Patents by Inventor James W. Yeager

James W. Yeager 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: 6467957
    Abstract: A closure element incorporated into a flexible bag to reclose a bag opening includes a resilient structure which carries an adhesive strip. The closure element is secured to one wall of the bag and the resilient strip seals the one wall to the respective other wall of the bag when the walls are pressed together and the resilient structure is compressed. The resilient structure is held compressed by the adhesive strip. In one embodiment, the resilient structure includes a base portion and a wing portion which deflects to allow the adhesive strip to make contact with the other wall. In another embodiment, the base portion deflects to flatten against the wing portion, the wing portion secured to the bag wall. The base portion and the wing portion can be provided with engageable elements which snap together or interlock to provide a closing feel to the closure strip as the adhesive strip seals the bag opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Innoflex Incorporated
    Inventor: James W. Yeager
  • Publication number: 20010046334
    Abstract: A package in the form of a reclosable bag includes a bag body including front and back walls, and a profile strip fastener assembly sealingly mounted on the inside surface of the front wall. The profile strip fastener assembly includes a pair of releasably interlocking profile strips, with a secondary, peelable seal provided between the profile strips apart from their mechanically interlocked portions. By this arrangement, enhanced sealing for the package is provided, while abating the stress to which the interlocked portions of the profile strips are subjected during forming and filling of the package. The bag body preferably includes a frangible joint substantially aligned with the fastener assembly for gaining access to the assembly, with the frangible joint desirably providing tamper-evidence of opening of the package. The profile strips are sealed to the front wall of the bag body with a continuous oval shaped seal around the frangible joint. The perimeter seal is located above the peelable seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Applicant: Innoflex Incorporated
    Inventor: James W. Yeager
  • Patent number: 6298983
    Abstract: A storage bag with soaker pad, and a material and method for making same. The bag of the invention includes a bag having a front and rear panel of a plastic film, the front and rear panels being closed at one end to form a bottom of the bag, the bag being open at the opposite end for receipt of goods to be stored in the bag, a fluid absorbing pad located inside the bag, and an enclosure connected to the inside of the bag for containing the fluid absorbing pad. The material of the invention comprises a bag film connected to a perforated enclosure material with a plurality of soaker pads sandwiched between the two layers. The width of the perforated enclosure material is substantially less than the width of the bag film whereby the soaker pads are continued to a limited space near the center of the material that creates the bottom fold of the resulting bags formed from the material. The method of making the bag of the invention includes a continuous supply of bag film be fed forwardly towards a bag machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: James W. Yeager
  • Publication number: 20010022867
    Abstract: A closure element incorporated into a flexible bag to reclose a bag opening includes a resilient structure which carries an adhesive strip. The closure element is secured to one wall of the bag and the resilient strip seals the one wall to the respective other wall of the bag when the walls are pressed together and the resilient structure is compressed. The resilient structure is held compressed by the adhesive strip. In one embodiment, the resilient structure includes a base portion and a wing portion which deflects to allow the adhesive strip to make contact with the other wall. In another embodiment, the base portion deflects to flatten against the wing portion, the wing portion secured to the bag wall. The base portion and the wing portion can be provided with engageable elements which snap together or interlock to provide a closing feel to the closure strip as the adhesive strip seals the bag opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Applicant: Innoflex Incorporated.
    Inventor: James W. Yeager
  • Patent number: 6270257
    Abstract: A package in the form of a reclosable bag includes a bag body including front and back walls, and a profile strip fastener assembly sealingly mounted on the inside surface of the front wall. The profile strip fastener assembly includes a pair of releasably interlocking profile strips, with a secondary, peelable seal provided between the profile strips apart from their mechanically interlocked portions. By this arrangement, enhanced sealing for the package is provided, while abating the stress to which the interlocked portions of the profile strips are subjected during forming and filling of the package. The bag body preferably includes a frangible joint substantially aligned with the fastener assembly for gaining access to the assembly, with the frangible joint desirably providing tamper-evidence of opening of the package. The profile strips are sealed to the front wall of the bag body with a continuous oval shaped seal around the frangible joint. The perimeter seal is located above the peelable seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Innoflex Incorporated
    Inventor: James W. Yeager
  • Patent number: 6224262
    Abstract: A recloseable bag includes a bag body having a first wall and a second wall connected together substantially around proximate perimeters. The bag includesa first openable joint formed as perforations through the first wall and a patch secured to the first wall over the first openable joint. The patch has a second openable joint formed as perforations in registry with the perforations of the first openable joint. The patch can be composed of a material that tears in a controlled fashion along the perforations of the second openable joint. A zipper arrangement can be sealed to the inside surface of the patch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Innoflex Incorporated
    Inventors: John F. Hogan, James W. Yeager
  • Patent number: 6177172
    Abstract: Reclosable bags, plastic film for making the bags, and a method and apparatus for making the bags are disclosed. The bag has a reclosable fastener (26) connected to a single wall of the bag, and the film (55) has a reclosable fastener (26) connected to one side thereof which does not require attachment to any other portion of the film (55) when making a bag. The fastener (26) has a tamper-proof member attached thereto to indicate if the bag has been previously opened. The film (55) can be wound into a roll (54) suitable for use on conventional bag making machines including form, fill, and seal machines or a chain of coilable reclosable bags can be produced therefrom since the fasteners (26) are connected to the web preferably transversely to the bags longitudinal formation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Innoflex Incorporated
    Inventor: James W. Yeager
  • Patent number: 6119855
    Abstract: An improved storage bag with moisture emitting pad is disclosed. The bag has a first outer panel, a second outer panel, and an inner panel constructed from plastic film, the panels all being connected together to form a storage bag with a first compartment and a second compartment. Located in the first compartment is a hydrated absorbent pad for emitting moisture vapor that is transmitted through the inner layer into the second compartment. The second compartment is for storing products requiring humidity conditioning such as natural and synthetic leather products, e.g., shoes, sports gloves and the like. Either or both of the bag compartments could have an opening which could be equipped with a reclosable fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Innoflex, Incorporated
    Inventors: James W. Yeager, Edward B. Gonzales
  • Patent number: 6079878
    Abstract: A package in the form of a reclosable bag includes a bag body including front and back walls, and a profile strip fastener assembly sealingly mounted on the inside surface of the front wall. The profile strip fastener assembly includes a pair of releasably interlocking profile strips, with a secondary, peelable seal provided between the profile strips apart from their mechanically interlocked portions. By this arrangement, enhanced sealing for the package is provided, while abating the stress to which the interlocked portions of the profile strips are subjected during forming and filling of the package. The bag body preferably includes a frangible joint substantially aligned with the fastener assembly for gaining access to the assembly, with the frangible joint desirably providing tamper-evidence of opening of the package. The profile strips are sealed to the front wall of the bag body with a continuous oval shaped seal around the frangible joint. The perimeter seal is located above the peelable seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventor: James W. Yeager
  • Patent number: 6076664
    Abstract: A pouch for holding liquids includes a pre-inserted straw within the pouch. A top end of the straw is exposed by removing a portion of the pouch. For manufacture, a web of flexible packaging material, suitable for forming a pouch or bag for storing liquids, is advanced forward in a pouch forming direction. A single straw of suitable length to fit within the confines of a resulting pouch is cut from a continuous length of straw material. The single straw is placed onto the web of packaging material in a location that will be on the inside surface of a single wall of the pouch and there it is secured in place preferably by a heat seal between one side of the straw and the inside surface of the pouch wall. The resulting pouch web material, having a plurality of straws positioned along its length provides a feedstock for forming pouches with pre-inserted straws when using a so called form and fill method of forming pouches or when making pre-made pouches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Innoflex Incorporated
    Inventor: James W. Yeager
  • Patent number: 6019512
    Abstract: Reclosable bags, plastic film for making the bags, and a method and apparatus for making the bags are disclosed. The bag has a reclosable fastener (26) connected to a single wall of the bag, and the film (55) has a reclosable fastener (26) connected to one side thereof which does not require attachment to any other portion of the film (55) when making a bag. The fastener (26) has a tamper-proof member attached thereto to indicate if the bag has been previously opened. The film (55) can be wound into a roll (54) suitable for use on conventional bag making machines including form, fill, and seal machines or a chain of coilable reclosable bags can be produced therefrom since the fasteners (26) are connected to the web preferably transversely to the bags longitudinal formation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Inventor: James W. Yeager
  • Patent number: 5954433
    Abstract: A package in the form of a reclosable bag includes a bag body including front and back walls, and a profile strip fastener assembly sealingly mounted on the inside surface of the front wall. The profile strip fastener assembly includes a pair of releasably interlocking profile strips. The bag body preferably includes a frangible joint substantially aligned with the fastener assembly for gaining access to the assembly, with the frangible joint desirably providing tamper-evidence of opening of the package. The profile strips are sealed to the front wall of the bag body with a continuous oval shaped seal around the frangible joint. A peelable seal is arranged between the profile strips and the bag body, over the frangible joint to substantially hermetically seal the frangible joint. Additionally, an antioxidant constituent can be blended into the material forming the profile strips to inhibit oxygen transmission through the profile strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Innoflex Incorporated
    Inventor: James W. Yeager
  • Patent number: 5951453
    Abstract: A package in the form of a recloseable bag includes a bag body including front and back walls, and a profile strip fastener assembly sealingly mounted on the inside surface of the front wall. The profile strip fastener assembly includes a pair of releasably interlocking profile strips. One of the profile strips is connected to the inside of the front wall of the bag, while the other one of the profile strips includes a flange portion which extends from the profile strips to and adjacent end seal of the bag. A method of forming recloseable bags is disclosed, which method can be employed with a form, fill, and seal machine for effecting the efficient packaging of products in recloseable bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Innoflex Incorporated
    Inventor: James W. Yeager
  • Patent number: 5937617
    Abstract: A pouch for holding liquids includes a pre-inserted straw within the pouch. A top end of the straw is exposed by removing a portion of the pouch. For manufacture, a web of flexible packaging material, suitable for forming a pouch or bag for storing liquids, is advanced forward in a pouch forming direction. A single straw of suitable length to fit within the confines of a resulting pouch is cut from a continuous length of straw material. The single straw is placed onto the web of packaging material in a location that will be on the inside surface of a single wall of the pouch and there it is secured in place preferably by a heat seal between one side of the straw and the inside surface of the pouch wall. The resulting pouch web material, having a plurality of straws positioned along its length provides a feedstock for forming pouches with pre-inserted straws when using a so called form and fill method of forming pouches or when making pre-made pouches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Innoflex Incorporated
    Inventor: James W. Yeager
  • Patent number: 5938012
    Abstract: An improved storage bag with moisture emitting pad is disclosed. The bag has a first outer panel, a second outer panel, and an inner panel constructed from plastic film, the panels all being connected together to form a storage bag with a first compartment and a second compartment. Located in the first compartment is a hydrated absorbent pad for emitting moisture vapor that is transmitted through the inner layer into the second compartment. The second compartment is for storing products requiring humidity conditioning. Either or both of the bag compartments could have an opening which could be equipped with a reclosable fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Innoflex, Incorporated
    Inventors: James W. Yeager, Edward B. Gonzales
  • Patent number: 5902047
    Abstract: Reclosable bags, plastic film for making the bags, and a method and apparatus for making the bags are disclosed. The bag has a reclosable fastener connected to a single wall of the bag, and the film has a reclosable fastener connected to one side thereof which does not require attachment to any other portion of the film when making a bag. The fastener has a tamper-proof member attached thereto to indicate if the bag has been previously opened. The film can be wound into roll suitable for use on conventional bag making machines including form, fill, and seal machines or a chain of coilable reclosable bags can be produced therefrom since the fasteners are connected to the web preferably transversely to the bags longitudinal formation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Innoflex Incorporated
    Inventor: James W. Yeager
  • Patent number: 5845769
    Abstract: A storage bag with soaker pad, and a material and method for making same. The bag of the invention includes a bag having a front and rear panel of a plastic film, the front and rear panels being closed at one end to form a bottom of the bag, the bag being open at the opposite end for receipt of goods to be stored in the bag, a fluid absorbing pad located inside the bag, and an enclosure connected to the inside of the bag for containing the fluid absorbing pad. The material of the invention comprises a bag film connected to a perforated enclosure material with a plurality of soaker pads sandwiched between the two layers. The width of the perforated enclosure material is substantially less than the width of the bag film whereby the soaker pads are continued to a limited space near the center of the material that creates the bottom fold of the resulting bags formed from the material. The method of making the bag of the invention includes a continuous supply of bag film be fed forwardly towards a bag machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: James W. Yeager
  • Patent number: 5839572
    Abstract: A storage bag with soaker pad, and a material and method for making same. The bag of the invention includes a bag having a front and rear panel of a plastic film, the front and rear panels being closed at one end to form a bottom of the bag, the bag being open at the opposite end for receipt of goods to be stored in the bag, a fluid absorbing pad located inside the bag, and an enclosure connected to the inside of the bag for containing the fluid absorbing pad. The material of the invention comprises a bag film connected to a perforated enclosure material with a plurality of soaker pads sandwiched between the two layers. The width of the perforated enclosure material is substantially less than the width of the bag film whereby the soaker pads are continued to a limited space near the center of the material that creates the bottom fold of the resulting bags formed from the material. The method of making the bag of the invention includes a continuous supply of bag film be fed forwardly towards a bag machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Inventor: James W. Yeager
  • Patent number: 5829884
    Abstract: A package in the form of a reclosable bag includes a bag body including front and back walls, and a profile strip fastener assembly sealingly mounted on the inside surface of the front wall, and a one-way vent incorporated into the bag sealing arrangement. The profile strip fastener assembly includes a pair of releasably interlocking profile strips, with a secondary, peelable seal provided between the profile strips apart from their mechanically interlocked portions. The bag body preferably includes a frangible joint substantially aligned with the fastener assembly for gaining access to the assembly, with the frangible joint desirably providing tamper-evidence of opening of the package. The profile strips are sealed to the front wall of the bag body with a continuous oval shaped seal around the frangible joint, except for a gap which in part defines the vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Innoflex Incorporated
    Inventor: James W. Yeager
  • Patent number: 5823933
    Abstract: Reclosable bags, plastic film for making the bags, and a method and apparatus for making the bags are disclosed. The bag has a reclosable fastener (26) connected to a single wall of the bag, and the film (55) has a reclosable fastener (26) connected to one side thereof which does not require attachment to any other portion of the film (55) when making a bag. The fastener (26) has a tamper-proof member attached thereto to indicate if the bag has been previously opened. The film (55) can be wound into a roll (54) suitable for use on conventional bag making machines including form, fill, and seal machines or a chain of coilable reclosable bags can be produced therefrom since the fasteners (26) are connected to the web preferably transversely to the bags longitudinal formation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Innoflex Incorporated
    Inventor: James W. Yeager