Patents by Inventor Gerald R. Winiecki

Gerald R. Winiecki has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20100279840
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process used for packaging a product in a web of material that has a zipper attached thereto. The process includes providing a web of material having first and second edges and a zipper including first and second interlocking members. The first and second interlocking members of the zipper are interlocked together. The first interlocking member of the zipper is attached to the web at an intermediate portion of the web between the first and second edges of the web. The second interlocking member has an attachment region that is facing away from the web. One edge of the web is folded away from the zipper and toward the other edge of the web. Unit operations are performed on the zipper to create zipper segments from the zipper while the zipper is exposed. Each of the zipper segments is associated with an individual food package made from the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventors: Toby R. Thomas, Alexander R. Provan, Craig E. Cappel, Larry E. Benedict, Gerald R. Winiecki
  • Patent number: 7779605
    Abstract: A unit operation station for use in a web processing machine comprising: a shuttle system including an input roller for receiving a web and an attached zipper, an output roller and a the connecting element for maintaining the input roller and the output roller in a fixed position relative to each other; a plurality of stations performing distinct operations for mechanically altering the attached zipper, one of the plurality of stations including a slider-insertion mechanism for placing a slider onto the zipper; a web path located beyond the input roller and including the plurality of stations; a driver for providing reciprocating movement to the shuttle system to cause intermittent movement of the web and the attached zipper along the web path; wherein the output roller releases the web and the attached zipper at a rate substantially equal to a continuous input feed rate of the web and the attached zipper, and wherein the shuttle system moves at a speed substantially equal to the continuous input/output feed
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventors: Toby R. Thomas, Alexander R. Provan, Craig E. Cappel, Larry E. Benedict, Gerald R. Winiecki
  • Publication number: 20090127371
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process used for packaging a product in a web of material that has a zipper attached thereto. The process includes providing a web of material having first and second edges and a zipper including first and second interlocking members. The first and second interlocking members of the zipper are interlocked together. The first interlocking member of the zipper is attached to the web at an intermediate portion of the web between the first and second edges of the web. The second interlocking member has an attachment region that is facing away from the web. One edge of the web is folded away from the zipper and toward the other edge of the web. Unit operations are performed on the zipper to create zipper segments from the zipper while the zipper is exposed. Each of the zipper segments is associated with an individual food package made from the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Toby R. Thomas, Alexander R. Provan, Craig E. Cappel, Larry E. Benedict, Gerald R. Winiecki
  • Patent number: 7478512
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process used for packaging a product in a web of material that has a zipper attached thereto. The process includes providing a web of material having first and second edges and a zipper including first and second interlocking members. The first and second interlocking members of the zipper are interlocked together. The first interlocking member of the zipper is attached to the web at an intermediate portion of the web between the first and second edges of the web. The second interlocking member has an attachment region that is facing away from the web. One edge of the web is folded away from the zipper and toward the other edge of the web. Unit operations are performed on the zipper to create zipper segments from the zipper while the zipper is exposed. Each of the zipper segments is associated with an individual food package made from the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventors: Toby R. Thomas, Alexander R. Provan, Craig E. Cappel, Larry E. Benedict, Gerald R. Winiecki
  • Patent number: 7178309
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process used for packaging a product in a web of material that has a zipper attached thereto. The process includes providing a web of material having first and second edges and a zipper including first and second interlocking members. The first and second interlocking members of the zipper are interlocked together. The first interlocking member of the zipper is attached to the web at an intermediate portion of the web between the first and second edges of the web. The second interlocking member has an attachment region that is facing away from the web. One edge of the web is folded away from the zipper and toward the other edge of the web. Unit operations are performed on the zipper to create zipper segments from the zipper while the zipper is exposed. Each of the zipper segments is associated with an individual food package made from the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventors: Toby R. Thomas, Alexander R. Provan, Craig E. Cappel, Larry E. Benedict, Gerald R. Winiecki
  • Patent number: 7114310
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process used for packaging a product in a web of material that has a zipper attached thereto. The process includes providing a web of material having first and second edges and a zipper including first and second interlocking members. The first and second interlocking members of the zipper are interlocked together. The first interlocking member of the zipper is attached to the web at an intermediate portion of the web between the first and second edges of the web. The second interlocking member has an attachment region that is facing away from the web. One edge of the web is folded away from the zipper and toward the other edge of the web. Unit operations are performed on the zipper to create zipper segments from the zipper while the zipper is exposed. Each of the zipper segments is associated with an individual food package made from the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventors: Toby R. Thomas, Alexander R. Provan, Craig E. Cappel, Larry E. Benedict, Gerald R. Winiecki
  • Patent number: 6976946
    Abstract: A pouch machine includes a controller and first and second modules. Each module has a converting station and the electrical equipment needed to operate the station. The controller controls the converting stations and operating parameters are provided from one module to the next. Each module may be a processing zone and include a registration sensor and a drawroll responsive to the respective registration sensor. Accumulators may be provided in each processing zone. An edge sensor may be provided that senses the edge of the film in one or more modules. The draw roll assembly is mounted on a moveable frame, and is angled in response to the location of the sensed edge. Multiple such assemblies may be included on a single machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: CMD Corporation
    Inventors: Randy C. Wied, Gaylord Guilette, Scott A. Mattila, David Thomas, Mark Krueger, Gerald R. Winiecki, Gary Sargin
  • Patent number: 6918234
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process used for packaging a product in a web of material that has a zipper attached thereto. The process includes providing a web of material having first and second edges and a zipper including first and second interlocking members. The first and second interlocking members of the zipper are interlocked together. The first interlocking member of the zipper is attached to the web at an intermediate portion of the web between the first and second edges of the web. The second interlocking member has an attachment region that is facing away from the web. One edge of the web is folded away from the zipper and toward the other edge of the web. Unit operations are performed on the zipper to create zipper segments from the zipper while the zipper is exposed. Each of the zipper segments is associated with an individual food package made from the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventors: Toby R. Thomas, Alexander R. Provan, Craig E. Cappel, Larry E. Benedict, Gerald R. Winiecki
  • Publication number: 20040109617
    Abstract: A bag, method of making, and machine for making are disclosed. The bag has an upper and lower portion. The lower portion has a generally rectangular bottom with first, second, third and fourth bottom edges. It also has a generally rectangular front, back left and right walls, each having a lower edge joined with the a bottom edge. The upper portion is joined to the lower portion. The bag has one or more of a zipper closure, a top peak with a resealable closure that extends the length thereof, four generally vertical corner seals, extending part of the way up the walls, and a resealable closure affixed along the entire length of the top.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventor: Gerald R. Winiecki
  • Publication number: 20040082455
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making pouches is disclosed. It includes continuously moving the film through an intake section and then through a shuttle section. The film passes a plurality of successive sealing stations in the shuttle section, and while the film moves continuously, the film is at times generally stationary with respect to the sealing stations and at times moving with respect to the sealing stations. A plurality of successive seals is applied with the plurality of sealing stations, while the film is generally stationary with respect to the sealing stations. The film is then moved through an output section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Gerald R. Winiecki, Randal C. Wied, Gary F. Sargin
  • Publication number: 20030208989
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process used for packaging a product in a web of material that has a zipper attached thereto. The process includes providing a web of material having first and second edges and a zipper including first and second interlocking members. The first and second interlocking members of the zipper are interlocked together. The first interlocking member of the zipper is attached to the web at an intermediate portion of the web between the first and second edges of the web. The second interlocking member has an attachment region that is facing away from the web. One edge of the web is folded away from the zipper and toward the other edge of the web. Unit operations are performed on the zipper to create zipper segments from the zipper while the zipper is exposed. Each of the zipper segments is associated with an individual food package made from the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Toby R. Thomas, Alexander R. Provan, Craig E. Cappel, Larry E. Benedict, Gerald R. Winiecki
  • Publication number: 20020155936
    Abstract: A pouch machine includes a controller and first and second modules. Each module has a converting station and the electrical equipment needed to operate the station. The controller controls the converting stations and operating parameters are provided from one module to the next. Each module may be a processing zone and include a registration sensor and a drawroll responsive to the respective registration sensor. Accumulators may be provided in each processing zone. An edge sensor may be provided that senses the edge of the film in one or more modules. The draw roll assembly is mounted on a moveable frame, and is angled in response to the location of the sensed edge. Multiple such assemblies may be included on a single machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Randy C. Wied, Gaylord Guilette, Scott A. Mattila, David Thomas, Mark Krueger, Gerald R. Winiecki, Gary Sargin