Banding Patents (Class 53/399)
  • Patent number: 11910755
    Abstract: A wrapping assembly includes: a material roll configured to hold a roll of wrapping material; a duckbill assembly including a duckbill carrying a duckbill roll and configured to draw material from a roll of wrapping material held by the material roll; a duckbill actuator coupled to the duckbill to move the duckbill between an insert position and a home position; a variable brake associated with the material roll and configured to apply a variable braking force to the material roll; and a controller operatively coupled to the duckbill actuator and the brake. The controller is configured to: determine an averaged electric current draw of the duckbill actuator during a sampling period is below a defined value and responsively output a brake increase signal so the brake increases applied braking force to the material roll by a defined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Scott C. Simmons
  • Patent number: 11858706
    Abstract: A strand of connected elastics is disclosed. The strand includes a series of elastic bands and a series of connecting portions that connect the series of elastic bands to each other. The connecting portions may have configurations that enable them to broken when separation and use of an elastic from an end of the strand is desired. Methods for manufacturing and using strands of connected elastics are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Durham Enterprises Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Durham, Michael Brian Freeman
  • Patent number: 11858669
    Abstract: A device for applying top sheets on palletised loads, including at least one support for at least one palletised load, of the feeding means of top sheets (C) to be applied on the palletised loads, suitable to unwind at least one film reel (B) from which a plurality of such sheets (C) can be obtained, and at least one applicator member suitable to place, one by one, the top sheets (C) obtained from the reel (B), over the top of respective palletised loads. The applicator member includes at least one robotic arm, having at least one operating end, and at least one winding and unwinding member, associated with such operating end; the winding and unwinding member is able to wrap the sheet (C), taken from the reel (B), on a wrapping surface to take a substantially tube-shaped configuration, and then to unwind it over the top of the palletised load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: B80 GROUP S.P.A.
    Inventor: Gianluca Sforacchi
  • Patent number: 11827473
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dispenser of stretch wrap, comprising a main body with a first end, a second end, a first connector portion proximate to the first end, a second connector portion proximate to the second end, a first braking mechanism at the first connector portion, a second braking mechanism at the second connector portion, a tension controller terminating an end of the second connector portion, the first connector portion and second connector portion are adapted to engage two ends of an elongated core with stretch wrap film, the tension controller comprising an adjustable portion that is rotatable and in mechanical communication with a movable part located intermediate the tension controller and the second connector portion and the adjustable portion is a rotatable knob, and the movable part is a clutching mechanism connected to a shaft; characterized in that the tension controller further comprises a tension limiting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: TG Plastic Technologies SDN, BHD.
    Inventors: Ang See Hwan, Lau Tee Yeow
  • Patent number: 11820124
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for measuring a web. One embodiment is a measurement system that includes rollers which receive a web of print media marked with a printed job, a controller which determines that a segment of the web is stationary at the measurement system, an image measurement device that inspects the printed job, and a repositioning mechanism that repositions the segment within the measurement system relative to the image measurement device while portions of the web external to the measurement system remain stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Larry M Ernst
  • Patent number: 11820537
    Abstract: A stretch wrap device. The stretch wrap device may include a base, a mast engaged with the base, such that the mast includes a plurality of adjoining mast sections. Each adjoining mast section having a plurality of side surfaces. Each adjoining mast section having at least one slot on at least one of the side surfaces and a connecting rod received within the slot of at least two immediately adjacent mast sections, the connecting rod being secured to each of the two immediately adjacent mast sections. The stretch wrap device may also include a stretch wrap holder slidably engaged with the mast such that the stretch wrap hold can slide along the mast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Alpine Marketing International, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Roy West
  • Patent number: 11814197
    Abstract: A wrapping machine with a rotary platform to wrap products with at least one band of wrapping material has a base, a rotary platform, which defines a support surface for at least one product and is mounted so as to rotate around a rotation axis, and a support slide, which is configured to receive and hold a spool of the band of wrapping material and is movable along a guide upright, which is mounted so as to rotate around the rotation axis with a rotation direction that is contrary to a rotation direction of the rotary platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: MITEC S.R.L. CON UNICO SOCIO
    Inventor: Imerio Pagliarani
  • Patent number: 11808291
    Abstract: A sofa frame, a vertical support bar and an assembled sofa. The sofa frame includes two side boards, a face board connected between the front ends of the two side boards and a back board connected between the rear ends of the two side boards. The two side boards, the face board and the back board forms a detachable frame structure. Between the face board and the back board, a vertical support bar is connected. The rear side of the vertical support bar is fixed with a connecting piece. By fixing and connecting the connecting piece and the back board, the support of the back board is strengthened. The lower end of the vertical support bar is connected with a support leg to contact the ground. The sofa frame is a detachable structure, which can be disassembled for packaging and transportation, and assembled again later.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Inventor: Chang You Wang
  • Patent number: 11783731
    Abstract: A method is described for forming a plurality of articles. The method includes creasing a tag substrate between first and second ends to form a first fold, wherein a first bent portion is defined between the first end and the first fold; lifting the first bent portion away from the central span to initiate elastomer to flow under the first bent portion; disposing the elastomer on at least a portion of a central span of the tag substrate; and bonding the elastomer to the tag substrate at a first connection zone, wherein a first elastomer portion extends along a rear surface of the first bent portion and a second elastomer portion extends along a front surface of the first bent portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Bedford Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Weber, Beau Scott
  • Patent number: 11767136
    Abstract: A pallet wrapping system with a support bar and at least two adjustment arms coupled to the support bar. The at least two adjustment arms are configured to narrow the width of a stretch film for wrapping a palletized load. Each of the adjustment arms has a captive nut, a stud, a guide, and an adjustment knob. The captive nut is coupled to and configured to translate along the support bar. The stud has a fixed end coupled to the captive nut and a free end extending away from the support bar. The guide has a cylindrical body with an aperture extending through the cylindrical body and a support flange extending outward from the cylindrical body. The stud extends through the aperture. The adjustment knob is coupled to the free end of the stud. The location of each of the adjustment arms along the support bar is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Inventor: Darrel Bison
  • Patent number: 11756453
    Abstract: In one aspect, an article includes a first sleeve formed from a first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet, the first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet having opposed first and second edges, wherein the first sleeve is formed with a first seam proximate the first edge. A portion of the first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet extends between the first sleeve and the second edge. A tag is bonded to the portion of the first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet proximate the second edge at a first overlap zone of the tag and the portion of the first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet. In another aspect, an article includes a heat-shrinkable polymer sheet and a tag bonded to the sheet. The heat-shrinkable polymer sheet has a central area and a plurality of slits disposed through the sheet, at least one of the plurality of slits oriented to partially surround the central area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Bedford Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David Schiller, Eric Milbrath
  • Patent number: 11738895
    Abstract: There is provided a method for wrapping a load comprising an upper portion defining an upper peripheral surface and a lower portion defining a lower peripheral surface. The method includes configuring a first material dispenser including a first material web in a first starting position and a second material dispenser including a second material web in a second starting position. The method includes and providing a rotation between the load and the material dispensers, such that, upon the rotation, the first material dispenser wraps the upper peripheral surface of the load with the first material web and the second material dispenser wraps the lower peripheral surface of the load with the second material web. The first material dispenser wraps the upper peripheral surface of the load simultaneously while the second material dispenser wraps the lower peripheral surface of the load during at least a portion of a wrapping cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: WULFTEC INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Guy Lopes, Priscille Tremblay
  • Patent number: 11731793
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product perform automatic load profiling to optimize a wrapping operation performed with a stretch wrapping machine. Automatic load profiling may be performed, for example, to determine a density parameter for a load that is indicative of load stability such that one or more control parameters may be configured for a wrapping operation based upon the density parameter. Automatic load profiling may also be performed, for example, to detect a load with a nonstandard top layer, e.g., a load with a top or slip sheet, a load with an easily deformable top layer, a load with a ragged top surface topography and/or a load with an inboard portion, such that a top layer containment operation may be activated during wrapping to optimize containment for the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Lantech.com, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael P. Mitchell, Richard L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11724872
    Abstract: A bundle of tubular and/or rod-shaped glass articles is provided that includes a longest dimension, a plurality of layers (NL) of the glass articles, and a thread-like element. The longest dimension extends in a first direction. The glass articles in each layer are arranged side by side in a second direction. The plurality of layers are arranged side by side in a third direction. The first, second, and third directions being perpendicular to one another. The thread-like element is around two of the glass articles in at least one layer so that the two glass articles are spaced apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SCHOTT AG
    Inventor: Georg Helmut Sparschuh
  • Patent number: 11708201
    Abstract: A bundle of tubular and/or rod-shaped glass articles is provided that includes a longest dimension, a plurality of layers (NL) of the glass articles, and a thread-like element. The longest dimension extends in a first direction. The glass articles in each layer are arranged side by side in a second direction. The plurality of layers are arranged side by side in a third direction. The first, second, and third directions being perpendicular to one another. The thread-like element is around two of the glass articles in at least one layer so that the two glass articles are spaced apart. The thread-like element has a cross section between at least 0.25 mm and at most 4.0 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: SCHOTT AG
    Inventor: Georg Helmut Sparschuh
  • Patent number: 11685564
    Abstract: A rotary translational strapping apparatus and strapping method thereof are provided including a support frame, a rotary module, and a translational strapping module, the rotary module includes a rotary guide, a rotary frame, and a first driving mechanism, the rotary guide is disposed on top of the support frame, the rotary frame is rotatably disposed on the rotary guide, the first driving mechanism is used for driving the rotary frame to rotate relative to the rotary guide. The translational strapping module includes a sliding mount, a strapping head, a strapping chute, and a second driving mechanism. The sliding mount is slidably disposed on the rotary frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: QINGDAO SACPACK INTELLIGENT EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xiangrong Hu
  • Patent number: 11685562
    Abstract: A pallet wrapping system with at least two guides sets configured to narrow the width of stretch film to form a banded edge on the stretch film. A plurality of rollers is positioned adjacent to the plurality of guides to facilitate passing the stretch film through the plurality of guides. A first roll of stretch film positioned to pass stretch film to the first set of guides, and a second roll of stretch film positioned to receive banded stretch film from the first set of guides, layer the banded stretch film onto unbanded stretch film to form an unbanded composite stretch film, and then pass the unbanded composite stretch film to the second set of guides to form a banded composite stretch film having a banded first ply with a width equal to the first width and a banded second ply with a width equal to the second width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Inventor: Darrel Bison
  • Patent number: 11667446
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to cargo assemblages that may include containers of rolled products stacked on pallets secured thereto with film and methods of producing such cargo assemblages. The load may include containers of absorbent paper product arranged in stacked layers from a bottom layer of containers to a top layer of containers. A film may be applied to connect the load with the pallet and to connect neighboring stacked layers together. The film may be wrapped around the pallet and/or layers of containers with a wrap profile having different characteristics, such as for example, containment forces; tensions; numbers of layers, and/or locations of layers with respect to the load, the pallet, and/or each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Green, Leo E. Taske, Scott M. Smith, Carlos O. Nilo, Kimberly M. Gerlach, Richard W. Hamm, Frederick Scott Britton, Arnaldo Vazquez Santiago
  • Patent number: 11649107
    Abstract: Disclosed is a container suitable for holding objects such as flowers and which may include a body having at least one wall defining a cavity. The at least one wall may include openings separated apart from each other. A tensioner may pass through the openings. A platform may be situated within the cavity and coupled to the tensioner so as to receive a force from the tensioner when a tension is applied to the tensioner. This force may be operative to lift the platform and the flower coupled thereto so that the flower partially or fully extends from the cavity while at least a portion of the platform remains in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventors: David Freilich, Elisa Freilich
  • Patent number: 11643230
    Abstract: A wrapping machine comprising a base and a wrapping arm connected to the base and configured to be movable relative to the base. The wrapping arm includes a carriage vertically movable on the wrapping arm, with the carriage having a roll of wrap film. The wrapping machine also includes a bumper assembly movable with the wrapping arm. The bumper assembly includes a bumper and an actuator, wherein engagement of the bumper with an external object will actuate the actuator to stop movement of the wrapping arm about the product. The wrapping arm can include side tubes connected by a connection tube, with the side tubes forming a link recess between the side tubes. Each of the side tubes includes an exteriorly facing slot, with the carriage riding on the side tubes along the slot. A link moves within the link recess to move the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: COUSINS PACKAGING INC.
    Inventors: Neil G. Cousins, Srbislav Z. Davidovic
  • Patent number: 11597200
    Abstract: A sheet-processing machine has a shaping device for processing sheets. The shaping device has at least one shaping point. The sheet-processing machine comprises at least one separating device. The at least one separating device is designed to remove at least one remaining piece from at least one sheet of the sheets. The at least one separating device is arranged downstream of the at least one shaping point along a transport path provided for transporting the sheets. At least one inspection device is arranged, downstream of the separating device in the transport direction of the sheets, to determine an actual state of the at least one sheet of the sheets. The invention additionally relates to a method for inspecting at least one remaining part of at least one sheet of sheets, which part has been processed by a shaping device, and to a method for inspecting at least one sheet of sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: KOENIG & BAUER AG
    Inventors: Michael Donnert, Bastian Deppisch, Elmar Klüpfel
  • Patent number: 11597546
    Abstract: A strapping machine configured for and method for actuating the belt drive mechanism of a strapping machine during a loss of band carrying out the following steps: (1) polling the detector as to a proper shooting of the strapping band in the shooting direction up until the end of the shooting trajectory, and (2) for an improper shooting of the strapping band, activating the shooting and retrieval unit to retrieve the strapping band with a definite retrieval speed for a defined retrieval time so that the strapping band emerges from the shooting and retrieval unit opposite the shooting direction, and (3) actuating the drive of the back-tensioning unit so that the back-tensioning unit transports the strapping band back into the shooting and retrieval unit in the shooting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Signode Packaging Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Höhn, Jochen Witzgall, Jürgen Schödel
  • Patent number: 11570952
    Abstract: A wrapping assembly includes: a material roll configured to hold a roll of wrapping material; a duckbill assembly including a duckbill carrying a duckbill roll and configured to draw material from a roll of wrapping material held by the material roll; a duckbill actuator coupled to the duckbill to move the duckbill between an insert position and a home position; a variable brake associated with the material roll and configured to apply a variable braking force to the material roll; and a controller operatively coupled to the duckbill actuator and the brake. The controller is configured to: determine an averaged electric current draw of the duckbill actuator during a sampling period is below a defined value and responsively output a brake increase signal so the brake increases applied braking force to the material roll by a defined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Scott C. Simmons
  • Patent number: 11554889
    Abstract: Systems and methods include an assembly for a label wrapper to adhere a label to an elongated object, such as a wire. The assembly includes a support structure defining a receiving space. One or more resilient members are positioned within the receiving space and define one or more channels. One or more flexible sheets are disposed over the resilient members and within the channels. The first and second flexible sheets may provide a substantially uniform pressure on the label being applied to the wire regardless of the size of the wire and the label. In some instances, the label is configured to fold around the wire and have first and second opposing end segments that couple with one another remotely from the wire thereby forming a flag label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Brady Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Moises Guerrero
  • Patent number: 11518561
    Abstract: A packaging material dispenser of a stretch wrapping machine supports multiple discrete amounts of pre-stretch in a reliable and cost-effective manner in part by incorporating a loop drive assembly with multiple pre-stretch rate wheels capable of being used to drive a driven wheel associated with a pre-stretch roller at different discrete rates of rotation relative to another pre-stretch roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: LANTECH.COM, LLC
    Inventor: Curtis W. Martin
  • Patent number: 11472580
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for wrapping a palletized load are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a film dispenser for dispensing a film web, at least one guide rollers configured to engage the width of the film web, and at least one roping element. The at least one roping element may be a cable rolling roper configured to roll a portion of the film web into a rolled cable of film. The apparatus may also include means for providing relative rotation between the load and the dispenser to wrap a roped portion of the film web around a base of the load/top portion of a pallet supporting the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: LANTECH.COM, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, Donnie Norris, David E. Eldridge
  • Patent number: 11475554
    Abstract: An image recorder (18) supported above a conveyor (22) captures images of a top surface of the loaded pallet (30) supported on the conveyor (22). The image is transmitted to a computer (26). A software routine stored on a memory on the computer (26) compares the image to a manufacturing specification. The software routine determines whether the image is within a manufacturing tolerance of the manufacturing specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: BALL COPORATION
    Inventors: David C. Robinson, John Siles
  • Patent number: 11390407
    Abstract: A plant for packing bottles or similar containers includes an operating unit carrying out a rapid assembly that includes a portable pack made by three straps: a first one applied on the lower half of the body of the bottles, a second one applied at the neck of the bottles, both arranged on planes perpendicular to the vertical axes of the bottles, and a third one applied loosely and perpendicularly to the other two straps and laying on a vertical plane passing through the center of gravity of the pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Inventor: Leon Ribi
  • Patent number: 11312519
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a strapping head of a strapping device for strapping packaged goods with a strap. The strapping head includes an advancing apparatus and tensioning apparatus having at most three rollers for transferring an advancing motion, a retracting motion, and a tensioning motion to the strap. A least one of the wheels is operatively connected to a driving apparatus to cause the at least one of the wheels to rotate about a rotational axis for the advancing, retracting, and tensioning motions. The rollers can be brought in contact with the strap in pairs on both sides of the strap in different combinations with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLC
    Inventors: Hans Huber, Dimitrios Takidis, Michael Meng, Roland Widmer, Christian Benz
  • Patent number: 11244441
    Abstract: A control system and method for a robotic palletizer. The control system and method include or are implemented by a home screen displaying a plurality of application icons. The applications each provide a quick access to control features and methods. The control system includes methods and components for planning and/or monitoring a product pallet configuration by the palletizer. Animation and/or other virtual depiction of the palletization is displayed through a graphical user interface for the palletizer. The animation and/or other virtual depiction can illustrate the conveyor palletization before or during the palletization and/or provide an augmented confirmation overlaying a video feed of a palletization of a plurality of products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Justin Andrew Jeanes, Devin Gregory Staack
  • Patent number: 11242165
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a wrapping machine that includes an improved cut, clamp, and seam system configured to, after film drawn from a film roll has been wrapped around an object, cut the film from the film roll, hold the now-leading end of the film of the film roll, and attach the now-trailing end of the film wrapped around the object to part of the film wrapped around the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Haloila Bulgaria EOOD
    Inventors: Pavel Basharanov, Ivaylo Ivanov, Dinko Gospodinov
  • Patent number: 11167873
    Abstract: A stretch film wrapping system for wrapping film about loads includes a wrap location for receiving loads to be wrapped; a film dispensing system including a film roll support mandrel assembly supported on a load cell that provides an output indicative of weight of the film roll support mandrel assembly and any film roll mounted thereon; and a control system for receiving the output of the load cell and configured to utilize load cell output to determine amount of film used for wrap operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: BRENTON LLC
    Inventors: Brian A. Schablin, Dana L. Zierden
  • Patent number: 11124377
    Abstract: An improved tape delivery assembly for delivering a turn-up tape across a moving web of paper being wound onto a spool, the assembly being part of a paper web turn-up system, the tape being used to sever and transfer the leading edge of the cut paper web onto an empty spool. A secondary tape dispensing module may deliver a secondary turn-up tape while a primary tape delivery module is temporarily removed from the paper web turn-up system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Sandar Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter A. Rodriguez, Jason Rodriguez, Victor Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 11066198
    Abstract: An orbital wrapping apparatus for wrapping a cargo in a stretch film comprises a base frame, a circular ring assembly mounted on the base frame and rotatable with respect to the base frame about an axis of rotation, a stretch film dispenser mounted on the circular ring assembly and rotatable with the circular ring assembly about the axis of rotation, and a cutting assembly mounted to the base frame and extending through an opening defined by the circular ring assembly. The stretch film dispenser has a roll of stretch film dispensing the stretch film by rotation of the circular ring assembly. The cutting assembly is adapted to cut and hold the stretch film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: TAB Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Brizek, Andrew G. Brizek
  • Patent number: 11034470
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product perform automatic load profiling to optimize a wrapping operation performed with a stretch wrapping machine. Automatic load profiling may be performed, for example, to determine a density parameter for a load that is indicative of load stability such that one or more control parameters may be configured for a wrapping operation based upon the density parameter. Automatic load profiling may also be performed, for example, to detect a load with a nonstandard top layer, e.g., a load with a top or slip sheet, a load with an easily deformable top layer, a load with a ragged top surface topography and/or a load with an inboard portion, such that a top layer containment operation may be activated during wrapping to optimize containment for the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: LANTECH.COM, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael P. Mitchell, Richard L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11021281
    Abstract: An orbital stretch wrapping apparatus is provided and includes a base frame, a circular ring mounted on the base frame and rotatable with respect to the base frame about an axis of rotation, a stretch film dispenser mounted on the circular ring and rotatable with the circular ring about the axis of rotation, the stretch film dispenser having a subframe fixed to the circular ring, a roll of stretch film mounted to the subframe and rotatable with respect to the subframe, a first feed roller mounted to the subframe and rotatable with respect to the subframe, a second feed roller mounted to the subframe and rotatable with respect to the subframe, and a brake member connected to the first feed roller and the second feed roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: TAB Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Brizek, Andrew G. Brizek
  • Patent number: 10843827
    Abstract: A stretch film dispensing apparatus gathers the stretch film into a flattened strap for use in securing an object to a pallet for shipping. The stretch film can be converted into a string or rope by passing it through one or more of a hook, funnel, apparatus, set of gears, or the like to effect stretching and/or twisting of the film into a string or rope. The string or rope is then pressed between two rollers biased together with sufficient force to flatten the string or rope into a flattened strap that maintains its structural integrity to be used as a replacement for plastic or metallic strapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: ENCORE PACKAGING LLC
    Inventors: Timothy H. Nelson, Yinghao Shi
  • Patent number: 10717554
    Abstract: Control of a wrapping apparatus is facilitated by enabling an operator to input a load containment force requirement and/or a minimum number of layers of packaging material to be applied to a load, with a wrap control system automatically determining wrap force and other parameters required to meet user input requirements and/or parameters to minimize the expertise required of an operator and to provide more consistent and reliable wrapping of loads. In addition, a wrapping apparatus may be controlled to apply at least a minimum number of layers of packaging material to a load throughout a contiguous region thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: LANTECH.COM, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael P. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 10703578
    Abstract: A packaging machine for packaging products to be packaged using a stretchable film has a film transporter supplying the film. The film transporter has first and second belt conveyors that each have first and second transport belts, which are synchronously driven and arranged next to one another in a film transport direction. A belt conveyor is movable in a direction perpendicular to the film transport direction, and has a movable film guide to insert the film into the film transporter. The film guide has a guide plate for guiding the film. The guide plate has first and second recesses in an upper edge in the vertical direction facing the belt conveyors. The belt conveyors are to be inserted into a respective one of the recesses. The film transporter has cleaners for the belt conveyors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: BIZERBA SE & CO. KG
    Inventor: Eugen Ellis
  • Patent number: 10683113
    Abstract: A device and corresponding systems and methods are provided for wrapping an object resting on an object conveyor defining an object path, the object conveyor conveying the object in a forward direction along the object path, the device comprising: an orbital wrapping mechanism configured to travel in an elliptical path around the object path and to deposit a stretch wrapping material; a wrapping material conveyor configured for cooperation with the object conveyor, the wrapping material conveyor positioned beneath the object conveyor such that when the orbital wrapping mechanism travels along the elliptical path, the orbital wrapping mechanism deposits the stretch wrapping material around both at least a portion of the object and at least a portion of the wrapping material conveyor, the wrapping material conveyor having at least one bearing surface in contact with the stretch wrapping material and movable in a forward direction such that the stretch wrapping material is conveyed along with the object in the f
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: 1137508 ON LTD.
    Inventors: Laurie Robert Mackie, Defu Lou
  • Patent number: 10639790
    Abstract: A tool and system for inspecting, handling, sorting, and packing a sealable bag, the tool including: a housing which includes a mount for mechanically mounting the tool to a tip end of a robot arm; at least four displaceable fingers fixed to the housing in a configuration corresponding to dimensions of the sealable bag, each displaceable finger being displaceable in an axial direction of the displaceable finger and having a sensor for sensing displacement of the displaceable finger by more than a predetermined amount; a suction mechanism fixed to the housing and actuatable to lift the sealable bag; and a controller in communication with the sensor and with the suction mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Inventors: Aaron Thomas Bacon, Aerick William Bacon, Thomas Dell Bacon
  • Patent number: 10618680
    Abstract: A plastic film sealing and packaging device includes a chassis, a conveyance device for conveying articles-to-be-packaged, at least one pair of plastic film conveyance trays, at least one plastic film sealing mechanism and at least one heat-shrinking device. The conveyance device extends through front and rear ends of the chassis. The plastic film conveyance trays are set at two sides of the chassis to supply strap-like packaging plastic films. The plastic film sealing mechanism is arranged behind the plastic film conveyance trays to have packaging plastic films supplied from the plastic film conveyance trays sealed and combined as a combined film that is set horizontally set so that the articles-to-be-packaged conveyed by the conveyance device are allowed to contact the packaging plastic film to have the packaging plastic film wrapping around a closure site of the article-to-be-packaged. The package plastic film is then sealed by the plastic film sealing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Inventor: Tzu-Chin Hung
  • Patent number: 10239645
    Abstract: Packaging material may be profiled to generate an incremental containment force per revolution (ICF) attribute that is represented by a function that is variable as a function of wrap force. Moreover, the performance of different packaging materials, e.g., in terms of speed or cost, may be compared for a particular load through simulation of wrap operations based upon dimensions of the load and a desired load containment force requirement for the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Lantech.com, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael P. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 10220970
    Abstract: A wrapping apparatus, its components, and corresponding methods for wrapping a load in packaging material are described herein. The apparatus has a packaging material dispenser having a frame and a plurality of packaging material supplies. The apparatus also has a load press for wrapping an upper surface of the load, where the load press has a central press section and a peripheral press section which can disengage the upper surface to allow wrapping of at least a part thereof. The apparatus also has an enclosure to prevent access during operation, as well as a packaging material seeking assembly which seeks out the packaging material to be wrapped. The apparatus and methods described allow for an automatic wrapping of a load which minimizes operator intervention, and further allow for the automatic resupply of packaging material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Wulftec International Inc.
    Inventors: Pascal Lemieux, Ivaylo Brankov, Éric Dubreuil, Sylvain Samson, Guy Lopes
  • Patent number: 10144542
    Abstract: A rotary wrapping machine (30, 110) for packaging products by means of a film unwound from a reel comprises a frame (13, 113) carrying a dispensing unit (19, 119) which is electrically controlled to dispense the packaging film from a reel of film present in the dispensing unit (19, 119). The dispensing unit is supported on the frame so as to be driven rotationally along a closed path around a packaging zone (38, 138) which contains a product to be wrapped with the film. Along the closed path there is a power supply antenna (25, 125) which is connected to an antenna power supply unit (26, 126) for transferring, by means of electrical induction, electric power to a corresponding receiver (28, 128) which is movable along the antenna together with the said dispensing unit and which supplies in turn electric power to the dispensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: MESSERSI' PACKAGING SRL
    Inventor: Maurizio Messersi′
  • Patent number: 9981449
    Abstract: A continuous process for making a multi-panel sterilization assembly, the process including the steps of: providing a moving, continuous base web; providing a plurality of subassemblies; applying the subassemblies in position on the moving, continuous base web to define repeating portions that incorporate the subassemblies and alternating portions that lack such subassemblies; providing side tabs; applying the side tabs in position on the moving, continuous base web with respect to at least one edge of the portions that incorporate the subassemblies; attaching the subassemblies and the side tabs to the moving, continuous base web to form a continuous work-piece; and separating the continuous work-piece into individual multi-panel sterilization assemblies, each multi-panel sterilization assembly comprising a barrier panel, a fold protection panel and at least one side tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Avent, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. Pamperin, Brian L. Gustin, Eric T. Bricker, Melissa R. Gaynor
  • Patent number: 9916616
    Abstract: An inventory management method for storage devices may comprise obtaining an order for an aggregate storage capacity from a customer; and determining a usable capacity of each of a plurality of storage devices. From the plurality of storage devices, a first set of storage devices may be selected, at least some of which have different usable storage capacities from one another, such that the first set of storage devices comprises a first predetermined number of storage devices and has a first aggregate storage capacity that is at least equal to an integer fraction of the aggregate capacity ordered by the customer. The first set of storage devices may then be packed into a first container configured to accommodate the first predetermined number of storage devices. A second set of storage devices may be similarly be selected from remaining ones of the plurality of storage devices and packaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Suwanchai Chaiyawantakee, Pajaree Srimongkol, Permsin Bunsiri, Kiattiphong Lanak, Patrick B. Wilkison
  • Patent number: 9908648
    Abstract: A control system for a wrapping apparatus may include a packaging material dispenser configured to dispense packaging material for wrapping a load. The control system may also include at least one sensor assembly configured to generate a signal based on instantaneous demand for packaging material at the load. The control system may further include a controller configured to control operation of the packaging material dispenser based at least in part on the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Lantech.com, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael Mitchell, Thomas Harris, Robert D. Janes, Sr., Richard L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9891120
    Abstract: A measuring device for detecting and measuring a wrapping force of a stretchable plastic material film wrapped around a load includes a first angular element that can be associated and fixed to at least one of an edge and a flat wall of the load, at least one force sensor fixed to the first angular element, a second angular element fixed to, and supported by, the force sensor, and a control unit connected to the force sensor and arranged for receiving therefrom a signal related to a wrapping force exerted by the film on the second angular element by the film that is wrapped around the load and around the measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: AETNA GROUP S.P.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Ceré
  • Patent number: 9725195
    Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping a load may include a film dispenser for dispensing a film web including a film dispensing drive. The apparatus may also include a rotational drive system for providing relative rotation between the load and the dispenser during a wrapping cycle. The apparatus may further include a controller configured to operatively couple the film dispensing drive and the rotational drive system such that, for any portion of a revolution of the film dispenser relative to the load during the wrapping cycle, the film dispenser dispenses a selected length of the film web corresponding to the portion of the revolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Lantech.com, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Robert D. Janes, Sr., Michael Mitchell, Thomas Harris, Richard L. Johnson