Pouch forming machine with vertical jaw adjustment mechanism

Abstract

An adjustment mechanism for the vertical jaws of a vertical form, fill, seal pouch machine includes a frame having a track for supporting a cross arm and a pair of drive wheels turning a cross rod which rotates a drive rod to move the support bar for the vertical jaws to and away from a forming tube of the machine. A similar mechanism moves a support device for a die cutter forming a hanger hole on the pouch to and away from the forming tube.

1 . A machine for forming a pouch, the machine comprising:
 a housing;   a forming tube, the forming tube being generally horizontally aligned within the housing;   a frame mounted to the housing;   a first drive rod pivotally mounted to the frame, the first drive rod having a threaded portion;   a first support bar movably mounted to the frame, the first support bar having a portion threadably engaging the threaded portion of the drive rod;   a set of vertical jaws having seal bars mounted to the support bar;   a device for rotating the first rod so as to move the first support bar and seal bar to and away from the forming tube.   
     
     
         2 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein the first support bar has a nut portion in engagement with the threaded portion of the first drive rod. 
     
     
         3 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein the device for rotating the drive rod is at least one rotating member connected to a first cross rod having a bevel gear in engagement with the first rod. 
     
     
         4 . The machine of  claim 3  wherein the at least one rotating member is a pair of wheels, one of the pair of wheels mounted to the shaft outside of the housing and the other wheel of the pair of wheels mounted to the shaft on the inside of the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The machine of  claim 1  further comprising a die cutter mounted to a second support bar, the second support bar slidably mounted to the frame. 
     
     
         6 . The machine of  claim 5  further comprising a vertical lift mechanism for moving the die cutter along a vertical axis. 
     
     
         7 . The machine of  claim 6  wherein the machine further comprises a second drive shaft for rotatably moving the second support arm. 
     
     
         8 . The machine of  claim 7  wherein the machine further comprises a second cross rod in engagement with the second drive rod to move the second support arm to and away from the forming tube.