Patents Assigned to Automated Packaging Systems
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Publication number: 20120214658Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2011Publication date: August 23, 2012Applicant: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Larry Chuba
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Publication number: 20120073246Abstract: 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: December 5, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael RICCARDI, Bernard LERNER
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Patent number: 8141329Abstract: A method and apparatus for making packages with internal headers from an elongated web of preformed interconnected bags. The packages with internal headers are made by inserting a product or a header into a bag. The bag is sealed to form a first compartment that contains the inserted bag or header. The other of the product and the header is inserted into the bag. The bag is sealed to form a second compartment that contains other of the product or header. The package is separated from the elongated web of interconnected bags.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2008Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventors: Derek J. Zeedyk, Bernard Lerner, Kent McDonald, Michael Coleman, Gregg Martens
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Patent number: 8069635Abstract: 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: January 21, 2010Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael Riccardi, Bernard Lerner
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Patent number: 8038348Abstract: The present application relates to fluid filled pouches arranged in a row. The fluid filled units comprise elongate, heat sealable, face and back layers that are jointed together at a side edge, and by transverse seals to form pouches. The pouches are filled with fluid and are sealed at a split edge, defining fluid filled units. The fluid filled units can be separated along transverse lines of weakness. The transverse lines of weakness are defined by perforations, including perforations nearest the split edge that are shorter in length than perforations that are spaced further from the split edge and extend toward the side edge.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2006Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Automated Packaging, Systems, Inc.Inventors: Hershey Lerner, Dana Liebhart
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Patent number: 7975457Abstract: The present invention concerns a machine and a method for converting a web of preformed pouches to dunnage units. In one exemplary embodiment the machine includes a drive, a blower, and a sealing mechanism. The drive is arranged to move the web of preformed pouches along a path of travel through the machine. The blower is positioned with respect to the path of travel, to inflate the preformed pouches. The sealing mechanism includes a heating element support and a heating element. The heating element support includes a sealing side and a belt preheating side. The heating element is disposed around at least a portion of the heating side and at least a portion of the belt preheating side. The drive includes a belt that is disposed around the heating element. The sealing mechanism is positioned with respect to the path of travel, to provide seals to the pouches to form inflated dunnage units.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2010Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Publication number: 20110165352Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2011Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Publication number: 20110151159Abstract: 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. The tube includes lines of perforations that allow adjacent dunnage units to be separated. A starting point of the lines of perforations is spaced apart from the inflation edge. The positions of the starting point of the lines of perforations with respect to the inflation edge is selected such that a cutter that cuts the inflation edge clears the line of perforations. Binding or wrinkling is therefore not caused by engagement of the cutter with the lines of perforations.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2011Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Patent number: 7897219Abstract: 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. The tube includes lines of perforations that allow adjacent dunnage units to be separated. A starting point of the lines of perforations is spaced apart from the inflation edge.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2005Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Patent number: 7897220Abstract: 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: March 1, 2011Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Wehrmann
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Publication number: 20100281828Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2010Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Publication number: 20100221466Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2009Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: AUTOMATED PACKAGING SYSTEMSInventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Publication number: 20100192526Abstract: The present invention concerns a machine and a method for converting a web of preformed pouches to dunnage units. In one exemplary embodiment the machine includes a drive, a blower, and a sealing mechanism. The drive is arranged to move the web of preformed pouches along a path of travel through the machine. The blower is positioned with respect to the path of travel, to inflate the preformed pouches. The sealing mechanism includes a heating element support and a heating element. The heating element support includes a sealing side and a belt preheating side. The heating element is disposed around at least a portion of the heating side and at least a portion of the belt preheating side. The drive includes a belt that is disposed around the heating element. The sealing mechanism is positioned with respect to the path of travel, to provide seals to the pouches to form inflated dunnage units.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: Automated Packaging systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Wehrmann
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Patent number: 7767288Abstract: A web for the manufacture of fluid filled units with a novel machine and process is disclosed. The web includes an elongate heat sealable, flattened plastic tube comprised of face and back imperforate layers. The layers are imperforately joined together along spaced side edges. The layers include superposed longitudinal lines of weakness disposed generally transversely midway between the side edges. The web has longitudinally spaced, pairs of transverse seals. Each transverse seal extends from a respective side edge to an end near but spaced from the longitudinal lines of weakness. The transverse seal pairs include transverse lines of weakness extending from one side edge to the other generally centrally of each seal in a longitudinal direction. The side edges, transverse seals and lines of weakness together delineating two oppositely oriented strings of pouches with each pouch having three imperforate sides and a centrally located fill opening at its fourth side.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2009Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Hershey Lerner
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Patent number: 7757459Abstract: 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: May 31, 2005Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Publication number: 20100122512Abstract: 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. The web may be reverse indexed 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: January 21, 2010Publication date: May 20, 2010Applicant: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael Riccardi, Bernard Lerner
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Patent number: D630945Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2009Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Patent number: D633792Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2009Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Patent number: D640557Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2011Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
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Patent number: D646972Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2011Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann