Packaging machine for block bottom bags

Abstract

A rotary packaging machine that receives tubular bag material and moves the tubular bag material in a direction. Product is delivered to the interior of the tubular bag material with the bag material then being sealed and cut to form bags of the product. The machine has a jaw carriage that is reciprocated while the jaws are rotated.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A packaging machine operable to form block bottom bags, containing a product, from tubular bag material into which the product is delivered, the tubular bag material being moved relative to the machine in a predetermined direction, said machine comprising:
 a base;   a jaw carriage supported on the base for reciprocating movement generally parallel to said direction;   a pair of jaws mounted on the carriage and moved in unison to engage the tubular bag material to transversely seal the tubular bag material to form bags;   a pair of generally parallel rotatable shafts, each shaft being operatively associated with a respective one of the jaws to rotatably drive the jaws, the shafts having longitudinally axes that extend generally transverse of said direction;   a rotatable jaw drive assembly operatively associated with the shafts to rotatably drive the shafts through repeated revolutions in opposite angular directions so that the jaws engage the tubular bag material;   a carriage drive assembly operatively associated with the carriage to cause said reciprocating movement; and   a controller operatively associated with the drive assemblies to coordinate the assemblies;   a controller operatively associated with the carriage drive assembly and jaw drive assembly to coordinate the carriage drive assembly and jaw drive assembly; and   a pair of cooperating stripper bars, each stripper bar being operatively associated with a respective one of the jaws to move therewith to strip the tubular bag material; and wherein   when the shafts are rotatably driven through repeated revolutions and the jaw carriage reciprocated, the jaws follow a generally linear or slightly curved path to produce block bottom bags, the path extending generally parallel to said direction and generally transverse relative to the axes.   
     
     
         14 . The machine of  claim 13 , further including a pair of cooperating stripper bars, each stripper bar being operatively associated with a respective one of the jaws to move therewith to strip the tubular bag material. 
     
     
         15 . The machine of  claim 13 , further including a pair of tube closer bars, each of the closer bars being operatively associated with a respective one of the jaws to engage the tubular bag material to close the tubular bag material. 
     
     
         16 . The machine of  claim 13 , wherein said jaw drive assembly is mounted on said carriage. 
     
     
         17 . The machine of  claim 13 , wherein said carriage drive assembly is a linear motor at least partly mounted on said base and at least partly mounted on said carriage, so that said carriage when reciprocated moves along a generally linear path. 
     
     
         18 . The machine of  claim 13 , wherein each jaw is attached to its respective shaft by a jaw support. 
     
     
         19 . The machine of  claim 18 , wherein each jaw support includes at least one arm extending generally radially relative to its respective shaft. 
     
     
         20 . The machine of  claim 18 , wherein each jaw is fixed relative to its respective support. 
     
     
         21 . The machine of  claim 13 , wherein each jaw is attached to its respective shaft by a support, with each jaw being mounted on its respective support for angular movement relative thereto about an axis generally transverse of said direction. 
     
     
         22 . The machine of  claim 21 , wherein the jaws are attached by guides so that the jaws move in unison in opposite directions while facing each other. 
     
     
         23 . The machine of  claim 13 , wherein each jaw is mounted on a respective support for movement relative thereto in a radial direction. 
     
     
         24 . The machine of  claim 13 , wherein said carriage drive assembly includes a linear motor, and said carriage includes a pair of generally parallel walls between which said shafts extend, and an end wall adjacent said base and including a portion of said linear motor. 
     
     
         25 . A packaging machine operable to form block bottom bags, containing a product, from tubular bag material into which the product is delivered, the tubular bag material being moved relative to the machine in a predetermined direction, said machine comprising:
 a base;   a jaw carriage supported on the base for reciprocating movement generally parallel to said direction;   a pair of jaws mounted on the carriage and moved in unison to engage the tubular bag material to transversely seal the tubular bag material to form bags;   a pair of generally parallel rotatable shafts, each shaft being operatively associated with a respective one of the jaws to rotatably drive the jaws, the shafts having longitudinally axes that extend generally transverse of said direction;   a jaw support attaching each jaw to its respective shaft to provide for relative movement between each jaw and its respective shaft;   a rotatable jaw drive assembly mounted on the carriage operatively associated with the shafts to rotatably drive the shafts through repeated revolutions in opposite angular directions so that the jaws engage the tubular bag material;   a carriage drive assembly operatively associated with the carriage to cause said reciprocating movement; and   a controller operatively associated with the drive assemblies to coordinate the assemblies;   a controller operatively associated with the carriage drive assembly and jaw drive assembly to coordinate the carriage drive assembly and jaw drive assembly; and   a pair of cooperating stripper bars, each stripper bar being operatively associated with a respective one of the jaws to move therewith to strip the tubular bag material; and wherein   when the shafts are rotatably driven through repeated revolutions and the jaw carriage reciprocated, the jaws follow a generally linear or slightly curved path to produce block bottom bags, the path extending generally parallel to said direction and generally transverse relative to the axes.   
     
     
         26 . The machine of  claim 25 , wherein each jaw support includes at least one arm extending generally radially relative to its respective shaft. 
     
     
         27 . The machine of  claim 25 , wherein each jaw is fixed relative to its respective support. 
     
     
         28 . The machine of  claim 25 , wherein each jaw is mounted on its respective support for angular movement relative thereto about an axis generally transverse of said direction. 
     
     
         29 . The machine of  claim 28 , wherein the jaws are attached by guides so that the jaws move in unison in opposite directions while facing each other. 
     
     
         30 . The machine of  claim 25 , wherein the jaws are mounted on their respective supports for movement relative thereto in a radial direction. 
     
     
         31 . The machine of  claim 25 , wherein said carriage drive assembly includes a linear motor, and said carriage includes a pair of generally parallel walls between which said shafts extend, and an end wall adjacent said base and including a portion of said linear motor. 
     
     
         32 . The machine of  claim 25 , further including a pair of cooperating stripper bars, each stripper bar being operatively associated with a respective one of the jaws to move therewith to strip the tubular bag material, and a pair of tube closer bars, each of the closer bars being operatively associated with a respective one of the jaws to engage the tubular bag material to close the tubular bag material.