Patents Examined by John Sipos
  • Patent number: 7240469
    Abstract: A cigarette packing machine for producing rigid, hinged-lid, short-hinge packets of cigarettes; the packing machine has a fourth packing wheel which receives wrapped groups of cigarettes from a third transfer wheel at a third transfer station, receives collars from a first feed line at an input station upstream from the third transfer station, and folds each collar into a tube about a respective wrapped group of cigarettes; the packing machine also has a fifth packing wheel which, at a fourth transfer station, receives each wrapped group of cigarettes and the respective collar together with a respective blank supplied by a second feed line, folds the blank about the wrapped group of cigarettes to form an outer package, and releases the packets of cigarettes at a fifth transfer station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: G.D Societa' per Azioni
    Inventors: Marco Ghini, Roberto Polloni, Stefano Negrini
  • Patent number: 7237370
    Abstract: A method transforming by eliminating with vacuum bulk and size of a marketplace diaper to a substantially size-reduced condition, preparatory to a traveled-to site of use, wherein the reduced size adds to convenience value during the travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventors: Lynn Garone, LeeAnn Piazzola, Lori Wallace
  • Patent number: 7237707
    Abstract: A handle for attaching to a trigger operated hand tool, the handle including a shaft adapted so as to be attachable at one end thereof to the hand tool, a hand grip located at the other end of the shaft, and a trigger activator positioned near the hand grip capable of being operatively connected to the trigger associated with the hand tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventors: Noel Roger Wakelin, Dean Andrew Eldridge
  • Patent number: 7237621
    Abstract: A driving unit comprises a pneumatic head for being combined to a pneumatic tool; a front end of the pneumatic head being installed with a push rod; a driving unit having a slender driving rod at a front end thereof; the push rod serving to push the driving unit; an elastomer; a casing having a receiving space; the elastomer being received in an upper end of the receiving space; and the driving unit being received in an upper end of the receiving space and resisting against the elastomer; a rotating unit having an engaging portion at a lower end thereof; the rotating unit being received in a lower end of the receiving space; and an upper side of the rotating unit having a contact portion; the configuration of the contact portion being corresponding to one end portion of the driving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventor: Chih-Ching Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7234287
    Abstract: Netting chutes suitable for use with manual and automatic packaging operations to enclose product in netting packaging include at least one axially extending rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Tipper Tie, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel D. Griggs, Dennis J. May
  • Patent number: 7234285
    Abstract: Vertical form fill seal apparatus for making flexible packages with slider fastener closures is provided. A fastener track is applied in-line with a plastic web and is bonded thereto at the same time that a peel seal is formed. All package components are brought together at the point of fill. Prior to assembly at the fill station a series of spaced-apart stop members are formed along the fastener tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Panagiotis Kinigakis, Orestes Rivero, Kenneth Pokusa
  • Patent number: 7234286
    Abstract: A method and system for manufacturing a package include: a package-joining belt forming step for forming a package-joining belt (PC) in which packages (P) each containing a material filled in between superposed films and each sealed by joint portions (PA) and a side edge portion (PF) are joined with each other by the joint portions (PA), the package-joining belt forming step including: a superposing process of forming superposed films; a joint portion forming process of forming band-shaped joint portions (PA); a side edge portion forming process of forming band-shaped side edge portion (PF); and a filling process of filling the material; and a scar forming step for forming plural elongate scars (100) each extending adjacent and substantially perpendicularly to the side edge in the side edge portion (PF), wherein the package-joining belt forming step and the scar forming step are carried out, while the package-joining belt is drawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Ajinihon K.K.
    Inventors: Kazumichi Oshita, Kenji Shinbutsu, Yoichi Tominaga
  • Patent number: 7232051
    Abstract: The nail tray hoist structure for coil nailer includes: several positioning slots spaced through out the side wall of the central column of the coil nailer base; a positioning through hole, placed on the vertical sleeve of the nail tray; a positioning body, placed in the positioning through hole actively; a braking tube, placed on the outside of the vertical sleeve; and an upper elastic component, having a top blocked by the limit component used by the vertical sleeve. The bottom of the elastic component stops the balance block of the braking tube, so that it can push down the braking tube. By so doing, the hoist structure of the nail tray only needs pushing and pulling movements on the braking tube, which gives the users more convenience and ensures the strength of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Basso Industry Corp.
    Inventors: Leo Huang, Sam Yu, Blackey Tsai
  • Patent number: 7228673
    Abstract: The present invention provides a seasoning processing system capable of uniform seasoning and, moreover, having superior cleanability. A seasoning processing system (2) according to the present invention comprises a seasoning dispersion apparatus (20) and a vertical pillow-type bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus (30). The seasoning dispersion apparatus (20) disperses powdered seasoning to be adhered to supplied intermediate articles (X . . . X) from an end part (22b), which is a dispersing mouth, of a second conduit (22). The vertical pillow-type bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus (30) introduces and packages inside a bag shaped packaging material (Fc) seasoned articles (X2. . . X2) to which the powdered seasoning has been adhered. Furthermore, the end part (22b), which is the dispersing mouth,of the second conduit (22) is provided and arranged so that it is positioned inside the bag shaped packaging material (Fc).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Sugimura, Takao Yoshikawa, Masahiko Tatsuoka
  • Patent number: 7228674
    Abstract: A vacuum packaging machine for performing a vacuum sealing operation on product packages, comprises a vertical stack of vacuum chambers 4 which each manage to receive at least one unsealed product package 2 and are operable to perform an independent vacuum sealing operation on the least one product package 2. A conveyor arrangement 8, 9 is operable to load and unload a selected vacuum chamber 4 with the at least one product package, and the machine is arranged to operate the respective vacuum chambers 4 to perform the vacuum sealing operation while the conveyor arrangement is operated to load and unload another vacuum chamber 4. The conveyor arrangement loads and unloads the vacuum chambers in sequence, and the vacuum chambers are synchronously operated to perform the vacuum sealing operation to allow the conveyor arrangement to operate continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Riccardo Evangelisti, Joel Caillier
  • Patent number: 7228676
    Abstract: An encapsulating machine includes a pair of offset die rolls with one die roll mounted on slides urged by an adjustable fulcrum spring toward the other die roll. An offset drive coupling between the axle of the die roll and the associated drive shaft allows independent movement of the die axle to compensate for die wear. A split gear between die roll shafts accommodates for backlash and gear wear. Precise pulley-driven timing belts and phase adjusters extend between the die roll drive and a tablet feed roll to synchronize the clocked introduction of tablets onto film of one of the die rolls for encapsulation at the co-acting nip between the die rolls. The die cavities for tablets include a step-cut to improve the sealing of films around the tablets and a circumferential rub rail on opposite edges of each die prevents excessive wear of the die cavity lands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: L. Perrigo Company
    Inventors: Glenn Davis, Craig M. Vugteveen
  • Patent number: 7225600
    Abstract: A method of producing a hinged-lid packet of cigarettes having an inner wrapping formed by folding a first blank of foil about a group of cigarettes: an outer package formed from a second blank folded about the inner wrapping to define a body and a lid hinged to each other; and a collar formed by folding a third blank and interposed between the inner wrapping and the outer package; the method including the steps of juxtaposing and connecting the third blank to the first blank in laterally offset mutual positions; forming on the first blank fold lines located as a function of the aforementioned mutual positions; and simultaneously folding the first and third blank about the group of cigarettes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: G.D Societa' per Azioni
    Inventor: Mario Spatafora
  • Patent number: 7225963
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a loading unit for use with and/or supportable on a distal end of a surgical stapling apparatus. The loading unit includes a housing portion including a distal end and a proximal end, a drive assembly slidably supported within the housing portion of the loading unit, and a locking mechanism pivotally supported on the housing portion of the loading unit, the locking mechanism having a first position wherein the locking mechanism engages a portion of the drive assembly and maintains the position, preferably the axial position, of the drive assembly relative to the housing portion of the loading unit, and the locking mechanism having a second position wherein the locking mechanism disengages the drive assembly and enables the drive assembly to move relative to the housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventor: Paul A. Scirica
  • Patent number: 7225599
    Abstract: An apparatus for making inflated articles from a film web having two juxtaposed film plies. One version of the apparatus generally includes a first rotary sealing device for producing transverse seals that bond the film plies together, an inflation assembly for directing gas between the film plies, and a second rotary sealing device for producing a longitudinal seal between the film plies. The longitudinal seal intersects the transverse seals so that the gas is enclosed between the longitudinal seal, transverse seals, and film plies to thereby form an inflated article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation
    Inventors: Laurence B. Sperry, Eric A. Kane, Brian A. Murch, Ross Patterson
  • Patent number: 7225960
    Abstract: A locking device for preventing the movable plate from disengaging from the fixed portion of the magazine includes a substantially V-shaped lever which includes an operation end, a contact end and a pivotable end which is located between the operation end and the contact end. The contact end extends through a port of the fixed portion and located beside a stop extending from the movable plate so as to stop the movable plate from moving away from the nose. A biasing member is bent to be substantially V-shaped and contacting an inside of a section between the operation end and the pivotable end and an outside of the fixed portion. The contact end can be moved away from the stop by pivoting the operation end about the pivotable end so that the movable plate can be slidably disengaged from the fixed portion to reload staples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Inventor: Hsiu-Chiang Chen
  • Patent number: 7222469
    Abstract: Netting chutes suitable for use with manual and automatic packaging operations to enclose product in netting packaging include a channel formed by a longitudinally extending well and/or at least one pair of axially extending ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Tipper Tie, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel D. Griggs, Dennis J. May
  • Patent number: 7216791
    Abstract: A spring actuated stapler includes a lever releasably linked to a striker at a lever front end. An elongated power spring is linked to the striker so that raising the lever front end deflects the power spring. The lever and power spring pivot about a common fulcrum structure. The fulcrum structure includes a rear facing surface and the lever pivots about the rear facing surface when the lever is near a lever release point. This pivot location is adjacent to the power spring, at a bottom of the structure of the fulcrum. With the lowest possible pivot location the lever retracts and releases from the striker more quickly than if the lever pivots about a higher location at a fulcrum “axial center”. The release action is therefore more consistent, and less sensitive to manufacturing variations of the stapler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Worktools, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Patent number: 7213387
    Abstract: A method for crimping paper roll wrap overhang is provided. The method comprises (a) forcing a portion of the wrap overhang towards the longitudinal axis for generating a fold in the wrap overhang, and (b) creasing the fold against the end face with a creasing member moving in a tangential arc over the end face. The method is particularly suitable for crimping roll wrap overhangs of over 6 inches and for providing more regular crimps by reducing bunching of the wrap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Dynamics Corporation Ltd.
    Inventors: William Robert, Michel Sigouin
  • Patent number: 7213385
    Abstract: A vertical stand-up pouch, or flexible package having a zipper seal mechanism incorporated therein, and method for manufacturing same, constructed with a quick change module modification to existing vertical form and fill packaging machines. The invention involves producing a vertical stand-up pouch from a single sheet of packaging film by inserting a zipper seal mechanism on a first side of the packaging film tube and creating a vertical crease along the tube prior to forming a transverse seal on the tube. The zipper seal mechanism is attached to the packaging film prior to sealing the sheet of the packaging film along its longitudinal seam forming a tube comprising, in part, a quick change module that easily installs on the base of a forming tube. Likewise, the crease is formed using fixed or stationary modifications to prior art vertical form, fill, and seal machines comprising, in part, a quick change module that easily installs on the base of a forming tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Robert Knoerzer, Garrett William Kohl, Steven Kenneth Tucker
  • Patent number: 7210278
    Abstract: A detecting and protecting device includes detecting devices, and an ultrasonic sensor; the detecting devices are connected to respective ones of expanding assemblies of a shrink film machine, and each include a seat behind a supporting rod of a corresponding expanding assembly, a movable rod passed through the seat and projecting below the supporting rod, a stopping board pivoted to one end of the movable rod, a shading block joined to one end of the stopping board, and a sensor positioned on the movable rod and normally shaded by the shading block; if the stopping board comes into contact with goods while a shrink film is being lowered, it will tilt, and the shading block will no longer shade the sensor; the ultrasonic sensor is used for measuring height of the goods such that sealing and cutting action will start immediately after the film encompasses the goods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Tien Heng Machniery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tuan-Mei Chiu Chen