Cold seal packaging rollers

Abstract

Improved cold seal packaging rollers for packaging machines, as disclosed herein, may be configured to define a turned-up or bend along each edge portion of a packaging created by the packaging machine for avoiding jams of the packaging in automated packing systems. The improved cold seal packaging rollers may be incorporated directly into the cold seal packaging machine, replacing the standard rollers, or external to the machine to manipulate a completed packaging. The improved cold seal packaging rollers may comprise a first gear and a second gear, each having a circumferential toothed portion and a circumferential beveled portion. The circumferential beveled portion of the first gear may be angled inwardly toward a central axis as it moves away from the circumferential toothed portion. The circumferential beveled portion of the second gear may be angled outwardly away from a central axis as it moves away from the circumferential toothed portion.

1 . A packaging system for coupling at least a first and second layer of a plurality of layers of packaging material together, the packaging material configured to receive an item therebetween, the packaging system comprising:
 a first gear having a circumferential toothed portion and a circumferential beveled portion extending interiorly from the circumferential toothed portion; and   a second gear having a circumferential toothed portion and a circumferential beveled portion extending exteriorly from the circumferential toothed portion, the circumferential toothed portion and the circumferential beveled portion of the second gear configured to mate with the circumferential toothed portion and the circumferential beveled portion of the first gear for coupling an edge portion of at least the first and second layers of the plurality of layers of packaging material together and further bending the edge portion at an angle matching that of the circumferential beveled portion of one of the first and second gears relative to an axis of the one of the first or second gears.   
     
     
         2 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the toothed portion of the first gear includes a first set of teeth and the toothed portion of the second gear includes a second set of teeth;   each tooth of the first and second sets of teeth has a substantially flat distal end.   
     
     
         3 . The packaging system of  claim 2 , wherein:
 each tooth of the first and second sets of teeth tapers down toward the substantially flat distal end.   
     
     
         4 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the toothed portion of the first gear includes a first set of teeth and the toothed portion of the second gear includes a second set of teeth;   each tooth of the first and second sets of teeth is semi-circular in shape.   
     
     
         5 . The packaging system of  claim 4 , wherein:
 each tooth of the first and second sets of teeth has a radius in a range of from 0.2 inches to 0.5 inches.   
     
     
         6 . The packaging system of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the toothed portion of the first gear includes a first set of recesses and the toothed portion of the second gear includes a second set of recesses;   each recess of the first and second set of recesses is semi-circular in shape.   
     
     
         7 . The packaging system of  claim 6 , wherein:
 each recess of the first and second sets of recesses has a radius in a range of from 0.2 inches to 0.5 inches.   
     
     
         8 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the toothed portion of the first gear includes a first set of teeth and first set of recesses;   the toothed portion of the second gear includes a second set of teeth and a second set of recesses; and   each tooth of the first and second sets of teeth are semi-circular in shape, each recess of the first and second sets of recesses are semi-circular in shape, and each tooth of the first and second sets of teeth and each recess of the first and second sets of recesses has a common radius.   
     
     
         9 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a distal edge of the circumferential beveled portion of the first gear has a radius that is smaller than a radius of the circumferential toothed portion of the first gear; and   a distal edge of the circumferential beveled portion of the second gear has a radius that is larger than the circumferential toothed portion of the second gear.   
     
     
         10 . A packaging system for coupling at least a first and second layer of a plurality of layers of packaging material together, the packaging material configured to receive an item therebetween, the packaging system comprising:
 a first gear having a plurality of teeth extending radially therefrom, the plurality of teeth disposed between a first edge and second edge of the first gear, a radius of the first gear being larger at the first edge than at the second edge;   a second gear having a plurality of teeth extending radially therefore, the plurality of teeth disposed between a first edge and second edge of the second gear, a radius of the second gear being smaller at the first edge than at the second edge;   wherein the plurality of teeth of the first gear are configured to mate with the plurality of teeth of the second gear for coupling an edge portion of at least the first and second layers of the plurality of layers of packaging material together.   
     
     
         11 . The packaging system of  claim 10 , wherein:
 each tooth of the plurality of teeth of the first and second gears has a substantially flat distal end.   
     
     
         12 . The packaging system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 each tooth of the plurality of teeth of the first and second gears tapers down toward the substantially flat distal end.   
     
     
         13 . The packaging system of  claim 10 , wherein:
 each tooth of the plurality of teeth of the first and second gears is semi-circular in shape.   
     
     
         14 . The packaging system of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the first gear includes a plurality of recesses, each recess of the plurality of recesses disposed between each of the plurality of teeth of the first gear;   the second gear includes a plurality of recesses, each recess of the plurality of recesses disposed between each of the plurality of teeth of the second gear;   each recess of the plurality of recesses of the first and second gears is semi-circular in shape.   
     
     
         15 - 19 . (canceled)