Methods and apparatus to facilitate plastic film processing

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12097989-B2
Application number	US-202017105015-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 25, 2020
Priority date	Dec 21, 2018
Publication date	Sep 24, 2024
Grant date	Sep 24, 2024

Abstract

A system includes a film processing module, a processor, and memory. The processor and memory are in communication with the film processing module. The processor is configured to dynamically coordinate movement of the film processing module relative to a moving web of film and to perform a function on the web of film with the film processing module.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system, comprising:
a supporting rail;
a film processing module moveably mounted on the supporting rail; and
a processor and memory in communication with the film processing module to:
dynamically coordinate movement of the film processing module relative to a moving web of film,
perform a function on the web of film with the film processing module to form a film product,
control an air controller of the film processing module to draw a vacuum to retain the film product, and
deposit the film product on a conveyor at a transfer position.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the film processing module is a single film processing module that is adapted to independently clamp, cut, and seal the film.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the film processing module includes a cutting mechanism, and
wherein the cutting mechanism includes an upper multi-functional assembly and a base, the base fixed relative to the upper multi-functional assembly.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the web of film is disposed between the upper multi-functional assembly and the base.

5. The system of claim 3 , wherein the processor is configured to maintain contact between the cutting mechanism and the web of film for a predetermined period of time.

6. The system of claim 3 , wherein the cutting mechanism includes one or more of a cutting wire and a heatable knife.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the film processing module is electrically powered by a bus disposed concentrically to the supporting rail.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the supporting rail includes a plurality of rail sensors in communication with the processor and the processor is further configured to monitor a location of the film processing module along the supporting rail.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the supporting rail forms a curvilinear circuit.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the supporting rail is oblong.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the web of film travels along an axis adjacent and parallel to the supporting rail.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the film processing module includes a module sensor in communication with the processor and the processor is further configured to determine an offset of the film processing module relative to a demarcation on the web of film based on information from the module sensor.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the processor is further configured to move the film processing module relative to the web of film to close the offset.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured to cut the web of film with the film processing module when the offset is closed.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the film processing module is one of a plurality of film processing modules and the processor is further configured to dynamically coordinate movements of the film processing modules relative to one another.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein:
a first set of the plurality of film processing modules is adapted to perform a first function on the web of film; and
a second set of the plurality of film processing modules is adapted to perform a second function on the web of film.

17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor and the film processing module are in wireless communication with one another.

18. The system of claim 1 , wherein the film processing module includes, and is electrically powered by, a battery.

19. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a registration sensor adjacent to the web of film, the registration sensor to detect demarcations on the web of film.

20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the processor and memory are configured to determine a frequency of the demarcations as the demarcations pass the registration sensor and an offset between the demarcations.

21. The system of claim 20 , wherein the processor and memory are configured to dynamically coordinate movement of the film processing module relative to a moving web of film based on the offset.

22. A film processing module, comprising:
a carriage assembly configured to move along a supporting rail;
a linear actuator engaged with the carriage assembly;
an upper multi-functional assembly engaged with and cantilevered relative to the linear actuator to perform a function on a film adjacent to the supporting rail, the upper multi-functional assembly adapted to clamp, cut, and seal the film; and
a module sensor to detect a demarcation of the film.

23. The film processing module of claim 22 , wherein the linear actuator includes a guide rail.

24. The film processing module of claim 23 , wherein the upper multi-functional assembly is configured to move along the guide rail.

25. The film processing module of claim 22 , wherein the module sensor is an optical sensor.

26. The film processing module of claim 22 , wherein one or more of the carriage assembly, the linear actuator, and the upper multi-functional assembly are electrically powered by a bus disposed concentrically to the supporting rail.

27. The film processing module of claim 22 , further comprising a battery, wherein one or more of the carriage assembly, the linear actuator, and the upper multi-functional assembly are electrically powered by the battery.

28. The film processing module of claim 22 , further comprising a transceiver to receive wireless instructions from a remote controller.

29. A method for producing film products, the method comprising:
dynamically coordinating, with a processor, movement of a film processing module relative to a moving web of film;
determining, with the processor, an offset of the film processing module relative to a demarcation on the web of film based on information from a module sensor mounted in the film processing module; instructing,
instructing, with the processor, the film processing module to independently perform a function on the web of film; and
controlling, with the processor, an air controller of the film processing module to draw a vacuum to retain a film product formed from the web of film.

30. The method of claim 29 , wherein the film processing module is moveably mounted on a single supporting rail.

31. The method of claim 29 , further comprising instructing, with the processor, the film processing module to maintain contact between a cutting mechanism of the film processing module and the web of film for a predetermined period of time.

32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the cutting mechanism includes one or more of a cutting wire and a heatable knife.

33. The method of claim 29 , further comprising instructing, with the processor, the film processing module to move relative to the web of film to close the offset.

34. The method of claim 33 , further comprising instructing, with the processor, the film processing module to cut the web of film with the film processing module when the offset is closed.

35. The method of claim 29 , wherein the film processing module is one of a plurality of film processing modules and further comprising dynamically coordinating, with the processor, movements of the film processing modules relative to one another.

36. A film processing module, comprising:
a carriage assembly moveable along a supporting rail;

Assignees

• Johnson & Son Inc S C

Inventors

• Ackerman Bryan L
• Zimmerman Daniel P

Classifications

• B65B2009/047

  Rotary pocket formers · CPC title

• B65B57/02

  responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of binding or wrapping material, containers, or packages · CPC title

• B65B51/30

  Devices, e.g. jaws, for applying pressure and heat, e.g. for subdividing filled tubes · CPC title

• B29L2031/712

  Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages (closures therefor B29L2031/56; ink or toner cartridges B29L2031/7678; squeeze tubes B29L2023/20; suitcases B29L2031/7418) · CPC title

• B29C66/849

  Packaging machines · CPC title