Patents Assigned to ULMA PACKAGING, S. COOP.
  • Patent number: 12208932
    Abstract: A vertical packaging machine that includes a forming tube having an inner passage section and retaining means associated with the forming tube. The retaining means includes a retaining device configured to be displaced between a blocking position (P1) in which it at least partially blocks the inner passage section of the forming tube, and a release position (P2) in which it does not block said inner passage section of the forming tube. While in the blocking position (P1), the retaining device is arranged at a fixed specific height and is configured to prevent a product from passing through the inner passage section of the forming tube. Upon transitioning to the release position (P2), the retaining device is withdrawn from the path to be followed by the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: ULMA Packaging, S. Coop
    Inventors: Alberto Otxoa-Aizpurua Calvo, Eneko Izquierdo Ereño
  • Patent number: 12006086
    Abstract: Method and machine for generating packages from a continuous film. In the method, the quality of the seals formed when generating packages on the film is furthermore verified, and to that end, a chamber is closed around an area of a film tube comprising an actuation area, a transverse cut and a transverse seal on each side of the transverse cut being generated in the actuation area. For the verification, pressure in the chamber is reduced, a property of the fluid present in the chamber or in the part of the tube present in the chamber is detected, and the quality of at least one of the seals present in the chamber is determined depending on the detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: ULMA Packaging , S. Coop
    Inventors: Alberto Otxoa-Aizpurua Calvo, Eneko Izquierdo Ereno
  • Patent number: 12006080
    Abstract: A vertical packaging machine that includes a hopper with a hopper inlet mouth and at least one hopper outlet mouth, a tube arranged downstream of the hopper with a tube inlet mouth and a tube outlet mouth. A supply conduit is formed by at least the hopper and the tube. Acceleration means is provided and configured for injecting a gaseous fluid into the supply conduit through two injection ports arranged in the supply conduit at different heights with respect to the tube outlet mouth and for causing, with said injection, part of the air present in said supply conduit above the corresponding injection port to follow the injected flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: ULMA PACKAGING, S. COOP.
    Inventors: Alberto Otxoa-Aizpurua Calvo, Oier Olalde Arregui, Eneko Izquierdo Ereño
  • Patent number: 11952156
    Abstract: A vertical packaging machine for packaging products in a modified atmosphere. According to one embodiment, the vertical packaging machine includes a hopper through which the products to be packaged are introduced, a hollow forming element arranged downstream of the hopper, at least the hopper and the forming element forming a supply conduit through which the product to be packaged falls. The vertical packaging machine also includes an injection device configured for injecting a gaseous fluid into the supply conduit. A gas supply source is communicated with the inside of the supply conduit, the gas supplied to the supply conduit being suitable for packaging products in a modified atmosphere. A supply unit communicates the gas source with the inside of the supply conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: ULMA Packaging, S.Coop.
    Inventors: Alberto Otxoa-Aizpurua Calvo, Eneko Izquierdo Ereño
  • Patent number: 11851227
    Abstract: A sealing apparatus including a sealing tool that is movable between an inactive position and a sealing position. The sealing tool includes two actuating elements, each with a respective actuating surface that face each other. The actuating elements are configured to allow the passage of a packaging material therebetween and for transversely sealing the packaging material when the sealing tool is in the sealing position. The actuating surfaces are configured to cooperate with one another to perform the sealing. The actuating surfaces are also configured to cooperate with one another during the change in position of the sealing tool to the sealing position, and for transversely cutting the packaging material during the change in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: ULMA PACKAGING, S. COOP.
    Inventor: Alberto Otxoa-Aizpurua Calvo
  • Patent number: 11780615
    Abstract: According to one embodiment a thermosealing machine is provided that includes a movable lower mold with a box formed by a box base, a box structure, and a box frame attached to the box structure. The box frame includes a frame cavity, and the lower mold includes a pad coupled to the box frame with freedom of vertical movement. The thermosealing machine includes a lower stop and an upper stop, the upper stop being operatively coupled to the pad and vertically movable with the pad. The upper stop is configured to move between an inoperative position and an operative position. In the operative position the upper stop is arranged in the path of travel of the lower stop. In the inoperative position the upper stop is arranged outside of the path of travel of the lower stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: ULMA PACKAGING, S. COOP.
    Inventors: Nerea Arbulu Ormaechea, Julen Etxaniz Ortiz
  • Patent number: 11760517
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vertical packaging machine configured for packaging a product. The machine may include a supply conduit formed by at least one hopper through which the product to be packaged is introduced in the supply conduit. A tube is arranged downstream the hopper. The supply conduit includes at least a first passage conduit and a second passage conduit which are separated from one another such that each of the first and passage conduits offers a different path for the product to be packaged. Each of the first and second passage conduits includes a first injection opening and a second injection opening, the first injection openings being located at different heights and in different angular positions in reference to the second injection openings. The machine also includes one or more injection devices and that are configured to inject gas into the first and second gas injection openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: ULMA PACKAGING, S. COOP
    Inventors: Alberto Otxoa-Aizpurua Calvo, Maitane Ayala Martín
  • Patent number: 11760582
    Abstract: A packaging installation that includes a grouping machine configured to form batches of products and a horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine arranged downstream the grouping machine and being configured to receive the formed batches of products and to package them in individual packages. The grouping machine includes a receiving area to receive the products and a grouping area where the products are grouped into batches, and, for transporting products to the grouping area. The grouping machine includes a first product path and a second product path, different from the first product path, extending from the product receiving area to the grouping area. According to one embodiment, the grouping machine is configured to cause the products arriving at the grouping area from the first product path and from the second product path to have different orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: ULMA PACKAGING, S. COOP.
    Inventors: Aitzol Aramburu Eizaguirre, Shanti Galfarsoro Urrestilla
  • Patent number: 11613390
    Abstract: Disclosed is a machine for generating re-closable packages. According to one embodiment the machine includes a forming tube configured to impart a tubular shape to a continuous film, a driving module that moves the film tube in a forward movement direction at a first forward movement speed, a longitudinal sealing tool for sealing the longitudinal ends of the film with a tubular shape, a film tube being generated. The machine includes a first driving assembly for moving the film tube in the forward movement direction at a second forward movement speed, and a transverse sealing and cutting tool for transversely sealing and cutting the film tube, a package being obtained as a result. The machine also includes a second driving assembly located upstream the longitudinal sealing tool and configured for moving the re-closable strip at a third forward movement speed, the first, second and third forward movement speeds being equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: ULMA PACKAGING, S. COOP.
    Inventor: Alberto Otxoa-Aizpurua Calvo
  • Patent number: 11597543
    Abstract: Provided is a method and machine for packaging products, whereby a tray is generated by means of bonding a plastic film to a base film, the tray including a cavity of a given area and a rim surrounding the cavity. The cavity is generated by applying a given pressure on a forming area of the films. Before generating the tray and before pressing the base film, a support cut is generated in the forming area of the base film, such that with the subsequent pressure on the base film at least one gap is formed in the cavity of the tray as a result the support cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: ULMA PACKAGING, S. COOP.
    Inventors: Nerea Arbulu Ormaechea, Nicolas Arregi Arambarri, Eneko Izquierdo Ereño, Juan Jose Jauregui Balanzategui
  • Patent number: 11591119
    Abstract: According to one embodiment a packaging machine and method for packaging a product is provided in which a cover film is arranged on the product and on a base film which supports the product and is narrower than the cover film; the superimposed films are moved in a first direction to a joining station where both films are attached to one another; and the attached films are moved in the first direction to a cutting station where the films are cut transversely and where the areas of the cover film projecting from the base film are cut longitudinally. The movement of the films is caused by acting on the cover film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: ULMA PACKAGING, S. COOP.
    Inventors: Nerea Arbulu Ormaechea, Nicolas Arregi Arambarri
  • Patent number: 11492153
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a packaging machine that according to one embodiment includes a rollers block with a plurality of roller assemblies distributed in series along a horizontal longitudinal axis of the machine and a transmission block with a motor and a transmission mechanism configured for transmitting the rotation of the motor to all the roller assemblies. At least one roller assembly is independent of the rest of the roller assemblies, is movable with respect to the transmission block, and is configured for cooperating with the transmission mechanism in an operative position, in which the transmission mechanism transmits the rotation of the motor of the transmission block to the roller assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: ULMA PACKAGING, S. COOP.
    Inventors: Aritz Murgia Mendizabal, Miguel Angel Ugarte Inza