US 12,240,183 B2
Heat plate lock assembly for a heat sealing machine
Ronald F. Worden, Maple Park, IL (US)
Assigned to Sonoco Development, Inc., Hartsville, SC (US)
Filed by Sonoco Development, Inc., Hartsville, SC (US)
Filed on Feb. 1, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/590,416.
Application 17/590,416 is a division of application No. 16/786,002, filed on Feb. 10, 2020, granted, now 11,267,203.
Prior Publication US 2022/0152938 A1, May 19, 2022
Int. Cl. B29C 65/18 (2006.01); B29C 65/00 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 65/18 (2013.01) [B29C 66/81 (2013.01); B29C 66/849 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for installing a heat plate having a die mounted thereto in a heater assembly of a heat sealing machine, comprising
moving a heat plate lock assembly to an open position relative to the heater assembly;
inserting the heat plate between a pair of clamp plates of the heat plate lock assembly that are movably mounted on opposite sides of the heater assembly, wherein the pair of clamp plates engages the heat plate to support the heat plate beneath a heater platen of the heater assembly;
raising the pair of clamp plates to a closed position to bring the heat plate into contact with the heater platen; and
releasing a lock mechanism to an extended position wherein the lock mechanism engages the heater assembly to retain the pair of clamp plates in the closed position.