Patents Examined by Louis Huynh
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Patent number: 6533518Abstract: Ends for cans are made in a single press, eliminating the need for separate shell and conversion presses, balancers, track work, and other equipment, as compared to existing can end manufacturing systems, while reducing floor space and capital investment requirements for installation of a new can end line. A sheet of end material or stock is introduced into the press and fed to a series of work stations. The sheet is maintained in a substantially continuous and void free state as the work stations perform forming operations on the sheet of material to form one or more ends therein. After the forming operation is complete, the end is ejected from the press. The maintenance of the sheet of material in a substantially continuous and void free state permits precise movement of the sheet through the press, and registration of the sheet relative to the tooling in the press.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1999Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Rexam Beverage Can CompanyInventors: Timothy L. Turner, Randall G. Forrest, Carlton Young
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Method of and a bale press for producing high-density round bales from agricultural harvest products
Patent number: 6530311Abstract: A method of producing high-density bales from harvest products in a bale press with a variable volume compression chamber which is circumferentially limited by belts, a chain conveyor rolls and which yields to a force imparted by preloaded means, with the method including controlling a pressing power applied to a harvest product by the belts, the chain conveyor and the rolls dependent on a driving torque of the bale press, and automatically increasing the pressing power during formation of a bale upon an interruption of product delivery or a relative reduction in the product delivery into the compression chamber of the bale press; and a bale press for effecting the method.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1999Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Assignee: Lely Maschinenfabrik GmbHInventors: Dieter Wilkens, Joost Honhold -
Patent number: 6526729Abstract: A method and device for treating plastic film, according to which method plastic film web used as packaging material is wrapped around the object to be packaged. According to the method, the plastic film layers are seamed together and the plastic film web is cut off by heating the seaming point and cutting-off point by means of a heat radiator. Heat-absorbent counterpieces are preferably placed at both the seaming point and the cutting-off point, the said counterpieces being heated through the plastic layers. When the counterpieces absorb heat from the heating radiator, they heat up and at the same time heat the plastic films to be seamed and cut off. In the most advantageous embodiment, the infrared heat radiator is placed inside a tubular gripping counterpiece, which gripping counterpiece comprises slots through which the heat radiation is able to pass to the counterpieces.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2000Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: United Packaging PLCInventor: Ismo Herava
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Patent number: 6526879Abstract: A press for fabrication of building components including: an upper platen; a lower platen; the upper platen and/or lower platen movable towards and away from the other; a first and second hydraulic device located on a base, each hydraulic device including; a cylinder; a piston located in the cylinder defining a first and a second chamber in the cylinder, the piston sealingly engaging the cylinder and movable in the cylinder; and a piston rod connected to the piston and extending through the second chamber to engage the upper or lower platen; a pump to pump hydraulic fluid into the first chamber of the first hydraulic device; and a valve in fluid communication with the first chambers of the first and second hydraulic devices to selectively withdraw hydraulic fluid from the first chamber of either or both the first and second hydraulic devices to align the upper and lower platens.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2000Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Pryda (Aust.) PTY LTDInventor: Donald Simson Mahoney
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Patent number: 6523325Abstract: Apparatus for making packages having improved openable and reclosable interlocking seals from a continuous web of composite packaging film, the seal having male and female portions of arrowhead shape in cross section, snap detents, and being formed transversely to the direction of film flow during package formation at line speed. The packaging film is provided at package length intervals with thermoformable strips secured thereto transversely to the running length of the film, and is fed to a modified standard vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine where the film is formed into a bag with the thermoformable strip inside in ends abutting folded facing relationship at the upper end of the bag, product deposited into the bag, the bag sealed, the reclosable interlocking seal formed, and the bag severed from the next bag being formed.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2001Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: SealStrip CorporationInventors: Harold M Forman, Trevor G Smith
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Patent number: 6519917Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making gusseted packages having openable and reclosable interlocking seals, the seals having male and female portions, snap detents, and formed transversely to the direction of film flow. The packaging film is provided at package length intervals with thermoformable strips secured thereto transversely to the running length of the film, and is fed to a modified standard vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine with gussets forming tooling where the film is formed into a bag with the thermoformable strips inside at the upper end of the bag, product deposited into the bag, the bag sealed, the reclosable interlocking seal formed, and the bag severed from the next bag being formed. The reclosable seal provides auditory and tactile indications of seal closing. Some packages are formed with the thermoformable strips in the gusset, and some are formed with the gusset free of strip material.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Sealstrip CorporationInventor: Harold M Forman
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Patent number: 6520073Abstract: Moisture reduction press for the separation of liquid from substances, comprising a first container with an inlet opening through which the substance is fed to an inlet chamber, and with a discharge opening from an outlet chamber through which the moisture-reduced substance leaves the press, and also where inside the first container there is arranged a second container, so that between the surface of the first container and the outer surface of the second container a passageway is formed. The moisture reduction press further comprises means for building up a pressure at least in the passageway and feed the substance forward, and in that the wall of the first container, preferably for the whole of its periphery and at least between the two chambers, is produced with through-going holes. There is hereby achieved a uniform distribution and pressing of the substance to be drained, regardless of the moisture content in the substance.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1999Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: J. S. Maskinfabrik A/SInventor: Freddy Sorensen
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Patent number: 6519918Abstract: Methods for making packages having improved openable and reclosable interlocking seals from a continuous web of composite packaging film, the seal having male and female portions of arrowhead shape in cross section, snap detents, and being formed transversely to the direction of film flow during package formation at line speed. The packaging film is provided at package length intervals with thermoformable strips secured thereto transversely to the running length of the film, and is fed to a modified standard vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine where the film is formed into a bag with the thermoformable strip inside in ends abutting folded facing relationship at the upper end of the bag, product deposited into the bag, the bag sealed, the reclosable interlocking seal formed, and the bag severed from the next bag being formed.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Sealstrip CorporationInventors: Harold M Forman, Trevor G Smith
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Patent number: 6516587Abstract: Plastic bag opening method enables to open plastic bags, one by one, without tearing at pin hole portion, where each plastic bag has one edge of opening portion elongated and the plastic bags are held together with pin being inserted into the pin holes. Lower edge (2) of opening portion (0) of plastic bag (1) is elongated and two pin holes (3) are formed there. Pin (4) is inserted into the pin holes (3) and the plastic bags (1) are held together in multi-layer state, Holding member (5) presses the edge (2) portion between the pin holes (3). In this state, air (7) is blown from air nozzle (6) to open partially the opening portion (0) of the plastic bag (1). Opening member (9) is inserted thereinto to enlarge the opening. The edge (2) is released from the pin (4) without being torn.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2000Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Daisey Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hajime Chikatani
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Patent number: 6513308Abstract: A device for manufacturing tubular bag packages has a forming tube with a rectangular cross section. In order to produce reinforcing seams in a projection of the broad side walls of the tubular bag package, the device has a forming and folding device. The forming and folding device has two forming plates attached to the forming tube and a folding frame with folding plates. The relatively simply embodied device according to the invention makes it possible to form the reinforcing seams with less stress on the packaging material.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2000Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Antonius Meeuwesen, Johannis Lambie, Adrianus Arie Vermaat, Barend Bastiaan Romijn
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Patent number: 6510670Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging apparatus for wrapping flat articles, such as books, in a cardboard-made flat package blank, including first flaps remaining on the inside and second flaps remaining on the outside. The packaging apparatus comprises a supply station for package blanks, including alignment and centering elements for a bundle of package blanks and feed means for delivering the blanks from the bundle one by one onto a packaging line, an opening mechanism for the inner flaps of package blanks, a supply station for feeding one or more articles, or a consignment, onto each package blank, means for folding and bending the inner flaps around the consignment means for turning the package blank through 90° relative to its advancing direction, and means for folding and bending the outer flaps around the consignment on top of the inner flaps. The packaging apparatus is provided with first measuring elements capable of measuring the package blank for its width lateral to the travel direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2000Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: Pussikeskus OyInventor: Tarmo Janhonen
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Patent number: 6510786Abstract: The invention relates to a hydromechanical drive system for at least one press ram of a cutting and/or forming press, at least one drive cylinder being connected to a following kinematic chain. This kinematic chain is designed in such a way that a complete ram stroke, i.e. a downward motion and an upward motion, is effected during a single piston stroke in only one direction. In addition, the proposed drive system has mechanical controlled synchronization.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2000Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: Mueller Weingarten AGInventor: Erich Harsch
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Patent number: 6503182Abstract: A system for creating and dispensing cushioning dunnage is small and permits flexible installation configuration options for a single or for multiple packing stations. A compact apparatus of the system is capable of being pivotally mounted as a unit on a stand and includes a motor and a material feeding arrangement driven by the motor for pulling material from a supply roll of the material supported on a stand of the system, and feeding it through the apparatus. A plurality of material shaping members upstream of the feeding arrangement shape the material in the apparatus to convert it into a continuous strip of cushioning product. A perforator driven by the motor perforates the material at spaced locations along the length of the material to allow an operator to manually rip a desired length of cushioning product from the material being dispensed from the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2001Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: Zsolt Design Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Zsolt Toth
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Patent number: 6499275Abstract: A string (12) of pocketed coil springs (14) is formed by inserting compressed springs between upper and lower plies of a folded, preferably thermally weldable fabric (16). The springs are maintained in a compressed configuration while a longitudinal seam (54) joins the free edges of the thermally welded fabric (16) together. Subsequently, the compressed springs (14) are allowed to relax into an expanded configuration after which a transverse seam (80) is formed in the fabric (16) between the adjacent springs (14) thereby encapsulating each spring (14) within a fabric pocket (86). The string (12) of pocketed coil springs (14) is advantageously formed without the need for reorienting the springs (14) after being inserted between the plies (24, 26) of the fabric (16) and thereby avoiding the disadvantages and complications associated with turning or reorienting the pocketed coil spring (14).Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2000Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Spuhl AG St. GallenInventors: Roland Graf, Niels S. Mossbeck, Thomas J. Wells
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Patent number: 6499277Abstract: A coin wrapper for wrapping coins comprises a coin input region for receiving the coins, a coin queuing mechanism for receiving the coins from the coin input region and moving each of the coins away from the coin input region, a coin stacking region for receiving coins from the coin queuing mechanism and stacking the coins on at least one stacking element to created a coin stack, and a coin wrapping region for receiving the coin stack on the stacking element from the coin stacking region. The coin wrapping region includes a plurality of rollers for rotating the coin stack and a paper feed mechanism for introducing paper to be wrapped around the coin stack.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2000Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: David A. Warner, Sanjay A. Shivde, Frank Csekme, John Zygowicz, John S. Lykowski, John F. Weggesser
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Patent number: 6497083Abstract: Apparatus for feeding items of pharmaceutical product to pockets in a continuously travelling web for the production of blister packs has a plurality of product delivery chutes mounted on a moving carriage having delivery gates for releasing product from the delivery chutes. The carriage cycles the delivery chutes from a stationary position under stationary metering chutes, where product is transferred into the delivery chutes, accelerating and lowering them into alignment with pockets in the travelling web, where product is released, and raising and returning the delivery chutes to the stationary position to repeat the cycle.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2000Date of Patent: December 24, 2002Assignee: Electro-mec (Reading) LtdInventors: Ronald George Garwood, Michael William Ellis, Brian Keith Hansford
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Patent number: 6494019Abstract: A system for the automated insertion of documents into envelopes. The system includes a plurality of individual document feeding devices that feed individual documents from an assembled stack onto a moving document conveyor. Each of the document feeding devices includes a suction device that pulls the lowermost document into contact with a discharge nip formed between a pair of opposed rotating belts. After being deposited onto the document conveyor, each of the documents enters into a pusher assembly in which each of the documents is accelerated and pushed into an open envelope positioned adjacent to the discharge end of the document conveyor. The stack of opened envelopes is fed by the combination of an envelope feeding device and an envelope conveyor section. The envelope feeding device receives a stack of closed envelopes and feeds and opens each envelope before it is stacked adjacent to the discharge of the document conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2000Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Inventor: Jeffrey A. Lingle
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Patent number: 6490967Abstract: A folding method for empty disposable packages, e.g. milk cartons, permitting reuse collection in suitable physical standards, as well as a device for this purpose. A bottom plate (3) firmly cooperates with two longitudinal, upright, identical sidewalls, one at each side, between which a pressing plate (1) is led downwardly. The opening portion of an empty milk carton placed beneath said pressing plate between the sidewalls will be closed first. The carton is placed on the base plate with a glued bottom seam oriented vertically. Air within the carton will be compressed and exert an internal pressure against the bottom side, which will be blasted outwardly and deformed, before the air escapes through the opening portion. The thickness of such a compressed carton allows twenty empty cartons to be inserted into one, which is 50% more than normal. The pressing plate (1) of the device is hinged between the lower and outer part of the sidewalls, so that a directed pressing plate (1) will do the folding function.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1999Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Inventor: Olav Hovda
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Patent number: 6485402Abstract: The invention pertains to a heating arrangement for a moving material web, particularly a pre-heater for a corrugated cardboard facility, with a rotating heating roll (3) which can be wrapped around by the material web (13) to be heated at a predetermined looping angle, and with at least two guide mechanisms (7, 11) for the material web which can pivot around the periphery of the heating roll while maintaining their relative positions to each other. The looping angle is determined by means of the position of a first (7) of the at least two guide mechanisms. A second (11) of the at least two guide mechanisms is arranged relative to the first guide mechanism such that in the position of the guide mechanisms defining the maximum looping angle, the material web (13) not directly wrapping around the heating roll (3) is guided at a distance from the heating roll by means of a second guide mechanism (11).Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2000Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: BHS Corrugated Maschinen-und Anlagenbau GmbHInventor: Thomas Bauer
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Patent number: 6484478Abstract: A system and method for packaging oriented containers in a container carrier wherein a plurality of containers are fed into an orientation wheel including one or more chucks. Each chuck engages one end of the container and rotates the container into an oriented position. A transfer belt having a plurality of tactile fingers is operatively connected to the orientation wheel and transfers an oriented container nested within the tactile fingers in a fixed rotational position from the orientation wheel to a packaging machine. In a method of packaging containers according to this invention, multiple containers are positioned within the carrier in one or more rotational positions based upon the desired appearance of the package.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2000Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Craig W. Arends, Lonnie R. Seymour, Robert Lam