Patents by Inventor Paul F. Ostwald
Paul F. Ostwald 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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Patent number: 11691774Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an inflatable-cushion inflation and sealing device. The device includes an inflation assembly configured for insertion between first and second overlapping film plies. The inflation assembly includes a fluid conduit configured to direct a fluid in between the plies to form one or more cushions. The fluid conduit includes a nozzle. The inflation assembly includes a cutting member. The cutting member includes a blade holder with a blade and a blade guard mounted thereon. The blade guard has a safety position in which the blade is covered and a retracted position in which the blade is exposed. Installation of the blade holder onto the inflation assembly automatically positions the blade in the working position with the blade guard retracted. Removing the tray from the inflation assembly automatically positions the blade in the safety position by covering the blade with the blade guard.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2021Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLCInventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Paul F. Ostwald, William J. Watts
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Patent number: 11524475Abstract: A protective packaging formation device is provided herein. The device includes an inflation assembly having a fluid conduit that directs fluid between overlapping plies of a polymeric web. The device also includes a driving mechanism that drives the film in a downstream direction. The device also includes a sealing mechanism that includes a thin film heater that heats the plies to create a longitudinal seal that seals the plies of film together. The driving mechanism drives the web such that the web slides across the heating assembly in a downstream direction to trap fluid between the plies.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2021Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLCInventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Paul F. Ostwald, William J. Watts
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Publication number: 20210229851Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an inflatable-cushion inflation and sealing device. The device includes an inflation assembly configured for insertion between first and second overlapping film plies. The inflation assembly includes a fluid conduit configured to direct a fluid in between the plies to form one or more cushions. The fluid conduit includes a nozzle. The inflation assembly includes a cutting member. The cutting member includes a blade holder with a blade and a blade guard mounted thereon. The blade guard has a safety position in which the blade is covered and a retracted position in which the blade is exposed. Installation of the blade holder onto the inflation assembly automatically positions the blade in the working position with the blade guard retracted. Removing the tray from the inflation assembly automatically positions the blade in the safety position by covering the blade with the blade guard.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2021Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Paul F. Ostwald, William J. Watts
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Publication number: 20210221088Abstract: A protective packaging formation device is provided herein. The device includes an inflation assembly having a fluid conduit that directs fluid between overlapping plies of a polymeric web. The device also includes a driving mechanism that drives the film in a downstream direction. The device also includes a sealing mechanism that includes a thin film heater that heats the plies to create a longitudinal seal that seals the plies of film together. The driving mechanism drives the web such that the web slides across the heating assembly in a downstream direction to trap fluid between the plies.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Paul F. Ostwald, William J. Watts
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Patent number: 10974858Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an inflatable-cushion inflation and sealing device. The device includes an inflation assembly configured for insertion between first and second overlapping film plies. The inflation assembly includes a fluid conduit configured to direct a fluid in between the plies to form one or more cushions. The fluid conduit includes a nozzle. The inflation assembly includes a cutting member. The cutting member includes a blade holder with a blade and a blade guard mounted thereon. The blade guard has a safety position in which the blade is covered and a retracted position in which the blade is exposed. Installation of the blade holder onto the inflation assembly automatically positions the blade in the working position with the blade guard retracted. Removing the tray from the inflation assembly automatically positions the blade in the safety position by covering the blade with the blade guard.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2017Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLCInventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Paul F. Ostwald, William James Watts
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Patent number: 10967600Abstract: A protective packaging formation device is provided herein. The device includes an inflation assembly having a fluid conduit that directs fluid between overlapping plies of a polymeric web. The device also includes a driving mechanism that drives the film in a downstream direction. The device also includes a sealing mechanism that includes a thin film heater that heats the plies to create a longitudinal seal that seals the plies of film together. The driving mechanism drives the web such that the web slides across the heating assembly in a downstream direction to trap fluid between the plies.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLCInventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Paul F. Ostwald, William James Watts
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Patent number: 10787284Abstract: An inflatable-cushion inflation and sealing device is provided. The device includes an inflation assembly that inflates with a fluid a cushion cavity disposed between overlapping portions of first and second plies of a film, which plies form a flexible structure. The device also includes a sealing mechanism having a first compression element having a curved surface operable to bend the flexible structure about a bend axis, a second compression element positioned such that the first and second compression elements are operable to receiving the flexible structure at a first pinch area in which the first compression element and the second compression element are positioned against the flexible structure to pinch the flexible structure, and a third compression element configured for receiving the flexible structure at a second pinch area in which the first compression element and the third compression element contact the flexible structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2017Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLCInventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Paul F. Ostwald, William James Watts
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Patent number: 10369760Abstract: Provided is a protective packaging formation device for sealing a flexible web. The device includes a housing having multiple housing supports disposed to collectively define different support plane areas for contact with an underlying surface. The housing is positionable in a multiple different dispensing orientations by placing the housing in different housing supports. The device also includes a web support depending from the housing. The web support includes a one end positioned distally from the housing and a second end positioned proximal to the housing. The web support supports a supply of a flexible web in a position extending from the housing beyond the housing support. The device also includes an adjustable stand connected to one end of the web support and extending down to the underlying surface such that the stand limits the tilting of the housing in the direction in which the web support extends from the housing.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: PREGIS INNOVATIVE PACKAGING LLCInventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Paul F. Ostwald, William James Watts
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Publication number: 20170282480Abstract: Provided is a protective packaging formation device for sealing a flexible web. The device includes a housing having multiple housing supports disposed to collectively define different support plane areas for contact with an underlying surface. The housing is positionable in a multiple different dispensing orientations by placing the housing in different housing supports. The device also includes a web support depending from the housing. The web support includes a one end positioned distally from the housing and a second end positioned proximal to the housing. The web support supports a supply of a flexible web in a position extending from the housing beyond the housing support. The device also includes an adjustable stand connected to one end of the web support and extending down to the underlying surface such that the stand limits the tilting of the housing in the direction in which the web support extends from the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2017Publication date: October 5, 2017Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Paul F. Ostwald, William James Watts
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Publication number: 20170282479Abstract: A protective packaging formation device is provided herein. The device includes an inflation assembly having a fluid conduit that directs fluid between overlapping plies of a polymeric web. The device also includes a driving mechanism that drives the film in a downstream direction. The device also includes a sealing mechanism that includes a thin film heater that heats the plies to create a longitudinal seal that seals the plies of film together. The driving mechanism drives the web such that the web slides across the heating assembly in a downstream direction to trap fluid between the plies.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2017Publication date: October 5, 2017Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Paul F. Ostwald, William James Watts
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Publication number: 20170275036Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an inflatable-cushion inflation and sealing device. The device includes an inflation assembly configured for insertion between first and second overlapping film plies. The inflation assembly includes a fluid conduit configured to direct a fluid in between the plies to form one or more cushions. The fluid conduit includes a nozzle. The inflation assembly includes a cutting member. The cutting member includes a blade holder with a blade and a blade guard mounted thereon. The blade guard has a safety position in which the blade is covered and a retracted position in which the blade is exposed. Installation of the blade holder onto the inflation assembly automatically positions the blade in the working position with the blade guard retracted. Removing the tray from the inflation assembly automatically positions the blade in the safety position by covering the blade with the blade guard.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2017Publication date: September 28, 2017Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Paul F. Ostwald, William James Watts
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Publication number: 20170275033Abstract: An inflatable-cushion inflation and sealing device is provided. The device includes an inflation assembly that inflates with a fluid a cushion cavity disposed between overlapping portions of first and second plies of a film, which plies form a flexible structure. The device also includes a sealing mechanism having a first compression element having a curved surface operable to bend the flexible structure about a bend axis, a second compression element positioned such that the first and second compression elements are operable to receiving the flexible structure at a first pinch area in which the first compression element and the second compression element are positioned against the flexible structure to pinch the flexible structure, and a third compression element configured for receiving the flexible structure at a second pinch area in which the first compression element and the third compression element contact the flexible structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2017Publication date: September 28, 2017Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Paul F. Ostwald, William James Watts
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Publication number: 20110168770Abstract: An envelope can include a first wall with a first edge, a second wall with a second edge connected to the first edge along a connected portion configured for providing a side of the envelope, the first and second edges respectively including first and second separate portions that are separate from each other, the separate portions extending from the connected portions at a transition location and a reinforcing member associated with the connected portion adjacent the transition location for reinforcing the connected portion adjacent the transition location. An apparatus for making an envelope is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2010Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: Pregis Innovative Packaging, Inc.Inventors: Paul F. Ostwald, Thomas D. Wetsch