By Heat Sealing Patents (Class 53/477)
  • Publication number: 20080120944
    Abstract: The machine comprises: a reel (3) with means (4, 104) for controlled unwinding therefrom of film (30) for closing the trays; first means (5) which are situated underneath the said reel and around which the film is deflected so as to pass from a descending path to a horizontal path; counter-die means (12) for supporting at least one tray (V) horizontally, along the upper edge (Z), with a predefined orientation and for displacing it horizontally underneath the said horizontal section of film, with entry via the said first means (5) for deviating the said film and with feeding in synchronism with the film which gradually closes the tray at the top; means (5) situated downstream of the first film deviating means (31), for sealingly welding the film onto the upper edge of the tray; means (27) situated upstream of the said first deviating means (5) for blowing an appropriate amount of the modified atmosphere at appropriate pressure values into the open part of the tray which advances underneath the film until the t
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: Renato Rimondi
  • Publication number: 20080118192
    Abstract: A breathable, heat-sealable composite film comprising first and second layers of polymeric material wherein (i) the polymeric material of the first layer comprises copolyester comprising monomeric units derived from one or more diol(s); one or more dicarboxylic acid(s); and one or more poly(alkylene oxide) glycol(s); and (ii) the second layer is a heat-sealable polymeric layer, and a process for the production thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Stephen William Sankey, Dominic Hoy, David Turner
  • Patent number: 7364779
    Abstract: A plastic, easy-opening closure for a retortable container and a method for sealing are provided. The closure includes a plastic membrane having an outer layer of polypropylene, a first tie layer, an intermediate layer formed of EVOH, a second tie layer, an inner layer formed of polypropylene, and a peel-seal layer. The peel-seal layer can be formed of high density polyethylene or polypropylene with a contaminant dispersed therein so that the closure can be easily removed from the container for opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Srinivas Nomula
  • Publication number: 20080092485
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for folding a tab over a peelable panel on an end structure comprising a ring/panel. The ring and panel are formed from the same flexible material which has no inherent deadfold characteristic. In one embodiment an upper tab fold tool includes a pivotable plate for holding the folded edge of the tab in position prior to heat sealing to the peelable panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: Crown Packaging Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Longworth, Jason John Hall
  • Patent number: 7360347
    Abstract: A device for wrapping packets of cigarettes has a conveyor for feeding the packets successively along a path; and a number of heating heads, each of which is brought into contact with a respective packet and accompanies the packet from a contact station to a withdrawal station along part of the path; on reaching the withdrawal station, the heating heads are withdrawn, crosswise to the path, from the respective packets, and are conveyed, parallel to the path, from the withdrawal station to the contact station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: G.D Societá per Azioni
    Inventors: Luca Lanzarini, Francesco Milandri, Luca Federici, Stefano Negrini
  • Patent number: 7347913
    Abstract: Apparatus (20) and methods for segmenting a blood-filled tube (42) into multiple, blood-containing, sealed segment are disclosed. The apparatus (20) includes a tubing locating surface (22) for mounting the tubing and sealing means (24) cooperatively associated with the tubing locating surface (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Dallapiazza
  • Patent number: 7339141
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the operation of a heating element moving periodically along a predefined path includes first and second sensors positioned adjacent the path of the heating element. The first sensor is configured to sense the presence of the heating element proximate to the second sensor, and the second sensor is configured to sense a temperature associated with the heating element as is passes by the second sensor. A controller receives signals from the first and second sensors and performs a control function such as indicating when the temperature sensed by the second sensor fall outside a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Edgar J. Mister, Douglas R. VanTassel
  • Publication number: 20080044525
    Abstract: A packaging (1) for a material that can be heated, especially microwave-heated, in the packaged state, which packaging has at least one sealing region (5) which becomes locally permeable when a predetermined internal pressure is exceeded. The or each sealing region of such a kind has at least one intended passage region (7, 9), which comprises a choke (9) for the contents of the packaging and an apex (7) pointing towards the interior of the packaging. As the choke there is used a channel-like, triangular or star-shaped interrupt ion or cut-out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Christian Fenn-Barrabass, Gerhard Ricder
  • Patent number: 7328556
    Abstract: A system for sealing thermoplastic film includes one or more bag sealing units, each comprising a lower vacuum platen and a vacuum chamber cover adapted for sealing engagement on the platen to form a vacuum chamber. A sealing bar assembly includes a sealing bar designed for constant heated operation and a pair of cooling plates which function as heat sinks. The sealing bar assembly is pneumatically reciprocated between a raised, disengaged position and a lowered position with the sealing bar engaging the neck of a bag for hermetically sealing same. The cooling plates clamp the bag neck against a sealing support assembly. A method of sealing a thermoplastic film bag includes the steps of placing a packaging object in a thermoplastic bag and placing the bag on a cradle with the bag neck extending over a bag support assembly. Avacuum chamber cover is placed on the platen and evacuated to form a vacuum chamber. A sealing bar assembly melds the thermoplastic to form a sealed area across the bag neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventor: Mark W. Taylor, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7326163
    Abstract: Pressure pads useful in the closing and sealing of multiple components which define the bottom of a carton, particularly a gable-type carton, bottom having a square or rectangular footprint. The invention is especially useful in the closing of the bottom of cartons wherein the sealing fin of the carton bottom is non-handed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Evergreen Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: Tim P. Hughes, Kimberly D. Ammons
  • Patent number: 7311199
    Abstract: A bundle (8) of rolls made from a strip of insulation of a fibrous material, comprising several rolls, arranged side by side with the axes thereof parallel in several superimposed layers with a wrapping film wrapping each layer in a compressed state in a first direction perpendicular to the axes of the rolls and a sleeve enclosing the superimposed layers in a state with the layers compressed one against the other in a second direction (F3) perpendicular to the axes of the rolls and perpendicular to the first direction and covering the first and second ends of the rolls of the bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Knauf Insulation SA
    Inventor: Pierre Vantilt
  • Patent number: 7308784
    Abstract: Apparatus for packaging articles in clear clamshell packages includes a pair of parallel relatively narrow, laterally spaced apart conveyor belts that support there-between a package in open position by its opposing side peripheries. A stack of packages is supported in nested configuration adjacent the front end of the conveyor and de-nester mechanism withdraws packages there-from and places them on the conveyor. As the package is advanced a robotic arm picks and places articles of commerce and associated product information card in the package cavity. A rotating roller coated with UV-responsive adhesive coats raised male surfaces of the advancing package. Next an air knife sends a jet of air upwardly to cause the open package lid to rotate upwardly to cover the article-receiving portion. A driven roller presses the lid downwardly to fully close it and cause the adhesive coated surfaces to fully engage the corresponding grooves on the article-receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventors: Paul Appelbaum, Frank Matheus
  • Patent number: 7291309
    Abstract: A pathology distribution system 10 is provided for automated sample container 14, 15 distribution. The system 10 comprises a loading station 500 for loading samples in primary containers 14 of different types, a sample handling station 16 for receiving the containers 14 and identifying the container types and samples therein, and a container distribution station 38 for distributing the containers in areas or racks in the distribution station 38 marked for analyzing processes prescribed for the samples therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: A.i. Scientific Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Leslie Robert Watson, Christoph Friedrich Tschopp, Ross Andrew Weaver, Ian David Henderson, Pieter Adriaan Kuiper, Christian Darrel Decosterd
  • Patent number: 7275312
    Abstract: The specification discloses an apparatus comprising an alignment plate having a plurality of depressions therein, each depression being sized to receive a packaging cap therein and to prevent its movement, and a force applicator to apply a force to press the packaging caps and a substrate firmly together. Also disclosed is a process comprising inserting a plurality of packaging caps in a plurality of depressions on an alignment plate, each depression being sized to receive a packaging cap and prevent its movement, aligning the plurality of packaging caps with individual devices on a substrate, placing the substrate in contact with the packaging caps, and applying a force to press the caps against the substrate. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory S. Clemons, Mitesh C. Patel
  • Patent number: 7258656
    Abstract: A packaging machine utilizing side connected chains of open bags is disclosed. The machine has loading and closure sections which are moveable between operating and cleaning/service positions. A resistance heater subassembly is removeable to enable washdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Hershey Lerner, Dana J. Liebhart
  • 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: 7213383
    Abstract: A foam-in-bag assembly with a film feed mechanism which feeds film with a film driver and a bag forming assembly which includes an edge sealer that contacts film being fed by the film driver and which is supported on a moving member of the film feed mechanism and retains a fixed position relative to the moving member while in sealing engagement with the film being fed by the film driver. The edge seal assembly is preferably for use with a nip roller set and has a bearing through which a driving shaft of the nip roller extends and an edge wire is received on an edge wire support of the edge sealer. The support for the edge wire retains a fixed edge seal position while the driving member rotates within the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: IntelliPack
    Inventors: Douglas Walker, George Bertram
  • Patent number: 7200977
    Abstract: A heat-shrinkable multilayer film comprises (A) a first layer, which is an outer layer, and which comprises polyolefin; (B) a second layer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polystyrene, and polyurethane; (C) a third layer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of amorphous polyester and polyester having a melting point of from about 130° C. to about 260° C.; (D) a fourth layer, which is an outer layer, the fourth layer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyamide and polyurethane. The first layer preferably serves as a seal layer in a heat-shrinkable bag. The third layer provides enhanced impact strength, optics, grease-resistance, and free-shrink of the film, and renders the tape more easily orientable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Ram K. Ramesh, John R. Wolf, George D. Wofford
  • Patent number: 7178314
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a waste disposal apparatus including a container having a first end and a second end. A tubing cassette for supplying tubing is mounted proximate the first end of the container. A first sealing member and a second sealing member are moveable between an open position, wherein tubing from the tubing cassette can pass between the first and second sealing members, and a closed position, wherein the first and second sealing members can be activated to create a seal in the tubing. The first and second sealing members are guided by guide pins that travel along stepped channels for moving the first and second sealing members between the open and closed positions, and for pulling the tubing and waste packages through the waste disposal apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Chomik, Stewart Schmehl
  • Patent number: 7178316
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sealing apparatus is provided for transversely ultrasonically sealing a packing material comprised of a laminated body including at least a thermoplastic resin layer having a tubular form and containing a fluid. The apparatus includes a horn having an elongated and flat sealing face and an opposing jaw with an action face including a pressing portion for pressing the packing material in cooperation with the sealing face of the horn to a define at least one transverse sealing zone of the tubular packing material. At least one groove is disposed on the action face of the opposing jaw for forming a molten thermoplastic resin bulge in a vicinal area of the at least one sealing zone on a side in contact with the fluid in the tubular packing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Shikoku Kakoki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kume, Mitsuhiko Shinohara, Takeshi Iseki, Michio Ueda
  • Patent number: 7144358
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing a tube-shaped package having longitudinal sides and a bottom and made of flexible material, wherein the longitudinal sides of the package are sealed prior to forming the bottom and the bottom is formed by pushing an annular portion of the flexible material inward in a U-shaped arrangement at at least on closed end of the tube-shaped package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: BP Europack S.p.A.
    Inventors: Sergio Visona′, Giorgio Trani, Marion Sterner
  • Patent number: 7137235
    Abstract: A method for packaging in block form a sheathed hot-melt adhesive product comprises the steps: (a) of continuously supplying a sheathed hot-melt adhesive product, (b) of immersing the sheathed hot-melt adhesive product in a liquid refrigerant, (c) of pressing the sheathed adhesive product at a portion thereof, (d) of ultrasonically welding the sheathed adhesive product at the pressed portion; and (e) of cutting the sheathed adhesive product into a block at the pressed portion. A block of sheathed hot-melt adhesive product and an installation for packaging a sheathed hot-melt adhesive product are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Bostik SA
    Inventors: Hervé Burriez, Paul Grover
  • Patent number: 7129450
    Abstract: A method and a device for manufacturing packages are provided. The method comprises providing a tubular first package part of a sheet of thermoplastic coated packaging material including at least one layer of an induction heatable material. The first package part has a sealed first joint between two mutually opposing edge sections of the sheet. The method further comprises joining together the first package part and a second package part by a second joint, the first and the second joint intersecting each other. The method further comprises arranging induction heating means including at least two conductors extending along each other, so that the conductors extend along the second joint and sealing the second joint by feeding an inducing current through the induction heating means. The inducing current is conducted by the conductors along the second joint in opposite directions in said at least two conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Hakan Andersson
  • Patent number: 7119310
    Abstract: An inductive cap sealer (10) for sealing an inner seal over an opening (54) in container (52) includes a vented sealing head (12). The sealing head (12) contains an induction coil (24) for producing an electromagnetic field when energized by a power supply. Field focusing elements (26) contain the coil (24) and direct the electromagnetic field to a sealing region beneath the sealing head (12). The housing (20) has a central inlet vent (40) flanked by two outlet vents (42, 44) aligned with a vent plate (46) inside the housing (20) having a plurality of small openings (48) which allow a fan (18) to blow cooling air through the sealing head from only one side of the sealing head (12) in a generally U-shaped flow pattern, preferably from the side opposite the sealing region. The field focusing elements (26) are spaced to allow the cooling air to flow around the field focusing elements (26) and past the coil (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Enercon Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Richard R. Hammen, Ronald F. May
  • Patent number: 7089714
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming void-fill packaging wherein a tubular plastics material (11) is periodically fed via driver rollers (15) along a longitudinal guide path (12), first and second transverse spaced parallel heat seals are formed substantially across the plastics material via a transverse heat sealer (36, 38) to define a chamber (104) between the seals, a fluid is discharged into the chamber via a nozzle (20) positioned along the guide path and adapted to extend inside the tubular plastics material adjacent to one longitudinal edge of the plastic material, a third heat seal is formed via a longitudinal heat sealer (78) to seal the chamber (104), and the longitudinal edge of the tubular plastic material is cut via a cutting element (22) so that the movement of the tubular plastics material is not hindered by the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Green Light Packaging Limited
    Inventor: Keith Frederick Thomas
  • Patent number: 7074362
    Abstract: A method for preparing dental instruments for sterilization in which the instruments are put into a relatively large see-through heat sealable plastic bag. The bag is placed over a surface of an impulse heater and an arm is lowered to clamp the bag and apply two heat seals across the bag; one heat seal to enclose the instruments and a second parallel heat seal. A knife carried by the arm is used to cut between the two heat seals. This cutting operation forms a custom sized closed bag containing the instruments to be sterilized that is placed into an autoclave and sterilized. The cutting also forms a second bag, smaller than the original bag that is reserved for use in a subsequent packaging operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventor: James L. Walsh
  • Patent number: 7059103
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sealing apparatus wherein, as a drum (5) and a rotary base (6) are rotated together, a follower (10a) of a rocking support member (9) rockably provided on the outer periphery of the rotary base (6) is guided along a cam groove (15c) of a cam member (15) to drive the rocking support member (9) to rock. When the rotary drum (5) reaches a predetermined rotational position, an anvil (14) supported by the rocking support member (9) is urged onto a horn (8), and then, when it reaches another rotational position, the anvil (14) is moved away from the horn (8). Since the anvil (14) is driven by the rocking motion of the rocking support member (9), entire operation becomes quite simple, and a continuous soft work can be certainly clamped between the horn (8) and the anvil (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Akihide Ninomiya, Hironori Nomura, Junji Shinohara, Hiroki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7047709
    Abstract: An automated, fully programmable, and adaptable device fills straws or straw-like packages with any type of flowing, or flowable, liquid. A straw is dropped from a hopper down chutes into a capture area where it is held and filled with liquid, after which it is sealed. The straw dropping, capture, filling, and sealing actions are preferably automatically controlled by a preprogrammed electronic controller. The major elements of a typical embodiment of the invention include means for dropping a straw or other receptacle into a fixed mounting position consistently, optional means for heating fluids throughout the fill process, means for filling the receptacle, and means for sealing the receptacle. The straw hopper has a retractable slide plate at its base that slides back to allow only one straw at a time to fall through the chutes into the capture area. In the preferred embodiment, the slide plate at the bottom of the hopper moves back and forth in a predefined fully programmable sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventor: Kathryn M. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 7013617
    Abstract: A method of filling and sealing a gas capsule having (i) a hollow body portion and (ii) an elongate hollow neck portion having a free open distal end extending from the body portion is disclosed. The method is accomplished by applying a filling cap to the open end of the neck portion while evacuating the capsule and refilling with helium. Two crimping steps while pressure is maintained finishes the filling and sealing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: The BOC Group, plc
    Inventor: Michael Ernest Garrett
  • Patent number: 7007445
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a row of encapsulated interconnected vials with the mold. The method includes forming a plurality of cavity profiles linked together by arms, and inserting a plurality of core pins into the cavity profiles. The method includes injecting a plastic fluid about the core pins to form a row of interconnected vials. The method includes removing the row of interconnected vials and positioning the row into a holding tray. The method further includes placing the liquid into the row of interconnected vials with an injection device. An open end of the row of interconnected vials is heat-sealed. The step of heat-sealing may include applying heat, measuring the temperature, and measuring the time heat is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventor: Kent A. Louviere
  • Patent number: 6996951
    Abstract: A flexible container is provided for the storage and administration of medical solutions. The container incorporates a transparent front sheet made from a planar layer of a polymer and an opposing rear sheet. The rear sheet is made from a planar laminate layer. The front and rear sheets are sealed together along a common peripheral edge to form a volume enclosure. The volume enclosure is constructed of materials having high oxygen and moisture barrier properties which allows the container thermoplastic to be stored for extended periods of time without degrading the contents. The volume enclosure is then inflated with a pressurized gas to permanently stretch the front and rear sheets outwardly and to thereby increase the volume capacity of the container. An alternative embodiment of the container incorporates multiple compartments, separated by peelable seals, for containing a diluent and a medicament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: B. Braun Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Smith, Ward Barney, Noel Gharbian, Douglas G. Harvey, Mark R. Mclonis, Christopher D. Peara, Scott L. Pool, Giuseppe Sacca, Thomas R. Sakaguchi, Sharilyn J. Sandberg, William V. Walter, Nicholas Chung-Hui Wu, Walter A. York, H. Theodore Young, William A. Sperko, Robert E. Turner, William B. Ray
  • Patent number: 6949154
    Abstract: A method of sealing parts of a plastic capsule by forming a weld seam in an overlapping region of the parts of the capsule, wherein the capsule comprises a capsule cap having an open end and a capsule body having an open end, the method comprising: (a) holding the capsule cap and the capsule body in a capsule holder comprising a first holding part and a second holding part which can be guided synchronously with one another, wherein the first holding part interlockingly surrounds the capsule cap and the second holding part interlockingly surrounds the capsule body; (b) closing the capsule holder holding the capsule cap and the capsule body so that the open end of the capsule cap and the open end of the capsule body form a sealed cavity therebetween and form an overlapping region, wherein the overlapping region is not covered by the capsule holder, to obtain a closed capsule; and (c) welding the closed capsule using an energy beam of hot gas or laser light on the overlapping region by forming the weld seam t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma KG
    Inventors: Dieter Hochrainer, Herbert Wachtel
  • Patent number: 6945017
    Abstract: There is provided a method of forming a blister pack comprising contacting a base sheet having a blister pocket therein with a cover sheet and applying laser energy to form a join between said cover sheet and said blister pocket of said base sheet. The blister pack is preferably in the form of an elongate strip. The blister pack is suitable for the containment of a range of different products, particularly medicaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: SmithKline Beecham Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley George Bonney, James William Godfrey
  • Patent number: 6928794
    Abstract: A machine for forming filled sealed pouches from a continuously moving sealable web of material includes a first sealing station for forming a longitudinal seal along a side edge of the web, and a horizontal sealing station for forming a plurality of transverse seals in the web. The horizontal sealing station includes a pair of conveyors each carrying jaws that mate along a sealing path to form the transverse seals. A method of forming filled sealed pouches from a continuously moving sealable web of material is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Craig E. Hamer, John F. Macklin, Gary W. Schukar, Jeffery N. Jackson, Neil J. Schwartzbauer
  • Patent number: 6912828
    Abstract: A method for packaging a product in a hermetically sealed container having a cup-shaped rigid or semi-rigid body with a rim fitted with a closure, the method comprising introducing the product into the cup-like shaped body. Forming an isolated space with a gas inlet and a gas outlet, the space defined between the body and a closure-forming member adjacent to and with a clearance from the rim. Introducing a replacement gas through the inlet to replace at least a substantial portion of gas originally contained in the isolated space, and displacing at least one of the body or the closure-forming member towards the other of the two members to close the clearance and to attach the closure-forming member to the rim, and hermetically attaching the two to one another to form a gas-tight steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Hefestus Ltd.
    Inventor: Yehuda Yamay
  • Patent number: 6913809
    Abstract: A lap sealable film for forming bags on conventional vertical form/fill/seal equipment containing a seal layer and a barrier layer. The seal layer and barrier layer form opposing surfaces of the film. The seal layer contains single site catalyzed polyethylene and is capable of sealing to the barrier layer. The barrier layer comprises a heat resistant and moisture barrier material, such as high density polyethylene or polypropylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Pliant Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Z. Wolak
  • Patent number: 6881286
    Abstract: A sealed composite container for products is provided having a paperboard body ply with a liner ply adhered on the inner surface thereof. One end of the container is rolled outwardly to form a rim and exposing the inner surface of the liner ply, which comprises a heat sealable composition. A lid for the container, also having a layer of heat sealable composition, is placed adjacent to the exposed heat sealable composition of the container liner and heat sealed thereto. The heat seal has both an inner and an outer bead formed on either side of the heat sealed area, wherein the inner bead comprises a larger amount of the heat seal compositions than the outer bead. A method and apparatus for forming the heat seal is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Drummond, Alan D. Williams, Floyd H. Boatwright, Jeffrey M. Schuetz
  • Patent number: 6872413
    Abstract: Pickled products immersed in a pickling solution are packaged in a cardboard box for shipment to customers. The box is lined with a plastic bag to protect the pickled products and pickling solution from contaminants, and to prevent the pickling solution from leaking. The cardboard boxes may be arranged in multiple layers on a pallet for shipment. The pickled products may be put in the box in a pickled state or in a raw state, whereupon they cure to the pickled state during shipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Sunshine Fresh Inc.
    Inventor: William Rosenblum
  • Patent number: 6862867
    Abstract: A system for sealing thermoplastic film includes one or more bag sealing units, each comprising a lower vacuum platen and a vacuum chamber cover adapted for sealing engagement on the platen to form a vacuum chamber. A sealing bar assembly includes a sealing bar designed for constant heated operation and a pair of cooling plates which function as heat sinks. The sealing bar assembly is pneumatically reciprocated between a raised, disengaged position and a lowered position with the sealing bar engaging the neck of a bag for hermetically sealing same. The cooling plates clamp the bag neck against a sealing support assembly. A method of sealing a thermoplastic film bag includes the steps of placing a packaging object in a thermoplastic bag and placing the bag on a cradle with the bag neck extending over a bag support assembly. A vacuum chamber cover is placed on the platen and evacuated to form a vacuum chamber. A sealing bar assembly melds the thermoplastic to form a sealed area across the bag neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Pack-Tech, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Derril R. Cady, Mark W. Taylor, Sr., Theodore A. Balek
  • Patent number: 6843040
    Abstract: The oxygen-absorbing package of the present invention is produced by packaging an oxygen-absorbing composition comprising, as an effective component, an iron powder containing a fine iron powder passing through a 200-mesh standard sieve in an amount of 5% by weight or less by an air-permeable packaging material using an automatic filling-packaging machine. By using the above oxygen-absorbing composition, the iron powder is prevented from being partially scattered to attach to the outer surface of the oxygen-absorbing package during the industrial packaging operation using the automatic filling-packaging machine of high productivity, thereby enabling to obtain an oxygen-absorbing package capable of preserving products for a long period of time without contamination and color change during the storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Haruaki Eto, Ken Sugimoto, Hidetoshi Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 6837029
    Abstract: A carton closure method wherein heated end side walls of the open end of a carton are initially infolded to partially close the open end of the carton and thereafter subjected to capture between a backup pad and a pressure pad by a linearly reciprocative cam to which pressure is applied by a cam follower driven in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of linear movement of the cam relative to the backup pad, whereby the cam is moved between positions wherein there is applied pressure against the partially infolded portions of the end side walls of a carton blank to effect a sealing pressure against such infolded portions and a position wherein no material pressure is applied to the partially infolded end side walls of the carton blank, the cam movement being facilitated by a multi-faceted geometry of the camming face of the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Inventors: George A. Morden, Cletus E. Kreher
  • Publication number: 20040261373
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of using a nonwoven medical wrap, and more specifically, to a method of supplying a medical wrap in a continuous form for a more convenient means of wrapping surgical instruments. In a first embodiment, the medical wrap may be in rolled form comprising one or more plies that may be detached from the roll in user determined lengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Bowen, Sergio Diaz de Leon, Weiping Lin, Nick Carter
  • Patent number: 6835273
    Abstract: Heating tongs (6) are used to cut a sleeve (4) fixed around an opening (1) of a chamber (2) after the objects to be taken out of the chamber have been introduced. Another pair of tongs (9) is placed on the side of the opening (1) to tighten the sleeve (4) and to keep it flat to avoid pleats, to allow ventilation during the preparation and to avoid tension in the sleeve; the latter would compromise the sealing taking place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Matieres Nucleaires
    Inventor: Didier Vargas
  • Publication number: 20040245138
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lid (1) that can be heat-sealed to the opening of a package (2) and peeled off as the package is opened. In addition, the invention comprises methods for manufacturing such a lid and a package sealed with the lid, and also a sealed package equipped with a lid. The lid (1) consists of a fibrous material layer (6), whichmay be paper or cardboard, a polymer oxygen-barrier layer (7), suitable materials of which are polyethylene terephthalate (PET), ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) or polyamide (PA), and a polymer heat-seal layer (8). In accordance with the invention, the heat-seal layer (8) combines ethylene methyl acrylate copolymer (EMA), ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and polyamide wax, adherence of the heat-seal layer directly to the oxygen-barrier layer (7) having been allowed without any intermediate binder. During the manufacture of the lid, the oxygen-barrier and heat-seal layers (7, 8) can be applied onto paper or cardboard by coextrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Tapani Penttinen, Risto Salminen
  • Patent number: 6775472
    Abstract: A radiant energy device for shrinking a thin film onto an open top of a container, the radiant energy device comprising: a source of power, to provide power to the radiant energy device; a plurality of fixed energy-emitting units, each of the units when energized being configured to emit radiant energy towards the shrinking film on said open top of the container; and a switching means, operatively connected between the source of power and each of the energy-emitting units, to independently activate at least two groups of the energy-emitting units; wherein, a first group of the energy-emitting units partially shrinks the thin film onto the container, and a second group finishes the shrinking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Green-Line Products Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Bakker, Larry Gunseor
  • Patent number: 6758026
    Abstract: A tube of film (12) is pierced by an injection needle (18) that fills the tube with air as the film and needle move. Two spaced heat seal wires (22) seal longitudinal extents of the tube from each other. A piston shaft (100) is constrained to move with a carriage (56) to compress and expel air from a cylinder, which air is supplied to the space within the tubular bag. An air paddle (92) pushes on the outer side of the bags to cause air that has recently been injected to be urged forwardly, within the bag, and through the space between an anvil (23) and the sealing wires (22) into the bag that is formed moments later by heat sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Easypack Limited
    Inventor: Trevor Davey
  • Patent number: 6748723
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling and sealing of containers, such as sealable valved bags are provided. A sealable valved bag is placed in an upright, erect position, with its sealable valve structure presented to the apparatus, in a slightly open position, amenable to receipt of a filling nozzle of a filling tube. A bag sealing apparatus is placed at the same position along a processing path as a filling apparatus. The filling apparatus and the sealing apparatus are both configured for reciprocable movement into and out of engagement with successive ones of the bags, to enable filling, and subsequent sealing of each of such bags, without intermediate indexing of bags from a filling station to a sealing station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Stone Container Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Stephan Wadium, Benjamin Bradly Petersen, Kenneth David Goodworth, David Loyd Sorensen, Daren Kay Searle
  • Patent number: 6749796
    Abstract: A process for producing containers involves a tube and at least one separating partition, both formed from plasticized synthetic material. The partition extends within the tube. The tube and partition are extruded into an opened blow mold. The blow mold is then closed, and the tube is expanded by producing a pressure gradient that acts upon the tube. The pressure gradient is applied to expand the tube against the molding wall of the blow mold to form the container. The end of the tube that is the front end during the extrusion step and the front end of every separating partition are welded together by closing the opened blow mold, thereby closing the base of the container that is linked with every separating partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventor: Bernd Hansen
  • Patent number: 6735926
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a plurality of interconnected vials with a mold. The mold includes a first slide and a second slide. The method comprises contracting the first slide and the second slide so that a plurality of cavity profiles linked together by a plurality of arms is formed. A plurality of core pins is placed within the plurality of cavity profiles so that the core pins are freestanding. A plastic fluid is injected about the plurality of core pins to form a plurality of interconnected vials. The plurality of interconnected vials are removed from the plurality of core pins. The plurality of interconnected vials are placed into a holder tray and a liquid is injected into the vials. The open ends of the vials are heat sealed in order to encapsulate the plurality of interconnected vials. The steps of heat sealing include applying heat, measuring the temperature applied, and measuring the time the heat is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventor: Kent A. Louviere
  • Publication number: 20040065052
    Abstract: A heat-shrinkable multilayer film comprises (A) a first layer, which is an outer layer, and which comprises polyolefin; (B) a second layer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polystyrene, and polyurethane; (C) a third layer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of amorphous polyester and polyester having a melting point of from about 130° C. to about 260° C.; (D) a fourth layer, which is an outer layer, the fourth layer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyamide and polyurethane. The first layer preferably serves as a seal layer in a heat-shrinkable bag. The third layer provides enhanced impact strength, optics, grease-resistance, and free-shrink of the film, and renders the tape more easily orientable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Ram K. Ramesh, John R. Wolf, George D. Wofford