Patents Examined by Sam Tawfik
  • Patent number: 6532716
    Abstract: A device for introducing an gas bag into a pot-shaped receiving container with an insertion opening for insertion of the gas bag and an installation opening at the bottom for the arrangement of an inflator is provided. The device comprises a tubular housing having a cross-section adapted to the insertion opening of the receiving container, and an axially reciprocating ram arranged in the housing and serving for introducing the gas bag into the receiving container. Further, a method for folding a gas bag is provided, wherein the gas bag is introduced into a tubular housing, wherein a body is introduced into the gas bag as a dummy for an inflator intended to be mounted later, and wherein the gas bag is folded around the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Andreas Weis
  • Patent number: 6381920
    Abstract: A packing machine comprising a rotary assembly (2) which is adapted to receive articles (4) travelling along a path which is adjacent one region of the periphery of the assembly, and means (26) for receiving foil (14) or other wrapping material, at a different peripheral region, the foil then being oriented in a tangential plane; the assembly further comprising means for reorienting the foil into a plane which is perpendicular to said tangential plane (20) at a subsequent rotary position, where it is suitably aligned with a cooperating article wrapping means (40, 32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Molins PLC
    Inventors: Thomas William Bailey, Andrew John Cleall, Graham Richard James, Robert Howard Taylor
  • Patent number: 6371902
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a score line in a pre-cut blank, such as an envelope blank (3), includes a scoring blade roller (6) and a counter roller (7), wherein a portion of the circumferential surface of the scoring blade roller (6) is provided with a suction shell (12) having a plurality of suction openings (13) therein. The suction openings are connected together in respective groups that may be individually and selectively connected to a vacuum or suction air source. In this manner, a leading edge portion (72) of the blank (3) can be taken up, held, and rotationally pulled by the scoring blade roller (6), while a tail portion (70, 71) of the blank (3) downstream of the score lines (2) or the scoring blades (33, 34) is not fixedly held on the scoring blade roller (6), but rather is only loosely held and guided along.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Winkler & Duennebier Maschinenfabrik und Eisengiesserei GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Bluemle
  • Patent number: 6363696
    Abstract: An automatic packaging machine for forming and filling a latching flip-top box uses a two part mandrel which are joined by a hinge. One of the two hinged parts has a roller thereon for following a cam track having a quarter turn spiral therein. As the roller follows the spiral causing one hinged part to move through a quarter turn causing the flip-top to fold over and be formed. A somewhat loose tab on the top edge of the bottom of the box is a latch tab which is caught when the flip-top folds over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Tisma Machinery Corporation
    Inventor: Petar Tisma
  • Patent number: 6360514
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a carton from a blank sheet of material, in line, and wrapping it about articles of a predetermined size including cutting and scoring blades which are automatically preset according to parameters previously stored, for these particular articles, in a programmable controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company
    Inventor: Donald E. Detterman
  • Patent number: 6352497
    Abstract: This invention pertains to methods of checking for successful removal of trim material from trim areas disposed at periodic intervals along a web in a processing line. Marking material is marked, optionally as reference marks or reference images on the trim material pieces. Trim material is severed and removed to develop cut-outs at the trim areas. After removing the trim material, the method senses for the marking material at and adjacent the trim areas. The method thus detects marking material on trim material pieces which are not successfully removed from the web. In preferred embodiments, the web, outside the trim areas, is free from the specific marking material used for the reference marks or reference images. The marking material is preferably detectable, using a suitable sensor, independently of visible light emanating from, or reflected from, the marking material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Leo Hensley, Tanakon Ungpiyakul
  • Patent number: 6351924
    Abstract: A method is described for sterilizing, filling and closing packaging containers open on one side, in which the packaging container is exposed to a sterilizing agent during a clock-controlled transportation in a processing line through different processing stations, which is then removed with sterile hot air. Then, the packaging container is filled with sterile fluid and with a sterile closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Tetra-Laval Holdings & Finance, S.A.
    Inventors: Per Gustafsson, Paolo Fontanazzi
  • Patent number: 6349524
    Abstract: An embossed seal is formed in a cavity in the neck of a corked bottle over a cork using a die having a die surface with a die image. A first molten seal material is introduced into a die cavity. The die cavity is formed in part with the die surface. The introduction of the first molten seal material deposits an embossed seal portion with an embossed surface. The embossed seal portion is allowed to cool. A second molten seal material is introduced into the cavity of the neck of the corked bottle. The embossed seal portion is brought into contact with the molten seal material in the bottle cavity with the embossed surface disposed on top facing away from the molten seal material. The molten seal material partially melts the embossed seal portion to form a single seal upon cooling. The embossed seal portion is sufficiently cooled and solidified to prevent melting and damage of the embossed surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Patented Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: David Paul Zurlinden, David Marc Zurlinden, Malcolm Yuill-Thornton
  • Patent number: 6334290
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing packages having a heating device for heating a bottom sheeting strip, a forming device, a filling device, a sealing device for sealing on a top strip, and a cutting device for separating the packages. For forming downward-drawn rims on the packages that make them easy to drink from, additional recesses are embodied in the forming device, and the bottom sheeting strip is pressed by means of protrusions into recesses disposed on the upper part of the forming device. The cutting device also has a stamping knife, which cuts the package out of the foil composite in the region of the downward-drawn rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Reichert, Martin Weinmann
  • Patent number: 6332305
    Abstract: In a heat seal device of a filling and packaging machine, wherein a continuously fed film F is vertically sealed by a vertical seal mechanism 19 and the laterally sealed by lateral seal mechanisms 20, 21, contents W, W1, W2 are filled in the film formed in the bottomed cylindrical shape and, while the film F is fed, a portion of the film F which forms a bag opening part side is sealed laterally by the lateral seal mechanisms 20,21 for continuously packaging as pouches P, the vertical seal mechanism 19 comprises a pair of rotating shafts 25 incorporating heaters H and mounted rotatably and two pairs of vertical seal rolls 31, 34 which are mounted in pairs on the rotating shafts 25 with a given distance in the axial direction of the rotating shafts 25 and have seal portions 30,35 protruded in a flange shape around outer peripheral portions thereof respectively, the heaters H incorporated in the rotating shafts 25 are disposed movably along the axial direction of the rotating shafts 25 with the position of the h
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshimori Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6324816
    Abstract: A title sheet inserting machine includes a rotatable turret having a plurality of equally spaced copes, which each have a corrugated contact face adapted to hold a title sheet. A drag is provided movably toward and away from the cope at the first station of the turret. A space forming device provided adjacent to the second station of the turret is adapted to form a title sheet insertion space in the case. A case transferring pusher transfers the case formed with the title sheet insertion space therein toward the cope placed at the second station of the turret. A case retreating pusher retreats the case having the title sheet therein from the cope placed at the third station of the turret.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Kyoto Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kaoru Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6321513
    Abstract: The method relates to a method for packing articles and/or objects. Articles are packed in an elastic packing material (2) and the elastic packing material is stretched during the packing process. To achieve this, the packing material is arranged in a receptacle (1) in which a partial vacuum is produced. The packing material is stretched due to the pressure that the outside air exerts upon it. The item that is to be packed is then placed in or on the packing material. Once the vacuum has been removed, the packing material automatically reverts back to its original position by virtue of its own elasticity and is applied to the packing items. The invention also relates to a device to carry out such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Pi-Patente Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH) Entwicklung und Verwertung
    Inventor: Hans-Werner Meixner
  • Patent number: 6319182
    Abstract: Devices used in making bags or otherwise carrying out operations on a web of material, such as a plastic web are repositioned based upon a measure of the repeat length of the intermittent advance of the web and comparison of the actual value of that advance with a setpoint value and in accordance with the product of the resulting error and the position of the device along the path of the web. The repositioning can use a positive coupling between a motor on the device and the path either via a rack and pinion for a spindle and nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Lemo Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Jakob Schneider
  • Patent number: 6319185
    Abstract: A roll and a process of making a roll for smoothing a web. The roll includes a roll core having an outer surface. A covering layer disposed on the outer surface of the roll core, the covering layer having an inner surface and an outer surface. The covering layer includes a resilient matrix material and fibers. The number of fibers varies radially from the inner surface to the outer surface of the covering layer. The process includes providing a roll core having an outer surface, and applying a covering layer on the outer surface of the roll core the covering layer having an inner surface and an outer surface. The covering layer includes a resilient matrix material and fibers, wherein the number of fibers varies radially from the inner surface to the outer surface of the covering layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Carsten Sohl
  • Patent number: 6308500
    Abstract: A sealing tool for sealing a package trough with a covering film includes a bottom part, side parts oriented transverse and side parts oriented parallel to the direction of package trough feed, wherein the side parts oriented transverse to the direction of feed can be displaced downwardly, while the other parts of the bottom sealing tool are fixed in their spatial arrangement, relative to the frame of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Tiromat Kramer +Grebe GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ulrich Thomas, Rolf Blöcher, Celestino Inverardi
  • Patent number: 6309335
    Abstract: Disclosed is a supply hopper apparatus for 3-part (Bliss) box forming machines having a vertical or substantially vertical orientation that is capable of holding a large supply of end panels. The trays of the hopper are open at the top and bottom, and may be adjusted to accommodate a wide range of differently sized end panels. A shuttle mechanism is provided at the bottom of each tray for removing the lowermost end panel from the tray, and an adjustable gate is provided to prevent more than one panel from being removed from the tray at a time. An elevating mechanism is provided adjacent to each tray to bring the lowermost panel from a generally horizontal position to a vertical position alongside the mandrel of the container forming machine. The mandrel then picks up the elevated end panels from each side, and takes them into the machine where they are used to form the three-part Bliss container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation
    Inventor: David B. Holton
  • Patent number: 6306071
    Abstract: A single-piece slider device for use with resealable closure mechanisms having a first closure profile and a second closure profile is provided. The slider device includes a rigid top wall, at least a first plow for separating the first and second closure profiles, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. The first and second sidewalls each have an inner surface, an outer surface, a bottom edge, and a length. The first sidewall has a first flex point arranged and configured to allow the first sidewall to flex at the first flex point. The second sidewall has a second flex point arranged and configured to allow the second sidewall to flex at the second flex point. The flexpoints can be notches on the outer portions or inner portions of the sidewalls, between the top wall and the sidewalls, or between the sidewalls and the bottom portions. The top wall can have depending tabs to help align the slider device with the profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mladomir Tomic
  • Patent number: 6298638
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for blow-molding, sterilizing, filling and capping plastic containers under conditions of positive control in a close-coupled, compact machine to enhance operational efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Griscom Bettle
  • Patent number: 6296600
    Abstract: A multi-ply tubular container for products is provided having a first ply wrapped into a tubular shape and having an inner surface and a second ply wrapped into a tubular shape and having an outer surface positioned in face-to-face contact with the inner surface of the first ply. At least one of the first and second plies is a body ply formed of fibrous paperboard. A foamed adhesive is placed between the inner surface of the first ply and the outer surface of the second ply. The foamed adhesive reduces moisture contact with the paperboard body ply and results in increased container strength and lower manufacturing costs. The foamed adhesive is preferably a foamed aqueous adhesive. The foamed adhesive may be a substantially pure resin adhesive or a mixture of a resin and at least one filler. The two plies may comprise a paperboard body ply and a liner ply adhered together using a foamed adhesive placed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Drummond, Alan D. Williams
  • Patent number: 6293896
    Abstract: A method of making packages having a reclosable zipper construction openable and closable by a slider device, on a horizontal form, fill and seal process. The method includes applying the slider device to the zipper construction prior to incorporating the zipper construction with side panels to form the package. A tamper-evident seal may be provided encasing the slider device to provide indication whether access has been gained to the interior of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Buchman