Forming A Pocket Or Depression In Cover Material By Applying Heat Or Pressure (e.g., Stretch Forming) Patents (Class 53/453)
  • Patent number: 7845147
    Abstract: A method is provided of forming a multi-pack container assembly having at least two containers joined together by a channel. The method includes the steps of providing sheet having a barrier layer thermoforming the sheet into a multi-pack container assembly having a plurality of containers wherein each container comprises a flange and the flanges of adjacent containers are connected by an engineered area of weakness or channel. Resultant containers can be used for low-moisture, shelf-stable, ready-to-eat food products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Thomas Henderson, John Joseph Michels
  • Publication number: 20100287889
    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: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: Alkar-RapidPak, Inc
    Inventor: Craig R. Bonneville
  • Publication number: 20100287888
    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: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: Alkar-RapidPak, Inc.
    Inventors: Daryl W. Shackelford, Craig R. Bonneville
  • Publication number: 20100263332
    Abstract: A bag may be formed from a tube of high strength packaging material by forming a heat seal in the end of the tube. As part of forming the heat seal, one or more supplying apparatuses, which may be air outlets, are positioned for being in opposing face-to-face relation with, and for causing heat transfer with, at least one outer portion of the tube while a transportation system transports the tube to a nipping apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Files, Scott Beckstrom
  • Patent number: 7811506
    Abstract: The invention discloses a mold, a molding assembly and a molding process for molding two tier array of containers of synthetic polymeric material. The process is particularly related to formed, filled and sealed molded containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Manoharlal Gupta
  • Patent number: 7797912
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing water-soluble containers using a horizontal intermittent motion thermoforming machine comprising locating a first water-soluble film over a mould containing a plurality of pocket forming cavities in a 2-dimensional array, each cavity being surrounded by a planar surface of the mould on all sides in which the shortest dimension of the planar surface between two adjacent cavities is at least 3 mm and between an edge of the mould and the closest cavity is at least 1.5 mm, thermoforming a first film to produce a plurality of pockets, at least partially filling the pockets with a composition and sealing the plurality of the at least partially filled pockets. The cavities are positioned in the array such that there are a plurality of continuous strips of uninterrupted planar surface of the mould from a leading to a trailing edge of the mould, for receiving support means fitted to the machine for supporting the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Geoffrey Robert Hammond, Richard Rogers
  • Patent number: 7784250
    Abstract: A blister pack for dispensing pills that is childproof yet senior-friendly. The blister pack includes a substantially tear-resistant housing that encloses one or more blisters contained on a blister sheet and surrounded by criss-cross grain material to provide cut or tear resistance in multiple directions. In one embodiment, the cavities of the blisters are positioned such that the pills are aligned at an angle with respect to the corresponding dispensing slots on the housing in their normal position. The blisters are detachably attached to a zipper strip on the blister sheet to prevent undesired rotation of the blisters. Upon removal of the zipper strip, the blisters may be twisted until their pills are substantially aligned with their respective dispensing slot. The blisters may then be depressed to remove the pills from the cavities of the blisters by pushing the pills through the foil sheet that covers the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Colbert Packaging Corporation
    Inventor: Glenn A. Grosskopf
  • Patent number: 7775017
    Abstract: A sealing heater for heat sealing a film onto a multi-compartment container comprises a heating block having a contact surface. The contact surface includes an outer sealing portion and an intermediate sealing portion. The outer sealing seals a film to a perimeter surface of a multi-compartment tray and the intermediate sealing portion seals a film to substantially all of an intermediate surface between the compartments of the multi-compartment tray. The outer sealing portion and the intermediate sealing portion defining recess perimeters in the contact surface that are positioned to correspond substantially to the compartment perimeters in the multi-compartment tray. A heating element is disposed within the heating block for generating heat at the contact surface of the heating block sufficient to heat seal the sealing film to the perimeter surface and the intermediate surface between the compartments of the multi-compartment tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: James Robert Stowell
  • Patent number: 7770361
    Abstract: Powder, e.g. of a medicament, is compacted and enrobed to produce compacted powder slugs by preferably mechanically compacting a powder and forming a film of material, preferably hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose, by vacuum or pressure differential, about the surface of the powder thus compacted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Bioprogress Technology International, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Ronald Kessel, Jason Teckoe
  • Publication number: 20100180549
    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: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: RECKITT BENCKISER N.V.
    Inventors: FRANCESC AYATS, FREDERIC MOREUX, JORDI SALVADOR, RALF WIEDEMANN
  • Publication number: 20100175350
    Abstract: A web packaging system provides easy access and changing of forming plug tooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Alkar-RapidPak, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig R. Bonneville, Daryl W. Shackelford
  • Publication number: 20100132311
    Abstract: A crate includes a bottom wall including a plurality of dividers defining a plurality of container pockets and a peripheral wall extending upward from a periphery of the bottom wall. The bottom wall and peripheral wall are thermoformed from a single sheet of plastic, such as recycled PET bottles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Sean T. Ogburn, Cynthia R. Meissen
  • Patent number: 7726100
    Abstract: A method and a structure (1) are provided for enclosing a packaging machine (100), which can be divided in at least two work areas or portions (110; 130, 120) having different operation tasks, arranged one after another along a packaging line (2) of the machine (100). The structure (1) includes a plurality of enclosing panels (P), suitably assembled together to form enclosing chambers (3, 4) for protection of each of the work portions (110; 130, 120). At least one of the enclosing chambers (3) is aimed at enclosing, a pressurized environment and at least the other chamber (4) is aimed at enclosing an environment, whose pressure is substantially constant and equal to the outside pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche
    Inventor: Pietro Bigoni
  • Patent number: 7703265
    Abstract: A web packaging system provides easy access and changing of forming plug tooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Alkar-RapidPak, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig R. Bonneville, Daryl W. Shackelford
  • Publication number: 20100095640
    Abstract: Proposed is a method for manufacturing a package out of foil, with a heating process for heating a foil section, as well as a packaging machine (1) for manufacturing a package out of foil, with a heating device (14) for heating a foil section (3?) and with a device (17) for generating negative pressures on each of the two sides of the foil section. In order to allow improved coordination of individual manufacturing steps, it is proposed that in a same time interval during the heating process, a negative pressure relative to the ambient pressure is generated on both sides of the foil section (3?) during the heating process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMULLER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Bernard Grimm
  • Publication number: 20100083619
    Abstract: An insert with an upwardly projecting protuberance proximate one end is inserted into an open container. The open container is conveyed continuously in a downstream direction with a container conveyor with the container opening upwardly. The insert is held above the conveyor at an insertion station by supporting a downstream portion of the insert: the protuberance bearing end of the insert being the upstream end of the insert. A pusher finger is driven downwardly against an upstream portion of the insert at a downstream side of the protuberance in order to push the upstream portion of the insert downwardly into the container. The upstream portion of the insert is pushed against an inside surface of the container with the pusher finger while the container is conveyed underneath the insert. Simultaneously, the support is removed from the downstream portion of the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Anthony Mrasek, Carlo Giammarco, Jitender Singh, Stavros Steven Michalopulo
  • Patent number: 7685798
    Abstract: A method and a relative unit (1) for producing blister packs (7) by cutting a blister band (4), according to which a band (4) with blisters (2) housing products is fed in a selected feeding direction (A), through subsequent stations: a band (4) verifying station, a closing station where the blister band is closed with a covering band, and to a cutting station (5) for cutting the closed blister band (4). In the cutting station (5), the closed blister band (4) is cut by progressive shearing, to obtain relative blister packs (7) detached from at least one strip (9a, 9b) or scrap longitudinal edge of the blister band (4). If portions of the blister band (4) considered unsatisfactory are detected in the control station, the subsequent shearing is performed partially or incompletely, so as to prevent detachment of the corresponding blister packs (8), considered faulty and destined to be rejected, from the strip (9a, 9b) of the band (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industries Macchine Automatiche
    Inventor: Paolo Marzocchi
  • Patent number: 7677015
    Abstract: A process for forming filled sealed pouches, comprising: supplying a thermoformable film to an upper surface of a conveyer which includes a plurality of recessed vacuum molds in its upper surface and is mounted to slide over an elongated conveyor support through holding, forming, filling and sealing stations; holding the film on the conveyer at the holding station; forming the film to form pouches at the forming station by supplying a forming under-pressure at the forming station into the mold recesses wherein the forming under-pressure is supplied through vacuum apertures leading from a vacuum supply apparatus and discharging through the conveyer support through vacuum orifices extending through the conveyer into the vacuum molds wherein under-pressure is supplied to the mold recesses at one or more subsequent processing stations through the vacuum apertures and vacuum orifices, and wherein the under pressure at the forming station is greater than the under-pressure at one or more of the subsequent processin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Timothy Bernard William Kroese, Kenneth Ruehl, Rachid Ben Moussa
  • Patent number: 7614205
    Abstract: Described is a unit (1) for feeding powdered infusion material to a machine (M) producing packs (3) made from filter material (5). The machine (M) comprises a production line (2) for making such packs (3) and consists of a conveyor (4) with mobile recesses (7) moving in a feed direction (L) designed to be covered with filter material (5) and to form impressions (8) in the filter material (5); rotary feeders (10) fitted to the unit (1) designed to feed an amount or dose (C) of the powdered infusion material into the impressions (8), and rotary precompactors (14) mounted on the rotary feeders (10) acting together with rotary feeders (10) to distribute the doses (C) uniformly inside the impressions (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Conti
  • Patent number: 7607279
    Abstract: A web packaging system provides easy access and changing of tooling, to change a product receiving cavity pocket in a lower web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Alkar-RapidPak, Inc.
    Inventors: Daryl W. Shackelford, Craig R. Bonneville, Kenric Gibbs, Tou T. Vang, Ryan Gitzlaff
  • Patent number: 7594372
    Abstract: A flexible container forming apparatus which forms a flexible container from at least one film comprising a surface deformation assembly and a flexible container sealing assembly. The surface deformation assembly includes a subassembly which has a heating assembly and a surface deformation station. The heating assembly heats a portion of film, and the deformation station plastically deforms a portion of the film. The heating assembly includes a member for selectively introducing the film to the heated roller. The surface deformation station includes a member for directing the film in opposing directions. A slack accumulation assembly accumulates at least a portion of the film that has been deformed by the surface deformation station. The apparatus may include a filler device and a transfer assembly for transferring formed containers to a filler device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Scholle Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth Micnerski
  • Patent number: 7588030
    Abstract: A medicament container and a method of manufacturing the container housing at least one individual dose of medicament using a carrier having first and second opposing faces and through walls defining a through hole extending between the first and second opposing faces, the method including inserting the carrier into a mould having an element for protrusion into the through hole from the first face so as to define with the through walls a generally cup-shaped space, filling the generally cup-shaped space with a mould material so as to form a generally cup-shaped insert in the through hole, removing the carrier and insert from the mould, depositing an individual dose of medicament in the generally cup-shaped insert, and sealing the medicament and insert in the through hole by sealing first and second sheets respectively with the first and second faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Meridica Limited
    Inventors: Andrew John Ede, John Kelshaw Conway, Christopher Michael Wright
  • Patent number: 7559185
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus (5) for making pods (1) containing respective doses (4) of an infusion product. The apparatus comprises: revolving drum conveyor means (6) with pockets (7) uniformly distributed on it; a line (B) for feeding a first web (12) of filter material which feeds the first web (12) to the conveyor means (6) ; actuating means (8) for moving the first web (12) against the pockets (7) on the revolving drum conveyor means (6) to form on the first web (12) a series of impressions (L); and a second line (A) for feeding a second web (11) of filter material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Conti
  • Publication number: 20090152156
    Abstract: A pack for medicinal tablets has two parts hinged together, each part having pockets containing tablets. The pockets may be displaced to expel the tablets through a foil sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: RECKITT BENCKISER HEALTHCARE (UK) LIMITED
    Inventors: Christopher Michael PENFOLD, Stephen John BRITTON-WILLIAMS, Stuart Richard MAY
  • Publication number: 20090134054
    Abstract: A product package comprises a primary package formed within a secondary package. The primary package comprises an edible or non-edible, water-soluble film container. The secondary package comprises a blister-card having at least one blister defining a cavity, and a foil backing. In one embodiment, the film container comprises a first film layer portion and a second film layer portion. The first film layer portion is formed intimately within the cavity of the at least one blister of the blister-pack. The second film layer portion is formed adjacent to the first film layer portion to define a container cavity between the first and second film layer portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: David M. Lee, Thomas Yogan, P. Scott Bening
  • Publication number: 20090133367
    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: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Barry L. Gregerson, James E. Spitzer
  • Publication number: 20090100804
    Abstract: A web packaging system provides easy access and changing of forming plug tooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventor: Craig R. Bonneville
  • Patent number: 7516598
    Abstract: A method for permanently deforming a flexible film material, in which the film material is deformed, forming a receptacle depression, the film material being kept under controlled tension while it is being moulded, so that controlled creases are formed in the film material, and a method of manufacturing a product packed in flexible film material, especially a food product, using the method and device for permanently deforming a flexible film material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Mars Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Merken-Schiller, Stefan Eberhardt, Pamela Czechowski
  • Publication number: 20090071108
    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: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Mystic Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: JEFFREY NELSON, JON OLSON
  • Publication number: 20090064637
    Abstract: Methods for forming packages from a web of preformed bags. In one exemplary method of forming packages from a web of preformed bags, a first bag is held open with air. A product is loaded into the first bag that is held open with air. An opening of the first bag is sealed. A next bag is indexed such that an opening of the next bag is proximate to an engagement member. The web is engaged with the engagement member. The web may be reverse indexed to pre-open the next bag. The web is disengaged by the engagement member. The next bag is opened with air for loading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Riccardi, Bernard Lerner
  • Publication number: 20090045093
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an environmentally friendly “reverse blister” style packaging article that contains a ground calcium carbonate-containing composite structure. The packaging article has a front card having a substantially flat front region and an opening formed therethough. The opening is at least partially covered by a layer of transparent material. The packaging article also has a back card that has a substantially flat back region and a recessed compartment that is capable of holding the retail product therein. The front and back cards are adhered to one another such that a product being held in the recessed compartment is visible through the layer of transparent material that at least partially covers the opening in the front card. The ground calcium carbonate composite structure can be flexible and pliable to impart enhanced performance characteristics as well as improved look and feel to the “reverse blister” style packaging article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventor: Christopher R. Tilton
  • Publication number: 20090029082
    Abstract: In a material web (1) comprising at least two foils (14, 15) arranged one on top of the other, the foil (15) forming the outside of a packaging container (11) has slit-like openings (17) worked into it at distances from one another, and the foil (14) carrying the outer foil (15) is manufactured from a material that is elastically deformable approximately at right angles to the openings (17). This embodiment makes it possible for the material web formed by the foils (14, 15) to be used in packagings for foodstuffs from within which a resulting excess pressure has to be dissipated in a controlled manner. The openings (17) namely increase in size according to the internal pressure and pore-like openings form in the packaging (11) and in the inner foil (14), with the effect that the excess pressure can be dissipated automatically. As a result, the eventuality of the packaging container (11) bursting during Pasteurization of a foodstuff (20) contained inside it is practically excluded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Alfred Remmele, Roland Limbeck, Bernard Lang
  • Publication number: 20090013650
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making a container (1) comprising two or more compartments, said method including the following steps: a first step of heat sealing (S1) performed between two sheets (111, 112) so as to form the periphery of the container and performed at a temperature such that said seal (S1) is resistant to a predetermined stress, while providing filling orifices (12), a second step of heat sealing (S2) performed to form at least one separation between the compartments (13) and performed at a second temperature lower than said first temperature and such that said seal (S2) is breakable by said stress, a third step of filling said compartments (13). The invention is characterized in that after said first sealing step, the two sealed sheets (111, 112) are arranged in a mold (2, 2?) whose shape they match under the pressure of a gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: AGAIN ANEW INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Marke Harari
  • Publication number: 20090007524
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for producing deep-drawn packaging trays and a packaging machine provided with the inventive device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Jorg Feisel, Klaus Meyer
  • Patent number: 7469519
    Abstract: A process for producing a substance with a water-soluble packaging. The process comprises the following steps: a) a water-soluble material is deformed so as to embody a vessel; b) the vessel is filled with a filling material selected among the group comprising detergents, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, body care products, auxiliary agricultural agents, adhesives, surface-treating agents, construction materials, dyes or food items; c) a water-soluble film web is applied to the filled container; d) the filled container and film web are sealed; and e) the sealed and filled container is finished. The inventive methods are characterized in that a negative pressure is generated in the filled container in the course of the process. In order to generate the negative pressure, the air located between the filling material and the water-soluble film web applied in step c) escapes at least in part through openings in the water-soluble film web applied in step c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien (Henkel KGaA)
    Inventors: Wolfgang Barthel, Birgit Burg, Arno Düffels, Salvatore Fileccia, Maren Jekel, Christian Nitsch, Ulf Arno Timmann
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7448184
    Abstract: A laminate assembly, comprising a base sheet having at least one blister formed therein, a pharmaceutical composition displaced in the blister, a lid sheet bonded to the base sheet to form a primary seal therebetween, thus forming a primarily sealed laminate assembly; the primary sealed laminate assembly having a secondary seal formed therein, and related manufacturing method and system of manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited
    Inventors: Verna Lo Clark, Michael Mary Van Oort, Richard Ian Walker
  • Patent number: 7431064
    Abstract: A press for laminating together a pair of foils has an upper die and a movable lower die, the foil extending. An actuating plate is movable toward and array from the stationary die. A spring is provided between the actuating plate and the movable die. A drive displaces the actuating plate and the movable die carried by the spring thereon toward and away from the stationary die for compressing the foils between the dies when the dies are spaced apart by a predetermined distance equal substantially to a thickness of the foils. A sensor detects movement of the movable die toward the actuating plate with compression of the spring on movement of the actuating plate toward the stationary die. When the sensor detects movement of the movable die when the dies are spaced apart by a distance greater than the predetermined distance the actuating plate is arrested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ulrich Laupheimer, Kurt Lämmle, Egon Ogger, Werner Götz
  • Patent number: 7424797
    Abstract: A process for preparing a water-soluble container having a thermoformed pocket and a lid, wherein a water soluble laminated film containing the pocket is produced comprising at least one extruded polyvinyl film laminated to at least one solution cast polyvinyl alcohol film, a composition such as fabric care, surface care, dishwashing, water-softening, laundry, detergent or a rinse-aid composition is filled into the pocket, and the filled pocket is sealed with a lid comprising a solution cast polyvinyl alcohol film on a surface facing the pocket to form a sealed water-soluble container containing a composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser (UK) Limited
    Inventor: John Paul Duffield
  • Patent number: 7389877
    Abstract: An apparatus for packaging electronic components, particularly integrated circuits, which includes a carrier tape into or on which the integrated circuits can be secured, a packing reel, to which is secured the carrier tape, wherein one or more components of the packing reel is composed of a plastic material and a desiccating material, and preferably a copolymer, and optionally an electrostatic dissipating product. The packing reel may further include a humidity indicating system. The apparatus may also be placed within a water and moisture-proof barrier bag for shipment purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Sud-Chemie Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Dick, Michelle Martin, Francois Dessus
  • Patent number: 7386971
    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: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    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
  • Publication number: 20080134643
    Abstract: A web packaging system provides easy access and changing of tooling, to change a product receiving cavity pocket in a lower web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Alkar-RapidPak, Inc.
    Inventors: Daryl W. Shackelford, Craig R. Bonneville, Kenric Gibbs, Tou T. Vang, Ryan Gitzlaff
  • Publication number: 20080063323
    Abstract: The invention concerns a container, in particular a bag, for packaging bulk material such as cement, comprising at least one gas-permeable and moisture-repellent container wall 1 which essentially forms the container and which has a carrier layer 2 and a plastic layer 3 which is not closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventor: Philippe Chevilliard
  • Patent number: 7340871
    Abstract: A web packaging system provides easy access and changing of tooling, to change a product receiving cavity pocket in a lower web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Alkar-RapidPak, Inc.
    Inventors: Daryl W. Shackelford, Craig R. Bonneville, Kenric Gibbs, Tou T. Vang, Ryan Gitzlaff
  • Patent number: 7337593
    Abstract: Blister packages are provided which are formed from multilayered films having a lid-stock film which is heat sealed directly to a fluoropolymer film. A polymeric base layer is adhered to a fluoropolymer layer via a first intermediate adhesive tie layer; a support layer is adhered to the fluoropolymer layer via a second intermediate adhesive tie layer; and a metallic foil layer is adhered to the support layer via a third intermediate adhesive tie layer. The blister has a greatly improved moisture barrier over blister packages of the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Blum, Sandra E. Luciano
  • Patent number: 7311513
    Abstract: The installation for manufacturing objects such as receptacles by thermoforming pellets of thermoplastic material includes conveyor means for conveying the pellets through the various stations in the installation, said stations including a heating station and a thermoforming station. The conveyor means comprise conveyor elements (46) defining cells (48) which are open upwards and downwards, and each of which is suitable for containing one pellet (12) while the entire top and bottom faces of the pellet remain unobstructed, means for depositing the pellets in the cells, drive means for driving the conveyor elements through the heating station, and transfer means (20) for transferring the heated pellets to the thermoforming station. The heating station includes bottom heater means (52) that co-operate with a support for the pellets while said conveyor elements are being driven through the heating station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Erca Formseal
    Inventors: Dominique Schwab, Timothy Cooper
  • Patent number: 7299605
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a foil package from foil laminate sheet stock. The foil laminate has a top foil sheet and a bottom polymeric sheet laminated to the foil sheet. A cavity is molded into the bottom foil sheet, wherein the cavity has a bottom, a depth and a periphery, such that all of the periphery is substantially arcuate at any horizontal cross-section along the depth of the cavity. The top planar sheet is heat sealed to the bottom molded sheet. The molding process substantially reduces or eliminates curling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Trezza, II, David A. Szabo
  • Patent number: 7300618
    Abstract: Process for the production of plastic blister packs, the top portion of which (PVAL) is subjected to thermal treatment in a furnace, and the apparatus for producing it is of the horizontal type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Packaging Imolese S.p.A.
    Inventor: Cesarino Galassi
  • Patent number: 7237371
    Abstract: Deep draw packaging includes placing an object (C) in a concave container portion (1) formed by molding a film with small shrinkability (A), that is a film having a residual thermal shrinkage rate at 100° C. of 1 to 15 %. The film (A) is formed by stretching a film having deep draw moldability and then thermally relaxing the film. The film has a surface which is formed of a heat sealable material which becomes the inner wall of the container portion. The concave container portion (1) is thereafter transferred to to a vacuum packaging apparatus (5) where it is covered by a cover portion (2) formed of a film (B) which can be heat welded to the film (A). A side face portion (11) and a bottom face portion (12) of the concave container portion (1) are thermally shrunk into close contact with the object (C). Less curling is exhibited when an upper peripheral portion (13) of the concave container portion (1) is sealed with the film (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Kureha Chemical Industry Company, Limited
    Inventors: Masataka Yamamoto, Takeo Omori
  • Patent number: RE40029
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for the continuous manufacture of food products such as sausages is provided which eliminates the need for intermediate stuffing of the food product into casings which are discarded prior to final packaging. The preferred apparatus of the invention includes first and second heated rollers (16, 17) each presenting a plurality of elongated, axially aligned channels or recesses (18,20) which are circumferentially and axially spaced on the corresponding rollers (16, 17); in addition, the second roller (17) includes a series of elongated, continuous, tube-receiving openings (22) extending between each series of aligned openings (20). Mechanisms (28, 29) are associated with the rollers (16, 17) in order to continuously feed elongated synthetic resin sheets (34, 35) into the nip between the rollers (16, 17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignees: Frigorifico San Carlos Sociedad Anonima
    Inventor: Antonio Jorge Schutz