By Weight Of Contents Patents (Class 53/502)
  • Patent number: 11908264
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a cashbag sealing system. The system comprises a banknote transport mechanism operable to transport a banknote to a storing unit. The storing unit includes a banknote storing bag detachably coupled to the storing unit, and an escrow plate operable to escrow the banknote before the banknote transported to the storing unit is stored in the banknote storing bag, wherein the escrow plate is operable to move from a horizontally extending hold position to a downwardly or obliquely downwardly extending release position, and wherein the banknote transported to the storing unit is escrowed on the escrow plate when the escrow plate is located at the hold position. The system further comprises a sensor configured to detect a presence of the banknote on the escrow plate, and measure a level of banknotes in the banknote storing bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Crane Payment Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Dmytro Baydin, Pavlo Tsushko, Yurii Rudenko, Vitaliy Kochubey, David Charles Deaville, Vjatseslav Balovnev
  • Patent number: 11741519
    Abstract: A system for selecting and packaging a customized variety pack including an assortment of products including one or more servers configured to receive a custom order from a consumer for single serve coffee pods. The custom order comprises details specifying a total number of single serve coffee pods to include in the variety pack and a number of each of a plurality of different varieties of single serve coffee pods to include in the variety pack. The system further includes a labeling device configured to receive custom order information from the one or more servers, print a label with the custom order information, and attach the label to a box. The system further includes a packing machine configured to scan the label on the box, retrieve from the one or more servers the details for the variety pack, and deposit individual coffee pods into the box according to the details.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Trilliant Food and Nutrition, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Roffers, Mathew Luis Hudson, Andrew Carmelo Stadtlander, Daryl Marlin Berg
  • Patent number: 11377246
    Abstract: An adjustable table assembly for use in a filler assembly includes a table having a top surface configured to receive a flexible container thereon and a clamp disposed on the table and configured to releasably secure the flexible container to the table. The table has an infeed end and an outfeed end opposite the infeed end. The table is movable along a plurality of rails affixed to the filler assembly. The table is movable between a loading position, in which the table is configured to receive the flexible container, and an operating position, in which the table is inside the filler assembly. The movement of the table along the plurality of rails is along a first axis. Filler assemblies and methods of using adjustable table assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: LIQUI-BOX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tad Menear, John Woodhouse, John. J. Hildebrand
  • Patent number: 11358775
    Abstract: A packing material including a plurality of discrete cushioning elements and methods for making the same. The discrete cushioning elements may be cellulosic cushioning elements. A flexible linkage may connect the plurality of discrete cushioning elements in the packing material. The packing material may also include a bottom cellulosic sheet connected to a top cellulosic sheet with the plurality of cellulosic cushioning elements positioned between the top cellulosic sheet and the bottom cellulosic sheet. The packing material may also be a molded packing material that includes bonds comprising adhesive and cellulosic fibers. The adhesive and cellulosic fibers of the bonds may be dispersed between the folds of each of the cellulosic cushioning elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventor: Terry Hermanson
  • Patent number: 11267592
    Abstract: A system for (1) for filling of big bags (4) of various heights with material and a method for adjusting thereof, wherein a big bag (4) is to be placed with its filling spout (3) around an outer pipe (6) and the bottom (2) of the big bag (4) rests on an underlying surface (7). The outer pipe (6) is telescopically engaged to a feed pipe (5). The feed pipe (5) is in sections extendible. The feed pipe (5) is designed to fill a determined quantity of material in a vertical stream from an overlying dosage unit (8) via the outer pipe (6) and down into the big bag (4). The feed pipe (5) at its upper connection (5.3) includes at least one radial continuous interface surface design to attach to another feed pipe's (5.2) downward facing rim (5.6) or to the underside of the dosage unit (8.2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventor: Morten Nysted
  • Patent number: 11210887
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a cashbag sealing system. The system comprises a banknote transport mechanism operable to transport a banknote to a storing unit. The storing unit includes a banknote storing bag detachably coupled to the storing unit, and an escrow plate operable to escrow the banknote before the banknote transported to the storing unit is stored in the banknote storing bag, wherein the escrow plate is operable to move from a horizontally extending hold position to a downwardly or obliquely downwardly extending release position, and wherein the banknote transported to the storing unit is escrowed on the escrow plate when the escrow plate is located at the hold position. The system further comprises a sensor configured to detect a presence of the banknote on the escrow plate, and measure a level of banknotes in the banknote storing bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Crane Payment Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Dmytro Baydin, Pavlo Tsushko, Yurii Rudenko, Vitaliy Kochubey, David Charles Deaville, Vjatseslav Balovnev
  • Patent number: 11125485
    Abstract: An ice vending machine automatically provides ice to a customer based upon a request from the consumer for the ice. In some embodiments, the ice vending machine includes a transfer box to transfer ice from a horizontal auger to an inclined auger. In some embodiments, the inclined auger motor is mounted at the top of the inclined auger. The inclined auger motor may drive the inclined auger by way of a chain and sprockets or directly drive the inclined auger without a chain or sprockets. In some embodiments, a lip shelf is located at an edge of the holding vessel floor. In some embodiments, a rear wall is removable from the holding vessel. In some embodiments, the ice machine includes an awning, a top hat, or an ice maker canopy. In some embodiments, the ice vending machine includes an improved motor and chain layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Ice House America, LLC
    Inventors: Manoj Tadhani, Steven A. Weeks
  • Patent number: 10894623
    Abstract: A filling and sealing machine configured for a flexible pouch having a turret, a servomotor, and a control unit is provided. The control unit includes a memory component having logic module stored within, a processor, and a user interface. The servomotor is connected to the turret and upon an instruction from the processor, rotates the turret. The set speed of the turret, the acceleration of the turret, and the deceleration of the turret may be modified by manual control parameters. The logic module includes preset recipe programs based upon the product being dispensed. Each preset recipe includes a different parameter for the servomotor to rotate the turret. The control unit may monitor the production system status and automatically adjust the speed, acceleration and/or deceleration of the turret to meet a desired production output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Pouch Pac Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Emmanuel K. Christophel
  • Patent number: 10793308
    Abstract: A packaging system according to an aspect is a packaging system formed by connecting an external server to a plurality of packaging apparatuses via a network. The external server stores control parameters for the packaging apparatuses to package an article to be packaged in an optimal state. The packaging apparatus communicates with the external server, downloads necessary control parameters, and controls a packaging operation by using the downloaded control parameters. Accordingly, a setting operation performed in each of the packaging apparatuses can be significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatsugu Tanaka, Toshiyuki Sakata
  • Patent number: 10604283
    Abstract: A novel system and apparatus for bagmaking is disclosed herein. In particular, a former assembly is described which includes a collar flange having an aperture passing through from a first side to a second side. A wing assembly, which is mounted to the collar flange, has a former wing and a crown tube. The crown tube extends at least partially through the aperture of the collar flange. The former assembly also includes a transition tube having an elongate cylindrical body that passes through the crown tube and the aperture of the collar flange. A set of handles extends from the collar flange towards an upstream end of the elongate cylindrical body. Additionally, the former assembly has a center of gravity, determined from a reference coordinate system, with a y-component that is not further than 43 mm from the y-axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashish Anand, Vibhav Jindal
  • Patent number: 10486844
    Abstract: A heat-sealing device is capable of properly changing a pushing force applied from the heat-sealing roll to the packing film in accordance with the feeding rate of the packing film. A heat-sealing device for holding an elongated packing film with a pair of heat sealing rolls arranged in parallel to each other to form a heat sealed portion includes a pushing means made of a first cylinder and a second cylinder for holding the packing film with the heat-sealing rolls by pushing through an action of fluid pressure, a fluid pressure controlling means capable of adjusting the fluid pressure of the pushing means, and a superior controlling means for rendering a total value of pushing forces of the first cylinder and second cylinder into a proper pushing force and operating one or both of the first cylinder and the second cylinder in accordance with the feeding rate of the packing film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: TAISEI LAMICK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koichi Arai, Mitsuhiro Sato
  • Patent number: 10161664
    Abstract: An ice vending machine automatically provides ice to a customer based upon a request from the consumer for the ice. In some embodiments, the ice vending machine includes a transfer box to transfer ice from a horizontal auger to an inclined auger. In some embodiments, the inclined auger motor is mounted at the top of the inclined auger. The inclined auger motor may drive the inclined auger by way of a chain and sprockets or directly drive the inclined auger without a chain or sprockets. In some embodiments, a lip shelf is located at an edge of the holding vessel floor. In some embodiments, a rear wall is removable from the holding vessel. In some embodiments, the ice machine includes an awning, a top hat, or an ice maker canopy. In some embodiments, the ice vending machine includes an improved motor and chain layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ice House America, LLC
    Inventors: Manoj Tadhani, Steven A. Weeks
  • Patent number: 9919446
    Abstract: A food processing system includes a food slicing machine having a control arrangement for regulating a thickness of slices cut by the machine so that they are cut according to a current value of a slice size parameter. An under-weight signal is generated which is responsive to generation of any under-weight groups of slices by the slicing machine, and an end-of-line weighing device monitors the weight of groups of slices outputted by the system and generates an end-of-line weight signal responsive thereto. The system identifies any under-weight groups of slices so that their weight can be increased by addition of a further slice before being outputted by the system. The control arrangement receives the two signals and determines the value of the slice size parameter having regard to them. The slice size parameter may be adjusted to minimize give-away by the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Thurne-Middleby Ltd
    Inventor: Richard David Seager
  • Patent number: 9354106
    Abstract: A combination weigher includes a collecting conveyor, a plurality of weighing conveyors, a control section which finds one combination of the weighing conveyors in which a total weight of the objects falls within a target weight range, and a manipulation setting display device which pre-inputs a desired value of a conveying length of the objects, and the control section finds start timings of conveying operation of the weighing conveyors selected to make up the discharge combination such that the conveying length of the objects becomes the desired value pre-input by the input unit and the objects discharged from the weighing conveyors selected to make up the discharge combination are at different positions on the collecting conveyor, and causes the weighing conveyors to start the conveying operation at the found timings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: YAMATO SCALE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Taichi Kosaka
  • Patent number: 9296120
    Abstract: A method for weighing sliced products to generate product batches of a pre-determined weight. A slicer slices products which are disposed onto a slice scale located beneath the output end of the slicer. An intermediate weight is measured at a pre-determined point in the slicing process. The intermediate weight information is used to calculate the minimum number of completion slices, based on thicknesses of the slices, needed to meet the target weight. The competed draft is transferred to a check sale where a final draft weight is measured and compared to a sum of the intermediate weight and the weight of the completion slices. Comparison of the weight is used to adjust slicing parameters for more precise targeting of the desired weight of the next draft. Completion slices may be adjusted in thickness to minimize the giveaway weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventors: Paul McLaughlin, Brad DeBlecourt, Thomas C. Wolcott, Scott A. Lindee
  • Patent number: 9284077
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for tilting and filling a carton with a pouch and a flowable food product are described. The carton can be tilted prior to filling in order to minimize a void between the pouch and a sidewall of the carton. The carton is pivoted to a tilted orientation, such that the sidewall includes a lowermost inclined segment. The pouch is then inserted into the carton either prior to or after pivoting the carton to the tilted orientation so that the pouch can substantially rest against the inclined segment. The flowable food product is then at partially deposited into the carton, such that the flowable food product substantially fills in next to the pouch instead of between the pouch and the inclined segment. After a sufficient height of flowable food product has been deposited into the carton, the carton can be returned to a vertical orientation and closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC
    Inventor: Robert C Jones
  • Patent number: 9156181
    Abstract: A method for weighing sliced products to generate product batches of a pre-determined weight. A slicer slices products which are disposed onto a slice scale located beneath the output end of the slicer. An intermediate weight is measured at a pre-determined point in the slicing process. The intermediate weight information is used to calculate the minimum number of completion slices, based on thicknesses of the slices, needed to meet the target weight. The competed draft is transferred to a check sale where a final draft weight is measured and compared to a sum of the intermediate weight and the weight of the completion slices. Comparison of the weight is used to adjust slicing parameters for more precise targeting of the desired weight of the next draft. Completion slices may be adjusted in thickness to minimize the giveaway weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Inventors: Paul McLaughlin, Brad DeBlecourt, Thomas C. Wolcott, Scott A. Lindee
  • Patent number: 9021772
    Abstract: A machine for dosing a product in capsules, includes a rotating turret which has seats suitable for receiving empty capsules and a dosing device for dosing the product in the capsules. The machine further includes a feeding unit having a first weighing device for weighing empty capsules, a transfer arrangement for transferring empty capsules, when weighed, to predetermined seats of the turret for being filled with the product, a second weighing device for weighing capsules filled with the product, and a processing device connected to the first and second weighing device for receiving data relative to weights measured by the first and second weighing devices and for calculating for each capsule a difference between the weight measured before and the weight measured after filling. In this manner, a respective quantity of dosed product is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventor: Maurizio Bedetti
  • Patent number: 9010073
    Abstract: The main objective of this invention is a Mobile plant for dosing, mixing and packaging of powdery products, characterized because it is comprised of a carrying structure and several areas for: reception and weighing, loading, mixing, sack filling, sewing and labelling, metal detection, palletizing and cleaning. This invention is included within the industrial plants technical sector of manufacturing and mixing of powdery products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Inversiones HIK16, S.L.
    Inventors: Henrik Stamm Kristensen, M. Maravillas Martinez Lopez
  • Patent number: 8938936
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for dosing and packaging polysilicon chunks, wherein a product flow of polysilicon chunks is transported via a feed channel, separated by at least one screen into coarse and fine chunks, weighed and dosed to a target weight by a dosing balance, discharged via a discharge channel and transported to a packaging unit where a first plastic bag is filled with the polysilicon chunks and sealed, the plastic bag containing polysilicon chunks being packaged with a further plastic bag which is formed by a shaper and subsequently welded, wherein the at least one screen and the dosing balance at least partially include a hard metal on their surfaces and the shaper for forming the plastic bag includes a wear-resistant coating. Also disclosed are a dosing unit, a packaging unit and a device for dosing and packaging polysilicon chunks, which contains a dosing unit and a packaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Wacker Chemie AG
    Inventors: Matthias Vietz, Rainer Hoelzlwimmer, Bruno Lichtenegger
  • Patent number: 8931241
    Abstract: A system and method for assembling a multiple prescription package having a plurality of different medications is described. The system comprises a pharmacy management system, a selected dosing interval, a filling system, a first automated inspection, a second automated inspection, a container, and a label. The pharmacy management system includes a graphical user interface that receives a prescription order that is associated with a particular patient. The prescription order includes medications in which a first medication that is different from a second medication. The selected dosing interval is selected from the dosing interval group that includes a morning interval, a noon interval, an afternoon interval, and a bedtime interval. The container receives the sealed preliminary packages for the selected dosing interval. The label is affixed to the container so that the label indicates the selected dosing interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Edge Medical Properties, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Luciano, Jr., Leslie Baker, Larry Luciano
  • Patent number: 8919081
    Abstract: A method of producing a sealed package of a pourable food product involving feeding a tube of packaging material along an axis; moving a pair of first jaws and a pair of second jaws cyclically and alternately along sealing paths parallel to the axis, and along repositioning paths; moving the jaws, as they travel along the sealing paths, into a closed position in which the sealing members grip the tube and respectively form, at different times, a first and a second seal sealing the tube and defining respective opposite ends of the package; and moving the jaws, as they travel along the respective repositioning paths, into an open position, in which they are detached from the tube; acquiring a desired value of a quantity related to the package weight; and forming the second seal at a distance, which is a function of the value, from the first seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Andreotti, Andrea Donati, Marco Poppi
  • Patent number: 8887602
    Abstract: An apparatus for handling portions of products, in particular food products, includes a product conveyor which conveys the portions sequentially along a conveying direction and at least one sensor which serves to determine the weight of the conveyed portions. The apparatus includes an automatic weight compensation unit which is arranged in the vicinity of the product conveyor and which serves additionally to place at least one single product on a portion in dependence on the determined weight of the portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Weber Maschinenbau GmbH Breidenbach
    Inventor: Günther Weber
  • Publication number: 20140290187
    Abstract: An ice bagging assembly and related method with a horizontal ice bag cassette, a pair of opposing ice bag ply graspers configured to move an empty ice bag from the horizontal ice bag cassette to a vertical position to receive cubed ice before it is sealed shut and dropped to an ice bag merchandiser. The opposing graspers may be configured as rotating wheels and may have a grasping sensor. The ice bag cassette may be slidably and tiltably supported for easy replacement of horizontal bags. A load sensor, optical or mechanical, may be associated with the ice hopper to sense how much ice has been put in each bag. A pair of angled guides may guide a hopper into a support frame for the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: James Shaker, Paul Bareford, Vince Shaker
  • Patent number: 8812146
    Abstract: Apparatus, method, and system for combining a plurality of items into a batch having a set number of items. Number of items are put together onto a production line to form a batch along with non-batch items which are not suitable for inclusion within the batch onto the production line. The batch is advanced on the production line as a partial batch without the non-batch item being added to it when a batch is not complete. A reminder batch is created after the non-batch items have been added to the production line and the remainder batch includes the number of items that must be added to the partial batch to make a full batch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Marel Food System HF.
    Inventors: Hordur Einarsson, Arni Einarsson, Hrafnkell Eiriksson
  • Patent number: 8661774
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for packaging at least two products with individual weights in a package in a quantity corresponding to a target weight. The device comprises a feed, packaging means, weighing means (9) and throughfeed means. The device further comprises at least two adding means with associated weighing means (17) in a weighing unit (14) for the purpose of selectively adding unrelated products or groups thereof to the packaging, and with selection and control means for selecting at least one of the at least two unrelated products or groups on the basis of the weight of the initial group, the target weight and the weights of the at least two unrelated products or groups determined with the weighing means (17) associated with the adding means for the purpose of actuating the adding means in order to add at least one selected of the at least two unrelated products or groups thereof to the packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Visser 'S-Gravendeel Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Adrianus De Vos
  • Patent number: 8650844
    Abstract: A product dispenser includes an outer housing and a shell disposed within the outer housing. The shell defines a product dispensing chamber, wherein the product dispensing chamber is climate controlled, for receiving a product, portioning the product, storing the portioned product, and dispensing the portioned product upon a dispense command. The product receptacles are stored in a dispense buffer disposed within the product dispensing chamber, and then are dispensed into an airlock for retrieval by a customer. The product dispenser further recognizes demands to keep the dispense buffer slots filled, and demands to dispense a filled product receptacle. The product dispenser may seal the product receptacles to ensure a sanitary product. The product dispenser may further include a vend interface unit to interact with a controller and consumers, whereby the consumer are able to place a demand on the vend interface unit, and await a dispensed filled product receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventors: Michael T. Romanyszyn, Thomas J. Chadwell, John Vira
  • Patent number: 8601777
    Abstract: A machine (M) for packing vials (F) includes a supply station (1) of empty vials (F) and an Archimedes screw (3) having a rotation axis parallel to a longitudinal development of the machine (M), activated in phase relation with the supply station (1) from which it receives the vials (F). A first device (4) has at least two cogged sectors, rotating on a common axis independently of one another, alternatively activated in phase relation with the screw (3). The machine has a comb conveyor (5), which is step-moved and designed to receive the vials (F) from one or another of the cogged sectors of the first device (4), and a filling station (8), for introduction of a liquid solution contemporaneously into a plurality of vials (F). The machine has a statistical weighing station (10) for the vials (F), arranged in proximity to the filling station (8), able to detect a tare and a gross weight of sample vials (F). A capping station (11) is provided for at least partly sealing a plurality of vials (F).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Marchesini Group S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Monti
  • Patent number: 8584713
    Abstract: A link apparatus for weighing objects from a weighing machine to bags conveyed at high speed, a weighing apparatus and a packing apparatus using the link apparatus, and a weighing and packaging system are disclosed. A link apparatus comprises funnel-shaped chutes supplied with objects through entrances and respectively discharge the objects through exits. A rotary board conveys the chutes along a revolving path where the exits are arranged in one line in a direction along the revolving path. The revolving path includes a first area under which package bags are conveyed in the direction along the revolving path, the first area being a part of the revolving path; wherein the entrances are formed by elongated openings; and the rotary board conveys the chutes such that the exits are located above the package bags in the first area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Shozo Kawanishi
    Inventor: Shozo Kawanishi
  • Patent number: 8567165
    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 compacted 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: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignees: Frito-Lay North America, Inc., Douglas Machine, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Bierschenk, Frank M. Brenkus, Jerry M. Reaves, Amelinda Melanson, Leon J. Krause, Ronald M. Gust
  • Patent number: 8561655
    Abstract: An automatic ice vending apparatus including a holding vessel formed with an aperture, the holding vessel being configured and dimensioned to receive and house ice pieces produced by an operatively associated ice supply, an ice metering device, and an ice transferring device at least partially disposed within the holding vessel that facilitates movement of ice pieces located therein in a first direction toward the aperture thereof, and movement of ice pieces in a second different direction from the aperture to the ice metering device, which is adapted and configured to meter a quantity of ice pieces into a readily transportable container. Methods and automated methods of delivering ice to consumer(s) are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Ice House America LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Dalton, Roy Lavon Stripling
  • Patent number: 8539738
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for packaging a curable resin composition and a catalyst composition that react with each other when mixed, comprising providing a partitioned tube for receiving the resin composition and the curing agent in separate compartments; delivering a stream of a resin composition into one compartment of the tube; delivering a stream of a curing agent in the other compartment of the tube; advancing the partitioned tube and constricting and sealing the partitioned tube at spaced apart intervals and severing the sealed tube to produce a package partitioning the resin composition from the catalyst composition. Solid particulate is continuously added into the stream of at least one of the catalyst composition and the resin composition and mixing the solid particulate and stream to produce a mixed composition; and the relative amount of solid particulate in the mixed composition is controlled by continuously determining the mass of solid particulate added to the mass of the stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: J-Lok Co.
    Inventors: John G. Oldsen, Walter J. Simmons, W. Neal Simmons, Robert A. McGinnis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8389877
    Abstract: A process for weighing successive flexible filled packs, without conveyance of the packs being stopped and without the conveyance suddenly decelerating, to weighing device which holds and transports the packs in suspension to a delivery position; the weighing process including measuring by a scale the weight of the assembly formed by the weighing device and the weight of the conveyed pack or packs, the average speed of the conveyance of the packs and/or the length of the conveyed distance being selected such that during a predetermined time period a single pack is held and conveyed in suspension by the weighing device. The weighing device for the packs includes first and second endless belts between which holding portions of the packs to be weighed are introduced, and the suspended packs are conveyed by the movement of the endless belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Girnet Internacional, S.L.
    Inventor: Ezequiel Giro Amigo
  • Patent number: 8356455
    Abstract: A system for reducing power consumption of a packaging machine, including a processing device performing a predetermined process on supplied processing objects and discharging them, and a packaging machine packaging the objects discharged from the processing device. The packaging machine includes a centralized control unit controlling the operation of the packaging machine. The control unit operates the packaging machine in a power-saving mode when an insufficient supply of the processing objects is in or is likely to be in the processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoichi Sato, Shinji Koike
  • Patent number: 8350164
    Abstract: A weighing device for detecting the weight of capsules quickly including at least a hopper, an upper passageway including a discharge gate at the lower part thereof, a pushing structure, a transport wheel including a storage chamber, a discharging structure, a weighting platform, and a lower passageway. When the storage chamber of the transport wheel rotates to cooperate with the discharge gate, a capsule is pushed into the storage chamber by the pushing structure. When the storage chamber rotates to the lowest point of the transport wheel, the capsule in the storage chamber is pushed by the discharging structure and thus falls into the weighing platform disposed below the storage chamber. The weighting platform weighs the capsule and evaluates whether the capsule is up to standard. The device has high weighing efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Shanghai Hengyi Pharmaceutical Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Huyu Wang
  • Patent number: 8333053
    Abstract: A system for automatically packaging prescription orders composed of one or more prescription containers. The system includes a printer for generating literature associated with each order and a packer for packing the prescription containers and the associated literature into a package. The packer has a scale or other means for determining the weight of the prescription containers. A packer controller calculates package weight information based on the container weight information. The package weight information is transmitted to a mail manifest system, which generates shipping information comprising postage. A labeler applies the shipping information to the package. The packer also includes a loading mechanism for inserting the prescription containers and the literature into the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. Mahar
  • Patent number: 8316625
    Abstract: A disposal unit can include a substantially air tight chamber, an insertion component, an air tight region of the air tight chamber containing a disposal container, an air holding region, an air extraction unit, an air sanitation component, a container sealant mechanism, and/or combinations thereof. The air holding region can be distinct from the air tight region and the remaining region of the substantially air tight chamber. The air extraction unit can be configured to capture air from the remaining region and place the captured air in the air holding region. Air can be optionally redirected from the air holding region into an airtight disposal container, which is thereafter sealed. The air sanitation component can be configured to sanitize the captured air to a predetermined air quality level. Harmful byproducts of the waste (e.g., toxic vapors) inserted in the disposal unit can be reduced and/or neutralized through sanitation and/or containment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: Louis M. Soto
  • Patent number: 8297031
    Abstract: Pouches (2) of cohesionless material, typically a smokeless tobacco product, are manufactured on a machine equipped with feed components (101) by which the material is supplied to a conveyor (4) at a delivery station (8), then transferred by the conveyor (4) from this station (8) to a transfer station (9) where a forcing mechanism (14) directs measured portions (100) of the material from the conveyor into at least one duct (12) connecting with a form-fill-and-seal wrapping station (10) where the portions (100) are enclosed in a continuous succession (21) of pouches (2). Before being separated one from the next at a downstream cutting station (23), the single pouches (2) pass through an in-line quality control station (105) at which their weight is checked individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fulvio Boldrini
  • Patent number: 8276351
    Abstract: A weight training exercise apparatus incorporates a handled bag to receive a weight bag containing a mass of granular material having a weight. The weight bag is formed with a sheet of flexible, pliant material, and has a bag chamber formed by and between a closed end and an opposed mouth and opposed closed sides formed by opposed hems formed in the sheet extending between the closed end of the weight bag and the mouth. The hems extend into the bag chamber, which is filled with the mass of granular material. The mouth is formed with primary and second seals to close the mouth to prevent granular material from spilling from the mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: Joshua A. Henkin
  • Patent number: 8256195
    Abstract: An ice bagging apparatus which has a frame defining a first ice collecting zone with a collecting bin and an ice bagging zone, wherein the ice bagging zone has a film feeding mechanism that conveys two heat-sealable elongated plastic film webs and a welding apparatus to form a bag from the webs. The film feeding mechanism has rollers between which film webs are passed and pressed against each other. A measuring arrangement measures ice dispensed into the bag by a first ice transport system positioned between the two film webs that form the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Schur Technology a/s
    Inventor: Henrik Pape
  • Patent number: 8245488
    Abstract: An ice vending apparatus that includes a holding vessel, an ice metering device, an ice transferring device, and a device for facilitating the movement of ice through the aperture, such as an ice circulation device or moisture inhibiting device, are provided. The ice circulation device inhibits or prevents the freezing together and buildup of ice pieces within the apparatus, while the moisture inhibiting device inhibits or prevents the undesirable transfer of moisture to different parts of the apparatus. Methods of delivering ice to a consumer are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ice House America LLC
    Inventor: Danny Leroy Dunn
  • Publication number: 20120192530
    Abstract: Dosage system applied to automatic packaging machinery, capable of measuring the mass of solid products in bulk and adjusting the final mass of the package to be baled, so that the average masses of each package result in a value pre-established, as well as the standard deviation of the masses average result in a value within a tolerance range previously defined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventor: Rogério Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8232483
    Abstract: A method and a device for weighing weighable goods placed in a bag (24) having a filling opening (25) are characterized according to this invention in that the bag (24) is hung from a load suspension part (13) with an area of the bag adjacent to the filling opening (25) and the weight force corresponding to the weighable goods is transferred from here to a load cell (4) which forms a corresponding weight value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo (Albstadt) GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Murdter
  • Publication number: 20120186202
    Abstract: An ice bagging system includes an ice maker unit, an ice bagger unit, and an ice storing unit. The ice bagger unit includes a sheet of ice bags disposed on a bag roll, the sheet of ice bags is threaded through a plurality of guide rollers, a pinch roller assembly, and a sealing jaw assembly. The pinch roller assembly includes first and second pinch roller wheels that are axially movable inwardly and outwardly to selectively open or close an individual ice bag in the sheet of ice bags.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Vijayakumar Pandurangan, David Makowski
  • Patent number: 8222543
    Abstract: Method and system for batching of supplied objects in batches in such a manner that a batch fulfils predefined criteria as regards the number of objects, weight, orientation and/or type(s) of objects, wherein the weight of each object is determined the objects are transported by means for object transport, a selective transferral of the objects from said means for object transport to batching means is performed by means of a plurality of handlings means of the robot type in as a group or batch of objects is produced in consideration of said predefined criteria, and wherein said group or batch of objects is transported further on by means of means for batch transportation. Preferably, said means for batch transportation may comprise a plurality of conveyor means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Scanvaegt International A/S
    Inventors: Henrik Grundtvig, Mikael Krogh, Henrik F Skyum, Ulrich Carlin Nielsen
  • 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: 8091320
    Abstract: A system for automatically packaging prescription orders composed of one or more prescription containers. The system includes a printer for generating literature associated with each order and a packer for packing the prescription containers and the associated literature into a package. The packer has a scale or other means for determining the weight of the prescription containers. A packer controller calculates package weight information based on the container weight information. The package weight information is transmitted to a mail manifest system, which generates shipping information comprising postage. A labeler applies the shipping information to the package. The packer also includes a loading mechanism for inserting the prescription containers and the literature into the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. Mahar
  • Patent number: 8046977
    Abstract: A packaging machine and a method for the production of packages by the packing of material in packages, with a machine having at least one processing station, such as a sealing station, a cutting station or similar station and a weighing station (8) for determination of the weight of the filled and sealed packages (7), is provided which has less space requirements than conventional packaging machines and improved manipulation. According to the invention, the above is achieved, whereby the weighing station (8) and/or the at least one processing station has a controller, in which the working speed of the weighing station (8) is synchronized with the working speed of the previous processing station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Multivac Sepp Haggenmüller GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Elmar Eugen Ehrmann, Tieme Jan Slomp, Hans-Joachim Boekstegers
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110167760
    Abstract: A packaging plant comprises several test stations as well as a transport system and a control system. The control system is configured to manage packages which are transported in the packaging plant on the transport system along the test stations such that a status is assigned on each package by the control system which can be changed by the test stations together with the control system. A discharge station for defective packages is arranged in the direction of production downstream of at least two test stations. The status of the packages can be changed by at least two test stations to be passed one after the other, and the packages can be marked by a marking means corresponding to their status.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMULLER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Guido Spix