Shrink tunnel control apparatus and method

Abstract

Control system and apparatus for controlling power consumption of a heat chamber such as a shrink tunnel. The system and apparatus of the present invention is modification to conventional systems, and takes advantage of the inherent equipment usage model in a packaging process. When the shrink wrap sealer has been idle for a predetermined duration, control circuitry in the shrink tunnel forces the tunnel to enter an energy savings mode.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Apparatus for controlling the temperature of a heat chamber, comprising: 
 a shrink wrap sealer machine;    a first device responsive to usage of said sealer machine for generating a signal when said sealer is active;    a detector for detecting when said signal is generated; and    a second device responsive to said detector for reducing power consumption of said heat chamber by a predetermined percentage when the duration between said detected signals exceeds a predetermined threshold.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said shrink wrap sealer machine comprises a sealer jaw, and said first device generates said signal when said sealer jaw is depressed.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first device generates said signal wirelessly.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein there is a plurality of said first devices.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said detector is mounted on said heat chamber.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said detector detects said signal wirelessly.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said second device reduces power consumption of said heat chamber by reducing chamber temperature.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said heat chamber comprises at least one blower, and said second device reduces power consumption of said heat chamber by reducing the speed of said at least one blower.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said heat chamber comprises a conveyor belt, and said second device reduces power consumption of said heat chamber by reducing the speed of said conveyor belt.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined percentage is manually selectable.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined threshold is manually selectable.  
     
     
         12 . Control system for minimizing power consumption of one of first and second associated film packaging machine components for packaging an article, wherein said first packaging machine component comprises upper and lower sealing jaws for sealing therebetween said film about said article, at least one of said upper and lower sealing jaws being movable with respect to the other between an open position and a closed position, said closed position causing the generation of a signal indicative of said position; said second packaging machine component comprising a heated cavity for receiving the packaged article, said heated cavity requiring an amount of power to generate sufficient heat to shrink said film about said article; said control system comprising a receiver for receiving said generated signal and a controller for determining the duration between said generated signals received by said receiver and reducing said amount of power when said duration exceeds a predetermined value.