Patents Assigned to Automated Packaging Systems
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Patent number: 9598216Abstract: A web, method, and apparatus for forming dunnage units. The web includes first and second elongated layers. A plurality of seals that hermetically join the first elongated layer to the second elongated layer to form a plurality of inflatable pouches and an inflation channel that is in fluid communication with pouches and is disposed outside of the pouches. An inflation side line of perforations, a gap forming area, and an opposite side line of perforations are arranged in a line between pair(s) of the pouches.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2015Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Patent number: 9550339Abstract: An elongate flattened thermoplastic tube has an inflation edge and an opposite edge. The tube includes spaced transverse seals that define sides of pouches. The tube includes lines of weakness that allow adjacent dunnage units to be separated. A frangible line of connection is disposed in one two superposed layers of the tube proximate to the inflation edge. This frangible connection may be broken to permit inflation of the inflatable pouches.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2016Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventors: Rick Steven Wehrmann, Bernard Lerner
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Publication number: 20160200492Abstract: An exemplary reclosable bag includes a first ply joined to a second ply to define a main bag portion having a compartment and a product receiving opening. A reclosing flap is connected to the main bag portion and is spaced apart from the product receiving opening. A reclosing material and a release material are applied to the bag and are arranged such that the reclosing material releasably adheres to the release material. The reclosing flap is movable between a passive position and an active position. A bag opening zone formed in the main bag portion proximate the reclosing flap may be opened to create a product retrieval opening for retrieving a product from the compartment. The product is returned to the compartment through the product retrieval opening, and the compartment is reclosed by moving the reclosing flap from the passive position to the active position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2016Publication date: July 14, 2016Applicant: AUTOMATED PACKAGING SYSTEMSInventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Patent number: 9302821Abstract: An exemplary reclosable bag includes a first ply joined to a second ply to define a main bag portion having a compartment and a product receiving opening. A reclosing flap is connected to the main bag portion and is spaced apart from the product receiving opening. A reclosing material and a release material are applied to the bag and are arranged such that the reclosing material releasably adheres to the release material. The reclosing flap is movable between a passive position and an active position. A bag opening zone formed in the main bag portion proximate the reclosing flap may be opened to create a product retrieval opening for retrieving a product from the compartment. The product is returned to the compartment through the product retrieval opening, and the compartment is reclosed by moving the reclosing flap from the passive position to the active position.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Automated Packaging SystemsInventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Patent number: 9283729Abstract: An elongate flattened thermoplastic tube has an inflation edge and an opposite edge. The tube includes spaced transverse seals that define sides of pouches. The tube includes lines of weakness that allow adjacent dunnage units to be separated. A frangible line of connection is disposed in one two superposed layers of the tube proximate to the inflation edge. This frangible connection may be broken to permit inflation of the inflatable pouches.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2013Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventors: Rick Steven Wehrmann, Bernard Lerner
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Patent number: 9266300Abstract: A machine for converting a web of preformed pouches into inflated dunnage units. The pouches are defined by transverse seals extending from a remote edge to within a predetermined distance from an inflation edge. The machine includes a tensioning device for frictional engagement with the web, an inflation arrangement for inflation of the preformed pouches, a sealing arrangement, and a clamping arrangement. The sealing arrangement may be positioned to provide a longitudinal seal that intersects the transverse seals to close the preformed pouches and form a dunnage unit. The tensioning device holds the web taught during downstream travel.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2012Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventors: Larry Chuba, Lawrence Valenti, David Romo, Michael Riccardi
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Patent number: 9205622Abstract: A web, method, and apparatus for forming dunnage units. The web includes first and second elongated layers. A plurality of seals that hermetically join the first elongated layer to the second elongated layer to form a plurality of inflatable pouches and an inflation channel that is in fluid communication with pouches and is disposed outside of the pouches. An inflation side line of perforations, a gap forming area, and an opposite side line of perforations are arranged in a line between pair(s) of the pouches.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Patent number: 8887978Abstract: A conveyor system pre-inserts a portion of the web into a first belt before the portion is gripped between the first belt and a second belt. In one exemplary embodiment, a pair of lips of a web are inserted into a corresponding first pair of belts and then the pair of lips are secured in the first pair of belts by inserting a second pair of belts into the first pair of belts over the pair of lips.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2011Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Larry Chuba
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Publication number: 20140260094Abstract: A method for converting a web of preformed pouches to on-demand inflatable packaging. The method may include moving the web along a path of travel, attaching an outer skin to the outside of the web, and packaging the web into a non-inflated and stored configuration. The method may also include moving the web along a path of travel, depositing at least one product into each of a plurality of the preformed pouches, and inflating each of the preformed pouches to form a cushioning material.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Publication number: 20140119677Abstract: A web of expandable bags, a method for forming a web of expandable bags, and a method of forming an expandable bag containing a product is provided. The web of expandable bags includes a plurality of connected bags. Each bag includes a front ply and a back ply, and each bag is connected to an adjacent bag by a perforated connection. The front and back plies are joined to define a compartment that includes a first side, a second side, a third side that extends between the first side and the second side, and a bag opening that is configured to be closed. The front and back plies include a plurality of slits, and the plurality of slits are arranged in a plurality of spaced apart rows. The plurality of slits allows the compartment to expand in a direction that is perpendicular to the arrangement of the plurality of slits.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2013Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Hershey Lerner
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Publication number: 20130308883Abstract: An exemplary reclosable bag includes a first ply joined to a second ply to define a main bag portion having a compartment and a product receiving opening. A reclosing flap is connected to the main bag portion and is spaced apart from the product receiving opening. A reclosing material and a release material are applied to the bag and are arranged such that the reclosing material releasably adheres to the release material. The reclosing flap is movable between a passive position and an active position. A bag opening zone formed in the main bag portion proximate the reclosing flap may be opened to create a product retrieval opening for retrieving a product from the compartment. The product is returned to the compartment through the product retrieval opening, and the compartment is reclosed by moving the reclosing flap from the passive position to the active position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: Automated Packaging SystemsInventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Patent number: 8549822Abstract: In one embodiment, a packaging machine includes a mechanism for compressing one or more sides of the bag to expel excess air from an open top end of the bag. In one embodiment, a packaging machine supports a top portion of a bag and a bottom portion of the bag, such that the bottom portion of the bag is moved closer to the top portion of the bag as the bag is moved from a first location to a second location. The bags may be supported from below such that additional support is provided during compression of the bag to remove excess air.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2006Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventors: Hershey Lerner, Joseph Lattur
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Publication number: 20130247520Abstract: Methods for forming packages from a web of preformed bags. In one exemplary method of forming packages from a web of preformed bags, a first bag is held open with air. A product is loaded into the first bag that is held open with air. An opening of the first bag is sealed. A next bag is indexed such that an opening of the next bag is proximate to an engagement member. The web is engaged with the engagement member to pre-open the next bag. The web is disengaged by the engagement member. The next bag is opened with air for loading.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2012Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: AUTOMATED PACKAGING SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Michael RICCARDI, Bernard LERNER
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Publication number: 20130216745Abstract: An elongate flattened thermoplastic tube has an inflation edge and an opposite edge. The tube includes spaced transverse seals that define sides of pouches. The tube includes lines of weakness that allow adjacent dunnage units to be separated. A frangible line of connection is disposed in one two superposed layers of the tube proximate to the inflation edge. This frangible connection may be broken to permit inflation of the inflatable pouches.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2013Publication date: August 22, 2013Applicant: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
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Patent number: 8425994Abstract: A preformed web and a method of producing dunnage units from the preformed web. The web is an elongate flattened thermoplastic tube having an inflation edge and an opposite edge. The tube includes spaced transverse seals that define sides of pouches. In one embodiment, the web is configured such that a gap forms between each pair of adjacent pouches when the pouches are inflated. In one embodiment, an inflation edge of the web comprises a frangible connection that allows the inflation edge to be broken by an unsharpened object.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2006Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Patent number: 8357439Abstract: A preformed web and a method of producing dunnage units from the preformed web. The web is an elongate flattened thermoplastic tube having an inflation edge and an opposite edge. The tube includes spaced transverse seals that define sides of pouches. In one embodiment, the web is configured such that a gap forms between each pair of adjacent pouches when the pouches are inflated. In one embodiment, an inflation edge of the web comprises a frangible connection that allows the inflation edge to be broken by an unsharpened object.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2011Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Patent number: 8354150Abstract: An elongate flattened thermoplastic tube has an inflation edge and an opposite edge. The tube includes spaced transverse seals that define sides of pouches. The tube includes lines of weakness that allow adjacent dunnage units to be separated. A frangible line of connection is disposed in one two superposed layers of the tube proximate to the inflation edge. This frangible connection may be broken to permit inflation of the inflatable pouches.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2008Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventors: Rick Steven Whermann, Bernard Lerner
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Publication number: 20130011510Abstract: A machine for converting a web of preformed pouches into inflated dunnage units. The pouches are defined by transverse seals extending from a remote edge to within a predetermined distance from an inflation edge. The machine includes a tensioning device for frictional engagement with the web, an inflation arrangement for inflation of the preformed pouches, a sealing arrangement, and a clamping arrangement. The sealing arrangement may be positioned to provide a longitudinal seal that intersects the transverse seals to close the preformed pouches and form a dunnage unit. The tensioning device holds the web taught during downstream travel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: AUTOMATED PACKAGING SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Larry Chuba, Lawrence Valenti, David Romo, Michael Riccardi
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Patent number: 8307617Abstract: Methods for forming packages from a web of preformed bags. In one exemplary method of forming packages from a web of preformed bags, a first bag is held open with air. A product is loaded into the first bag that is held open with air. An opening of the first bag is sealed. A next bag is indexed such that an opening of the next bag is proximate to an engagement member. The web is engaged with the engagement member to pre-open the next bag. The web is disengaged by the engagement member. The next bag is opened with air for loading.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2011Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael Riccardi, Bernard Lerner
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Patent number: D720617Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2013Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann