Patents by Inventor Eneko Izquierdo Ereño

Eneko Izquierdo Ereño 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: 11952156
    Abstract: A vertical packaging machine for packaging products in a modified atmosphere. According to one embodiment, the vertical packaging machine includes a hopper through which the products to be packaged are introduced, a hollow forming element arranged downstream of the hopper, at least the hopper and the forming element forming a supply conduit through which the product to be packaged falls. The vertical packaging machine also includes an injection device configured for injecting a gaseous fluid into the supply conduit. A gas supply source is communicated with the inside of the supply conduit, the gas supplied to the supply conduit being suitable for packaging products in a modified atmosphere. A supply unit communicates the gas source with the inside of the supply conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: ULMA Packaging, S.Coop.
    Inventors: Alberto Otxoa-Aizpurua Calvo, Eneko Izquierdo Ereño
  • Publication number: 20230249859
    Abstract: A vertical packaging machine that includes a forming tube having an inner passage section and retaining means associated with the forming tube. The retaining means includes a retaining device configured to be displaced between a blocking position (P1) in which it at least partially blocks the inner passage section of the forming tube, and a release position (P2) in which it does not block said inner passage section of the forming tube. While in the blocking position (P1), the retaining device is arranged at a fixed specific height and is configured to prevent a product from passing through the inner passage section of the forming tube. Upon transitioning to the release position (P2), the retaining device is withdrawn from the path to be followed by the product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Alberto OTXOA-AIZPURUA CALVO, Eneko IZQUIERDO EREÑO
  • Patent number: 11708185
    Abstract: Provided is packaging machine with a sealing station that includes a mold with an upper tool and a lower tool facing each other and suitable for cooperating with one another in an operative position of the mold, between which there is delimited an inner area. The lower tool includes a cavity that is configured to receive a tray. A gas injection opening is located adjacent to a first side of the cavity and communicated with the inner area. The upper tool includes a sealing tool and an actuator device facing an actuation region of the lower tool defined between the first side of the cavity and a contact location of the upper and lower tools, and being closer to the lower tool than the sealing tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: ULMA PACKAGING TECHNOLOGICAL CENTER, S COOP.
    Inventors: Diego Ugarte Carcoba, Ander Madinabeitia Fernandez, Eneko Izquierdo Ereño
  • Patent number: 11597543
    Abstract: Provided is a method and machine for packaging products, whereby a tray is generated by means of bonding a plastic film to a base film, the tray including a cavity of a given area and a rim surrounding the cavity. The cavity is generated by applying a given pressure on a forming area of the films. Before generating the tray and before pressing the base film, a support cut is generated in the forming area of the base film, such that with the subsequent pressure on the base film at least one gap is formed in the cavity of the tray as a result the support cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: ULMA PACKAGING, S. COOP.
    Inventors: Nerea Arbulu Ormaechea, Nicolas Arregi Arambarri, Eneko Izquierdo Ereño, Juan Jose Jauregui Balanzategui
  • Publication number: 20220306328
    Abstract: A vertical packaging machine that includes a hopper with a hopper inlet mouth and at least one hopper outlet mouth, a tube arranged downstream of the hopper with a tube inlet mouth and a tube outlet mouth. A supply conduit is formed by at least the hopper and the tube. Acceleration means is provided and configured for injecting a gaseous fluid into the supply conduit through two injection ports arranged in the supply conduit at different heights with respect to the tube outlet mouth and for causing, with said injection, part of the air present in said supply conduit above the corresponding injection port to follow the injected flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Alberto OTXOA-AIZPURUA CALVO, Oier OLALDE ARREGUI, Eneko IZQUIERDO EREÑO
  • Publication number: 20220161950
    Abstract: Provided is packaging machine with a sealing station that includes a mold with an upper tool and a lower tool facing each other and suitable for cooperating with one another in an operative position of the mold, between which there is delimited an inner area of a perimeter contour. The lower tool includes a cavity facing the upper tool, and an injection opening adjacent to a first side of the cavity and communicated with the inner area. The upper tool includes a sealing tool and an actuator device facing a point of an actuation region of the lower tool defined between the first side and the perimeter contour and being closer to the lower tool than the sealing tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Diego UGARTE CARCOBA, Ander MADINABEITIA FERNANDEZ, Eneko IZQUIERDO EREÑO
  • Patent number: 11247790
    Abstract: According to one embodiment a packaging method is provided in which a tube is supplied in a forward movement direction. The method includes a folding step in which the tube is acted on in a manner that is transverse to the forward movement direction, folding part of the tube in a folding direction, and a sealing and cutting step after which a tube closed at one end and a package closed and separated from the tube are obtained. During the folding step the tube is held transversely, and a tear is generated in the folding direction between the acted on and held parts of the tube. The tube is sealed on both sides of the tear and cut at the height of the tear. Packaging machines for carrying out the method are also disclosed. Suitable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: ULMA Packaging Technological Center, S. Coop.
    Inventors: Alberto Otxoa-Aizpurua Calvo, Oier Olalde Arregui, Eneko Izquierdo Ereño
  • Publication number: 20210362895
    Abstract: A vertical packaging machine for packaging products in a modified atmosphere. According to one embodiment, the vertical packaging machine includes a hopper through which the products to be packaged are introduced, a hollow forming element arranged downstream of the hopper, at least the hopper and the forming element forming a supply conduit through which the product to be packaged falls. The vertical packaging machine also includes an injection device configured for injecting a gaseous fluid into the supply conduit. A gas supply source is communicated with the inside of the supply conduit, the gas supplied to the supply conduit being suitable for packaging products in a modified atmosphere. A supply unit communicates the gas source with the inside of the supply conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Alberto OTXOA-AIZPURUA CALVO, Eneko IZQUIERDO EREÑO
  • Patent number: 10946998
    Abstract: Vertical packaging machine for generating packages from a film that according to one embodiment includes a film feeder and a forming tube with a longitudinal axis. The forming tube configured to impart a tubular shape to the film. The machine is configured for incorporating a longitudinal tool for longitudinally sealing the longitudinal ends of the tubular-shaped film together and generating a film tube. The machine also includes a module for moving the film tube, and a transverse tool for transversely sealing and cutting the film tube. The module is configured for rotating with respect to the longitudinal axis of the forming tube, being arranged in different operating positions, such that it allows arranging the longitudinal tool required in different positions for generating packages having different topologies and/or different sizes without the need of moving the transverse tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: ULMA PACKAGING TECHNOLOGICAL CENTER, S. COOP.
    Inventors: Alberto Otxoa-Aizpurua Calvo, Maitane Ayala Martin, Eneko Izquierdo Ereño
  • Publication number: 20200346794
    Abstract: Provided is a method and machine for packaging products, whereby a tray is generated by means of bonding a plastic film to a base film, the tray including a cavity of a given area and a rim surrounding the cavity. The cavity is generated by applying a given pressure on a forming area of said films. Before generating the tray and before pressing the base film, a support cut is generated in the forming area of the base film, such that with the subsequent pressure on the base film at least one gap is formed in the cavity of the tray as a result the support cut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Nerea Arbulu Ormaechea, Nicolas Arregi Arambarri, Eneko Izquierdo Ereño, Juan Jose Jauregui Balanzategui
  • Publication number: 20200031507
    Abstract: Method and machine for generating packages from a continuous film. In the method, the quality of the seals formed when generating packages on the film is furthermore verified, and to that end, a chamber is closed around an area of a film tube comprising an actuation area, a transverse cut and a transverse seal on each side of the transverse cut being generated in the actuation area. For the verification, pressure in the chamber is reduced, a property of the fluid present in the chamber or in the part of the tube present in the chamber is detected, and the quality of at least one of the seals present in the chamber is determined depending on the detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Alberto OTXOA-AIZPURUA CALVO, Eneko IZQUIERDO ERENO
  • Patent number: 10507943
    Abstract: Method, machine and installation for vacuum packaging of products, where a plurality of individual bags closed at one end and open at the opposite end with at least one product therein are generated. For generating the bags, a transverse cut and a complete transverse seal on both sides of the transverse cut are made on the film tube, and a transverse cut without complete transverse seals on the sides thereof is made at a distance (L) substantially equal to the desired length of the bag to be generated from the transverse cut and seal on both sides. Each bag is oriented at 180 degrees with respect to the bag previously generated in the forward movement direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: ULMA PACKAGING TECHNOLOGICAL CENTER, S. COOP.
    Inventors: Eneko Izquierdo Ereño, Aitor Olalde Tome, Iosu Ugarte Barrena
  • Publication number: 20190337651
    Abstract: According to one embodiment a packaging method is provided in which a tube is supplied in a forward movement direction. The method includes a folding step in which the tube is acted on in a manner that is transverse to the forward movement direction, folding part of the tube in a folding direction, and a sealing and cutting step after which a tube closed at one end and a package closed and separated from the tube are obtained. During the folding step the tube is held transversely, and a tear is generated in the folding direction between the acted on and held parts of the tube. The tube is sealed on both sides of the tear and cut at the height of the tear. Packaging machines for carrying out the method are also disclosed. Suitable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Alberto OTXOA-AIZPURUA CALVO, Oier OLALDE ARREGUI, Eneko IZQUIERDO EREÑO
  • Patent number: 10301047
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum packaging a product. According to one embodiment a film tube is generated, and, in the film tube a product (P) is introduced and at least one cut is made. In the method, a vacuum may also applied inside the film tube, and a transverse seal is formed therein, a film tube closed at one end being obtained upstream of the cut and a package closed at both ends being obtained downstream. Furthermore, the film tube is transversely pinched, a portion the inside of the film tube which is isolated from the inside of the rest of the film tube being obtained, and a chamber is demarcated around at least part of said portion, the vacuum being applied and the transverse sealing operation being performed inside said chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: ULMA PACKAGING TECHNOLOGICAL CENTER, S.COOP.
    Inventors: Alberto Otxoa-Aizpurua Calvo, Gerardo Mendizabal Altuna, Eneko Izquierdo Ereño
  • Patent number: 10201926
    Abstract: Format change method for a thermoforming machine and a thermoforming machine. A station of the machine includes an upper tool and a lower tool, at least one of the upper and lower tools being suitable for moving in a substantially vertical actuating direction during the operation of the machine. In the method, the upper tool is supported on the lower tool and both tools are subsequently withdrawn from the station and are replaced with new tools. When withdrawing the upper and lower tools from the station and when introducing the new tools therein, the tools are moved simultaneously and jointly in a replacement direction different from the actuating direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: ULMA PACKAGING TECHNOLOGIES CENTER, S.COOP.
    Inventors: Eneko Izquierdo Ereño, Carmelo Arregui Maiztegui
  • Publication number: 20190009936
    Abstract: Vertical packaging machine for generating packages from a film that according to one embodiment includes a film feeder and a forming tube with a longitudinal axis. The forming tube configured to impart a tubular shape to the film. The machine is configured for incorporating a longitudinal tool for longitudinally sealing the longitudinal ends of the tubular-shaped film together and generating a film tube. The machine also includes a module for moving the film tube, and a transverse tool for transversely sealing and cutting the film tube. The module is configured for rotating with respect to the longitudinal axis of the forming tube, being arranged in different operating positions, such that it allows arranging the longitudinal tool required in different positions for generating packages having different topologies and/or different sizes without the need of moving the transverse tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Alberto OTXOA-AIZPURUA CALVO, Maitane AYALA MARTIN, Eneko IZQUIERDO EREÑO
  • Patent number: 10099881
    Abstract: Splicing method and unit for a packaging machine, whereby a first film is spliced to a second film which is a spare film. The splicing is performed by means of an adhesive element with two opposing adhesive surfaces, one for each film, and a longitudinal adhering element. First an adhesive surface is adhered to the adhering element and said adhering element moves so that the other adhesive surface comes into contact with the second film and adheres to it. Then the adhering element is separated from said second film, the adhesive element being adhered to said second film, and the first film is caused to come into contact with said adhesive element already adhered to the second film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: ULMA Packaging Technological Center, S. Coop.
    Inventors: Aritz Murgia Mendizabal, Juan Jesús Urcelay Ezquibel, Eneko Izquierdo Ereño
  • Publication number: 20180127128
    Abstract: Method, machine and installation for vacuum packaging of products, where a plurality of individual bags closed at one end and open at the opposite end with at least one product therein are generated. For generating the bags, a transverse cut and a complete transverse seal on both sides of the transverse cut are made on the film tube, and a transverse cut without complete transverse seals on the sides thereof is made at a distance (L) substantially equal to the desired length of the bag to be generated from the transverse cut and seal on both sides. Each bag is oriented at 180 degrees with respect to the bag previously generated in the forward movement direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Eneko IZQUIERDO EREÑO, Aitor OLALDE TOME, Iosu UGARTE BARRENA
  • Publication number: 20180118385
    Abstract: A skin packaging machine in which a first continuous film and a second continuous and thermoplastic film above the first film are supplied in a forward direction of the machine. The machine includes a sealing station configured for receiving both films, and it comprises an upper tool pressing on the films to seal them to one another, with a closed holding contour delimiting the area of said films being sealed. The sealing station further comprises a sealing gasket attached to the holding contour, the sealing gasket having, on each side with respect to the forward direction, an operation zone with a notched configuration which is facing the space delimited by said sealing gasket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Nicolas ARREGI ARAMBARRI, Eneko IZQUIERDO EREÑO
  • Publication number: 20170369265
    Abstract: Splicing method and unit for a packaging machine, whereby a first film is spliced to a second film which is a spare film. The splicing is performed by means of an adhesive element with two opposing adhesive surfaces, one for each film, and a longitudinal adhering element. First an adhesive surface is adhered to the adhering element and said adhering element moves so that the other adhesive surface comes into contact with the second film and adheres to it. Then the adhering element is separated from said second film, the adhesive element being adhered to said second film, and the first film is caused to come into contact with said adhesive element already adhered to the second film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Aritz MURGIA MENDIZABAL, Juan Jesús URCELAY EZQUIBEL, Eneko IZQUIERDO EREÑO