Bag, Tube, Center-folded Web Patents (Class 53/459)
  • Publication number: 20130036710
    Abstract: A method for the production and filling of packaging means is described and claimed, in which the following production steps are performed: flattened tubular film material is wound off a roll along the primary axis of symmetry of the hose, the tubular material is provided via a welding and separating process with a first lateral welding seam perpendicular in reference to the tubular axis and separated along a separation line, the hose sections open at one side are filled, the still open end of the hose section open at one side is provided with a second lateral welding seam. It is considered novel and inventive that two subsequent separation lines are inserted in the hose at a distance, which is smaller than the distance between the two edges of the hose. Additionally, a device is described and claimed comprising features allowing the implementation of the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas Knoke, Ruediger Crosse-Heitmeyer, Thomas Hawighorst
  • Publication number: 20130019571
    Abstract: Bandoliers of serially-connected four-seam pouches are received, opened and filled in continuous motion on a rotating parallel land high capacity filler wheel with a tucker finger engaging the bottom seam of each pouch to facilitate the opening process, and where the pouches are held solely by the lands without other pouch engaging or holding clips or other structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: OYSTAR North America
    Inventor: MARK R. NEASE
  • Publication number: 20120279180
    Abstract: A system for reducing oxygen in a package of produce product using a lance manifold. The lance manifold has a first end adapted to receive an input gas flow and a second end adapted for placement in a partially-enclosed cavity containing the produce product. The second end of the lance manifold includes a plurality of exit ports adapted to produce an output gas flow and a sampling port for taking an air sample from the partially-enclosed cavity. The system also includes an oxygen analyzer for detecting oxygen content of gas inside the partially-enclosed cavity using the sampling port. The system is configured to produce an output gas flow with the following properties: a substantially oxygen-free composition; a flow rate of at least 100 standard cubic feet per hour (SCFH); and a flow direction substantially 90 degrees to a cavity opening of the partially-enclosed cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry L. Crawford, Bob J. Dull, Robert Tarango, Robert J. Schrader
  • Patent number: 8276347
    Abstract: A transportable container for flowable bulk goods is formed by disposing an outer wrap around a bottom support and a portion of a vertically spaced slip frame former. One of the slip frame former and the bottom support moves vertically relative to other in response to the fill level of the bulk goods. As bulk goods are added to the transportable container, the position of the slip frame former is radially adjusted to modify the shape of the transportable container. As the fill level increases in the transportable container, previously disposed portions of outer wrap are disengaged from the slip frame former to squeeze the filled portions of the transportable container. Additional portions of outer wrap are disposed around a portion of the slip frame former to maintain the transportable container for receiving bulk goods as the previously disposed portions of outer wrap are disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Dave Ours, Sharon Juntunen
  • Patent number: 8272409
    Abstract: Empty, flat folded storage bags which may be valve bags are prepared for filling with a flowable material, by seating and stacking a plurality of the bags on a fixed elevation base within a chamber of a bag holding magazine assembly, the resulting stack defining an initial stack rising from a lowermost one the bags on the base to an uppermost one of the bags. In a first cycle of operation, all but the lowermost bag is raised away from the base, the raised bags defining a depleted stack of bags. Then, while the depleted stack remains raised, the lowermost bag is removed from the chamber through a chamber outlet opening. Then, the depleted stack is lowered to seat a new lowermost bag on the base to complete first cycle. The cycle is repeated for each lowermost bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Target Products Ltd.
    Inventors: Vincent Rody Manzon, Jeffery Franklin Boyne, Ryan Stewart Maw, Stephen Douglas Erdman
  • Publication number: 20120222390
    Abstract: A stackable package for bedding includes a flexible outer container having an upper end and a lower end, a bottom panel extending along the lower end of the flexible container and side panels extending upwardly from the bottom panel toward the upper end of the flexible container for defining an open end of the flexible outer container. The stackable package includes an insert disposed inside the flexible outer container for reinforcing the bottom and side panels of the flexible outer container, and bedding disposed inside the insert. The side panels of the flexible outer container have upper ends that are joined together for hermetically sealing the bedding inside the flexible outer container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: Comfort Revolution, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Fux
  • Patent number: 8256191
    Abstract: Methods of automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting include: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; and (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Tipper Tie, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel D. Griggs, Dennis J. May, David T. Wince, William M. Poteat, Derek L. Brown
  • 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: 8252396
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a barrier film that maintains an oxygen barrier after being subjected to autoclaving conditions. The film comprises one EVOH layer positioned as a core layer, and one EVOH layer positioned directly adjacent to an outer layer comprising highly permeable material having a moisture vapor permeability greater than about 40 g-mil/100 in2-day-atm. During autoclaving, the barrier properties of the EVOH layer positioned adjacent to the outer layer allows improved recovery of oxygen barrier properties. In addition, during rewetting applications, the internal EVOH layer maintains the oxygen barrier. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the disclosed barrier film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter B. Mueller, Patrick W. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8245484
    Abstract: A bag opening method and apparatus for use in bag filling and packaging in which a bag B is gripped at its laterally opposite side edges with a pair of gripping members and moved along a predetermined path. A pair of suction cups 23 disposed facing each other at respective mutually spaced standby positions are moved to respective closest positions at which a vacuum is applied to the suction cups to cause them to adhere to the outer surfaces of the opposite side walls of the bag. The suction cups are retracted away from each other to respective intermediate positions between the closest and standby positions. The suction cups having reached the intermediate positions are stopped there for a predetermined period of time. Thereafter, the suction cups are retracted from the intermediate positions to the standby positions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Toyo Jidoki Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kazunori Yamamoto, Masanori Yasuhira
  • Publication number: 20120192527
    Abstract: Empty, flat folded storage bags which may be valve bags are prepared for filling with a flowable material, by seating and stacking a plurality of the bags on a fixed elevation base within a chamber of a bag holding magazine assembly, the resulting stack defining an initial stack rising from a lowermost one the bags on the base to an uppermost one of the bags. In a first cycle of operation, all but the lowermost bag is raised away from the base, the raised bags defining a depleted stack of bags. Then, while the depleted stack remains raised, the lowermost bag is removed from the chamber through a chamber outlet opening. Then, the depleted stack is lowered to seat a new lowermost bag on the base to complete first cycle. The cycle is repeated for each lowermost bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Vincent Rody Manzon, Jeffery Franklin Boyne, Ryan Stewart Maw, Stephen Douglas Erdman
  • Patent number: 8191341
    Abstract: A transportable container for flowable bulk goods is formed by vertically spacing a slip frame former from a bottom support. An outer wrap is disposed around the bottom support and a portion of at least one former wall to initially form the transportable container prior to the addition of the bulk goods into the transportable container. At least one of the slip frame former and the bottom support moves vertically relative to other in response to the fill level of the bulk goods. As the fill level increases in the transportable container, previously disposed portions of outer wrap are disengaged from the slip frame former to squeeze the filled portions of the transportable container and lock together the bulk goods disposed in the transportable container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Dave Ours, Sharon Juntunen
  • Publication number: 20120073246
    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 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: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael RICCARDI, Bernard LERNER
  • Patent number: 8141329
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making packages with internal headers from an elongated web of preformed interconnected bags. The packages with internal headers are made by inserting a product or a header into a bag. The bag is sealed to form a first compartment that contains the inserted bag or header. The other of the product and the header is inserted into the bag. The bag is sealed to form a second compartment that contains other of the product or header. The package is separated from the elongated web of interconnected bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek J. Zeedyk, Bernard Lerner, Kent McDonald, Michael Coleman, Gregg Martens
  • Publication number: 20120060448
    Abstract: A machine for forming a bale including a plurality of bags includes a conveyor for conveying each of the bags to an inlet opening. A film feeder is positioned adjacent the inlet opening, along with a former for forming a sleeve from the film adjacent to the inlet opening. Means for pushing, such as a pusher, is provided for pushing the bags into the sleeve. Related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventor: FERRUCCHIO CARMELO CALVANO
  • Patent number: 8132392
    Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an ice-bagging apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus comprises an ice maker for making ice and hopper for receiving the ice from the ice maker. The apparatus further includes a drawer system, operatively associated with the hopper, for measuring the ice and delivering of the ice. The drawer system includes top door and drawer. A bag delivery mechanism for placing the ice in a bag is also included, with the bag delivery mechanism including a bag supply mechanism, a blower engaged to open the mouth of the bag to receive the product, and a sealer that seals the open mouth of the bag once the bag is filled with the ice. A control device is included that manages and monitors the drawer and bag delivery mechanism and allows transmission of the collected data to the Internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Reddy Ice Corporation
    Inventor: Mark C. Metzger
  • Patent number: 8122689
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing, bagging and dispensing ice has an ice supply station, an ice collection station, a film supply, a bag forming station, and an ice transport device to transport ice from the collection station to the bag forming station. A controller controls supply of two superimposed film layers to the bag forming station, bag forming, and ice supply to the bags. A bag is partially formed from the superimposed film layers by a sealing device at the bag forming station, and ice is transported from the ice collector into the partially formed bag. The remaining open portions of the bag are sealed when sufficient ice has been supplied to the bag, which is then separated from the film supply for discharge into a storage and freezer compartment. The preceding steps are repeated until the storage and freezer compartment is filled to a predetermined level with bags of ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Schur International A/S
    Inventor: Henrik Pape
  • Patent number: 8099930
    Abstract: An inventive device or a method, respectively, for a chamber machine for positioning at least a nozzle (11) and/or a measuring device relative with respect to a bag (9) having a bag mouth should solve the object to simplify or to accelerate, respectively, gassing the bags with protective gas or the injection of liquids or solids, respectively. The inventive device comprises a movable holding device (15) at which the nozzle (11) and/or the measuring device is fixable and which is at least movable between a rest position and an operation position. The holding device (15) positions the nozzle (11) and/or the measuring device in its rest position outside the bag mouth and positions the same in its operation position so that it projects into the bag mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Multivac Sepp Haggenmueller GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Konrad Moessnang
  • Patent number: 8065859
    Abstract: An agricultural bagger apparatus and method for compacting feed into a horizontally deployed bag including a moving hopper wall and mechanism for moving the wall at an input end of hopper. The wall moving mechanism and the moving wall of the hopper sweeps the feed adjacent to the sloping wall to prevent feed bridging. A safety enclosure isolates the wall moving mechanism from contaminants and prevents exposure to the wall moving mechanism. Some embodiments also compact feed in the upper portion of a tunnel, for example, by reciprocating a hinged piston above a primary compression mechanism. A tunnel-adjustment mechanism varies a cross-section area of the tunnel exit in order to control the amount of compaction on the feed as it leaves the tunnel and enters the bag. In some embodiments, dual counter-rotating toothed compression mechanism force feed between the rotors and into the tunnel at a rate and pressure greater than what is possible with only one multiple-toothed compressor rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventor: Paul R. Wingert
  • Publication number: 20110271646
    Abstract: A method for filling a dispensing bag includes inserting a collapsed bag within a chamber of a bin and securing a lower end of the collapsed bag to the bin. After securing the lower end of the collapsed bag to the bin, a hoist coupled to an upper end of the collapsed bag is manipulated so that the hoist raises the upper end of the collapsed bag within the chamber while the lower end of the collapsed bag remains secured to the bin so as to expand the collapsed bag within the chamber of the bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: HYCLONE LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory P. Elgan, Brett L. Allred, Gary Graetz, Jeremy K. Larsen, Jim A. Austin
  • Publication number: 20110271645
    Abstract: A bag loading apparatus for removably supporting a cartridge of wicketed bags. The bag loading apparatus comprises a front slider plate having a wicket slot therein. The wicket slot is adapted to receive and removably retain the wicket arms of a cartridge of wicketed bags. In an embodiment, a second slider plate is spaced apart from the front slider plate. In an additional embodiment, a wicket retaining arm retains the cartridge of wicketed in bags in place. In a further embodiment, a bag retaining means holds each bag in an open position as it is being filled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: PACKING HOUSE SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Todd D. Odman, Alberto Soto
  • Patent number: 8024912
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enclosing a palletized container of fresh containers of perishables inside a modified atmosphere-containing plastic bag/enclosure stretched over the containers and over upwardly-folded and sealed margins of a plastic sheet placed between the pallet and the containers to seal the containers of perishables inside the bag/enclosure and to facilitate forming and maintaining a modified atmosphere inside the bag/enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Chiquita Brands, LLC
    Inventors: Richard F. J. Macleod, Frederick Forgnone, Jason Wells
  • Patent number: 8015779
    Abstract: A portioning and packaging apparatus and a portioning and packaging method. The portioning and packaging apparatus has a conveyor device for filling material which has a pump for producing a continuous volume flow, a filling tube which is connected to the conveyor device and which provides a supply of a tubular packaging case such that it can be pulled off the filling tube with the filling material which is expelled through the filling tube, a closure device which is arranged downstream of the filling tube and which locally constricts the filled packaging case to provide a tube end plait portion during the filling operation and closes a closure element around the tube end plait portion. The closure device also has a control device which produces a control signal for the constriction and closure operations on the basis of a selected portion size and the continuous volume flow and outputs it to a drive of the closure device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Poly-Clip System GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Klaus Töpfer
  • Patent number: 8006467
    Abstract: A semi-rigid flexible film pack for multi-packs, and method for manufacturing same, constructed from a gusseted bag. The invention provides for modifying a gusseted bag, heat sealing the gussets to their respective side walls, loading said gusseted bag with product, and then sealing the open end of the gusseted bag with a single sheet or web. The method of making this package is economical yet provides for a semi-rigid container ideal for use with single-serve pillow bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Joseph Bierschenk
  • Patent number: 7997050
    Abstract: A clamp for sheets of material. The clamp includes a longitudinal main body with an external clamping side. The external clamping side comprises an external dragging surface for engaging a sheet of material. An internal clamping area inwardly extends from the external clamping side. The external dragging surface is at least partially movable into the internal clamping area so as to frictionally drag at least a portion of the sheet of material, engaged thereby, into the internal clamping area therewith. Clamping devices and bagging apparatus including such clamps are also disclosed. A method of clamping overlaying sheets of material is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventor: Jacques Dussault
  • Patent number: 7975456
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for wrapping articles on a pallet, in a foil hood, includes drawing off from a supply, a flat tube formed from two foil webs The webs are folded in an inward direction and directly superposed in a flat state with an integral foil The method includes opening out the end, which is to the fore in the draw off direction of the tube, at least partially sealing the length, pulled off the foil supply, essentially athwart the draw off direction at a position remote from the foremost end of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Per Lachenmeier, Karl Mangus Rasztar
  • Publication number: 20110162328
    Abstract: Mobile bagging machine systems and methods may relate to a mobile bagging machine that includes a variable-width tunnel, a variable-speed rotor, a relatively narrow rotor of large diameter and increased effective surface area, at least one material reservoir, a material conveyor system capable of continuous material processing during exchange of unloading vehicles, and/or an overall width less than approximately three meters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: SRC INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Steven Cullen
  • Patent number: 7971371
    Abstract: A clothes dryer has a degree of dryness control system that is responsive to moisture level of clothing articles tumbling in a drum and a target moisture value to control the drying cycle of the clothes dryer. The clothes dryer has a load size parameter producing module and an air flow detection parameter module. These modules generate one of two parameter conditions used by the processor to modify or select an appropriate moisture target value. The load size producing parameter module generates one of a small load input parameter and a large load input parameter. The air flow detection module produces one of a first and second air flow parameter to be utilized by the degree of dryness processor. As a result, the processor selects one of four target moisture values from these conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Mabe Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Sébastien Beaulac
  • Patent number: 7966792
    Abstract: This device for encasing light strings for storage provides a canister as a handle that is concentric with a cylindrical feed tube that is at least partially within the canister together with a cartridge type removable dispensing tube that slides over the feed tube and within the canister. The canister is attached to the large end of a funnel on the feed tube entry end through which a light string may be fed. The canister and feed tube thus form an annular slot into which the removable cartridge type dispensing tube may be received and releasably secured slidably over the feed tube. The tubular plastic is loaded on the dispensing tube prior to the dispensing tube being slid and secured over the feed tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventor: Gary B. Hills
  • Publication number: 20110132976
    Abstract: A protective wrapper is provided that includes a film having a first sealed end, a longitudinal seal, and a second sealed end with a first height, as well as an opening mechanism. The opening mechanism includes a pair of protrusions extending outward from the first sealed end by a first height, a line of weakness extending inward from a starting point where the pair of protrusions meet, and a pair of indentations extending inward from the second sealed end. The first height of the pair of protrusions is equal to or less than the second height of the second sealed end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Wojtek Drewnowski, Peter Preisner
  • Patent number: 7954307
    Abstract: An adjustable pouch machine comprises a vertical sealer module forms transverse seals between two plies of a pouch web to partially define a plurality of pouches. Rollers selectively tension and relax the web on the vertically oriented wheel, allowing them to drop away from heated lands on emergency and cycle stops. A filler wheel has a plurality of adjustable gripper units mounted directly thereon for transporting independent separate pouches cut from the pouch web. An adjustable knife is selectively provided with changeable knife hub sets to handle a variety of pouch sizes where a filler wheel alternately first fills and seals pouches in a train. Gear linkage accommodates variation in distance between hubs of different sets. Various embodiments, apparatus and methods are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: R. A. Jones & Co. Inc.
    Inventors: Sima Paunesku, Daniel J. Rack, Jeffrey D. Wintring, Richard A. Roth
  • Patent number: 7950433
    Abstract: A machine for inflating and sealing an inflatable web comprising a series of pre-formed flexible containers, each of the pre-formed containers being capable of holding therein a quantity of gas and having an opening for receiving such gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Laurence Sperry, Eric Kane
  • Patent number: 7950205
    Abstract: Pouches are provided to the user of an automated pouch handling apparatus in a pouch container. The pouches are oriented the same way in the box. The box may be sealed to prevent pouch contamination. A door on the box is opened or removed to define a door opening. A portion of the pouch stack is accessible through the opening. These pouch containers may be stacked near a pouch handling apparatus where the operator may open the door and load the pouch containers directly into the pouch handling apparatus. The pouch handling apparatus removes the pouches directly from the pouch container through the door opening. The apparatus may include a pouch separator that bends the edge of the pouch out through the door and slides the first pouch away from the second pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Anthony H. Gates
  • Patent number: 7937910
    Abstract: A packaging machine comprises a preparation station for preparing a sleeve from a stretchable plastic film wound flat around a storage reel, and a gripper device for taking hold of the sleeve and transferring it to the depositing station for enveloping the load. According to the invention, the gripper device comprises at least one set of grippers which is equipped with notched bars to create differential stretch with the formulation of a lunula. Each bar is given a translational and/or rotational movement so that the bar can be extracted and the sleeve disengaged at the end of the depositing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Thimon
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Jaconelli, Benoît Pottier
  • Publication number: 20110099950
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating hygienic storage and disposal of waste packages such as used disposable diapers include a housing, a lid, and a bag unit having a bag frame and an attached single use flexible bag. The flexible bag is pleated and larger in cross-section at a lower portion than it is at the connection to the bag frame. The bag frame is releasably mounted to the housing so that it will not rotate. The lower portion of the flexible bag is positioned in a storage chamber of the housing that is shaped so as to align and center the bag. A rotatable member having radially extending flexible fingers is engaged with an intermediate portion of the bag. When the lid is closed, the rotatable member will twist the intermediate portion of the bag, sealing odors in the lower portion of the bag. A parent or caregiver will push the waste package through the resistance of the twisted intermediate portion into the lower portion of the bag, and close the lid to re-seal the twisted portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: MUNCHKIN, INC.
    Inventors: Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Kevin D. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20110094192
    Abstract: A method for compacting a slug of product and apparatus for accomplishing the same. The invention describes collecting weighed product in an intermediate settling device to form a compact slug of product. The device can comprise a single settling chamber or can comprise multiple settling chambers which are axially rotatable. The slug can be compacting by jostling and/or vibrating the settling device. Thereafter, the product is discharged to a packaging apparatus. Because the product in the final package is denser, a smaller package can be utilized reducing manufacturing and shipping costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: FRITO-LAY NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick Joseph Bierschenk, Jerry Mike Reaves
  • Patent number: 7913476
    Abstract: A wrapping device 1 for packaging goods, specifically goods stacked on pallets or the like, with a tube-like film, with a film feeding device 4 with fusion and cutting systems to generate and feed a dome-like film cover within a device frame 6, where film feeding device 4 works in conjunction with a covering device 7 that moves vertically up and down within device frame 6, where covering device 7 is designed to grasp the film cover and place it to cover goods located in the lower segment of device frame 6, is characterized by having film feeding device 4 move vertically within device frame 6. This arrangement simplifies installation, maintenance and repairs, specifically to the film feeding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Per Lachenmeier
  • Patent number: 7913842
    Abstract: Packages of compressed blowing wool are provided. The packages include at least two partial packages of compressed blowing wool. The partial packages have a body of compressed blowing wool encapsulated by a bag. The partial packages include an open end and a closed end. The open ends of the partial packages are configured to expose the body of compressed blowing wool. A joining mechanism is configured to join the partial packages into the package. The partial packages are joined such that the exposed bodies of compressed blowing wool in the open ends are substantially in contact with each other. The package is configured for separation into the partial packages and the partial packages are configured for loading into a blowing wool machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC
    Inventor: Michael E. Evans
  • Patent number: 7886508
    Abstract: A distance from a printing section to a heat sealing section of a medicine packaging apparatus is shortened without generating wrinkles on a package sheet. A unfolding guide included in a packaging unit for unfolding and opening a package sheet has a main ridge extending along with the fold of the package sheet, and a pair of unfolding guide surfaces, which are convex curved surfaces stretching from the main ridge and which are symmetrical to each other with respect to the main ridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Nakaji Takeda, Hiromichi Tsuda
  • Patent number: 7877966
    Abstract: A machine for forming, filling, and sealing sacks has an unwinding device for a plastic tube, a cross-cutting device that cuts the tube perpendicularly to its principal axis of symmetry and creates tubular pieces in the process, a bottom forming means for forming a sack bottom at one end of the tubular piece, transport equipment to transport the resulting sacks through the machine, a filling station with a feeding element for filling the product in the sack, means of reducing the distance between the product discharge opening of the feed element and the bottom of the sack to be filled, and sealing means to seal the filled sack. The means of reducing the distance is a sack lifting device with which the sack can be lifted in the filling station such that an upper edge of the sack is located above the product discharge opening of the feed element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Windmoeller & Hoelscher KG
    Inventors: Thomas Knoke, Uwe Koehn, Ruediger Grosse-Heitmeyer, Thomas Hawighorst
  • Patent number: 7861500
    Abstract: A method of automatically placing a bag over an object and removing the bag from a bag dispenser is provide. Fold grippers mounted to an arm support frame positioned at a first location on a frame are closed on folds of a first bag. A fold gripper is moved from a first location to a second location on the arm support frame opening the first bag. The arm support frame is moved from the first location to a second location on the frame to cover the object. The fold grippers are opened after moving the arm support frame to the second location. The arm support frame is moved from the second location to the first location on the frame. The fold gripper is moved from the second location to the first location on the arm support frame. Bag grippers mounted to the arm support frame are closed on the first bag. The fold grippers are closed on the folds of a second bag attached to the first bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: Bradley Arthur Bennett
  • Publication number: 20100313524
    Abstract: A retrofit ice making and bagging apparatus and retrofit installation method provide automatic supply of bags of ice into a freezer compartment. The apparatus has an outer housing with a lower end configured for securing on top of an aisle freezer so that openings in the lower end of the housing and upper end of the freezer are aligned to provide a passageway into the freezer compartment. An ice making unit and bag making and filling station are mounted in the housing. Ice is transported from the ice making station into partially formed bags at the bag making and filling station, and a bag is sealed and separated when a sufficient amount of ice is supplied to the bag. The bag making and filling station communicates with the passageway into a storage compartment in the freezer, whereby separated bags of ice fall into the storage compartment on completion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: SCHUR INTERNATIONAL A/S
    Inventors: Henrik Pape, Ken Strong
  • Publication number: 20100293897
    Abstract: A polymeric woven bag has a first panel and a second panel and an open end of the bag to be pinched closed. A first layer of heat activated adhesive material is on a portion of the bag to form an adhesive-to-adhesive seal by contact with a second layer of heat activated adhesive material on a portion of the bag. second panel, wherein the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer have respective heat activation temperatures below the softening point temperature of the polymeric bag material, and wherein sealing the bag end after the bag has been filled with contents by heat activating the first layer of adhesive material and the second layer of adhesive material at a temperature below the softening point temperature of the polymeric bag material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventor: Mark E. Jansen
  • Patent number: 7836666
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for bagging material into a film. The film has at least two overlapping sheets and at least one open edge. The apparatus a pair of spaced apart carriages and a pair of clamp assemblies movably mounted to a respective carriage. The clamp assemblies are pivotally movable relative to the respective carriage and vertically moveable along the length of the respective carriage. The clamp assemblies engage the film and open the film by separating the overlapping sheets. The clamp assemblies are moved downwardly along the length of the respective carriages so as to provide for the opened film to progressively bag material positioned thereunder. The clamp assembly includes a clamp having a pair of clamping members which are configured to grip a portion of the overlapping sheets for separation thereof. A method for bagging material into a film is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Inventor: Jacques Dussault
  • Patent number: 7828148
    Abstract: An improved medication organizing system for allowing patients to rapidly and easily prepare hermetically sealed dosage packages to set up their medication regime for a week, month, or longer period of time. The device includes seven hoppers to allow the patient to prepare a set of hermetically sealed medication packages for a given time for each day of the week. After being filled, each package in the set of seven packages is hermetically sealed simultaneously by simply loading the set into a sealing unit and pulling a lever. Sealing of the packages does not require manual manipulation of the individual packages by the user, such as would be required for medication organizers utilizing individual packages with zip-lock seals. The medication organizing system allows patients who lack manual dexterity, such as elderly patients, to easily prepare medication dosages for an extended period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventor: James B. Gibson
  • Patent number: 7818949
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for bagging material into a stretchable bag having an open end, comprises a movable bag stretching structure (18) displaceable between a first position for receiving the bag and a second position for holding the bag in a stretched state, wherein said stretching structure (18) is provided with elongated corner members (70, 72) for accumulating the bag thereon, each of said elongated corner members (70, 72) being provided with a movable strap-like member (210) extending along the length of the corner members (70, 72) to facilitate loading and unloading the bag on and from the corner members (70, 72).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Les Plastiques Balcan Limitée
    Inventors: Ludovic Leplatois, Julien Lefebvre, Roger Tambay
  • Patent number: 7810301
    Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an ice-bagging apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus comprises an ice maker for making ice and hopper for receiving the ice from the ice maker. The apparatus further includes a drawer system, operatively associated with the hopper, for measuring the ice and delivering of the ice. The drawer system includes top door and drawer. A bag delivery mechanism for placing the ice in a bag is also included, with the bag delivery mechanism including a bag supply mechanism, a blower engaged to open the mouth of the bag to receive the product, and a sealer that seals the open mouth of the bag once the bag is filled with the ice. A control device is included that manages and monitors the drawer and bag delivery mechanism and allows transmission of the collected data to the Internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Reddy Ice Corporation
    Inventor: Mark C. Metzger
  • Patent number: 7802416
    Abstract: A method of bagging an article into a bag comprising: providing a web of stretchable film folded in two so as to provide first and second superposed bag panels, selecting a length of stretchable film as a function of the article to be bagged, cutting the film at the selected length, sealing the bag panels at the length to form a bag having an opening for receiving the article, stretching the bag in a taut open state, and lowering the bag in the taut open state thereof over the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Marko I.R.D.C. Inc.
    Inventor: Sylvain Drolet
  • Patent number: 7770362
    Abstract: A method and a device for producing and filling sacks with at least four longitudinal seams provide a more cost-effective approach to producing and filling sacks. The material that forms the sacks is supplied from an unwinding device in the form of a tubular material to a sack forming device. The tubular material is provided with longitudinal seams in the sack forming device, with the seams extending over a major part of the sacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Windmoeller & Hoelscher KG
    Inventor: Uwe Koehn
  • Patent number: 7765775
    Abstract: A sorbent canister having a hollow body and porous end caps fused to opposite ends of the hollow body includes beveled surfaces at the fused sites to aid in the dispensing of the canisters into product packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Multisorb Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Allen DeFedericis