Sealing rail with heat pipe for a packaging machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sealing rail for a packaging machine. The sealing rail has least one heating unit that is provided in a heating bar, and a sealing surface that is provided on a sealing bar. The sealing rail has at least one heat pipe that is oriented parallel to the sealing surface and in contact with both the heating bar and the sealing bar so as to transfer heat homogeneously from the heating bar to the sealing bar.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sealing rail for a packaging machine, the sealing rail comprising:
 at least one heating unit provided in a heating bar;   a sealing surface provided on a sealing bar; and   at least one heat pipe;   wherein the at least one heat pipe is oriented parallel to the sealing surface and contacts the heating bar and the sealing bar so as to transfer heat homogeneously from the heating bar to the sealing bar.   
     
     
         2 . The sealing rail according to  claim 1 , wherein when the sealing rail is in operation, a maximum difference in temperature of less than 10° C. in a longitudinal orientation. prevails on the sealing surface. 
     
     
         3 . The sealing rail according  claim 1 , wherein the heat pipe has a deformable outer wall. 
     
     
         4 . The sealing rail according to  claim 3 , wherein the heat pipe is adapted to be mounted between the heating bar and the sealing bar, and wherein the outer wall is deformed during mounting of the heat pipe. 
     
     
         5 . The sealing rail according to  claim 3 , wherein a contact surface defined by the heating bar and the sealing bar has an oval cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         6 . The sealing rail according to  claim 1 , wherein the heating bar and the sealing bar are configured as separate components. 
     
     
         7 . The sealing rail according to  claim 6 , wherein the heating bar and the sealing bar are connected to one another in a mutually heat-insulating manner. 
     
     
         8 . The sealing rail according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing bar has a substantially T-shaped cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         9 . The sealing rail according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat pipe is configured for a temperature range of 60° C. to 200° C. 
     
     
         10 . The sealing rail according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat pipe extends an entire length of the sealing rail. 
     
     
         11 . The sealing rail according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat pipe comprises two or more heat pipe portions. 
     
     
         12 . The sealing rail according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing rail is incorporated with a vacuum chamber machine.