Systems and methods for applying fragrance or odor control agents to plastic webs

Abstract

A system and method for applying a fragrance or odor control agent to a plastic web is provided. The system includes a forming and sealing machine for forming and sealing the plastic web and a fragrance or odor control agent applicator for applying the fragrance or odor control agent to the plastic web. The fragrance or odor control agent applicator is designed to apply the fragrance or odor control agent directly to a first interior surface and a second interior surface formed by folding the plastic web using the forming and sealing machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for applying fragrance or odor control agents to plastic webs, and more particularly, to plastic webs used in the manufacture of trash bags. Background Art

[0002] Plastic trash bags have long been used to line trash containers. They improve sanitation by preventing waste from contacting the container. They also provide a convenient way to remove trash from the container for transport or disposal.

[0003] Because garbage often contains food scraps and other odor-producing items, many attempts have been made to produce scented garbage bags to mask the odor produced by the contents of the bag.

[0004] While it is relatively easy to apply volatile fragrance ingredients directly to malodors in the air, such as fast-acting aerosol air sprays including fragrance freshening compositions, it is much more difficult to apply fragrances or odor control agents directly to plastic trash bags so that the fragrances or odor control agents control odors emanating from the trash by passive diffusion from the plastic trash bags.

[0005] One difficulty is that many fragrances and odor control agents are insoluble in the typical plastic compositions of plastic trash bags. Another difficulty is that many fragrances and odor control agents volatilize at ambient temperatures and volatilize significantly at the high temperatures required during the melt extrusion process of the plastic or other plastic articles used to make trash bags.

[0006] Furthermore, the volatilization of fragrance and odor control agents during the production process may also require expensive ventilation and exhaust components to provide ventilation for the applied fragrance or odor control agent ingredients, wasting expensive fragrance and odor control agents, and causing the fragrance profile of the fragrance and odor control agent to vary as the components volatilize to varying degrees.

[0007] The above difficulties are particularly evident in the production of garbage bags that are large and have a complex production process. Therefore, there is a need for a system and method for applying fragrances or odor control agents that can directly apply fragrances or odor control agents directly to sheets of plastic web material.

[0008] The present invention provides such a system and method for applying fragrance or odor control agents directly to plastic webs.These and other advantages of the present invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein. Summary of the Invention

[0009] In one aspect, the present invention provides a system for applying a fragrance or odor control agent to a plastic web. The system includes a forming and sealing machine and a fragrance or odor control agent application system. The forming and sealing machine includes a plastic web that is pulled adjacent to the odor control agent application system. The odor control agent application system includes a control module, a pump, a tank for storing the fragrance or odor control agent, and an applicator. The applicator may include a mandrel that applies the fragrance or odor control agent to the plastic web as it is pulled through the forming and sealing machine.

[0010] According to another aspect, the spindle is rotationally connected to the carrier.

[0011] According to yet another aspect, the roller can be slidably coupled to the mandrel.

[0012] According to another aspect, a mandrel has an internal cavity extending through the body of the mandrel in a first direction and a drainage hole extending through the body of the mandrel in a second direction.

[0013] In yet another aspect, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0014] In yet another aspect, the second direction is angled relative to the first direction.

[0015] According to another aspect, a bracket has an interior cavity extending therethrough and having a first opening on a first side of the bracket and a second opening on a second side of the bracket.

[0016] In yet another aspect, the first opening is connected to the tube and the second opening is connected to the mandrel.

[0017] According to yet another aspect, a tube is connected to a first end of the tubing and a second end of the tubing is connected to an outlet of the pump.

[0018] In another aspect, the second opening is fluidly connected to a first lumen extending through the mandrel in a first direction.

[0019] According to yet another aspect, the mandrel includes a second lumen extending radially in a second direction between the first lumen and an outer surface of the mandrel.

[0020] According to another aspect, the control module is integrated with the pump.

[0021] According to yet another aspect, the plastic web is formed from polyethylene or a blend thereof.

[0022] According to yet another aspect, an odor control agent application system includes a fluid dispenser having a hollow interior capable of storing a supply of a fragrance or odor control agent.

[0023] According to another aspect, the drain hole is located at the gravity bottom of the fluid distributor.

[0024] According to yet another aspect, one or more bristles extend from a gravity bottom of the fluid distributor.

[0025] According to yet another aspect, gravity causes the fragrance or odor control agent to exit the hollow interior through the discharge aperture where the bristles direct the fragrance or odor control agent toward the mandrel.

[0026] According to another aspect, an odor control agent application system includes a liquid applicator fluidly connected to a pump.

[0027] According to yet another aspect, a fluid applicator has a first surface comprised of a liquid absorbing material capable of being substantially saturated with a fluid or odor control agent.

[0028] According to yet another aspect, the first surface applies a fragrance or odor control agent to the outer surface of the mandrel.

[0029] According to yet another aspect, the spindle extends from the bracket as a cantilevered extension.

[0030] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides an applicator for applying a fragrance or odor control agent to a plastic web. The applicator includes a bracket and a spindle rotatably connected to the bracket. The bracket has an inner cavity extending through the bracket, wherein the inner cavity has a first opening fluidly connected to a supply source of the fragrance or odor control agent and a second opening fluidly connected to the first inner cavity extending in a first direction through the spindle. The first inner cavity is fluidly connected to a second inner cavity, which extends radially between the first inner cavity and an outer surface of the spindle.

[0031] According to another aspect, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0032] According to yet another aspect, the second direction is angled relative to the first direction.

[0033] In another aspect, the spindle extends from the bracket as a cantilevered extension.

[0034] According to another aspect, the roller is slidably connected to the mandrel.

[0035] According to another aspect, when the roller is slidably connected to the mandrel, the opening in the roller and the second lumen in the mandrel at least partially overlap.

[0036] According to yet another aspect, the roller has openings along the inner surface of the roller that allow fluid to be transferred from the inner surface of the roller to the outer surface of the roller.

[0037] According to yet another aspect, the roller has an outer surface made of a liquid absorbent material.

[0038] According to another aspect, at least a portion of the outer surface of the mandrel is knurled.

[0039] According to another aspect, the applicator further includes a fluid dispenser having a hollow interior capable of storing a supply of a fragrance or odor control agent.

[0040] According to another aspect, the drain hole is located at the gravity bottom of the fluid distributor.

[0041] According to another aspect, the bristles extend from a gravity base of the fluid dispenser.

[0042] According to another aspect, gravity causes the fragrance or odor control agent to exit the hollow interior through the discharge aperture where the bristles direct the fragrance or odor control agent toward the mandrel.

[0043] According to another aspect, the liquid applicator is fluidly connected to the pump.

[0044] According to another aspect, a fluid applicator has a first surface comprised of a liquid absorbing material capable of being substantially saturated with a fluid or odor control agent.

[0045] According to another aspect, the first surface applies the fragrance or odor control agent to the outer surface of the mandrel.

[0046] According to another aspect, the outer surface of the roller is at least partially composed of a liquid-absorbing material.

[0047] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for applying a fragrance or odor control agent to a plastic web. The method includes folding the plastic web to form a first inner surface and a second inner surface, and opening the plastic web with a web opening device to form a gap between the first inner surface and the second inner surface. The method also includes applying the fragrance or odor control agent to the first inner surface or the second inner surface using a liquid absorbent material.

[0048] According to another aspect, the method includes applying the fragrance or odor control agent to the first inner surface or the second inner surface of the plastic web, with at least a portion of the liquid absorbent material extending into the gap formed.

[0049] According to yet another aspect, the method includes extending the liquid absorbent material into the gap between 1 inch and 12 inches.

[0050] In yet another aspect, the method includes connecting the liquid absorbent material to a roller.

[0051] According to yet another aspect, the method includes forming a first heat seal and a second heat seal in a plastic web with a vertical sealing bar.

[0052] According to another aspect, the method includes paralleling the first heat seal relative to the second heat seal.

[0053] In another aspect, the method includes the first heat seal and the second heat seal being perpendicular to the gap formed by the web-opening device.

[0054] According to another aspect of the present application, a system for applying a fragrance or odor control agent to a plastic web is provided. The system also includes a forming and sealing machine for moving the plastic web through one or more bag forming stations, wherein one of the bag forming stations forms the web having two facing inner surfaces. The system also includes an fragrance or odor control agent application system, the fragrance or odor control agent application system including a mandrel adapted to position a liquid fragrance or odor control agent on an outer surface of the mandrel, wherein at least one of the two facing inner surfaces of the web contacts the outer surface of the mandrel as the plastic web moves through the forming and sealing machine, and wherein the liquid fragrance or odor control agent is applied to at least one of the two facing inner surfaces of the web via contact with the outer surface of the mandrel on which the liquid fragrance or odor control agent is positioned.

[0055] Other aspects, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

[0057] Figure 1 A system for applying a fragrance or odor control agent to a plastic web according to one aspect of the present application is shown;

[0058] Figure 2A Shows that it can be Figure 1 A close up view of a fragrance or odor control agent applicator according to one aspect of the present application for use with the system shown in FIG.

[0059] Figure 2B Shown Figure 2A A close-up cross-sectional view of a fragrance or odor control agent applicator as shown in FIG.

[0060] Figure 3A Shows that it can be Figure 1 A close-up view of another embodiment of a fragrance or odor control agent applicator according to one aspect of the present application for use with a system;

[0061] Figure 3B Shown Figure 3A A close-up cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a fragrance or odor control agent applicator shown in FIG.

[0062] Figure 3C Shown Figure 3AA close-up cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a fragrance or odor control agent applicator shown in FIG; and

[0063] Figure 4 Shows that it can be Figure 1 2. A close-up view of another embodiment of a fragrance or odor control agent applicator according to one aspect of the present application for use with a system.

[0064] Although the present invention will be described in conjunction with certain preferred embodiments, it should not be understood that the invention is limited to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, variations and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] Figure 1 A system 10 is shown for making trash bags 20 having a fragrance or odor control agent 21. As shown, the system 10 generally includes a forming and sealing machine 30 for forming and sealing the trash bags 20 and a fragrance or odor control agent application system 40 for applying the fragrance or odor control agent 21 to the trash bags 20. Suitable fragrance or odor control agents 21 include the odor control agents described in U.S. Patent No. 8,012,554, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0066] A plastic web roll 11, typically made of a sheet of rolled plastic web 12 of polyethylene web or a blend thereof, is rotatably attached to a first end of a forming and sealing machine 30. As will be appreciated, the forming and sealing machine 30 may include a plurality of operating stations for forming and sealing plastic bags having a bottom, sidewalls, and an opening, as is well known in the art. Alternatively, the bag-making process may be performed inline with a film extruder, which would not require a separate roll 11.

[0067] In use, the plastic web 12 is pulled in a direction D1 through the form and seal machine 30. As should be appreciated, the form and seal machine 30 forms and seals the raw plastic web 12 into the shape, size, and type of trash bag 20 desired by the user.

[0068] The plastic web 12 is first fed through a series of tensioners 13, which are used to keep the plastic web 12 taut as it is fed in direction D1 through the forming and sealing machine 30. Next, the plastic web is fed through the V-shaped plates 14 of the forming and sealing machine 30, which are located downstream of the tensioners 13 in direction D1. As will be appreciated, the V-shaped plates 14 fold the plastic web 12 as it is fed through the V-shaped plates 14 in direction D1. In alternative embodiments, the plastic web may be presented as a pre-folded web without the V-shaped plates 14.

[0069] In the illustrated embodiment of the forming and sealing machine 30, the V-shaped plate 14 folds the plastic web 12 in half such that the folded plastic web 12 has a first outer surface 22, a second outer surface 23, a first inner surface 24, and a second inner surface 25. As also shown, the V-shaped plate 14 folds the plastic web 12 such that the folded plastic web 12 now has a first or closed end 26 formed at the fold of the plastic web 12 and a second or open end 27 formed by opposing edges of the folded plastic web 12.

[0070] After the plastic web 12 is folded by the V-shaped plate 14 , it continues to travel in direction D1 along the forming and sealing machine 30 until it is fed through a pair of rollers 15 designed to flatten and tension the now folded plastic web 12 .

[0071] After being fed through the pair of rollers 15, the folded plastic web 12 continues to be fed in the direction D1 toward the web opening device 16. The web opening device 16 opens the folded plastic web 12 along the second or open end 27 to provide a gap between the first and second inner surfaces 24, 25 of the folded plastic web 12.

[0072] After the gap between the first inner surface 24 and the second inner surface 25 is formed by the web opening device 16, the plastic web 12 continues to travel in the direction D1 along the forming and sealing machine 30 toward the fragrance or odor control agent applicator 400, 500, 600 (hereinafter referred to as the "applicator"). When the folded plastic web 12 passes near the applicator 400, 500, 600 in the direction D1 and at least partially contacts the applicator 400, 500, 600, the applicator 400, 500, 600 applies the fragrance or odor control agent 21 in liquid form to the first inner surface 24 and / or the second inner surface 25 of the folded plastic web 14.

[0073] After the applicators 400, 500, 600 have applied the fragrance or odor control agent 21 to the folded plastic web 12, the folded plastic web 12 is fed in direction D1 until it reaches the sealing bar 17. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing bar 17 is a vertical heat sealing bar that can be actuated to press against the folded plastic web 12 to form heat seals 28, 29 between the two folded sides of the plastic web 12. Furthermore, as shown, the heat seals 28, 29 formed by the sealing bar 17 are generally parallel to each other and extend between a first end, or closed end, 26, and a second end, or open end, 27, of the folded plastic web 12. In alternative embodiments, the sealing bar can be mounted on a rotating drum. Rotating drum machines are well known, and detailed descriptions can be found in US Pat. Nos. 6,117,058, 4,934,993, 5,518,559, 5,587,032, and 4,642,084 (all of which are incorporated herein by reference).

[0074] According to one aspect of the present application, the sealing bar 17 is programmed to strike the plastic web 12 at specific time intervals. As will be appreciated, by programming the sealing bar 17 to strike the plastic web 12 at specific time intervals, the user can adjust the distance between the first heat seal 28 and the second heat seal 29 by increasing the time interval between the strikes or by adjusting the speed at which the plastic web 12 is pulled through the forming and sealing machine 30.

[0075] As the sealing bar 17 strikes the plastic web 12, it forms a first heat seal 28 and a second heat seal 29 between the first inner surface 24 and the second inner surface 25 of the plastic web 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing bar 17 is also designed to cut the plastic web 12 at the outermost edges of the first heat seal 28 and the second heat seal 29, such that the portion of the plastic web 12 between the first heat seal 28 and the second heat seal 29 becomes separated from the remainder of the plastic web 12.

[0076] According to another aspect of the present application, it is envisioned that the sealing strip 17 will be designed to form perforations in the plastic web 12 at the outermost portions of the first and second heat seals 28, 29 so that the outermost portions of the first and second heat seals 28, 29 can be easily torn away from adjacent sections of the plastic web 12.

[0077] According to yet another aspect of the present application, it is contemplated that the forming and sealing machine 30 will include more than one sealing bar 17 such that the plastic web 12 can be punched by the sealing bars 17 at multiple locations or angles as the plastic web 12 is pulled through the forming and sealing machine 30 .

[0078] According to yet another aspect of the present application, it is contemplated that the forming and sealing machine 30 may include a sealing bar 17 positioned to punch the plastic web 12 horizontally or diagonally as the plastic web 12 is pulled through the forming and sealing machine 30 in the direction D1 .

[0079] As will be appreciated, in the finished trash bag 20, the first heat seal 28 will form a first side of the trash bag 20 and the second heat seal 29 will form a second side of the trash bag 20. As will be appreciated, the bottom of the trash bag 20 is formed when the plastic web 12 is folded by the V-shaped plate 14 to form a first or closed end 26 of the plastic web 12, and the top of the trash bag 20 is formed by the second or open end 27 formed when the plastic web 12 is folded with the V-shaped plate 14. Alternatively, as described above, the film may be provided already C-folded without the need for the V-shaped plate 14.

[0080] Thus, the finished trash bag 20 includes a portion of the plastic web 12 that has been folded and sealed by the forming and sealing machine 30 such that the trash bag 20 has three closed sections 26, 28, 29 and one open section 27 with a fragrance or odor control agent 21 applied to the first inner surface 24 and / or the second inner surface 25 adjacent the open section 27 of the trash bag 20.

[0081] In use, a user places trash and other waste into the open section 27 of the trash bag 20, where the trash and other waste will be collected and contained by the three closed sections 26, 28, 29 of the trash bag 20. In addition, the fragrance or odor control agent 21 that has been applied to the first inner surface 24 and / or the second inner surface 25 will effectively mask or disperse any odor from the trash or waste collected and contained in the trash bag 20.

[0082] Next, turn to Figure 1 The fragrance or odor control agent application system 40 is shown in FIG. The fragrance or odor control agent application system 40 generally includes a controller 100, a pump 200, a reservoir or tank 300, and fragrance or odor control agent applicators 400, 500, 600 (hereinafter referred to as "applicators").

[0083] The controller 100 includes an electrical connector 102 connected to a power source 103 that provides electrical energy to power the controller 100. The controller 100 includes controls such as, but not limited to, a run button 104 and a stop button 106 that, when pressed, send electrical signals to turn the pump 200 on or off. The controller 100 also includes control buttons 108, 110 that are adjustable to control output characteristics of the pump 200, such as, but not limited to, the amount of fragrance or odor control agent 21 pumped by the pump 200 in a specific time interval, the pressure of the fragrance or odor control agent 21 pumped by the pump 200, etc.

[0084] The controller 100 may also include an electronic display 112 and scroll buttons 114 that allow a user to scroll through information and options displayed by the electronic display 112. The controller 100 also has an output 116 that is electrically connected to the pump 200 so that the controller 100 can send signals to the pump 200 to control the operation and output of the fragrance or odor control agent 21 provided by the pump 200.

[0085] As should be understood, the pump 200 may be any type of pump known in the art capable of pumping fluid.

[0086] The pump 200 is connected to a tank 300 that stores the fragrance and odor control agent 21 via a tube 204. A first end of the tube 204 is connected to an inlet 206 of the pump 200 and a second end 204 of the tube is connected to an outlet 302 of the tank 300, which is fluidly connected to an inner cavity 304 of the tank 300 that stores the fragrance and odor control agent 21 to be pumped by the pump 200.

[0087] The pump 200 is also connected to the applicator 400, 500, 600 via a second tube 210. A first end of the second tube 210 is connected to the outlet 208 of the pump 200 and a second end of the second tube 210 is connected to the applicator 400, 500, 600.

[0088] According to another aspect of the present application, it is contemplated that the pump 200 may include a controller 100 built directly into the pump 200 so that the pump 200 may be operated from a Figure 1 The system 10 is shown in FIG. 1 with the separate controller 100 removed.

[0089] Figure 2A and 2B One example of an applicator 400 according to an aspect of the present invention is shown. The applicator 400 includes a bracket 402 and a spindle 404 rotatably connected to the bracket 402 about an axis A. The spindle 404 can be made of any material known in the art, such as, but not limited to, metal.

[0090] According to one aspect of the present application, the fragrance or odor control agent 21 will be applied to the plastic web 12 through the outer surface of the mandrel 404 .

[0091] According to another aspect of the present application, at least a portion of the outer surface of the mandrel 404 will be knurled, e.g. Figure 3A As will be appreciated, knurling the outer surface of the mandrel 404 allows the fragrance or odor control agent 21 to be evenly distributed around the outer surface of the mandrel 404.

[0092] Applicator 400 can also be equipped with roller 406 having inner surface 407 and outer surface 409. As will be appreciated, inner surface 407 of roller 406 can be slidably coupled to mandrel 404 so that roller 406 can rotate about axis A when slidably coupled thereto.

[0093] The outer surface 409 of the roller 406 will be at least partially composed of a liquid absorbent material. The liquid absorbent material comprising at least a portion of the outer surface 409 of the roller 406 can be any type of material known in the art that is capable of absorbing liquid, such as, but not limited to, wool, synthetic fiber fabrics, foam, foam rubber, polyester fabric, polypropylene woven fabric, polyamide and nylon structures, nylon woven fabric, or polypropylene fabric.

[0094] Steering Figure 2B , the applicator 400 further comprises an extruder 408, the extruder comprising a first fluid extruder 410 and a second fluid extruder 412. The first fluid extruder 410 and the second fluid extruder 412 have a plurality of extruders that can be used with the applicator 400 and the pump 200 (see Figure 1 ) are coupled to the tube 210 extending between the first and second fluid extruders 410 and 412. The first and second fluid extruders 410 and 412 also have an outlet opening 413 connected to a fluid diffuser 414. The fluid diffuser 414 has a hollow interior 415 to which the outlet openings 413 of the first and second fluid extruders 410 and 412 are fluidly connected, so that the fragrance or odor control agent 21 can flow 421 into the hollow interior 415 of the fluid diffuser 414.

[0095] As shown, the hollow interior 415 of the fluid diffuser 414 provides a reservoir or space in which the fragrance or odor control agent 21 can be collected and dispersed along the gravity-fed bottom of the fluid diffuser 414 .

[0096] Also located at the gravity bottom of the fluid diffuser 414 is a drain hole 417 that provides a means for the fragrance or odor control agent 21 to escape from the hollow interior 415 of the fluid diffuser 414 .

[0097] As shown, some or all of the discharge holes 417 may include chamfered portions 419 that may provide specific flow characteristics for the fragrance or odor control agent 21 as it exits the discharge holes 417 having the chamfered portions 419 .

[0098] As will be appreciated, alternative embodiments may have the discharge aperture 417 having any size or shape necessary to provide a sufficient amount of fragrance or odor control agent 21 to the outer surface of the mandrel 404 or the outer surface of the roller 406 .

[0099] As will also be appreciated, alternative embodiments may also have any number of discharge holes 417 necessary to provide a sufficient amount or a specific flow rate of fragrance or odor control agent 21 to the outer surface of the mandrel 404 or the outer surface of the roller 406 .

[0100] In the illustrated embodiment, the fragrance or odor control agent 21 is shown exiting the discharge aperture 417 in the form of droplets 423 made of the fragrance or odor control agent 21 .

[0101] According to another aspect of the present application, it is contemplated that the fragrance or odor control agent 21 may exit the discharge hole 417 under a greater pressure, such that the fragrance or odor control agent 21 forms a flow when exiting the discharge hole 417 .

[0102] According to yet another aspect of the present application, it is contemplated that the fragrance or odor control agent 21 may exit the discharge hole 417 under less pressure, such that the fragrance or odor control agent 21 will form a mist when exiting the discharge hole 417 .

[0103] As will be appreciated, once the fragrance or odor control agent 21 exits the hollow interior 415 of the fluid diffuser 414 via the discharge holes 417, the fragrance or odor control agent 21 is drawn downwardly via gravity toward the outer surface 404 of the mandrel, or alternatively, toward the roller 406. As will also be appreciated, as the fragrance or odor control agent 21 is drawn downwardly via gravity toward the roller 406, the bristles 416 extending from the gravity base of the fluid diffuser 414 will serve to direct the fragrance or odor control agent 21 toward the outer surface 404 of the mandrel, or alternatively, toward the outer surface 409 of the roller 406.

[0104] According to one aspect of the present application, the outer surface of the spindle 404 or the outer surface 409 of the roller 406 can be positioned adjacent to or even in contact with at least some of the bristles 416, so that when the fragrance or odor control agent 21 reaches the end of the bristles 416, as the spindle 404 or the roller 406 rotates in the direction R1 about the axis A, the fragrance or odor control agent 21 will drip onto the spindle 404 or onto the outer surface 409 of the roller 406 and be directly absorbed by it.

[0105] After the fragrance or odor control agent 21 has been applied to the outer surface of the mandrel 404 or the outer surface 409 of the roller 406, as the plastic web 12 is pulled through the forming and sealing machine 30 in the direction D1, the outer surface of the mandrel 404 or the outer surface 409 of the roller 406 will contact the first inner surface 24 and the second inner surface 25 of the folded plastic web 12 (see Figure 1 ).

[0106] As will be appreciated, as the plastic web 12 is pulled through the forming and sealing machine 30, contact between the outer surface of the mandrel 404 or the outer surface 409 of the roller 406 and the first inner surface 24 and the second inner surface 25 of the folded plastic web 12 will cause at least some of the fragrance or odor control agent 21 applied to the outer surface 409 of the mandrel 404 or the outer surface 409 of the roller 406 to be transferred to the first inner surface 24 and the second inner surface of the plastic web 12.

[0107] As will be appreciated, during the fragrance or odor control agent application process, as the first and second inner surfaces 24, 25 of the plastic web 12 come into contact with the outer surface of the mandrel 404 or the outer surface 409 of the roller 406, the plastic web 12 causes the first and second inner surfaces 24, 25 to exert a frictional force along the direction D1 on the mandrel 404 or the roller 406 as the plastic web 12 is pulled through the forming and sealing machine 30 in the direction D1. As will be appreciated, the force exerted by the frictional contact between the first and second inner surfaces 24, 25 of the plastic web 12 and the outer surface 409 of the mandrel 404 or the outer surface 409 of the roller 406 causes the mandrel 404, or the mandrel 404 and the roller 406 slidably connected to the mandrel 404, to rotate about the axis A in the direction R1.

[0108] Thus, as will be appreciated, neither the mandrel 404 nor the roller 406 need be provided with a means for rotating in the direction R1 about the axis A. However, it is contemplated that embodiments of the present invention may be provided with independent rotation means, such as a motor, so that the speed of the mandrel 404 or the speed of the roller 406 may be controlled, or, for example, if the mandrel 404 or roller 406 only need to rotate at certain times or when in contact with certain sections of the plastic web 12.

[0109] Steering Figures 3A-3B , shows another example of an applicator 500 according to another aspect of the present application. The applicator 500 includes a bracket 502 that can be positioned adjacent to the form and seal machine 30. The applicator 500 also includes a conduit 504 connected to an opening 506 extending through the body of the bracket 504 and the tube 210 extending between the pump 200 and the applicator 500.

[0110] Attached to a second side of the opening 506 extending through the bracket 502 is a hollow spindle 508. The spindle 508 can be made of any material known in the art, such as, but not limited to, metal. The interior of the spindle 508 is rotationally connected to the bracket 502 via the opening 506, allowing the spindle 508 to rotate about the axis A. The spindle 508 is also fluidly connected to the bracket 502 via the opening 506, allowing the fragrance or odor control agent 21 to flow into the inner cavity 509 of the spindle 504 (see FIG. Figure 3B ).

[0111] According to one aspect of the present application, the fragrance or odor control agent 21 is applied to the plastic web 12 through the outer surface of the mandrel 404. As shown, the outer surface of the mandrel 404 is knurled to allow the fragrance or odor control agent 21 to be evenly distributed around the outer surface of the mandrel 508 to evenly apply the fragrance or odor control agent 21. According to another aspect of the present application, a roller 512 can be slidably connected to the outer surface of the mandrel 508. The roller 512 includes drainage holes 514 that allow fluid to flow between the inner surface 516 of the roller 512 and the outer surface 518 of the roller 512.

[0112] Figure 3B Shown Figure 3A , which is a cross-sectional view of an applicator 500 shown in FIG. As shown, the conduit 210 extending between the pump 200 and the applicator 500 is connected to a conduit 504, which is connected to a bracket 502 of the applicator 500. The conduit 504 has an inner lumen 505 to allow fluid to flow from the conduit 210 into the inner lumen 505 of the conduit 504.

[0113] Next, tubing 504 is connected to bracket 502 at one end at an opening 506 that extends through the body of bracket 502. Opening 506 has a lumen 507 to allow fluid to flow from lumen 505 of tubing 504 into lumen 507 of opening 506 in bracket 502.

[0114] The spindle 508 has a first lumen 509 that is fluidly connected to the opening 506 of the bracket 502 when the spindle 508 is rotatably connected to the opening 506 in the bracket 502. The spindle 508 also has a second series of lumens 511 perpendicular to the first lumen 509 of the spindle 508, such that the second series of lumens 511 extend radially through the body of the spindle 508, where they terminate on the outer surface of the spindle 508 to form a drain hole 510.

[0115] As will be appreciated, the discharge apertures 510 of the mandrel 508 may be any size or shape necessary to provide a sufficient amount of fragrance or odor control agent 21 to the outer surface of the mandrel 508 or the outer surface of the roller 512 .

[0116] As will also be understood, the mandrel 508 can have any number of discharge holes 510 required to provide a sufficient or specific flow rate of fragrance or odor control agent 21 to the outer surface of the mandrel 508 or to the outer surface of the roller 512 if the roller 512 is slidably connected to the mandrel 508.

[0117] In use, the pump 200 will pump the fragrance or odor control agent 21 to the applicator 500 via the lumen 211 of the tube 210. The fragrance or odor control agent 21 will then flow from the lumen 211 of the tube 210 into the lumen 505 of the conduit 504. The fragrance or odor control agent 21 will then flow through the lumen 507 of the opening 506 formed in the body of the bracket 502 and into the lumen 509 of the spindle 508.

[0118] The pump 200 will continue to pump the fragrance or odor control agent 21 into the lumen 509 of the spindle 508 until sufficient pressure is built up within the lumen 509 of the spindle 508 or centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the spindle 508 causes the fragrance or odor control agent 21 to begin flowing radially through the body of the spindle 508 via the second series of lumens 511. When the pump 200 has pumped enough fragrance or odor control agent 21 into the spindle 508, the fragrance or odor control agent 21 will begin to exit the spindle via discharge holes 510 located along the outer surface of the spindle 508.

[0119] If the roller 512 were not slidably coupled to the outer surface of the mandrel 508, the fragrance or odor control agent 21 would exit through the discharge holes 510 of the mandrel 508, where it would begin to spread across the outer surface of the mandrel 508. As will be appreciated, knurling the outer surface of the mandrel 508 provides a means of ensuring that the fragrance or odor control agent exiting the discharge holes 510 is evenly distributed around the outer surface of the mandrel 508.

[0120] If the roller 508 is slidably coupled to the outer surface of the core shaft 508, the fragrance or odor control agent 21 will exit through the discharge hole 510 of the core shaft 508 and flow through the opening 515 provided in the inner surface 516 of the roller 512 and contact the liquid absorbent material extending between the inner surface 516 and the outer surface 518 of the roller 512.

[0121] As should be understood, the liquid absorbent material of roller 512 discussed herein can be any type of material known in the art that is capable of absorbing liquid, such as but not limited to wool, synthetic fabrics, foam, foam rubber, polyester fabric, polypropylene woven fabric, polyamide and nylon structures, nylon woven fabric or polypropylene fabric.

[0122] According to one aspect of the present application, the roller 512 can be designed to include openings 515 that allow the fragrance or odor control agent 21 to flow across the interior surface 516 of the roller 512 .

[0123] According to another aspect of the present application, the roller 512 may be designed to include openings 515 that allow the fragrance or odor control agent 21 to flow through only specific sections of the inner surface 516 of the roller 512 .

[0124] The fragrance or odor control agent 21 will continue to flow through the openings 515 in the inner surface 516 of the roller 512 until the liquid absorbent material located around the outer surface 518 of the roller 512 becomes fully saturated with the fragrance or odor control agent 21 .

[0125] As should also be understood, in use, the pump 200 can be set to continuously pump sufficient fragrance or odor control agent 21 to the applicator 500 so that the outer surface of the core shaft 508 or the liquid absorbent material located around the outer surface 518 of the roller 512 is continuously replenished with sufficient fragrance or odor control agent 21 to transfer a sufficient amount of fragrance or odor control agent 21 from the outer surface of the core shaft 508 or the liquid absorbent material of the roller 512 to the plastic web 12.

[0126] The applicator 500 will be positioned along the forming and sealing machine 30 such that when the plastic web 12 reaches the applicator 500 along the forming and sealing machine 30 of the plastic web 12, the web opening device 16 will form an opening 27 that allows the mandrel 508 or roller 512 to pass between and at least partially contact the first inner surface 24 and the second inner surface 25 of the plastic web 12 (see FIG. Figure 1 ).

[0127] As will be appreciated, when the first inner surface 24 and the second inner surface 25 of the plastic web 12 pass through and at least partially contact the outer surface of the mandrel 508 or the outer surface 518 of the roller 512, at least some of the fragrance or odor control agent 21 that has reached the outer surface of the mandrel 508 or saturated the liquid absorbent material on the outer surface of the roller 512 will be transferred from the outer surface of the mandrel 508 or the outer surface 518 of the roller 512 to the first inner surface 24 and the second inner surface 25 of the plastic web 12.

[0128] According to one aspect of the present application, the mandrel 508 or roller 512 will extend into the opening 27 of the folded plastic web 12 so that the mandrel or roller 512 applies the fragrance or odor control agent 21 to the first twelve inches of the first and second inner surfaces 24 and 25 of the plastic web 12.

[0129] As described above, when the first inner surface 24 and the second inner surface 25 of the plastic web 12 are in at least partial contact with the outer surface of the mandrel 508 or the outer surface 518 of the roller 512, at least some of the axial force generated by pulling the plastic web 12 in the direction D1 through the forming and sealing machine 30 will be transferred to the mandrel 508 or the roller 512, which will cause the mandrel 508 or the mandrel 508 and the roller 512 to rotate about the axis A in the direction R1.

[0130] As should be understood, this rotation of the mandrel 508 or the mandrel 508 and the roller 512 in the direction R1 also allows the portion of the outer surface of the mandrel 508 or the outer surface 518 of the roller 512 that has just applied the fragrance or odor control agent 21 to a portion of the first inner surface 24 and a portion of the second inner surface 25 to be replenished with the fragrance or odor control agent 21 before the said portion of the outer surface of the mandrel 508 or the outer surface 518 of the roller 512 contacts another portion of the first inner surface 24 and another portion of the second inner surface 25 of the plastic web 12.

[0131] Steering Figure 3C , showing Figure 3A 5. As will be appreciated, Figure 3C The applicator 500 shown in FIG. Figure 3B The applicator 500 shown in FIG is identical to the applicator 500 shown in FIG, except that the two outermost lumens 511 extending radially through the core shaft extend through the core shaft 508 at a certain angle relative to the first lumen 509 of the core shaft 508, while the middle outer lumen 511 extends perpendicularly relative to the first lumen 509 of the core shaft 508. Figure 4 Another example of an applicator 600 according to one aspect of the present application is shown. Applicator 600 includes a bracket 602 and a mandrel 604. Mandrel 604 can be made of any material known in the art, such as, but not limited to, metal. Mandrel is rotatably connected to bracket 602 so that mandrel 604 can rotate about axis A in direction R1.

[0132] According to one aspect of the present application, the fragrance or odor control agent 21 is applied to the plastic web 12 through the outer surface of the mandrel 604. The outer surface of the mandrel 604 can be knurled, such as Figure 3A to allow the fragrance or odor control agent 21 to be evenly distributed around the outer surface of the mandrel 604 so that the fragrance or odor control agent 21 is evenly applied.

[0133] According to another aspect of the present application, roller 606 can be slidably connected to mandrel 604 via an inner surface 615 of roller 606. An outer surface 616 of roller 606 is constructed of a liquid absorbent material that is in at least partial contact with liquid applicator 610.

[0134] As described above, the liquid absorbent material of roller 606 can be any type of material known in the art that can absorb liquid, such as but not limited to wool, synthetic fabrics, foam, foam rubber, polyester fabric, polypropylene woven fabric, polyamide and nylon structures, nylon woven fabric or polypropylene fabric.

[0135] The liquid applicator 610 has a first side 612 and a second side 613. The first side 612 of the liquid applicator 610 is at least partially constructed of a liquid absorbent material, such as, but not limited to, a sponge or absorbent fabric. The second side 613 of the liquid applicator 610 has an inlet 614 that is connected to the tube 210 extending between the pump 200 and the applicator 600 (see FIG. Figure 4 ).

[0136] As shown, the liquid applicator 610 is positioned so that when the spindle and roller rotate about axis A in direction R1, the first side 612 of the liquid applicator 610, which is made of liquid absorbing material, at least partially contacts the outer surface of the spindle 604, or, if the roller 606 is slidably connected to the spindle 604, at least partially contacts the outer surface 616 of the roller 606.

[0137] In use, the fragrance or odor control agent 21 is pumped by the pump 200 through the tube 210 and into the inlet 614 located on the second side 613 of the liquid applicator 610. When sufficient fragrance or odor control agent 21 is pumped into the liquid applicator 610, the fragrance or odor control agent 21 will fully saturate the liquid absorbent material positioned along the first side 612 of the liquid applicator 610 that at least partially contacts the outer surface 616 of the mandrel 604 or the outer surface 606 of the roller 606.

[0138] As the mandrel 604 and roller 606 rotate in direction R1 about axis A, the outer surface 616 of the mandrel 604 or roller 612 will at least partially contact the first surface 612 of the liquid applicator 610 that is saturated with the fragrance or odor control agent 21. The at least partial contact between the outer surface 616 of the mandrel 604 or roller 612 and the first surface 612 of the saturated liquid applicator 610 results in the transfer of the fragrance or odor control agent 21 saturated on the first surface 612 of the liquid applicator 610 to the outer surface 616 of the mandrel 604 or roller 612.

[0139] As the plastic web 12 is pulled in direction D1 through the forming and sealing machine 30 (see Figure 1 ), which will at least partially contact the outer surface of the mandrel 604 or the outer surface 616 of the roller 606, which includes the applied fragrance or odor control agent 21 that has been transferred from the first surface 612 of the liquid applicator 610.

[0140] As also described above, the transfer of force between the plastic web 12 and the mandrel 606 or roller 606 causes the mandrel 606 or mandrel 604 and roller 606 to rotate in the direction R1 about the axis A. The rotation of the mandrel 604 or mandrel 604 and roller 606 in the direction R1 about the axis A helps ensure that sufficient and uniform application of the fragrance or odor control agent 21 is applied to each portion of the plastic web 12 that contacts the outer surface 616 of the mandrel 604 or roller 606.

[0141] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

[0142] In the context of describing the present invention (especially in the context of the following claims), the use of the terms "one", "an" and "the" and similar references will be interpreted as covering the singular and plural, unless otherwise stated herein or clearly contradictory to the context. Unless otherwise stated, the terms "comprise", "have", "include" and "contain" will be interpreted as open terms (that is, meaning "including but not limited to"). Unless otherwise stated herein, the enumeration of value ranges herein is only intended to be used as a shorthand method for individually quoting each individual value falling within the range, and each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually enumerated herein. Unless otherwise stated herein or clearly contradictory to the context, all methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order. The use of any and all examples or exemplary languages ​​(e.g., "such as") provided herein is only intended to better illustrate the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, unless otherwise stated. Any language in the specification should not be interpreted as indicating that any unclaimed element is essential for the practice of the present invention.

[0143] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the present invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the above description. The inventors anticipate that a skilled person will be able to appropriately adopt such variations, and the inventors believe that the present invention can be practiced in a manner different from that specifically described herein. Therefore, the present invention includes all variations and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the appended claims where permitted by applicable law. In addition, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by the context, the present invention encompasses any combination of the above elements in all their possible variations.

Claims

1. A system for applying a fragrance or odor control agent to a plastic web in a forming and sealing machine, the system comprising: Fragrance or odor control agent application systems; wherein the forming and sealing machine is adapted to pull the plastic web adjacent to the fragrance or odor control agent application system; The fragrance or odor control agent application system includes a control module connected to a pump, a tank for storing the fragrance or odor control agent, and an applicator; wherein the applicator includes a mandrel having an internal lumen extending through a body of the mandrel in a first direction and a plurality of drainage holes extending through the body of the mandrel in a second direction, wherein at least one drainage hole is located at a gravity bottom of the fluid spreader; The fluid diffuser has a hollow interior capable of storing a supply of fragrance or odor control agent, and wherein one or more bristles extend from a gravity bottom of the fluid diffuser; and wherein the applicator is capable of applying a fragrance or odor control agent to the plastic web as the plastic web moves through the forming and sealing machine.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the spindle is rotationally connected to the bracket.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein: A roller can be slidably coupled to the mandrel. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second direction is angled relative to the first direction.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the bracket has an interior cavity extending therethrough and having a first opening on a first side of the bracket and a second opening on a second side of the bracket.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first opening is connected to a tube and the second opening is connected to the mandrel.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the tube is connected to a first end of a tubing and a second end of the tubing is connected to an outlet of the pump.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the second opening is fluidly connected to a first lumen extending through the mandrel in a first direction.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the mandrel includes a second lumen extending radially in a second direction between the first lumen and an outer surface of the mandrel.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the control module is integrated with the pump.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the plastic web is formed from polyethylene or a blend thereof.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the applicator is a fluid applicator fluidly connected to the pump.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the fluid applicator has a first surface comprised of a liquid absorbing material capable of being substantially saturated with the fluid or odor control agent.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first surface applies a fragrance or odor control agent to the outer surface of the mandrel.

16. The system of claim 2, wherein the spindle extends from the bracket as a cantilever extension.

17. An applicator for applying a fragrance or odor control agent to a plastic web, the applicator comprising: a fluid diffuser having a hollow interior capable of storing a supply of a fragrance or odor control agent, wherein bristles extend from a gravity bottom of the fluid diffuser; a discharge port located at the gravity bottom of the fluid distributor; bracket; a spindle rotatably connected to the carriage; and the bracket having an interior cavity extending therethrough, wherein the interior cavity includes a first cavity and a second cavity and has a first opening fluidly connected to a supply of fragrance or odor control agent and a second opening fluidly connected to the first cavity extending through the mandrel in a first direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction; and The first lumen is fluidly connected to a second lumen, the second lumen extending radially between the first lumen and an outer surface of the mandrel.

18. An applicator for applying a fragrance or odor control agent to a plastic web according to claim 17, wherein the second direction is angled relative to the first direction.

19. The applicator for applying a fragrance or odor control agent to a plastic web according to claim 17, wherein the mandrel extends from the carriage as a cantilevered extension.

20. The applicator for applying a fragrance or odor control agent to a plastic web according to claim 17, wherein the mandrel is rotatable about an axis in a first direction.

21. The applicator for applying a fragrance or odor control agent to a plastic web according to claim 17, wherein: A roller is slidably connected to the mandrel.

22. The applicator for applying a fragrance or odor control agent to a plastic web according to claim 17, wherein the opening in the roller and the second lumen in the mandrel at least partially overlap when the roller is slidably connected to the mandrel.

23. The applicator for applying a fragrance or odor control agent to a plastic web according to claim 21, wherein the roller has openings along the inner surface of the roller, the openings allowing fluid to be transferred from the inner surface of the roller to the outer surface of the roller.

24. The applicator for applying a fragrance or odor control agent to a plastic web according to claim 21, wherein the roller has an outer surface made of a liquid absorbent material.

25. The applicator for applying a fragrance or odor control agent to a plastic web according to claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the mandrel is knurled.

26. The applicator for applying a fragrance or odor control agent to a plastic web according to claim 17, further comprising a fluid applicator fluidly connected to a pump.

27. An applicator for applying a fragrance or odor control agent to a plastic web according to claim 26, wherein the fluid applicator has a first surface comprised of a liquid absorbing material capable of being substantially saturated with the fluid or odor control agent.

28. The applicator for applying a fragrance or odor control agent to a plastic web according to claim 21, wherein: The outer surface of the roller is at least partially composed of liquid-absorbing material.

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