Forming A Pocket Or Depression In Cover Material By Applying Heat Or Pressure (e.g., Stretch Forming) Patents (Class 53/453)
  • Publication number: 20140144105
    Abstract: Bottles are appropriately sterilized in an inline system. While continuously travelling preheated preforms (1), the preform is preliminarily heated, hydrogen peroxide mist (M) or gas is blasted to the preheated preform, the preform is heated to a temperature suitable for molding the preform, the preform is molded in a blow-molding mold (4), which is continuously travelling together with the preform, into a container (2), the container taken out of the mold is filled with drink while being continuously travelled and then applied with a lid to seal the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventors: Atsushi Hayakawa, Yuiko Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8733071
    Abstract: A method disclosed herein includes packaging and de-packaging a part. The part is packaged by placing the part adjacent to a shape memory polymer (SMP) while the SMP is in a permanent shape. The SMP is heated to a temperature above a switching temperature of the SMP, and a force is applied to the heated SMP such that it conforms to i) a shape of the part and/or ii) a desired shape for packing the part, thereby changing the SMP from the permanent shape into a temporary shape. The SMP is cooled to a temperature below the switching temperature to set the SMP into the temporary shape. The part is de-packaged by heating the SMP to a temperature above its switching temperature, thereby reverting the SMP from the temporary shape into the permanent shape and releasing the part. The part is removed from the SMP in the permanent shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ingrid A. Rousseau, John N. Owens, Elisabeth J. Berger, Hamid G. Kia
  • Patent number: 8669219
    Abstract: This invention concerns dosage elements for a ware washing machine and a method of manufacturing such dosage elements. In embodiments of the invention a dosage element comprises first (10) and second (20) joined parts, wherein the first part (10) is a part which, prior to joining with the second part (20), comprised an open receptacle and wherein the second part (20) comprises a substrate carrying a plurality of mutually separated substances A, B, C arranged in side by side relation. The second part (20) is joined to said first part (10) so as to close said receptacle and enclose said substances within it. Dosage elements produced in the inventive method are pleasant to handle, while being surprisingly resistant to damage in handling or transit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser N.V.
    Inventors: Ralf Wiedemann, Pavlinka Roy, Frederic Moreux
  • Patent number: 8656689
    Abstract: A process for making a multi-compartment water-soluble pouch having at least three compartments and wherein at least one of the compartments contains a composition in liquid form, the process comprising the steps of: a) providing a mold with at least two recesses; b) drawing a first film into the mold to form at least two open compartments in the at least two recesses; c) filling the open compartments; d) pin-pricking the first film to create a pin-hole; e) drawing a second film over the open compartments to close those compartments and to form a new open compartment, wherein the second film directly covers the pin-hole; f) filling the open compartment formed from the second film; and g) placing a closure film over the new filled open compartment to close it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Frank William Denome, Dennis Allen Beckholt
  • Publication number: 20140020338
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a packaging machine (1) in which a material web is transported cyclically, having: a thermoforming station (2), which, during each cycle, forms a pattern of a plurality of pack cavities in the material web, —a filling station (7) in which an article is introduced into each pack cavity, —a sealing station (19), which fastens an upper material web integrally on the material web, wherein, prior to the integral connection being made, the pack cavity has gas evacuated from it and/or admitted to it, and—a cutting device (27), by means of which the packs produced in this way are separated from the material webs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: CFS Germany GMBH
    Inventors: Gerd Hübner, Klaus Meyer
  • Publication number: 20130326998
    Abstract: A process for the manufacturing and filling of plastic containers, said process comprising the steps of: a. positioning a preform (1) with relation to a mold assembly of two or more components (20, 21, 22), said preform generally being fabricated from a plastic and being provided with a longitudinal axis (17) and presenting a stretchable portion (13) and a non-stretchable portion (11); b. stretching said preform along its longitudinal axis (17); c. injecting a fluid (29) into the interior volume (6) of the preform (1), said fluid (29) being under such pressure as to cause the preform (1) to plastically deform until achieving the desired size and shape; and d. releasing said container from the mold assembly (20, 21, 22) and sealing the container, and in which at least a portion of the stretchable portion (13) of the perform (1) is at a temperature below its vitreous transition temperature (Tg) and, preferably, at ambient temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventor: Klaus Hartwig
  • Publication number: 20130312368
    Abstract: A plastic container comprises an upper portion including a finish defining an opening into the container, a lower portion including a base defining a standing surface, a sidewall extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, the sidewall defining a longitudinal axis, and at least one substantially transversely-oriented pressure panel located in the lower portion. The pressure panel is movable between an outwardly-inclined position and an inwardly-inclined position to compensate for a change of pressure inside the container. The standing surface defines a standing plane, and the entire pressure panel is located between the standing plane and the upper portion of the container when the pressure panel is in the outwardly-inclined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: John Denner, Paul Kelley, David Melrose, Gregory A. Trude
  • Patent number: 8590279
    Abstract: A method for packaging products (3), such as candies, the method comprising the steps of positioning the products on a first sheet (1) which is continuously moved in a transport direction, covering the products by a second sheet (2) which is continuously moved in the same transport direction and which is aligned substantially plane-parallel to the first sheet, and sealing together the first and second sheets near the outer edges of the individual products or grouped products by a sealing device (22), wherein the sealing device comprises sealing ribs (12) extending substantially transversely to the transport direction on one side of the moving sheets, wherein the sealing ribs (12) 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: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Marinus Johannes Henricus Maria Van Den Elzen, Albertus Cornelis Hendrikus Van Liempd
  • Patent number: 8578684
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to unitized packages and a method of manufacturing the unitized packages for containing and dispensing a product material. In particular, the unitized packages comprise a printed base card and a fluid vessel permanently bonded to the printed base card. The fluid vessel comprises a first laminate barrier layer comprising at least one layer of a biaxially oriented thermoplastic polymer, a portion of which is formed into a modified dome shape, and a planar second laminate barrier layer. The first and second laminate barrier layers are sealed together to form a fluid-tight enclosure, wherein the product material substantially fills the enclosure and the modified dome shape is resiliently sustainable. In particular, the method includes forming a portion of the first laminate barrier layer comprising the biaxially oriented polymer into the modified dome shape using a force such as pressurized gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: AKI, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Greenland
  • Publication number: 20130274916
    Abstract: A pneumatic tube system, including at least one system control module for controlling delivery of a pneumatic carrier through pneumatic tubing. The system includes at least one pneumatic tube station having a sealer, the sealer includes a heating pad and a sealing strip, where the sealer automatically grips the open end within the heating pad and the sealing strip upon insertion of the bag into the system. In one example, the sealer creates a vacuum to extract air from an interior space of the bag. The sealer applies heat to the open end to seal the bag. The system includes at least one pneumatic tube station configured for sending at least one carrier, the at least one sending pneumatic tube station being in signal communication with the at least one system control module, where the at least one carrier is sent through the system by pneumatic tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventor: Fredrick M. Valerino, SR.
  • Publication number: 20130256165
    Abstract: A blister package (10) and method for manufacturing the blister package include an upper wall member (14) (e.g., front panel), a lower wall member (16) (e.g., backer) and a printing (20) (e.g., print, decoration, advertising), where the upper wall member is formed to effectively hold an article (12) (e.g., toothbrush, razor) preferably by accommodating specific geometry of the article. The lower wall member is preferably formed (e.g., molded, thermoformed) after printing from a flat sheet of material (e.g., plastic) to resemble a cylindrical or cone based final shape linearly along or parallel to the lower wall member's longitudinal axis (46). The printing is applied to the flat sheet of material without distortion and appears on the final shaped lower wall member without the appearance of distortion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: COLGATE-PALMALIVE COMPANY
    Inventor: Robert Moskovich
  • Publication number: 20130248411
    Abstract: A tray package for food has a stiff tray having a rim and formed inward of the rim with at least one throughgoing hole and a cover film fixed to the rim. A lining made of a flexible film is fixed to the rim between the tray and the cover film and forms with the cover film a closed compartment adapted to hold the food and with the tray an outer compartment that is open to the exterior through the hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Herbert BADER, Ralf NIEPELT
  • Publication number: 20130248398
    Abstract: A continuous packing product of an absorbent article has a plurality of packing bodies are continuous with the absorbent article being packed by means of an exterior sheet and the exterior sheet has: a first resin layer which is formed of a thermoplastic resin, and a second resin layer which is formed of a thermoplastic resin with a melting point higher than that of the thermoplastic resin forming the first resin layer. A bonded region configured to partition the packing unit by means of thermal bonding is formed on the exterior sheet. The second resin layer is laminated on the first resin layer in at least the bonded region and the thermoplastic resin configuring the second resin layer is soluble in a solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Harada, Ryuji Okano, Yusuke Kosako, Kazuya Nishitani
  • Publication number: 20130219831
    Abstract: A container can have a body with an integrally formed base attached to the body. The base includes a concave annular wall extending from the container sidewall to a standing surface, and an inner wall extending from the standing surface to a substantially flat inner annular wall. The inner annular wall is recessed in the base and is substantially perpendicular to the container sidewall. The inner annular wall includes a centrally located dimple. The dimple includes a plurality of spaced apart and radially extending indented ribs. One or more of the ribs extend radially into a brace that tapers to meet the inner annular wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
  • Publication number: 20130209618
    Abstract: A multilayered material and a container (such as a beverage capsule) formed of at least one multilayered material is provided. A method for making a beverage container is also provided. The multilayered material comprises a barrier layer formed of a material adapted for deterring one or more undesired elements from passing through the barrier layer and a sealing layer formed of a material adapted for forming a seal with another surface. The multilayered material or container also comprise a gasket layer or gasket strips formed of a material having a plurality of channels adapted for receiving at least a portion of the material for said sealing layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Liberatore A. Trombetta, YuCheng Fu, Dennis Dwight Paynter, Daud Ahmed Khan
  • Patent number: 8438819
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of a package containing a compacted particulate composition, comprises wrapping a compacted particulate composition with a first film and treating the wrapped compacted particulate composition at an elevated temperature to shrink the film such that it clings to said composition. The resulting packages may be made using low compaction pressures and consequently may have low friability and be fast dissolving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser N.V.
    Inventors: Frederic Moreux, Gunnar Noding, Marion Schleicher
  • Publication number: 20130097972
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to processes for manufacturing internally pierced shaped articles for unit-dose packaging with at least one formed recess (e.g., a blister), in particular for unit-dose packaging of pharmaceutical dosage forms. In certain embodiments, the first step of the process is directed to drawing the film material (e.g., metal-plastic foil) with one or more plungers to form a primary contour, the contour having a depth of at least 100% and up to 150% of the depth of the formed recess. The second stage involves shaping the primary contour with one or more plunger(s) to the desired formed recess, with a depth that is less than the depth of the primary contour, while substantially maintaining the surface area of the primary contour formed in the first stage. The formed recess may be formed using warm-forming or cold-forming techniques. The third stage involves the automatic placing of an internal piercing device stably into the shaped article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventor: Mystic Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8424273
    Abstract: Sealable, thermoformable, heat-shrinkable multi-layer film having a symmetrical construction around a two-ply inner layer, and having a heat shrinkability in machine direction and in cross direction of in each case at least 20% at 93° C., the heat-shrinkability being substantially unaffected by thermoforming, and use thereof with specially equipped packaging machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: CFS Kempten GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Bernig, Phillip Hartmann, Bernard Dujardin
  • Patent number: 8406916
    Abstract: Blister packs each having a plurality of pockets with individualized assortments of small objects are filled by fitting to each of a plurality of shuttles a respective such blister pack and circulating the shuttles around an annular track through a plurality of filling machines. Each machine has a plurality of supplies each holding a bulk quantity of small objects of a respective type, respective feeders each receiving the objects of a respective supply and advancing same one at a time to a respective picking location, and respective pickers. A memory of each shuttle is programmed with data regarding the intended contents of the pockets of the respective blister pack, and in each of the machines, the memories of the shuttles are read as they pass through the respective filling machine. The respective pickers are operated to move small objects from the feeders to the pockets in accordance with the data for the respective blister pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Josef Bentele, Georg Pfau
  • Patent number: 8381497
    Abstract: A method for producing a package using a traysealer is provided, wherein the package includes a container, at least two sealing films and a plurality of products, of which a first product is located in the container and a second product between two sealing films. The first product is moved into the container upstream of a sealing station, the second product is moved onto a first sealing film before the container, the sealing film and the products are supplied together with a second sealing film, which is located above the first sealing film, to the sealing station. The first sealing film moves above and spaced apart from the container and the first product until the sealing station is reached. In the sealing station the container, the first sealing film and the second sealing film are subsequently sealed to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Multivac Sepp Haggenmuller GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Scheibel, Armin Beckel
  • Patent number: 8365504
    Abstract: A method for packing articles, in particular articles, comprising stages of production of a succession of blister packs containing the articles, packing resulting groups of blister packs in cartons, and storing the cartons in at least a warehouse unit, the method being characterized in that it includes transferring the cartons to at least a second warehouse unit, opening the cartons and extracting the groups of blister pack in order to enable performing of an inserting of information on each group f blister packs or on each blister pack, and packing the blister packs, provided with the information, in box containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: IMA SAFE S.r.l.
    Inventors: Pierluigi Tampieri, Agostino Consolini
  • Publication number: 20120328489
    Abstract: Device for providing pipette tips comprising a refill pack which comprises a perforated plate with a plurality of holes, pipette tips inserted into the holes, a container covering the pipette tips at the bottom with a stiffness of up to 300 N/mm and a removable cover, covering the pipette tips from the top and a holder with a receiver for inserting the refill pack, means being present between the refill pack and holder for supporting the refill pack when said refill pack is inserted into the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: EPPENDORF AG
    Inventors: Jochen Beese, Detlef Schwarzwald, Daniel Voss, Frank Horstmann
  • Publication number: 20120266565
    Abstract: A container forming assembly and method includes receiving a parison within a cavity of a mold, enclosing the parison within the mold having a wall with a recess, inflating the parison in the mold to form a blow molded container where the blow molded container has a sidewall, a movable region formed at the recess, and a hinge circumscribing an interface between the sidewall and the movable region, and moving or repositioning the movable region toward an interior of the blow molded container about the hinge before filling. The movable region can form a deep-set grip. Further, multiple movable regions can be provided, each of which may form respective deep-set grips. The container shape can be symmetrical or asymmetrical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Gregory Trude, Paul Kelley
  • Publication number: 20120241347
    Abstract: A flexible package (10) is provided for a consumable product. The flexible package includes a pair of flexible packaging films (12, 14) for enclosing the product therebetween. The films are bonded together to define a perimeter seal for surrounding the product. One of the films may be rupturable so as to allow dispensing of the product through the film under manual pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: Kraft Foods Global Brands LLC
    Inventors: Paul K. Bowers, James Glydon
  • Patent number: 8272194
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to processes for manufacturing internally pierced shaped articles for unit-dose packaging with at least one formed recess (e.g., a blister), in particular for unit-dose packaging of pharmaceutical dosage forms. In certain embodiments, the first step of the process is directed to drawing the film material (e.g., metal-plastic foil) with one or more plungers to form a primary contour, the contour having a depth of at least 100% and up to 150% of the depth of the formed recess. The second stage involves shaping the primary contour with one or more plunger(s) to the desired formed recess, with a depth that is less than the depth of the primary contour, while substantially maintaining the surface area of the primary contour formed in the first stage. The formed recess may be formed using warm-forming or cold-forming techniques. The third stage involves the automatic placing of an internal piercing device stably into the shaped article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Mystic Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Nelson
  • Patent number: 8250837
    Abstract: A water-soluble pouch suitable for use in machine dishwashing and which comprises a plurality of compartments in generally superposed or superposable relationship, each containing one or more detergent active or auxiliary components, and wherein the pouch has a volume of from about 5 to about 70 ml and a longitudinal/transverse aspect ratio in the range from about 2:1 to about 1:8, preferably from about 1:1 to about 1:4. The water-soluble pouch allows for optimum delivery of dishwashing detergent. A process for the manufacture of multi-compartment pouches and a pack to contain the pouches are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Tanguy Marie Louis Alexandre Catlin, Rachid Ben Moussa, Timothy Bernard William Kroese, Charles Rupert Gillham, James Iain Kinloch, David John Smith, Alison Lesley Main, Helen Varley
  • Patent number: 8247047
    Abstract: A deep drawn container with a top film made of a first heat shrinkable multilayer film, and a bottom film made of a second heat shrinkable multilayer film. The deep drawn container having a drawing ratio (D1) of the top film and a drawing ratio (D2) of the bottom film satisfying conditions: D1=1.1 to 4.0; D2=1.5 to 5.0; and (D2/D1)=1.05 to 4.55. A hot-water shrinkability of the first heat shrinkable multilayer film in a longitudinal direction (SM1) and in a transverse direction (ST1), and a hot-water shrinkability of the second heat shrinkable multilayer film in a longitudinal direction (SM2) and in a transverse direction (ST2) satisfy conditions: SM1=5 to 40%; ST1=5 to 40%; SM2=2 to 25%; ST2=2 to 25%; (SM1/SM2)=1.2 to 12; and (ST1/ST2)=1.2 to 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Kureha Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Ishii, Seiichi Ibe
  • Patent number: 8225586
    Abstract: A packaging machine includes a clamping arrangement, composed of a series of clamps designed to grip and release a web of flexible material, and which are coupled to a belt that is advanced along a predetermined path to advance the web of flexible through the machine. The belt is made up of side-by-side belt portions that are spliced together in axially spaced locations by the clamps, to withstand the forces and stresses placed thereon as the web material is advanced. Each clamp is formed of an upper jaw member and a lower jaw member that are pivotably interconnected together, in combination with a guide member the guides movement of the belt through the machine. The belts are independently driven by operation of a pair of motors, which are synchronously operated in order to advance the opposite edges of the web material at the same rate of speed through the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: CP Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond G. Buchko, Dwayne C. Long
  • Patent number: 8186134
    Abstract: Packaging machines are disclosed including a web transport conveyor transporting a web of flexible packaging material from upstream to downstream locations through a series of stations. Packaging apparatuses are disclosed including a forming station and a closing station, each having movable die members that are counterbalanced. Methods of operating the packaging apparatus are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Alkar-RapidPak-MP Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Daryl W. Shackelford, Craig R. Bonneville
  • Patent number: 8181432
    Abstract: A web packaging system provides easy access and changing of forming plug tooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Alkar-RapidPak-MP Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig R. Bonneville, Daryl W. Shackelford
  • Publication number: 20120117922
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a packaging machine with a forming station, which forms depressions in a sheet of film, wherein a heating element heats the sheet of film before the deforming, in which the heating element has a multiplicity of discrete heating means which can be activated individually or in groups, and so the sheet of film has temperature gradients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: CFS GERMANY GMBH
    Inventor: Klaus Meyer
  • Patent number: 8122693
    Abstract: A forming tool usable with a packaging machine utilizes adhesive bonds rather than weld joints or fasteners to interconnect structural components of the forming tool. Using adhesive rather than weld joints and mechanical fasteners provides smooth interfaces thereby reducing the collection of bacteria, germs and cleaning residue on the surfaces of the forming tool, which is particularly advantageous for forming tools used with packing machines used in sanitary environments, such as for food or pharmaceutical packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: CP Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond G. Buchko
  • Patent number: 8117807
    Abstract: A three-piece pocket-size container for holding a consumer product such as smokeless tobacco product in an interior volume of a perimeter band which has a base locked to a lower rim portion and an openable cover on an upper rim of the perimeter band. When closed, the cover, the perimeter band and the base form a flush exterior sidewall of the container. The base and cover can be metal and the perimeter band can be transparent (clear, tinted or colored) or opaque plastic to provide a container that maintains product freshness, and is easily opened and closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Bellamah, William T. Griffin, Dominic J. C. Howard, Robert T. Mitten
  • Patent number: 8091322
    Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging machine comprising at least one working station, in which a film is acted upon by means of underpressure or overpressure, characterized in that the pressure and/or the volume flow is regulated by means of a proportional controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: MULTIVAC Sepp Haggenmueller GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Elmar Ehrmann, Herbert Kirmse
  • Patent number: 8069680
    Abstract: Methods disclosed herein include methods of manufacturing integrally thermally-sealed storage containers. Methods include creating at least one indentation in at least one layer of first thermal barrier sheet, wherein the at least one layer of first thermal barrier sheet includes at least one first ultra efficient insulation material and wherein the at least one indentation is in a size and shape substantially conforming with material to be stored; placing material to be stored within one or more of the at least one indentation; placing at least one layer of second thermal barrier sheet adjacent to the material to be stored, wherein the at least one layer of second thermal barrier sheet includes at least one second ultra efficient insulation material; and creating a thermal seal between at least two layers of thermal barrier sheet, substantially thermally sealing the material to be stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Tokitae LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K. Y. Jung, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, William H. Gates, III, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8042318
    Abstract: A process for preparing a water-soluble container comprising at least two compartments which comprises: a. forming a first pocket in a first water-soluble film by thermoforming or vacuum forming the first water-soluble film in a mould; b. filling the first pocket with a first composition; c. closing the first pocket with a second water-soluble film to produce an intermediate container; d. moving the intermediate container by deforming the mould to provide a second pocket; e. filling the second pocket with a second composition; and f. closing the second pocket with a third water-soluble film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser N.V.
    Inventors: Francesc Ayats, Frederic Moreux, Jordi Salvador, Ralf Wiedemann
  • Publication number: 20110247305
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to processes for manufacturing internally pierced shaped articles for unit-dose packaging with at least one formed recess (e.g., a blister), in particular for unit-dose packaging of pharmaceutical dosage forms. In certain embodiments, the first step of the process is directed to drawing the film material (e.g., metal-plastic foil) with one or more plungers to form a primary contour, the contour having a depth of at least 100% and up to 150% of the depth of the formed recess. The second stage involves shaping the primary contour with one or more plunger(s) to the desired formed recess, with a depth that is less than the depth of the primary contour, while substantially maintaining the surface area of the primary contour formed in the first stage. The formed recess may be formed using warm-forming or cold-forming techniques. The third stage involves the automatic placing of an internal piercing device stably into the shaped article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventor: Jeffrey Nelson
  • Patent number: 8028504
    Abstract: Changing or feeding, respectively, of a working tool (11) into a workstation (110) of a packaging machine (1) takes place by varying a distance of a receiving unit having arranged the working tools (11), with respect to a support rack (15) by means of a lifting device (200). By means of a shifting means (300) the working tool (11) can be shifted from the support (10) into the workstation (110), or reverse. Therein, the support (10) can be formed such that it is movable out of the packaging machine (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Multivac Sepp Haggenmuller GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hubert Zeller, Dieter Holzem
  • Patent number: 8024911
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for blister packing products (9), comprising the step of packaging said products (9) in a blister web (1) or a blister sheet (2) and storing said blister web or blister sheet intermediately (12). Following said intermediate storing (12) several blister packs (4) are formed from said blister web (1) or blister sheet (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: McNeil AB
    Inventors: Lennart Hultberg, Jan-Olof Olsson
  • Publication number: 20110192759
    Abstract: This invention relates to a strengthened blister pack for the packaging of solid pharmaceutical forms and/or food supplements, in particular solid pharmaceutical forms and/or food supplements that are not very hard and are highly friable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: E-PHARMA TRENTO S.p.A.
    Inventor: Massimiliano ROSSI
  • Patent number: 7987653
    Abstract: An embossed carrier tape manufacturing apparatus includes features for integrating with other processing equipment so that other processes such as forming, filling, and sealing the tape can be performed sequentially in one integrated process. The apparatus includes retractable contact spot heaters for heating the tape prior to embossing, along with a unique heat shield arrangement that is interposable between the heaters and the tape so that the process may be paused. Also, a synchronizing apparatus is integrated so that the carrier tape embossing process may be automatically paused for adjusting to the input rate of other carrier tape processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Adaptsys Limited
    Inventors: Barry L. Gregerson, James E. Spitzer
  • Patent number: 7966788
    Abstract: A method and a device for packaging product portions in a wrapper are proposed, wherein at least two webs of a packaging material are aligned parallel, with the longitudinal edges facing each other overlapping, and each transported towards one upwardly open folding shaft, the webs are severed transverse to the overlapping longitudinal edges, creating flat blanks of the wrappers, and the blanks are folded into the folding shaft , creating an upwardly open wrapper, whereupon the product portion is placed in the open wrappers and the upwardly protruding sections of the wrappers are then turned inward while overlapping. The blanks, whose inner edges overlap, are guided in frictional engagement to their folding position above the folding shafts, whereupon the longitudinal edges of the overlapping blanks facing each other are, lifted together , whereupon the blanks are released by releasing the frictional engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Benz & Hilgers GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Josef Rütter
  • Patent number: 7963089
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to processes for manufacturing shaped articles for unit-dose packaging with at least one formed recess (e.g., a blister), in particular for unit-dose packaging of pharmaceutical dosage forms. In certain embodiments, the first step of the process is directed to drawing the film material (e.g., metal-plastic foil) with one or more plungers to form a primary contour, the contour having a depth of at least 100% and up to 150% of the depth of the formed recess. The second stage involves shaping the primary contour with one or more plunger(s) to the desired formed recess, with a depth that is less than the depth of the primary contour, while substantially maintaining the surface area of the primary contour formed in the first stage. The formed recess may be formed using warm-forming or cold-forming techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Mystic Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Nelson, Jon Olson
  • Patent number: 7946100
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shrinking process for producing solid, transportable and printable containers by wrapping the articles to be packaged with a film in such a manner as to produce an overlapping section of the film ends on the base area, heating by heat exchange or convection in order to seal the free ends in the area of overlap, and finally heating in a shrinking oven, the container so produced being stabilized by the shrinking process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Heinrich Justen, Markus Dumon, Andre Miszewski, Kurt Jansen
  • Patent number: 7937909
    Abstract: A method for making a two component device where the two components are in separate containers with one container inside the other. The method includes placing a first container between the top and bottom of a second container in a die that draws a vacuum between the top and bottom of the second container when they are sealed to form the container. The vacuum preferably ranges from about 8 to about 13 psi. The two components are selected to react to achieve a result, such as the generation of heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Inventor: Raquel Carvallo
  • Patent number: 7937911
    Abstract: A method of preparing a blister card to contain medicaments in accordance with a predetermined prescription, comprises positioning a blister sheet blank having a plurality of blisters onto a support surface of a fixture. Each of the blisters are then at least partially filled with one or more medicaments in accordance with the predetermined prescription. Then, a backing layer blank is positioned over the blister sheet blank to retain the medicaments in the blisters and to prevent contamination. Finally, the blister sheet blank and the backing layer blank are sealed together while positioned on the fixture to form a sealed blister card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Walgreen Co.
    Inventors: Sean McGonagle, Greg Pankow
  • Patent number: 7934362
    Abstract: A packaging machine includes a clamping arrangement, composed of a series of clamps designed to grip and release a web of flexible material, and which are coupled to a belt that is advanced along a predetermined path to advance the web of flexible through the machine. The belt is made up of side-by-side belt portions that are spliced together in axially spaced locations by the clamps, to withstand the forces and stresses placed thereon as the web material is advanced. Each clamp is formed of an upper jaw member and a lower jaw member that are pivotably interconnected together, in combination with a guide member the guides movement of the belt through the machine. The belts are independently driven by operation of a pair of motors, which are synchronously operated in order to advance the opposite edges of the web material at the same rate of speed through the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: CP Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond G. Buchko, Dwayne C. Long
  • Publication number: 20110061344
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a packaging machine and a method, in particular for an intermittently operating deep-draw packaging machine, which has at least one heating surface with a plurality of heater elements, which can be individually controlled by a controller in order to heat a film to different temperature levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMULLER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Elmar Ehrmann
  • Patent number: 7849662
    Abstract: A blister pack and a method for packaging a blister in the blister pack are proposed. The blister pack 10 in this case comprises a base field 14 with at least one recess 16 or perforation 18 for removal of at least one product arranged in a blister 36. A bottom field 26 is connected to the base field 14. A closure field 30 is connected to the bottom field 26. The blister pack 10 is distinguished by a fixing tab 22 which is mounted on the base field 14 for the purpose of fixing at least one blister 36 that is to be packaged in the blister pack 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Rapp, Helmut Deichert
  • Publication number: 20100307948
    Abstract: A product package includes a product receiving cavity formed from a first, heat shrinkable film and a second, non-heat shrinkable film sealed to the first, heat shrinkable film. The second film can be provided with indicia which remains intact following completion of the product packaging. In accordance with a method aspect of the invention, the package is produced utilizing a form, fill and seal system. In one embodiment, a soft, deformable refrigerated dough is packaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: David J. Domingues, David A. Kirk, Scott Kackman, Susan Hall