Patents Assigned to Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
  • Patent number: 6293394
    Abstract: A packaging pouch (10) with an integral drinking straw or pouring spout (38,42) and an easy-to-open protective region providing access to the drinking straw or pouring spout, features a first compartment (32) to accommodate the contents e.g. a drink and—separated in a fluid-tight manner—a second compartment (34) to accommodate a tube part (42). The tube (38, 42) leads from the first compartment (32) to the second compartment (34) and is joined in the transition region to the pouch (10) in a fluid-tight manner and features a valve element for opening and closing a through-flow channel (37). At the end projecting into the second compartment the tube features a closure (44,46) which is closed in a fluid-tight manner when the pouch is in the unopened state and contains a valve element (58, 56) which, under the action of pressure from the side, frees a through-flow channel (37) and which closes automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management, LTD
    Inventors: Claude A. Marbler, Juris Walter, Andreas Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20010022103
    Abstract: Process for manufacturing cold formed shaped packaging having at least one recess made from a metal-plastic laminate 20. Examples of such shaped forms of packaging are the base parts of push-through packs or blister packs. The process is such that the laminate 20 is held between a retaining tool 5 and a die 1. The die 1 exhibits at least one opening 8 and a stamping tool 6 is driven into the die opening 8 causing the laminate to be shape-formed into the said packaging and, correspondingly, exhibiting one or more recesses. The die 1 and the retaining tool 5 exhibit facing edge regions 11, 12, and within the edge region 11 the die 1 exhibits a shoulder region 13 that surrounds the die opening 8 or openings 8. The surface of the shoulder region 13 lies 0.01 to 10 mm lower than the surface of the edge region 11 of the die 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Applicant: ALUSUISSE TECHNOLOGY & MANAGEMENT LTD.
    Inventors: Patrik Zeiter, Heinz Oster
  • Patent number: 6277496
    Abstract: A form of packaging or packaging aid having integral guarantee of original pack and/or first-time opening containing a substrate with a surface that reflects visible light. The reflective surface is made of metal or is a metallic reflective surface. One or more single ceramic layers are provided on the reflecting surface. The ceramic layers are made of a compound having the formula SiOx, where x represents a number from 1.5 to 2.0, each ceramic layer has a thickness of 50 to 2000 nm. The ceramic layer is directly, nonreleasably affixed to the substrate or to the reflective surface of the substrate. On the ceramic layers, a reflecting layer which is semipermeable to visible light is provided. The reflective layer is made of metal and has a thickness of 0.2 to 60 nm, and is such that light striking the coated substrate is reflected and seen as different colors depending on the direction or angle at which it is viewed by an observer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd
    Inventors: Wolfgang Lohwasser, Patrik Zeiter
  • Patent number: 6270869
    Abstract: Cold-formable laminate film, for example, for manufacturing push-through or blister packs or the base parts and for forms of packaging or shaped parts for packaging medical instruments and applicators, containing a barrier layer that is impermeable to water vapor and gases and a plastic layer on both sides of the barrier layer. The laminate film exhibits a layered structure containing in the following order: (a) a plastic layer in the form of a film of the following type, namely, polychloride, polyester, polypropylene, cycloolefin-copolymer or a cast film of polyvinyl-chloride or polypropylene; (b) a metal foil such as an aluminium foil; and (c) an oriented polyamide film having a thickness of 25 to 2 &mgr;m. The free sides of the first and/or the second plastic film may feature a sealing layer or the first and/or the second plastic films may be sealable. The laminate films may, for example, be processed into forms of packaging by a deepening process such as stretch drawing, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrik Zeiter, Erwin Pasbrig, Hans Peter Breitler
  • Patent number: 6269671
    Abstract: Process for manufacturing cold formed shaped packaging having at least one recess made from a metal-plastic laminate 20. Examples of such shaped forms of packaging are the base parts of push-through packs or blister packs. The process is such that the laminate 20 is held between a retaining tool 5 and a die 1. The die 1 exhibits at least one opening 8 and a stamping tool 6 is driven into the die opening 8 causing the laminate to be shape-formed into the said packaging and, correspondingly, exhibiting one or more recesses. The die 1 and the retaining tool 5 exhibit facing edge regions 11,12, and within the edge region 11 the die 1 exhibits a shoulder region 13 that surrounds the die opening 8 or openings 8. The surface of the shoulder region 13 lies 0.01 to 10 mm lower than the surface of the edge region 11 of the die 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrik Zeiter, Heinz Oster
  • Patent number: 6260603
    Abstract: A method for automatic, vertical continuous casting of metals, in particular aluminium alloys, in a casting facility having several molds. According to the method, the liquid metal is fed from a furnace along a spout to the molds and guided, via nozzles with adjustable through-flow, to the molds which are initially closed off by the dummy blocks arranged on a lowerable casting table. The metal through-flow volume of each nozzle is adjusted individually for each mold on the basis of an initial time (t0) and an initial metal level (N0) at which adjustment of the metal level begins, in such a way that the metal in all molds at a pre-set starting time (tS) is at substantially the same starting level (NS) at which the casting table starts being lowered for the production of the metal strands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventors: Eric Vuignier, Etienne Caloz, Jean-Pierre Seppey
  • Patent number: 6258425
    Abstract: Packaging or lidding material containing at least two layers of material, and between the two layers hidden information in the form of a printed image viz., information that is visible only after peeling the first layer from the second layer. The packaging material serves the manufacture of film-type packaging or parts thereof, or as lidding material for containers. The packaging or lidding material of a packaging unit contains the following sequence of layers: a) a first layer of material, b) a printed pattern or image, the limits of which lie within the dimensions of the package in question or the lid of the packaging unit, c) a dividing layer, the dimensions of which are the same or greater than the printed image b) and smaller than the dimensions of the packaging or lid of the package, d) an adhesive layer covering the whole of the surface, e) a second layer of material, where the printed image b) can be made visible by lifting the first layer of material a) from the second layer of material e).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventors: René Parmentier, Raymond Gribling, Grégoire Weber, Claude A. Marbler
  • Patent number: 6234246
    Abstract: Heat exchanger for cooling semi-conductor components or the like equipment features cooling fins that are spaced apart, attached to and project out from a base section of extruded aluminum or another light metal, each fin being secured in a groove or the like recess in the base section. The cooling fins are in the form of a cooling-fin plates made of thin-gauge strips of material and, as viewed in longitudinal cross-section, are profiled at least in the region where they join the base section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventors: Uwe Bock, Joachim Glück
  • Patent number: 6221466
    Abstract: A substrate with an organic undercoat as bonding layer for a printing medium to be deposited subsequently on the substrate in a printing process is such that the organic undercoat contains fine grained constituents of organic and/or inorganic substances, whereby the surface of the inorganic constituents is treated or provided with a coating of organic substances. Suitable inorganic constituents are e.g. highly dispersed silica, the surface of which is treated with a resin or a polymer. Suitable compositions for the organic undercoat layer on the substrate are organic coatings based on many commercially available organic coating materials with an addition of e.g. 0.3 to 20 wt. % silica. By adding highly dispersed silica to the undercoat the adhesion between the undercoat and the printing medium can be greatly improved, also in the case of laser printing methods with small thermal energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventors: Erwin Pasbrig, Dietrich Bubeck
  • Patent number: 6212858
    Abstract: Blister pack, for example to accommodate items such as pharmaceutical items in the form of capsules, coated capsules, ampoules etc., from a base part and a lid part made from strip shaped packaging material. The base part exhibits permanently shaped recesses which are surrounded by shoulders and the lid part exhibits permanently shaped recesses which are surrounded by shoulders; the base and lid parts lie on a plane of symmetry and the base and lid parts are joined at their shoulders over the whole or part of the surface area in the region of the plane of symmetry; the recesses in the base and lid parts which are symmetrically arranged with respect to the plane of symmetry form compartments and the contents are contained in the compartments. The blister packs may be manufactured, for example, by folding or turning over an endless strip of packaging material along a line of symmetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventor: Hans Peter Breitler
  • Patent number: 6201041
    Abstract: A substrate with an organic undercoat as bonding layer for a printing medium to be deposited subsequently on the substrate in a printing process is such that the organic undercoat contains fine grained constituents of organic and/or inorganic substances, whereby the surface of the inorganic constituents is treated or provided with a coating of organic substances. Suitable inorganic constituents are e.g. highly dispersed silica, the surface of which is treated with a resin or a polymer. Suitable compositions for the organic undercoat layer on the substrate are organic coatings based on many commercially available organic coating materials with an addition of e.g. 0.3 to 20 wt. % silica. By adding highly dispersed silica to the undercoat the adhesion between the undercoat and the printing medium can be greatly improved, also in the case of laser printing methods with small thermal energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventors: Erwin Pasbrig, Dietrich Bubeck
  • Patent number: 6199698
    Abstract: A pouch for a pharmaceutical, cosmetic, medical or similar product, with a structure having a top laminate and a bottom laminate. A pouch enclosure for the product is formed in one portion of the structure. The top laminate and the bottom laminate of the pouch enclosure portion are strongly adhered together in the periphery around the pouch enclosure. A flap portion is formed by the remainder of the structure with a portion of the involved region of the top laminate and a portion of the involved region of the bottom laminate are weakly adhered together and are easily pulled apart. Arrangement for separating the flap portion and the pouch enclosure is situated at the interface between the flap portion and the pouch enclosure portion. A notch or slot is located in the strongly adhered periphery of the pouch enclosure portion adjacent to the flap portion. The flap portion is larger than the pouch enclosure portion. Both sides of the top laminate and of the bottom laminate are capable of being printed on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management, Ltd.
    Inventors: Haydee Hetrick, Olivier Y. Muggli
  • Patent number: 6192730
    Abstract: A process for extruding a section or the like from a billet, in which a billet is introduced into the bore of a container and, by an extrusion stem, is fed in the direction of extrusion into a shape-forming cross-sectional opening in a die. The billet material is pressed into a central inlet in the die and the resultant ductile mass fed outwards at an angle to the direction of extrusion through a plurality of channels to the shape-forming cross-section. The main load is applied by the extrusion force acting outside the central inlet and the shape-forming region and is preferably diverted outside the shape-forming region to the supporting die parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventors: Adolf Ames, Diethlem Wömpner
  • Patent number: 6182850
    Abstract: Closure membrane for containers having an outer film and inner film with a joining layer and a sealing seam zone between these two films. At least one space free of a bonding layer is provided within the sealing seam zone between the outer film and the inner film and, within the limits of this non-bonded space, the outer film and the inner film each feature at least one opening, and a reservoir of material that softens under the influence of heat is provided in the non-bonded space between the outer film and the inner film. The openings in the inner film and the openings in the outer film are connected to enable the passage of a fluid such as a gas from the interior of the container to the surrounding atmosphere. On application of heat to the closure membrane e.g. during a sterilization process, the openings in the inner film and the outer film are closed off as a result of softening of the material that softens under the influence of heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventors: Claude A. Marbler, Jean-Paul Boudinet
  • Patent number: 6173554
    Abstract: Pouches of flexible packaging material exhibit a tearing zone in the form of a weakness such as perforations or a separation in the material, this in order to be able to remove the contents easily. The packaging material is covered over by at least one film-forming mass, at least in the region of weakness, in order that the package remains closed until the contents are to be used. The film-forming mass may be the decorative printing on the pouch. After packaging, the contents are protected by the pouch and, in order to remove the contents, the pouch may be opened readily by a pulling or snapping movement which causes the covering of film-forming mass to break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventor: Claude A. Marbler
  • Patent number: 6138830
    Abstract: Packaging for tablets, capsules and the like pharmaceutical products, that is child-proof and user friendly for senior citizen, is in the form of a blister pack (12), with at least one cup (24) which accommodates the tablet (20) closed off by a push-through foil lid (26), situated in an outer packaging (10) between a base part (14) and a cover part (16). The cover part (16) is covered over by a closure part (18) such that the lid foil (16) on the blister pack (12) faces the cover part (16) and the cover part (16) features an outlet opening (32) in line with the cup (24) in the blister pack (10). A cover strip (34) which is arranged between the base part (14) and the cover part (16) covers the outlet opening (32), can be removed on opening the closure part (18) thus exposing the outlet opening (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventor: Olivier Y. Muggli
  • Patent number: 6135755
    Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing cold formed shaped forms of packaging having at least one recess from a metal-plastic laminate. Examples of such shaped forms of packaging are the base parts of push-through packs or blister packs. The apparatus is such that the laminate is held between a retaining tool and a die. The die exhibits at least one opening and a stamp is driven into the die opening causing the laminate to be shape-formed into a packaging, correspondingly exhibiting one or more recesses. The die and the retaining tool exhibit facing edge regions and the die, within the edge region, exhibits a shoulder region that surrounds the die opening or openings. The surface of the shoulder region lies 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrik Zeiter, Heinz Oster
  • Patent number: 6127023
    Abstract: Lid material (10) in the form of a substrate material (5) such as a plastic film bearing a printed image (6) facing outwards with respect to the container (1) on which the lid material (10) is used, and an inward facing sealing layer (8, 9) for closing off containers (1) having a shoulder region (4). The inward facing side of the substrate material (5) bears the sealing layer (8, 9) in the form of a printed image which corresponds to the shoulder region (4) of the container. The printed image which forms the sealing layer (8, 9) can be deposited on the substrate material (5) in the same printing machine in which the printed image (6) is deposited on the substrate material (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventors: Claude A. Marbler, Raymond Gribling, Rene Parmentier, Eliane Pierron
  • Patent number: 6124039
    Abstract: A coating substrate containing an aluminum or aluminum rolled alloy product for thin-film coatings for producing electronic components. The coating substrate prevents the interdiffusion of substrate elements and thin-film coating elements and enables the thin-film coatings to grow completely over irregularities. The local irregularities on the substrate surface to be coated, which have a maximum extension, measured vertically to the substrate surface, of less than 10 um and than 0.1 um, are such that the flanks of the local irregularities can be exposed to material deposition impinging on the substrate surface in a perpendicular manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Goetz, Walter Hotz, Herbert Keppner
  • Patent number: 6099683
    Abstract: Process for the production of a composite sheet (90) comprising a cellular core (41) and at least one outer layer (42) by bonding the outer layer (42) to the cellular core (41), for example with the aid of an adhesive film (84) under pressure and at elevated temperature, where the adhesive film (84) may initially extend over the entire surface and breaks up in the region of the honeycomb interior under the action of heat and on exposure to a gaseous medium, concentrating at the points of contact between the cellular core (41) and the outer layer (42). The outer layer (42) itself has an adhesive layer or an adhesive film (83) on the side facing the cellular core. The outer layer bonds to the cellular core under pressure and at elevated temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventors: Johannes Meier, Urs Gabi