Patents Assigned to VOLM COMPANIES, INC.
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Patent number: 11667439Abstract: A reinforced multilayer material includes a mesh material covered on at least one side, and possibly both, by a layer of a resinous film material. The mesh material includes filaments that intersect one another, at least some of the filaments being composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at least some points of intersection. The multilayer material has a mass per unit area of less than 9.0 oz/yd2 and at least one of a) a bursting strength to mass per unit area ratio of at least 9.0 lbs./(oz/yd2), where bursting strength is measured in accordance with ASTM-D37 86 and b) a breaking elongation of at least 5% in the warp direction when breaking elongation is measured in accordance with ASTM-5034. A bag is provided that is made at least in part from a multilayer material having at least some of the characteristics described above.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner
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Patent number: 11242211Abstract: A single robot of a two-lane bin packing system has an end of arm tool (EOAT) that interfaces with two infeed lines and two bins on an ongoing basis so that the robot can pick a group of bags from a first bag group staging area on the first infeed line while a group of bags is being formed in a second bag group staging area by the second infeed line. In addition, by interfacing with two separate bins, one bin can be filled while another, full bin is being replaced with an empty bin. The EOAT thus operates constantly. The bag groups can be formed in layers by discharging bags on a reciprocating shuttle of a pick table assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2019Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Bennett, Paolo Giammarco
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Patent number: 11142375Abstract: A reinforced multilayer material includes a mesh material covered on at least one side, and possibly both, by a layer of a resinous film material. The mesh material includes filaments that intersect one another, at least some of the filaments being composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at least some points of intersection. The multilayer material has a mass per unit area of less than 9.0 oz/yd2 and a bursting strength to mass per unit area ratio of at least 9.0 lbs/(oz/yd2), where bursting strength is measured in accordance with ASTM-D37 86. A bag is provided that is made at least in part from a multilayer material having at least some of the characteristics described above.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2016Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner
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Patent number: 10934042Abstract: A method is provided of making form fill and seal (FFS) bag formed at least in part from an open mesh material that includes filaments that intersect one another. At least some of the filaments are composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at points of intersection. The material may be a non-woven fabric that contains at least two layers of weft filaments that may be bordered on one or both sides by a layer of warp filaments. When compared to other open mesh materials, the open mesh material disclosed herein has a superior combination of some or all of high strength, light weight, high dimensional stability, and openness.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2017Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner, Friedrich Landertshamer, Alan Mueller
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Patent number: 10815034Abstract: A bottom gusseted bag includes first and second opposed walls that face one another, each of the first and second walls having an upper end and a lower end, and a gusseted bottom that connects the bottom ends of the first and second walls to one another. The gusseted bottom includes at least four panels that are formed from an open mesh material and that collectively form at least three pleats. Opposed side edges of all of the panels are thermally bonded directly to one another along first and second opposed seams extending at least the majority of the length of each of the panels. The gusseted bottom may have a side seam strength of at least about 1.lb (4.5 N). The first and second side walls are formed at least in part of material, such a film, that is thermally bondable to the mesh material.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2017Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.Inventors: Micah Johnson, Robert Frei, John Schemecker
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Patent number: 10815019Abstract: A rollstock support spool supports rollstock formed from a continuous web of bags of non-uniform thickness along their length. The spool has a hollow core and first and second opposed rims. The hollow core has opposed axial ends, an inner peripheral surface defining a tubular opening configured for mounting over a spindle, and an outer peripheral surface configured to support the rollstock. The rims are located at or near the first and second ends of the core, respectively. A radial spacing between the outer peripheral surface of the core and the outer peripheral surface of each of the rims is greater than a maximum thickness of the rollstock. Also provided are an unwinder assembly incorporating such a rollstock support spool and an automatic bagger incorporating such an unwinder assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2017Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.Inventor: John Schernecker
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Patent number: 9630375Abstract: A form fill and seal (FFS) bag is formed at least in part from an open mesh material that includes filaments that intersect one another. At least some of the filaments are composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at points of intersection. The material may be a non-woven fabric that contains at least two layers of weft filaments that may be bordered on one or both sides by a layer of warp filaments. When compared to other open mesh materials, the open mesh material disclosed herein has a superior combination of some or all of high strength, light weight, high dimensional stability, and openness. Also disclosed herein are methods of making such a bag.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner, Friedrich Landertshamer
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Patent number: 9573342Abstract: Bags, such as L-sewn bags and multi-substrate bags, are formed at least in part from an open mesh material that includes filaments that intersect one another. At least some of the filaments are composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at points of intersection. The material may be a non-woven fabric that contains at least two layers of weft filaments that may be bordered on one or both sides by a layer of warp filaments. When compared to other open mesh materials, the open mesh material disclosed herein has a superior combination of some or all of high strength, light weight, high dimensional stability, and openness. Also disclosed herein are methods of making and using such bags.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner, Friedrich Landertshamer, Alan Mueller
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Patent number: 9371143Abstract: A VFFS bag is provided that is dimensionally stable, aesthetically pleasing, and renders items stored in it highly visible. The bag includes first and second gusseted side walls that span a depth of the bag and front and rear walls that span a width of the bag. The bag has a substantially rectangular closed bottom end. In order to maximize the viewabilty of stored items and reduce the amount of film material in the bag, the bag has a depth to width ratio of at least 1.5:1 at the bottom of the bag. Stability is enhanced by sizing the gussets such that they closely approach but do not overlap a line longitudinally bisecting the bag. A VFFS machine and its method of operation also are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2012Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.Inventors: Corbett Hefner, Robert McPhail
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Patent number: 9339986Abstract: An open mesh material includes filaments that intersect one another. At least some of the filaments are composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at points of intersection. The material may be a non-woven fabric that contains at least two layers of weft filaments that may be bordered on one or both sides by a layer of warp filaments. When compared to other open mesh materials, the open mesh material disclosed herein has a superior combination of some or all of high strength, light weight, high dimensional stability, and openness.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner, Friedrich Landertshamer, Alan Mueller
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Publication number: 20150052857Abstract: A VFFS bag is provided that is dimensionally stable, aesthetically pleasing, and renders items stored in it highly visible. The bag includes first and second gusseted side walls that span a depth of the bag and front and rear walls that span a width of the bag. The bag has a substantially rectangular closed bottom end. In order to maximize the viewabilty of stored items and reduce the amount of film material in the bag, the bag has a depth to width ratio of at least 1.5:1 at the bottom of the bag. Stability is enhanced by sizing the gussets such that they closely approach but do not overlap a line longitudinally bisecting the bag. A VFFS machine and its method of operation also are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2012Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicant: Volm Companies, Inc.Inventor: Volm Companies, Inc.
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Patent number: 8784967Abstract: An open mesh material includes filaments (1, 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 15, 16) that intersect one another. At least some of the filaments are composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at points of intersection. The material may be a non-woven fabric that contains at least two layers of weft filaments (1, 2, 11, 12) that may be bordered on one or both sides by a layer of warp filaments (3,4, 15, 16). When compared to other open mesh materials, the open mesh material disclosed herein has a superior combination of some or all of high strength, light weight, high dimensional stability, and openness. Also disclosed herein are articles can be made at least in part from the material including L-seam bags (20), form fill and seal (FFS) bags (1020), and multi-substrate bags (2,020). Methods of making those bags also are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2010Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner, Friedrich Landertshamer, Alan Mueller
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Publication number: 20130196098Abstract: Bags, such as L-sewn bags and multi-substrate bags, are formed at least in part from an open mesh material that includes filaments that intersect one another. At least some of the filaments are composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at points of intersection. The material may be a non-woven fabric that contains at least two layers of weft filaments that may be bordered on one or both sides by a layer of warp filaments. When compared to other open mesh materials, the open mesh material disclosed herein has a superior combination of some or all of high strength, light weight, high dimensional stability, and openness. Also disclosed herein are methods of making and using such bags.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: August 1, 2013Applicant: Volm Companies, Inc.Inventor: Volm Companies, Inc.
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Publication number: 20130188893Abstract: A form fill and seal (FFS) bag is formed at least in part from an open mesh material that includes filaments that intersect one another. At least some of the filaments are composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at points of intersection. The material may be a non-woven fabric that contains at least two layers of weft filaments that may be bordered on one or both sides by a layer of warp filaments. When compared to other open mesh materials, the open mesh material disclosed herein has a superior combination of some or all of high strength, light weight, high dimensional stability, and openness. Also disclosed herein are methods of making such a bag.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: July 25, 2013Applicant: Volm Companies, Inc.Inventor: Volm Companies, Inc.
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Publication number: 20110085749Abstract: An open mesh material includes filaments (1, 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 15, 16) that intersect one another. At least some of the filaments are composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at points of intersection. The material may be a non-woven fabric that contains at least two layers of weft filaments (1, 2, 11, 12) that may be bordered on one or both sides by a layer of warp filaments (3,4, 15, 16). When compared to other open mesh materials, the open mesh material disclosed herein has a superior combination of some or all of high strength, light weight, high dimensional stability, and openness. Also disclosed herein are articles can be made at least in part from the material including L-seam bags (20), form fill and seal (FFS) bags (1020), and multi-substrate bags (2,020). Methods of making those bags also are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2010Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: VOLM COMPANIES, INC.Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner, Friedrich Landertshamer, Alan Mueller