Packet Or Envelope Type Patents (Class 53/206)
  • Patent number: 11174049
    Abstract: An apparatus for upholstering a truss allows an operator to staple a fabric web to the truss, rotate the truss, further staple the semi-finished truss and cut the fabric web. The truss is fully upholstered after the end surfaces of the truss are wrapped up in fabric and the fabric stapled in place. The apparatus may accommodate different size trusses. A web of fabric is pulled around at least one roller in the apparatus by rotation of two vise mechanisms on opposite sides of the truss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: John J. Brunnert, John E. Hull, Daniel Meyer, Randall A. Wood
  • Patent number: 10981776
    Abstract: An apparatus for upholstering a truss allows an operator to staple a fabric web to the truss, rotate the truss, further staple the semi-finished truss and cut the fabric web. The truss is fully upholstered after the end surfaces of the truss are wrapped up in fabric and the fabric stapled in place. The apparatus may accommodate different size trusses. A web of fabric is pulled around at least one roller in the apparatus by rotation of two vise mechanisms on opposite sides of the truss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Travis Brummett, Daniel Meyer
  • Patent number: 10822127
    Abstract: A packaging apparatus includes a first holding unit configured to hold a peripheral edge portion of a film on a front side; a second holding unit configured to hold the peripheral edge portion on a rear side; a lifting unit configured to press an article to be packaged to the film; a folding unit configured to fold the peripheral edge portion on the rear side into an underside of the article to be packaged; and an extruding unit configured to extrude the article to be packaged to the front side. The first holding unit moves to decrease tension of the held film after the peripheral edge portion on the rear side starts to be folded into the underside of the article to be packaged before the extruding unit starts to extrude the article to be packaged from the rear side to the front side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuuki Tai
  • Patent number: 10793302
    Abstract: An apparatus for upholstering a truss allows an operator to staple a fabric web to the truss, rotate the truss, further staple the semi-finished truss and cut the fabric web. The truss is fully upholstered after the end surfaces of the truss are wrapped up in fabric and the fabric stapled in place. The apparatus may accommodate different size trusses. A web of fabric is pulled around at least one roller in the apparatus by rotation of two vise mechanisms on opposite sides of the truss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: John J. Brunnert, John Hull, Daniel Meyer, Randall A. Wood
  • Patent number: 10131107
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a sheet processing device including: a receiving tray capable of accommodating therein a sheet having, at a part thereof, a protruding portion and a sheet not having the protruding portion in a mixed state; a first binding member that binds the accommodated sheet bundle at a substantially center thereof in a sheet conveying direction; a folding section that folds the sheet bundle bound by the first binding member in two; and a second binding member that binds protruding portions of the sheet bundle folded by the folding section on a fore edge side of the sheet bundle. With this configuration, the fore edge side of the folded and saddle-stitched sheet bundle can be bound by temporary binding. Thus, a sheet processing device capable of ensuring the security of a saddle-stitched sheet bundle can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: CANON FINETECH NISCA INC.
    Inventors: Daiju Shimizu, Takashi Saito, Isao Kondo
  • Patent number: 9714102
    Abstract: A method and system for dynamically adjusting the placement of internal content material to optimally position the content material relative to a wrapped enclosure, and obviate the requirement to out-sort the assembled envelope. Upon assembly, a detection system visually images each envelope in predetermined regions of interest (ROIs). A controller captures the image data for comparison with a set of predefined position data and issues a feedback signal indicative of a directional change which drives an error signal to zero. The correction signal is used by the phase nip roller assembly to adaptively adjust the position of the content material by incrementally adjusting, advancing or retarding, the phase-nip roller assembly, i.e., forward or aft. A predefined number of envelopes is selected to acquire a running average of the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Xavier Padros, John W. Sussmeier
  • Publication number: 20150052851
    Abstract: Automatic packaging machine (10) for continuously packaging products (P) each wrapped in a single envelope (B), comprising a conveyor (12) that defines a conveying plane (PT) for conveying a continuous sheet (F) of packaging material, in particular paper, along a conveying direction (DT), said conveying plane (PT) comprises an entrance end (12a) of the continuous sheet (F) and an exit end of a plurality of envelopes, each containing a product (P), in which the entrance end (12a) is associable with a feeding unit of a plurality of products (P) in succession one after the other and at a distance one from another on the continuous sheet (F) fed on the conveying plane (PT), a feeding unit (18) of the continuous sheet (F) on the conveying plane (PT) and that feeds the continuous sheet (F) along a feeding plane (PA) that extends below the conveying plane (PT), is orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the conveying direction (DT) and is defined at the entrance end (12a) of the conveying plane (PT), wherein the c
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: SITMA MACHINERY S.p.A.
    Inventor: Aris BALLESTRAZZI
  • Patent number: 8925288
    Abstract: A packing method and unit (11) for folding a sheet (3) of packing material about a group (2) of cigarettes, and having: a first packing conveyor (12) having a first pocket (14) for receiving the group (2) wrapped in the tubular-folded sheet (3) of packing material; a second packing conveyor (18) having a second pocket (20) for receiving the group (2) wrapped in the tubular-folded sheet (3) of packing material; and a transfer device (24) which transfers the group (2), wrapped in the tubular-folded sheet (3) of packing material, from the first pocket (14) to the second pocket (20), and has a pusher (26) located at the first pocket (14) and engaging a first base wall (4) of the group (2), and a counter-pusher (27) located at the second pocket and engaging a second base wall (4), opposite the first base wall (4), of the group (2); the pusher (26) and/or the counter-pusher (27) of the transfer device (24) having respective lateral appendixes (28) which engage minor lateral walls (6) of the group (2), when the push
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: G.D Societa'per Azioni
    Inventors: Marco Ghini, Roberto Polloni, Andrea Biondi
  • Publication number: 20140223860
    Abstract: A method for enveloping an item to be packaged includes supplying the item to a wrapping unit using a first feed unit, cutting a packaging blank having two side flaps, a base flap, and a closing flap to size, supplying the packaging blank to the wrapping unit using a second feed unit, combining the item and the packaging blank in the wrapping unit, and wrapping the item with the packaging blank, wherein the item and the packaging blank are supplied to the wrapping unit in a line and in opposite directions, at least in one section. This method further includes wrapping the item by folding the side flaps, and by folding the base flap, in any order, gluing the side flaps and the base flap together, and wrapping the item by folding the closing flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Gotthard Schmid, Marc Fleckenstein
  • Patent number: 8561380
    Abstract: A system for assembling a shipping package includes a feeder feeding an envelope from a supply of envelopes and a transport mechanism that transports a shipping container from a supply of shipping containers and places the shipping container in position for the feeder to insert the envelope into the shipping container. The envelope contains a replacement presentation instrument and a shipping indicator, and the shipping indicator includes a shipping address visible through a first substantially clear window in the envelope. Each shipping container has a second substantially clear window, and when the envelope has been inserted into the shipping container, the shipping address is visible through the second substantially clear window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Fred C Casto, Jon A Gates, Corey D Tunink
  • Publication number: 20130104498
    Abstract: A sealed letter formation system folds an envelope sheet while enclosing a content, forms an envelope having the content enclosed therein, and seals the envelope. The sealed letter formation system includes a folder and a positioner. The folder folds the envelope sheet at only one place before enclosing the content. The positioner is provided downstream in a conveying direction of the folder to position the envelope sheet in a conveyance perpendicular direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the envelope sheet before folding the envelope sheet while enclosing the content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: RISO KAGAKU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Riso Kagaku Corporation
  • Patent number: 8261518
    Abstract: A deformation binding apparatus for fabricating a package defining a content area therein such as a mailpiece. The deformation binding apparatus including axial and radial binding mechanisms for deformation binding sheet material along first and second bind lines, respectively. The axial and radial binding mechanisms are in-line such that the sheet material may be passed along a unidirectional path to form the mailpiece. Furthermore, the bind lines are orthogonal to enclose at least a portion of the mailpiece. The axial binding mechanism includes first and second rotating elements each having a substantially axial array of intermeshing teeth and a drive device for driving at least one of the rotating elements. The radial binding mechanism includes first and second rotating discs each having a plurality of teeth disposed about the circumference of each and a drive device for driving at least one of the rotating discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Denis J. Stemmle
  • Patent number: 8256432
    Abstract: Tobacco products are wrapped by a unit equipped with a rotating drum carrying a set of holder mechanisms around the periphery, each rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis of the drum, by which single products are supported and carried through an assembly station together with leaves of wrapping material received from a vacuum roller turning on an axis parallel to the axis of the drum; the vacuum roller revolves tangentially to the drum at the assembly station and comprises a system by which each leaf is transferred to a gripper associated with the support mechanism. The transfer system is timed to operate in a situation of substantially zero relative peripheral velocity between the support mechanism and the vacuum roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: G.D S.p.A.
    Inventors: Enrico Campagnoli, Salvatore Carboni, Mario Spatafora
  • Patent number: 8109063
    Abstract: An envelope sealing apparatus for sealing an envelope having a main body and a sealable flap foldable about a hinge between the flap and main body, and sealable thereto. The apparatus comprises a feed path along which an envelope can be fed; a driving means associated with the feed path for feeding an envelope along the feed path; a flap securing means cooperative with the driving means to secure an open envelope flap in contact with the driving means; and a flap sealing means cooperative with the driving means to seal the flap to the main body when the driving means drives the envelope in a flap sealing direction along the feed path. A mail piece creation device incorporating such an envelope sealer is further provided, along with corresponding methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Ltd.
    Inventor: Geoffrey A. Farmer
  • Publication number: 20110121064
    Abstract: The present teachings relate to methods and systems for preparing an integrated mailpiece using a document processing system such as a wrapping document processing system. The manufactured mailpiece is an integrated bidirectional mailpiece having outgoing and return envelope functionality. In the outgoing format, the integrated mailpiece may optionally contain advertisements, coupons, inserted documents, statements or payment coupons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Van Gorp, Elizabeth L. Manning
  • Publication number: 20110030313
    Abstract: An envelope sealing apparatus for sealing an envelope having a main body and a sealable flap foldable about a hinge between the flap and main body, and sealable thereto. The apparatus comprises a feed path along which an envelope can be fed; a driving means associated with the feed path for feeding an envelope along the feed path; a flap securing means cooperative with the driving means to secure an open envelope flap in contact with the driving means; and a flap sealing means cooperative with the driving means to seal the flap to the main body when the driving means drives the envelope in a flap sealing direction along the feed path. A mail piece creation device incorporating such an envelope sealer is further provided, along with corresponding methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey A. Farmer
  • Patent number: 7805911
    Abstract: A covering machine for applying a covering sheet on packing boxes, includes a covering cavity for receiving a box joined to a respective covering sheet, and presser elements which can be associated with the box and are able to move between a first, active position in which they apply the respective sheet to the box and a second, extracted position away from the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Emmeci S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gino Bassi
  • Patent number: 7797914
    Abstract: An inserting system is provided for securing an envelope having a window. The system includes a deck slidably supporting the envelope, where the deck defines an insertion area, and a securing mechanism in the insertion area securing the envelope in an insertion location during insertion of a collation. The securing mechanism includes a first securing element selectively securing a first portion of the envelope between the window and an open edge of the envelope and a second securing element selectively securing a second portion of the envelope between the window and a closed edge of the envelope. The inserting system may also include a deflection element disposed on the deck between the first securing element and the second securing element, wherein the deflection element guides the collation away from an edge of the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Marcinik, Richard A. Suleski
  • Publication number: 20100199601
    Abstract: In a machine (1) for manufacturing pouches (2) filled with portions (36) of a tobacco mixture, comprising a rotating drum (8) on which a continuous stream (5) of the mixture is formed and conveyed to a station (13) where the portions (36) are divided from the stream, and where the portions (36) are transferred by a pneumatic ejection and feed system (21) to a wrapping station (7), moisturizing substances are added to the mixture by a dispensing system (22) associated with the ejection and feed system (21) .
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Fulvio Boldrini, Roberto Ghiotti
  • Patent number: 7765017
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing physical documents, comprising: at least two processing modules, at least two module control units, each arranged for controlling a processing module. The module control units are each provided with a function memory for storing function data and limitation parameters. The function data represent processing functions to be performed by the processing module. The limitation parameters represent limitations of the processing functions. The module control units are further arranged for receiving function control data and controlling the separate functions of the respective processing module on the basis of the function control data. The apparatus further comprises a central control unit which is arranged for sending the function control data to the module control units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: NEOPOST Technologies
    Inventor: Hendrik Cornelis Fijnvandraat
  • Publication number: 20090320413
    Abstract: A packaging unit and a method for wrapping flat articles which are arranged in particular in an on-edge position is provided. The packaging unit comprises a feeding region, in particular a feeding table, and a dispensing unit for packet-type arrangements of flat articles, and furthermore comprises a stock of wrapping material present in tape form, such as, for example, bands. An articulated arm forms a processing plane in which the wrapping material is fixed, and the articulated arm guides the wrapping material around the item to be packaged, in particular flat articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas Salm, Bernfried Kutsch
  • Patent number: 7618032
    Abstract: A spinning wheel format having a wheel rotatable about an axle, both carried within a substrate, wherein the substrate, the wheel, and the axle are made from the same stock, created in a continuous, single-pass finishing system, is described. The format is manufactured by adhering a first ribbon to a second ribbon to form a multi-ply ribbon, cutting the multi-ply ribbon to form a plurality of wheels and axles within the wheels, marrying the multi-ply ribbon to a third ribbon, folding the third ribbon to enclose the multi-ply ribbon within the folded third ribbon; and transversely cutting the third ribbon into a plurality of spinning wheel formats. A mass distributable packet can be created by marrying a plurality of spinning wheel formats to a fourth ribbon, and manufacturing a plurality of mass distributable packets from the fourth ribbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Lehigh Press, Inc.
    Inventor: David Deschryver
  • Patent number: 7587881
    Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous strip of detachable consecutive interconnected products manufactured by folding, such as envelopes and the like, and to a process for manufacturing the said strip, two of those consecutive products being interconnected through a joint (22) which is not part of the products themselves and links up detachably, through successive lines of demarcation, with each of those two consecutive products in such a way that, on removing this joint (22), the said two consecutive products are entirely separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignees: Hersch Reich, Megaspirea N.V.
    Inventor: Luc Mertens
  • Publication number: 20090211203
    Abstract: A method and device for finishing packets having respective overwrappings of heat-shrink material, whereby the overwrappings are sealed about the respective packets and then heated to shrink and adapt to the configuration of the packets; after being heated, the overwrappings are cooled to set and so reduce the risk of damage to the overwrappings at subsequent processing stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Silvano Boriani, Stefano Negrini
  • Patent number: 7565788
    Abstract: A method for creating mailpieces from a single web of printed material. The web of printed material includes a continuous web having a width and a length, the length comprised of a series of attached sheets. The series of attached sheets is comprised of envelope sheets and content pages. The content pages are rectangular in shape and may be oriented relative to the envelope sheets in a number of different configurations. In some configurations, two sets of content pages and/or envelope sheets can be printed across the width of the web. The method starts with cutting consecutive attached sheets into separated sheets. The content pages belonging to a same mailpiece are accumulated together. The separated envelope sheet is transported, bypassing the accumulating and turning steps. The accumulated and turned content pages are then merged with the envelope sheet, and the envelope sheet is folded and closed around the accumulated content pages to form a finished enclosing envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Denis J. Stemmle, Clare E. Woodman, John W. Sussmeier, Eric A. Belec, Michael J. Cummings
  • Patent number: 7555876
    Abstract: For the purpose of wrapping articles, in particular groups (19) of packs, in a blank (10), use is made of a folding turret (21) having a single pocket (23) passing through its diameter. Lateral boundaries of the pocket (23) comprise belts (30, 31) which, upon introduction of a group (19) of packs with blank (10), can be moved in the pushing-in direction and which butt in a friction-free manner against legs (27, 28) of the blank (10), which is folded in a U-shaped manner. A block-form stop component (37) can be moved within the pocket (23) from one end position to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co. KG)
    Inventors: Alfred Drenguis, Michael Wegmann, Andreas Storcks
  • Patent number: 7540481
    Abstract: A system for producing removable portions for mass-distributable packets by single-pass manufacturing, in which a printed web is slit into two ribbons, one of which is then folded upon itself to create a multi-ply ribbon that appears to be of heavier stock than the original paper. Alternatively, the multi-ply ribbon can be created by gluing together multiple ribbons, or by a combination of folding ribbons and gluing together ribbons. The multi-ply ribbon is die cut into an inside portion and an outside portion and married to the other ribbon, after which the outside portion is removed, leaving the inner portion as removable portions. Alternatively, the folded ribbon can be kiss cut after it has been married to the other ribbon. The removable portions can be UV-coated to simulate plastic and printed with information personalized for the advertiser or for the recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Lehigh Press, Inc.
    Inventors: John Romita, William Castillo
  • Publication number: 20090107086
    Abstract: A system for providing real-time, integrated production of individually addressed sealed envelopes containing personalized printed material matched to individual addresses, the system including at least one printing controller capable of receiving personalized printing data from at least one data source, the personalized printing data including envelope address information for a multiplicity of envelopes and personalized envelope contents information which varies for the multiplicity of envelopes and is matched to individual envelope addresses, the at least one printing controller being operative to merge and order the personalized printing data from the at least one data source such that it is printed in a desired distribution sorting order, selected to optimize postal savings in bulk mailings and at least one production facility for the individually addressed sealed envelopes containing personalized printed material matched to individual addresses, each of the at least one production facility including at l
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Joseph J. Keane, Donato C. Farole, Clare E. Woodman, Karl H. Schumacher, William G. Hart, Andrew N. Percival, Hersch Reich
  • Patent number: 7523593
    Abstract: A sheet processing device is provided which is adapted to process bundles of sheets, each bundle defined by opposing first and second bundle edges, each bundle including a sealing sheet having a larger size than the sheets which form the bundle, the sealing sheet including a sealing portion which projects away from the second bundle edge. The device includes an abutting member adapted to abut against the first bundle edge; a folding unit adapted to fold the bundle between the first and second bundle edges; and a processing unit adapted to seal the bundle using the sealing portion of the sealing sheet, wherein the sealing portion is overlapped over the second and first bundle edges to form a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeo Aoyagi, Akinobu Nishikata, Takayuki Fujii, Shigeru Kasahara
  • Patent number: 7493744
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a medicine wrapping machine which wraps each administered amount of a medicine in a medicine wrapping sheet, and enables easy opening even by an aged person or a child. The medicine wrapping machine uses a belt-shaped medicine wrapping sheet, and forms a plurality of divided wrapping bags continuous in a state of containing medicines therein and separated at the time of taking the medicines to wrap the medicines. A raw material of the medicine wrapping sheet is a belt-shaped transparent composite plastic sheet which includes a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheet or a biaxially oriented polypropylene sheet, and a minute flaw is formed on the polyethylene terephthalate sheet or the biaxially oriented polypropylene sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Electric Biomedical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasutoshi Nishimura, Kouichi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7490450
    Abstract: A process and an arrangement for covering a flat-lying blank, preferably made of cardboard with a cover, in particular applicable in the production of book covers is described. The covering takes place in cycles in a number of working stations, whereby an overall cycle time can be given to each working station in advance. Each working station comprises at least one working means, to which at least one sub-cycle time is assigned. It is provided that in the case of a constant remaining overall cycle time, at least one sub-cycle time assigned to the working means of a procedural step is adapted to the processed materials. The present invention is in particular applicable when at least one edge of a cover applied to a blank is folded over. The folding over of the edge takes place thereby in a folding station within the pre-set overall cycle time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Michael Hoerauf Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Werner Stahlecker
  • Patent number: 7475522
    Abstract: An envelope filling machine for introducing sheets into envelopes includes a sliding surface, for transferring the sheets to an envelope filling station by means of pushing lugs, operated along the sliding surface. An envelope supplying conveyor supplies individual envelopes to the station placing them between vertical shafts of a pair of screws. The turns of the screws hold the sides of the envelopes and move each envelope downwards keeping the envelope separated from a subsequent envelope. When the envelope has come to rest on a conveyor belt placed between and under the screws, the lugs push the sheets into the envelope kept steady by movable stop strips yieldingly maintained by elastic means. When the sheets are fully inserted, the lugs push the envelope and force the movable strips to swing and let the filled envelope leave the envelope filling station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: C.M.C. S.r.l.
    Inventor: Francesco Ponti
  • Patent number: 7469887
    Abstract: A system for producing removable portions for mass-distributable packets by single-pass manufacturing, in which a printed web is slit into two ribbons, one of which is then folded upon itself to create a multi-ply ribbon that appears to be of heavier stock than the original paper. Alternatively, the multi-ply ribbon can be created by gluing together multiple ribbons, or by a combination of folding ribbons and gluing together ribbons. The multi-ply ribbon is die cut into an inside portion and an outside portion and married to the other ribbon, after which the outside portion is removed, leaving the inner portion as removable portions. Alternatively, the folded ribbon can be kiss cut after it has been married to the other ribbon. The removable portions can be UV-coated to simulate plastic and printed with information personalized for the advertiser or for the recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Lehigh Press, Inc.
    Inventors: John Romita, William Castillo
  • Patent number: 7459769
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to relax magnetic saturation and realize a high-performance magnetic shield effect that is suitable for magnetic devices such as an MRAM. A magnetic shield member of the invention is suitable for a magnetic memory device in which a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) consisting of a TMR element formed by stacking a magnetization fixed layer with a direction of magnetization fixed and a magnetic layer, in which a direction of magnetization can be changed, via a tunnel barrier layer is sealed by a sealing material such as resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kato, Yoshinori Ito, Tatsushiro Hirata, Katsumi Okayama, Kaoru Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7448181
    Abstract: A packing wheel for packing products in sheets of packing material, and wherein a supporting body is mounted to rotate about a central first axis of rotation, and supports a number of peripheral packing pockets, each of which receives and houses a respective product and a respective sheet of packing material, and is fitted to the supporting body in a respective peripheral position to rotate, with respect to the supporting body, about a peripheral second axis of rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation; and wherein each packing pocket is mounted to rotate about a respective third axis of rotation parallel to the relative second axis of rotation, located a given distance from the relative second axis of rotation, and rotating about the relative second axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: G.D Societa' per Azioni
    Inventors: Andrea Biondi, Alessandro Brizzi, Cristian Dakessian, Mirco Legnani, Antonio Vitali
  • Patent number: 7434795
    Abstract: A system for producing removable portions for mass-distributable packets by single-pass manufacturing, in which a printed web is slit into two ribbons, one of which is then folded upon itself to create a multi-ply ribbon that appears to be of heavier stock than the original paper. Alternatively, the multi-ply ribbon can be created by gluing together multiple ribbons, or by a combination of folding ribbons and gluing together ribbons. The multi-ply ribbon is die cut into an inside portion and an outside portion and married to the other ribbon, after which the outside portion is removed, leaving the inner portion as removable portions. Alternatively, the folded ribbon can be kiss cut after it has been married to the other ribbon. The removable portions can be UV-coated to simulate plastic and printed with information personalized for the advertiser or for the recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Lehigh Press, Inc.
    Inventors: John Romita, William Castillo
  • Patent number: 7322172
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for wrapping a napkin around one or more utensils. The apparatus includes a wrapping area defining a trough dimensioned to receive one or more utensils. A utensil dispenser and napkin delivery mechanism may be provided to deliver the utensils and a napkin, respectively, to the trough. The apparatus may also include a wrapping mechanism that wraps the napkin around the utensils. In some cases, a tension mechanism may be included to selectively limit movement of the napkin during wrapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Wrapmaster, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald T. Hoffman, Glen T. Lindahl
  • Patent number: 7260921
    Abstract: An enclosure is formed from a single sheet of paper, which is of a standard size. The sheet of paper is folded along the short edges and then folded along a mid-section. Content material may be placed on the sheet of paper or printed information can be printed on desired surfaces of the paper. The paper may also be folded so that a fold-over flap is formed. The edges are attached through a sealing mechanism such as knurling, gluing, embossing or crimping, tabbing, stapling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Denis J. Stemmle
  • Patent number: 7100348
    Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous strip of detachable consecutive interconnected products manufactured by folding, such as envelopes and the like, and to a process for manufacturing the said strip, two of those consecutive products being interconnected through a joint (22) which is not part of the products themselves and links up detachably, through successive lines of demarcation, with each of those two consecutive products in such a way that, on removing this joint (22), the said two consecutive products are entirely separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignees: Megaspirea N.V., Hersch Reich
    Inventor: Luc Mertens
  • Patent number: 7017899
    Abstract: A system for producing removable portions for mass-distributable packets by single-pass manufacturing, in which a printed web is slit into two ribbons, one of which is then folded upon itself to create a multi-ply ribbon that appears to be of heavier stock than the original paper. Alternatively, the multi-ply ribbon can be created by gluing together multiple ribbons, or by a combination of folding ribbons and gluing together ribbons. The multi-ply ribbon is die cut into an inside portion and an outside portion and married to the other ribbon, after which the outside portion is removed, leaving the inner portion as removable portions. Alternatively, the folded ribbon can be kiss cut after it has been married to the other ribbon. The removable portions can be UV-coated to simulate plastic and printed with information personalized for the advertiser or for the recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Lehigh Press, Inc.
    Inventors: John Romita, William Castillo
  • Publication number: 20040112014
    Abstract: For packaging flat objects (4) using a packaging material (7) being supplied as a quasi-endless web, a string of bags (7′) being open on three sides and closed on one side is continuously formed and conveyed in a conveying direction. During conveyance the bags (7′) are charged with at least one object (4) each, are severed from each other, and are then sealed with seams corresponding with the open bag sides. The depth of the bags during the step of forming the string of bags (7′) and/or the distance between the two lateral seams during the step of sealing are adjusted to the format of the object to be packaged (4), or to the width of the packaging material (7) respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: FERAG AG
    Inventor: Walter Reist
  • Publication number: 20040104526
    Abstract: Flat objects (10) are packaged with a packaging material (1), which is supplied as a quasi-endless web. For this purpose, the packaging material (1) is gripped at one of its surfaces by gripping elements (6) spaced at intervals. During conveyance of the packaging material (1) by the gripping elements (6) the distances between the gripping elements (6) are reduced and the packaging material (1) is made to buckle between the gripping elements to one side such forming a string of bags (1′). During further conveyance these bags (1′) are charged with the flat objects (10), are severed from the string of bags, and are sealed. The packaging material is supplied, e.g. with its width aligned essentially horizontally, is gripped from above by the gripping elements (6), buckles downwards by gravity, and the bags are charged from above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: FERAG AG
    Inventor: Walter Reist
  • Patent number: 6666006
    Abstract: A slicing machine has a main housing having a horizontal conveyor surface and a subassembly in the main housing for cutting slices from a foodstuff and depositing them on the conveyor surface. A supply housing immediately upstream of the main housing carries a supply roll of flexible strip and mechanism for feeding the flexible strip downstream toward the main housing. A cutter on the supply housing can sever a sheet from a leading end of the flexible strip. A gripper above the surface is displaceable between an upstream and downstream positions of the surface. The gripper is closable to grip and openable to release the leading end of the flexible strip so as it moves into its downstream positions it pulls the strip downstream above the surface and, once the cutter has operated, the gripper opens to drop the sheet severed from the strip down onto the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: Fritz Kuchler
  • Patent number: 6615566
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for wrapping a napkin around one or more utensils, wherein the utensils each have first end and a second ends defining a longitudinal axis. The utensil wrapping apparatus includes a utensil manipulator for placing the a utensil adjacent a surface of the napkin. First and second utensil engaging devices are provided for releasably engaging the first and second ends of the utensil and the portions of said napkin respectively adjacent the first and second ends of said utensil, such that said napkin and said utensil are held in a fixed relative position. A napkin guide for wrapping the napkin around the utensil, wherein the napkin guide is manipulable to orbit the longitudinal axis such that the napkin guide contacts the napkin and thereby wraps the napkin around said utensil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Pureserve International Corp.
    Inventor: John L. Heisey
  • Patent number: 6614270
    Abstract: In a detector included in a VPP generating circuit in a DRAM, an external power supply potential is applied to the gate of an N-channel MOS transistor for regulating a through current of an inverter for outputting an inversion signal of an output signal of a comparator. Since a drain-source voltage of the N-channel MOS transistor can be set to be lower than a threshold voltage Vthn of the N-channel MOS transistor, an operation margin of the detector under conditions of a low voltage and a low temperature is made wider as compared with a conventional technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Electric Engineering Company Limited
    Inventors: Mako Okamoto, Yasuhiko Taito, Fukashi Morishita, Akira Yamazaki, Mihoko Akiyama, Nobuyuki Fujii
  • Publication number: 20030009986
    Abstract: In a document delivery method and system, a sending computer is adapted to be operated by a sending party to send out an electronic document. A receiving unit, which is situated at a mail delivery service provider, is operable so as to establish a network connection with the sending computer so as to receive the electronic document therefrom. A printing unit is coupled to the receiving unit, receives the electronic document from the receiving unit, and makes a printed document that corresponds to the electronic document. An enveloping unit is operable so as to wrap the printed document in enveloping material. A conveying unit, which is disposed between the printing unit and the enveloping unit, is responsible for conveying the printed document from the printing unit to the enveloping unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Jyh-Chun Chang, Hsin-Jang Shieh, Yi-Chih Fan, Hsin-Yih Lin, E-Young Wu
  • Patent number: 6266944
    Abstract: A machine and a process for the automatic enveloping of messages with a variable number of sheets provide; the supply of message sheets on a first accumulating plane (9, 48); the supply of envelope sheets on a second accumulating plane (17, 28, 29), which forms an angle with the first accumulating plane, such as to obtain the overlaying of the front ends of the envelope sheets and message sheets; the simultaneous feeding of the envelope and message sheets such that complete overlaying therebetween is obtained; and the simultaneous folding of the envelope sheets and message sheets, obtaining an envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: R.C.P. di Riccardo Consiglio
    Inventor: Riccardo Consiglio
  • Patent number: 6076336
    Abstract: A method of advancing sheets includes the step of advancing a first enclosure sheet with a first scuffer. The method also includes the step of advancing a second enclosure sheet into contact with the first enclosure sheet with a second scuffer so that the first enclosure sheet and the second enclosure sheet create a pocket. The method further includes the step of advancing a confidential sheet within the pocket with the first scuffer. An apparatus for advancing a confidential sheet into a pocket defined by a number of enclosure sheets is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Privatizer Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: George M. Cross
  • Patent number: 6073421
    Abstract: A single web is printed in side-by-side relation with variable and non-variable information forming document and envelope web portions. The web is split longitudinally and the document web portion is cut to form discrete documents. Each document is folded about transverse foldlines to form a folded document and rotated 90.degree. for registration with matching envelope portions on the envelope web. Glue lines are applied to the envelope web. The envelope web is then plow-folded along both margins to form first and second flaps overlying and containing the document within the envelope portion of the envelope web. The glue lines are sealed to one another and excess envelope web material between adjacent envelopes is removed whereby envelopes containing documents sealed within the envelopes and forming mailers are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Moore U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Lee
  • Patent number: 6016638
    Abstract: A folder and/or inserter machine of the type comprising a first path coupled to a document inlet and feeding a folder module, a second path coupled to an empty-envelope inlet and feeding an inserter module itself coupled to the folder module, a third path coupled to an outlet for stuffed and closed envelope and to the inserter module, and a fourth path coupled to an advertising leaflet and/or reply envelope inlet and feeding the inserter module via the folder module, an envelope and document main inlet further being coupled via a switching module firstly to the first document path and secondly to an alternative empty-envelope path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Neopost Industrie
    Inventors: Emmanuel Bernard, Dominique Mazeiller