Apparatus and Method of Using an Apparatus for Controlling a Film

Abstract

The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to an apparatus that controls a film to allow various sized products to enter the film. The disclosed apparatus comprises a first arm, a second arm, and an upper member positioned between the first arm and the second arm. A system comprising the apparatus and components to wrap a product in film, such as, an end sealer, a conveyor, and a side sealer is also disclosed. Additionally disclosed is a method for controlling a film during a sealing process.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for controlling a film during a sealing process using a film conveyance mechanism for conveying a film through the system in a machine direction, the system comprising:
 an apparatus, the apparatus comprising:   a first arm;   a second arm, wherein:
 the second arm is positioned opposite of the first arm, and 
 the first arm and the second arm are arranged to spread the film; 
   an upper member positioned between the first arm and the second arm;   an end sealer downstream from the first arm and the second arm;   a conveyor upstream of the end sealer and positioned between the first arm and the second arm; and   a side sealer upstream from the end sealer and positioned adjacent to the first arm.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first arm and the second arm of the apparatus are configured to have a leading edge and a trailing edge. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the trailing edge of the first arm of the apparatus and the trailing edge of the second arm of the apparatus are configured to have a tab coupled on a side of the trailing edge having contact with the film. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the upper member of the apparatus further comprises at least one friction-reducing opening to reduce the friction between the film and the upper member as the film slides over the upper member. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the upper member further comprises a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the leading edge comprises a first portion and a second portion that are continuous. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the first portion of the leading edge of the upper member is perpendicular to the machine direction and the second portion is at an angle less than 90 degrees from the machine direction. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the first portion of the leading edge of the upper membrane has a raised lip positioned wherein the raised lip is extending away from the conveyor. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a filler plate that is coupled to the upper portion horizontally. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for controlling a film during a sealing process, the apparatus comprising:
 a first arm;   a second arm, wherein:
 the second arm is positioned opposite of the first arm, and 
 the first arm and the second arm are arranged to spread the film; 
   an upper member horizontally positioned between the first arm and the second arm.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the film is selected from the group comprising a folded film, multiple layers of film, tube-shaped film, a film-based cushioning material and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the first arm and the second arm are configured to have a leading edge and a trailing edge. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the trailing edge of the first arm and the trailing edge of the second arm are configured to have a tab coupled on a side of the trailing edge having contact with the film. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the upper member further comprises at least one friction-reducing opening to reduce the friction between the film and the upper member as the film slides over the upper member. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the upper member of the apparatus further comprises a plurality of friction-reducing openings. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the upper member of the apparatus further comprises a friction-reducing component. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the upper member further comprises a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the leading edge comprises a first portion and a second portion that are continuous. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the first portion of the leading edge of the upper member is perpendicular to the machine direction and the second portion is at an angle less than 90 degrees from the machine direction. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the first portion of the leading edge of the upper membrane has a raised lip. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a filler plate that is coupled to the upper portion horizontally. 
     
     
         20 . A method of controlling a film during a sealing process, comprising:
 feeding a film onto the system of  claim 1 , wherein the film comes into contact with the leading edge of the first arm and the leading edge of the second arm;   transporting the film in a horizontal direction over the apparatus, wherein the film covers the apparatus; and   creating an end seal on the film with the end sealer.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising creating a side seal on the film with a side sealer. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising transporting a product on the conveyor, wherein the product is surrounded by the film controlled by the system of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein an end seal is made that is substantially free of wrinkles and multiple layers at the seal.