Layered Base For Forming Tooling In A Packaging Machine

Abstract

A forming tool usable with a packaging machine utilizes adhesive bonds rather than weld joints or fasteners to interconnect structural components of the forming tool. Using adhesive rather than weld joints and mechanical fasteners provides smooth interfaces thereby reducing the collection of bacteria, germs and cleaning residue on the surfaces of the forming tool, which is particularly advantageous for forming tools used with packing machines used in sanitary environments, such as for food or pharmaceutical packaging.

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         19 . A base arrangement for connecting a box-type tooling component to a receiver in a packaging machine, comprising:
 a vacuum plate having an upper surface and a recess that is operably connected to a vacuum pump for applying a negative pressure to the recess of the vacuum plate, wherein the recess extends in a longitudinal direction along and through the upper surface of the vacuum plate; and   a support plate that overlies the vacuum plate, the support plate having a lower surface and a slot, wherein the slot extends in a longitudinal direction along and through the lower surface of the support plate,   wherein the upper surface of the vacuum plate and the lower surface of the support plate are secured together and wherein the slot of the support plate is aligned and fluidly connected with the recess of the vacuum plate.   
     
     
         20 . The base arrangement of  claim 19 , wherein the vacuum plate includes multiple recesses and the support plate includes multiple slots and wherein respective ones of the multiple recesses of the vacuum plate and slots of the support plate are aligned and fluidly connected to each other. 
     
     
         21 . The base arrangement of  claim 19 , wherein the upper surface of the vacuum plate and the lower surface of the support plate are secured together with an adhesive. 
     
     
         22 . The base arrangement of  claim 19 , further comprising a manifold that is arranged between the vacuum pump and the vacuum plate, the manifold including a vacuum port that is fluidly connected to the recess of the vacuum plate. 
     
     
         23 . The base arrangement of  claim 22 , wherein the recess has a relatively wider portion defined adjacent the vacuum port of the manifold and a relatively narrower portion that is spaced from the vacuum port of the manifold. 
     
     
         24 . The base arrangement of  claim 19 , wherein the support plate defines an upper surface that opposes a lower surface thereof, and wherein the slot extends through an entire thickness of the support plate such that the slot defines an opening on each of the lower and upper surfaces of the support plate. 
     
     
         25 . The base arrangement of  claim 24 , further comprising a base panel that overlies the support plate, the base panel having a lower surface and an opening, wherein the opening extends through the lower surface of the base panel and in a longitudinal direction that is different from the longitudinal direction along which at least one of the recess of the vacuum plate and the slot of the support plate extends. 
     
     
         26 . The base arrangement of  claim 25 , wherein the upper surface of the support plate and the lower surface of the base panel are secured together. 
     
     
         27 . The base arrangement of  claim 26 , wherein the opening of the base panel extends across and is fluidly connected to the slot of the support plate. 
     
     
         28 . The base arrangement of  claim 27 , wherein the opening of the base panel and the slot of the support plate are arranged generally orthogonally with respect to each other. 
     
     
         29 . The base arrangement of  claim 28 , wherein the opening of the base panel is arranged generally orthogonally with respect to each of the slot of the support plate and the recess of the vacuum plate. 
     
     
         30 . A base arrangement for connecting a box-type tooling component to a receiver in a packaging machine, comprising:
 a vacuum plate having an upper surface and a recess that extends through the upper surface of the vacuum plate, wherein the recess includes a first end that is open and that is configured to connect to a vacuum port for establishing a negative pressure in the recess and a second end that opposes the first end and that is closed;   a support plate that overlies the vacuum plate and has opposing lower and upper surfaces and a slot that extends through an entire thickness of the support plate so that the slot defines an opening at each of the lower and upper surfaces of the support plate; and   a base panel that overlies the support plate, the base panel having a lower surface and an opening that extends through the lower surface, wherein the opening of the base panel extends in a longitudinal direction that is different from the longitudinal direction along which at least one of the recess of the vacuum plate and the slot of the support plate extends.   
     
     
         31 . The base arrangement of  claim 30 , wherein the vacuum plate, the support plate, and the base panel are secured to each other so as to define a layered arrangement, and wherein the recess of the vacuum plate, the slot of the support plate, and the opening of the base panel are fluidly interconnected with each other and respectively define a first height, a second height, and a third height that are different from each other within the layered arrangement.