Forming A Pocket Or Depression In Cover Material By Applying Heat Or Pressure (e.g., Stretch Forming) Patents (Class 53/453)
  • Patent number: 7231752
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of wrapping products in films, including the steps of: positioning the products on a first sheet of film which is continuously advanced in one transport direction; covering the products with a second sheet of film, which is continuously advanced in the transport direction and which is aligned plane-parallel to the first sheet of film; ultrasonically welding the first and second films on the outer edges of the products in each case and ultrasonically separating the overlapping films at selected positions; separating the wrapped products or groups of wrapped products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Merken-Schiller, Stefan Eberhardt, Pamela Czechowski
  • Patent number: 7219484
    Abstract: A process for preparing a laminated, thermoformed film which comprises: a. blowing a film-forming composition to form a bubble; b. collapsing the bubble to form a film stack comprising a plurality of layers; and c. heating said film stack in a mould to thermoform said film stack and to adhere the layers together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Paul John Duffield, Geoffrey Robert Hammond
  • Patent number: 7201819
    Abstract: Process for producing a sealed water-soluble package of improved aesthetic appearance by treating at least part of the outer surfaces of the sealed package with a plasticizer composition and applying heat thereto, a package obtainable thereby and a specified use of such package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser N.V.
    Inventors: Ralf Wiedemann, Marcus Guzmann
  • Patent number: 7127874
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous, horizontal process for making water-reactive pouches, involving the steps of: a) continuously feeding a first water-soluble film onto a horizontal portion of an continuously and rotatably moving endless surface, which comprises a plurality of moulds, or onto a non-horizontal portion thereof and continuously moving the film to said horizontal portion; b) forming from the film on the horizontal portion of the continuously moving surface, and in the moulds on the surface, a continuously moving, horizontally positioned web of open pouches; c) filling the continuously moving, horizontally positioned web of open pouches with a product, to obtain a horizontally positioned web of open, filled pouches; d) closing the web of open pouches, to obtain closed pouches, preferably by feeding a closing material onto the horizontally positioned web of open, filed pouches, to obtain closed pouches; and preferably sealing the closed pouches and whereby step d) and preferably step
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Louis John Viltro, Rachid Ben Moussa, Timothy Bernard William Kroese, Tanguy Marie Louise Alexandre Catlin, Gregory Martin Gressel, Carl Noble, Ray Kaercher
  • Patent number: 7121065
    Abstract: A method for controlling a blister packaging machine during which a bottom film provided with a recess is, inside or in front of a sealing station, brought together with a top film and is guided through the sealing station at a constant speed of conveyance. A sealing roll, whose temperature can be controlled, is provided inside the sealing station and serves to seal the top film onto the bottom film. The speed of conveyance can be preselected in an at least indirect manner. When selecting a modified set value of the conveyance speed, the temperature of the sealing roll and the speed of conveyance are modified according to a predetermined characteristic curve until the predetermined set value of the speed of conveyance is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: IWK Verpackungstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Richard Christ
  • Patent number: 7121063
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the tension of one continuous material (e.g., plastic zipper) with attachments or formed features (e.g., sliders or formed slider end stops) as it is fed to a sealing station, where it is joined to and later pulled by another continuous material (e.g., packaging film). The tension control scheme can be applied in cases wherein the packaging film advances a single package length per advancement as well as cases wherein the packaging film advances a distance equal to multiple package lengths per advancement. A tension control zone is created between a pair of nip rollers disposed in zipper processing equipment and a zipper sealing station inside a thermoforming packaging machine by applying a predetermined torque to one of the nip rollers using a torque control device. The zipper processing equipment may comprise a zipper shaping station and a slider insertion station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Lewis Albert Haws
  • Patent number: 7055296
    Abstract: A method for controlling a blister packaging machine has a work station which at least operates in cycles and which performs at least one first adjusting motion for a time period TV1 during one work cycle, followed by a treatment state for a time period TB, in which a product and/or material is treated. A second adjusting motion is then performed for a time period TV2 followed by a resting state for a time period TR. The time periods TV1, TB, TV2 and TR and a cycle rate R (=cycles/min) of the packaging machine are preset and at least the cycle rate R can be changed to a different cycle rate RV using an input device. A cycle time difference ?T which results from the changed cycle rate RV is substantially used to change the duration TR of the resting state. The time periods TV1, TB and TV2 preferably remain unchanged when entering a different cycle rate RV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: IWK Verpackungstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Richard Christ
  • Patent number: 7055295
    Abstract: Herein disclosed is an annular sustained release pheromone-dispenser which has a shape favorable for packaging and transportation, can easily be installed, can maintain its installed condition over a long time period and can easily be handled even after use without any trouble. Also provided is a tool for easily and rapidly installing a pheromone-dispenser at elevated spots of, for instance, fruit trees. The sustained release pheromone-dispenser comprises a plurality of plastic tubes 2a and 2b arranged in parallel and capable of being semi-resiliently deformed, whose ends 3 are connected together by fusion and whose central portions are independent and can form a annular space therebetween by pulling them apart from one another; and a liquid synthetic sex pheromone 1 enclosed in these plurality of plastic tubes 2a, 2b without impairing the pheromone-release capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Aiba, Fumiaki Mochizuki, Ryuichi Saguchi
  • Patent number: 7013622
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for extracting and polywrapping articles stored in a pocket of a container. The container may be part of a DPP machine. In operation, a separator sheet is extracted, the bottom of the pocket opened so as to allow the articles therein to drop into a polywrapping device, and the polywrapping device sequentially polywraps the articles. After the articles are dropped from the pocket, the separator sheet is reinserted. Rollers and cross sealer bars, appropriately placed, facilitate the polywrapping. Optional use of an H-belt is possible as well as a tracked sheet bottom transporting the pockets to the polywrapping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens AG
    Inventor: Peter Berdelle-Hilge
  • Patent number: 7013623
    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: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Wayne Robert Fisher, Gregory Martin Gressel
  • Patent number: 7004346
    Abstract: Receptacles are thermoformed in a strip of thermoplastic material, filled with a substance, and covered by capsules formed in a capsule strip. Prior to applying the capsule strip onto the thermoplastic strip, a preliminary cut is made for each receptacle in a station through the thermoplastic strip, thereby defining a portion of the outline of the edge of the receptacle. While the receptacles and their capsules are being cut out from the strips, a through cut is made for each receptacle in a station, the through cut passing through the thermoplastic strip and the capsule strip over a portion of the remainder of the outline of the receptacle, and a complementary cut is formed which passes through the capsule strip alone, which is connected to the through cut, and which, for each receptacle, defines a portion of the capsule strip that forms a pull tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Erca Formseal
    Inventor: Dominique Schwab
  • Patent number: 7003930
    Abstract: A thermoformable, RF-sealable material for use in packaging. The material is produced from a blend including between approximately 5% and 50% by weight of PETG, and between approximately 50% and 95% by weight of PET. A small amount of color concentrate may be added to the blend. The blend may be extruded into sheets and thermoformed to produce packaging material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Kama of Illinois Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Yanuzzi, Donald R. Hacker, Michael Bower
  • Patent number: 6964145
    Abstract: A process for packaging a food product such as soft ice-cream, frozen yogurt or the like in a single-serving package comprises a continuous in-line system in which a pot (9) is formed in a deformable bottom web (2) of plastics material and a lid (12) with dispensing aperture (14) is formed in a top web (4) of plastics material. Food product is filled into the formed pot and the webs are brought together in register with a lid aligned over the mouth of the pot. The lid is sealed to the pot at a sealing station and the aperture in the lid is covered and sealed with a peel-off tab or label (16). To dispense the product for consumption, the tab is removed and the product is extruded by pressing down on the deformable pot to collapse it, forcing the product through the aperture in the lid. To facilitate this, at least a portion of the lid is formed so as to be sufficiently rigid as to provide a bearing surface toward which the pot can be collapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Dairygold Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Liam Michael O'Gallcobhair
  • Patent number: 6962038
    Abstract: The present invention includes a box comprising a housing having a height of about 2 millimeters. The housing comprises a bottom portion. The bottom portion defines a bottom surface, an internal lateral flank, and a top bottom surface. The top bottom surface is elevated from the bottom surface, extending from the internal lateral flank. The box also includes a thin film and at least one weld that seals the thin film to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Coty S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Mathiez
  • Patent number: 6941729
    Abstract: A machine (M) for producing blister packs (10) includes unrolling means (3,7,21) for unrolling a band of heat-formable material from a bobbin (2) and for feeding the band (1) along a predetermined path (P) extending through subsequent stations (5,6,30,8,9,13), in which the band (1) is processed. The above-mentioned stations include a heating station (5), where the band (1) of heat-formable material is heated, a forming station (6), where a plurality of blisters (20) are formed on the band (1), a filling station (8), where the blisters (20) are filled with products, a sealing station (9), where the blister band (1a) is closed with a sealing band (11), and a cutting station (13), where the closed blister band (1ac) is cut into blister packs (10). A further heating station (30) is provided for heating the blister band (1a) along the path (P) upstream of the filling station (8), so as to heat the band (1a) to cause a thermal stabilization treatment of the blister band (1a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventor: Corrado Dal Pozzo
  • Patent number: 6920737
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the registration of one elongated continuous structure (e.g., plastic zipper) with attachments or formed features (e.g., sliders or pre-seals) as it is fed to a sealing station, where it is joined to another elongated continuous structure (e.g., packaging film) with formed features (e.g., thermoformed pockets). The latter elongated continuous structure will be intermittently advanced through the machine, pulling the former elongated continuous structure joined thereto forward. Registration is accomplished by tacking the respective elongated continuous structures together while the respective features on the elongated continuous structures are in proper registration. After tacking, the respective portions of the elongated continuous structures immediately downstream of the tack zone are advanced to the sealing station in proper registration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Lewis Albert Haws, David C. Wallace
  • Patent number: 6912829
    Abstract: A method of wrapping in a sheet material a food product comprising at least two complementary parts coupled together along a coupling line includes the steps of: forming the wrapper in at least two complementary portions able to be connected along an associated connection line, positioning the said product in the said wrapper in such a way that the said coupling line is offset relative to the associated connection line with the said at least two parts coupled together substantially freely, and closing the said wrapper around the said product along the said connection line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Soremartec S.A.
    Inventor: Maurizio Costantini
  • Patent number: 6904735
    Abstract: Methods of making slide-zippered reclosable packages are provided. In one embodiment, a pair of opposing film extensions are provided on each package between which a zipper and slider are attached. In another embodiment, sliders are inserted on to zippered packages output from a form-fill-seal machine or the like. In yet another embodiment, during package formation a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and then a slider is inserted on to the zipper. In yet another embodiment, during package formation a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and a slider is inserted on to each zipper, either before or after zipper sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. McMahon, Art Malin, Steve Ausnit
  • Patent number: 6898921
    Abstract: A process for preparing a water-soluble container which comprises: a) thermoforming a first poly(vinyl alcohol) film having a water content of less than 5 wt % to produce a pocket; b) filling the pocket with a composition; c) placing a second film on top of the filled pocket; and d) sealing the first film and second film together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser Inc.
    Inventor: Paul John Duffield
  • Patent number: 6883294
    Abstract: For packaging flat objects (4) using a packaging material (7) being supplied as a quasi-endless web, a string of bags (7?) being open on three sides and closed on one side is continuously formed and conveyed in a conveying direction. During conveyance the bags (7?) are each charged with at least one object (4), are severed from each other, and are then sealed with seams corresponding with the open bag sides. The depth of the bags during the step of forming the string of bags (7?) and/or the distance between the two lateral seams during the step of sealing are adjusted to the format of the object to be packaged (4), or to the width of the packaging material (7), respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Walter Reist
  • Patent number: 6874300
    Abstract: Pouches which can then be filled and sealed are made by thermoforming a film (29) into moulds (23) in a conveyor (8, 10, 11, 21) while holding the side edges (45) of the film to the side margins (46) of the conveyor by under-pressure applied to the underside of the film through a plurality of holding orifices (44) which extend up through the conveyor and into each side margin (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Giacomo Di Lauretis, Mario Rosario Di Donna
  • Publication number: 20040244339
    Abstract: A machine (M) for producing blister packs (10) includes unrolling means (3,7,21) for unrolling a band of heat-formable material from a bobbin (2) and for feeding the band (1) along a predetermined path (P) extending through subsequent stations (5,6,30,8,9,13), in which the band (1) is processed. The above-mentioned stations include a heating station (5), where the band (1) of heat-formable material is heated, a forming station (6), where a plurality of blisters (20) are formed on the band (1), a filling station (8), where the blisters (20) are filled with products, a sealing station (9), where the blister band (1a) is closed with a sealing band (11), and a cutting station (13), where the closed blister band (1ac) is cut into blister packs (10). A further heating station (30) is provided for heating the blister band (1a) along the path (P) upstream of the filling station (8), so as to heat the band (1a) to cause a thermal stabilization treatment of the blister band (1a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Corrado Dal Pozzo
  • Publication number: 20040237474
    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: April 1, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Barry L. Gregerson, James E. Spitzer
  • Patent number: 6823649
    Abstract: A method of encapsulating a topical composition in a breakable capsule, includes the steps of elastically deforming at least a portion of a first deformable film that is impermeable to the composition so as to constitute at least one blister; injecting the topical composition into the blister; applying a second film that is impermeable to the composition onto the first film so as to close the blister; and sealing the second film and the first film together around the periphery of the blister, the portion of the first film being suitable for shrinking after release of the capsule so as to cause the pressure inside the capsule to be greater than atmospheric pressure. While the capsule is being made, at least one weak region is made in the blister, thus making the capsule suitable for being broken by exerting pressure on the capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Taiki Corporation, Ltd.
    Inventor: Bernard Pauchet
  • Patent number: 6820394
    Abstract: A method of forming, filling and sealing a reclosable package 46. A thermoform film 14 is fed toward a forming station 18. A zipper length 20 having mated interlocking profiles 21 and 23 and a slider 28 is fed onto the thermoform film transverse to the feeding direction of the film and one of the profiles is sealed to the film. A pocket 18 is thermoformed in the film and product 32 is fed into the pocket. A cover sheet 34 is then fed over the thermoform film covering the pocket 18 and second profile 23. The cover sheet 34 is sealed to the thermoform film at seal lines 38 along the pocket, to the second profile and above the zipper to form a filled package and the bottom seal 44 for the next package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Eric P. Plourde
  • Patent number: 6810639
    Abstract: Methods of making slide-zippered reclosable packages are provided. In one embodiment, a pair of opposing film extensions are provided on each package between which a zipper and slider are attached. In another embodiment, sliders are inserted on to zippered packages output from a form-fill-seal machine or the like. In yet another embodiment, during package formation a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and then a slider is inserted on to the zipper. In yet another embodiment, during package formation a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and a slider is inserted on to each zipper, either before or after zipper sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. McMahon, Art Malin, Steve Ausnit, David J. Matthews, Charles Thorpe
  • Patent number: 6810641
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously forming and filling slider operated reclosable plastic bags two at a time. A base film of plastic bag making material is horizontally advanced in a longitudinal direction and product is loaded onto the base film in two lines. First and second continuous slider operated zippers are then applied onto the base film between the lines of product and a cover film is placed over the base film covering the lines of product and the zippers. The composite is sealed to the base film along longitudinally extending lines disposed on sides of the product opposite to the two zippers and between the zippers. The base film is then sealed to the cover film along transverse seal sections on opposite sides of each row of product and the thus formed filled packages are separated by longitudinally cutting through the base film between the zippers and cutting through the transverse seal sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Ausnit
  • Patent number: 6808691
    Abstract: A sealable sterilising material for packaging medical devices requiring sterilization, has an average burst strength not less than 200 kPa measured according to ISO 2758 standard, an average tear strength not less than 300 mN measured according to the European standard 21974, an average impact strength not less than 0.4 J measured according to the ASTM standard and a bacterial filtering efficiency (BFE) not less than 85%, with a basic weight ranging between 40 and 250 g/m2, preferably between 90 and 250 g/m2, measured according to the ISO 536 standard and includes at least two sterilising packaging sheets (F1) and (F2), one of them at least being sealable directly or after being coated with a sealing product. The sheets are bound irreversibly together by one of their surfaces. The invention also concerns a package made from the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventors: Philippe Herve, Agnes Paris-Jolly
  • Publication number: 20040187444
    Abstract: Disclosed are flexible pouches including a process for manufacturing said pouches from preforms. Also disclosed is a process for manufacturing and filling said pouches wherein the preform/pouch is handled via the neck portion throughout the production line. In one embodiment, the filled pouch is further dressed, decorated, or inserted into a rigid outer container, for example a box. In a preferred embodiment, the production line is a modified version of the type commonly used for handling rigid containers, such as those used to manufacture and fill soft drinks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Gerald A. Hutchinson, Robert A. Lee
  • Publication number: 20040187443
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tool, especially in a packaging machine, for closing cavities in packaging and/or sealing and cutting packaging. Said tool is raised and lowered by means of a lifting device. The invention also relates to a packaging machine comprising said tool and to a method for automatically adjusting the parameters of a packaging machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Frank Michel
  • Publication number: 20040172917
    Abstract: A process for preparing a water-soluble article comprising a water-soluble primary thermoformed component and a water-soluble secondary component attached thereto, which comprises placing the secondary component in the cavity of a thermoforming mould, thereafter placing a primary component in or over the thermoforming mould, forming the primary thermoformed component by thermoforming the primary component in the mould, and removing the article from the mould.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventor: John Paul Duffield
  • Publication number: 20040154948
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plastic packaging (1) made from a packaging dish (2) and a cover lid (3). The cover lid (3) is at least partially sealed to the packaging dish (2) in a peelable manner and the cover lid (3), or the packaging dish (2), comprises at least one knob (5) and complementary to the above the packaging dish (2) or the cover lid (3) comprises a recess (6), through which the knob(s) is/are pressed on sealing the plastic packaging (1). At least a partial region of at least one knob is provided with a sealing material (9) or preferably at least one partial region of at least one knob (5) and the boundary region of the complementary recess (7) is connected to a sealing material (9), which on first opening of the packaging (1) is damaged. The invention further relates to methods for the production of said packages (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Rudolf Fux
  • Publication number: 20040144065
    Abstract: A vacuum-assisted process for making a fluid-containing water-soluble pouch. The pouches obtained according to the process of the invention have a reduce air content. The use of the pouches containing detergent composition for laundry and dishwashing is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: David John Smith, Rhys Jones
  • Publication number: 20040144064
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous, horizontal process for making water-reactive pouches, involving the steps of:
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Louis John Viltro, Rachid Ben Moussa, Timothy Bernard William Kroese, Tanguy Marie Louise Alexandre Catlin, Gregory Martin Gressel, Carl Noble, Ray Kaercher
  • Publication number: 20040118087
    Abstract: An apparatus that receives packaging containers and a mixture of powdered chemicals and compresses the powder into the containers at a pressure sufficient to form a solid of the powder yet not so high as to rupture the container. The apparatus is computer controlled and fully automated. The apparatus mixes a batch of chemicals in powder form, apportions a quantity of the mixture into the container and compresses it into a solid. Alternatively, the apparatus comprises a mold instead of the container for receiving the mixture portion, presses the portion into the mold and then the mold is rotated in a vertical plane to discharge the molded portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventor: Jeffrey K. Slaboden
  • Patent number: 6748721
    Abstract: The present provides a thermoforming system for film on blister packing machines that forms pockets without any extreme reduction of thickness of the sheet at the top face portion of the pocket and enables sheets to be placed one upon another without warping. The thermoforming system for film for blister packaging machines pinches and heats a film, fed intermittently in synchronization with an open/close drive of a pair of dies on a thermoforming system, between the dies of the thermoforming system, and partially extends the heated film along an inner circumferential face of the pocket holes of the forming die to form pockets. The dies of the thermoforming system are constructed with a forming die provided with pocket holes, a heating die provided with a plugs for locally heating only the pocket forming portion of the film F disposed facing the pocket holes of the forming die, and injecting mechanisms that inject compressed air disposed on the forming die side and the heating die side, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Mutual Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Kodai
  • Publication number: 20040080082
    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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Cesarino Galassi
  • Publication number: 20040050020
    Abstract: In a web packaging machine (10) and method packaging a food product (P) between upper and lower webs (14 and 25), wherein the lower web (14) is transported through a series of stations which form the lower web (14) into a component of a package at a forming station (18), and receive the food product (P) at a loading station (20), and close the package with the upper web (25) at a closing station (26), a pasteurization station (300) is provided between the loading station (20) and the closing station (26) and pasteurizing the food product (P).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Robert E. Hanson, Craig R. Bonneville, Tou T. Vang, Vernon D. Karman, Gary Lee Hahn, Nelly Feze, John J. Jurkowski
  • Patent number: 6694707
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for populating transport tapes with electronic components includes a mold support having at least one recess over which a flat plastic strip is disposed. A heater heats the mold support and/or the plastic strip in an area of the recesses. An embossing tool, which has the electronic component in its embossing area, together with the electronic component, is embossed into the plastic strip in the direction of the recess into the mold support to form a tape pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Rudolf Lehner, Stefan Paulus
  • Patent number: 6679031
    Abstract: According to a method for forming a blister band (1) for blister pack (10) in blistering machines (M), a band (1) of heat-formable material is moved stepwise through a preheating station (5), a forming station (6), where a regular series of blisters (20) is formed, a filling station (8), where the blisters (20) are filled with relative articles, a sealing station (9), in which the blister band is sealed with a covering band (11), and a cutting off station (13), where the blister band is cut into single blister packs (10). The method includes gradual heating, during the stepwise movement of the band (1) in the preheating station (5), of selected areas (24a, 24b, 24c) of the band (1). The areas (24a, 24b, 24c) are distributed regularly within a cold grid-like zone and have an extent suitably bigger than the extent of the blisters (2) made in the region of the heated areas (24a, 24b, 24c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventor: Pierluigi Tampieri
  • Publication number: 20040000128
    Abstract: Pouches which can then be filled and sealed are made by thermoforming a film (29) into moulds (23) in a conveyor (8, 10, 11, 21) while holding the side edges (45) of the film to the side margins (46) of the conveyor by under-pressure applied to the underside of the film through a plurality of holding orifices (44) which extend up through the conveyor and into each side margin (46).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Giacomo Di Lauretis, Mario Rosario Di Donna
  • Patent number: 6666001
    Abstract: A blow molded plastic beverage container, comprising neck, shoulder, body and base portions. A bulge is formed in one, or both, of the shoulder and base portions bulging to facilitate gripping and handling the container. Preferably, a respective bulge is formed in both the shoulder and base portions, forming a pair of bulges that bracket the container body. Also, preferably, grooves are formed in the shoulder and base portions of the container to facilitate formation of the bulges. The container is formed in a multi-step process from a preform that may have a conventional design. In this process, the preform is expanded into an initial container shape having a neck portion, a shoulder portion, a body portion, and a base portion. That container is filled with a beverage, and a bulge is formed in one, or both, of the shoulder and base portions of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: PepsiCo Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Mero
  • Patent number: 6662531
    Abstract: The method and the installation of the invention enable re-entrant receptacles to be thermoformed, filled, and closed, the rim of each receptacle having a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of its body. Prior to thermoforming a row of receptacles, preliminary cuts separated by attachment points are made in a transverse stripe of the strip of the thermoplastic strip that is to be used for thermoforming in a subsequent cycle, and for each receptacle that is to be thermoformed, the cuts define practically the entire final periphery of the rim of said receptacle, the attachment points being broken when the receptacles are separated in a subsequent cycle after the filled receptacles have been closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Erca Formseal
    Inventors: Dominique Schwab, Bernard Gandon, Michel Luc
  • Publication number: 20030219173
    Abstract: A reclosable package (10) for the retail display of a food product and for the purchase and storage thereof by a consumer has tamper-evident features to enable the consumer to discern whether the package has been opened prior to purchase. The package (10) includes a header (26) formed by attaching the front and back sheets (12,14) of the package (10) to one another above the interlocking profiles (20,22) of the zipper (18) of the package (10) with a peel seal. Below the interlocking profiles (20,22), the front sheet (12) has a line of weakness (32), such as a line of perforations extending transversely across the package (10) below the interlocking profiles (20,22). A tear in the line of weakness (32) or a breach of the peel seal would readily indicate that the integrity of the package (10) has been compromised.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: John H. Schneider
  • Patent number: 6643995
    Abstract: A box body (11) having a bottom face portion (12), side face portions (13, 14) and corner sealing portions (15) is formed of a packaging material of a soft sheet, and flange portions (16, 17) and flange jointing portions (18) are formed by folding the upper portions of the side face portions (13, 14). After this box body (11) is charged with a content, a cover member (30) is jointed to the flange portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Koyama, Takeshi Bando, Yukiko Iida, Ikuya Saitou
  • Publication number: 20030136087
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for populating transport tapes with electronic components includes a mold support having at least one recess over which a flat plastic strip is disposed. A heater heats the mold support and/or the plastic strip in an area of the recesses. An embossing tool, which has the electronic component in its embossing area, together with the electronic component, is embossed into the plastic strip in the direction of the recess into the mold support to form a tape pocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Rudolf Lehner, Stefan Paulus
  • Patent number: 6588180
    Abstract: A blister pack which confines the movement a dosage form in order to resist damage thereto during handling and transportation while permitting removal of the intact dosage form, and apparatus and methods for the same. In particular, the invention provides a blister pack wherein the blister includes a protruding region between the opening and the base, thereby producing a constricted area or “neck” in the blister. In a preferred embodiment, the protruding region comprises an inwardly directed annulus formed in the blister wall. Accordingly, vertical movement of the dosage form is confined as a result of the protruding region, thereby reducing the likelihood of damage to the dosage form caused by agitation of the blister pack. The invention is particularly useful in packaging frangible pharmaceutical dosage forms formed in situ within the blister, such as freeze dried dosage forms and rapidly dissolving oral dosage forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: R. P. Scherer Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Heath, Kevin William Greaves
  • Publication number: 20030106287
    Abstract: A thermoformable, RF-sealable material for use in packaging. The material is produced from a blend including between approximately 5% and 50% by weight of PETG, and between approximately 50% and 95% by weight of PET. A small amount of color concentrate may be added to the blend. The blend may be extruded into sheets and thermoformed to produce packaging material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: Kama of Illinois Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Yanuzzi, Donald R. Hacker, Michael Bower
  • Patent number: 6550224
    Abstract: A method for producing stand-up blister packages, and in particular a stable, easy-to-fill stand-up blister package that has no undercut of the blister dome, and can be produced with a high cycle number, without malfunctions and with a good, reproducible quality, in hot-seal machines. For this purpose, a fold line is produced through the heating of a linear region, independently of the heating during the process of sealing the blister edges with the carrier part. The apparatus has a corresponding heating station for heating and creating a fold line in the blister dome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Adolf Illig Maschinenbau GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Ekkehard Kleinschmidt
  • Publication number: 20030051443
    Abstract: The present invention, intended for providing a thermoforming system for film on blister packing machines realized in such a way as to form pockets without any extreme reduction of thickness of the sheet at the top face portion of the pocket, and enable to place the sheets one upon another without warping, is a thermoforming system for film for blister packaging machines, realized in such a way as to pinch and heat a film F, fed intermittently in synchronization with the open/close drive of the dies 5A, 5B on a thermoforming system, between the dies 5A, 5B of the thermoforming system, and partially extend said heated film F along the inner circumferential face of the pocket holes 52 of the forming die 5A to form pockets, characterized in that the dies of the thermoforming system are constructed with a forming die 5A provided with pocket holes 52, a heating die 5B provided with a plug 58 for locally heating only the pocket forming portion of the film F disposed facing the pocket hole 52 of the forming die 5A,
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Takeshi Kodai