Packaging machine for bedding products

Abstract

A packaging machine for packaging a product. The machine has a frame for supporting the product and a source of packaging material for supplying packaging material into a position to be engaged by and at least partially surround the product. At least one upper sealing assembly is adapted to move between an actuated position and a non-actuated position. The upper sealing assembly comprises at least one sealing element for forming a seal along adjacent edges of the packaging material. At least one lower sealing assembly is adapted for cooperating engagement with the upper sealing assembly in its actuated position. The at least one upper and lower sealing assemblies are positioned for clamping engagement of the packaging material therebetween for forming the seal when the upper sealing assembly is moved to its actuated position in engagement with the lower sealing assembly.

1 . A packaging machine for packaging a product, the machine comprising:
 a frame having an input end and an output end;   a source of packaging material positioned on the frame for supplying packaging material into a position to be engaged by and at least partially surround the product as the product is moved along a path of travel through the machine;   at least one upper sealing assembly moveably mounted on the frame and adapted to move between an actuated position and a non-actuated position, the upper sealing assembly comprising at least one sealing element for forming a seal along an edge of the packaging material;   at least one lower sealing assembly mounted on the frame in a position adapted for cooperating engagement with the upper sealing assembly in its actuated position, the at least one upper sealing assembly and at least one lower sealing assembly being positioned for sealing of the packaging material therebetween for forming the seal upon movement of the at least one upper sealing assembly and at least one lower sealing assembly into engagement;   a pair of pinch rollers mounted on the frame and adapted for receiving the packaging material therebetween; and   a pinch roller adjustment mechanism for automatically adjusting a position of at least one of the pinch rollers of the pair of pinch rollers to create a space between the pinch rollers as needed for positioning of the packaging material received therebetween.   
   
   
       2 . The packaging machine as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the pinch roller adjustment mechanism comprises a pneumatic actuator for lifting one of the pinch rollers of the pair of pinch rollers to a position above the other pinch roller. 
   
   
       3 . The packaging machine of  claim 1  wherein the source of packaging material comprises a first source for supplying a first web of packaging material, the pair of pinch rollers comprises a first pair of pinch rollers for receiving the first web therebetween, and wherein the pinch roller adjustment mechanism comprises a first pinch roller adjustment mechanism, the machine further comprising a second source of packaging material for supplying a second web of packaging material, a second pair of pinch rollers for receiving the second web of packaging material therebetween, and a second pinch roller adjustment mechanism adapted for automatically adjusting the position of at least one of the second pair of pinch rollers to create a space between the second pair of pinch rollers for positioning of the second web of packaging material received therebetween. 
   
   
       4 . A method of packaging products, the method comprising:
 moving the product along a path of travel;   feeding a first web of packaging material from a first source of packaging material and a second web of packaging material from a second source of packaging material into registration with the product moving along its path of travel;   forming a bond between the webs by clamping engagement of the first and second webs of packaging material between upper and lower sealing assemblies;   detecting when one of the first and second sources of packaging material has run out of packaging material by detecting the presence of a first unattached web of one of the sources of packaging material;   stopping the movement of the product along the path of travel;   loading a new source of packaging material into the machine and feeding a second unattached web of the new source of packaging material in the machine;   continuing the movement of the product along the path of travel.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein creating a bond between the first unattached web and the second unattached web comprises overlapping a respective edge margin of the first and second unattached webs and heating the overlapped edge margins. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein a hand sealer is used to press the overlapped edge margins against a manual sealing assembly and heat the overlapped edge margins. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the hand sealer creates two spaced apart thermal bonds in the overlapped edge margins.