Patents by Inventor Bryan Ackerman

Bryan Ackerman 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).

  • Publication number: 20070180668
    Abstract: A reclosable pouch comprises first and second side panels and a mouth at an upper end of the pouch. A first closure mechanism that includes complementary opposing interlocking profiles is disposed on the first and second side panels and a second closure mechanism that includes complementary opposing interlocking profiles is disposed on the first and second side panels and spaced from the first closure mechanism. A slider is adapted to straddle the mouth of the pouch and is movable between a first position and a second position. A separator member is disposed adjacent one end of the slider for separating the interlocking profiles of the first closure mechanism when the slider is moved toward the first position. A protrusion is disposed adjacent an opposite end of the slider for engaging the interlocking profiles of the first and second closure mechanisms when the slider is moved toward the second position. A grip member is disposed between the first closure mechanism and the mouth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventors: Bryan Ackerman, John McCree
  • Publication number: 20060282996
    Abstract: A closure assembly useable with a pouch or bag includes an elongate seal assembly and a slider. The seal assembly includes upper and lower interlocking profiles and a rib disposed between the interlocking profiles on at least one side of the seal assembly. The slider includes forward closure bars at a first end and a separator finger and lower closure bars adjacent to an opposing second end. The forward and lower closure bars occlude the upper and lower interlocking profiles. The separator finger extends between the upper interlocking profiles and presses outwardly against the rib to de-occlude the lower interlocking profiles. The lower interlocking profiles can be occluded along substantially an entire length thereof. The slider also includes a retention plate and pressing members, which operatively retain the slider on the seal assembly and may increase the opening force created by the separator finger against the rib.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: Bryan Ackerman, Leland Smith, James Pawloski
  • Publication number: 20060265843
    Abstract: A slider for use with an elongate closure mechanism includes a retention member protruding into a medial space between an upper pair of opposing interlocking members and a lower pair of opposing interlocking members. The retention members define a gap through which the upper pair of opposing interlocking members cannot pass, and that allows the slider to be slidably shifted along the length of the closure mechanism, thereby maintaining the slider operatively disposed thereon. The retention members may have the form of one or more protrusions disposed on an interior surface of a channel sidewall spaced between a top end of the channel sidewall and a bottom end of the channel sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventor: Bryan Ackerman
  • Publication number: 20060265842
    Abstract: A closure assembly includes a slider for opening and/or closing an elongate closure mechanism including a pair of opposing closure members. The slider includes a first separator finger and a second separator finger, each of which is articulably connected to a hinge member. The first and second separator fingers extend between the closure members and may be articulated between a closing position, in which the separator fingers are adjacent each other, and an opening position, in which the separator fingers are laterally spaced from each other. In the opening position, the separator fingers urge the members apart. Closing bars and retention members may also be included to facilitate re-closing the closure members and retaining the slider in an operative position thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Jeffrey Hoffman, Bryan Ackerman, Heath Doty, Melvin Leedle, Marissa Schultz, Robert Turvey
  • Publication number: 20060265844
    Abstract: A pouch includes an elongate closure mechanism having upper and lower pairs of opposing interlocking profiles and a slider for opening and closing the closure mechanism. The slider includes upper closure bars vertically and longitudinally spaced from lower closure bars for occluding the upper and lower opposing interlocking profiles, respectively, and a separator member for separating only the upper opposing interlocking profiles. The lower closure bars are disposed at the opening end, and the upper closure bars are disposed at a closing end of the slider opposite the opening end. A longitudinal retention member extends longitudinally from the separator finger toward the closing end below the upper closure bars, and a lateral retention member extends laterally outwardly from the separator member above the lower closure bars. The longitudinal retention member and the lateral retention member each engages an underside of the upper pair of interlocking profiles to help retain the slider on the closure mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventor: Bryan Ackerman
  • Publication number: 20060269171
    Abstract: A slider for opening and closing first and second longitudinally elongate closure members including a body with at least one sidewall that defines a channel, side member articulably attached to the sidewall, wherein the side member is laterally displaceable about a hinge. Additionally, an engagement member is attached to the side member. The engagement member extends across at least one of the closure members and operationally engages at least one of the closure members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Turvey, Joel Cerva, Bryan Ackerman, Jeffrey Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20060210201
    Abstract: A closure assembly usable with a pouch includes an elongate closure mechanism and a slider. The closure mechanism includes opposing closure members, each having an upper interlocking profile spaced from a lower interlocking profile. The slider includes a separator member spaced between opposing channel walls, and upper closure bars and lower closure bars protruding inwardly from the channel walls. The slider may be operatively disposed on the closure mechanism with the upper closure bars engaging the upper interlocking profiles, the lower closure bars engaging the lower interlocking profiles, and the separator member disposed between the upper interlocking profiles. The slider occludes the upper interlocking profiles and the lower interlocking profiles when urged in a closing direction along the closure mechanism, and de-occludes the upper interlocking profiles without de-occluding the lower interlocking profiles when urged in an opening direction opposite the closing direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Inventors: Bryan Ackerman, James Pawloski, John McCree
  • Publication number: 20060171609
    Abstract: A reclosable pouch includes interlocking male and female closure elements having elongate hollow closure profiles. The male closure profile has a hollow shaft section, and the female closure profile has a channel with at least one hollow side. Alternatively, a set of hollow male closure profiles may also form one or more female closure profiles therebetween. A set of pleated grip strips may be disposed adjacent the closure elements to aid in opening a pouch. The closure elements and grip strips may be integral with pouch sidewalls, may be secured and/or separately extruded on to, for example, a polymer, directly to pouch sidewalls, or may be secured to backing strips to form a closure strip, which may subsequently be secured to pouch sidewalls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Turvey, Bryan Ackerman, James Pawloski
  • Publication number: 20060168778
    Abstract: A slider is provided that may be oriented on a closure assembly of a reclosable pouch to open and/or close the pouch. The slider includes a top portion and at least two side walls. A channel is formed between the side walls for receiving the closure assembly of the pouch therebetween. Internal to the slider are components that generally contain functionalities to assist in opening and/or closing the closure assembly depending on the direction of movement of the slider along the closure assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Turvey, Bryan Ackerman
  • Publication number: 20060168775
    Abstract: A reclosable pouch includes interlocking male and female closure elements having elongate hollow closure profiles. The male closure profile has a hollow shaft section, and the female closure profile has a channel with at least one hollow side. Alternatively, a set of hollow male closure profiles may also form one or more female closure profiles therebetween. A set of pleated grip strips may be disposed adjacent the closure elements to aid in opening a pouch. The closure elements and grip strips may be integral with pouch sidewalls, may be secured and/or separately extruded on to, for example, a polymer, directly to pouch sidewalls, or may be secured to backing strips to form a closure strip, which may subsequently be secured to pouch sidewalls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Turvey, Bryan Ackerman, James Pawloski
  • Publication number: 20060168774
    Abstract: A reclosable pouch includes interlocking male and female closure elements having elongate hollow closure profiles. The male closure profile has a hollow shaft section, and the female closure profile has a channel with at least one hollow side. Alternatively, a set of hollow male closure profiles may also form one or more female closure profiles therebetween. A set of pleated grip strips may be disposed adjacent the closure elements to aid in opening a pouch. The closure elements and grip strips may be integral with pouch sidewalls, may be secured and/or separately extruded on to, for example, a polymer, directly to pouch sidewalls, or may be secured to backing strips to form a closure strip, which may subsequently be secured to pouch sidewalls. Another reclosable closure element for a container such as a polymer pouch has a male closure profile including a hollow shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventors: James Pawloski, Robert Turvey, Bryan Ackerman
  • Publication number: 20050281487
    Abstract: A reclosable pouch includes a closure assembly that comprises first and second closure profiles disposed on first and second side panels, respectively. A handle is provided that comprises discrete first and second handle sections. Each handle section has an opening in a central portion thereof. The first handle section is attached only to the first side panel at an area below the first closure profile and the second handle section is attached only to the second side panel at an area below the second closure profile. By providing the handle sections in such a manner, the first and second handle sections exert substantially more force on an internal side of the first and second closure profiles, respectively, than on an external side of the respective closure profiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: James Pawloski, Robert Turvey, Bryan Ackerman
  • Publication number: 20050194417
    Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus, for moving sliders for opening and closing mating zipper elements along the mating zipper elements, includes a roller and a projection. The roller rotates about an axis substantially perpendicular with a path of a film including the mating zipper elements and contacts the film as the film moves in the film path at a speed equal to the speed of rotation of the roller. The projection rotates about an axis at a speed different than the rotational speed of the roller, with the projection rotating into proximity to the moving film along predetermined lengths of the film so as to be contactable with sliders mounted thereon. The projection comes into contact with sliders positioned along the mating zipper elements of the predetermined lengths of film and pushes those sliders along the mating zipper elements to respective registered positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventors: Clark Woody, Jeffrey Hoffman, Philip Velez, Bryan Ackerman
  • Publication number: 20050005755
    Abstract: A dispenser for sheet material includes a box and a cutting apparatus attached to the box, wherein the cutting apparatus includes a track assembly and a slider assembly disposed on the track assembly for movement therealong. The track assembly includes a base and a rail extending from an outer side of the base and terminating in a portion having an oval cross-sectional shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Turvey, Marissa Schultz, John Sabol, Kristopher Gerulski, Bryan Ackerman, David Gustafson, Nancy Broen
  • Patent number: 5356306
    Abstract: This invention relates to a metal conductor element for improving electrical conductivity between spaced metal faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Bryan Ackerman, Brian Prokuda
  • Patent number: 5166475
    Abstract: This invention relates to a pipe flange connection suitable for use with, e.g., polymerically lined metal pipes, wherein one or more metallic conductors is inserted between the opposing spaced faces of adjacent metal pipe flanges to promote electrical conductivity therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Bryan Ackerman, Brian Prokuda