With Preliminary Closure Shaping Patents (Class 53/487)
  • Patent number: 8833043
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a row of lids (1) defining an unbroken sheet material having a longitudinal direction, the sheet material being shaped so that the rim of the sheet material defines first rims section (3) of the lids (2) and so that second rims sections (4) of two lids (2) being adjacent to each other in the row of lids are defined by one cut in a direction being different from perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (5) of the sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventors: Lars Henriksen, Jorgen Henriksen
  • Patent number: 8663412
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to process for making a packaging, said packaging comprising a container (2) with a container body (5) and a container opening having an upper edge, said packaging further comprising a closure (4) for closing said container, the container and the closure being made out of polyethylene terephtalate (PET), polyethylene naphtalate (PEN), or a combination thereof, said container (2) and said closure (4) comprising respectively first (8) and second (9) attachment means, characterized in that: said process comprising the steps of in order: (i) fitting said first (8) and second (9) attachment means to each other, (ii) deforming at least one of the first and/or second attachment means up to the point of permanent deformation of the PET or PEN material, by punching, rolling, or a combination thereof, so as to create a permanent, leak-tight, attachment between said container and said closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Detrois, Jean-Paul Cerveny
  • Patent number: 8407972
    Abstract: A container sealing apparatus 10 comprises an electrically conductive linearly displaceable cutting member 14 operable to cut a portion 18 of sealing material from a web 16 and an independently linearly displaceable transfer member 42 comprising an electrically insulating material and extendible relative to the cutting member 14 to transfer the cut portion 18 of sealing material to an open top of a container 12 to be sealed. An induction coil 52 produces an induction field 54 for heating the cut portion 18 of sealing material, either directly or indirectly, by induction heating to seal the cut portion 18 of sealing material to the open top of the container 12. The linearly displaceable transfer member 42 holds the cut portion 18 of sealing material against the open top of the container 12 during induction heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Relco UK Ltd
    Inventors: Mark Gill, Paul Gill, Richard William Adams, Daniel Vanko, Keith Leslie Harman
  • Publication number: 20120321415
    Abstract: A metal end is applied and sealed to a plastic or paper/plastic composite container body by a crimp-seaming or double-seaming operation. The metal end has an outer curl joined to a compound-angle chuck wall that extends down from the curl. The chuck wall has an upper part that is substantially linear and at an angle ?1 with respect to an axis of the end, and a lower part that is substantially linear and at a larger angle ?2 with respect to the axis. The compound-angle chuck wall allows a substantial diametral clearance between a lower end of the lower part of the chuck wall and the inner surface of the container body, while there is substantially zero clearance, or preferably an interference fit, between the upper part of the chuck wall and the inner surface of the container body. Accordingly, the chuck wall guides the end into concentric alignment with the container body during application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Trevor Price, Jeremy Morin, Dave Dunn
  • Patent number: 8322118
    Abstract: Systems and methods for packaging information handling systems such as notebook computers. Information handling systems may be configured in a bulk shipping configuration to allow multiple information handling system units to be shipped in a bulk configuration, and then converted to a single pack shipping configuration to allow an individual information handling system to be shipped separately and alone, or vice-versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Orin Ozias, Kevin Mundt
  • Patent number: 8316623
    Abstract: A method of forming a sealed seam between a tear-off film (12), that is provided with a tear-off strip, and a packaging member (14), the method including at least one sealing step, in which the packaging member (14) and the film 12 are compressed between a lower die (20) supporting the packaging member (14) and an upper die (22) such that an annular sealed seam (28) is formed in the peripheral portions of the film (12) and the packaging member (14), in which wherein, during a sealing step or in a subsequent non-sealing step, the sealing seam (28) is partly destroyed or weakened at is internal peripheral edge (30) in the vicinity of the tear-off strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Rainer Naroska Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Marcus Naroska
  • Patent number: 8287220
    Abstract: In the area of manufacturing peel-off lids (28) out of lid rings with a peel-off foil (25) sealed on it, a part of the sealing surface (26) is bent up in the direction of the lid edge in order to tension the sealing surface with the peel-off foil. A clamping tool (30, 31) is provided in order to clamp the sealing surface with the peel-off foil and a pressing tool (35) in order to bend up the unclamped sealing surface section (26?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Soudronic AG
    Inventors: Marcel Oberholzer, Peter Schreiber
  • Publication number: 20120175370
    Abstract: A liner for a container is provided. The liner provides sealing and tamper-evident features while also allowing a consumer to easily remove the liner to access the container contents. The liner comprises a sealing area located on one or both sides of the flat surface of the liner and configured to retain the liner in a secure position on a mouth of the container. The liner also comprises a plurality of perforations that penetrate at least one layer of the liner, wherein the plurality of perforations are configured to provide easier removal of the liner to access contents of the container. The plurality of perforation are formed with a rotary die cutter. A sealable container assembly comprises the container, the liner, and the closure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: WEATHERCHEM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Stephen Walunis
  • Patent number: 8117807
    Abstract: A three-piece pocket-size container for holding a consumer product such as smokeless tobacco product in an interior volume of a perimeter band which has a base locked to a lower rim portion and an openable cover on an upper rim of the perimeter band. When closed, the cover, the perimeter band and the base form a flush exterior sidewall of the container. The base and cover can be metal and the perimeter band can be transparent (clear, tinted or colored) or opaque plastic to provide a container that maintains product freshness, and is easily opened and closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Bellamah, William T. Griffin, Dominic J. C. Howard, Robert T. Mitten
  • Publication number: 20110226722
    Abstract: A container closure includes an inner core having a non-cylindrical profile created by a variable longitudinal cross-sectional area. One or more outer layers concentrically surround the core and have a cross-sectional area inversely correlated to the inner core so that the overall container closure has an essentially cylindrical profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: EPOLI - Espumas de Polietileno SA
    Inventor: José Romão de Sousa
  • Patent number: 7906056
    Abstract: A cup-shaped closing material having a convex section is fitted on a protrusion-like engagement section of a distal end of a mandrel with a gap from the engagement section of the mandrel, a molten resin is then disposed in a cavity of a molding die and a holepin having an outer peripheral section of a distal end that is smaller than an outer periphery of the distal end surface of the convex section of the closing material is pressed against the distal end surface of the convex section of the closing material, whereby the distal end surface of the convex section of the closing material is pleated to form an annular protrusion section at the outer peripheral section, and the molten resin is caused to envelope the annular protrusion section, while being pushed and charged into the cavity, whereby the head part with the closing material attached thereto is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Kansai Tube Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20100287893
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for closing already preformed and separated containers (19), for example trays, with a lid foil (24) in a closing station (3). The invention is characterized in that a deep-drawable foil is used as lid foil (24), that the lid foil (24) is deep-drawn in a forming means (23) of the packaging machine (1), and that the deep-drawing of the lid foil (24) is accomplished before the containers (19) are closed with the lid foil (24). The invention also relates to a packaging machine (1) suited for carrying out such a method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMULLER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Elmar Ehrmann, Helmut Sparakowski, Hans-Joachim Boekstegers
  • Publication number: 20090120043
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a closure in which the closure includes a peelable panel with integral tab folded over the panel. The apparatus includes upper and lower reform tools, the upper reform tool having a tab relief feature and local scallops at each end of the tab relief. When reform tools move together for reforming, the tab relief feature is positioned over the tab fold and the scallops at the ends of the fold. As a result crushing and fracture of the tab during reforming is avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: CROWN PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Paul Charles Claydon, Jason John Hall
  • Publication number: 20080250758
    Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for closing containers, preferably pharmaceutical containers. The apparatus includes a closing device which surrounds a closing element of the container. The closing device is provided with a magnetic mechanism, such as an electromagnetic coil, which generates a magnetic force and thereby deforms the closure element. The deformation of the closure element closes and seals the opening of the container. The closing device is designed such that the closing device applies the magnetic force to only a part of the closure element, for example, the edge of the closure element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: Johannes Rauschnabel
  • Patent number: 7412813
    Abstract: Shown and described are a device and a method for securing closure films to pouring elements arranged on composite packages with a cyclic or phased conveying device for conveying the closure films, with a feed device, with a welding device, and with a transport device for transporting the composite packages. In order to allow closure films to be secured reliably and rapidly to pouring elements on the composite packages during the manufacturing process, the welding device is arranged above the transport device, the feed device exhibits at least one clamping device for taking up the closure films and is arranged so as to be movable between a take-up position and a welding position, and the take-up position is turned towards the phased conveying device and the welding position is turned towards the transport device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: SIG Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Heil, Thomas Vetten
  • Patent number: 7387217
    Abstract: A plastic part is molded onto a top of a container having folded flaps on the top of the container. The container is formed into a tube shape from a flexible web material with crease lines. Contents are filled into the tube of web material, the tube is transverse sealed and a primary shape container is obtained by cuffing the web material along crease lines. A final shape container is obtained with multi-folding of folded flaps onto the container top. A mold of an injection molding apparatus is applied against the top of the container, and fusion thermoplastic material is injected into the cavity formed between the mold and the top of the container. The thermoplastic material is then cooled, and the mold removed to leave the plastic part molded to the top of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Ulf Bengtsson
  • Patent number: 7156248
    Abstract: Overcap (1, 11, 12) designed to overcap a neck (80) of a bottle (8) closed by a cork (82) containing a liquid to be packaged (83, 84) includes a rolled skirt (3) and a top (2) fixed to the rolled skirt around a circular junction area (4) common to the skirt and the top. The top is formed from a first strip of material chosen to have a nature and thickness so that it can be deformed, typically by stamping between a punch and a die or by thermoforming, to form a crease-free rim around the top. The rim is formed by the peripheral part of the top axially deformed over a height H between 1 and 5 mm, and the is a rim (20,21) that extends around an arc of a circle ? varying from 45 to 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Pechiney Capsules
    Inventors: Philippe Christophe, Jacky Maugas
  • Patent number: 6829874
    Abstract: A tubular container for vacuum packaging products is provided according to the present invention that includes an overcap secured to at least one of the opposed ends of a tubular container that defines a bias member for biasing a membrane-type flexible lid inwardly towards products contained within the tubular container before a vacuum is applied. The flexible lid is maintained in a biased shape until the bias member is removed. As such, the flexible lid is sufficiently restrained during the vacuum packaging process, thus preventing the breakage of products located adjacent the flexible lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Floyd H. Boatwright, Richard M. Lowman, Alan D. Williams
  • Patent number: 6820401
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging parts in compartments of a carrier tape and affixing a cover tape over the carrier tape to trap the parts in the compartments. The method and apparatus provide for deflecting a flange of the carrier tape and sealing the cover tape to the deflected flange. The cover tape is tightened across the carrier tape when the carrier tape flange returns to its undeflected condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: International Product Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Merlin E. Behnke
  • Publication number: 20040159080
    Abstract: A reclosable container includes a container having an opening defined by a rim, a reclosable lid having a rim-engaging portion and a recessed portion inwardly of the rim-engaging portion, and a sealing sheet material separate from the lid, the sealing sheet material extending across the opening and being removably secured to the container rim beneath the lid, wherein the recessed portion of the lid projects into the container opening and the sealing sheet material has a recessed portion which accommodates the recessed portion of the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: Cryovac Australia Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Stewart, Frank Kremar, Lance Bullock
  • Publication number: 20040020173
    Abstract: A method for assembling a medicine delivery system (10) includes providing a substrate (16) with a plurality of compartments (18), filling the compartments (18) with medicine (34), covering the compartments (18) with a cap (24), heating the system (10) at a relatively low temperature, applying a voltage bias (56) across the substrate (16) and the cap (24), and applying focused energy (54) to the substrate (16) and/or the cap (24) to seal them together and create a vacuum in the compartments (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Steven T. Cho
  • Patent number: 6666933
    Abstract: A can end is manufactured by forming an end shell comprising a radially outer seaming flange, a chuck wall adjacent the seaming flange, a center panel, and an axially downward countersink joining the center panel to the chuck wall below the level of the seaming flange. The end shell is converted to an easy-open can end by forming a score on a portion of the center panel, raising a rivet on the center pane, and forming a tab and attaching the tab to the rivet. The end is subsequently formed by moving the center panel and the seaming flange one with respect to the other to raise the center panel above the level of the seaming flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David Andrew Roberts, Andrew Osborne Blow, John Alfred Perigo
  • Patent number: 6655115
    Abstract: An apparatus and an automated method are disclosed by which embossed seals are created in the necks of corked bottles. A die is employed with an image bearing die surface. The bottle moves along an automated bottle track. Molten seal material is introduced into the cavity above the cork in the neck of the bottle. The image bearing surface of the seal embossing mechanism is superimposed over the mouth of the bottle containing the molten seal material. The seal embossing mechanism is centered relative to the top of the bottle. The die surface is extended from the seal embossing mechanism into contact with the surface of the molten seal material. The mechanism is motivated along an automated seal track coincident with the movement of the bottle along the automated bottle track with the image bearing die surface in contact with the molten seal material until the material has cooled so that the die impression will be retained by the sealing material. The image bearing die surface is then retracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Patented Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: David Paul Zurlinden, David Marc Zurlinden, Malcolm Yuill-Thornton
  • Patent number: 6598375
    Abstract: In order to fit a box lid to a box tray a pair of opposed plates are used. Each plate is pivotably mounted intermediately of its upper and lower edges such that upper edges of the opposed plates may pivot toward and away from each other. Each plate is biased to an inclined position whereat the upper edges of the opposed plates are more proximate than the lower edges of the plates. With this arrangement, a lid may be placed with respect to the pair of opposed plates such that opposed lower edges of the lid are positioned below the upper edges of said plates and at an outward side of said plates. A box tray may then be raised between the plates such that the box tray urges each of the plates away from its inclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Longford Equipment International Limited
    Inventor: Paul J. Connelly
  • Publication number: 20030000178
    Abstract: In order to fit a box lid to a box tray a pair of opposed plates are used. Each plate is pivotably mounted intermediately of its upper and lower edges such that upper edges of the opposed plates may pivot toward and away from each other. Each plate is biased to an inclined position whereat the upper edges of the opposed plates are more proximate than the lower edges of the plates. With this arrangement, a lid may be placed with respect to the pair of opposed plates such that opposed lower edges of the lid are positioned below the upper edges of said plates and at an outward side of said plates. A box tray may then be raised between the plates such that the box tray urges each of the plates away from its inclined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: Longford Equipment International Limited
    Inventor: Paul J. Connelly
  • Publication number: 20020166790
    Abstract: A thermoformed package for a pill-like product is provided. Such a package comprises a first enclosure portion defining a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle being adapted to house the product therein. A sealing layer operably engages the first enclosure portion so as to seal each of the receptacles. A second enclosure portion operably engages the first enclosure portion so as to form a plurality of cells, wherein the second enclosure portion defines a plurality of caps corresponding to the plurality of receptacles. Each cell comprises one of the plurality of receptacles sealed by the sealing layer and the corresponding one of the plurality of caps operably engaged with the receptacle. The plurality of receptacles and/or the plurality of caps are separably engaged so as to allow the cells to be separated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: Aylward Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: John Thomas Aylward
  • Publication number: 20020020708
    Abstract: A lid for a container including a closure surface, a circumferential rim extending about a periphery of the closure surface with the rim including an outer side wall, an inner side wall and a transition wall interconnecting the outer side wall and the inner side wall with the closure surface extending from the inner side wall and at least one cut out formed in at least one of the inner side wall, the outer side wall and the transition wall such that a portion of a brim of the container is visible through the cut out when the lid is properly positioned on the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: David Weiss, Ronald I. Kall
  • Patent number: 6207100
    Abstract: A lid for a container including a closure surface, a circumferential rim extending about a periphery of the closure surface with the rim including an outer side wall, an inner side wall and a transition wall interconnecting the outer side wall and the inner side wall with the closure surface extending from the inner side wall and at least one cut out formed in at least one of the inner side wall, the outer side wall and the transition wall such that a portion of a brim of the container is visible through the cut out when the lid is properly positioned on the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Design Safety Corporation
    Inventors: David Weiss, Ronald I. Kall
  • Patent number: 6161367
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with a process of manufacturing filled drinking cups closed by cover foil blanks heat-sealed thereto and formed by deep-drawing from a thermoplastic packing material strip, comprising a beaded peripheral flange, with the cover foil blanks being provided with a pull flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Hassia Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Kurt Walter
  • Patent number: 6106757
    Abstract: A lid (1) made of a thermoplastic material for covering an open upper end (42) of a container (40). The lid (1) comprising a lid body (10) with an opening (11) for dispensing and a pull cap (20) having a cap portion (21) to reclose the opening (11) and a pull tab portion (22) integrally formed with the cap portion(21). The opening (11) is covered by a gas-barrier film (23) sealed to a lower surface of the lid body (10). The cap portion (21) is sealed to the gas-barrier film (23) and a clearance (25) is provided between the opening (11) and the outer periphery (15) of the cap portion (21). A method of manufacturing the lid involves inserting the gas-barrier film into a mold cavity, injecting a thermoplastic resin into the cavity to form the lid body, while still warm the molding is removed. After removal, the molding can be thermally shaped along its periphery to form a flange (12) for mounting to a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Per Ohlsson, Elmar Mock
  • Patent number: 6044627
    Abstract: A device for displacing articles from a first substantially rectilinear feed track (23) to a second substantially rectilinear feed track (24) forming an angle with the first track (23), comprises apparatus (26) for grouping articles in batches of at least two articles; apparatus (27) for grasping the batches of articles formed; and apparatus for driving the grasping apparatus along a closed circuit (28). Along the closed circuit there is a station (29) where the batches of articles are seized batchwise by the grasping apparatus, at the end of the first feed track (23); and a station (30) where the batches of articles are released batchwise by the grasping apparatus, at the beginning of the second feed track (24). At the seizing station (29), the articles of each batch of articles are aligned in a first direction of alignment substantially parallel to the first feed track (23), and at the releasing station (30), the articles of each batch of articles are aligned perpendicular to the second feed track (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Aries Packaging
    Inventor: Pascal de Guglielmo
  • Patent number: 6039197
    Abstract: A closure assembly to facilitate the sealing of each of a series of necked containers, each of different body configurations and contours, with the same hinged lid. The invention thus obviates the need for relatively complex and costly molds and effects substantial savings in manufacturing costs. The first component of the closure assembly is an adapter for mounting on a given particular container. The adapter includes a skirt for sleeved securement onto the neck of the container. A plate of the adapter overlies the container neck and is formed with a through port for discharge therethrough of material stored in the container. A second component of the closure assembly consists of a lid assembly, the same lid assembly being readily attachable to each of the different adapters, and, thus, to each of the different containers. The lid assembly includes a cover overlying the plate of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Kenall Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Morris Braun
  • Patent number: 6023917
    Abstract: The method proposed calls for a crush blade (9), which separates cross-sealed plastic bags from each other, to be built into a cross-sealing jaw. The crush blade (9) has a zig-zag crush edge (16) made up of V-shaped grooves (17,18) laterally staggered with respect to each other. Joining with the angles (26,27) of the crush edge (16) are sharp cutting edges (24,25) which run in the direction of rotation (19) of the blade (9). The cutting edges (24,25) make an angle with the plane (23) of the crush edge (16). This ensures a long life of the blade (9) and makes it easy for the consumer to tear open the bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: SIG Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft
    Inventor: Giovanni Cardone
  • Patent number: 5924266
    Abstract: An apparatus, means and system are described for providing a load center container apparatus for use with a load center, in which a container is adapted to receive a load center, wherein the container has a plurality of sides, an open top and a closed bottom, and a cover adapted to cover said open top of the container, wherein the container apparatus has a removable load center protector that is adapted for mounting on a load center. A method is also described for providing a method for protecting a load center using a load center packaging assembly having a load center protector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Reynoldo Salvador
  • Patent number: 5894711
    Abstract: A box handling apparatus having particular application in the packaging of semiconductor wafers, includes a box opening assembly which can unlatch a lid from a bottom of the box and separate the lid from the bottom. Arms can grip an article, such as a wafer cassette, in the bottom of the box and lift it out. The cassette can be loaded, or wafers already in the cassette unloaded. The apparatus can replace the loaded cassette in the bottom of the box and latchingly re-engage the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Davidson, Andrew Paul Lunday, Gordon P. Hampton, James C. Lenk, Gary L. Anderson, Larry W. Shive
  • Patent number: 5819507
    Abstract: In a method of filling a packaging container, a liquid is charged in a container through an opening in a top end of the container to a first level below the top end of the container. The container has a deformable portion in a wall thereof so that an inside volume of the container can be adjusted. A lid is sealed on the opening, and the deformable portion of the container is deformed to elevate the liquid above the first level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Masamichi Kaneko, Hidetoshi Konno, Junichi Satoyoshi
  • Patent number: 5809746
    Abstract: An overhead flight conveyor assembly for use with a continuous motion packaging machine to erect four-sided tapered paperboard cartons is disclosed. The packaging machine has an elongate carton transport conveyor supported on a framework of the packaging machine, and moving along a path of travel. The overhead flight conveyor assembly has a housing supported on the framework of the packaging machine spaced above, and in alignment with the carton transport conveyor. A trailing lug assembly is supported on the housing and extends at least partially along the length thereof, the trailing lug assembly having at least one elongate conveyor chain with a series of spaced trailing lugs affixed thereto and being moved in the direction of the path of travel in timed relationship with the carton transport conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Garth DePuy
  • Patent number: 5809741
    Abstract: The disclosure includes a carton concaving device capable of manipulating and maintaining the shape of a carton being sealed on a packaging machine. The device has a shaft which rotates with the movement of a conveyor chain thereby allowing for indexed movement of the device. The device has a plurality of rollers for deflecting the sidewalls of a carton about to be sealed at a top sealing station on a packaging machine. The device may be an add-on component or an integrated component of a packaging machine. The device reduces the number of bulged cartons being dispensed from a packaging machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, SA
    Inventor: John Michael Tovey
  • Patent number: 5778630
    Abstract: A device is used in a machine for packaging articles in a wraparound carrier. The carrier is formed from a blank having a pair of foldable flaps struck therefrom. The packaging machine is arranged to advance the blank and articles associated therewith along a predetermined path. The device is positioned along the path to fold the flaps inwardly of the blank. The device includes a rotational disc defining an axis of rotation, a fixed cam plate disposed adjacent to the rotational disc and having an endless cam track disposed around the axis, drive means for rotating the rotational disc about the axis in synchronization with movement of the blank and the articles, a pair of blank-engaging fingers carried by the rotational disc for pivotal movement about respective pins so as to engage the flaps, and an actuating mechanism carried by the rotational disc to pivotally move the fingers away from each other and toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventors: Pascal Portrait, Jean-Christophe Bonnain
  • Patent number: 5765336
    Abstract: A tray packing-shrink wrapping machine for packaging articles along a conveyor is disclosed. The machine is operable in a dual lane mode and a single lane mode. In both modes a collation section receives articles from an infeed section and arranges the articles into rows and columns to create batches of articles. In dual lane mode a lane divider structure separates each batch into smaller microbatches. Separate trays and sheets of heat shrinkable film are simultaneously formed around the microbatches. An in-line stacker is selectively operable in single lane or dual lane modes to stack a packed tray on top of the preceding packed tray. The machine is quickly converted to single lane mode by removing the lane divider structure and center trayforming structures, removing the center stacker elements and retracting knives in the blank feeding and film wrapping devices. A method for converting a dual lane machine to a single lane machine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Inventors: Claud Andrew Neagle, Steven Joseph Humbert
  • Patent number: 5737898
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the input of articles at the start-up phase of a packaging machine of the type having at least one article conveyance lane and an article grouping mechanism constructed and arranged to meter articles moving in the conveyance lane into predetermined groups, comprising:(a) at least one stop post aligned for extension into the conveyance lane, the stop post further being disposed at an infeed end of the article grouping mechanism;(b) means to actuate the stop post, whereby the stop post is extendible and retractable in the article conveyance lane, the stop post impeding travel of articles in the lane when extended and permitting travel of articles in the lane when retracted; and(c) means to coordinate actuation of the means to actuate with operation of the article grouping mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis C. Grimm, Mitch Lowe, Bruce D. Domino
  • Patent number: 5673536
    Abstract: A carton flap folding method and apparatus for use on a continuous motion packaging machine is disclosed. The carton flap folding apparatus includes a spaced pair of generally parallel knock-down arms which are rotated in the direction of a path of travel extending along the packaging machine and on which a spaced series of groups of articles for being packaged are moved. Each group of articles is at least partially enclosed in a carton blank having at least one flap hingedly connected thereto for being closed on at least a portion of the group of articles. The carton flap folding apparatus moves the knock-down arms into engagement with the at least one open flap of the carton blanks in the direction of the path of travel at substantially the same speed as the speed of the group of articles along the path of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventors: William M. Easter, James Emerson, Peter Karst, Jay Steinbuchel
  • Patent number: 5671587
    Abstract: An apparatus for loading containers into basket-style bottom-loading carriers has a container infeed conveyor; a divider for segregating the containers into columns; a container meterer for metering each of the columns of containers into groupings of a predetermined number of containers; a container conveyor for engaging the last container in each grouping of containers; container gripper conveyors having container grippers for maintaining the container groupings; a carrier infeed supplier; a carrier feeder for removing carriers from the carrier infeed supplier; a carrier timer-transport assembly for receiving carriers from the carrier feeder and initiating transport of the carriers in synchronous parallel motion above the containers; a gripper assembly for opening the carriers by grasping and pulling outwardly with respect to a centerline of the carriers the bottom panels; a declination belt assembly having a downwardly-declining pair of opposing elongated endless belt pairs in face contacting relationship f
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventor: Glenn Robinson
  • Patent number: 5669203
    Abstract: A carton activating mechanism (26) for opening the gatefold seats of a paperboard carton blank (13) is disclosed. A rotatable disc (30) carries a spaced series of activators (34), each of which includes a plate (35) having a pair of pivotally-connected fingers (37). The plate is reciprocably mounted on the disc by a pin (36) received in a groove (32) defined on a stationary plate (31) positioned with respect to the disc. Each of the fingers has a projection (40) and a cooperating abutment (41 ) so that the respective fingers are moved outwardly into an extended position, and then spread apart into an open position to fold the gatefold seats of the carton blank before closing and being retracted from the gatefold seats of the carton blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Rolf Muller
  • Patent number: 5664401
    Abstract: A flap-folding device for use in a packaging machine comprises a rotational disc, drive means for rotating the disc in synchronization with movement of a blank and articles to be packaged in the blank, a pair of blank-engaging fingers pivotally mounted on the disc to fold flaps on the blank, and actuating means for pivotally moving the fingers. The actuating means comprises a radial member mounted on the disc for reciprocating movement along the radius of the disc, cooperating means for moving the radial member along the radius in response to rotation of the disc, and means for converting reciprocating movement of the radial member into pivotal movement of the fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventors: Pascal Portrait, Jean-Christophe Bonnain
  • Patent number: 5657617
    Abstract: Apparatus for placing covers (5, 8) on a cassette (1) and taking covers (5, 8) off a cassette (1) comprises an upper cover removal structure (100U), a lower cover removal structure (100L), and means for holding the cassette in place (170-176). The upper cover removal structure (100U) includes a central body portion (102), a pair of arms (104, 106) rotatably mounted at the end of the central body portion, and fingers (112, 114) located at the end of the arms (104, 106). The fingers (112, 114) can be moved up and down in a direction parallel to the main axis of the arms. The upper cover removal structure (100U) includes means for moving the upper cover removal structure (100U) toward or away from the cassette (1). The lower cover removal structure (100L) includes a central body portion and a pair of arms 156, 158 having fingers (190, 192) at the ends thereof. The arms can move inwardly or outwardly to grasp the bottom cover (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Komag, Incorporated
    Inventors: Ronald Allen, Michael Myslovaty, Michael Edwin Slafter
  • Patent number: 5657615
    Abstract: There is provided a spacing conveyor mechanism 10 having a pair of spaced, identical drive chains 13, 14. A number of conveyors 20 are attached to the chains, each conveyor having a leading carriage 21 pivotally attached to one chain 13 and a trailing carriage 22 pivotally attached to the other chain 14. Connecting the each pair of leading/trailing carriages is a pair of rod 23 extending rearwardly from the leading carriage through corresponding holes in the trailing carriage. The carriages remain parallel throughout their path and the position of the carriages relative to each other are easily adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Rolf Muller
  • Patent number: 5653084
    Abstract: A carton packaging apparatus for use in wrapping open-ended sleeve type carton blanks around a pre-formed group of articles being moved along a path of travel through a packaging machine as disclosed. The apparatus includes a series of spaced guide members (30) which move along the path of travel and are adapted to engage one of the side panels (12, 13) of a successive series of carton blanks (10) being moved along the path of travel. The guide members are spaced so as to engage the leading edge and trailing edge of each one of the paperboard blanks as they are advanced along the path of the travel. Each guide member has an engagement element (35) which has an elongated link (36) with a foot (37) formed at one end, the other end of the link being pivotally fastened to the guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Rolf Mueller
  • Patent number: 5646443
    Abstract: A semiconductor package has a guide in the form of a lug only at least two diagonally opposite corners on the upper surface thereof. A cap to be adhered to the package is configured to mate with the inside surfaces of the guides. The package is, therefore, surely seated and held in close adhesion to the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Takehiko Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5642604
    Abstract: A spacing conveyor mechanism (10) for conveying cans (11) along an article feed path (12) in a packaging machine for forming the cans into groups of cans is disclosed. The spacing conveyor mechanism has a pair of spaced drive sprockets (15) positioned along the article feed path, and over which an endless drive chain (14) is passed. A spaced series of carriages (17) are pivotally attached to the drive chain. Each of the carriages includes a conveyor (18), the conveyor having a plurality of recessed pockets (19) sized and shaped to engage one each of the cans therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Rolf Muller