Method and Apparatus For Making Bag Using Ultrasonic Sealing

Abstract

A method and apparatus for making bags or pouches is disclosed. An ultrasonic sealer may be used to form the seals. Sealing patterns may be used to provide a desired strength profile.

1 . A bag machine for creating bags from a web, comprising an input section and a sealing section, where the web moves in a downstream direction from the input section to the sealing section, and wherein the sealing section includes a rotary ultrasonic sealer disposed to seal at least a portion of the web. 
     
     
         2 . The bag machine of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary ultrasonic sealer is a hem sealer and the sealing section further includes a hem folder and a drawtape inserter, wherein the rotary ultrasonic sealer is downstream of the hem folder and the drawtape inserter. 
     
     
         3 . The bag machine of  claim 2 , wherein the rotary ultrasonic sealer comprises a horn and an anvil, wherein the anvil has a sealing pattern thereon. 
     
     
         4 . The bag machine of  claim 3 , wherein the sealing pattern is a continuous sealing pattern. 
     
     
         5 . The bag machine of  claim 4 , wherein the sealing pattern has a cross section having a width with two edges, a radius at least at the two edges, and two sides. 
     
     
         6 . The bag machine of  claim 5 , wherein the two sides are at an angle other than 90 degrees relative to the width. 
     
     
         7 . The bag machine of  claim 4 , wherein the sealing pattern includes micro grooves. 
     
     
         8 . The bag machine of  claim 3 , wherein the sealing pattern is a discontinuous sealing pattern. 
     
     
         9 . The bag machine of  claim 8 , wherein the sealing pattern comprises a first row of dots and a second row of dots, wherein dots in the first row are offset from dots in the second row. 
     
     
         10 . The bag machine of  claim 9 , wherein an upper surface of the dots has a radius, and a side surface of the dots is angled. 
     
     
         11 . The bag machine of  claim 8 , wherein the sealing pattern comprises at least one repeating shape. 
     
     
         12 . The bag machine of  claim 11 , wherein the least one repeating shape is an angled oblong. 
     
     
         13 . The bag machine of  claim 8 , wherein the sealing pattern comprises at least one repeating shape with a changing orientation. 
     
     
         14 . The bag machine of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary ultrasonic sealer is at least one of a side sealer or cross sealer, and wherein the seals formed by the rotary ultrasonic sealer for a bag. 
     
     
         15 . A pouch machine for creating bags from a web, comprising an input section and a sealing section, where the web moves in a downstream direction from the input section to the sealing section, and wherein the sealing section includes an ultrasonic sealer disposed to seal at least a portion of the web, thereby forming pouches. 
     
     
         16 . A method of creating bags from a web, comprising feeding the web to a sealing section in a downstream direction, and sealing the web by applying ultrasonic energy to the web. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising folding the web to form a hem and inserting a drawtape prior to applying the ultrasonic energy. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein applying ultrasonic energy includes rotating an anvil with a sealing pattern thereon and rotating and vibrating a horn, wherein the horn and the anvil that are in close proximity to the web. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein rotating the anvil includes rotating the anvil with a continuous sealing pattern thereon. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein rotating the anvil includes rotating the anvil with a discontinuous sealing pattern thereon. 
     
     
         21 . The method machine of  claim 16 , wherein applying ultrasonic energy to the web includes applying ultrasonic energy to form at least one of a side seal or end seal, thereby forming a bag. 
     
     
         22 . A bag machine for creating bags from a web, comprising an input section and a sealing section, where the web moves in a downstream direction from the input section to the sealing section, and wherein the sealing section includes means for imparting ultrasonic energy to seal at least a portion of the web. 
     
     
         23 . The bag machine of  claim 22 , further comprising means for folding a hem, and means for inserting a drawtape, wherein the means for imparting ultrasonic energy is downstream of the means for folding and the means for inserting a drawtape. 
     
     
         24 . The bag machine of  claim 22 , wherein the means for imparting ultrasonic energy is disposed to form at least one of end seals or side seals. 
     
     
         25 . The bag machine of  claim 22 , further comprising a controller, disposed to control the means for imparting ultrasonic energy, and a feedback path disposed to provide a feedback signal to the controller. 
     
     
         26 . The bag machine of  claim 25 , wherein the feedback signal is indicative of amplitude. 
     
     
         27 . The bag machine of  claim 25 , wherein the feedback signal is indicative of power.