US2003230377A1PendingUtilityA1

Apparatus and method for automated splicing of closer tape

39
Priority: Jun 14, 2002Filed: Jun 14, 2002Published: Dec 18, 2003
Est. expiryJun 14, 2022(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Robert R. TurveyTheis F. ClarkeJeramy M. Dubay
B29L 2005/00B29C 66/853B29C 65/7802B65H 2701/37B29C 66/301B29C 66/92613B29C 2793/0081B29C 66/81417B65H 69/08B29C 66/96B29C 66/1142B29C 66/8322B29C 66/8242B29C 66/81431B29C 66/81427B29C 65/242B29C 65/18B29C 66/5241
39
PatentIndex Score
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Cited by
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References
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Claims

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.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
We claim:  
     
         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.

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