With Means To Advance Work Or Product Patents (Class 493/196)
  • Patent number: 11420796
    Abstract: Front and back panels have side seams that fix the panel side edges of the front panel to the panel side edges of the back panel and each extend a full vertical length of the respective panel side edges. A label formed from a separate piece of film covers one of the face panels between the side edges thereof, is disconnected from the one face panel between the panel side seams, has label side edges generally at the respective side panel edges, and secures the label to the one face panel. Respective secondary side seams are provided between the side edges of the label and the side edges of the one panel, and respective tear lines are formed in the label closely adjacent and generally parallel to each of the label side edges. There is printing on the label only between the tear lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignees: MONDI AG, WERNER & MERTZ GMBH
    Inventors: Jens Koesters, Immo Sander, Michele Lucchese
  • Patent number: 11078000
    Abstract: A packaging container comprises a laminated sheet where at least a substrate, a barrier layer and a sealant layer are laminated together in this order, and the laminated sheet has a stiffness of 1.01 [mN·m] or less measured by a Taber stiffness tester method in accordance with JIS-P8125.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junji Kikukawa, Koichi Hotta, Megumi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10583964
    Abstract: A bag of plastic film material has a side gusset between front and back panels, the top of the gusset spaced from the top of the bag. The front and back panels are seamed to each other above the gusset to present a side edge having an orientation. The top edge of the gusset extends non-orthogonally to the orientation of the side edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Peel Plastic Products Limited
    Inventor: William Troost
  • Patent number: 10183796
    Abstract: A bag has front and back face panels having upright longitudinally extending side edges and transversely extending upper and lower edges. First and second gusset panels each have transversely extending upper and lower edges and upright longitudinal outer edges connected to the longitudinal edges of the face panels. A reclosable fastener strip extends continuously and transversely along the first gusset panel and inward along each of the face panels from the first gusset panel along part of a transverse width of the face panels. Thus opening of the fastener and folding out of the first gusset panel forms a spout on the bag. A separate generally rectangular floor panel is joined at its outer edge by thermal welds to the lower edges of the face panels and of the gusset panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: MONDI CONSUMER PACKAGING TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Alfons Kruse, Detlef Stoeppelmann, Jens Koesters
  • Patent number: 10065781
    Abstract: In the present invention, a blocking tube (11) has a tubular blocking layer (11a) made of a material having barrier properties, and a tubular covering layer (11b) which is disposed in contact with at least the inner peripheral surface of the blocking layer (11a) and is made of a material of the same quality as a base resin. One end portion of the covering layer (11b) protrudes further toward the outside than an end portion of the blocking layer (11a) which is disposed on the outer periphery side. In the blocking tube (11), the inner peripheral surface of the covering layer (11b) forms the inner surface of a pouring hole (5), and the end face on the one end portion side in an axial direction of the covering layer (11b) and the outer peripheral surface of the covering layer (11b), which protrudes from an end portion in the axial direction of the blocking layer (11a) are embedded in the base resin in contact with the base resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: HOSOKAWA YOKO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Ichikawa, Tomonari Shinohara
  • Patent number: 9981793
    Abstract: A gusset bag has a spout that keeps a stable self-standing attitude, facilitating easy and complete content pouring. The gusset bag includes a film bag body and a spout attached to the bag body. The bag body includes a tubular body and a rectangular-shaped bottom surface sealed and secured to one edge of the tubular body. The tubular body includes opposing flat surfaces and side surfaces, each being sealed and secured to side edges of the flat surfaces, the bottom surface and the side surfaces being formed with foldable lines, respectively, along which the bottom surface and the side surfaces are folded inward toward inside of the bag body, forming a bottom surface gusset and side surface gussets, and an inclining edge is formed to one of the upper two corners of the bag body, the spout being attached to the inclining edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: HOSOKAWA YOKO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Kenmotsu, Kazuhiro Umenaka
  • Patent number: 9517861
    Abstract: An expandable food storage bag is provided having gusseted sides so that larger food or other items may be inserted therein before vacuum heat sealing. The bag includes first and second sidewalls having a first thickness and a first oxygen transmission rate. The bag further includes first and second gusseted sidewalls having a second thickness less than the first thickness and a second oxygen transmission rate substantially equal to or less than the first oxygen transmission rate. The first pleated sidewall interconnects one side of the first and second sidewalls. The second gusseted sidewall interconnects an opposite side of the first and second sidewalls. The thinner gusseted sidewalls allow the bag to be heat sealed with the first and second sidewalls that may be otherwise too thick with gusseted sidewalls of the same thickness as the first and second sidewalls while maintaining a substantially equal or less oxygen transmission rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Elif Caputa, Vikki Slavin
  • Patent number: 9505189
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a plurality of flexible pouches from a continuous web of film having a plurality of registration marks spaced a predetermined distance apart. The apparatus includes a film displacement mechanism, a registration mark sensor, and a controller. The film displacement mechanism includes at least one vertically oriented roller that rollingly engages with the continuous web of film. The film displacement mechanism adjusts the tension in the film by horizontally displacing the vertically oriented roller. The registration mark sensor is positioned upstream of the film displacement mechanism and is configured to detect the registration marks. The controller controls the film displacement mechanism to horizontally displace the film upon receipt of a signal from the registration mark sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignees: SN Maschinenbau GmbH, Pouch Pac Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: R. Charles Murray, Olaf Clemens
  • Patent number: 9475248
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flat bottom pouch from a single continuous sheet of webbing comprises unwinding the continuous sheet of webbing and forming an outwardly extending transverse lap seam. The unwound webbing is asymmetrically folded to form a folded sheet defining front and back panels. The folded sheet defines a first section and a second section having a folded edge therebetween, wherein the first section includes a first distal edge, and wherein the second section includes a second distal edge. The folded edge is pushed between the first and second sections to form a first side gusseted panel. A portion of the second section is folded between the first and second sections to form a second side gusseted panel. A transverse end seal is formed proximate the lap seam thereby defining a bottom gusseted panel and the first edge is sealed to the second edge to complete the pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: James Russell
  • Patent number: 9108380
    Abstract: The trash bag for receiving refuse may include a bag body, the bag body including an inside surface, an outside surface, and a rim defining a mouth with a hem and a draw tape in the hem. A liquid additive may be applied to the interior of the bag using the intermittent application of micro-droplets to the interior of a folded web and then converting to a roll of connected trash bags or to individual trash bags on a roll. The liquid additive may contain fragrance, malodor control agents and fragrance release inhibitors. Also, described is a method of producing trash bags with liquid additives applied by the application of micro-droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: The Glad Products Company
    Inventors: Scott Binger, Carl L. Bergman, Jack A. MacPherson, Howard Deason
  • Publication number: 20140364292
    Abstract: A plastic or other film bag is formed from a continuous extruded tube. The tube is flattened and sealed across its width at intervals to form bag bottoms. The bags are joined to one another at a perforation line and folded in thirds lengthwise prior to being rolled into a compact roll, either with or without supporting core. After folding the bags may be chisel cut through the center of the perforation line to assist in dispensing of the bags. The chisel cut will extend through all layers of the bag when folded, resulting in three chisel cuts in the bag. The bags may be gusseted for part or as much as all of their width. The bags may also be corona treated and printed on their outer surfaces. The bags may be formed from partially recycled materials and various combinations of linear low density, medium and high density polyethylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Greg Tan
  • Patent number: 8894557
    Abstract: A bag-making device for cross base bags limits the number of quality defects resulting from the fabrication tolerances of the conveyor belt. The device has working stations that perform working steps on bag tube sections during the bag making operation. At least one working station is equipped with a tool that is mounted on a tool roller and that runs through its working position during each rotation of the roller. The bag-making device has a conveyor system that conveys the tube sections through the working stations with conveyor belts, and a drive system that drives conveyor drive wheels and the tool rollers such that the drive wheels are driven with lesser angular speed than the tool rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Windmoller & Holscher KG
    Inventors: Ruediger Duwendag, Andreas Sonntag
  • Patent number: 8777826
    Abstract: Plastic bags are successively made by intermittently feeding upper and lower panel material webs that are temporarily fixed to side gusset material layers. The webs are joined along a joint line. One web is folded along a first line spaced from the joint line to open the webs and form a surface on the webs. One gusset layer is folded along the first line to open the gusset layers along with an auxiliary gusset portion and form a surface on the layers of the auxiliary gusset portion. One web is turned along a turned line formed between the joint line and the first line to make a turned portion formed in one web and superimposed on the surfaces. The other web is folded along a second line spaced from the joint line to make a folded portion in the other web and superposed on the surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Totani Corporation
    Inventor: Mikio Totani
  • Publication number: 20140187401
    Abstract: In order to successively make plastic bags each of which includes panel portions, side gusset portions and a zipper portion, a web of panel material 9 is folded and folded back along longitudinal folded lines 14, 15 and 16 and longitudinal folded back lines 17 and 18 into superposed two layers having opposite side edges at each of which a folded portion is formed. The web of panel material 9 is slit along the longitudinal folded line 16 into two divided parts after being folded and folded back. The divided parts are separated and spaced from each other. In addition, the folded portions are split at positions into sprit portions and removed at the positions partially, a body of zipper material being disposed between the sprit portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: TOTANI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mikio TOTANI
  • Patent number: 8707662
    Abstract: A packaging machine for producing sealed packages from a web of packaging material having a surface of uneven thickness comprises a pressure roller to press the surface against a corresponding forming roller for sealing the package. The pressure roller comprises an elastically deformable body; and a core of greater rigidity housed therein, with the core comprising a first end surface cooperating with the body, and a radially inner second end surface. The core includes a first portion and a second portion, with the radial distance between the first and second surface at the first portion being greater than at the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Borsari, Stefano Costa, Claudio Ferrari
  • Patent number: 8366855
    Abstract: A machine for forming a flexible pouch having a spout fitment includes a frame, a transport device adjacent the frame for transporting a flexible material therealong, and a feeder device for supplying a roll of tape material having a plurality of fitments secured thereto. A fitment insertion station receives the roll of tape material with pre-applied fitments, and removes the fitment, and seals the fitment to a fitment receiving portion of the flexible material. A pouch body forming station operatively forms a body of the pouch from the flexible material, and an upper edge, a lower edge and a side edge extending therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: PPI Technologies Global, LLC
    Inventor: R. Charles Murray
  • Patent number: 8137252
    Abstract: A bag supply device receives large bags are retained in a stacked state on its mounting portions that are provided on chains. In addition, this bag supply device includes a horizontal support mechanism that supports the rear portion of the stacked large bags so that they can be raised and lowered in order to retain an uppermost surface of an uppermost large bag in a horizontal posture at a discharge position. The chains and the mounting portions are disposed such that the rear portion of the large bags hangs down. The horizontal support mechanism includes a roller that moves along the transport direction, and the uppermost large bag will be retained in a horizontal posture by moving the roller to support the rear portion of the large bags from below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Yokota, Seisaku Iwasa, Yuichiro Minakuchi
  • Patent number: 8016734
    Abstract: Various methods of forming bags include applying hot melt adhesive to material without contacting the material with the dispenser that applies the adhesive. The material may be provided in various forms, such as elongate sheet material dispensed from a roll, or elongate tube material that is flattened to define first and second oppositely disposed sidewalls, for example. The material may be provided in single plies, multiple plies, or as separate sheets that are cut, folded, or otherwise manipulated to form bags, with the adhesive joining selected portions of the bag. A nozzle for dispensing hot melt adhesive includes an air passage that is inclined in a direction toward a liquid outlet. The air passage communicates with an air outlet disposed in a common plane with the liquid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: Wesley C. Fort
  • Publication number: 20110207589
    Abstract: A pouch machine includes an infeed section, a sealing section, and an outfeed section. The infeed section provides a pouch or laminate to the sealing section, and the outfeed section receives the sealed pouch from the infeed section. The sealing section includes at least one sealer that has a sealing fixture disposed to move in a first direction toward and away from a sealing position. A linear actuator is mounted to provide a controlled motion in a second direction, that is not the first direction. A linkage is connected between the linear actuator and the sealing fixture. The linkage translates the controlled motion of the actuator into controlled motion of the sealer. The linkage preferably multiplies force when the sealer is in the sealing position, and multiplies distance/velocity when the sealer is retracted. The sealing fixture preferably includes a die backing member and a sealing die. The die backing member has at least one clip mounted on it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: CMD Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Moran, Peter T. Hunnicut
  • Patent number: 7770362
    Abstract: A method and a device for producing and filling sacks with at least four longitudinal seams provide a more cost-effective approach to producing and filling sacks. The material that forms the sacks is supplied from an unwinding device in the form of a tubular material to a sack forming device. The tubular material is provided with longitudinal seams in the sack forming device, with the seams extending over a major part of the sacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Windmoeller & Hoelscher KG
    Inventor: Uwe Koehn
  • Patent number: 7722517
    Abstract: A plastic bag sealing device includes a work table, a sealing device having a silicon rubber roller, a material intake press roller and a material outlet press roller fixed beside the silicon rubber roller to press thereon, plural rotating shafts fixed outside around the silicon rubber roller and respectively mounted with a sealing blade, plural guide rollers employed to conduct plastic bags, a dot-cutting device, an opening-cutting device, and a press roller fixed beside the dot-cutting device and the opening-cutting device. With the sealing blades to carry out multiple sealing at the same location, a plastic bag can be quickly and firmly sealed, and with the dot-cutting device and the opening-cutting device installed on the work table to respectively execute dot-cutting and opening-cutting, the work table can be comparatively downsized, thus greatly elevating economic gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Inventor: Chun-Shan Chen
  • Patent number: 7578779
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making and winding bags is disclosed. The bag machine includes an unwind section, a forming section, and a winder. The winder has an infeed nip and two spindles. Each spindle is located along a respective one of two alternative film paths. The spindles can be fixed position spindles and the alternative film paths can be predominantly downward. An over speed nip may be provided between the infeed nip and the alternative film paths to separate rolls or to separate all bags. An overlapper can be included. Rods that travel in an elliptical orbit, and/or air nozzles can be part of the overlapper. Air nozzles can also be used to direct the film to the appropriate alternative path. Conveyor belts along the alternative film paths can be used to guide the film. Static pinners can be used to help bold the bags to the conveyor, or the last bag to the roll. Pop-up fingers and air horns can help start the roll on a spindle. Paper banders can be use, as can pneumatic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: CMD Corporation
    Inventor: Paul A. Selle
  • Publication number: 20090193757
    Abstract: In order to produce tobacco bags from sheet material having a pocket and a fold-over flap and a tape as closure means, the tape is applied (as are possibly further applications) to a continuous sheet-material web (22) for producing the bags by transversely directed severing cuts. The procedure here is such that the sheet-material web (22) is provided in the first instance, by folding, with a continuous web leg and then with transversely directed connecting seams in the region of the web leg, and thereafter the tape is applied to the sheet-material web prepared in this way. Bags (10) provided with a tape are then severed from the sheet-material web. The tapes are applied to the sheet-material web (22) in the region of an application station (30). Following this, the bags (10) are severed in a severing station (27).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventor: Burkard Roesler
  • Patent number: 7510515
    Abstract: A packaging bag comprises a main bag body and a framework member. The main bag body is made of plastic film material through a main bag body formation process. The main bag body has an opening and a plurality of heat sealed portions. The framework member is disposed in the main bag body. The framework member is joined to the main bag body prior to completion of the main bag body formation process. The framework member is foldable/unfoldable together with the main bag body, to enable the framework member and the main bag body to be shifted between a generally flat collapsed state and an expanded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Hosokawa Yoko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tooru Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 7048224
    Abstract: A process for assembling wave-cut trash bags for overlapping dispensing includes the steps of providing a flattened blown-film polymeric tube; providing sets of closely spaced, parallel seals extending across the entire width of the flattened blown-film polymeric tube at periodic intervals there along; providing a transversely extending line of perforations between the seals comprising each set of closely spaced, parallel seals; and providing a wave shaped line of perforations extending transversely across the entire width of the flattened blown-film polymeric tube at a location equidistance between adjacent closely spaced, parallel sets of seals. The flattened blown-film polymeric tube is separated along each transversely extending line of perforations and along each wave shaped line of perforations after which the leading end of each following trash bag is positioned in an overlapping relationship with the trailing end of the preceding trash bag to facilitate overlapping dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Olympic General Corporation
    Inventor: Charles D. Allgood
  • Patent number: 6651858
    Abstract: An adjustable wrappage film feeding device includes a chassis having end plates rotatably supporting a driving shaft therebetween. The driving shaft is driven by a motor via a worm—worm gear transmission. Two first bevel gears are mounted on the driving shaft to be rotatable in unison with the driving shaft while being allowed to axially move with respect to the driving shaft. A screw rod is rotatably supported by the end plates and threadingly engages two movable carriages that are spaced from each other a distance. By rotating the screw rod, the carriages are driven toward/away from each other and thus changing the distance therebetween. Each carriage rotatably carries a roller adapted to drivingly engage and convey a film in a predetermined direction toward an article to be packaged. Each roller is coupled to a corresponding one of the first bevel gears by a second bevel gear that mates the corresponding first bevel gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Benison & Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ying Liang Shen
  • Patent number: 6261215
    Abstract: A pack comprises a horizontal base and vertical side walls formed from a blank. The side walls are joined to each other in planes perpendicular to the base and form stiffening ribs. The side walls are seamlessly joined to the base and the base is seamless. The pack is produced by folding the blank and joining the side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Rodney Haydn Imer
  • Patent number: 6224528
    Abstract: A bag construction includes first and second opposed panel sections. Each of the panel sections have first and second opposite side edges. The panel sections are secured to one another along at least a portion of the first and second opposite side edges by first and second side seals, to define a bag construction interior. The first and second side seals each have an inner edge portion adjacent to the bag construction interior. The first side seal inner edge portion has at least one non-linear edge section extending over a part of the first side seal inner edge portion. The non-linear edge may include an edge with a plurality of spaced inwardly directed projections, or an edge with curved portions, or an undulated edge. The seals may be used in a variety of packaging arrangements, and help to provide an arrangement which will stand upright when filled or at least partially filled with material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Kapak Corporation
    Inventor: Gary M. Bell
  • Patent number: 6168558
    Abstract: Method and device for producing rolls (17) of bags. At least one longitudinal side edge (15, 16) of a line of overlapping bags (17) is folded towards the centre axis of said line of bags. The line is then winded to rolls (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: FAS Converting Machinery AB
    Inventor: Kenneth Vinberg
  • Patent number: 6027438
    Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a dip strip within a flexible pouch. The apparatus has a first advance means for advancing a predetermined length of the dip strip material and a punch means for punching a hole in the material. The apparatus has a second advance means for advancing the strips of the flexible pouch material and an insertion means for inserting the dip strip material between the strips of the flexible material. The apparatus also includes a side sealing means for sealing a plurality of lateral lines along the strips of the flexible material and a cross sealing means for sealing the dip strip material between the strips of the flexible material in the vicinity of the dip strip hole such that a transverse seal line is created and the flexible pouch is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Steven G. Frazier, Hsar Hmun, Steven Gosling, Michael Coo
  • Patent number: 6024683
    Abstract: A pouch making machine which simultaneously creates perimeter seams for a plurality of pouches on a web and temporarily stores the seamed web in an accumulator at the conclusion of the seaming step, and then withdraws the web from the accumulator to sever the individual pouches from the web. The individual pouches are severed from the web by a cutoff knife that is moving at the same velocity as the web during the cut. The withdrawal of the web from the accumulator is carried on independent of the seaming step, except that regulating means is included to make the long term average web speed the same through the seaming step as through the cutoff step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Wilkes
  • Patent number: 6021621
    Abstract: A zipper sealer machine for use with a form, fill and seal machines and the method for bonding strips of reclosable fastener material to the film of a form fill and seal machine. Strips of reclosable fastener material are cut and the cut ends fused together by cutter-fuser jaws. A sensor senses when the cutter-fuser jaws become fully closed and when they begin to open so that other steps in the operation can be based on when the jaws actually begin to open and when they are actually fully closed rather than when the signal is sent that causes them to open and close. Relief area that have been coated with an anti-stick substance have been provide in the engaging surfaces of the cutter-fuser jaws to avoid fusing of the flanges and to prevent sticking of the flanges to the cutter-fuser jaws. The cut strips of reclosable fastener material are held on an edge of the rotor that is remote from the film surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Triangle Package Machinery Company
    Inventor: John M. Linkiewicz
  • Patent number: 6015373
    Abstract: A cross-laminated synthetic resin fabric mesh material is formed into wicket-top produce bags for use with automatic bag filling equipment. A longitudinally moving sheet of the mesh is folded and formed into a folded, gusseted tubular web. Laterally spaced holes for wicket pin attachment and slots are formed at selected positions along the length of the moving web according to the desired bag height. A wicket-top attachment is then formed on the web near the wicket pin holes. The web is then cut into bag length sleeves, which are thereafter closed at an opposite end to form the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Kenneth Fox Supply Co.
    Inventors: Corbett D. Henderson, Jerry R. Winiecki
  • Patent number: 6012264
    Abstract: A zipper sealer machine for use with form, fill and seal machines and the method for bonding strips of reclosable fastener material strip fastener material to the film of a form fill and seal machine. The zipper sealer machine is adapted to be mounted within in the form, fill and seal machine and coordinate with the components of the form, fill and seal machine such as its film control mechanism. The zipper sealer machine includes a substantially symmetrically formed rotor having a pair of outer edges. Reclosable fastener material strip fastener material is fed to an outer edge of the rotor and cut to length. The cutting process also fuses the cut ends of the reclosable fastener material strip fastener material . The rotor is rotated 180 degrees, which locates the strip of reclosable fastener material strip fastener material adjacent to the film course at which it is bonded to the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Triangle Package Machinery Company
    Inventor: John M. Linkiewicz
  • Patent number: 5993368
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for manufacturing interconnected, easily separable, protective pouches, made from heat-sealable material, and adapted to enclose and protect objects. The pouches are made by feeding a continuous sheet of heat-sealable material through a folding unit, folding the material approximately in half, perforating and heat-sealing the sheet across the width of the sheet, moving the sheet downstream the length of the opening for the pouch, heat-sealing across the sheet, moving the sheet downstream the length of the edge allowances for the pouch, and repeating the steps until the desired number of pouches have been produced. The finished pouches are collected on rewind rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Ohio Valley Bag and Burlap Company
    Inventors: Lee Benovitz, Harry Morris, Rex Poole, Willis Huff
  • Patent number: 5957821
    Abstract: An apparatus for the dimensionally accurate cutting of a product carrier (1) which is in the form of a strip, is transported further in a cyclic or continuous manner in the longitudinal direction and has cells which are arranged one behind the other and are sealed in an airtight manner comprises a rotating cutter roller (15), which severs the product carrier (1) in each case in the region of a sealing web (4) which is situated between two cells (2), is arranged transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction and is provided with a lattice-like embossing (19). In order to identify and localise the sealing web (4), an optical reflection sensor (6) is arranged above and/or below the product carrier (1) and generates an AC voltage signal which corresponds to the lattice structure when the sealing web (4) is located in the region of the reflection sensor (6), the number of periods being a measure of the width b of the sealing web (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Bayer Bitterfeld GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Scharbrodt, Siegbert Feja, Eckhard Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 5935367
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming specially-configured handles in a plurality of interconnected plastic bags traveling in a longitudinal direction. The plastic bags are interconnected along transverse lines of weakness spaced at bag-length distances apart. The apparatus and method comprise using a rotary anvil and a rotary cutting die. The rotary anvil has a first axis of rotation. The rotary cutting die is disposed adjacent to the rotary anvil and has a second axis of rotation substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation. The rotary cutting die includes a rotatable cylindrical shaft, a blade shell mounted on the shaft, and a generally W-shaped blade formed on the blade shell. The blade has a base portion and a pair of substantially linear opposing legs, and the base portion has an inverted, V-shaped configuration. The opposing legs extend upwardly relative to the base portion and outwardly relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Hollenbeck
  • Patent number: 5890810
    Abstract: An extruded plastics tube is flattened and the lateral side portions (4) are folded to form inwardly extending gussets (2). Each gusseted side portion is then folded about a longitudinal fold line (5) onto the medial portion (3) between the side portions. The resultant layers are heat sealed to form the bottom of the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Poly-Lina Ltd.
    Inventor: Garry Barlow
  • Patent number: 5868658
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for producing beverage containers.For making beverage containers having a piercable through-hole for a straw in their front sheeting, which is sealed on the inside of the front sheeting by means of a closure strip, a piercing hole is formed in a front side sheeting web conveyed in conveying direction, whereafter a closure sheeting web is fed in conveying direction to the front side sheeting web and is then sealed around the piercing hole to the inside of the front side sheeting web. A rear side sheeting web is supplied in conveying direction such that the inside of the front side sheeting web welded to the closure sheeting web moving along with the latter faces the inside of the front side sheeting web. Thereafter, the front side sheeting web and the rear side sheeting web are welded together at least in part along the lateral edges of the beverage container to be produced, with the closure sheeting web being included therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignees: Deutsche SiSi-Werke GmbH & Co., Betriebs KG
    Inventor: Rainer Wild
  • Patent number: 5833107
    Abstract: A split bag making machine includes a first primary split draw roller and a second primary split draw roller, each having first and second web contacting sections which are independently rotatable, the first section of the first primary split draw roller being in rolling engagement with the first section of the second primary split draw roller at a first nip, the second section of the first primary split draw roller being in rolling engagement with the second section of the second primary split draw roller at a second nip. A first servo motor is coupled to the first web contacting section of the first primary split draw roller, and a second servo motor is coupled to the second web contacting section of the first primary split draw roller. The respective rotational speeds of the first and second servo motors are controlled by a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Ro-An Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Terranova, John Simonetti
  • Patent number: 5830118
    Abstract: Longitudinally spaced pairs of laterally spaced openings are formed in a web of material prior to the web being folded into a pouch having a gusset bottom, the holes enabling the side panels of each pouch to be heat-sealed directly together at the side margins of the pouch and in the area of the gussets. To enable the lateral spacing between the openings of each pair to be easily changed and to enable the openings to be located extremely close to the longitudinal centerline of the web, the openings are formed by punches supported by separate punch frames which may be independently adjusted in a direction laterally of the web. The punch frames also are adjustable relative to one another in a direction longitudinally of the web in order to enable the machine to make pouches of various widths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Klockner Bartelt, Inc.
    Inventor: John G. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 5830117
    Abstract: There is provided a torque control assembly for use on a continuous motion bag machine comprising torque driven means and a drive for driving a motor wherein the torque driven means is operatively connected to the motor for lowering a tension in a web prior to the web entering a sealing assembly on the bag machine. There is also provided a continuous motion bag machine comprising the torque control assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Danford C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5800325
    Abstract: A pouch making machine which simultaneously creates perimeter seams for a plurality of pouches on a web and temporarily stores the seamed web in an accumulator at the conclusion of the seaming step, and then withdraws the web from the accumulator to sever the individual pouches from the web. The withdrawal of the web from the accumulator is carried on independent of the seaming step, except that regulating means is included to make the long term average web speed the same through the seaming step and the cutoff step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Wilkes
  • Patent number: 5785794
    Abstract: An apparatus for indexing a seal roll which is engagable by a heat seal head to prevent the contact area of said heat seal head from successive landing at the same location on the seal roll includes a driven pulley mounted coaxially with the seal roll and components for indexing to turn the driven pulley. The components include a rocker mounted on a common axis with a drive pulley via a one-way clutch and an actuator connected eccentrically to the rocker such that reciprocating motion of the actuator rotates the rocker in opposite directions. In one direction, the rocker rotates the drive pulley via the one-way clutch to index the roll via the drive belt and driven pulley. In an opposite direction, the clutch permits rotation of the rocker in the opposite direction free of rotation of the drive pulley. A brake member is connected to the rocker eccentrically of the common axis, the brake member clamping the drive belt against a stop member for seizing rotation of the roll during the heat seal procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Lee B. Fiedler
  • Patent number: 5746569
    Abstract: A bag machine includes a hole forming apparatus with a pair of adjustably mounted hole punches and a wicketing apparatus including a pair of wicket pins. Both the punches and pins are separately adjustably mounted on a slide mechanism for establishing corresponding location in spacing of the punched holes in the receiving wicket pins. Each slide mechanism or assembly includes fixed elongated track having equi-spaced locking elements in the form of spaced recesses in the base of the track. The recesses are equi-spaced. A separate slide element is provided for each of the paired devices for adjustably mounting of the device on the related track. Each slide includes a spring loaded detent plunger aligned with the series of locking recesses. The punch slides are located in alignment with the recesses on the punched track and the plunger released to lock the punches in predetermined hole spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Amplas, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Smith, Giles R. Blaser
  • Patent number: 5702339
    Abstract: A plastic, heavy duty bag having an easy opening pouring spout, and a method and apparatus for forming a plastic, heavy duty bag having an easy opening pouring spout are disclosed. The bag includes a radially disposed perforation in the upper corner of the bag. Above a heat sealing strip, a slit is formed in the portion of the bag extending above the heat sealing strip, to aid in tearing through the heat seal strip to gain access to the perforation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Bonar Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory B. Smiley
  • Patent number: 5690600
    Abstract: An apparatus (31) and a method are disclosed for temporarily separating multiple webs (51,53) while performing an operation (123,125,133) thereon, including the feeding of multiple webs (51,53), the provision of a retractable web separator (68) for temporarily separating the webs, the performance of an operation (123,125,133)) upon the webs, the provision of a gripping device (65) for gripping the webs and assisting in moving the webs (51,53) along a predetermined path (83), and the provision of a sealing device (71) for sealing the webs together to form a package seal (73). The retractable separators (68) are mounted on a conveyor (83) and each separator (68) in turn temporarily separates the webs (51,53), for insertion of a port (45), fitting or the like, whereupon the separator (68) may be retracted and the port (45) may be sealed into the packages (41) being manufactured. The preferred separator (68) has a shaped head (170) on the end of a reciprocating shaft (158).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Sungwook Yang, Dale R. Severs, David Frankenberger, Michael Kemp
  • Patent number: 5683340
    Abstract: There is provided a thermoplastic film bag having at least two integral members that facilitate opening the bag. The bag is manufactured from a flattened tube of thermoplastic material which may be distinctively severed along independent phase shifted sinusoidal oscillating paths down the center of the collapsed tube. The bag may have two opposed tie members which are offset from the vertical center axis of the bag and from each other. The tie members may be grasped and pulled apart to facilitate the easy opening of the bag. The tie members may then be tied together to form a strong member by which the bag may be picked up and carried. In alternate embodiments the shape of the integral tie members can be modified to create a bag having only the easy open feature with no tie members. A method for making the bag is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Tenneco Plastics Company
    Inventors: William P. Belias, Edward M. Bullard, Carl R. Letendre
  • Patent number: 5540644
    Abstract: A bag for packing a light-sensitive material is disclosed. The bag has an outermost surface and an innermost surface and is essentially consisting of a material for making the bag which comprises not less than 70% by weight of polyethylene and 1 to 10% by weight of a light shielding material based on the weight of the material, in which a Vicat softening point of the outermost surface is higher by not less than 20.degree. C. than a Vicat softening point of the inner most surface. Further a method for producing a bag is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Naohita Naraoka, Junichi Tamura
  • Patent number: 5514067
    Abstract: An improved top opening, rectangular flexible bag for containing a stack of highly compressed flexible articles. The bag has front and back panels, two side panels and top and bottom panels, all of which are connected together to form an internal compartment for containing the stack under high compression. The stack is arranged within the bag in such a way that the side panels are under tension. The line of weakness defines the entire top portion of the bag which can be easily removed, thus exposing the entire contents of the bag for easy removal. The improvement to the bag is that the line of weakness is applied to the front and back panel of the bag simultaneously, thus providing perfect alignment of the lines of weakness where they intersect the side seals of the bag. The bag is further improved with a notch where the line of weakness intersects the side seal, thus significantly reducing the force to initiate the tear through the bead of plastic created by the side seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Edward H. Schmidt, Joseph B. Mercer