Importance

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Abstract

An end seal wrapping machine (10), and method of forming an end seal in a spaced series of articles (A) moved therethrough, is disclosed. The wrapping machine has a first rotating shaft (40) on which at least a first upper sealing and crimping head (41a, 41b) is positioned, with a spaced second counter-rotating shaft (81) on which a second opposed sealing and crimping head (82a, 82b) is positioned. The wrapping machine is supplied with a regularly spaced series of articles which are substantially enclosed in a continuous tube (27) of packaging film (20) upstream of the sealing and crimping heads. The articles in the tube of packaging film are passed between the sealing and crimping heads for being wrapped within the film. The first sealing and crimping head includes an elongate knife (43) formed as a part thereof, with an elongate platen (92) formed as a part of the second sealing and crimping head, and opposed to the knife. The knife is constructed and arranged to be rotatably moved into and out of engagement with the platen to pinch the packaging film therebetween to form an end seal in the packaging film. At least one air jet (54a, 54b) is mounted on the first rotating shaft with respect to the knife, the at least one air jet being sized and shaped to direct an air flow selectively emitted therethrough toward the packaging film for clamping the packaging film with respect to the platen and the knife, and for stripping the packaging film off of the knife in the event that any of the film tends to adhere thereto as the knife moves out of engagement with the platen.

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First Claim