Patents by Inventor Rick Steven Wehrmann
Rick Steven Wehrmann 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).
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Patent number: 9205622Abstract: A web, method, and apparatus for forming dunnage units. The web includes first and second elongated layers. A plurality of seals that hermetically join the first elongated layer to the second elongated layer to form a plurality of inflatable pouches and an inflation channel that is in fluid communication with pouches and is disposed outside of the pouches. An inflation side line of perforations, a gap forming area, and an opposite side line of perforations are arranged in a line between pair(s) of the pouches.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Publication number: 20150210031Abstract: A preformed web and a method of producing dunnage units from the preformed web. The web is an elongate flattened thermoplastic tube having an inflation edge and an opposite edge. The tube includes spaced transverse seals that define sides of pouches. In one embodiment, the web is configured such that a gap forms between each pair of adjacent pouches when the pouches are inflated. In one embodiment, an inflation edge of the web comprises a frangible connection that allows the inflation edge to be broken by an unsharpened object.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2015Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Publication number: 20150144268Abstract: A machine converts a web of preformed pouches, which are defined by transverse seals extending from a remote edge, into inflated dunnage units. A sealing arrangement is positioned to provide a longitudinal seal intersecting the transverse seals to close the preformed pouches and form a dunnage unit. The sealing arrangement has at least two sealing belts. Each belt is positioned so that respective first sides engage a surface of the web and pull the web through sealing elements positioned on either side of the web. A heating element is on a second side of the first belt not engaging the web. A compliant material is on a second side of the second belt not engaging the web. As the web passes between the heating element and compliant material, imperfections in the web are smoothed by the compliant material and the layers of the web are sealed by the heating element.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Douglas C. Corbin, Donald P. Shook, Robert L. Ferrante, Michael J. Riccardi, Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Publication number: 20150069106Abstract: A web for forming sealed air filled pouches includes a plurality of fold seals that seal first and second elongated layers together along a fold area defining first and second chambers. The fold seals create a cushioned area along a fold area when the first chamber is folded over the second chamber. Also disclosed is a device for separating air filled pouches. The device includes a first stage including a first belt operating at a first speed and a second stage including a second belt operating at a second speed. The web passes through the first stage before passing through the second stage. A pouch is separated from the web at the lines of perforations when a relative speed of the first belt is slower than a speed of the second belt by a predetermined threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Publication number: 20140260094Abstract: A method for converting a web of preformed pouches to on-demand inflatable packaging. The method may include moving the web along a path of travel, attaching an outer skin to the outside of the web, and packaging the web into a non-inflated and stored configuration. The method may also include moving the web along a path of travel, depositing at least one product into each of a plurality of the preformed pouches, and inflating each of the preformed pouches to form a cushioning material.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Publication number: 20130308883Abstract: An exemplary reclosable bag includes a first ply joined to a second ply to define a main bag portion having a compartment and a product receiving opening. A reclosing flap is connected to the main bag portion and is spaced apart from the product receiving opening. A reclosing material and a release material are applied to the bag and are arranged such that the reclosing material releasably adheres to the release material. The reclosing flap is movable between a passive position and an active position. A bag opening zone formed in the main bag portion proximate the reclosing flap may be opened to create a product retrieval opening for retrieving a product from the compartment. The product is returned to the compartment through the product retrieval opening, and the compartment is reclosed by moving the reclosing flap from the passive position to the active position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: Automated Packaging SystemsInventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Patent number: 8425994Abstract: A preformed web and a method of producing dunnage units from the preformed web. The web is an elongate flattened thermoplastic tube having an inflation edge and an opposite edge. The tube includes spaced transverse seals that define sides of pouches. In one embodiment, the web is configured such that a gap forms between each pair of adjacent pouches when the pouches are inflated. In one embodiment, an inflation edge of the web comprises a frangible connection that allows the inflation edge to be broken by an unsharpened object.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2006Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Patent number: 8357439Abstract: A preformed web and a method of producing dunnage units from the preformed web. The web is an elongate flattened thermoplastic tube having an inflation edge and an opposite edge. The tube includes spaced transverse seals that define sides of pouches. In one embodiment, the web is configured such that a gap forms between each pair of adjacent pouches when the pouches are inflated. In one embodiment, an inflation edge of the web comprises a frangible connection that allows the inflation edge to be broken by an unsharpened object.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2011Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Patent number: 7975457Abstract: The present invention concerns a machine and a method for converting a web of preformed pouches to dunnage units. In one exemplary embodiment the machine includes a drive, a blower, and a sealing mechanism. The drive is arranged to move the web of preformed pouches along a path of travel through the machine. The blower is positioned with respect to the path of travel, to inflate the preformed pouches. The sealing mechanism includes a heating element support and a heating element. The heating element support includes a sealing side and a belt preheating side. The heating element is disposed around at least a portion of the heating side and at least a portion of the belt preheating side. The drive includes a belt that is disposed around the heating element. The sealing mechanism is positioned with respect to the path of travel, to provide seals to the pouches to form inflated dunnage units.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2010Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Publication number: 20110165352Abstract: A preformed web and a method of producing dunnage units from the preformed web. The web is an elongate flattened thermoplastic tube having an inflation edge and an opposite edge. The tube includes spaced transverse seals that define sides of pouches. In one embodiment, the web is configured such that a gap forms between each pair of adjacent pouches when the pouches are inflated. In one embodiment, an inflation edge of the web comprises a frangible connection that allows the inflation edge to be broken by an unsharpened object.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2011Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Publication number: 20110151159Abstract: A preformed web and a method of producing dunnage units from the preformed web. The web is an elongate flattened thermoplastic tube having an inflation edge and an opposite edge. The tube includes spaced transverse seals that define sides of pouches. The tube includes lines of perforations that allow adjacent dunnage units to be separated. A starting point of the lines of perforations is spaced apart from the inflation edge. The positions of the starting point of the lines of perforations with respect to the inflation edge is selected such that a cutter that cuts the inflation edge clears the line of perforations. Binding or wrinkling is therefore not caused by engagement of the cutter with the lines of perforations.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2011Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Patent number: 7897219Abstract: A preformed web and a method of producing dunnage units from the preformed web. The web is an elongate flattened thermoplastic tube having an inflation edge and an opposite edge. The tube includes spaced transverse seals that define sides of pouches. The tube includes lines of perforations that allow adjacent dunnage units to be separated. A starting point of the lines of perforations is spaced apart from the inflation edge.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2005Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Publication number: 20100281828Abstract: A preformed web and a method of producing dunnage units from the preformed web. The web is an elongate flattened thermoplastic tube having an inflation edge and an opposite edge. The tube includes spaced transverse seals that define sides of pouches. In one embodiment, the web is configured such that a gap forms between each pair of adjacent pouches when the pouches are inflated. In one embodiment, an inflation edge of the web comprises a frangible connection that allows the inflation edge to be broken by an unsharpened object.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2010Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Publication number: 20100221466Abstract: A web, method, and apparatus for forming dunnage units. The web includes first and second elongated layers. A plurality of seals that hermetically join the first elongated layer to the second elongated layer to form a plurality of inflatable pouches and an inflation channel that is in fluid communication with pouches and is disposed outside of the pouches. An inflation side line of perforations, a gap forming area, and an opposite side line of perforations are arranged in a line between pair(s) of the pouches.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2009Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: AUTOMATED PACKAGING SYSTEMSInventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Patent number: 7757459Abstract: A preformed web and a method of producing dunnage units from the preformed web. The web is an elongate flattened thermoplastic tube having an inflation edge and an opposite edge. The tube includes spaced transverse seals that define sides of pouches. In one embodiment, the web is configured such that a gap forms between each pair of adjacent pouches when the pouches are inflated. In one embodiment, an inflation edge of the web comprises a frangible connection that allows the inflation edge to be broken by an unsharpened object.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2005Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Patent number: D630945Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2009Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Patent number: D633792Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2009Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Patent number: D640557Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2011Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Patent number: D646972Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2011Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Patent number: D720617Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2013Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann