Patents by Inventor Craig R. Bonneville
Craig R. Bonneville 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).
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Publication number: 20220346198Abstract: A food processing machine for processing a food product includes a processing module having a housing with a sidewall, opposing end walls, and a chamber between the end walls and a conveyor extending through the end walls and the chamber and configured to convey the food product through the chamber. A microwave generating device is coupled to the sidewall and configured to generate microwave energy. A waveguide assembly is configured to receive the microwave energy, direct the microwave energy along a waveguide axis, and subsequently direct the microwave energy in a transverse direction that is transverse to the vertical direction through the sidewall and into the chamber such that the microwave energy heats the food products.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2021Publication date: October 27, 2022Applicant: Alkar-RapidPak, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Michael King, Thomas John Hansel, Graeme Bunce, Thomas Paulson, Thomas Victor Sonntag, Craig R. Bonneville, Easten Lovelace, Shane Patrick Grady, Paul Christopher Buschkopf, Dalton Brian McGinness
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Publication number: 20220212825Abstract: A packaging machine is for forming a product cavity in a web including a forming die box defining a recess into which the product cavity is formed. An insert is axially movable in the recess to thereby vary a depth of the recess. A variable depth mechanism selectively moves the insert to vary the depth of the recess. The packaging machine includes a latching mechanism that moves the forming die box into and between a first position in which the forming die box is spaced apart from the die box base and a second position in which the forming die box is supported by the die box base.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2022Publication date: July 7, 2022Applicant: Alkar-RapidPak, Inc.Inventors: Craig R. Bonneville, Matthew John Doll
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Patent number: 11305905Abstract: A packaging machine is for forming a product cavity in a web including a forming die box defining a recess into which the product cavity is formed. An insert is axially movable in the recess to thereby vary a depth of the recess. A variable depth mechanism selectively moves the insert to vary the depth of the recess. The packaging machine includes a latching mechanism that moves the forming die box into and between a first position in which the forming die box is spaced apart from the die box base and a second position in which the forming die box is supported by the die box base.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2020Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Alkar-RapidPak, Inc.Inventors: Craig R. Bonneville, Matthew John Doll
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Patent number: 10954014Abstract: A web packaging machine for forming a food product package from a lower web of packaging material and an upper web of packaging material includes a frame, a web transport conveyor extending along the frame and configured to transport the lower web of packaging material along the frame, and a die box pivotally coupled to the frame and configured to form or close the food product package. A lift assembly is pivotally coupled to the frame and configured to assist manual pivoting of the die box relative to the frame.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2017Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Alkar-RapidPak, Inc.Inventor: Craig R. Bonneville
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Patent number: 10875670Abstract: A web packaging machine for enclosing a food product within a food product package has a first sealing station that seals an upper web of packaging material to a lower web of packaging material to thereby partially enclose the food product in the food product package and a second sealing station configured to further seal the upper web of packaging material to the lower web of packaging material to thereby fully enclose the food product in the food product package. A lower web transport conveyor conveys the lower web of packaging material from upstream to downstream first through the first sealing station and then through the second sealing station.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2017Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Alkar-RapidPak, Inc.Inventors: Craig R. Bonneville, Daryl W. Shackelford
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Publication number: 20200216209Abstract: A packaging machine is for forming a product cavity in a web including a forming die box defining a recess into which the product cavity is formed. An insert is axially movable in the recess to thereby vary a depth of the recess. A variable depth mechanism selectively moves the insert to vary the depth of the recess. The packaging machine includes a latching mechanism that moves the forming die box into and between a first position in which the forming die box is spaced apart from the die box base and a second position in which the forming die box is supported by the die box base.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2020Publication date: July 9, 2020Applicant: Alkar-RapidPak, Inc.Inventors: Craig R. Bonneville, Matthew John Doll
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Patent number: 10625892Abstract: A packaging machine is for forming a product cavity in a web including a forming die box defining a recess into which the product cavity is formed. An insert is axially movable in the recess to thereby vary a depth of the recess. A variable depth mechanism selectively moves the insert to vary the depth of the recess. The packaging machine includes a latching mechanism that moves the forming die box into and between a first position in which the forming die box is spaced apart from the die box base and a second position in which the forming die box is supported by the die box base.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2016Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Alkar-RapidPak, Inc.Inventors: Craig R. Bonneville, Matthew John Doll
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Patent number: 10589886Abstract: A packaging machine is for forming a product cavity in a web including a forming die box defining a recess into which the product cavity is formed. An insert is axially movable in the recess to thereby vary a depth of the recess. A variable depth mechanism selectively moves the insert to vary the depth of the recess. The packaging machine includes a latching mechanism that moves the forming die box into and between a first position in which the forming die box is spaced apart from the die box base and a second position in which the forming die box is supported by the die box base.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2016Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Alkar-RapidPak, Inc.Inventors: Craig R. Bonneville, Matthew John Doll
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Patent number: 10507626Abstract: A bladder device is for moving a component of a web packaging machine that forms and encloses a food product in a food product package made of webs of packaging material. The bladder device has a bladder and a nipple stub coupled to the bladder and having a first end configured to receive a gas and a second end configured to dispense the gas into the bladder to thereby inflate the bladder and move the component of the web packaging machine. A collar coupled to the nipple stub such that the bladder is sandwiched between the collar and the second end of the nipple stub. The second end of the nipple stub has a depression and the collar has a boss that is oriented towards the depression such that tightening the collar on the nipple stub forces the bladder into the depression and thereby forms a fluid tight seal.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2017Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: Alkar-RapidPak, Inc.Inventors: Craig R. Bonneville, Erik J. Ebert, Daryl W. Shackelford
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Publication number: 20180127121Abstract: A web packaging machine for enclosing a food product within a food product package has a first sealing station that seals an upper web of packaging material to a lower web of packaging material to thereby partially enclose the food product in the food product package and a second sealing station configured to further seal the upper web of packaging material to the lower web of packaging material to thereby fully enclose the food product in the food product package. A lower web transport conveyor conveys the lower web of packaging material from upstream to downstream first through the first sealing station and then through the second sealing station.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2017Publication date: May 10, 2018Applicant: Alkar-RapidPak, Inc.Inventors: Craig R. Bonneville, Daryl W. Shackelford
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Publication number: 20170355479Abstract: A web packaging machine for forming a food product package from a lower web of packaging material and an upper web of packaging material includes a frame, a web transport conveyor extending along the frame and configured to transport the lower web of packaging material along the frame, and a die box pivotally coupled to the frame and configured to form or close the food product package. A lift assembly is pivotally coupled to the frame and configured to assist manual pivoting of the die box relative to the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2017Publication date: December 14, 2017Applicant: Alkar-RapidPak, Inc.Inventor: Craig R. Bonneville
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Publication number: 20170326828Abstract: A bladder device is for moving a component of a web packaging machine that forms and encloses a food product in a food product package made of webs of packaging material. The bladder device has a bladder and a nipple stub coupled to the bladder and having a first end configured to receive a gas and a second end configured to dispense the gas into the bladder to thereby inflate the bladder and move the component of the web packaging machine. A collar coupled to the nipple stub such that the bladder is sandwiched between the collar and the second end of the nipple stub. The second end of the nipple stub has a depression and the collar has a boss that is oriented towards the depression such that tightening the collar on the nipple stub forces the bladder into the depression and thereby forms a fluid tight seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2017Publication date: November 16, 2017Applicant: Alkar-RapidPak, Inc.Inventors: Craig R. Bonneville, Erik J. Ebert, Daryl W. Shackelford
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Publication number: 20170313457Abstract: A web packaging machine for forming a food product package from a lower web of packaging material and an upper web of packaging material includes a frame, a die member supported by the frame and configured to form or close the food product package, and a clamping device comprising a first end that is pivotally coupled to the frame and an opposite, second end that is configured to secure the die member to the frame. The clamping device is pivotable into and between a locked position in which the clamping device clamps the die member to the frame and an unlocked position in which the clamping device is pivoted away from the die member such that the die member can be moved relative to the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: Alkar-RapidPak, Inc.Inventor: Craig R. Bonneville
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Publication number: 20170107006Abstract: A packaging machine is for forming a product cavity in a web including a forming die box defining a recess into which the product cavity is formed. An insert is axially movable in the recess to thereby vary a depth of the recess. A variable depth mechanism selectively moves the insert to vary the depth of the recess. The packaging machine includes a latching mechanism that moves the forming die box into and between a first position in which the forming die box is spaced apart from the die box base and a second position in which the forming die box is supported by the die box base.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Applicant: Alkar-RapidPak, Inc.Inventors: Craig R. Bonneville, Matthew John Doll
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Publication number: 20160325868Abstract: A cutting station is provided for separating a plurality of packages from a continuous chain of sealed packages formed on an indexing motion packaging machine. The cutting station includes a plurality of cutting blades configured in a nested arrangement to form closed curved contours for producing curved cuts in the continuous chain of sealed packages to form severed individual sealed packages having contours corresponding to the contours of the blades with a minimum of waste of the severed joined webs. A blade receiving plate is provided for receiving the severed sealed packages, and is mounted for movement relative to the cutting blades and formed with a plurality of recesses configured in a nesting arrangement of closed curved contours aligned with and corresponding in shape to the closed curved contours of the cutting blades.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2016Publication date: November 10, 2016Applicant: Alkar-RapidPak, Inc.Inventors: Craig R. Bonneville, Daryl W. Shackelford
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Patent number: 9156573Abstract: A forming station comprises first and second forming die members. A closing station comprises first and second closing die members. A lift operatively couples at least three of the members together such that operation of the lift moves the three members together. The closing station is located downstream of the loading station and is for closing a pocket in a first web of packaging material with a second web of packaging material. The second web of packaging material is oriented in the closing station so as to engage with the first web of packaging material and fold a foldable flap downwardly with respect to a conveyor as the conveyor moves from upstream to downstream.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2012Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: Alkar-RapidPak, Inc.Inventors: Craig R. Bonneville, Daryl W. Shackelford, Ian Thornley Eisele
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Patent number: 8499536Abstract: Packaging machines are disclosed including a web transport conveyor transporting a web of flexible packaging material from upstream to downstream locations through a series of stations. Packaging apparatuses are disclosed including a forming station and a closing station, each having movable die members that are counterbalanced. Methods of operating the packaging apparatus are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2009Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Alkar-RapidPak-MP Equipment, Inc.Inventor: Craig R. Bonneville
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Publication number: 20120292422Abstract: Methods and systems for supplying a web of packaging material to an indexing-motion packaging machine include rotating a roll of a web of packaging material, sensing changes in position of a dancer caused by rotation of the roll, rotating the roll at a starting speed of rotation that is based upon sensed changes in position of the dancer, and then maintain substantially constant tension in the web of flexible packaging material during indexing motion of the packaging machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2012Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: Alkar-RapidPak-MP Equipment, Inc.Inventors: Craig R. Bonneville, Ian Thornley Eisele
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Publication number: 20120291399Abstract: A forming station comprises first and second forming die members. A closing station comprises first and second closing die members. A lift operatively couples at least three of the members together such that operation of the lift moves the three members together. The closing station is located downstream of the loading station and is for closing a pocket in a first web of packaging material with a second web of packaging material. The second web of packaging material is oriented in the closing station so as to engage with the first web of packaging material and fold a foldable flap downwardly with respect to a conveyor as the conveyor moves from upstream to downstream.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2012Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: Alkar-RapidPak-MP Equipment, Inc.Inventors: Craig R. Bonneville, Daryl W. Shackelford, Ian Thornley Eisele
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Patent number: 8186134Abstract: Packaging machines are disclosed including a web transport conveyor transporting a web of flexible packaging material from upstream to downstream locations through a series of stations. Packaging apparatuses are disclosed including a forming station and a closing station, each having movable die members that are counterbalanced. Methods of operating the packaging apparatus are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2009Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Alkar-RapidPak-MP Equipment, Inc.Inventors: Daryl W. Shackelford, Craig R. Bonneville