Patents by Inventor Laurence Sperry
Laurence Sperry 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: 11667451Abstract: A sealing device generally includes a rotatable support cylinder having an outer, circumferential surface and a heating element disposed about such surface and secured thereto such that the heating element rotates therewith. The heating element is coiled about the outer surface of the cylinder in the form of an overlapping helical pattern. Juxtaposed film plies may be sealed together by bringing the sealing device into rotational contact with the juxtaposed film plies and heating the heating element to a temperature sufficient to cause the film plies to seal together.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)Inventors: Laurence Sperry, James Corliss, Jason Lepine, Brian Murch, Eric Kane, Ross Patterson, Mark Salerno
-
Publication number: 20210130067Abstract: A sealing device generally includes a rotatable support cylinder having an outer, circumferential surface and a heating element disposed about such surface and secured thereto such that the heating element rotates therewith. The heating element is coiled about the outer surface of the cylinder in the form of an overlapping helical pattern. Juxtaposed film plies may be sealed together by bringing the sealing device into rotational contact with the juxtaposed film plies and heating the heating element to a temperature sufficient to cause the film plies to seal together.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2021Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Laurence Sperry, James Corliss, Jason Lepine, Brian Murch, Eric Kane, Ross Patterson, Mark Salerno
-
Patent number: 10899523Abstract: A sealing device generally includes a rotatable support cylinder having an outer, circumferential surface and a heating element disposed about such surface and secured thereto such that the heating element rotates therewith. The heating element is coiled about the outer surface of the cylinder in the form of an overlapping helical pattern. Juxtaposed film plies may be sealed together by bringing the sealing device into rotational contact with the juxtaposed film plies and heating the heating element to a temperature sufficient to cause the film plies to seal together.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2018Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)Inventors: Laurence Sperry, James Corliss, Jason Lepine, Brian Murch, Eric Kane, Ross Patterson, Mark Salerno
-
Patent number: 10894652Abstract: An inflatable web (10) includes a top film (30) heat sealed to a bottom film (32) to define sealed regions (40) and non-sealed regions (214). The non-sealed regions include inflatable regions (216) that are inflatable through one or more inflation ports. The top film (30) may have a color that differs from the color of the bottom film (32) to create a visual contrast between the sealed regions (40) and the adjacent non-sealed regions (214) when the web is viewed from the top film side. The ratio of the surface area of the inflatable regions (216) to the total surface area of the inflatable web is at least 50% and at most 95%.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2017Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)Inventors: Andrew Bates, Laurence Sperry, Amy Curneen
-
Publication number: 20190308791Abstract: An inflatable web (10) includes a top film (30) heat sealed to a bottom film (32) to define sealed regions (40) and non-sealed regions (214). The non-sealed regions include inflatable regions (216) that are inflatable through one or more inflation ports. The top film (30) may have a color that differs from the color of the bottom film (32) to create a visual contrast between the sealed regions (40) and the adjacent non-sealed regions (214) when the web is viewed from the top film side. The ratio of the surface area of the inflatable regions (216) to the total surface area of the inflatable web is at least 50% and at most 95%.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2017Publication date: October 10, 2019Inventors: Andrew Bates, Laurence Sperry, Amy Curneen
-
Publication number: 20190255798Abstract: A supply of inflatable pouches includes an inflatable web having two sheets sealed to define a series of inflatable in chambers having a closed distal end and an open proximal end providing an inflation port for each of the chambers. The chambers are arrayed in a transversely. The inflatable web includes a longitudinal fold defining two juxtaposed inflatable panels. A series of transverse seals bond the panels together to form a connected series of inflatable pouches between pairs of the transverse seals. The inflatable web includes a series of slits, each slit extending transversely in the two juxtaposed inflatable panels from the longitudinal fold for at least one inch. Each slit of the series is between adjacent inflatable pouches.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2017Publication date: August 22, 2019Inventor: Laurence Sperry
-
Patent number: 10160176Abstract: An apparatus configured to dispense a plurality of connected inflatable structures is provided. The apparatus may include a motor which is configured to advance a dispensing device to thereby advance the connected inflatable structures. A sensor is configured to detect a pulling force applied to the dispensing device and configured to output a signal corresponding to the pulling force. A controller is configured to receive the signal and output a control signal to direct the motor to advance the dispensing device in response to the signal to thereby dispense the connected inflatable structures. A related system includes the apparatus in addition to an inflation device configured to inflate the connected inflatable structures and an accumulation bin configured to store the connected inflatable structures. A related method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2013Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)Inventors: Laurence Sperry, Christopher DiTonno, Jason LePine
-
Publication number: 20180297767Abstract: A sealing device generally includes a rotatable support cylinder having an outer, circumferential surface and a heating element disposed about such surface and secured thereto such that the heating element rotates therewith. The heating element is coiled about the outer surface of the cylinder in the form of an overlapping helical pattern. Juxtaposed film plies may be sealed together by bringing the sealing device into rotational contact with the juxtaposed film plies and heating the heating element to a temperature sufficient to cause the film plies to seal together.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: Laurence Sperry, James Corliss, Jason Lepine, Brian Murch, Eric Kane, Ross Patterson, Mark Salerno
-
Patent number: 10011416Abstract: A sealing device generally includes a rotatable support cylinder having an outer, circumferential surface and a heating element disposed about such surface and secured thereto such that the heating element rotates therewith. The heating element is coiled about the outer surface of the cylinder in the form of an overlapping helical pattern. Juxtaposed film plies may be sealed together by bringing the sealing device into rotational contact with the juxtaposed film plies and heating the heating element to a temperature sufficient to cause the film plies to seal together.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2013Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)Inventors: Laurence Sperry, James Corliss, Jason Lepine, Brian Murch, Eric Kane, Ross Patterson, Mark Salerno
-
Publication number: 20170107040Abstract: An inflated structure is provided that includes a pair of flexible film sheets joined along an embossed longitudinal edge. The inflated structure includes a plurality of inflated chambers, which can serve to protect items packaged with the inflated structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Inventor: Laurence Sperry
-
Patent number: 9540162Abstract: A machine for inflating and sealing an inflatable structure having a longitudinal edge generally comprises a drive, an inflation nozzle, a sealing device, and a sheet engagement device. The machine may define an engaging assembly and an opposing assembly. The drive may be rotationally coupled to the sheet engagement device such that when the drive rotates, the engagement device also rotates. The sheet engagement device may comprise one or more engagement rollers which may have a plurality of teeth thereon. A first plurality of rollers and a second plurality of rollers comprising the engagement rollers may intermesh between a drive roller and a backing roller on the longitudinal edge of the inflatable structure. Thereby, the sheets of the inflatable structure may be engaged together and the length of the longitudinal edge may contract to facilitate inflation. The resulting inflated inflatable structure may comprise an embossed longitudinal edge.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)Inventor: Laurence Sperry
-
Publication number: 20150158650Abstract: A machine for inflating and sealing an inflatable structure having a longitudinal edge generally comprises a drive, an inflation nozzle, a sealing device, and a sheet engagement device. The machine may define an engaging assembly and an opposing assembly. The drive may be rotationally coupled to the sheet engagement device such that when the drive rotates, the engagement device also rotates. The sheet engagement device may comprise one or more engagement rollers which may have a plurality of teeth thereon. A first plurality of rollers and a second plurality of rollers comprising the engagement rollers may intermesh between a drive roller and a backing roller on the longitudinal edge of the inflatable structure. Thereby, the sheets of the inflatable structure may be engaged together and the length of the longitudinal edge may contract to facilitate inflation. The resulting inflated inflatable structure may comprise an embossed longitudinal edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2015Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventor: Laurence Sperry
-
Patent number: 8991141Abstract: A machine for inflating and sealing an inflatable structure having a longitudinal edge generally comprises a drive, an inflation nozzle, a sealing device, and a sheet engagement device. The machine may define an engaging assembly and an opposing assembly. The drive may be rotationally coupled to the sheet engagement device such that when the drive rotates, the engagement device also rotates. The sheet engagement device may comprise one or more engagement rollers which may have a plurality of teeth thereon. A first plurality of rollers and a second plurality of rollers comprising the engagement rollers may intermesh between a drive roller and a backing roller on the longitudinal edge of the inflatable structure. Thereby, the sheets of the inflatable structure may be engaged together and the length of the longitudinal edge may contract to facilitate inflation. The resulting inflated inflatable structure may comprise an embossed longitudinal edge.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2009Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)Inventors: Laurence Sperry, Brian A. Murch
-
Patent number: 8978345Abstract: A machine for inflating and sealing an inflatable structure having a longitudinal edge generally comprises a drive, an inflation nozzle, a sealing device, and a sheet engagement device. The machine may define an engaging assembly and an opposing assembly. The drive may be rotationally coupled to the sheet engagement device such that when the drive rotates, the engagement device also rotates. The engagement device may include a first belt and an opposing second belt which may each have a plurality of teeth thereon. The teeth may intermesh between a drive roller and a backing roller on the longitudinal edge of the inflatable structure. Thereby, the sheets of the inflatable structure may be engaged together and the length of the longitudinal edge may contract to facilitate inflation. The resulting inflated inflatable structure may comprise an embossed longitudinal edge.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2009Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)Inventor: Laurence Sperry
-
Publication number: 20140014257Abstract: A sealing device generally includes a rotatable support cylinder having an outer, circumferential surface and a heating element disposed about such surface and secured thereto such that the heating element rotates therewith. The heating element is coiled about the outer surface of the cylinder in the form of an overlapping helical pattern. Juxtaposed film plies may be sealed together by bringing the sealing device into rotational contact with the juxtaposed film plies and heating the heating element to a temperature sufficient to cause the film plies to seal together.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: SEALED AIR CORPORATION (US)Inventors: Laurence Sperry, James Corliss, Jason Lepine, Brian Murch, Eric Kane, Ross Patterson, Mark Salerno
-
Publication number: 20140012411Abstract: An apparatus configured to dispense a plurality of connected inflatable structures is provided. The apparatus may include a motor which is configured to advance a dispensing device to thereby advance the connected inflatable structures. A sensor is configured to detect a pulling force applied to the dispensing device and configured to output a signal corresponding to the pulling force. A controller is configured to receive the signal and output a control signal to direct the motor to advance the dispensing device in response to the signal to thereby dispense the connected inflatable structures. A related system includes the apparatus in addition to an inflation device configured to inflate the connected inflatable structures and an accumulation bin configured to store the connected inflatable structures. A related method is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2013Publication date: January 9, 2014Applicant: Sealed Air CorporationInventors: Laurence Sperry, Christopher DiTonno, Jason LePine
-
Patent number: 8567159Abstract: An apparatus for making inflated containers from a film web having two juxtaposed film plies generally includes (a) a first sealing device for producing a series of transverse seals that bond the film plies together, (b) an inflation assembly for directing gas between the film plies, (c) a second sealing device for producing one or more longitudinal seals that bond the film plies together, the transverse seals and the longitudinal seals intersecting to enclose the gas between the film plies to thereby form one or more inflated containers, and (d) at least one intermediate sealing element for producing one or more intermediate seals within each inflated container, the intermediate seals partitioning the containers into two or more compartments and providing at least one flow passageway between the compartments to allow the compartments to fluidly communicate with one another.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2007Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)Inventors: Laurence Sperry, James Corliss, Jay Lepine, Brian Murch, Eric Kane, Ross Patterson, Mark Salerno
-
Patent number: 8554363Abstract: An apparatus configured to dispense a plurality of connected inflatable structures is provided. The apparatus may include a motor which is configured to advance a dispensing device to thereby advance the connected inflatable structures. A sensor is configured to detect a pulling force applied to the dispensing device and configured to output a signal corresponding to the pulling force. A controller is configured to receive the signal and output a control signal to direct the motor to advance the dispensing device in response to the signal to thereby dispense the connected inflatable structures. A related system includes the apparatus in addition to an inflation device configured to inflate the connected inflatable structures and an accumulation bin configured to store the connected inflatable structures. A related method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2010Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Sealed Air CorporationInventors: Laurence Sperry, Christopher DiTonno, Jason Lepine
-
Publication number: 20120072016Abstract: An apparatus configured to dispense a plurality of connected inflatable structures is provided. The apparatus may include a motor which is configured to advance a dispensing device to thereby advance the connected inflatable structures. A sensor is configured to detect a pulling force applied to the dispensing device and configured to output a signal corresponding to the pulling force. A controller is configured to receive the signal and output a control signal to direct the motor to advance the dispensing device in response to the signal to thereby dispense the connected inflatable structures. A related system includes the apparatus in addition to an inflation device configured to inflate the connected inflatable structures and an accumulation bin configured to store the connected inflatable structures. A related method is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2010Publication date: March 22, 2012Inventors: Laurence Sperry, Christopher DiTonno, Jason Lepine
-
Patent number: 8033081Abstract: A packaging apparatus wherein each product is packaged by enveloping the product in flexible packaging material. A programmed microprocessor calculates the length of flexible packaging material needed to package the product based on the physical dimensions of the product, calculates the weight of the flexible packaging material needed, and calculates a total package weight as the sum of the weight of the product and the calculated weight of the flexible packaging material. A printer prints information specific to the product that is being packaged onto a label that is then affixed to the flexible packaging material prior to the product being packaged. The information can be a function of the package weight, and the calculated total package weight can be communicated from the microprocessor to the printer. Finally, the product is packaged in the flexible packaging material having the label already affixed thereto.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2011Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)Inventors: Laurence Sperry, Brian A. Murch, Ross Patterson