Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A control system and method for an apparatus for sealing packages wherein a web of flexible packaging material having a series of registration marks is formed into tubing and fed past a sealing device for sealing the tubing to form packages. As the tubing is fed past the sealing device, a photoeye detects the registration marks. A CPU, responsive to the photoeye, compares the location of registration marks relative to a window. A counter, responsive to the CPU, sets a delay length of tubing to be fed past the sealing device in response to the relative location of the registration marks and the window. The feeding of the tubing is stopped after the counter has been decremented to zero and the delay length of tubing has passed the sealing device. An in registration delay length of tubing to be fed past the sealing device is set in response to detection by said photoeye of a registration mark within the window. An out of registration delay length to be fed past the sealing device is set in response to failure of the photoeye to detect a registration mark within the window. The feeding of the tubing is stopped after the in registration delay length of tubing has passed the sealing device to allow sealing of the tubing at that point. The feeding of the tubing is also stopped in response to failure by the photoeye to detect a registration mark during the period that the out of registration delay length is fed past the sealing device. The in registration delay length has a magnitude which is a function of the relative location.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim