Patents Examined by Christopher W. Day
-
Patent number: 5573489Abstract: A thermoplastic bag structure and a method for forming handle-containing bags in roll-form. The method includes the steps of forming a continuous collapsed tube; forming pairs of closely spaced seals transverse to the tube at bag length distances apart; forming a transverse line of weakness between each pair of seals; simultaneously or thereafter folding the marginal edges of the tube inwardly toward each other; forming and removing a cut-out region at one end of each sealed segment of the tube so that on removal of the cut-out region, the cut defines loop handles and a bag mouth region in each bag; again folding the marginal edges of the tube inwardly toward each other; and convolutely winding the structure to form severable bags on a roll.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1993Date of Patent: November 12, 1996Assignee: Tenneco Plastics CompanyInventors: Carl R. Letendre, Earle R. Powell
-
Patent number: 5571067Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine (10) comprises a frame (36), conversion assemblies (50, 52, 54, 56) which convert a stock material into a cushioning product, and a length measuring device (12) which determines the length of the cushioning product as it is being produced. The conversion assemblies include a rotating assembly (54) and the angular movement of this assembly directly corresponds to the length of the cushioning product. The length measuring device (12) is positioned to monitor the angular movement of the rotating conversion assembly (54) and thus the length of the cushioning product. In the preferred embodiment, the rotating conversion assembly (54) is a gear assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1993Date of Patent: November 5, 1996Assignee: Ranpak Corp.Inventor: Richard O. Ratzel
-
Patent number: 5569144Abstract: Particular aesthetic requirements are made in respect of tube bodies for packaging tubes. An extrusion tube fulfills demands of that kind, better than a foil tube with a welded seam. There is disclosed a process for the production of a foil tube which substantially corresponds to the aesthetic particularities of an extrusion tube.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1994Date of Patent: October 29, 1996Assignee: KMK Karl Magerle Lizenz AGInventor: Bernhard A. Schwyn
-
Patent number: 5569149Abstract: Disclosed is a magazine for holding semiconductor devices during storage and shipping wherein a portion 22 of the magazine is cut to form a tab 28 which is pushed through an opening 29 in a wall 23 of said magazine to block the end of the magazine, preventing semiconductor devices from falling out of said magazine.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 1995Date of Patent: October 29, 1996Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: Jay R. Sedita
-
Patent number: 5558613Abstract: A method for substantially reducing the variance in results obtained in pull tests on reclosable plastic bags, wherein the forces needed to open the bags from within and from without are measured and compared, by controlling the attachment point of the bag wall to the base of the zipper profile requires the use of selectively placed preferential seal areas. These seal areas are provided by disposing an interlayer between each profile and its respective bag wall. The interlayers include a strip of material having a lower melting point than those of the profiles and the bag walls and having a preselected width greater than any possible lateral displacement, or "float", of the profiles that may occur in the sealing apparatus. Where the strip does not take up the entire width of the interlayer, it has a preselected, constant width and runs parallel to the zipper profiles. The lower melting point of the material of the strip, and the width of the strip, ensure that the seal location on the profiles remains fixed.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1994Date of Patent: September 24, 1996Assignee: Minigrap, Inc.Inventors: Paul A. Tilman, Richmond M. Scott, Zdenek Machacek
-
Patent number: 5556366Abstract: A device is provided to protect one's fingers from abrasion and paper cuts whenever forming a creasing line. The device consists of a pair of hinged, open-ended laterally-positioned elongated arms which are capable of providing a controllable creasing pressure at inwardly-facing opposed creasing surfaces. One of the arms is provided with a finger-gripping means to enable firmly holding the device against slippage during use. The finger-gripping means can also be provided with a stiletto-type letter opener. One form of the device can be made to stand upright on a desk for ready grasping in the identical position in which it will be used, and also has outwardly-facing surfaces carrying an advertising message or logo which are easily readable when the device is placed in such upright position.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1994Date of Patent: September 17, 1996Inventor: Charles E. Studebaker
-
Patent number: 5551938Abstract: A recloseable container comprises an outer carton and a collar disposed therein. The outer carton includes opposing top and bottom walls, opposing front and back walls, and opposing side walls. The collar is press bonded to one or more of the inner surfaces of the opposing front and back walls and the opposing side walls of the carton. The opposing side walls and the front wall of the carton include a continuous horizontal tear strip for opening up the carton from a sealed form to form a lid hingedly attached to a base section. To manufacture the recloseable container, an outer surface of a strip of collar material is press bonded to an inner surface of carton material. The attached carton material and strip of collar material are then simultaneously die-cut and scored to produce a respective carton blank and collar blank from which the recloseable container is formed.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1994Date of Patent: September 3, 1996Assignee: Tenneco PackagingInventor: James L. Stone
-
Patent number: 5549538Abstract: A process for manufacturing a multi-ply square bottom bag having a front wall, a back wall, a pair of gusseted side walls, each of which join to said front and back walls. There is also formed a gusseted square bottom panel having spaced but substantially parallel gusset edges and said bottom is joined to the front, back and side walls. The bag is produced by providing a web of inner ply material and a web of outer ply material, adhesively joining said webs into a composite and forming said bag from said joined webs. The improvement relates to forming a first flap in the inner web by cutting the web so as to form a plurality of free edges and a hinge line for said flap. The hinge line is connected to the free edges so that the free edges and hinge line define the flap. Thereafter joining the inner and outer webs to form the composite web.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1993Date of Patent: August 27, 1996Assignee: Bagcraft Corporation of AmericaInventor: Ronald Marsik
-
Patent number: 5547451Abstract: An easy-open container has a spirally-wound paperboard bodywall layer, interior barrier liner layer and outer label layer forming an easy-open seam extending spirally between the ends of the container. A feature is provided for directionally-orienting tearing of the label layer to remove either the entire label layer or just that portion of the label layer which is in bridging relationship to the easy-open spiral seam to allow opening of the container along the spiral seam.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1995Date of Patent: August 20, 1996Assignee: Sonoco Products CompanyInventors: Michael T. Drummond, Calvin G. Hill, Richard M. Lowman, Jr., William C. Suski, Rodney W. Roberts, James W. Lowry
-
Patent number: 5542901Abstract: This invention relates to a method for delivering free-flowing material into discrete receiving spaces separating filter plugs in partially constructed cigarette filter assemblies. The method includes rapidly feeding a free-flowing material such as charcoal into partially constructed cigarette filter assemblies. The free-flowing material is dispensed to a first conveyance and is subsequently transferred to a second conveyance that is positioned parallel and above the first conveyance. Vacuum is used to hold the free-flowing particulate material onto the first conveyance and is used to transfer the free-flowing material to the second conveyance and to hold it there. The free-flowing material is next transferred onto receiving spaces formed between articles such as cigarette filter plugs that are disposed on a third conveyance. The transfer of the free-flowing material to the receiving spaces and retention is also facilitated by application of vacuum.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1994Date of Patent: August 6, 1996Assignee: Philip Morris IncorporatedInventors: Charles G. Atwell, Joseph F. Budjinski, II, Jack R. Shook
-
Patent number: 5542902Abstract: A vented pouch arrangement is described which comprises: first and second opposed panel sections; a base gusset member; and, a gas filter arrangement oriented in one of the panel sections. The gusset member is preferably oriented between the panel sections; along ends thereof, to form a base by which the arrangement can be stood up during use. Preferably, the arrangement is provided with a rib and trough closure arrangement extending thereacross. In this manner, opening and reclosing the bag construction, for access to material therein, is facilitated. A method for formation of such a pouch arrangement, and methods of use, are also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1995Date of Patent: August 6, 1996Assignee: Kapak CorporationInventors: Cecil Richison, Gary M. Bell
-
Patent number: 5540647Abstract: The folding apparatus for automatic folding of flatwork includes a longitudinal folder and a transverse folder following thereafter. In the transverse folder there are two laundry conveyors disposed one behind the other in the conveying direction of a flatwork article arriving from the longitudinal folder. They are spaced apart by a gap stretching essentially across the entire width of the transverse folder. To make a first transverse fold using a folding blade or air blast, a flatwork article to be transversely folded is led into the gap. Prior to this step, the thickness of the flatwork article to be folded is entered into a data entry device or is determined using a measuring device. The width of the gap is adjustable, depending upon the particular thickness of the flatwork article. In this manner optimal conveying along the gap is achieved of a flatwork article having a first transverse fold, independent of thickness.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 1994Date of Patent: July 30, 1996Assignee: Jensen AG BurgdorfInventors: Paul Weiermann, Martin Bronnimann
-
Patent number: 5538490Abstract: A safety bar mechanism and sheet processing device having a safety bar mechanism, with which such an accident that the operator's hand is pinched between a table and peripheral devices etc. can be positively avoided whatever direction an external force exerts. The safety bar mechanism is disposed, for example, above the table on which a sheet is stacked, and comprises detector means the upper end of which is supported on a fixed part such that the detector means pivots freely in forward/backward directions and has play in upward/downward directions. When an external force works on the detector means, thereby moving the detector means upwards, forwards or backwards, a switching means is so operated as to at least stop the upward movement of the table.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 1995Date of Patent: July 23, 1996Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Tatsuhiro Taniwa
-
Patent number: 5533244Abstract: A woven belt paper polisher imparts mechanical energy to paper by sliding a woven belt against a paper sheet while the sheet is supported against a shear inducing roll. The contact force, slide distance and the coefficient of friction of the polishing belt result in less polishing material wear, less chance for developing machine direction character on the paper surface, and less chance for machine component damage. The use of an extended belt run outside the polishing section, results in reduced wear, extended uptime, and better polishing surface reconditioning. The use of a commercially produced and modified woven paper machine fabric results in lower operating cost compared to the use of a specialty polishing material.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1994Date of Patent: July 9, 1996Assignee: Appleton Papers Inc.Inventor: Michael Wadzinski
-
Patent number: 5533955Abstract: An apparatus for forming loose fill packing material which comprises a shredder device operative to convert sheets of corrugated cardboard into elongated, thin paper strips which are discharged onto a perforated conveyor movable between a loading position at the shredder device and a discharge position where the strips are emptied into a collection hopper. A suction device is mounted beneath the conveyor, downstream from the shredder device, which is operative to apply a suction to the cardboard strips to remove dirt, dust and other foreign materials therefrom, and then the cleaned paper strips are transmitted along an angled sifter plate having a plurality of openings which are sized to allow undesired, short strips of paper to pass therethrough for deposit into a waste hopper. A spraying device is located at the sifter plate to deposit a liquid material on the paper strips having microbicidal, sanitizing, insect repellant, disinfectant and deodorizing properties.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1994Date of Patent: July 9, 1996Assignee: Ecotone of Broward, Inc.Inventors: Ronald Cann, Steve Cann, Robert Lee, Kevin J. Haggerty
-
Patent number: 5531661Abstract: A method and means for opening a collapsed rectilinear carrier sleeve. As the collapsed sleeve is moved through a packaging machine it is partially opened so that the leading panel extends at an angle to the horizontal. A continuous upward force is then delivered to the leading panel to cause the leading panel to pivot up about its upstream fold line until it reaches the vertical. The collapsed sleeve is partially opened by elevating side flaps connected to an upper panel to cause the upper panel to be elevated. One way of accomplishing this is to cause the upper flaps to ride up over a fixed cam surface while lower flaps connected to a lower panel move under the cam to prevent the lower panel from moving in an upward direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1994Date of Patent: July 2, 1996Assignee: Riverwood International CorporationInventor: Frank Moncrief
-
Patent number: 5529564Abstract: Apparatus to separate web parts from a continuous web and feed them in zig-zag fashion onto a stack. Arranged at the sides of stack are holding-down elements designed in the manner of a paddle. These holding-down elements are moved along an elliptical path in such a way that they execute a movement directed downwards and laterally outwards towards the sides of the stack. In this movement, they come into contact in the region of the folding locations with the material web parts, be they individual sheets or longer parts to be folded in a zigzag form and press the engaged region of the material web parts downwards and outwards towards the sides of the stack. In this way, a satisfactory fold is formed at the respectively correct location, even in the case of material web sections which have neither been prefolded nor provided with lines of weakness beforehand. Also, a process for forming web parts, feeding them to a stack, and pressing them down as described.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1993Date of Patent: June 25, 1996Assignee: Jos. Hunkeler, Ltd.Inventor: Hanspeter Hediger
-
Patent number: 5527255Abstract: An apparatus and a method of preparing stacks of individual wet, dripless disposable towels ready for sealed packing. The apparatus includes a creel for rollably supporting a plurality of continuous rolls of disposable towel stock material formed of non-woven cotton cloth and the like. The apparatus in step sequence includes a guide for merging each length of towel stock material together and edgewise aligned after being drawn from each roll to form a web. The web is then drawn through a flood box whereinto a suitable washing and/or dermicidal liquid is pumped to completely saturate the web to produce a liquid saturated web portion. A squeeze roller arrangement positioned immediately adjacent the flood box removes some of the liquid from the saturated wet portion to produce a wet, dripless web portion which uniformly contains a preselected liquid content, depending upon preselected tensioning of the rollers. A collecting tank positioned below the flood box and the squeeze rollers collects excess liquid.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1994Date of Patent: June 18, 1996Inventor: Peter W. Mansfield
-
Patent number: 5527256Abstract: A device for converting the function of a cutting/collecting cylinder (4) of a folding apparatus for rotary printing presses is provided. The cutting/collecting cylinder is convertible from a "collect" to a "non-collect" mode of operation and vice versa. Within the cutting/collecting cylinder (4) there is placed at least one group of pins (7), the pins (7) being disposed on a pin-bearing shaft (9) which can be actuated via a cam follower (41) rolling off on a cam body (27). The cam body (27) is adjustably mounted in a side wall (25) of the folding apparatus so as to be situated opposite a face side of the cutting/collecting cylinder (4). The relationship between the circumferential speed of the cutting/collecting cylinder (4) and the cam body (27) is changeable through a second power transmission element (34) which is coaxially movable and engageable with a first power transmission element (29) having at least two engagement areas (29a, 29b) .Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 1994Date of Patent: June 18, 1996Assignees: Heidelberg Harris S.A., Heidelberger Druckmeschner AGInventors: Thierry Vauchelle, Herve Henry
-
Patent number: 5522124Abstract: A machine tool apparatus having a burnishing head assembly coupled directly to a hollow, tubular output shaft of the motor of the apparatus. The tubular output shaft is coupled to the armature of the motor and allows a cylindrical workpiece or part inserted into the burnishing head assembly to be received and fed coaxially through the motor. The burnishing head assembly is coupled to the motor such that rotation of the tubular output shaft of the motor causes a corresponding rotation of a plurality of rolls of the burnishing head assembly. When the rolls come into contact with a surface of the workpiece or part, they bear against the surface to effect a roller burnishing of the surface. In the preferred embodiment the rolls are set at a helix angle which causes the rolls to draw the workpiece or part through the tubular output shaft of the motor and burnishing head assembly once contact with the rolls is made, to thereby obviate the need for an individual to manually feed in the part.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1994Date of Patent: June 4, 1996Assignee: Cogsdill Tool Products, Inc.Inventor: Warren B. Depperman