Method and system for ultrasonic sealing of food product packaging

Abstract

A method and system for ultrasonic sealing of food product packaging is provided. The ultrasonic sealing system preferably includes a food product packaging-positioning system that delivers food product packaging and food product into direct on-item-packaging forming box. The direct on-item-packaging forming box then receives the food product packaging and forms it directly around the supplied food product forming a partially packaged food product. The partially packaged food product is then ultrasonically edge sealed around the food product by an ultrasonic food product packaging fin-sealing unit forming a partially sealed food product packaging. The partially sealed food product packaging then enters a food product packaging end-sealing unit which ultrasonically seals and crimps the ends of the food product packaging resulting in a fully packaged and ultrasonically sealed food product.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for ultrasonically fin-sealing food product packaging, said system including: 
 a rotating anvil wheel; and,    an ultrasonically activated horn operably positioned with respect to said rotating anvil wheel, said ultrasonically activated horn and rotating anvil wheel operating in conjunction to ultrasonically fin-seal said food product packaging passing between said ultrasonically activated horn and rotating anvil wheel.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further including a pair of opposing discharge rollers for pulling food product packaging through said ultrasonic food product packaging fin-sealing system.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  further including a pair of opposing infeed rollers for guiding the said partially packaged food product into said food product packaging fin-sealing system and pressing together the ends of said partially packaged food product.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  further including a pair of opposing fin fold down rollers for folding down the fin seal on said partially sealed food product packaging.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  further including said ultrasonically activated horn mounted on an air-operated slide for maintaining proper operational pressure and alignment of said ultrasonically activated horn against the opposing side of said partially packaged food product.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  further including anvil servo drive for maintaining proper operational pressure and alignment of said rotating anvil wheel against the side of said partially packaged food product.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  further including a confectionery food product.  
     
     
         8 . A method for ultrasonically fin-sealing food product packaging, said method including the step of: 
 fin-sealing food product packaging by passing said food product packaging between an operably connected rotating anvil wheel and an ultrasonically activated horn.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further including a continuously supplied food product packaging.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  further including a continuously supplied food product.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  further including a confectionery food product.