Adjuster and a packaging machine comprising said adjuster

Abstract

A sealed adjuster ( 24 ) has a first portion ( 34 ) fixed to a first structure, a second portion ( 36 ) fixed to a second structure ( 30 ), and a manually operable third portion ( 38 ) adjustable to change the position of the first portion ( 34 ) relative to the second portion ( 36 ) such that, as the position of the first portion ( 34 ) is changed relative to the second portion ( 36 ), the position of the first structure is changed relative to the position of the second structure ( 30 ). The adjuster ( 24 ) also has a sealing arrangement ( 88, 90, 92, 96 and 116 ) for providing sealing among the first portion ( 34 ), the second portion ( 36 ), and the third portion ( 38 ).

1 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . An adjuster, comprising:
 a first portion arranged to be fastened to a first structure;   a second portion arranged to be fastened to a second structure;   a third portion connected to the first and second portions and manually adjustable to change the position of said first portion relative to said second portion such that, as the position of said first portion is changed relative to said second portion, the position of said first structure is changed relative to the position of said second structure; and   a sealing arrangement providing a sealing function among said first portion, said second portion, and said third portion.   
     
     
         33 . An adjuster according to  claim 32 , wherein said first portion further comprises:
 a block arranged to be fastened to said first structure;   a tubular portion of said block, said tubular portion being arranged to extend toward said second structure;   a central bore of said tubular portion;   a chamber bounded by said block;   an internal wall formed as part of said block, said wall separating said bore from said chamber; and   a collar connected to said block to bound said chamber, part of said third portion extending through said collar and said chamber into said central bore, said sealing arrangement providing a sealing function between said collar and said third portion and also providing a sealing function between said collar and said block.   
     
     
         34 . An adjuster according to  claim 33 , wherein said sealing function between said collar and said third portion is provided by a wiper seal. 
     
     
         35 . An adjuster according to  33 , and further comprising:
 at least one outer support portion;   an aperture formed in the or each outer support portion; and   a fastener for extending through said first structure into the or each aperture in order to secure said block to said first structure.   
     
     
         36 . An adjuster according to  33 , wherein said second portion comprises:
 a sleeve;   an end portion of said sleeve arranged to be mounted on said second structure such that said sleeve is pivotable in relation to said second structure, a sealing device of said sealing arrangement being arranged to be disposed between said end portion and said second structure; and   a tubular portion of said sleeve extending toward said first portion, and a seal circumscribing said tubular portion of said sleeve and being disposed between said tubular portion of said sleeve and said first portion.   
     
     
         37 . An adjuster according to  claim 36 , wherein said tubular portion of said sleeve extends into said tubular portion of said block. 
     
     
         38 . An adjuster according to  claim 32 , wherein said third portion comprises a manually rotatable adjusting screw supported by said first portion and having a threaded portion received in said second portion. 
     
     
         39 . An adjuster according to  claim 38 , wherein said third portion further comprises a radially enlarged flange of said adjusting screw serving to deter axial movement of said screw. 
     
     
         40 . In combination, an adjuster according to  claim 32 , a base constituting said first structure and a slider constituting said second structure. 
     
     
         41 . A combination according to  claim 40 , wherein said slider is part of a top sealing station positioned upon said base. 
     
     
         42 . In a form-fill-seal packaging machine of a desired level of hygiene which is at least clean, a mechanism for use in relation to a container, and a positioning assembly for said mechanism, said assembly comprising an adjuster which serves to adjust the position of said mechanism in a predetermined sense and which comprises:—
 a first portion arranged to be fastened to a first structure; 
 a second portion arranged to be fastened to a second structure; 
 a third portion connected to the first and second portions and adjustable to change the position of said first portion relative to said second portion such that, as the position of said first portion is changed relative to said second portion, the position of said first structure is changed relative to the position of said second structure; and 
 a sealing arrangement providing a sealing function among said first portion, said second portion, and said third portion. 
 
     
     
         43 . A mechanism as claimed in  claim 42 , wherein said assembly comprises a second adjuster which serves to adjust the position of said mechanism in a second sense different from the first-mentioned sense. 
     
     
         44 . A mechanism as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein, for the or each adjuster, said first portion further comprises:
 a block;   a tubular portion of said block, said tubular portion being arranged to extend toward said second portion;   a central bore of said tubular portion;   a chamber bounded by said block;   an internal wall formed as part of said block, said wall separating said bore from said chamber; and   a collar connected to said block to bound said chamber, part of said third portion extending through said collar and said chamber into said central bore, said sealing arrangement providing a sealing function between said collar and said third portion and also providing a sealing function between said collar and said block.   
     
     
         45 . A mechanism as claimed in  claim 44  and further comprising, for the or each adjuster:
 at least one outer support portion; 
 an aperture formed in the or each outer support portion; and 
 a fastener for extending through said first structure into the or each aperture in order to secure said block. 
 
     
     
         46 . A mechanism as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein, for the or each adjuster, said second portion comprises:
 a sleeve;   an end portion of said sleeve arranged to be fastened such that said sleeve is pivotable, a sealing device of said sealing arrangement being adjacent said end portion; and   a tubular portion of said sleeve extending toward said first portion, and a seal circumscribing said tubular portion of said sleeve and being disposed between said tubular portion of said sleeve and said first portion.   
     
     
         47 . A mechanism as claimed in  claim 46 , wherein, for the or each adjuster, said tubular portion of said sleeve extends into said tubular portion of said block. 
     
     
         48 . A mechanism as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein, for the or each adjuster, said third portion comprises an adjusting screw supported by said first portion and having a threaded portion received in said second portion. 
     
     
         49 . A mechanism as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein, for the or each adjuster, said third portion further comprises a radially enlarged flange of said adjusting screw serving to deter axial movement of said screw. 
     
     
         50 . A mechanism as claimed in  claim 42 , wherein said machine includes a base constituting said first structure and a slider constituting said second structure. 
     
     
         51 . A mechanism as claimed in  claim 50 , wherein said slider is part of a top sealing station positioned upon said base.