FLUTED PLASTICBOARD SEALING METHOD AND APPARATUS FLUTED PLASTICBOARD SEALING METHOD AND APPARATUS

摘要

FLUTED PLASTICBOARD SEALING METHOD AND APPARATUS The open edge of a plasticboard is moved into a heating and sealing unit having a metal form with a U-shaped cross-section. A spacing tape and a release tape line the metal form. An induction or resistance heater is coupled to the metal form to raise the temperature thereof and heat the open edge to form a molten plastic edge wall, with the outer edges of the edge wall in sealing engagement with the form. The molten plastic fills the cavity between the form and the edge wall and forms a solid, continuous end wall upon cooling of the molten plastic. A batch sealing unit has a form moved directly into engagement with the edge wall to be sealed. A continuous sealing unit has an elongated form. A conveyor moves the plasticboard through the form in a continuous flow path with the form inclined to the path of the edge board to establish relative lateral movement. A cooling unit cools the end wall as the board moves from the form. A release unit is located between the heating and sealing unit and the edge wall to insure release from the sealing unit and to accommodate any offset surface portion in the edge wall and thereby totally confine molten plastic and form a smooth end wall.