Skin Packaging (e.g., Vacuum Forming By Conforming Cover Over Contents) Patents (Class 53/427)
  • Patent number: 11584558
    Abstract: An example technique of forming a package includes retaining a package precursor in a support. The package precursor includes a shrink-formable composition and defines an interior volume configured to enclose a component, such as a medical supply. The package may be formed by at least directing a flow of heated medium from a nozzle toward at least one region of the package precursor to cause the at least one region to shrink faster than an adjacent region of the package precursor. In some examples, an example system for shrink-forming a package includes the support and the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Buccellato, Jeffrey B. Barnell
  • Patent number: 11407537
    Abstract: A product can be packaged by arranging the product on a support, providing a plastic film above the support with the product arranged between the support and the film sheet, and air tightly fixing the film to the support. The process can be implemented using an apparatus that includes a film supply assembly and a base equipment having an upper side defining one or more receiving areas, each being configured for receiving a respective product loaded support; an upper tool is configured for holding a film portion above the product loaded support and then heat sealing the film portion to the product loaded support. Each receiving area has a flat portion and elongated features protruding above the plane of flat portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Cryovac, LLC
    Inventors: Christophe Chevalier, Antonio Liperoti, Iacopo Tibe'
  • Patent number: 11318524
    Abstract: A method for producing a container having an upper part, a lower part and a receiving element such as an electronics module includes the following steps: the lower part is created from a first starting material in a first processing region of a processing device; the upper part is created from a second starting material in a second processing region of the processing device; the receiving element is fed into the first processing region of the processing device; the lower part receives the receiving element in the first processing region of the processing device; the upper part is fed from the second processing region into the first processing region of the processing device; and there the upper part and the lower part are joined together to form the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Manfred Goll, Martin Haverkamp, Gerhard Sticksel
  • Patent number: 11072445
    Abstract: A method for packaging products, such as candies, wherein the products are positioned on a first sheet which is continuously moved in a transport direction, wherein the products are covered by a second sheet which is continuously moved in the same transport direction and which is aligned substantially plane-parallel to the first sheet, and wherein the first and second sheets are sealed together near the outer edges of the individual products or grouped products by a sealing device, wherein the sealing device comprises sealing ribs extending substantially transversely to the transport direction on one side of the moving sheets, wherein said sealing ribs are being moved at the same speed as the sheets and the sealing ribs seal the first and second sheets together in between the moving products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: MARS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Marinus J. H. M. Van Den Elzen, Albertus C. H. Van Liempd
  • Patent number: 11052020
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical pack and the method for making the same are provided. The pharmaceutical pack includes a blister layer and a lidding sheet disposed over the blister layer. The blister layer defines at least one opening. The lidding sheet includes a first layer and optionally a second layer. The first layer includes at least one hologram, and is disposed on the second layer, which is a plastic film. The blister layer and the lidding sheet define at least one cavity so as to hold at least one pharmaceutical dosage form therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Holographyx Inc.
    Inventor: Claude Scott Devens
  • Patent number: 10717557
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaning unit for use with blister packaging includes a plate configured to closely overlie a conveyor having open blister packaging containing objects to be packaged, such as brushes. Angled slots on a lower portion of the plate apply full and uniform coverage of wells of the blister packaging as the packaging is indexed below the plate by the conveyor. Open areas of the plate are spaced apart by solid areas on either side of an open central area of the plate in flow communication with a source of vacuum or suction. The solid and open areas cooperate with the slots to direct air from the edges to the central suction area in a manner that keeps the objects in the wells more stable as they enter and exit the suction area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Team Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ted Miller, Eric Crabtree, Matthew Schumaker, Bobby Mason
  • Patent number: 10414567
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum skin packaging process, to a tray suitable for a vacuum skin packaging process and to the package thus obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Cryovac, LLC
    Inventor: Riccardo Palumbo
  • Patent number: 10384820
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoform packaging machine as well as to a method for producing a skin pack, comprising the steps of preforming a skin film prior to a sealing station and subjecting it to a further forming step in the sealing station, so that the skin film can wrap around a product protruding far beyond a packaging trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMUELLER SE & CO. KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Grimm, Elmar Ehrmann
  • Patent number: 9533781
    Abstract: This invention is directed to multiple sealing bars to seal articles moving on a conveyor (2) inside a sleeve (4) that forms a continuous film tube (5). Retracting conveyors act to collapse the tube between the articles so that the collapsed portion of the tube can be sealed. The synchronization of the sealing bars with the movement of retracting conveyors allows for a continuous motion machine where the products inside the film do not stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventor: Alain Cerf
  • Patent number: 9358338
    Abstract: An article for use in manufacturing particle cassettes comprising one or more single pieces of membrane having a plurality of gas flow passages bonded thereto. The article allows convenient manufacture of particle cassettes. Two such articles may be employed to provide a finished particle cassette and a production line in which a plurality of gas flow passages are conveyed on a single membrane is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Powder Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
    Inventors: Nigel R. Bates, Philip T. Price
  • Patent number: 9134066
    Abstract: A glue-thermal curing equipment includes a chassis, a support, a heating baking plate and a lifting device. The chassis is formed with an accommodation space therein. The support is fixedly disposed in the accommodation space. The heating baking plate is disposed on the support, and has a top surface acting as a heat generating surface. The heat generating surface allows a panel device to be directly disposed thereon, and fully provides uniform thermal energy to a liquid-state glue layer disposed on the panel device. The lifting device is elevatably disposed on the support and enables the panel device to be lifted and separated from the heat generating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: QUANTA COMPUTER INC.
    Inventors: Ching-Chih Chen, Lin-Huei Wang, Lai-Peng Lai
  • Patent number: 8966867
    Abstract: A packaging assembly includes a substantially rigid base having a cavity dimensioned to receive a medical implant, a sleeve positioned in the cavity of the substantially rigid base and defining an opening dimensioned to receive the medical implant, and a skin pack lid sealed over the substantially rigid base to enclose and secure the sleeve within the cavity of the substantially rigid base. The sleeve has a shape substantially similar to a shape of the medical implant and substantially envelopes the medical implant when the medical implant is positioned in the opening of the sleeve. The skin pack lid has a geometry that substantially conforms to the shape of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
    Inventors: Katherine Liccardo, Delphine Patterson, Joseph Wilmot, Sarah Grare
  • Publication number: 20150047298
    Abstract: A method of forming a vacuum packed compressed netting sleeve for in situ formation of a compost filter sock comprises the steps of: providing a sleeve of netting material having at least one open end; bunching the sleeve of netting material primarily along a longitudinal axis, whereby each open end of the netting material remains accessible to form a compression bundle netting material; placing the compression bundle netting material in a sealable weatherproof bag; drawing a vacuum in the bag to compress the compression bundle netting material; and sealing the bag. A mechanical fastener capable of securing a compression bundle netting sleeve in position may be provided within in the bag. The bag may efficiently store remnants of the netting sleeve at the end of given manufacturing runs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey Karl Szebalskie, SR., Michael Zock
  • Patent number: 8951469
    Abstract: A sterile enclosure contains a transfer module defining a window. A port covers the window to maintain the inside of the enclosure as a sealed and sterile environment. A sliding, heated cutting element mounted on the port serves to sterilize and sever a portion of a sterile transfer bag assembly attached to the port. Preferably, the excised portion of the sterile transfer bag assembly is affixed to the port when the port opens. The sliding cutting element remains extended and heated to prevent contamination when the port is open. Further, a heating element is mounted about the window in order to sterilize around the opening when the port is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: MedInstill Development LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Py
  • Patent number: 8833561
    Abstract: A device and method for improved electrical distribution load center packaging and shipping is described. The device of the present teachings a distribution load center, a load center trim assembly enclosure, end caps coupled thereto, and shrink wrap applied thereon. Any convenient shrink-wrap processing techniques may be used to practice the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Alan Samuelson, Marc Evan Schoonover
  • Patent number: 8790770
    Abstract: A towel is formed by hydro-entanglement of an isotropic web formed of predominantly rayon. The towel comprises a surface texture formed during hydroentangling. The towel is compacted into a cake or disk shape for distribution. The cake or disk shape can expand when exposed to moisture such that the towel recovers to substantially the original dimensions and texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Inventor: John C. Flannery
  • Publication number: 20130333326
    Abstract: A transportation base load unitizer (8) for unitizing a load (14) on a transportation base (16), such as a pallet. The unitizer (8) comprises at least one elastic section (12) and at least one protection section (10) for providing greater protection to a load (14) on a transportation base than the at least one elastic section (12). The unitizer (8) is configured such that, in use, the unitizer (8) holds together as a unit and protects a load (14) on a transportation base (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Garrett Transport LTD
    Inventors: Simon John Garrett, Andrew Ronald Garrett
  • Publication number: 20130305660
    Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a standard seawater solution for nutrient salt measurement, the method including at least: an impurity removal treatment step (S2) of removing an impurity from a seawater sample containing a nutrient salt; a main sterilization treatment step (S4) of killing a microorganism in the seawater sample; a bottling step (S6) including pouring the treated seawater sample into a resin bottle (3) and hermetically sealing the resin bottle; and a metal sealing step (S7) including covering an outer surface of the resin bottle (3) after being hermetically sealed with a film-like material (5) including a metal film (or a metal foil) (5a) and sealing the resin bottle therein by reduced pressure suction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Hidekazu Ota, Hitoshi Mitsuda, Munehito Kimura, Takashi Kitao
  • Patent number: 8402723
    Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a vacuum skin package where the lower support member is formed in a suitably selected shape which process comprises feeding a flat lower web (3) of thermoplastic material with the product (6) to be packaged loaded thereon and an upper thermoplastic web (27), to a vacuum chamber (8) for skin packaging that comprises an upper element (9) comprising a heated upper concavity (11) and a lower element (10) comprising a female vacuum forming mould (16) suitably shaped to match the desired shape for the support member of the end package, closing the vacuum chamber (8) and drawing the upper web (27) toward the upper concavity (11) by differential pressure; evacuating air or gases from the space between the lower web (3) and the upper web (27), in the closed vacuum chamber (8), while maintaining the vacuum from above the upper web and from below the lower supporting web; and reintroducing air from above the upper film, thus moving the heated upper web (27) against the product (6) and the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrea Granili
  • Patent number: 8318091
    Abstract: A sterile enclosure contains a transfer module defining a window. A port covers the window to maintain the inside of the enclosure as a sealed and sterile environment. A sliding, heated cutting element mounted on the port serves to sterilize and sever a portion of a sterile transfer bag assembly attached to the port. Preferably, the excised portion of the sterile transfer bag assembly is affixed to the port when the port opens. The sliding cutting element remains extended and heated to prevent contamination when the port is open. Further, a heating element is mounted about the window in order to sterilize around the opening when the port is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: Daniel Py
  • Patent number: 8266873
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to vacuum skin packaging laminates. The laminates include a first film, a second film, an adhesive bonding the first film to the second film, and an adhesive-free interfacial section between the first and second films. The laminate is adapted to provide substantially horizontal first film-surface above the product for displaying product markings and a thermoformable second film-surface for conforming to the shape of the product. The present invention also is directed to vacuum skin packages formed from such laminates, and methods of packaging a product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Curwood, Inc.
    Inventors: Otacilio Teixeira Berbert, Douglas Mark Latreille
  • Patent number: 8171706
    Abstract: A wrapping machine has a body, a heater, a lifting platform and a controller. The body has a base, a top board, an upper cover, an exhaust box and a vacuum pump. The top board is detachably mounted on the top of the base. The upper cover is pivotally connected to the base. The heater is mounted in the body and has at least one heating pipe and a blower. The at least one heating pipe is mounted in the upper cover. The blower is mounted on the upper cover. The lifting platform is connected to the body and has a lifting arm and a lifting board. The lifting arm is mounted on and extends upward from the exhaust box. The lifting board is mounted on the lifting arm. The controller is mounted on the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventor: Chin-Tzu Chiu
  • Patent number: 8163251
    Abstract: A sterile enclosure contains a transfer module defining a window. A port covers the window to maintain the inside of the enclosure as a sealed and sterile environment. A sliding, heated cutting element mounted on the port serves to sterilize and sever a portion of a sterile transfer bag assembly attached to the port. Preferably, the excised portion of the sterile transfer bag assembly is affixed to the port when the port opens. The sliding cutting element remains extended and heated to prevent contamination when the port is open. Further, a heating element is mounted about the window in order to sterilize around the opening when the port is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Daniel Py
  • Patent number: 8136331
    Abstract: This invention provides a bottle that allows for easy and efficient application of shrink sleeves. The ease of application is partly a result of the invention's wall thickness along its body-forming portion. The body-forming portion of the invention has thick walls and thus exhibits negligible expansion during a hot-filling process. This permits a shrink sleeve to be placed onto the body-forming portion of the resistant bottle prior to filling. If the resistant bottle is hot-filled, the sleeve shrinks as a result of radiant heat emanating outwardly from the high temperature product, without the aid of an external heat source, such as a heat tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Protica, Inc.
    Inventor: James F. Duffy
  • Publication number: 20120055939
    Abstract: A container, utilized for the storage and transport of articles, includes a body comprised of one or more sidewalls drawn in a generally longitudinal fashion and two end pieces, disposed distally on either end of the container body. A plurality of ribs are disposed between the end pieces to facilitate inward compression of the container body. In his manner, the container volume can be permanently or temporarily altered to take up the tolerance between the volume of articles and the otherwise fixed volume of the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventor: Paul A. Weissbrod
  • Publication number: 20120005988
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to vacuum skin packaging, laminates. The laminates include a first film, a second film, an adhesive bonding the first film to the second film, and an adhesive-free interfacial section between the first and second films. The laminate is adapted to provide substantially horizontal first film-surface above the product for displaying product markings and a thermoformable second film-surface for conforming to the shape of the product. The present invention also is directed to vacuum skin packages formed from such laminates, and methods of packaging a product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Curwood, Inc.
    Inventors: Otacilio Teixeira Berbert, Douglas Mark Latreille
  • Patent number: 8047368
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to vacuum skin packaging laminates. The laminates include a first film, a second film, an adhesive bonding the first film to the second film, and an adhesive-free interfacial section between the first and second films. The laminate is adapted to provide substantially horizontal first film-surface above the product for displaying product markings and a thermoformable second film-surface for conforming to the shape of the product. The present invention also is directed to vacuum skin packages formed from such laminates, and methods of packaging a product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Curwood, Inc.
    Inventors: Otacilio Teixeira Berbert, Douglas Mark Latreille
  • Publication number: 20110197549
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for compressing woven material or other compressible material, such as, but not limited to, a comforter set or bedding set. The bedding set or other woven material is placed into a reclosable storage bag which includes a reclosable zipper and a reclosable air valve. With the zipper open, the bag is compressed by a compression apparatus, typically in the absence of vacuum being applied, and, thereafter, the zipper is closed. Straps are wrapped around the compressed bag and the compressed bag is placed into a tote container or similar device. The result is a package with reduced volume, which reduces shipping and display costs, and is more aesthetically attractive to the consumer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Lawrence Share, Donald Lee Crevier, Alan Varacins, Stanley Piotrowski, Timothy Michael Arends
  • Publication number: 20110179751
    Abstract: A hot water shrink tunnel (10) includes a housing (11) in which there is a heat chamber. The heal chamber housing (11) has an inlet opening (12) and spaced therefrom an outlet opening (13). Each opening (12/13) is closed by an end closing device (21) in the form of a curtain and through which product can pass. A conveyor (14) enables product to be conveyed through the heat chamber from inlet opening (12) to outlet opening (13). An external duct (17) is mounted adjacent end opening (12) and similarly a duct 19 adjacent end opening (13). Each duct includes a shroud (19) of a size and design to capture hot water vapour which, in use of the shrink tunnel, issues through the end opening (12/13) when product passes through the curtain. The heat chamber does not require a flue or venting to atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventor: Christopher Hugh Caudwell
  • Patent number: 7963558
    Abstract: A method for producing an airbag package for an airbag module, which airbag package at least comprises an airbag and a protection covering surrounding the airbag is provided. The method using a first tool that comprises a recess for receiving the airbag package. The method comprising the steps of: covering the recess with an evenly outspread first protection covering part of the protection covering, folding the airbag, and inserting the folded airbag into the recess under interposition of the first protection covering part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Ralf Glaab, Stefan Hamels
  • Patent number: 7963425
    Abstract: A shrink sleeve on a vertical pump-up dispenser covers a portion of the actuator, the container and the gap between the actuator and the container. The shrink sleeve may have upper and lower transparent portions to display properties of the dispenser and a middle portion to display product use information. The shrink sleeve may be removable via a tear strip so that the dispenser has an uncluttered appearance when used by the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Tami O'Connell White, Peddy Khatami
  • Patent number: 7963091
    Abstract: An improved indexing vacuum-packaging machine more accurately positions and aligns the upper film relative to the lower film at the sealing station. A video camera replaces a conventional photocell, whereby the braking and concomitant stretching of the upper film at the sealing station need only be performed only every few indexing cycles, whereby shaking and jerking of the machine is negated as compared to a conventional vacuum-packaging machine. The video camera may use any portion of the printed matter on the upper film as a target for determining when to brake the upper film for the subsequent stretching thereof, without having to rely solely upon the hithertofore-used one black target-box imprinted on the upper film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventors: Moshe Epstein, Suzali Suyut
  • Publication number: 20110126493
    Abstract: This invention provides a bottle that allows for easy and efficient application of shrink sleeves. The ease of application is partly a result of the invention's wall thickness along its body-forming portion. The body-forming portion of the invention has thick walls and thus exhibits negligible expansion during a hot-filling process. This permits a shrink sleeve to be placed onto the body-forming portion of the resistant bottle prior to filling. If the resistant bottle is hot-filled, the sleeve shrinks as a result of radiant heat emanating outwardly from the high temperature product, without the aid of an external heat source, such as a heat tunnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventor: James F. Duffy
  • Patent number: 7881818
    Abstract: A method to aid designing flexible packaging for wrapping around a solid object and finalizing the packaging. The method includes accepting a description of the surface of a sheet of packaging material after wrapping around the solid object and finalizing, using a mapping of points in the 2D plane of the sheet of the packaging material to the corresponding points in the 3D surface of the wrapped and finalized packaging. The method further includes displaying the surface of the wrapped and finalized packaging or displaying graphic elements on the surface of wrapped and finalized packaging. A version includes pre-distorting graphics to correct for any distortions to graphics that occur during the wrapping and finalizing process, and generating press-ready graphics from the pre-distorted graphics for printing onto the surface of the sheet of packaging material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Esko IP NV
    Inventors: Kristiaan K. A. Van Bael, Frank Adegeest
  • Publication number: 20100275554
    Abstract: The method for packaging together a plurality of record rolls of cover tape according to the present invention comprises wrapping a stack obtained by roughly coaxially stacking said record rolls in a heat-shrink film; and heat-shrinking said heat-shrink film, so that a pressure of at least 0.8 mN/mm2 and at most 1.2 mN/mm2 is applied between the record rolls. This method will not deform the rolled state after packaging, while suppressing the occurring of roll collapse when exposed to a high-temperature environment or a low-temperature environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Denki Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisatsugu Tokunaga, Yusuke Tanazawa
  • Patent number: 7718208
    Abstract: Disclosed are improved packages and methods for packaging meat, fish, poultry, vegetables or other food products. A package of the present invention is a vacuum skin package comprising a multilayer film comprising at least one layer of an organic acid modified ionomer blend and at least one layer of an ethylene-containing polymer, such as an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, wherein the film has specific gas permeability requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: John Chu Chen
  • Publication number: 20100115890
    Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a vacuum skin package where the lower support member is formed in a suitably selected shape which process comprises feeding a flat lower web (3) of thermoplastic material with the product (6) to be packaged loaded thereon and an upper thermoplastic web (27), to a vacuum chamber (8) for skin packaging that comprises an upper element (9) comprising a heated upper concavity (11) and a lower element (10) comprising a female vacuum forming mould (16) suitably shaped to match the desired shape for the support member of the end package, closing the vacuum chamber (8) and drawing the upper web (27) toward the upper concavity (11) by differential pressure; evacuating air or gases from the space between the lower web (3) and the upper web (27), in the closed vacuum chamber (8), while maintaining the vacuum from above the upper web and from below the lower supporting web; and reintroducing air from above the upper film, thus moving the heated upper web (27) against the product (6) and the
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventor: Andrea Granili
  • Patent number: 7665280
    Abstract: Plies of paperboard are laminated to form a paperboard laminate having a front and a back. An automobile part is placed on the front of the paperboard laminate leaving exposed the front of the paperboard laminate. The automobile part and the exposed paperboard laminate are shrink-wrapped with plastic shrink-wrap material. For automobile window glass, some of the front side plies of the paperboard laminate have been cut out to form a cavity in the configuration of the glass product being packaged. The glass product is disposed in the cavity and a glass product conforming reinforcing block is placed against the backside of the paperboard laminate during the shrink-wrap operation. For automobile fenders, hoods, the paperboard laminate need not be cut out and the sides of the paperboard laminate are folded upwardly to form a carton bottom to which a lid is affixed for shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: American Corrugated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Youell, Jr., Rudy Youell
  • Patent number: 7632573
    Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer comprising units derived from ethylene having: a) a Melt Index of from 0.05 to 20 g/10 min; b) at least 10 per 1000 C-atoms of short chain branches, containing five carbon atoms or less, and less than 3.5 mol %, of units derived from a copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated ester, c) a density of from 0.90 to 0.94 g/cm3, preferably 0.91 to 0.935 g/cm3, especially 0.92 to 0.93 g/cm3, and d) a relaxation time as described herein of at least 10 s. The polymer may be used for stretch hood film, preferably as a blown film coextruded tube comprising: a) a core of the above polymer; and b) a skin layer, on each side of the core which may be of the same or different composition, comprising at least 60 wt % of an LLDPE having density of 0.91 to 0.94 g/cm3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Bertil Ohlsson, Bart Lauwers, Jan C. Donck, Jef Vaes
  • Publication number: 20090288367
    Abstract: It is disclosed a vacuum skin packaging apparatus equipped with a cutting device. The apparatus comprises an arrangement for packaging products between a bottom thermoplastic web and a top thermoplastic web, wherein the top web forms a tight skin all around the products to be packed, thus sealing wherever the two webs contact each other. The cutting device comprises a laser source (LS) producing a laser beam (LB) at a first optical power and means (MR) for directing said laser beam at said first optical power towards the area where the two webs contact each other in a manner that the reflected laser beam (RLB) at said first optical power follows a predetermined path (CL) so that the two webs become cut and the products become packaged singularly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2007
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: CRYOVAC, INC.
    Inventors: Andrea Granili, Riccardo Evangelisti
  • Publication number: 20090184019
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to vacuum skin packaging laminates. The laminates include a first film, a second film, an adhesive bonding the first film to the second film, and an adhesive-free interfacial section between the first and second films. The laminate is adapted to provide substantially horizontal first film-surface above the product for displaying product markings and a thermoformable second film-surface for conforming to the shape of the product. The present invention also is directed to vacuum skin packages formed from such laminates, and methods of packaging a product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Otacilio Teixeira Berbert, Douglas Mark Latreille
  • Patent number: 7553437
    Abstract: A mold assembly for making a molded foam article generally includes a housing having an internal cavity and an opening into the cavity, a movable support member movable between an inner position and an outer position, an object supported by the support member and having a three-dimensional shape, and a closure. A method for making a molded foam article generally includes moving the support member to the outer position, positioning a film web over the object to form a substantially convex envelopment, moving the support member to the inner position while maintaining the film web in contact with the object to reconfigure the substantially convex film envelopment into a partially concave film envelopment, and dispensing a predetermined amount of a foamable composition into the hollow space provided by the concave envelopment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Matthew A. Thompson, Timothy T. Oberle, John J. Corrigan, III, Robert D. Wheeler
  • Publication number: 20090152136
    Abstract: A shrink sleeve on a vertical pump-up dispenser covers a portion of the actuator, the container and the gap between the actuator and the container. The shrink sleeve may have upper and lower transparent portions to display properties of the dispenser and a middle portion to display product use information. The shrink sleeve may be removable via a tear strip so that the dispenser has an uncluttered appearance when used by the consumer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Tami O'Connell White, Peddy Khatami
  • Publication number: 20090084072
    Abstract: A method of individually packaging training pants for use in intimate absorption of body fluid includes compressing training pants for use in intimate absorption of body fluid from a first condition to a second, compressed condition and retaining the training pants in the second, compressed condition with a pressure differential that acts upon a substantially flexible, substantially air impermeable material to maintain the training pants in the compressed condition. The pressure differential is created by locating the training pants in an interior space of a substantially air impermeable, substantially flexible material, creating a negative pressure within the interior space, and hermetically sealing the training pants at the negative pressure within the flexible material, wherein said training pants are the only training pants contained within the hermetically sealed substantially air impermeable, substantially flexible material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventor: Nadia CORLETT
  • Publication number: 20090084073
    Abstract: A method for packaging training pants for use in intimate absorption of body fluid to yield a single individually packaged pair of training pants for use in intimate absorption of body fluid that is compact and portable includes the steps of compressing the training pants such that a volume of the training pants is reduced by at least 30% without folding of the training pants and without rolling of the training pants and retaining the training pants in the compressed condition by hermetically sealing the training pants at a negative pressure within an interior space of a flexible material such that a pressure differential acts upon the flexible material to maintain the training pants in the compressed condition. The training pants are the only training pants located within the interior space of the flexible material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventor: Nadia CORLETT
  • Publication number: 20090044493
    Abstract: A method of traveling with a single-use intimate feminine absorbent article on one's person includes the steps of packaging a single-use intimate feminine absorbent article such that the packaged single-use intimate feminine absorbent article is dimensioned to fit within a pocket of an article of clothing on one's person. This packaging includes locating the single-use intimate feminine absorbent article in an interior space, creating a negative pressure within the interior space, and hermetically sealing the single-use intimate feminine absorbent article at the negative pressure within the interior space. The method further includes placing said packaged single-use intimate feminine absorbent article in a pocket and traveling with said packaged single-use intimate feminine absorbent article in the pocket of the article of clothing on one's person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventor: Nadia CORLETT
  • Publication number: 20090043274
    Abstract: A method for packaging an intimate feminine absorbent article for use in intimate absorption of body fluid to yield a single individually packaged intimate feminine absorbent article for use in intimate absorption of body fluid that is compact and portable includes the steps of compressing the single-use disposable intimate feminine absorbent article from a first condition to a second, compressed condition and retaining the single-use disposable intimate feminine absorbent article in the second, compressed condition by locating the single-use disposable intimate feminine absorbent article in an interior space defined by a substantially flexible, substantially air impermeable material, creating a negative pressure within the interior space, and hermetically sealing the single-use disposable intimate feminine absorbent article at the negative pressure within the interior space of the flexible material such that a pressure differential acts upon the flexible material to maintain the single-use disposable intimat
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventor: Nadia CORLETT
  • Publication number: 20090030393
    Abstract: A method of traveling with training pants on one's person includes the steps of packaging training pants such that the packaged training pants are dimensioned to fit within a pocket of an article of clothing on one's person. The training pants are hermetically sealed at a negative pressure within an interior space of a substantially air impermeable, substantially flexible material such that, when placed within a pocket of an article of clothing on one's person, a pressure differential acts upon the substantially air impermeable, substantially flexible material to maintain the training pants in the compressed condition. The method further includes placing said packaged training pants in a pocket of an article of clothing on one's person, and traveling with said packaged training pants in the pocket of the article of clothing on one's person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: Nadia CORLETT
  • Publication number: 20090025339
    Abstract: A method of individually packaging an intimate feminine absorbent article such that the packaged intimate feminine absorbent article is dimensioned to fit within the pocket of an article of clothing to be worn on one's person includes compressing the intimate feminine absorbent article from a first condition to a second, compressed condition and retaining the intimate feminine absorbent article in the second, compressed condition with a pressure differential that acts upon a substantially flexible, substantially air impermeable material to maintain the intimate feminine absorbent article in the compressed condition. The pressure differential is created by locating the intimate feminine absorbent article in an interior space of a substantially flexible material, creating a negative pressure within the interior space, and hermetically sealing the intimate feminine absorbent article at the negative pressure within the flexible material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: Nadia Corlett
  • Patent number: 7464519
    Abstract: A process for the production of water-soluble pouches. The process comprises the steps of drawing a first film into a mould to form a first compartment, adding composition to the first compartment, drawing a second film into the mould to form a second compartment which comprises a composition and, preferably, sealing. The first film is perforated and the second film is drawn into the mould by means of suction applied through the first film. This eliminates the need to align separately formed pouches or containers. This also reduces the total amount of film needed to produce a multi-compartment pouch. Furthermore, it is very easy to vary the film material used according to what properties are desired. Since the different compartments may require different properties this adds flexibility to the process. Process particularly suited for the production of water soluble pouches such as cleaning or fabric care pouches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Wayne Robert Fisher, Gregory Martin Gressel