APPARAT UND VERFAHREN ZUM ZUFUEHREN EINES VERPACKUNGSFILMS.

摘要

A form, fill and seal packaging machine (10) includes a tube former (12) for forming a film (F) having spaced apart registration marks (R) thereon into a tube (T) around a hollow mandrel (14). A pair of endless belt devices (22) driven by stepping motors (28), located at the sides of the hollow mandrel (14) advances the film (F) through the machine (10). A stripping and sealing apparatus (30) is located beneath the mandrel (14), for stripping product from the area of the film tube (T) to be sealed, and sealing and cutting a filled package (P) from the tube. A photoelectric cell (48) located upstream of the tube former (12) senses the passing of each registration mark (R) as the film (F) is fed. The photoelectric cell (48) is operatively associated with the belt drive (22) and the actuator (42, 44) for the stripper and the sealer through an index controller (50). The index controller (50) deactivates the stepping motors (28). A master controller (45) activates the stripper/sealer actuator (42, 44) at a predetermined point in each packaging cycle. A method of making form, fill and seal packages of constant length includes the steps of intermittent feeding by increments a full length of film (F) having a registration mark (R) at an intermediate point, sensing said registration mark (R) durig the time the film is being fed, counting predetermined feed increments past the registration mark (R) during continued film feeding, and sealing the package (P) at a location identified by reaching the predetermined number of feed increments.