Patents Examined by Steven P. Weihrouch
  • Patent number: 4735674
    Abstract: Apparatus for making a plastic film bag having bag mouth lips projecting beyond a heat-seal band closing the bag mouth and providing a stiffening patch bonded to the interior or exterior of a bag mouth lip between the heat-seal band and the bag mouth end for reclosing the bag mouth after the heat-seal band has been opened. For reclosing the bag mouth, the apparatus applies stiffening patches to a web of sheet material for making bags at the time that the bags are formed and filled by clipping from a strip of patch-making material patch pieces having pressure-sensitive adhesive on one side. The apparatus transfers such patch pieces from a rotary shear onto the bag-making material by an orbiting transfer member having a suction pickup to pick up a patch piece and blowing means for subsequently detaching the patch piece from the transfer member and depositing it onto the web of bag-making material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: Formost Packaging Machines, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent C. Pace
  • Patent number: 4733518
    Abstract: An apparatus for packaging articles of roughly equal size in package means therefor and method of making such apparatus are provided wherein such apparatus comprises a first conveyor device for the articles with the first conveyor device having a plurality of receptacles each for receiving and supporting an individual one of the articles, a second conveyor device for moving a plurality of packages for the articles, and a transfer device for transferring a predetermined number of the articles from the first conveyor device into associated packages therefor wherein the first and second conveyor devices have portions thereof in parallel facing relation and the apparatus further comprises a drive for operating the conveyor devices in a continuous non-indexing manner to thereby continuously package the predetermined number of articles in an associated package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Planet Products Corporation
    Inventor: Carl P. Griesdorn
  • Patent number: 4731974
    Abstract: A machine for making infusion bags and packaging them in respective envelopes, e.g. tea bag packages, and formed with the usual rotary head having radial arms for displacing the infusion bags after they are filled, is provided with a device for drawing the envelope strip from a roll thereof, folding it into a V as flanks of unequal length, cutting individual V-shaped sections from the folded strip to form wedges, and a pincer arrangement in which an inner pincer has a pair of fingers which grip each infusion bag, withdraw it from the respective radial arm and hold it until another pincer arrangement swings a respective wedge into a position in which its flanks straddle the bag and are engaged by an outer pair of fingers of the pincer assembly. The assembly of the bag and wedge are returned to the pincers of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: I.M.A. - Industria Macchine Automatiche - S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giorgio Billi
  • Patent number: 4730442
    Abstract: In the apparatus used for producing cuboid (cigarette) packs of the hinge-lid type having bevelled or rounded longitudinal edges (37,38,39,40) the blank is brought into an angular intermediate folding position thereby erecting the side tabs and forming the bevelled or rounded lonitudinal edges. For this purpose, the blank is pressed, by means of a shaping punch (58) with punch plate (59), into a pocket (47) of a folding turret (46), the blank parts being folded, thereby forming the bevelled longitudinal edges, by means of stationary or movable folding tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Hugo Mutschall
  • Patent number: 4729206
    Abstract: The apparatus incorporates a conveyor having a generally horizontal upper run which includes container receiving and supporting apertures, at a first station. At a second station along the conveyor path, the containers are each filled with a predetermined amount of a flowable product which is dispensed into each of the containers during relative vertical separating movement of a filler nozzle with respect to each container. Thereafter, each of the product-filled containers is conducted to a third station along the conveyor path wherein a closure fitment is positioned within the opening of the filled conical container. At a fourth station along the conveyor path, a crimping device mechanically crimps the upper edge of the container about an upturned annular flange of the closure fitment to thereby form a mechanical connection between the closure fitment and the conical container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Assignee: General Foods Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald R. Francis, Martin Mueller
  • Patent number: 4729208
    Abstract: A series of syringe bodies with their lower ends closed is filled with a solution of medicine to a predetermined level in the bodies. The syringe bodies are placed in a lyophilizer with the bodies arranged in a predetermined pattern. A plurality of plungers for the syringe bodies is arranged in a corresponding pattern and above the syringe bodies. After the medicine in the syringe bodies is lyophilized in the lyophilizer, a reduced pressure is created in the lyophilizer and the plungers are simultaneously moved into the syringe bodies to a predetermined level above the lyophilized medicine. The pressure within the lyophilizer is then increased to atmospheric and the assembled syringes are removed. Apparatus for implementing the process can include a lower rack having openings for retaining the syringe bodies in the predetermined pattern, and an upper rack seatable on the lower rack for retaining the piston portions of plungers in facing relation to, aligned with, and above the openings of the syringe bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Inventors: Michel Galy, Alain Genet
  • Patent number: 4729210
    Abstract: Process for packaging items having irregular shape and size, singly on in groups, in a stretchable film of plastic material, comprising the operations of forming, filling and sealing a bag from the stretchable plastic film such film being maintained under adjustable tension and stretch and subsequently adherent on the items due to the elastic "memory" of the released film. The machine for operating the process continuously comprises essentially two members subjected to a reciprocating motion, provided with means for gripping, stretching, sealing and cutting the plastic film, each of such members being subjected to a motion having a stroke of varying length and independent from the one to the other member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Assignee: Padeco S.A.
    Inventor: Mariano Galliano
  • Patent number: 4726171
    Abstract: A bag having an article applied to an inside surface thereof is formed in a continuous bag-making operation by conveying a bag-making film web and a continuous strip of material in joinable proximity with each other. The article is formed by severing the strip of material and at least one edge portion of the severed article is bonded to the continuous web of bag film. The longitudinal margins of the web are then brought together and bonded to form a tube with the article bonded to the inner surface of the tube, and bags are formed and severed from the tube with the article bonded to one inner surface of the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1988
    Assignee: Frito-Lay, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Kreager, Stephen R. Holten, Stephen M. Callahan, Kenneth R. Berger
  • Patent number: 4723392
    Abstract: Pressure resistant containers, each consisting of a pressure resistant box opened at the front surface thereof and a wall plate, are circulated along an endless track with the wall plates directed outward. The front and back surfaces of each wall plate are each provided with a clamp for supporting a soft pliable bag. The bag is fed to the clamp disposed outside the pressure resistant container, and the bag is clamped by the clamp. The mouth of the bag is then opened to fill the bag with an article. Subsequently, the wall plate is turned inside out to admit the bag in the pressure resistant container, and the bag is subjected to a vacuum in the pressure resistant container and the mouth of the bag is sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignees: Furukawa Mfg. Co. Ltd., ECS, Corporation
    Inventor: Tadamichi Takeda
  • Patent number: 4723066
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating a processing liquid has a heater for heating the processing liquid and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the liquid. The heater and the sensor are housed in a protective housing made of a metal or a ceramic material. Since the heater and the temperature sensor are provided together in one unit, the mounting of the apparatus on a processing tank is facilitated. In addition, since the output of the temperature sensor changes in accordance with whether the liquid level of the processing liquid is above or below the position to the temperature sensor, it is also possible to detect the liquid level from the change in the output of the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Kurokawa, Hideo Iwasaki, Kazushige Uenaka, Haruo Takase
  • Patent number: 4720959
    Abstract: A continuous case packer for receiving an ongoing stream of cases and containers and causing the containers to be deposited into the cases. The cases are fed on a conveyor assembly comprising an in-feed section, a staging section, and an out-feed section. The staging section and out-feed section are mechanically linked by sprocketing and each includes lugs for positively driving the cases received therein. The lugs are timed for continuous operation of receipt of cases from the staging area, filling of the cases, and removal of the cases from the case out-feed section. The case in-feed section includes a unique case stop and brake mechanism allowing for rapid movement of the incoming cases while providing for separation of the lead case to be fed to the staging section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: Figgie International
    Inventors: Chris E. Robinson, Robert W. McGill
  • Patent number: 4718215
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for attaching fitments to filled flexible containers. A series of interconnected filled flexible containers are conveyed between a pair of belt conveyors which limit lateral movement of the containers. A third conveyor urges fitments against the bottoms of the containers and the fitments are sealed to the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Carveth, Albert Stone, L. Alan White
  • Patent number: 4718218
    Abstract: A coin wrapping mechanism for wrapping rolls of coins comprises a coin stacking system for forming a coin stack containing a predetermined number of coins; vertical and lateral supporting members for supporting the coin stack for rotation about its axis; a driven roll with a resilient surface for rotating the coin stack about its axis while pressing a wrapping material against the coin stack, the wrapping material having a coating of a pressure-sensitive, releasable adhesive on the side facing the coin stack so that the adhesive adheres to, and is wound around, the coin stack; and an ejector for removing the coin stack from the wrapping station after the desired length of wrapping material has been wound around the coins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Ristvedt-Johnson, Inc.
    Inventor: Victor G. Ristvedt
  • Patent number: 4719333
    Abstract: An electrically heated kiln (10) for firing ceramic ware has centrifugal fans (22) communicating with a lower region of the kiln, the fans (22) pulling atmospheric air from externally of the kiln through electric heaters (24) so that heated air is introduced into the kiln to create an air flow which passes around the ware. The air then escapes through dampers (14) at an upper region of the kiln (10). In this way the electric heating elements (16) of the kiln (10) do not require to heat the ware up to such a high temperature as is conventional in order to burn off organic binders under which transfers for the ware are printed and the contaminated air can escape through the dampers (14) to effect a regular complete change of the air within the kiln (10). Alternatively where undecorated ware is to be fired the air within the kiln (10) does not become contaminated and can be recirculated to be introduced by the fans (22) at the lower region of the kiln (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Portmeirion Potteries, Limited
    Inventor: Philip J. White
  • Patent number: 4716706
    Abstract: A chain of plastic bags having zipper-locking profiles is compactly stacked in a rectangular carton in successive layers such that the bags of the chain lie flat in the carton and the zipper profile portions of successive bags in chain do not lie on top of one another by means of an automatic apparatus. The apparatus comprises an oscillating guideway for laterally depositing the bags of the chain in rows extending back and forth between opposed lateral sidewalls of the carton and a vertically movable lift table having a horizontally reciprocating platform on which the carton is disposed. The lift table operates to lower the carton beneath the guideway as the carton is being filled and to move the carton transversely of the guideway so that the zipper profiles of successive bag rows are disposed offset from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: Minigrip, Inc.
    Inventor: Hugo Boeckmann
  • Patent number: 4716707
    Abstract: An apparatus for the application of strips of material to a heat-shrinkable web of wrapping in packaging machines with a tunnel furnace for the formation of the handle of the wrapped products. The apparatus has a wheel assembly supported to rotate about a horizontal axis with the wheel substantially tangential to a substantially horizontal section of the heat-shrinkable material strip, a feeder for the supply of a tape of adhesive material to the periphery of the wheel with the adhesive surface facing outwardly, a container for the supply, in spaced succession, of strips of material to the adhesive surface of the tape of adhesive material, a cutter for cutting the adhesive tape between two successive strips along the path of the wheel and a pressure roller which may be radially displaced with respect to the wheel to apply, by adhesion, the adhesive end areas of the sections of adhesive tape having a corresponding strip applied to them to the strip of heat-shrinkable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: "Baumer di Mario Gambetti"
    Inventor: Mario Gambetti
  • Patent number: 4716710
    Abstract: Process for the preparation in a series of self-injectable syringes characterized mainly by the fact that multiple seal tubes are placed vertically on an appropriate support, that a syringe body is placed vertically in each seal tube, that, into each tubular body thus arranged, a single dose of the medication in solution in a solvent is placed in each seal tube, above the syringe body, a plunger suspended by its pusher in a movable manner, at the lower end of a stopper which can adapt to the seal tube, so that said plunger is essentially in the axis of the syringe body and the lower end of said plunger is located above the upper end of the syringe body, with said stopper being held in a position so that said seal tube is not blocked or is not entirely blocked, to thus obtain an assembly constituting an open system in which the internal space, in the seal tubes and above said solution in the syringe bodies, is connected with the outside of the system, that the lyophilization operation is effected and, at this
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: Institut-Merieux
    Inventors: Michel Galy, Alain Genet
  • Patent number: 4716712
    Abstract: The apparatus of each embodiment includes a suction housing having a perforated duct therein. Fibrous material supplied to the inlet of the duct is compacted by air being evacuated through the perforated sidewall of the duct. The continuous compacting of fibrous material aids in moving the already compacted material out the outlet of the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation
    Inventor: Gurdev S. Gill
  • Patent number: 4715165
    Abstract: A length of flexible packaging is provided for use with a sterile enclosure or isolator. The packaging is attached to a port on the outside of the sterile isolator and is adapted to enable an item to be passed from the interior of the sterile isolator through the port into the interior of the packaging. A transverse seal is made in the packaging to seal the dangerous chemical in a segment of the packaging. The packaging is cut transversely along the sealed section and the segment containing the item is separated from the packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Thorogood
  • Patent number: 4715164
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a novel high-speed flap-opening apparatus is used in combination with a relatively large transfer roller having two spaced rollers disposed along the periphery to form two separated nips. The pivotable envelope flap-opener comprises guide means having a lip for engaging the flap of the envelope. The flap-opener is disposed at a first position for receiving an envelope from the first nip. The force of the envelope causes the flap-opener to move to a second position which guides the envelope to the second nip of the envelope. As the flap emerges from the first nip, the lip of the flap-opener engages the flap to bend it back as the envelope passes through the second nip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Harry E. Luperti, Eric N. Person, Thomas Simmel