly and the joining assembly during production of thermoplastic storage bags.
10. Apparatus for splicing closer tape, comprising:
first means for clamping a first section of closer tape;
second means for clamping a second section of closer tape;
means for moving the first clamping means relative to the second clamping means so as to permit alignment of the first and second sections of closer tape; and
means for joining the first and second sections of closer tape together.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the joining means comprises a heated element.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the joining means includes a heater block and wherein the heated element comprises a bar having a bifurcated end portion movable into thermal contact with the heater block.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the bifurcated end portion is moved out of thermal contact with the heater block and into contact with one of the first and second sections of closer tape during a fusing operation.
14. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the heater block is movable under the influence of a piston and cylinder device relative to the first and second sections of closer tape.
15. The apparatus of claim 10 , further including means for severing portions of the closer tape prior to joinder thereof.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the severing means is operated by a piston and cylinder device.
17. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the moving means comprises a piston and cylinder device.
18. The apparatus of claim 10 , further including means for automatically operating the first and second clamping means, the moving means and the joining means during production of thermoplastic storage bags.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the operating means comprises a controller.
20. A method of splicing closer tape, the method comprising the steps of:
clamping a first section of closer tape;
clamping a second section of closer tape;
moving the first clamping means relative to the second clamping means so as to permit alignment of the first and second sections of closer tape; and
joining the first and second sections of closer tape together.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the step of joining comprises the step of placing a heated element in contact with at least one of the first and second sections of closer tape.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the step of joining means includes the steps of providing a heater block and moving the heated element into thermal contact with the heater block.
23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the heated element comprises a bar having a bifurcated end portion that is moved out of thermal contact with the heater block and into contact with one of the first and second sections of closer tape during a fusing operation.
24. The method of claim 23 , including the further step of moving the heated element under the influence of a piston and cylinder device relative to the first and second sections of closer tape.
25. The method of claim 24 , including the further step of severing portions of the closer tape prior to joinder thereof.
26. The method of claim 25 , wherein the severing step is implemented by a piston and cylinder device.
27. The method of claim 20 , wherein the clamping steps are implemented by a piston and cylinder device.
28. The method of claim 20 , wherein the moving step is implemented by a piston and cylinder device.
29. The method of claim 20 , further including the step of automatically operating the first and second clamping means, the moving means and the joining means during production of thermoplastic storage bags.
30. The method of claim 29 , wherein the step of automatically operating comprises the step of operating a controller.
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/172,272 US20030230377A1 (en) | 2002-06-14 | 2002-06-14 | Apparatus and method for automated splicing of closer tape |
CA2489538A CA2489538C (en) | 2002-06-14 | 2003-06-13 | Field convertible tap-off unit |
MXPA04012668A MXPA04012668A (en) | 2002-06-14 | 2003-06-13 | Field convertible tap-off unit. |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/172,272 US20030230377A1 (en) | 2002-06-14 | 2002-06-14 | Apparatus and method for automated splicing of closer tape |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20030230377A1 true US20030230377A1 (en) | 2003-12-18 |
Family
ID=29733011
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/172,272 Abandoned US20030230377A1 (en) | 2002-06-14 | 2002-06-14 | Apparatus and method for automated splicing of closer tape |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20030230377A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2489538C (en) |
MX (1) | MXPA04012668A (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN108715035A (en) * | 2018-04-27 | 2018-10-30 | 无锡中卓智能科技股份有限公司 | A kind of more riveter rivet hot control methods |
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Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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CN108715035A (en) * | 2018-04-27 | 2018-10-30 | 无锡中卓智能科技股份有限公司 | A kind of more riveter rivet hot control methods |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
MXPA04012668A (en) | 2005-03-23 |
CA2489538C (en) | 2011-03-22 |
CA2489538A1 (en) | 2003-12-24 |
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