Patents by Inventor Adam N. Caplan

Adam N. Caplan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7909750
    Abstract: A device is provided for feeding horizontally oriented packages or bags at a regular interval to a zipper profile attaching device. The loose packages or bags are placed onto a servo-driven lugged chain conveyor wherein the lugs are evenly spaced at the nominal desired center-to-center spacing of the packages or bags. The servo-driven lugged chain conveyor feeds the packages or bags to be captured between upper and lower secondary constant velocity conveyors. The lower secondary constant velocity conveyor includes an encoder which is used to slave the servo of the servo-driven lugged chain conveyor, with an adjustable programmable ratio. This achieves a consistent center-to-center distance of the horizontally oriented packages or bags which are then fed to a zipper profile attaching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Clifton R. Howell, David C. Wallace, Adam N. Caplan
  • Patent number: 7674220
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for the attachment of a zipper to a reclosable package or bag, particular packages or bags of relatively larger sizes. Pinch rollers separate the flanges of the zipper so that the interior walls of the flanges are pointing upward, then hot-melt adhesive is sprayed downwardly onto the flanges. The zipper is then guided over the edge of the horizontally-oriented package or bag by a tube with a longitudinal slot. The package or bag, with the zipper attached, is engaged between a driven-belt apparatus with a nip formed between opposed belts, thereby applying consistent and even pressure to the zipper flanges and assuring that the hot-melt adhesive forms a bond which is consistent, reliable and strong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Clifton R. Howell, David C. Wallace, Adam N. Caplan
  • Publication number: 20090255215
    Abstract: The apparatus uses a servo motor and an accumulator dancer arm to buffer the motion of film, with zipper and clips or sliders already inserted, in a zipper-sealing machine. The servo drives the film to an eye-mark and then stops the film. Upstream of the servo motor, the film and zipper stop so that the zipper can be processed, such as by ultrasonic crush stations and clip insertion stations. Downstream of the servo motor, the film runs out of an accumulator to the bagger/wrapper apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Adam N. Caplan, David C. Wallace
  • Publication number: 20090044492
    Abstract: A device is provided for feeding horizontally oriented packages or bags at a regular interval to a zipper profile attaching device. The loose packages or bags are placed onto a servo-driven lugged chain conveyor wherein the lugs are evenly spaced at the nominal desired center-to-center spacing of the packages or bags. The servo-driven lugged chain conveyor feeds the packages or bags to be captured between upper and lower secondary constant velocity conveyors. The lower secondary constant velocity conveyor includes an encoder which is used to slave the servo of the servo-driven lugged chain conveyor, with an adjustable programmable ratio. This achieves a consistent center-to-center distance of the horizontally oriented packages or bags which are then fed to a zipper profile attaching device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Clifton R. Howell, David C. Wallace, Adam N. Caplan
  • Publication number: 20090038161
    Abstract: The apparatus provides a cutting device, particularly adapted for cutting a moving length of zipper material in the manufacture of reclosable packages. Upper and lower opposed stationary blades are provided thereby providing opposed cutting edges. A reciprocating blade, with upper and lower cutting surfaces, reciprocates within a slot immediately adjacent to the stationary blades, thereby allowing the reciprocating blade to cut on both its upward and downward reciprocating strokes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Clifton R. Howell, David C. Wallace, Adam N. Caplan
  • Publication number: 20090042706
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for the attachment of a zipper to a reclosable package or bag, particular packages or bags of relatively larger sizes. Pinch rollers separate the flanges of the zipper so that the interior walls of the flanges are pointing upward, then hot-melt adhesive is sprayed downwardly onto the flanges. The zipper is then guided over the edge of the horizontally-oriented package or bag by a tube with a longitudinal slot. The package or bag, with the zipper attached, is engaged between a driven-belt apparatus with a nip formed between opposed belts, thereby applying consistent and even pressure to the zipper flanges and assuring that the hot-melt adhesive forms a bond which is consistent, reliable and strong.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Clifton R. Howell, David C. Wallace, Adam N. Caplan