Cutting Patents (Class 53/435)
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Patent number: 6655112Abstract: A primary packaging unit for film-like or wafer-like administration forms for oral application with an off-cut of an upper web of packaging material and of an lower web of packaging material is characterized in that a plurality of dosage units of a film-like or wafer-like administration form, individually sealed in flat compartments formed without cold or hot forming of the packaging material and spaced at a distance to one another, are present in a primary packaging unit, and there are perforations between the compartments which enable the separation of individual compartments, if necessary.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2000Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: LTS Lohmann Therapie-Systeme AGInventors: Karsten Cremer, Karin Ludwig, Dieter Anhäuser, Klaus Schumann, Peter Steinborn, Uwe Bungarten
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Publication number: 20030213214Abstract: This invention comprises a unique method for the sale of natural stone, special packaging for the stone and a method of doing business to make the stone available in high volume stores to the average consumer. The method comprises prefabricating the stone into slabs at or near the location where it is quarried, into sizes and shapes which are common, and often standard, in household bathrooms and kitchens. The stone slabs may, or may not, include cut-outs for sinks and faucets of various standard size. The pre-fabricated stone is then packaged in a box or carton which is designed to specially protect the stone, especially at the corners where most damage occurs, and shipping the packages to high volume, do-it-yourself consumer outlets.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2003Publication date: November 20, 2003Applicant: ROMALA STONE, INC.Inventors: Arnold L. Alpert, Lawrence E. Coffman
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Patent number: 6643993Abstract: A package of a strip of material has a plurality of parallel side by side stacks each containing a length of the strip which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a line transverse to the strip. Preferably, the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The strip can be continuous through each stack and connected by a splice from the end of one stack to beginning of the next stack. To reduce the height of the stacks, the package is compressed and maintained in the compressed condition by, for example, an evacuated sealed bag. The strip of each stack is formed to have a varying width, for example to form diaper inserts when the strip is cut into individual strip elements. The length of each strip portion of the stack is arranged to equal a whole number of strip elements so that the cut lines can be arranged at the fold lines.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2001Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: BKI Holding CorporationInventor: Lawrence J. O'Connor
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Patent number: 6643994Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for converting a continuous structure into discrete, spaced apart elements by means of an expandable support web. First, the continuous structure is combined with a support web comprising longitudinal expansion means. Then, after separation of the continuous structure into discrete elements, the discrete elements are spaced apart by expanding the support web. The process of the present invention is particularly well suited for the industrial manufacture of articles comprising fragile discrete elements supplied to the production process in continuous form.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2001Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Michael Divo, Ludwig Busam, Christofer Fuchs
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Patent number: 6622458Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for automatically packaging fish at high speeds into horizontally oriented cans. Speeds of approximately 600 cans per minute may be obtained with the preferred configuration of the present invention, wherein two incoming streams of fish are split into eight lanes, to achieve canning speeds of approximately twice the speed of prior art machines. Each incoming stream of fish is split into four separate processing streams or channels, primarily to reduce the operational speeds of the equipment components. Each incoming stream of fish is split by a first dividing knife into two forming chambers carried by an intermittently moving turning wheel. The fish is split again by knives located at second and third work stations of the rotating turning wheel. Four fish cakes are formed simultaneously at the second and third work stations and simultaneously discharged downwardly into horizontally oriented cans.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2001Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: Atlas Pacific Engineering CompanyInventors: Otto H. Fischer, Edward J. Rowley
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Patent number: 6619017Abstract: Apparatus and method for conveying items (P), comprising a line for transporting said items (P) from a machine (12) for working said items situated upstream, which advances and transfers to the line (15) said items (P) at a predetermined speed (V0), to a utilization situated downstream. At least in the initial part (15′) of said conveying line downstream of said working machine (12), the speed of advance (V1) of said items is maintained substantially equal to the speed of advance and transfer (V0) of said working machine situated upstream (12). It is further provided that, in order to carry longitudinally said items from said upstream machine to said downstream machine, said items are advanced in longitudinal groups or trains of items, such that, in each group or train of items, said items are longitudinally approached to each other.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2000Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: Pulsar S.r.l.Inventor: Massimo Franzaroli
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Patent number: 6594973Abstract: This invention comprises a unique method for the sale of natural stone, special packaging for the stone and a method of doing business to make the stone available in high volume stores to the average consumer. The method comprises pre-fabricating the stone into slabs at or near the location where it is quarried, into sizes and shapes which are common, and often standard, in household bathrooms and kitchens. The stone slabs may, or may not, include cut-outs for sinks and faucets of various standard size. The pre-fabricated stone is then packaged in a box or carton which is designed to specially protect the stone, especially at the corners where most damage occurs, and shipping the packages to high volume, do-it-yourself consumer outlets.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1999Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Romala Stone, Inc.Inventors: Arnold L. Alpert, Lawrence E. Coffman
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Publication number: 20030115836Abstract: A supply unit supplies a film strip from a film roll, and a winding unit cuts off a film strip into a fixed-length film and winds the fixed-length film around a spool to produce a wound-film assembly. An assembling unit introduces the wound-film assembly into a one-open-sided cartridge, and mounts and crimps a cap on the one-open-sided cartridge to produce a wound-film-loaded cartridge. After a pullout resistance of the film and a film length to be exposed are inspected, the wound-film-loaded cartridge is unloaded as a product.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2002Publication date: June 26, 2003Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.Inventors: Chiaki Suzuki, Yasuhiro Sekizawa, Kenichi Imoto, Nobuyasu Akiyoshi
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Publication number: 20030097820Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting separate portions of a food product and inserting dividers between adjacent portions, in which a cutting blade is ultrasonically energized during a first cutting movement, the blade is withdrawn while a divider sheet is inserted between the blade and the food item, and then the blade is driven in a second cutting movement to fold the divider sheet and to insert the thus-folded divider sheet into the cut between the two now separate portions of the food item. A particular feature of the invention is a camming mechanism to provide precise support for and folding of the divider sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2002Publication date: May 29, 2003Inventor: Gary R. Grano
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Publication number: 20030097819Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for automatically packaging fish at high speeds into horizontally oriented cans. Speeds of approximately 600 cans per minute may be obtained with the preferred configuration of the present invention, wherein two incoming streams of fish are split into eight lanes, to achieve canning speeds of approximately twice the speed of prior art machines. Each incoming stream of fish is split into four separate processing streams or channels, primarily to reduce the operational speeds of the equipment components. Each incoming stream of fish is split by a first dividing knife into two forming chambers carried by an intermittently moving turning wheel. The fish is split again by knives located at second and third work stations of the rotating turning wheel. Four fish cakes are formed simultaneously at the second and third work stations and simultaneously discharged downwardly into horizontally oriented cans.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2001Publication date: May 29, 2003Inventors: Otto H. Fischer, Edward J. Rowley
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Patent number: 6533564Abstract: An apparatus for continuously forming thermoplastic adhesive cartridges. A molten thermoplastic adhesive supply provides a supply of molten adhesive to a pump downstream from the molten thermoplastic adhesive supply. The pump then provides a molten thermoplastic adhesive melt stream which passes through a screen filter downstream from the pump to prevent the discharge of impurities in the molten thermoplastic adhesive melt stream from the pump. A temperature-controlled conduit downstream from the pump then lowers the temperature of the molten plastic melt stream to closely above its softening point. A continuous molder located downstream from the melt pump for receives the molten plastic melt stream from the melt pump to form the thermoplastic adhesive cartridge continuously.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1999Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Jowat CorporationInventors: Gerhard H. Haas, Anthony Saenz, Timothy R. Sumner
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Publication number: 20030046903Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an arrangement of plates for receiving food is disclosed. The arrangement of plates comprises a plurality of nestable plates, wherein the plates within the plurality of nestable plates have an animal theme. Each of the plates having an animal theme include a main compartment depicting a primary attribute of an animal corresponding to the animal theme, and at least two independent wells adjacent to the main compartment. Each of the wells are shaped to depict a secondary attribute of the animal corresponding to the animal theme. The plurality of plates include a first plate depicting a first animal and a second plate depicting a second animal that is different from the first animal. The secondary attribute within the wells of said first plate is a first physical feature of the first animal and the secondary attribute within the wells of the second plate is a second physical feature of the second animal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2002Publication date: March 13, 2003Inventors: David C. Schiltz, Christina M. Tranfaglia, Jeffrey L. Roberts, Edward J. Seeberger, Brad W. Dickason
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Patent number: 6505457Abstract: An automatic film insertion device automatically unwinds a predetermined amount of plastic tubing from a roll, measures the required length, cuts and automatically inserts the cut piece into the mouth of filled pharmaceutical bottles. In one embodiment, a set of rollers receives a sheet of tubing, which is passed to a mandrel that opens the tubing. A guillotine cuts the tubing, and the tubing is pushed by a plow into a receiving member. The tubing is held inside the receiving member via friction until a plunger pushes the tubing out of the receiving member and into the bottle. The plunger then forces the tubing to buckle and remain in the bottle. In a second embodiment, the receiving member comprises a reciprocating tube attached to a shuttle cylinder. During the film advance portion of the cycle, the tube is positioned under a film feed station adjacent a cutting assembly. The film is fed vertically downward by rollers into the receiving member and cut.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2001Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Axon CorporationInventors: Jeff Grass, Victor V. Menayan
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Patent number: 6468375Abstract: A packaging product for forming a package is disclosed. The package product comprises a planar member, with at least one surface (3) of the planar member having a first array of parallel creases (11) and a second array of parallel creases (13) perpendicular to the first array of creases, which creases define cutting lines and/or fold lines for forming the sides and the end flaps of the package.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2000Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: Amcor LimitedInventor: Geoffrey R. Hamblin
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Publication number: 20020108353Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for supplying a discharge lamp with a direct current, provided with: input terminals for connection to a supply voltage source, a circuit portion I coupled to the input terminals for generating a DC voltage from the supply voltage delivered by the supply voltage source, said circuit portion being provided with output terminals between which the DC voltage is present during operation, a first branch comprising capacitive means and interconnecting the output terminals, a second branch comprising a series arrangement of second capacitive means and an impedance and shunting the first branch, and a load branch which shunts the series arrangement and which comprises terminals for connecting a discharge lamp. According to the invention, the second branch is in addition provided with a diode.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2000Publication date: August 15, 2002Inventor: MASSIMO FRANZAROLI
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Publication number: 20020073653Abstract: An automatic film insertion device automatically unwinds a predetermined amount of plastic tubing from a roll, measures the required length, cuts and automatically inserts the cut piece into the mouth of filled pharmaceutical bottles. In one embodiment, a set of rollers receives a sheet of tubing, which is passed to a mandrel that opens the tubing. A guillotine cuts the tubing, and the tubing is pushed by a plow into a receiving member. The tubing is held inside the receiving member via friction until a plunger pushes the tubing out of the receiving member and into the bottle. The plunger then forces the tubing to buckle and remain in the bottle. In a second embodiment, the receiving member comprises a reciprocating tube attached to a shuttle cylinder. During the film advance portion of the cycle, the tube is positioned under a film feed station adjacent a cutting assembly. The film is fed vertically downward by rollers into the receiving member and cut.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2001Publication date: June 20, 2002Inventors: Jeff Grass, Victor V. Menayan
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Patent number: 6395321Abstract: A method for packaging food items, such as processed cheese, into a plastic film package that entirely encloses the food item with peelable heat seals, such as hermetic peelable heat seals. The heat of the food item is used to activate a sealant within the plastic film. Plastic film formulations are provided for this purpose.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1999Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: Schreiber Foods, INCInventors: David L. Shaft, George O. Schroeder
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Patent number: 6351927Abstract: The invention relates to a portioning device for packaging in containers such as trays a pre-established amount of foodstuff such as ground meat, supplied through an extrusion plate of a grinder, which lays down a mass of ground meat in a continuous strip on a belt conveyor. The portioning device generates metered portions of ground meat by a cutting element which operates in cooperation with a fixed element located above the belt conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2000Date of Patent: March 5, 2002Assignee: Refin S.r.l.Inventors: Giampietro Righele, Paolo Righele
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Patent number: 6336307Abstract: A package of a strip of material has a plurality of parallel side by side stacks each containing a length of the strip which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a line transverse to the strip. Preferably, the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The strip can be continuous through each stack and connected by a splice from the end of one stack to beginning of the next stack. To reduce the height of the stacks, the package is compressed and maintained in the compressed condition by, for example, an evacuated sealed bag. The strip of each stack is formed to have a varying width, for example to form diaper inserts when the strip is cut into individual strip elements. The length of each strip portion of the stack is arranged to equal a whole number of strip elements so that the cut lines can be arranged at the fold lines.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1999Date of Patent: January 8, 2002Assignee: EKI Holding CorporationInventor: Lawrence J. O'Connor
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Publication number: 20010042359Abstract: A method for defining the operation of a plant for producing, conveying and packaging articles, in particular rolls, such as rolls of paper material and the like. The plant comprises the following operative sections: at least an apparatus for forming articles positioned upstream, at least a machine for packaging said articles in respective packs positioned downstream, and an apparatus for conveying said articles which is able to transfer said articles between said forming apparatus and said packaging apparatus. The method and the plant provide that, through a central control unit of the plant, starting from predefined setting data, operating parameters of the sections of the plant are determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2001Publication date: November 22, 2001Applicant: PULSAR S. r. l.Inventor: Massimo Franzaroli
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Publication number: 20010022063Abstract: A surgical spear includes a cut sponge element that has been processed to render it at least substantially free from particulates and other debris; an eye spear comprised of an essentially particulate-free sponge element is uniquely suited for LASIK surgery. In most instances the surgical spear will be enclosed in a packaging component, which may or may not be fabricated from a water-permeable material and may or may not be left unsealed in the packaging step.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2001Publication date: September 20, 2001Inventors: Wayne Korteweg, George P. Korteweg
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Patent number: 6276115Abstract: A process for packaging selected traditional cuts of pork loin by cutting the whole pork loin at successive saw stations to form a predetermined number of traditional cuts and moving the formed traditional cuts to corresponding traditional cut locations. After a first traditional cut is formed at the first saw station, the remainder of the whole loin is positioned at another saw station where a differing traditional cut is formed. The process is continued at additional saw stations so that the entire loin is formed into traditional cuts, the cuts are collected at collecting locations, and an array of cuts are placed in a package tray. The package is then sealed and can be gas flushed and thereafter accumulated in bulk or cases for removal to a remote location where they can be refrigerated or frozen.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1999Date of Patent: August 21, 2001Inventors: Lee Kramer, Roger S. Williams
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Patent number: 6270935Abstract: An exposed film package for preserving one strip of exposed photographic film includes a film sheath, which has plural pockets. Plural film pieces are formed by cutting the one strip of the exposed film, and contained respectively in the pockets in the film sheath. An index photograph is constituted of photographic paper, on which positive images of frames from the one strip of the exposed film are printed. The photographic paper has a size substantially equal to the film pieces. The positive images are formed in reducing a size of the frames, and grouped in association with the film pieces. Groups of the positive images are arranged in consideration of an order of exposure of the frames. The index photograph is contained in one of the pockets in association with the film pieces constituting the one strip.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2001Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventors: Setsuji Tatsumi, Kazuhiro Tagawa, Toru Kurokawa, Katsumi Otake, Masashi Horiguchi, Toru Tsuji
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Patent number: 6263814Abstract: A package of a continuous strip of material includes a plurality of parallel side by side stacks each containing a length of the strip which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a line transverse to the strip and such that the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The strip of material includes a splice defined by the two ends of the strip. The two ends of the strip are held together by yarn stitches passing through and bridging the strip ends.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1998Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: BKI Holding CorporationInventor: Lawrence J. O'Connor
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Patent number: 6250047Abstract: A method for forming a disposable non-latex tourniquet from a thermoplastic elastomer and an additive comprising slip and anti-block components.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 1997Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: Becton Dickinson and CompanyInventors: Brian F. Ahern, Hugh T. Conway, Kenneth R. Powell
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Publication number: 20010001289Abstract: An exposed film package for preserving one strip of exposed photographic film includes a film sheath, which has plural pockets. Plural film pieces are formed by cutting the one strip of the exposed film, and contained respectively in the pockets in the film sheath. An index photograph is constituted of photographic paper, on which positive images of frames from the one strip of the exposed film are printed. The photographic paper has a size substantially equal to the film pieces. The positive images are formed in reducing a size of the frames, and grouped in association with the film pieces. Groups of the positive images are arranged in consideration of an order of exposure of the frames. The index photograph is contained in one of the pockets in association with the film pieces constituting the one strip.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2001Publication date: May 17, 2001Inventors: Setsuji Tatsumi, Kazuhiro Tagawa, Toru Kurokawa, Katsumi Otake, Masashi Horiguchi, Toru Tsuji
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Patent number: 6217498Abstract: A packaging system and method according to the invention are generally characterized by a cushioning conversion machine for forming and dispensing cut sections of a cushioning product through a discharge outlet, an inclined dispensing chute for sequentially receiving the cut sections of the cushioning product, a cut section presence detector for detecting the presence of a cut section on the inclined chute at a pick-up location remote from the discharge outlet of the conversion machine, and a controller which initiates dispensing of a cut section of cushioning product in response to a detected absence of a cut section by the cut section presence detector.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2000Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: Ranpak Corp.Inventor: James A. Simmons
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Patent number: 6182418Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging tissue in a pop-up tissue dispenser is disclosed. The pop-up dispenser being a carton having a top wall, a bottom wall and four sidewalls which join the top wall to the bottom wall. The carton also has an opening formed in the top wall through which the tissues can be withdrawn. The method includes the steps of providing several tissues that are substantially identical to one another. The tissues are described as a first tissue and a plurality of other tissues. The several tissues are transported to a folding station and are interfolded to form an interfolded assemblage. Only the first tissue is colored or has a visual indicator printed or applied to it to form a visually distinctive tissue. The interfolded assemblage is then cut to form a plurality of clips of interfolded tissues. Each of the clips includes one of the visually distinctive tissues and a plurality of the other tissues.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1999Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventor: Timothy Maurice McFarland
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Patent number: 6182420Abstract: A method for producing cosmetic samplers that incorporates the genuine cosmetic through the use of bulk thin film application techniques such as extrusion or spray technology. The method comprises first applying a cosmetic slurry to a base substrate and then attaching a cover sheet by means of an adhesive on either wide-web offset or label equipment.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 1999Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: Retail Communications Corp.Inventors: Michael J. Berman, William Deierlein, Michael Parrotta, Phillip Cameron, Allan Cameron, III
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Patent number: 6115995Abstract: The invention relates to a device for obtaining a strip of photosensitive material totally enveloped in a light-tight way. The device comprises a light-tight box provided with two openings which allow the strip to pass therethrough; a cutting member for cutting the strip at a distance D from its end; a connecting member for solidly connecting in a light-tight way and without contact between them, the strip of length D and the rest of the strip coming from the reel using a light-tight material applied to both faces of each strip; and a linking member for linking up the material present on one face and the material present on the other face between the two strips.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1999Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Inventors: Yves Morin, Michel Naudin
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Patent number: 6079191Abstract: The assembly and method are disclosed for the mechanical automated loading of cut cucumbers into jars. The cucumbers are sized in length and delivered to one or more cutter and loader stations where they are cut into slices or the like, and the slices are divided between a pair of pivot chutes. The pivot chutes are pivoted away from each other and into alignment respectively with a pair of jar chutes, the latter of which extend into the openings of the jars to be loaded. The cut cucumbers are delivered through the jar chutes at a substantial angle to both the plane of the opening of the jar and the axis of the jar, and toward the outer wall of the jars against which they are deposited. As each load is deposited into a jar, the jar is rotationally indexed in readiness for the next load, and the previously deposited loads are held against the outer wall of the jar by a mandrel which extends into the jar during the loading operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1998Date of Patent: June 27, 2000Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.Inventors: Zbigniew S. Borkiewicz, Tod W. Heleniak, Larry E. Daane
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Patent number: 6067776Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of packaging thermoplastic compositions. Preferably, the steps of the method may be employed in a continuous process. The method is especially suited for thermoplastic compositions such as pressure sensitive hot melt adhesives. The pressure sensitive thermoplastic composition may be packaged in an inclusion meltable film material wherein the film can be melted and blended with the hot melt adhesive during use, or alternatively, the composition may be contained in a drum. Alternatively the thermoplastic composition may be coated with a pelletizing aid.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1998Date of Patent: May 30, 2000Assignee: H. B. Fuller Licensing & Financing, Inc.Inventors: Glenn C. Heuer, Norris R. Brand, Randall D. Nelson, Wolfgang Weber
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Patent number: 6062285Abstract: A machine for manufacturing adhesive dressings having an adhesive support, absorbing material compresses laying on the support and a protective layer, includes a cutting element for cutting compresses to a desired size and placing them at the desired intervals onto the adhesive layer. The cutting element includes a first cylindrical counter roll that has a smooth surface and a second roll acting on the first roll. The second roll has projecting sectors, alternated with recessed sectors, provided with at least a transversal cutting knife for cutting the absorbing tape by compressing the same against the counter roll. The tape is drawn during the synchronous rotation of the rolls by the projecting sectors cooperating with the surface of the counter roll.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1996Date of Patent: May 16, 2000Assignee: Plastod SpAInventors: Angelo Dotta, Giorgio Dotta
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Patent number: 6044619Abstract: Reel slitting device for a web that includes a web supply section, a longitudinal slitting section, and a reeling section, and method for packaging partial rolls in the reeling section of the roll slitting device. The device includes at least one propelling device for reeling at least one partial roll and a packaging device that packages at least a periphery of the at least one partial roll. The the packaging device utilizes the at least one propelling device. The method includes slitting a web sheet into a plurality of partial webs, reeling the partial webs, in the reeling section, into a plurality of partial rolls, attaching a packaging web to a peripheral portion of at least one of the plurality of partial rolls in the reeling section, and rotating the at least one of the plurality of partial rolls to wind the packaging web around a radial surface of the at least one of the plurality of partial rolls.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1998Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignee: Voith Sulzer Finishing GmbHInventors: Franz Kayser, Lothar Zimmermann
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Patent number: 6035610Abstract: An apparatus for separating individual items from a bandolier of adjacent items have a seam between the items. A pair of upper jaws and a pair of lower jaws open and close horizontally to clamp and release the respective seam. The pair of lower jaws pull the bandolier downwardly through the opened pair of upper jaws. The seam is cut while the pair of upper jaws close to grasp an adjacent seam. The pair of lower jaws open to release the separated item to a delivery system and the pair of lower jaws move upwardly to be adjacent to, and below, the pair of upper jaws. The pair of lower jaws close and the sequence is repeated. At least one sensor identifies an identification feature on the items and transmits signals to a control unit to actuate movement of the pair of upper jaws and the pair of lower jaws. Preferably, a second sensor system assures that separation is only at the respective seams. A method of use is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1998Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: Exact Packaging IncorporatedInventors: James P. Vonderhorst, William M. Berg
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Patent number: 6026632Abstract: A packaging system and method according to the invention are generally characterized by a cushioning conversion machine for forming and dispensing cut sections of a cushioning product through a discharge outlet, an inclined dispensing chute for sequentially receiving the cut sections of the cushioning product, a cut section presence detector for detecting the presence of a cut section on the inclined chute at a pick-up location remote from the discharge outlet of the conversion machine, and a controller which initiates dispensing of a cut section of cushioning product in response to a detected absence of a cut section by the cut section presence detector.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1998Date of Patent: February 22, 2000Assignee: Ranpak Corp.Inventor: James A. Simmons
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Patent number: 5979034Abstract: A method for manufacturing a tape cartridge includes the steps of forming reel shafts, roller shafts, and tape guides, and the like on a base plate, mounting tape reels on the reel shafts and belt guide rollers on the roller shafts, and the like, placing a drive belt on the belt guide rollers, winding a magnetic tape on the tape reels, securing a cover to the base plate, and forming a marking hole for positional identification in the magnetic tape wound on the tape reels.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1996Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Shintaro Higuchi, Hiroyuki Honma
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Patent number: 5974769Abstract: A turret assembly for use in a container manufacturing apparatus which comprises a rotatable hub, at least one arm extending radially from the rotatable hub and having a medium reception portion thereon for transferring and inserting at least one medium to a location between a first and second portion of container material.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Uniflex, Inc.Inventor: Kurt W. Vetter
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Patent number: 5966906Abstract: A coupon inserter assembly receives a continuous supply of coupons in the form of a web where the forwardmost coupon is attached to the following coupon along a weakened web portion. The inserter assembly includes a pair of intermittently rotating feed rollers and a pair of continuously rotating delivery rollers. An activation sensor is located at a dispensing location or a conveyor carrying receiving products for receiving coupons. When the activation sensor senses a receiving product, a signal is sent to a clutch-brake to activate the feed rollers. The feed rollers then feed the web into the delivery rollers. When a deactivation sensor located beyond the delivery rollers senses the presence of the forwardmost coupon, a signal is sent to the clutch-brake which stops the rotation of the feed rollers. Because the delivery rollers continue to pull the forwardmost coupon, the two coupons separate along the weakened web portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1998Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Assignee: Northfield CorporationInventors: Craig M. Kuehl, Michael Boehm
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Patent number: 5966905Abstract: A package of a continuous strip of material includes a plurality of parallel side by side stacks each containing a length of the strip, which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a line transverse to the strip and such that the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The strip is continuous through each stack and can be connected by a splice from the end of one stack to beginning of the next stack. The package is compressed to reduce the height of the stacks and maintained in the compressed condition by an evacuated sealed bag. The package can have the stacks oriented vertically or horizontally. When the stacks are horizontal, the spliced portions are vertical and coplanar with the strips and at alternate ends. When the stacks are vertical, the spliced portions extend from the bottom of the stack along one end of the stack to the top of the next stack.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1997Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Assignee: Stac-Pac Technologies Inc.Inventors: Lawrence J. O'Connor, Mark B. Davidson, Darrell Van Mol
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Patent number: 5956926Abstract: A package of a continuous strip of material includes a plurality of parallel side by side stacks each containing a length of the strip which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a line transverse to the strip and such that the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The strip is continuous through each stack and is connected by a splice from the end of one stack to beginning of the next stack. The package can be compressed to reduce the height of the stacks and maintained in the compressed condition by an evacuated sealed bag. The package can be formed by folding a wide web of material back and forth and by slicing the folded web in a direction parallel to the sides of the web to form one or more stacks of a strip of width less than that of the web. The stack can be used to form the above package or can be used in a further processing by unfolding slitting and winding.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1997Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignees: KT Holdings, Inc., Stac-Pac Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Lawrence J. O'Connor, Mark B. Davidson, Darrell Van Mol
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Patent number: 5958485Abstract: A food item is disclosed produced in the preferred form by an apparatus (10) including first and second forming rollers (18, 21) which rotatably abut with an anvil roller (20). The forming rollers (18, 21) each include a periphery forming a continuous forming surface including a plurality of axially and circumferentially spaced grooves (24) each formed as a continuous depression arranged in a serpentine and non-intersecting manner. Food (14) is simultaneously fed by a saddle (36, 36') between a continuous strip of support material (16) and a continuous ribbon of film material (66) as they pass between a first abutment nip of the first forming roller (18) and the anvil roller (20). In a preferred form, the saddle (36') is in the form of a block having first and second lower surfaces (118, 120) corresponding to the shape and located adjacent the first forming roller (18) and the anvil roller (20) in their mating side (32).Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1998Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: General Mills, Inc.Inventors: Richard O. Benham, Timothy J. Gluszak, James N. Weinstein, Craig E. Zimmermann
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Patent number: 5953885Abstract: A method for producing cosmetic samplers that incorporates the genuine cosmetic through the use of bulk thin film application techniques such as extrusion or spray technology. The method comprises first applying a cosmetic slurry to a base substrate and then attaching a cover sheet by means of an adhesive on either wide-web offset or label equipment.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1997Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: Retail Communications Corp.Inventors: Michael J. Berman, William Deierlein, Michael Parrotta, Phillip Cameron, Allan Cameron, III
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Patent number: 5941053Abstract: Apparatus that uses the burster method for positioning coupons from a continuous web at a predetermined time at a predetermined location for insertion is disclosed. Positioning rolls define a bight to receive the leading edge of a coupon and are driven by positioning drive assembly. A feed drive assembly advances coupons to the positioning rolls. Sensors actuate and deactuate the feed drive assembly in response to the presence of a container at a selected position and the presence of a coupon at another sensing position.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1998Date of Patent: August 24, 1999Assignee: Carol Joyce WittInventor: Thomas George Kotsiopoulos
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Patent number: 5927051Abstract: A package of a continuous strip of material includes a plurality of parallel side by side stacks each containing a length of the strip which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a line transverse to the strip and such that the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The strip is continuous through each stack and is connected by a splice from the end of one stack to beginning of the next stack. The package can be compressed to reduce the height of the stacks and maintained in the compressed condition by an evacuated sealed bag. The package can have the stacks vertical or horizontal. The stacks are connected by a spliced portion so that the strip is continuous through the package. When the stacks are horizontal, the spliced portions are vertical and coplanar with the strips and at alternate ends. When the stacks are vertical, the spliced portions extend from the bottom to the top at one end of the stack.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1997Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignees: KT Holdings Inc., Stac-Pac Technologies Inc.Inventors: Lawrence J. O'Connor, Mark B. Davidson, Darrell Van Mol
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Patent number: 5921064Abstract: A package of a continuous strip of material includes a plurality of parallel side by side stacks each containing a length of the strip which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a line transverse to the strip and such that the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The stacks are formed in a stepped fashion, with a series of separate layers being laid down for each stack. The package can be compressed to reduce the height of the stacks and maintained in the compressed condition by an evacuated sealed bag.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1997Date of Patent: July 13, 1999Assignees: KT Holdings, Inc., Stac-Pac Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Lawrence J. O'Connor
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Patent number: 5876777Abstract: Apparatus (10) is disclosed including first and second forming rollers (18, 21) which rotatably abut with an anvil roller (20). The forming rollers (18, 21) each include a periphery forming a continuous forming surface including a plurality of axially and circumferentially spaced patterns each formed including depressions (196, 198) and/or grooves (24). Food (14) is simultaneously fed by a saddle (36, 36') between a continuous strip of support material (16) and a continuous ribbon of film material (66) as they pass between a first abutment nip of the first forming roller (18) and the anvil roller (20). In the preferred form, the food items include one or more continuous strings (14e, 14f) and one or more continuous, thin strips (14c, 14d) of food adhered to the support material (16).Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1998Date of Patent: March 2, 1999Assignee: General Mills, Inc.Inventors: Craig E. Zimmermann, Julie L. Holmstrom, Richard O. Benham
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Patent number: 5845462Abstract: A coupon inserter assembly receives a continuous supply of coupons in the form of a web where the forwardmost coupon is attached to the following coupon along a weakened web portion. The inserter assembly includes a pair of intermittently rotating feed rollers and a pair of continuously rotating delivery rollers. An activation sensor is located at a dispensing location or a conveyor carrying receiving products for receiving coupons. When the activation sensor senses a receiving product, a signal is sent to a clutch-brake to activate the feed rollers. The feed rollers then feed the web into the delivery rollers. When a deactivation sensor located beyond the delivery rollers senses the presence of the forwardmost coupon, a signal is sent to the clutch-brake which stops the rotation of the feed rollers. Because the delivery rollers continue to pull the forwardmost coupon, the two coupons separate along the weakened web portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1996Date of Patent: December 8, 1998Assignee: Northfield CorporationInventors: Craig M. Kuehl, Michael G. Boehm
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Patent number: 5819505Abstract: Continuous anti-adherent treatment process for a surface-tacking thermofusible adhesive, characterized in that a carrier belt (1) is continuously displaced in translation, the upper surface thereof being cooled by its lower face, said surface being covered by a layer (3) of an anti-adherent protection product, the thermofusible adhesive (4) to be treated being deposited on the protection product layer. The assembly (7) comprising of the adhesive (4) and the layer (3) of protection product is folded back on itself so as to release a composite material (8) consisting of a double thickness (4, 4') of thermofusible adhesive sandwiched between two layers (9, 9') of anti-adherent protection product (3) and the composite material is cut into fragments.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1996Date of Patent: October 13, 1998Assignees: Henkel France, Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf AktienInventors: Jean Fayolle, Daniel Grandin, Heinrich Niethen, Michel Pierron, Jean-Louis Prevot
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Patent number: 5806284Abstract: A system for packaging a water soluble medicant film which is dissolvable in a body fluid within a multi-ply packaging material which comprises a spool of dissolvable film, a mechanism for longitudinally cutting the film into at least two webs, a mechanism for drawing each of the webs through a roller assembly, a mechanism for laterally separating the webs, a mechanism for preventing the webs from adhering to the drawing mechanism, a mechanism for transversely cutting the webs into individual dosages of film, and a mechanism for sealing the film dosages between the packaging plies.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1997Date of Patent: September 15, 1998Assignee: Apothecus Pharmaceutical Corp.Inventor: Glen F. Gifford