Patents Examined by Christopher W. Day
  • Patent number: 5632713
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) is provided for erecting boxes from blanks (11) having sides panels (13) with three score lines (20, 22 and 24). The apparatus has a base plate (40), two side folding mechanisms (44) and two end folding mechanisms (45). The side folding mechanisms have a proximal plate (51) pivotally mounted to the base plate, an intermediary plate (53) pivotally mounted to the proximal plate, and a distal plate (55) pivotally mounted to the intermediary plate. Linkage (68) coupled to a handle (76) actuates the movement of the proximal, intermediary and distal plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Inventors: Timothy A. Canning, Andrew F. Hartman, Ken Williams, Harry R. Elliot, Quentin J. Hendricks
  • Patent number: 5630779
    Abstract: A system for suspending a pack of thermoplastic bags, loading bags, removing loaded bags and for automatically opening the next bag preparatory to loading it by having a pack of handled bags suspended from laterally spaced elongated rods of a rack. A novel gradually releasably adherent bond is created between the rear wall of a leading bag and the front wall of a following bag in the bag pack. As the leading bag is removed from a bag rack, the bond will gradually and fully open the mouth and body of the following bag for loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Glod, Richard E. Leone
  • Patent number: 5630781
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for folding a sheet of paper into an aerodynamic configuration. The device can be described as a forming implement with a plurality of wing and tail folding surfaces. The device includes an entrance end and an exit end and is adapted to have a sheet of material passes therethrough. In use, as the sheet of material is passed through the device it attains an aerodynamic configuration. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wing and tail folding surfaces are resiliently mounted to the device. Furthermore, the device includes a means for delivering the sheet of material from the entrance to the exit end of device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Inventor: Dennis Hubbard
  • Patent number: 5628718
    Abstract: A method of operating a folder comprising a plurality of sequentially arranged folding units. At least one folding unit is provided with a sheet detector arranged upstream of a sheet abutment and at least one lateral guide. Apart from automatic and single stroke modes of operation, a further mode of operation for the set-up or "make-ready" of the folder is provided, in which (1) the drive of the folder is run at a reduced speed within a predetermined speed range, for example, 50-60 m/min.; (2) upon detecting a supplied sheet, the sheet detector supplies a switch "off" signal to the drive so that the sheet movement is retarded short of the guide of the respective folder unit and comes to rest; (3) the sheet is then moved at a further-reduced speed toward the sheet abutment of the respective folder unit; and (4) in a phase between a stationary state of the sheet until the sheet arrives at the sheet abutment, the guide is set to suit the size and folding shape requirements of the supplied sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Stahl GmbH & Co. Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Bodo Huober
  • Patent number: 5626551
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a kit containing the required elements to enable one to manufacture his or her own greeting cards, note cards, and/or envelopes. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a greeting card, note card, or an envelope from ordinary paper stock or from paper stock containing decorative scenes thereon. An example of decorative paper stock which may be suitable for use with the kit is the glossy decorative paper stock which is used within some magazines. The kit is preferably provided in booklet form and includes templates to assist one in manufacturing cards and/or envelopes. The kit typically includes pieces of paper stock which have decorative scenes printed thereon which are suitable for use in manufacturing cards and envelopes. The kit typically will also include numerous pieces of plain or substantially plain paper stock which are suitable for use in forming envelopes and/or cards and which have a writing surface. Various stickers may be provided in the kit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Inventors: Elizabeth J. Kearns, Bethany L. Miller
  • Patent number: 5626550
    Abstract: A bag pack comprises a plurality of easy open handle bags. The bags are easy to open because the exterior surfaces of the bags are cold-welded together so that when one bag is pulled from the pack, the adjacent next bag is at least partly open. The external surfaces of the bags are not welded to the internal surfaces of the bags during the pressure welding process, because the material that forms the external surface of the bag is treated with a corona discharge, which renders the external surface more susceptible to cold weldings. Optionally a static charge is induced on the bags so that each bag is at a different voltage than the adjacent bags so the bags attract each other, and the panels of each individual bag repel each other, to contribute to the easy open feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Orange Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Amero, Carmelo Piraneo, Gary A. Woodruff, John E. Alvey
  • Patent number: 5624369
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus (26) for forming a box blank from a generally-rectangular sheet of material. The apparatus has a frame (28) for supporting and guiding the sheet; and endless advancement belt (31) for controllably moving the sheet relative to the frame through the apparatus; guide rails (32) extending generally across the sheet; a carriage (34) mounted on the guide rails for horizontal movement relative thereto; a cutting blade (35) mounted for horizontal movement with the carriage and operatively arranged to be rotated about an axis; a blade actuator (36) for selectively causing the blade to have a vertical component of movement relative to the carriage; a punch (38) mounted on the carriage and selectively operable to punch a hole in the sheet; a transverse creasing roller (39) mounted on the carriage; and a pair of adjustable longitudinal creasing rollers (40) mounted on the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Griffin Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerald D. Bidlack, Igor Shmelkin
  • Patent number: 5618254
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing gusseted bulk bag liners, a continuous web of gusseted bulk bag liner material having longitudinally extending fold line is advanced along a predetermined path. Simultaneous cutting and resealing apparatus are engaged with the longitudinally extending fold lines of the length of gusseted bulk bag liner material during the movement thereof. The simultaneous cutting and resealing apparatus are positioned transversely to the direction of movement of the continuous web of gusseted bulk bag liner material in accordance with a predetermined program, thereby forming a gusseted bulk bag liner having a predetermined comprising a sidewall, a top wall, a bottom, an inlet chute and discharge chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Super Sack Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: Norman C. Derby
  • Patent number: 5618253
    Abstract: An inner seal portion (30a) of an open edge portion (1a, 1b) of a paper container (1) is aligned face-to-face with an inner peripheral heating portion of a seal-heating apparatus. An outer seal portion (30b) of the open edge portion is aligned face-to-face with an outer peripheral heating portion (4, 5, 6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 16) of the seal-heating apparatus. At least the inner peripheral heating portion (8, 17) is oscillated about an axial line thereof so as to vary the hitting position of the inner seal portion against which hot air blown from the hot air blowing holes (8a) of the inner peripheral heating portion (8) hits. Thus, the seal portion (30) of the paper container (1) can be equally and properly heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masataka Okushita
  • Patent number: 5613934
    Abstract: A tear guide arrangement for opening a package from a sealed form, the package having first and second opposing films, comprises first and second opposing base strips, first and second opposing tear guide strips, and sealant material. The first and second base strips are disposed between the first and second films and are adapted for attachment to the respective first and second films. The first base strip has upper and lower sides and the second base strip has upper and lower sides. The first and second base strips are composed of a first polymeric material. The first and second tear guide strips are disposed generally parallel to and co-planar with the respective first and second base strips. The first and second tear guide strips are detachably connected to the upper sides of the respective first and second base strips to form respective breakable bonds. The first and second tear guide strips are composed of a second polymeric material which is stiffer than the first polymeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy J. May
  • Patent number: 5609557
    Abstract: A paper pallet (D, D1) formed by cutting and combining a plurality of cardboard panels (3). A cutting device (A), extruding mechanism (B), and an adhesive application mechanism (C) are generally provided to sequentially cut and adhesively accumulate layers of cardboard extrusion members (3a, 3d) into a multi-layered cardboard assembly characterized in that the stress applied the pallet (D, D1) formed therefrom is parallel to the corrugations of the cardboard panels (3) employed. A high-strength paper pallet is thus realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventor: Tan Y. Te
  • Patent number: 5609556
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing bags (18) with strap shaped handles (16) which provides for the handles to be bonded to the outside faces of the bags by attachment portions (24) at the free ends of their parallel legs, in which assembling and bonding of the handles (16) is effected during continuous transport of the bags (18), with their bottoms (20) forward, from a bag making machine (10) in which the bags without handles are produced, to a stacker station; the handles are folded such that their portions (26) protruding beyond the bag marginal edge while in the usage position are folded over forwardly as viewed in bag transport direction; and the handle portions (26) as folded over are detachably tacked to the bags (18) and/or the attachment portions (24) before the bags are entering the stacker station (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Fischer & Krecke GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Fred Rostalski, Diethard Obermeier, Ewald Steinweg, Wilfried Kolbe, Klaus Schirrich
  • Patent number: 5607383
    Abstract: A modular cushioning conversion machine for converting a sheet-like stock material into a cushioning dunnage product characterized by first and second modular units. The first unit includes a housing and a forming assembly within the housing which forms the sheet-like stock material into a three-dimensional strip. The second unit includes a housing and a feed mechanism within the housing which feeds the sheet-like stock material through the forming assembly. The housings of the first and second units respectively have an outlet opening and an inlet opening positionable with respect to one another to provide a pathway for the transfer of the strip from the first unit to the second unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Ranpak Corp.
    Inventors: Steven E. Armington, Richard O. Ratzel, Michael J. Lencoski
  • Patent number: 5607382
    Abstract: A device for folding flat die-cuts through 180.degree. has a flipper of which the movement is guided by linkages composed of at least two rectilinear slots, occupying a common plane and compassing an acute angle, and at least two slides free to traverse along the two slots. The flipper is connected pivotably to the slides, and the folding action is generated by a single linear actuator stroking in a direction substantially parallel to one of the slots, its rod end being hinged to the respective slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: G.D S.p.A.
    Inventors: Silvano Boriani, Alessandro Minarelli
  • Patent number: 5599268
    Abstract: A linear drive apparatus for moving a canon in a packaging machine from a first position to a second position is set forth. The apparatus includes first and second spaced apart guide rods and an engagement assembly that is disposed between and slidably engages the first and second guide rods. The engagement assembly is adapted to engage one or more cartons for movement between the first and second positions. The apparatus further includes a drive shall onto which a drive roller is disposed for co-rotation. A first drive belt is connected to the drive roller and disposed about the drive roller in a clockwise direction at a first end thereof while a second end of the first drive belt is connected to a first portion of the engagement assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Roland J. E. Andersson, Shigehiro Kinoshita, David L. Persells, Arde Kirka
  • Patent number: 5593375
    Abstract: A continuous tubular box body production method, particularly for cardboard boxes, using a number of stacked longitudinal strips. After sizing the continuously moving straps (2, 3, 4), they are applied lengthwise against a stationary guide (8) ending in a mandrel (10) with a circumference defining the cross-sectional shape of the tubular body (1, 17), whereby each strip has a side flap on either side of the guide which is then folded down around the circumference of the mandrel (1) as the strips move therealong. The method is characterized in that the side flaps (2a, 1b; 3a, 3b; 4a, 4b) are at least partially asymmetrically folded down so that one of the flaps on each strip is folded down before the other, whereby various longitudinal joint configurations and arrangements may be achieved, wherein the joints are arranged above one another or offset in alternate directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Pack'Industrie S.A.
    Inventor: Fran.cedilla.ois-Marie Franci
  • Patent number: 5593376
    Abstract: A novel dunnage-creating machine and methodology characterized by various features including, inter alia, a modular construction, easier access to interior components, and a low cost cutting assembly. The machine comprises front and rear units having separate housings. The housing of the rear unit includes an outer shell having a converging chute surrounding a shaping member over which sheet-like stock material is drawn to form the stock material into a three-dimensional shape. The front unit includes in the housing thereof a feed mechanism for drawing the stock material over the shaping member and stitching the shaped material to form a strip of dunnage product. The front unit also includes a manual cutting mechanism for cutting the strip to form cut pieces, which manual cutting mechanism includes a readily replaceable blade assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Ranpak Corp.
    Inventors: Steven E. Armington, Richard O. Ratzel
  • Patent number: 5586964
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing continuous form stationery folds a strip of paper along transverse lines of weakening formed therealong to form a zig-zag stack of paper. The apparatus alters the orientation of the zig-zag stack of paper to facilitate further processing of the paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: B. Bunch Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter W. Chase
  • Patent number: 5586842
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved abrading and cutting composite structure containing a plurality of blades and openings, as a multipurpose tool in construction and automotive fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventors: Tae H. Bae, Sang Y. Bae, Sang I. Bae
  • Patent number: 5575747
    Abstract: A resealable flexible thermoplastic bag including a front wall and a back wall, said walls being joined along the major portions of their opposite longitudinal edges and bottom; an open mouth adjacent to the top edge of said bag; a closure near the open mouth of said bag including an adhesive strip affixed to a first inner surface of one of a front wall or rear wall of a bag at a preselected distance from the opening of the bag; and a first roughened surface strip affixed to a second inner surface of one of a front wall or rear wall of a bag at a preselected distance from the opening of the bag; said roughened surface of said bag being pressable against and into said adhesive strip on said first inner surface, whereby a seal is formed by contacting said adhesive strip with said roughened surface of said second inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Dowbrands L.P.
    Inventors: Brian C. Dais, Jose Porchia