Inventors:
William A. Bodolay - Lakeland FL
Richard W. Smith - Lakeland FL
Gregory A. Ward - Lakeland FL
Assignee:
Package Machinery Company, Bodolay/Pratt Division - Lakeland FL
International Classification:
B65B 908, B65B 4302, B65B 6118, B31B 164
Abstract:
A form, fill, seal and separate packaging machine for reclosable containers is accomplished by a plurality of stations disposed along a path of travel of a thermoplastic web including a pair of mated, resealable closure strips present on the base web. The machine is intermittent in its operation, with movement of the web through the machine controlled so that the various steps of forming, filling, sealing and separating the reclosable containers are performed during periodic stops of the machine. The machine is further characterized by its use of two pairs of web belts to move the web through the machine. A first pair of web belts initially receive the folded web stock and partially form and completely fill the containers. The second pair of web belts overlap with the downstream end of the first pair of belts, but are disposed lower than the first belts. When the filled partially formed containers pass from the first pair of belts to the second pair of belts, the unsealed free ends are exposed for final sealing and severing.