Title of Invention	MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF AIR PILLOWS USED FOR PACKAGING BY MEANS OF A TUBULAR FILM DISPOSED ON A REEL.
Abstract	This machine comprises a frame, spacing means arranged in the interior (3) of the tubular film (1) to separate the walls, traction means (8) to draw the tubular film and an inflating and welding device (5. 6. 7. 12). The inflating and welding means is provided with at least one hollow needle (5) for inflation, means (2. 2a, 2b) to present the air escaping toward said reel. that is to say, upstream. Said means (2) to prevent the escape of air are placed between the means (3) provided within the said film and the reel. The inflating and welding device (5, 6, 7, 12) is located after the means (3) provided within said film and before the traction means (8) for drawing said tubular film (1) through the inflating and welding device. The hollow needle (5) of the inflating and welding device is attached to a first beam (12) located on one side of the said film and controlled by a first actuator (13) and two heating elements (6) located upstream and downstream of the hollow needle attached to a second beam (10) located on the other side of said film controlled by a second actuator (11). The means for preventing the air introduced into the tubular film from escaping towards the said reel, that is to say. upstream, comprise an elongate element (2b) extending in a transverse direction relative to the film (1) attached to said first beam (12) in such a way as to be held away from said film during the movement of the latter and being introduced into a recess (2a) provided in a plate (2) on the frame of the machine to force said film into the recess to form a sealed fold in the latter.

Title of Invention

MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF AIR PILLOWS USED FOR PACKAGING BY MEANS OF A TUBULAR FILM DISPOSED ON A REEL.

Abstract

This machine comprises a frame, spacing means arranged in the interior (3) of the tubular film (1) to separate the walls, traction means (8) to draw the tubular film and an inflating and welding device (5. 6. 7. 12). The inflating and welding means is provided with at least one hollow needle (5) for inflation, means (2. 2a, 2b) to present the air escaping toward said reel. that is to say, upstream. Said means (2) to prevent the escape of air are placed between the means (3) provided within the said film and the reel. The inflating and welding device (5, 6, 7, 12) is located after the means (3) provided within said film and before the traction means (8) for drawing said tubular film (1) through the inflating and welding device. The hollow needle (5) of the inflating and welding device is attached to a first beam (12) located on one side of the said film and controlled by a first actuator (13) and two heating elements (6) located upstream and downstream of the hollow needle attached to a second beam (10) located on the other side of said film controlled by a second actuator (11). The means for preventing the air introduced into the tubular film from escaping towards the said reel, that is to say. upstream, comprise an elongate element (2b) extending in a transverse direction relative to the film (1) attached to said first beam (12) in such a way as to be held away from said film during the movement of the latter and being introduced into a recess (2a) provided in a plate (2) on the frame of the machine to force said film into the recess to form a sealed fold in the latter.

Full Text	The present invention has for an object a machine tor making air cushions for packaging from a tubular film wound on a reel, notably for cushioning delicate and fragile objects. The document WO 99/61232 contains a history of the improvements made to the types of machine which form the subject of the present invention and defines a machine for making air cushions for packaging which do not exhibit the defects of the prior art. However, the machine defined in document WO 99/61232 still has some problems, particularly in relation to the tension of the tubular film intended for making the air cushions. This tension is very important for allowing good perforation of the film and hence a standard filling of the cushions. The invention has for an object to provide a machine intended for the manufacture of air cushions for packaging which represents a marked improvement over the known machines, particularly in respect of the tension of the film, so as to ensure reliable operation of the machine in respect of both quality and durability. These goals are achieved with the machine for making air cushions for packaging from tubular film wound on a reel in accordance with the invention, said machine comprising a frame, spacing means arranged within said tubular film to separate the walls, traction means to draw the tubular film and an inflating and welding device having at least one hollow needle for inflation, means to prevent the air escaping toward said reel, that is to say, upstream, said means to prevent the escape of air being placed between the means provided within the said film and the reel, the inflating and welding device being placed after the means provided within said film and before the means for drawing said film to pull the tubular film through the inflating and welding device, the hollow needle of the inflating and welding device being attached to a first beam located on one side of the said film controlled by a first actuator and two heating elements located upstream and downstream of the hollow needle on a second beam located on the other side of said film controlled by a second actuator, characterised in that the means for preventing the air introduced into the tubular film from escaping towards the said reel, that is to say. upstream, comprise an elongated element extending in a transverse direction rclati\e to the film attached to said first beam in such a way as to be held away from said film during the movement of the latter and being introduced into a recess provided in a plate in the frame of the machine to force said film into the recess to form a sealed fold in the latter. The invention will be better understood and its advantages will appear more clearly from a reading of the description of the method of carrying the invention into effect, which is given solely by way of example, and by means of the drawings in which: figure 1 represents a schematic view of a machine in accordance with the invention, figure 2 shows the section A-A of figure I showing the traction device as seen from above. figures 3 a, b and c provide a diagrammatic representation of the different phases of operation of the machine shown in figure 1. As can be seen from the schematic view of figure 1, one embodiment of the machine in accordance with the invention includes means 8 to draw the tubular film 1, which can be of any material which can be welded by thermal welding, for example, plastic. The film is pulled in the direction of the arrow 16 from a reel, which is not shown. The film 1 first passes over a return roller 17 which displaces it vertically on the drawing, then it passes in front of a plate 2 on the frame comprising a recess 2a. The recess 2a in the plate 2 is arranged opposite an elongate element 2b attached to a first beam 12. The tubular film 1 then encounters a body 3 introduced into the interior of the tubular film 1 through the opening at the end of the film 1 at the time when the machine is first started up. The body 3 rests on two bars or rods 4 disposed outside said film 1 and separated by a distance less than the external diameter of the body 3. The body 3 is, for example, a cylinder of plastic material of about 1 cm in diameter, held in place solely by gravity on the two rods 4. Just after its passage around the body 3 the film 1 passes through the inflating and welding device. The inflating and welding device comprises at least one hollow needle 5 connected to inflating means (for example, a compressor, not shown) and fixed to a first beam 12 articulated on an axis 15 and thermal pressure welding means 6 attached to a second beam 10 articulated on an axis 14. The oscillating movement of the beam 12 is controlled by a first actuator 13 and the oscillating movement of the beam 10 by a second actuator The welding means 6 consist of two heating bars (For example, using thermal resistance) disposed one abo\e the other, of a length at least equal to the width of the tubular fiIm I and placed on one side of said Him opposite thrust bars 7 placed one abo\ e the other on the opposite side, the hollow needle 5 being arranged between thrust bars 7. The inflating and welding de\ ice also comprises points or a serrated knife 18 between the heating bars to perforate or partially cut the tubular film I in order to facilitate its separation. In figure 2 the film traction device X comprises two cylinders 19. 19a each having ends of greater diameter than that of their central parts 20. 20a. The terminal parts of the cylinders 19, 19a are coaled with flexible and elastic material, for example, foam rubber. Cylinders 19. 19a are in contact with one another at their extremities leaving in their central part a space such that the two walls of the tubular film I can remain separated after inflation. The two cylinders arc caused to rotate by a motor 23 by means of gears 24 ami 2 I. The operation of the machine will be explained with the aid of figures 3a. 3b and 3c. The elements represented are the same as those of figure 1: the reference symbols ha\e not been repeated in order not to obscure the draw ings. First, the body 3 is introduced through the opening of the end of the said tubular film into the interior of the latter and the film is drawn between the bars 4. then through the driving means S. The welding device 6. 7 is then operated so as to close the end of the tubular film 1 by means of a weld 29 (Fig. 3). The machine is ready to operate, as shown in figure 3a. The actuator 13 operates the beam 12 so as to displace the element 2b in the direction of the arrow 31 which enters into the recess 2a in the plate 2 of the frame of the machine. The element 2b comprises a strip having a thickness substantially less than the opening of the recess 2a so that the strip can introduce the two walls of the tube 1 into the recess 2a. When the film 1 is introduced into the recess 2a it creates a tension on the latter. In effect, the film 1 is retained on the roller I 7 and in the traction device X, this tension improves the separation of the two walls of the tubular film 1. Immediately after the element 2b has been introduced into the recess 2a, the needle 5 is introduced in the direction of the arrow 27 (figure 3b) into the tubular film 1 by the movement of the beam I 2 effected by the actuator 1 3, penetrating only one wall because the region where it is introduced is immediately after the body 3 and walls of the tubular film have been well separated. Inflation is then effected, air being retained by the weld 29 and by the fold formed in the recess 2a in the plate 2 by the element 2b. Welding is then effected, the welding bars 6 being displaced in the direction of the ;irrow 2X (figure 3c) by the beam 10 mo\ed by the actuator I I so as to come to rest on the thrust bars 7 pinching the tubular film between them and the thrust bars. Welding can then lake place. The welding bars are then heated in order to effect sealing of the two walls of (he tubular film to form a cushion 30. During the welding, the needle 5 and the element 2b are withdrawn rearwards bv a reverse movement of the beam 12 effected by the actuator 13. The welding bars are then withdrawn rearwards by a reverse movement of the beam 10 effected by the actuator 1 1. The cushion 30 is then pulled on its sides by cylinders 8 as indicated in figure 2 for a distance equal to the length of a cushion. The cycle described above can then restart because it is again in the position shown in figure 3a. It is to be understood that the description of the method of carrying the invention into effect given above is provided only by way of example. Thus all the variations relating to the shape of the element intended to enter the recess to hold the film arc comprised within the scope of the present invention. I CLAIM: 1. Machine for making air cushions for packaging from a tubular film (1) arranged on a reel, said machine comprising a frame, means (3) provided in side said tubular film to separate the walls thereof, traction means (8) for pulling the tubular film and an inflating and welding device (5,6,7,12) having at least one hollow needle (5) for the inflation, means (2, 2a, 2b) to prevent air from escaping towards said reel, that is to say, upstream, said means (2) to prevent air escaping being located between the spacing means (3) provided within the said film and the reel, the inflating and welding device (5, 6, 7,12) being located after the means (3) located in the interior of said film and before the means (8) for pulling said film (1) so as to pull the tubular film through the inflating and welding device, the hollow needle (5) of the inflating and welding device being attached to a first beam (12) located on one side of said film and operated by a first actuator (13), and two heating elements (6) placed upstream and downstream of said needle attached to a second beam (10) disposed on the other side of said film and operated by a second actuator (11), characterised in that the means for preventing the escape of air introduced into the tubular film towards said reel, that is to say, upstream, comprise an elongate element (2b) extending in a transverse direction relative to the film (1) attached to said first beam (12) in such a way as to be held away from said film while the latter is being moved and introduced into a recess (2a) provided in a plate (2) on the frame of the machine to force said film into the recess to form a sealed fold in the latter. This machine comprises a frame, spacing means arranged in the interior (3) of the tubular film (1) to separate the walls, traction means (8) to draw the tubular film and an inflating and welding device (5. 6. 7. 12). The inflating and welding means is provided with at least one hollow needle (5) for inflation, means (2. 2a, 2b) to present the air escaping toward said reel. that is to say, upstream. Said means (2) to prevent the escape of air are placed between the means (3) provided within the said film and the reel. The inflating and welding device (5, 6, 7, 12) is located after the means (3) provided within said film and before the traction means (8) for drawing said tubular film (1) through the inflating and welding device. The hollow needle (5) of the inflating and welding device is attached to a first beam (12) located on one side of the said film and controlled by a first actuator (13) and two heating elements (6) located upstream and downstream of the hollow needle attached to a second beam (10) located on the other side of said film controlled by a second actuator (11). The means for preventing the air introduced into the tubular film from escaping towards the said reel, that is to say. upstream, comprise an elongate element (2b) extending in a transverse direction relative to the film (1) attached to said first beam (12) in such a way as to be held away from said film during the movement of the latter and being introduced into a recess (2a) provided in a plate (2) on the frame of the machine to force said film into the recess to form a sealed fold in the latter.

Full Text

The present invention has for an object a machine tor making air cushions for packaging
from a tubular film wound on a reel, notably for cushioning delicate and fragile objects.
The document WO 99/61232 contains a history of the improvements made to the types of
machine which form the subject of the present invention and defines a machine for
making air cushions for packaging which do not exhibit the defects of the prior art.
However, the machine defined in document WO 99/61232 still has some problems,
particularly in relation to the tension of the tubular film intended for making the air
cushions. This tension is very important for allowing good perforation of the film and
hence a standard filling of the cushions.
The invention has for an object to provide a machine intended for the manufacture of air
cushions for packaging which represents a marked improvement over the known
machines, particularly in respect of the tension of the film, so as to ensure reliable
operation of the machine in respect of both quality and durability.
These goals are achieved with the machine for making air cushions for packaging from
tubular film wound on a reel in accordance with the invention, said machine comprising a
frame, spacing means arranged within said tubular film to separate the walls, traction
means to draw the tubular film and an inflating and welding device having at least one
hollow needle for inflation, means to prevent the air escaping toward said reel, that is to
say, upstream, said means to prevent the escape of air being placed between the means
provided within the said film and the reel, the inflating and welding device being placed
after the means provided within said film and before the means for drawing said film to
pull the tubular film through the inflating and welding device, the hollow needle of the
inflating and welding device being attached to a first beam located on one side of the said
film controlled by a first actuator and two heating elements located upstream and
downstream of the hollow needle on a second beam located on the other side of said film
controlled by a second actuator, characterised in that the means for preventing the air
introduced into the tubular film from escaping towards the said reel, that is to say.
upstream, comprise an elongated element extending in a transverse direction rclati\e to
the film attached to said first beam in such a way as to be held away from said film during
the movement of the latter and being introduced into a recess provided in a plate in the
frame of the machine to force said film into the recess to form a sealed fold in the latter.
The invention will be better understood and its advantages will appear more clearly from
a reading of the description of the method of carrying the invention into effect, which is
given solely by way of example, and by means of the drawings in which:
figure 1 represents a schematic view of a machine in accordance with the invention,
figure 2 shows the section A-A of figure I showing the traction device as seen from
above.
figures 3 a, b and c provide a diagrammatic representation of the different phases of
operation of the machine shown in figure 1.
As can be seen from the schematic view of figure 1, one embodiment of the machine in
accordance with the invention includes means 8 to draw the tubular film 1, which can be
of any material which can be welded by thermal welding, for example, plastic. The film is
pulled in the direction of the arrow 16 from a reel, which is not shown. The film 1 first
passes over a return roller 17 which displaces it vertically on the drawing, then it passes
in front of a plate 2 on the frame comprising a recess 2a. The recess 2a in the plate 2 is
arranged opposite an elongate element 2b attached to a first beam 12. The tubular film 1
then encounters a body 3 introduced into the interior of the tubular film 1 through the
opening at the end of the film 1 at the time when the machine is first started up. The body
3 rests on two bars or rods 4 disposed outside said film 1 and separated by a distance less
than the external diameter of the body 3. The body 3 is, for example, a cylinder of plastic
material of about 1 cm in diameter, held in place solely by gravity on the two rods 4. Just
after its passage around the body 3 the film 1 passes through the inflating and welding
device.
The inflating and welding device comprises at least one hollow needle 5 connected to
inflating means (for example, a compressor, not shown) and fixed to a first beam 12
articulated on an axis 15 and thermal pressure welding means 6 attached to a second
beam 10 articulated on an axis 14. The oscillating movement of the beam 12 is controlled
by a first actuator 13 and the oscillating movement of the beam 10 by a second actuator
The welding means 6 consist of two heating bars (For example, using thermal resistance)
disposed one abo\e the other, of a length at least equal to the width of the tubular fiIm I
and placed on one side of said Him opposite thrust bars 7 placed one abo\ e the other on
the opposite side, the hollow needle 5 being arranged between thrust bars 7. The inflating
and welding de\ ice also comprises points or a serrated knife 18 between the heating bars
to perforate or partially cut the tubular film I in order to facilitate its separation.
In figure 2 the film traction device X comprises two cylinders 19. 19a each having ends of
greater diameter than that of their central parts 20. 20a. The terminal parts of the cylinders
19, 19a are coaled with flexible and elastic material, for example, foam rubber. Cylinders
19. 19a are in contact with one another at their extremities leaving in their central part a
space such that the two walls of the tubular film I can remain separated after inflation.
The two cylinders arc caused to rotate by a motor 23 by means of gears 24 ami 2 I.
The operation of the machine will be explained with the aid of figures 3a. 3b and 3c. The
elements represented are the same as those of figure 1: the reference symbols ha\e not
been repeated in order not to obscure the draw ings. First, the body 3 is introduced
through the opening of the end of the said tubular film into the interior of the latter and
the film is drawn between the bars 4. then through the driving means S. The welding
device 6. 7 is then operated so as to close the end of the tubular film 1 by means of a weld
29 (Fig. 3). The machine is ready to operate, as shown in figure 3a. The actuator 13
operates the beam 12 so as to displace the element 2b in the direction of the arrow 31
which enters into the recess 2a in the plate 2 of the frame of the machine. The element 2b
comprises a strip having a thickness substantially less than the opening of the recess 2a so
that the strip can introduce the two walls of the tube 1 into the recess 2a. When the film 1
is introduced into the recess 2a it creates a tension on the latter. In effect, the film 1 is
retained on the roller I 7 and in the traction device X, this tension improves the separation
of the two walls of the tubular film 1.
Immediately after the element 2b has been introduced into the recess 2a, the needle 5 is
introduced in the direction of the arrow 27 (figure 3b) into the tubular film 1 by the
movement of the beam I 2 effected by the actuator 1 3, penetrating only one wall because
the region where it is introduced is immediately after the body 3 and walls of the tubular
film have been well separated. Inflation is then effected, air being retained by the weld 29
and by the fold formed in the recess 2a in the plate 2 by the element 2b.
Welding is then effected, the welding bars 6 being displaced in the direction of the ;irrow
2X (figure 3c) by the beam 10 mo\ed by the actuator I I so as to come to rest on the thrust
bars 7 pinching the tubular film between them and the thrust bars. Welding can then lake
place. The welding bars are then heated in order to effect sealing of the two walls of (he
tubular film to form a cushion 30. During the welding, the needle 5 and the element 2b
are withdrawn rearwards bv a reverse movement of the beam 12 effected by the actuator
13. The welding bars are then withdrawn rearwards by a reverse movement of the beam
10 effected by the actuator 1 1. The cushion 30 is then pulled on its sides by cylinders 8 as
indicated in figure 2 for a distance equal to the length of a cushion.
The cycle described above can then restart because it is again in the position shown in
figure 3a.
It is to be understood that the description of the method of carrying the invention into
effect given above is provided only by way of example. Thus all the variations relating to
the shape of the element intended to enter the recess to hold the film arc comprised within
the scope of the present invention.
I CLAIM:
1. Machine for making air cushions for packaging from a tubular film (1) arranged on a
reel, said machine comprising a frame, means (3) provided in side said tubular film to
separate the walls thereof, traction means (8) for pulling the tubular film and an
inflating and welding device (5,6,7,12) having at least one hollow needle (5) for the
inflation, means (2, 2a, 2b) to prevent air from escaping towards said reel, that is to
say, upstream, said means (2) to prevent air escaping being located between the
spacing means (3) provided within the said film and the reel, the inflating and
welding device (5, 6, 7,12) being located after the means (3) located in the interior of
said film and before the means (8) for pulling said film (1) so as to pull the tubular
film through the inflating and welding device, the hollow needle (5) of the inflating
and welding device being attached to a first beam (12) located on one side of said
film and operated by a first actuator (13), and two heating elements (6) placed
upstream and downstream of said needle attached to a second beam (10) disposed on
the other side of said film and operated by a second actuator (11), characterised in
that the means for preventing the escape of air introduced into the tubular film
towards said reel, that is to say, upstream, comprise an elongate element (2b)
extending in a transverse direction relative to the film (1) attached to said first beam
(12) in such a way as to be held away from said film while the latter is being moved
and introduced into a recess (2a) provided in a plate (2) on the frame of the machine
to force said film into the recess to form a sealed fold in the latter.
This machine comprises a frame, spacing means arranged in the interior (3) of the tubular
film (1) to separate the walls, traction means (8) to draw the tubular film and an inflating
and welding device (5. 6. 7. 12). The inflating and welding means is provided with at
least one hollow needle (5) for inflation, means (2. 2a, 2b) to present the air escaping
toward said reel. that is to say, upstream. Said means (2) to prevent the escape of air are
placed between the means (3) provided within the said film and the reel. The inflating and
welding device (5, 6, 7, 12) is located after the means (3) provided within said film and
before the traction means (8) for drawing said tubular film (1) through the inflating and
welding device. The hollow needle (5) of the inflating and welding device is attached to a
first beam (12) located on one side of the said film and controlled by a first actuator (13)
and two heating elements (6) located upstream and downstream of the hollow needle
attached to a second beam (10) located on the other side of said film controlled by a
second actuator (11). The means for preventing the air introduced into the tubular film
from escaping towards the said reel, that is to say. upstream, comprise an elongate
element (2b) extending in a transverse direction relative to the film (1) attached to said
first beam (12) in such a way as to be held away from said film during the movement of
the latter and being introduced into a recess (2a) provided in a plate (2) on the frame of
the machine to force said film into the recess to form a sealed fold in the latter.

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Patent Number

223770

Indian Patent Application Number

00968/KOLNP/2004

PG Journal Number

39/2008

Publication Date

26-Sep-2008

Grant Date

23-Sep-2008

Date of Filing

12-Jul-2004

Name of Patentee

BORGEAT, GUY

Applicant Address

CHALET LES ECHOS, CH-1874, CHAMPERY

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	BORGEAT, GUY	CHALET LES ECHOS, CH-1874, CHAMPERY

PCT International Classification Number

B31D 5/00

PCT International Application Number

PCT/CH03/00015

PCT International Filing date

2003-01-14

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	73/02	2002-01-17	Switzerland