And Moving Perpendicularly To Package Movement During Closing Patents (Class 53/374.6)
  • Patent number: 11945618
    Abstract: A sealing machine is provided for sealing a sealing material by heating a fin of the sealing material wrapped around a product. The sealing machine comprises, in a transport direction of the sealing material, a pair of tracking rollers for tensioning the sealing material and a pair of heating rollers for sealing the sealing material by applying heat to the fin when the fin is moved between the pair of heating rollers. Furthermore, the pair of tracking rollers and the pair of heating rollers are configured to be driven independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Multivac Sepp Haggenmueller SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Carles Colomer, Gerard Maltas, Carles Verdugo
  • Patent number: 11691353
    Abstract: A process is provided for heat sealing substrate layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Price, Pawel M. Siczek, Andre Mellin
  • Patent number: 11591128
    Abstract: A fin sealer and method to seal a radially outwardly directed fin of a tubular web structure by directing the fin through a nip between a first and a second fin sealing rollers while communicating heat to the fin through at least one of the fin sealing rollers is provided. The fin sealer is configured to maintain a nominal face-to-face relation between an outer annulus of the first fin sealing roller and an outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller with a flexible connection between a hub element of the second fin sealing roller with the outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Jarrod W. Chalkley, James D. Evans, Thien Hoang Nguyen, Patrick S. McElhinney
  • Patent number: 11358326
    Abstract: A hotend assembly for an additive manufacturing device. The hotend assembly comprises a heated chamber, a number of inlets configured to feed filament into the heated chamber, and an exit orifice from the heated chamber. An actuated rod extends into the heated chamber and is rotated by a motor, wherein the actuated rod is configured to impart mechanical energy to the filament inside the heated chamber prior to extrusion through the exit orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Joshua T. Green, Roger V. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 11207848
    Abstract: Disclosed is a buffering air cushion machine, wherein the angle between a heat-sealing cooling transmission module as a core component of the buffering air cushion machine and a horizontal plane is between 20-50 degrees, thus greatly decreasing the transverse dimension of the buffering air cushion machine, so as to decrease the size of the whole machine and decrease the space occupied by the buffering air cushion machine; an inflation guide rod of a bent type may release some tension on a sealing side (an inflating passage) of a air cushion film, and may prevent wrinkles and bends from forming on the sealing side of the air cushion film during heat-sealing, so as to improve the quality of heat-sealing; furthermore, an upper coiling film guide rod and a lower coiling film guide rod may block the inflating passage connecting two air cushion films, and may prevent the air in the air cushion film which is filled with air but not sealed yet from travelling forward, so as to form a sealed high-pressure region and m
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: HANGZHOU BING JIA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Kuangshu Si, Yugui Liu, Yuan Li, Guian Si
  • Patent number: 10793306
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing station in a film bag filling device for sealing of film bags after a filling process, wherein the sealing station comprises a first and a second sealing arm for sealing of several filled film bags that are arranged next to one another, wherein the first sealing arm is moveable with a first drive shaft and the second sealing arm with a second drive shaft. A servo engine is disposed on the first drive shaft, and a drive movement of the first drive shaft from a first gear wheel is transferred to a second gear wheel that encroaches in the first gear wheel and from the second gear wheel to the second drive shaft. The invention further relates to a method for sealing of film bags after a filling process with the sealing station according to the invention with the following steps: positioning of filled film bags below the sealing station; closing of the sealing arms and application of a contact pressure with a first value and sealing of the filled film bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: INDAG POUCH PARTNERS GMBH
    Inventors: Rolf Harth, Frank Lechert
  • Patent number: 10449728
    Abstract: There is described a forming assembly (10a, 10b) for forming a plurality of sealed packs (3) starting from a tube (2) of packaging material, comprising: a track (13a, 13b); a first element (15a, 15b), which is cyclically movable along the track (13a, 13b) and comprises, in turn, one of a sealing element (22b) or a counter-sealing element (22a) adapted to seal the pack (3); and a second element (14a, 14b), which is cyclically movable along the track (13a, 13b) and comprises, in turn, a first half-shell (21a, 21b; 21a?, 21b?) adapted, in use, contact the tube (2) so as to bound at least part of a respective pack (3) and control the shape of the pack (3) during the formation thereof; the first element (15a, 15b) and the second element (14a, 14b) are self-movable along the track (13a, 13b) independently of one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventor: Paolo Fontanazzi
  • Patent number: 9598188
    Abstract: A packaging machine comprising a transversal sealing unit (20) of bags, substantially consisting of a plate support (21) which comprises a series of additional supports and kinematic organs for the horizontal and vertical activation of grippers (22, 23), one internal and the other external, for the sealing and cutting of each bag, said machine comprising motors (25, 26), mounted on a fixed support (24), which cause the vertical movement of a main carriage (29) and of a gripper carriage (30) by means respectively of a screw shaft (27) and a screw shaft (28), said main carriage (29) supporting two pairs of horizontal and sliding parallel arms (33, 34), the internal first of which control the horizontal movement of the internal grippers (22) and the second control the horizontal movement of the external grippers (23), while the vertical movement of the grippers to follow the moving bag is achieved by the vertical movement of the main carriage (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: P.F.M. SPA
    Inventors: Andrea Fioravanti, Giovanni Boschetti
  • Patent number: 9409306
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a dynamically directed workpiece positioning system may include a transport, a sensor positioned to detect a workpiece on the transport, a cutting member positioned along or downstream of the transport, and a computer system. The sensor may scan the workpiece as the workpiece is moved relative to the transport by a human operator or a positioning device. Based on the scan data, the computer system may generate commands to guide the human operator or positioning device in moving the workpiece to a desired position corresponding to a cut solution for the workpiece. Optionally, the computer system may cause the cutting member to be repositioned while the workpiece is being moved relative to the transport. Once the workpiece is in the desired position, the transport may be used to move the workpiece toward the cutting member. Corresponding methods and apparatuses are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: USNR, LLC
    Inventors: Garyland Kirk Middleton, Scott Erling Norton, Christopher W. Blomquist
  • Patent number: 8850780
    Abstract: A forming member for controlling the volume of packages of pourable food products formed from a tube of packaging material and sealed at a number of sections of the tube crosswise to an axis of the tube; the forming member having: a main wall which cooperates cyclically with a first portion of the tube extending between two consecutive sections; and at least one flap extending alongside the wall. The flap is movable, with respect to the wall, between a first position, in which it cooperates with a second portion of the tube, extending between the two consecutive sections, to control the volume, between the two consecutive sections, of the package being formed, and a second position, in which it is detached from the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Fontanazzi, Giorgio Mattioli, Franco Santi, Stefano Caselli
  • Patent number: 8839597
    Abstract: A sealing element for heat sealing packaging material for producing sealed packages of food products which are pourable within a tube of packaging material; sealing element comprises a heater adapted to heat-seal the packaging material at spaced cross sections of tube so as to form a plurality of sealed packages, and a groove which may be engaged by a cutting element carried by a counter sealing element during a cutting operation in which a sealed package is separated from tube; sealing element comprises at least a slot which extends between groove and a first outer wall of sealing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Babini, Roland Palmquist
  • Patent number: 8621830
    Abstract: The film sealing and wrapping machine with a rotary cut and seal jaw is provided. The rotary cut and seal jaw has an internal sliding mechanism which provides for smooth and quiet operation. The rotational speed of the jaw may be varied to increase through put and to provide for a title bag around products. The rotary cut and seal jaw may comprise a seal bar and pressure pad may both be spring loaded to self align the seal bar and pressure pad during the sealing and cutting process. Lastly, a gap defined by a belt disposed upstream and downstream of the seal bar and pressure pad may be mechanically linked to the pressure pad through a control carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventors: Raymond Uttaro, John Robinson, Michel Laurin
  • Patent number: 8572936
    Abstract: A sealing jaw for producing sealed packages of a food product from a tube of packaging material fed along a path, the jaw having a first work surface which interacts with a second work surface on a counter-jaw to grip the packaging material and form a sealing strip crosswise to the path. One of the jaw and counter-jaw defines an anvil, and the other defines a heating device which interacts with the anvil to form the strip. The first surface has at least two projections elongated along respective first axes, and which, when forming the strip, compress respective areas of the packaging material against the second surface; and at least one cavity which extends along one of the first axes, is interposed between the projections along a second axis crosswise to the first axis, and is located laterally with respect to a central plane of the first work surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Financne S.A.
    Inventors: Sergio Mancin, Francesco Giordano, Ernesto Di Dodo
  • Patent number: 8402724
    Abstract: A device for deflecting a loose fill product from the seal zone of a bag and sealing the bag is provided. The device includes a product stopper. The product stopper is adjacent to the sealing element of a bagging machine. The product stopper includes a mount that mounts the product stopper to a bagging machine and a pinching element that pinches a bag proximal to a sealing zone before the bag is sealed by the sealing element at the sealing zone. In one embodiment, the pincher includes a spring loaded mechanism for pinching the bag proximal to the sealing zone. In another embodiment, the pincher includes an air assist mechanism for pinching the bag proximal to the sealing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Calvin Cecil, Xuan Pham, George Van Bergen
  • Patent number: 8087220
    Abstract: The film sealing and wrapping machine with a rotary cut and seal jaw is provided. The rotary cut and seal jaw has an internal sliding mechanism which provides for smooth and quiet operation. The rotational speed of the jaw may be varied to increase through put and to provide for a title bag around products. The rotary cut and seal jaw may comprise a seal bar and pressure pad may both be spring loaded to self align the seal bar and pressure pad during the sealing and cutting process. Lastly, a gap defined by a belt disposed upstream and downstream of the seal bar and pressure pad may be mechanically linked to the pressure pad through a control carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventors: Raymond Uttaro, John Robinson, Michel Laurin
  • Patent number: 8082721
    Abstract: A packaging group that packages products at a high speed when the products are fed in succession in accordance with a predefined and variable pitch is provided. The packaging group includes a conveyor of the products, at least one roll of at least one plastic film, a feed mechanism that feeds the at least one plastic film from the at least one roll respectively atop and underneath the products substantially upon exiting the conveyor, a counter-welder belt downstream of the conveyor which receives the products covered on their upper and lower parts with the at least one plastic film, and a transverse welder device at the counter-welder belt. The transverse welder device includes a rotating star-like structure equipped with at least three spokes provided at their tips with welder mechanisms cooperating one after the other in succession with the counter-welder belt, in order to weld together portions of the at least one plastic film between the products advancing on the counter-welder belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: SITMA S.p.A.
    Inventors: Aris Ballestrazzi, Lamberto Tassi
  • Patent number: 7775017
    Abstract: A sealing heater for heat sealing a film onto a multi-compartment container comprises a heating block having a contact surface. The contact surface includes an outer sealing portion and an intermediate sealing portion. The outer sealing seals a film to a perimeter surface of a multi-compartment tray and the intermediate sealing portion seals a film to substantially all of an intermediate surface between the compartments of the multi-compartment tray. The outer sealing portion and the intermediate sealing portion defining recess perimeters in the contact surface that are positioned to correspond substantially to the compartment perimeters in the multi-compartment tray. A heating element is disposed within the heating block for generating heat at the contact surface of the heating block sufficient to heat seal the sealing film to the perimeter surface and the intermediate surface between the compartments of the multi-compartment tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: James Robert Stowell
  • Patent number: 7770368
    Abstract: An enveloping device (1), capable of repeatedly performing a process for producing an envelope and inserting a content into the envelope at high speed, comprises: a film feeder (2) for feeding a film (7) wound on a roll and supplied in the form of two overlapping folds that extend in a width direction (W); an envelope making device (3) for repeatedly forming an envelope by cutting and fusing, in a longitudinal direction of the film (7), the two overlapping folds while conveying the film; an envelope conveying conveyor (5) which conveys a plurality of envelopes (8) while arranging these envelopes in a line; and an inserting device (6) for inserting a content (9) into each envelope (8) conveyed by the envelope conveyor (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Gunze Limited
    Inventors: Kenichi Sugimoto, Toshiyuki Ohnishi, Takashi Kakimoto, Satoshi Hanaoka, Yoshinori Masaoka
  • Patent number: 7757458
    Abstract: A machine (30) is described for packaging products in a plastic film, comprising at least one longitudinal cutting and welding bar (31) actuated in its up-and-down movement by at least one first piston (34), supported by a first supporting structure (37) of such packaging machine (30); at least one transverse cutting and welding bar (33) independent from the longitudinal cutting and welding bar (31) and actuated in its up-and-down movement by at least one second piston (35) supported by a second supporting structure (39) of such packaging machine (30); and controlling and managing means adapted to control and program the operation of at least the first and the second piston (34, 35).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Minipack-Torre S.p.A.
    Inventor: Francesco Torre
  • Patent number: 7748201
    Abstract: A form-and-seal unit for producing aseptic sealed packages from a tube of packaging material filled with a pourable food product. The unit comprises a fixed structure and two forming assemblies which interact alternately and cyclically with the tube of packaging material, and have respective pairs of jaws movable between an open position and a closed position in which they grip the packaging material tube between respective sealing means, and respective forming flaps selectable from different types of forming flaps for producing different types of packages, and having respective half shell forming portions which surround the tube of packaging material to determine the volume and shape of the packages. The approach movement of the forming flaps towards the packaging material tube is controlled by a fixed cam mechanism having different work profiles selectively engaged by cam-follower rollers of the forming flaps depending on the type of forming flaps used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Marco Poppi
  • Patent number: 7726462
    Abstract: Described herein is a method and a unit for the formation of groups of products in a machine for continuous packaging of products, according to which at least two continuous rows of products are fed via two conveyor devices set in series with respect to one another along a first given path and in contact with at least one alignment element, which is set transverse to the first path and in front of the rows of products to align the rows themselves with respect to one another, and is displaced along a second, loop-like, path defined by two portions, along which the alignment element is set on the inside and on the outside, respectively, of the first path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: KPL Packaging S.p.A. Societa Unipersonale
    Inventors: Nicola Baldanza, Moreno Cremonini, Giordano Gorrieri
  • Patent number: 7610737
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for separating products, such as napkins or rolls of paper, encased in a tube of continuously moving thermoplastic wrapping material into product units is disclosed. At predetermined intervals spaced products are fed into the tube at wrapper length intervals, and the tube is thermally cut at wrapper intervals to form individually girth wrapped articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Valley Tissue Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Lloyd Kovacs
  • Patent number: 7607281
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing packages of product; the apparatus according to the invention comprises elements for feeding a plurality of trays, which are arranged substantially horizontally and so that their corresponding cavities are directed upward and are distributed in a line along at least one advancement direction, along which at least one unit for filling at least one of the trays at a time and at least one unit for applying covering elements to the filled tray in order to obtain a package are arranged; the application unit can move in a reciprocating fashion along the advancement direction between an initial configuration, which substantially coincides with the longitudinal position at which the filling of the tray ends with respect to the advancement direction, and a final configuration, which is advanced with respect to the initial one, the filling unit being movable in a reciprocating manner toward and away from the longitudinal end filling position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Evifill S.R.L.
    Inventor: Antonio Freddi
  • Patent number: 7448188
    Abstract: A machine for forming a bag of a strip of weldable material, filling the bag with a fluent filling, and sealing the filled bag forms the strip into a longitudinally extending and laterally closed tube and continuously advances the tube longitudinally downward through a welding/folding station while pouring the filling into the tube above the station. A cross-seam welder and a folder at the station are both horizontally closable on opposite sides of the tube to form therein folds and a bag-forming crosswise weld. A vertically shiftable lifter is engageable under a filled section of the tube below the station. Simultaneously the welder and folder are closed on the tube to form a crosswise weld and to fold the tube horizontally inward while the filled section is raised and the welder and folder are moved downward generally synchronously while in contact with the downwardly moving tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Inventors: Manfred Hauers, Dieter Vits
  • Patent number: 7441391
    Abstract: A device (8) for forming containers (2) produced continuously from a tubular wrapper (3) fed along a substantially vertical direction of advance (A). The device has at least one support carriage (8a) movable along a respective closed path having at least one active segment parallel to the direction of advance (A). The carriage (8a) supports a sealing base (11) able to be associated to a first lateral face (2a) of the tubular wrapper (3) at a sealing region (Z) of the wrapper (3). A contrasting element (14) is removably associated to the support carriage (8a) and movable between a first closed position in which it is approached to the base (11) and abuts against a second lateral face (2b) of the tubular wrapper (3) opposite to the first lateral face (2a) at the sealing region (Z), and a second position in which it is movable away from the base (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: IPI S.R.L.
    Inventors: Lucio Lopparelli, Umberto Gatti
  • Patent number: 7441390
    Abstract: A device (8) for forming containers (2) produced continuously from a tubular wrapper (3) fed along a substantially vertical direction of advance (A). The device has at least one support carriage (8a) movable along a respective closed path having at least one active segment parallel to the direction of advance (A). The carriage (8a) supports a sealing base (11) able to be associated to a first lateral face of the tubular wrapper (3) at a sealing region (Z) of the wrapper (3). A contrasting element (14) is removably associated to the support carriage (8a) and movable between a first closed position in which it approaches the base (11) and abuts against a second lateral face of the tubular wrapper (3) opposite to the first lateral face at the sealing region (Z), and a second position in which it is movable away from the base (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: IPI S.R.L.
    Inventors: Lucio Lopparelli, Umberto Gatti
  • Patent number: 7383671
    Abstract: A blistering machine (M1) for producing blister packs (B1) has a production line including, arranged in a series: at least one thermoforming station (101) of a first continuous band (102) of thermoformable material, in order to define a blister band (102) with blisters containing products (104); a station (105) for feeding the products (104) and filling the blister band (102) with the products; a feeding station (106) of a second band (107), feeding continuously the second band (107) over the blister band (102) to form a blister pack band (NB1); a closing station (108), where the first blister band (102) is sealed by the second band (107) to obtain a blister pack; a station (200) for processing the blister pack band (NB1); and a cutting station (R1), in which the blister pack band is cut into respective blister packs (B1) filled with the products (104). The production line extends, at least beginning from the products feeding station (105), along a continuous feeding path (A1), substantially horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Conti
  • Patent number: 7360347
    Abstract: A device for wrapping packets of cigarettes has a conveyor for feeding the packets successively along a path; and a number of heating heads, each of which is brought into contact with a respective packet and accompanies the packet from a contact station to a withdrawal station along part of the path; on reaching the withdrawal station, the heating heads are withdrawn, crosswise to the path, from the respective packets, and are conveyed, parallel to the path, from the withdrawal station to the contact station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: G.D Societá per Azioni
    Inventors: Luca Lanzarini, Francesco Milandri, Luca Federici, Stefano Negrini
  • Patent number: 7328545
    Abstract: A packaging line and method for continuously packaging discrete products such as, for instance, magazines, CDs, DVDs and combinations thereof in a continuous manner, comprising: a product assembling path which is provided with a conveyor and feeders arranged therealong; a packaging module provided with folding means for forming a packaging tube from a continuous packaging web, and a cross separating device for separating packages in cross direction; a control which is designed for, inter alia, controlling the sealing means and the cross separating device such that per product to be packaged at least three cross seals are formed such that a packaged product is obtained which is characterized by a first and a second cross seal which are situated at a small distance from the end edges of the product and with a third cross seal which is situated at some distance from the second cross seal for forming a flap on the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Buhrs - Zaandam B.V.
    Inventors: Menno Koppen, Roberto Tuyn
  • Patent number: 7320206
    Abstract: For processing flat objects (10), in particular for packing printed products or small groups thereof, using a continuous packing material, the objects are conveyed in a conveying stream in which they are arranged in succession and essentially parallel to the conveying direction, and possibly between two layers of packing material, along a part of the periphery of a processing drum (1). The processing drum (1) has axially extending support elements (2) and tool elements (3) regularly alternating around its periphery. A radial position of the supporting and tool elements is adjustable, to accommodate varying formats of the objects to be processed. The processing drum also includes a pressing belt (4) extending from an entry point (A) to an exit point (B) on the drum periphery and holding and pressing the objects being conveyed on the drum periphery against the tool elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Werner Honegger
  • Patent number: 7213384
    Abstract: A device for producing tubular bags filled with bulk goods from continuous foil tubes. The device includes a pair of sealing tools that seal or weld the foil tubes in bag-length intervals. A pair of closing bars connected to the sealing tools are biased toward each other and press the foil tubes before the sealing tools are closed. A stripper is provided to remove the residue of the bulk goods from the area of the seal by a wiping motion in the direction of bag movement through the device. The closing bars are connected to the stripper so that through a closing movement of the closing bars, the stripper is pulled along in the run direction of the foil while touching the foil to strip the area to be sealed before the sealing tools close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: CMD Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Matheyka, Christian Helwig
  • Patent number: 7178314
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a waste disposal apparatus including a container having a first end and a second end. A tubing cassette for supplying tubing is mounted proximate the first end of the container. A first sealing member and a second sealing member are moveable between an open position, wherein tubing from the tubing cassette can pass between the first and second sealing members, and a closed position, wherein the first and second sealing members can be activated to create a seal in the tubing. The first and second sealing members are guided by guide pins that travel along stepped channels for moving the first and second sealing members between the open and closed positions, and for pulling the tubing and waste packages through the waste disposal apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Chomik, Stewart Schmehl
  • Patent number: 7069709
    Abstract: A device for producing tubular bags filled with bulk goods from continuous foil tubes. The device includes a pair of sealing tools that seal or weld the foil tubes in bag-length intervals. A pair of closing bars connected to the sealing tools are biased toward each other and press the foil tubes before the sealing tools are closed. A stripper is provided to remove the residue of the bulk goods from the area of the seal by a wiping motion in the direction of bag movement through the device. The closing bars are connected to the stripper so that through a closing movement of the closing bars, the stripper is pulled along in the run direction of the foil while touching the foil to strip the area to be sealed before the sealing tools close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: CMD Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Matheyka, Christian Helwig
  • Patent number: 6962033
    Abstract: An automatic high speed packaging machine for wrapping packages in polymer film is disclosed wherein the film seal at the sides and ends of the packages is made at a high rate of speed as the packages travel through the machine. The packages travel continuously in a straight line through the machine. The packages are delivered at the input end of the machine by an in-feed conveyor into a film inverting head where the packages are surrounded by longitudinally half-folded polymer film. Thereafter, the packages are transported to a side sealing mechanism which forms a longitudinal seal in the film on the side opposite the fold. Finally, the packages are transported to a traveling end seal mechanism where a lateral seal is formed at each end of the package and the film web connecting succeeding packages is severed. The machine produces packages which have a sealed film wrap around the entire package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Belco Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Foster Guzman
  • Patent number: 6907716
    Abstract: A packaging machine has a wrapping device for forming a tubular wrapping from a continuous web of heat-seal material, and for feeding products successively into the tubular wrapping; each product being located between two free tubular portions of the tubular wrapping, which are folded substantially onto the relative products, and are stabilized by means of at least two pairs of sealing devices fed along relative paths with independent laws of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: KPL Packaging S.p.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Cinotti, Giordano Gorrieri
  • Patent number: 6889481
    Abstract: Apparatus for processing continuously fed elongate material, such as forming sealed bags from continuously fed film tubes, uses at least one pair of orbital tools that are cantilevered from tool drives (e.g., crank arms) at one edge of the material, extending transversely across the direction of material travel to engage opposite faces of the material. During material engagement the tools run synchronously with the moving material, but may be returned upstream rapidly to reengage the material for the next processing cycle. In order to achieve a higher throughput an additional pair of tools can be used, cantilevered and driven from the opposite edge of the material, maintaining the same processing (e.g., sealing) time. Through this arrangement the tools on opposing sides can alternate contact with the material and be run independently of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: CMD Corporation
    Inventors: Christian Helwig, Thomas Matheyka
  • Patent number: 6877295
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing sealed packages containing pourable food products from a tube of heat seal sheet packing material fed along a vertical path and filled continuously with the food product. The tube is pressure gripped at equally spaced cross sections of the tube by at least two pairs of jaws acting cyclically and successively on the tube. The tube is cut at each of the cross sections along a respective parting line. The packing material of the tube is heated sealed on opposite sides of the parting line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Benedetti, Hans Selberg
  • Patent number: 6820392
    Abstract: Apparatus for processing continuously fed elongate material, such as forming sealed bags from continuously fed film tubes, uses at least one pair of orbital tools that are cantilevered from tool drives (e.g., crank arms) at one edge of the material, extending transversely across the direction of material travel to engage opposite faces of the material. During material engagement the tools run synchronously with the moving material, but may be returned upstream rapidly to reengage the material for the next processing cycle. In order to achieve a higher throughput an additional pair of tools can be used, cantilevered and driven from the opposite edge of the material, maintaining the same processing (e.g., sealing) time. Through this arrangement the tools on opposing sides can alternate contact with the material and be run independently of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: CMD Corporation
    Inventors: Christian Helwig, Thomas Matheyka
  • Publication number: 20040128957
    Abstract: An automatic high speed packaging machine (10) for wrapping packages (P) in polymer film (32) is disclosed wherein the film seal at the sides and ends of the packages (P) is made at a high rate of speed as the packages (P) travel through the machine (10). The packages (P) travel continuously in a straight lien through the machine (10). The packages (P) are delivered at the input end of the machine (10) by an in-feed conveyor (20) into a film inverting head (40) where the packages (P) are surrounded by longitudinally half-folded polymer film (32). Thereafter, the packages (P) are transported to a side sealing mechanism (50) which forms a longitudinal seal in the film (32) on the side opposite the fold. Finally, the packages (P) are transported to a travelling end sealing mechanism (70) where a lateral seal is formed at each end of the package (P) and the film web (32) connecting succeeding packages (P) is severed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Foster Guzman
  • Patent number: 6662527
    Abstract: A tube film grip-pressing time by a pair of seal bars is controlled to set longer. A crank mechanism allows a seal bar frame supported by a pair of rails to reciprocate along the rails. The crank mechanism includes an arm which supports one end support shaft and is capable of swinging, and a circular crank plate which is rotated by power of a center shaft. The crank mechanism is fixed to a crankshaft which rotatably supports a groove-like slide which is engaged with a slide guide formed along a longitudinal direction of a lower surface of the arm on an eccentric portion of the crank plate. A top dead center and a bottom dead center of the arm are formed respectively &thgr;1 and &thgr;2 beyond a 180° region connected across a center shaft that, is a. A servo motor which drives the center shaft controls speed in the point 55 to point 56 region having a radius of 180° to make the speed constant, and cause the frame to advance along rails and then move backward at a high speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Ibaraki Seiki Machinery Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadoru Suga
  • Patent number: 6629400
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for sealing in a single package bundles of product cartons which are conveyed in series along a moving conveyor belt. A stationary frame is aligned with the conveyor, and a movable carriage assembly is connected to the frame. Packages or cartons of product are stacked and bundled by film, such as thermoplastic film, in a series of sealing steps. The apparatus includes at least one motor mounted on the stationary frame and capable of engaging the carriage assembly to facilitate reciprocating movement of the carriage assembly in relation to the moving packages. A separate computer controlled servo motor drives the opening and closing of seal bars on the carriage assembly to seal the film at each end of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey K. Offermann, Ryan P. Rosenow, John L. Herzberg
  • Publication number: 20030159401
    Abstract: A sealing apparatus is especially adapted for a packaging machine which wraps spaced-apart products with a tubular film. The apparatus includes a frame which provides a path along which the products are advanced. A sealing support structure is mounted on the frame for linear reciprocating movement along the path. A crank arm is rotatably mounted on the frame for reciprocating the sealing support structure. Upper and lower sealing dies are mounted on the sealing support structure for linear movement toward and away from each other in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Richard D. Sorenson, John C. Odegard, David T. Wilson, Brian Hopkinson
  • Patent number: 6604343
    Abstract: A latitudinal seal mechanism includes seal jaws 78, fixed cams 75, cam followers 76, a pair of partial cams 88, partial cam followers 78a, rotational shafts 80, coupling members 79, and shaft support portions. The seal jaws 78 are heated, and move circularly such that the seal jaws 78 abut on and move away from tubular film. The fixed cams 75 have shapes that correspond to locuses of movement of the seal jaws 78. The cam followers 76 support the seal jaws 78, and move along the fixed cams 75. The rotational shafts 80 move the cam followers 76 relatively about rotational centers of the rotational shafts 80. The coupling members 79 couple the rotational shafts 80 and the cam followers 76. The shaft support portions rotatably support the rotational shafts 80. The partial cams 88 have a shape that corresponds to a locus of movement of the pair of seal jaws 78 when the pair of seal jaws 78 holds the tubular packaging films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6550219
    Abstract: A packaging machine includes a machine chassis and a sealing device supported on the machine chassis. The sealing device includes upper and lower movable members each carrying heat-sealing blades for performing heat-sealing operation of a package film enclosing an article to be packaged. A driving system is arranged in the machine chassis, including a power cylinder or a solenoid mechanically coupled to the upper and lower movable members by a linkage for reciprocally driving the upper and lower members between an open position where the members are separated from each other at a predetermined distance and a closed position where the heat-sealing blades engage each other. An adjustment device includes a screw rod threadingly engaging the machine chassis and a platform attached to an end of the screw rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Benison & Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Benker P. C. Liao
  • Patent number: 6526732
    Abstract: A packaging system includes a conveyor belt having a carrying surface for carrying an article to be packaged by a package film and an end sealing device including spaced upper and lower sealing blocks between which the article passes. A recessed chamber is formed in the carrying surface by extending the conveyor belt around specially arranged rollers. The end sealing device includes a machine frame slidably supported on rails. A driving system includes a motor and a reciprocating mechanism having an adjustable stroke coupling the machine frame to the motor. The rollers of the recessed chamber are attached to the machine frame to be movable therewith. The upper and lower sealing blocks are movably supported on the machine frame by upright posts with the lower sealing block accommodated in the chamber of the conveyor. Racks extend from the upper and lower sealing blocks with a toothed wheel matingly interposed therebetween for mechanically coupling the sealing blocks together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Benison & Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jonathan I. N. Liao
  • Publication number: 20020170269
    Abstract: A packaging system includes a conveyor belt having a carrying surface for carrying an article to be packaged by a package film and an end sealing device including spaced upper and lower sealing blocks between which the article passes. A recessed chamber is formed in the carrying surface by extending the conveyor belt around specially arranged rollers. The end sealing device includes a machine frame slidably supported on rails. A driving system includes a motor and a reciprocating mechanism having an adjustable stroke coupling the machine frame to the motor. The rollers of the recessed chamber are attached to the machine frame to be movable therewith. The upper and lower sealing blocks are movably supported on the machine frame by upright posts with the lower sealing block accommodated in the chamber of the conveyor. Racks extend from the upper and lower sealing blocks with a toothed wheel matingly interposed therebetween for mechanically coupling the sealing blocks together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventor: Jonathan I.N. Liao
  • Patent number: 6421987
    Abstract: A latitudinal seal mechanism includes seal jaws 78, fixed cams 75, cam followers 76, a pair of partial cams 88, partial cam followers 78a, rotational shafts 80, coupling members 79, and shaft support portions. The seal jaws 78 are heated, and move circularly such that the seal jaws 78 abut on and move away from tubular film. The fixed cams 75 have shapes that correspond to locuses of movement of the seal jaws 78. The cam followers 76 support the seal jaws 78, and move along the fixed cams 75. The rotational shafts 80 move the cam followers 76 relatively about rotational centers of the rotational shafts 80. The coupling members 79 couple the rotational shafts 80 and the cam followers 76. The shaft support portions rotatably support the rotational shafts 80. The partial cams 88 have a shape that corresponds to a locus of movement of the pair of seal jaws 78 when the pair of seal jaws 78 holds the tubular packaging films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6408596
    Abstract: In order to reduce the technical input for a device for packaging, for example a horizontal bagging machine, it is suggested to provide two sealing jaws which act against one another and weld a foil web, only one sealing jaw for a rotating operation. The second sealing jaw is co-moved along a path with the first sealing jaw in transport direction of the foil path and is moved back in opposite direction of the foil web. The second sealing jaw is fastened on a carriage which is moved along a horizontal rail, and a carrier connection transfers the component of the rotation motion of the first sealing jaw onto the second sealing jaw, which component extends in the foil transport direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Rovema Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Roman Kammler
  • Publication number: 20010008064
    Abstract: A sealing mechanism for a form, fill and seal packing machine having box motion sealers suitable for forming seals in both continuously and intermittently advancing webs. The sealers are disposed on opposite sides of the web and are operable to reciprocate into and out of engagement with the web. The sealers are further supported on carriages moveable longitudinally along the web path. As a result, the sealers may be operated in the box motion in which the sealers actuate into engagement with the web as the carriages move longitudinally downstream at the web speed. The sealers remain engaged with the web for a time sufficient to form a seal in the web before retracting out of engagement. The carriages then return longitudinally upstream to initial positions. The box motion may be repeated to form a series of seals in the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Applicant: Klockner Bartelt, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Todd, Thomas E. Brooker, Gregory A. Conn
  • Patent number: 6223506
    Abstract: A method and machine for wrapping a product in a sheet of heat-seal wrapping material, whereby the sheet of wrapping material is folded by a fixed folding device onto a wall of the product so as to superimpose at least two portions of the sheet of wrapping material; the sheet of wrapping material, once folded, is gradually released from the fixed folding device; and a sealing surface of a sealing head is brought gradually into a position facing the superimposed portions as the superimposed portions are gradually released from the folding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: G. D Societa'per Azioni
    Inventors: Marco Ghini, Mario Spatafora