Attached Flap Patents (Class 53/377.6)
  • Publication number: 20080155943
    Abstract: An automatic packaging machine for forming a latching flip-top box from a blank. A plurality of mandrels are coupled to a conveyor system. Each of the mandrels include a mounting block for coupling the mandrel to the automatic packaging machine, a package-holding assembly operatively connected to the mounting block and being rotatable about a first axis from a first position to a second position, and a flap holder assembly operatively connected to the mounting block. The flap holder assembly is rotatable about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. A plurality of plows and tucker assemblies sequentially manipulate portions of the blank in order to form portions of the box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Peter Tisma, Yugoslav Kokotovic, Radjoe Bajic, Steven Tisma
  • Patent number: 7325370
    Abstract: A form-fill-seal machine for making a pouch style package is provided, comprising an optional bulge forming station for forming a puff or bulge; a heating and filling station for creating seals and filling the pouch; and an optional flap making station comprising a mechanism for folding over a flap and sealing the inside portion of the flap to the front face of the pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Sanford Redmond, Inc.
    Inventor: Sanford Redmond
  • Patent number: 7308784
    Abstract: Apparatus for packaging articles in clear clamshell packages includes a pair of parallel relatively narrow, laterally spaced apart conveyor belts that support there-between a package in open position by its opposing side peripheries. A stack of packages is supported in nested configuration adjacent the front end of the conveyor and de-nester mechanism withdraws packages there-from and places them on the conveyor. As the package is advanced a robotic arm picks and places articles of commerce and associated product information card in the package cavity. A rotating roller coated with UV-responsive adhesive coats raised male surfaces of the advancing package. Next an air knife sends a jet of air upwardly to cause the open package lid to rotate upwardly to cover the article-receiving portion. A driven roller presses the lid downwardly to fully close it and cause the adhesive coated surfaces to fully engage the corresponding grooves on the article-receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventors: Paul Appelbaum, Frank Matheus
  • Patent number: 7073308
    Abstract: By providing two endless loop belt drive assemblies forming a belt driven sealing section, a highly efficient and effective automatic, universally applicable, container closing system has been achieved which is capable of securely lockingly engaging both locking lug/receiving well containers and perimeter seal containers. In the present invention, the two cooperating endless loop belt drive systems are mounted in juxtaposed, spaced, cooperating relationship with each other and are positioned for simultaneously closing and securely engaging the entire locking elements formed on the flanges of one side of the container. In addition, the spaced distance between the two belt drive assemblies is adjustable, as well as the position of the spaced distance relative to a conveyor. In this way, all containers are to be closed by this system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Inline Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph D. Dyke, Thomas C. Lynch, Michael Shaun Farrier
  • Patent number: 7069705
    Abstract: A form-fill-seal machine for making a pouch style package is provided, comprising an optional bulge forming station for forming a puff or bulge; a heating and filling station for creating seals and filling the pouch; and an optional flap making station comprising a folding mechanism for folding over a flap and sealing the inside portion of the flap to the front face of the pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Sanford Redmond, Inc.
    Inventor: Sanford Redmond
  • Patent number: 6962556
    Abstract: An automatic packaging machine for forming a latching flip-top box from a blank. A plurality of mandrels are coupled to a conveyor system. Each of the mandrels include a mounting block for coupling the mandrel to the automatic packaging machine, a package-holding assembly operatively connected to the mounting block and being rotatable about a first axis from a first position to a second position, and a flap holder assembly operatively connected to the mounting block. The flap holder assembly is rotatable about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. A plurality of plows and tucker assemblies sequentially manipulate portions of the blank in order to form portions of the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Petar Tisma, Yugoslav Kokotovic, Radoje Bajic, Stevan Tisma
  • Patent number: 6904733
    Abstract: A machine is used for packing bottles by assembling cardboard boxes starting from an unfolded sheet (2) with adhesive strips, in such a way that in an initial step the bottles (6) to be packed are placed on a central part of the unfolded sheet of the box, a central part that will correspond with the bottom of the box. Once the bottles have been put on this central part of the unfolded sheet (2), in a downward movement, the sheet will encounter a funnel-shaped structure (14), whose mouth and due to the weight of the bottles (6), causes the box (8) to be partially assembled, introducing itself inside this funnel-shaped structure (14), resting at its bottom on a movable platform coupled on longitudinal guides (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Boix Maquinaria, S.A.
    Inventor: José Boix Jaen
  • Patent number: 6804932
    Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus and methods for sealing an envelope. A sealing nip is formed by an upper roller and a lower roller. The upper roller is mounted on an upper shaft and the lower roller is mounted on a lower shaft. A mechanism associated with the lower shaft adjusts the orientation of the lower shaft to match the orientation of the upper shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Steven H. Joyce, Donald Surprise
  • Patent number: 6748720
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus in distribution equipment. The distribution equipment is of the type which marshals or groups together a number of objects into a unit and surrounds this unit with a continuous paperboard sheet. The paperboard sheet is folded in and glued along the one longitudinal side of the unit. The apparatus includes two cam curves which are disposed substantially parallel. The apparatus further includes an endless, driven chain which is parallel with the cam curves and on which a number of carriers are disposed. Each carrier consists of at least one inward folder and one hold-down device. The inward folder is disposed to follow the first cam curve and the hold-down device is disposed to follow the second cam curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Jan Håkansson
  • Patent number: 6701693
    Abstract: This invention relates to a supply module in a mail processing machine including a conveyor for conveying the mailpieces and a moistening device ensuring wetting of a flap of an envelope after the latter has been slightly moved apart from the body of the envelope, as well as a device for creating on said flap of the envelope a second line of fold above the natural crease line of the envelope existing at the level of the join of the body of the envelope with the flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Neopost Industrie
    Inventors: Serge Benard, Olivier Galtier, Stéphane Le Gallo
  • Patent number: 6668525
    Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for erecting a carton, and a method of and an apparatus for closing a carton. The carton has 180° fold lines with a compressed area at each end and a slit joining the compressed areas. A carton is erected by moving the blank in a first direction against a stop to form a first set of 90° folds, holding the blank stationary with a suction while pushing the blank in a second direction to form a second set of 90° folds, erecting the carton. A filled carton is closed by advancing it through the central opening of a V-shaped member to increasingly fold the carton top panels. The closed carton is sealed by advancing it through a second V-shaped member and into contact with a pivotally supported sealing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventors: Zsolt Toth, Paul A. Chudy
  • Publication number: 20030101693
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for folding a flap on a work piece. The apparatus comprises a central frame, and a reference surface supported by the frame operatively receivingly engaging the work piece. A positioning and folding device comprises a circular pin extendable over the reference surface and longitudinally moveable to abuttingly engage and position the work piece. An actuator rotates the pin between a first position and a second position. A tamping member extends from the pin and defines an abutting surface abuttingly engaging the work piece in the first position of the pin. A folding member extends from the distal end of the tamping member, and is clearingly angled away from the work piece in the first position of the pin. The folding member foldingly engages the flap in the second position of the pin. The pin maintains the abutting engagement against the work piece at the first and second positions and therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Shih Hsiung Hoe, Chit Hin Koh, Muhammad Firdaus Abdullah, Pueh Leng Ng, Chee Suan Low
  • Publication number: 20030019186
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus in distribution equipment. The distribution equipment is of the type which marshals or groups together a number of objects into a unit and surrounds this unit with a continuous paperboard sheet. The paperboard sheet is folded in and glued along the one longitudinal side of the unit. The apparatus includes two cam curves which are disposed substantially parallel. The apparatus further includes an endless, driven chain which is parallel with the cam curves and on which a number of carriers are disposed. Each carrier consists of at least one inward folder and one hold-down device. The inward folder is disposed to follow the first cam curve and the hold-down device is disposed to follow the second cam curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventor: Jan Hakansson
  • Patent number: 6282870
    Abstract: A process and a device for packaging products in thermoformed boxes, uses a single strip of thermoplastic or thermoformable material to produce cavities (B) and covers (A) and to fold them down (13) about the product to be packaged before thermowelding (14) their edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Mecaplastic
    Inventor: Patrick Robache
  • Publication number: 20010015055
    Abstract: The present invention provides for the cyclical extraction of an empty and closed box (C) from a feeding magazine (1) by means of an extractor (8) and of an opposite contrast means (18) transferring said box into an opening station, where said contrast means rotates of 90° on its horizontal support stem (19), opening the box and entering it. While the contrast means (18) goes back and in due time the extractor returns to the magazine to repeat another work cycle, said extractor places the box open on underlying double-slope inclined planes (36, 36′), on which said box is finally placed by arc-shaped and oscillating levers (39, 39′), which are then deactivated and on which it is kept by springy teeth (38, 38′).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventor: Tarcisio Minardi
  • Patent number: 6195959
    Abstract: An automatic packaging machine for forming and filling a latching flip-top box uses a two part mandrel which are joined by a hinge. One of the two hinged parts has a roller thereon for following a cam track having a quarter turn spiral therein. As the roller follows the spiral causing one hinged part to move through a quarter turn causing the flip-top to fold over and be formed. A somewhat loose tab on the top edge of the bottom of the box is a latch tab which is caught when the flip-top folds over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Tisma Machinery Corporation
    Inventor: Petar Tisma