Patents Assigned to Gates Automation, Inc.
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Patent number: 7363753Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing the first pouch from a stack of pouches includes apparatus adapted to bend an edge of the first pouch away from the second pouch of a stack to define a bent edge and a bend in the first pouch. The first pouch is then slid away from the second pouch to remove the first pouch from the plurality of adjacent pouches. This method allows the first pouch to be reliably separated from the second pouch by overcoming the various forces that typically cause adjacent pouches to cling to each other while stacked together.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2006Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Gates Automation, Inc.Inventors: Anthony H. Gates, Scott E. Gates
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Patent number: 6886308Abstract: A bag holder holds a plurality of bags having spaced mounting holes formed in a top flange. The bag holder may be used with any of a variety of bag handling machines. The bag holder includes a frame member having a front, a rear, a top, and a bottom; a pair of pull-off hooks connected to the frame member; each of the pull-off hooks extending from the front surface of the frame member and under the bottom of the frame member; and a pair of rods each having a first end and a second end; the first end of each rod being connected to one of the pull-off hooks; each rod extending in a direction away from the rear of the frame member.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2003Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Gates Automation, Inc.Inventors: George C. Gates, Rod S. Gates
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Patent number: 6868655Abstract: A bag filling and sealing machine includes a bag holder, a bag opening and filling station, and a sealing station. The bag holder holds wicketed bags in a manner that allows the bags to be easily torn from the holder. A funnel assembly successively opens each bag, tears the bag from the bag holder, fills the bag with material, and releases the bag to a grabber assembly. The grabber assembly engages the sides of the bag while the bag is attached to a funnel assembly and later pulls the sides of the bag away from each other so that the top of the bag is closed and ready to seal when the bag is delivered to a sealing apparatus. The grabber assembly moves in a manner so as to minimize the lost height when moving from the filling station to the sealing station.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2003Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: Gates Automation, Inc.Inventors: George C. Gates, Rod S. Gates
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Patent number: 6823654Abstract: A bag filling and sealing machine includes a bag holder, a bag opening and filling station, and a sealing station. The bag holder holds wicketed bags in a manner that allows the bags to be easily torn from the holder. A funnel assembly successively opens each bag, tears the bag from the bag holder, fills the bag with material, and releases the bag to a grabber assembly. The grabber assembly engages the sides of the bag while the bag is attached to a funnel assembly and later pulls the sides of the bag away from each other so that the top of the bag is closed and ready to seal when the bag is delivered to a sealing apparatus. The grabber assembly moves in a manner so as to minimize the lost height when moving from the filling station to the sealing station.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2002Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Gates Automation, Inc.Inventors: George C. Gates, Rod S. Gates
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Patent number: 6779922Abstract: A sealable bag for storing merchandise includes a body having a pocket that is adapted to receive the merchandise. The pocket has an opening through which merchandise is placed into the pocket. The body has a pair of flanges disposed along the sides of the body. The body has a neck with the opening of the pocket being disposed at the neck of the body. The neck has a sealing area. The bag includes a pair of stress relief notches disposed in the flanges intermediate the sealing area and the opening of the pocket. Each stress relief notch extends into the neck of the body. The stress relief notches prevent the sealing area from becoming wrinkled while the bag is being sealed with automated equipment thus allowing a clean, unwrinkled seal to be formed in the bag.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2001Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: Gates Automation, Inc.Inventor: Anthony H. Gates
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Patent number: 6742321Abstract: A flange alignment and grasping assembly is adapted to straighten the flanges of a bag in a filling and sealing apparatus so that the flanges may be clamped by the assembly. The assembly includes opposed guides that engage the side of the bag in the general location of the flange. The guides position the flange in an extended position between the jaws of a clamp where the clamp will pinch the flange when the clamp closes. The invention also provides an apparatus for grasping a bag and pulling a portion of the bag tight. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes arms that swing upwardly and inwardly to position jaws with respect to the bag.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Gates Automation, Inc.Inventor: Christopher G. Gates
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Patent number: 6550226Abstract: A bag filling and sealing machine includes a bag holder, a bag opening and filling station, and a sealing station. The bag holder holds wicketed bags in a manner that allows the bags to be easily torn from the holder. A funnel assembly successively opens each bag, tears the bag from the bag holder, fills the bag with material, and releases the bag to a grabber assembly. The grabber assembly engages the sides of the bag while the bag is attached to a funnel assembly and later pulls the sides of the bag away from each other so that the top of the bag is closed and ready to seal when the bag is delivered to a sealing apparatus. The grabber assembly moves in a manner so as to minimize the lost height when moving from the filling station to the sealing station.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2000Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Gates Automation, Inc.Inventors: George C. Gates, Rod S. Gates
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Patent number: 6318893Abstract: A sealable bag for storing merchandise includes a body having a pocket that is adapted to receive the merchandise. The pocket has an opening through which merchandise is placed into the pocket. The body has a pair of flanges disposed along the sides of the body. The body has a neck with the opening of the pocket being disposed at the neck of the body. The neck has a sealing area. The bag includes a pair of stress relief notches disposed in the flanges intermediate the sealing area and the opening of the pocket. The stress relief notches prevent the sealing area from becoming wrinkled while the bag is being sealed with automated equipment thus allowing a clean, unwrinkled seal to be formed in the bag.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2000Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Assignee: Gates Automation, Inc.Inventor: Anthony H. Gates
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Patent number: D464257Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2001Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Gates Automation, Inc.Inventor: Anthony H. Gates
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Patent number: D466004Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2002Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: Gates Automation, Inc.Inventor: Anthony H. Gates
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Patent number: D466005Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2002Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: Gates Automation, Inc.Inventor: Anthony H. Gates
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Patent number: D466404Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2002Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: Gates Automation, Inc.Inventor: Anthony H. Gates