Heat-seal device

Abstract

A heat-seal device generally includes a heat source, a thermal conductor, which encapsulates at least a portion of the heat source and is capable of transferring heat from the heat source, and a thermal insulator, which substantially surrounds the thermal conductor but leaves a portion thereof exposed, the exposed portion of the thermal conductor providing a heat-seal contact surface, which is adapted to be brought into contact with a material to be sealed.

1 . A heat-seal device, comprising:
 a. a heat source;   b. a thermal conductor, which encapsulates at least a portion of said heat source and is capable of transferring heat from said heat source; and   c. a thermal insulator, which substantially surrounds said thermal conductor but leaves a portion thereof exposed, said exposed portion of said thermal conductor providing a heat-seal contact surface, which is adapted to be brought into contact with a material to be sealed,   wherein, said thermal conductor has a higher degree of thermal conductivity than said thermal insulator.   
     
     
         2 . The heat-seal device of  claim 1 , wherein said heat source is encapsulated by said thermal conductor such that substantially no portion of said heat-source is exposed at said heat-seal contact surface, whereby, said heat source does not come into direct contact with the material to be sealed. 
     
     
         3 . The heat-seal device of  claim 1 , further including a temperature-measuring device, at least a portion of which is encapsulated with said heat source in said thermal conductor. 
     
     
         4 . A heat-sealing method, comprising the steps of:
 a. providing the heat-seal device of  claim 1 ;   b. causing said heat source to produce heat; and   c. bringing said heat-seal contact surface into contact with a material to be sealed,   whereby, the heat produced by said heat source transfers through said thermal conductor and into the material to be sealed via said contact surface.   
     
     
         5 . A heat-sealing method, comprising the steps of:
 a. providing the heat-seal device of  claim 3 ;   b. causing said heat source to produce heat, thereby effecting a change in temperature within said thermal conductor;   c. measuring the temperature within said thermal conductor;   d. bringing said heat-seal contact surface into contact with a material to be sealed,   whereby, the heat produced by said heat source transfers through said thermal conductor and into the material to be sealed via said contact surface.   
     
     
         6 . The heat-seal device of  claim 3 , wherein the encapsulated portion of said temperature-measuring device is positioned between said heat source and said heat-seal contact surface. 
     
     
         7 . A heat-seal device, comprising:
 a. a heat source;   b. a thermal conductor, which encapsulates at least a portion of said heat source and is capable of transferring heat from said heat source via a heat-seal contact surface on said thermal conductor, wherein said contact surface is adapted to be brought into contact with a material to be sealed; and   c. a temperature-measuring device, at least a portion of which is encapsulated with said heat source in said thermal conductor.   
     
     
         8 . A heat-seal system, comprising:
 a. a heat-seal device, comprising
 1) a heat source capable of producing heat, 
 2) a thermal conductor, which encapsulates at least a portion of said heat source and is capable of assuming a temperature that corresponds, at least in part, to the heat produced by said heat source, and 
 3) a thermal insulator, which substantially surrounds said thermal conductor but leaves a portion thereof exposed, said exposed portion of said thermal conductor providing a heat-seal contact surface, which is adapted to be brought into contact with a material to be sealed; 
   b. a temperature-measuring device, at least a portion of which is encapsulated with said heat source in said thermal conductor; and   c. a controller in operative communication with said heat source and with said temperature-measuring device, said controller adapted to
 1) receive input from said temperature-measuring device, which is indicative of the temperature of said thermal conductor, and 
 2) send output to said heat source, which causes said heat source to produce more heat, less heat, or an unchanged amount of heat, 
   whereby, said controller determines the temperature of said thermal conductor.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said controller maintains said thermal conductor at a temperature that falls within a range of a selected temperature. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein
 a. said system further includes a conveyance mechanism for conveying a web of material to be sealed against said heat-seal contact surface of said heat-seal device, said conveyance mechanism being adapted to convey the web at varying speeds; and   b. said controller is adapted to change the temperature of said thermal conductor based on changes in the speed at which the web is conveyed.