Patents by Inventor Robert Frei

Robert Frei 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: 11667439
    Abstract: A reinforced multilayer material includes a mesh material covered on at least one side, and possibly both, by a layer of a resinous film material. The mesh material includes filaments that intersect one another, at least some of the filaments being composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at least some points of intersection. The multilayer material has a mass per unit area of less than 9.0 oz/yd2 and at least one of a) a bursting strength to mass per unit area ratio of at least 9.0 lbs./(oz/yd2), where bursting strength is measured in accordance with ASTM-D37 86 and b) a breaking elongation of at least 5% in the warp direction when breaking elongation is measured in accordance with ASTM-5034. A bag is provided that is made at least in part from a multilayer material having at least some of the characteristics described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner
  • Publication number: 20220097918
    Abstract: A reinforced multilayer material includes a mesh material covered on at least one side, and possibly both, by a layer of a resinous film material. The mesh material includes filaments that intersect one another, at least some of the filaments being composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at least some points of intersection. The multilayer material has a mass per unit area of less than 9.0 oz/yd2 and at least one of a) a bursting strength to mass per unit area ratio of at least 9.0 lbs./(oz/yd2), where bursting strength is measured in accordance with ASTM-D37 86 and b) a breaking elongation of at least 5% in the warp direction when breaking elongation is measured in accordance with ASTM-D37 86.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner
  • Patent number: 11142375
    Abstract: A reinforced multilayer material includes a mesh material covered on at least one side, and possibly both, by a layer of a resinous film material. The mesh material includes filaments that intersect one another, at least some of the filaments being composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at least some points of intersection. The multilayer material has a mass per unit area of less than 9.0 oz/yd2 and a bursting strength to mass per unit area ratio of at least 9.0 lbs/(oz/yd2), where bursting strength is measured in accordance with ASTM-D37 86. A bag is provided that is made at least in part from a multilayer material having at least some of the characteristics described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner
  • Patent number: 10934042
    Abstract: A method is provided of making form fill and seal (FFS) bag formed at least in part from an open mesh material that includes filaments that intersect one another. At least some of the filaments are composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at points of intersection. The material may be a non-woven fabric that contains at least two layers of weft filaments that may be bordered on one or both sides by a layer of warp filaments. When compared to other open mesh materials, the open mesh material disclosed herein has a superior combination of some or all of high strength, light weight, high dimensional stability, and openness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner, Friedrich Landertshamer, Alan Mueller
  • Patent number: 10815034
    Abstract: A bottom gusseted bag includes first and second opposed walls that face one another, each of the first and second walls having an upper end and a lower end, and a gusseted bottom that connects the bottom ends of the first and second walls to one another. The gusseted bottom includes at least four panels that are formed from an open mesh material and that collectively form at least three pleats. Opposed side edges of all of the panels are thermally bonded directly to one another along first and second opposed seams extending at least the majority of the length of each of the panels. The gusseted bottom may have a side seam strength of at least about 1.lb (4.5 N). The first and second side walls are formed at least in part of material, such a film, that is thermally bondable to the mesh material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Micah Johnson, Robert Frei, John Schemecker
  • Patent number: 10745881
    Abstract: A compost filter netting comprises plastic netting formed in a tube having a diameter of 6?-36? wherein the plastic netting includes netting openings of ?-?? and configured to be filled with compost to form a compost filter sock, wherein the linear length of the compost filter sock is not less than 93% of the linear length of the originally manufactured empty compost filter netting. A method of forming a compost filter sock using the compost filter netting and the compost filter sock made thereby is disclosed. The compost filter netting substantially eliminates the problem of miscalculation of shrink rate that is problematic for in field applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: MKB Company, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Zock, Robert Frei
  • Publication number: 20180327143
    Abstract: A bottom gusseted bag includes first and second opposed walls that face one another, each of the first and second walls having an upper end and a lower end, and a gusseted bottom that connects the bottom ends of the first and second walls to one another. The gusseted bottom includes at least four panels that are formed from an open mesh material and that collectively form at least three pleats. Opposed side edges of all of the panels are thermally bonded directly to one another along first and second opposed seams extending at least the majority of the length of each of the panels. The gusseted bottom may have a side seam strength of at least about 1.lb (4.5 N). The first and second side walls are formed at least in part of material, such a film, that is thermally bondable to the mesh material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Micah Johnson, Robert Frei, John Schernecker
  • Publication number: 20170233115
    Abstract: A method is provided of making form fill and seal (FFS) bag formed at least in part from an open mesh material that includes filaments that intersect one another. At least some of the filaments are composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at points of intersection. The material may be a non-woven fabric that contains at least two layers of weft filaments that may be bordered on one or both sides by a layer of warp filaments. When compared to other open mesh materials, the open mesh material disclosed herein has a superior combination of some or all of high strength, light weight, high dimensional stability, and openness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner, Friedrich Landershamer, Alan Mueller
  • Patent number: 9630375
    Abstract: A form fill and seal (FFS) bag is formed at least in part from an open mesh material that includes filaments that intersect one another. At least some of the filaments are composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at points of intersection. The material may be a non-woven fabric that contains at least two layers of weft filaments that may be bordered on one or both sides by a layer of warp filaments. When compared to other open mesh materials, the open mesh material disclosed herein has a superior combination of some or all of high strength, light weight, high dimensional stability, and openness. Also disclosed herein are methods of making such a bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner, Friedrich Landertshamer
  • Publication number: 20170088311
    Abstract: A reinforced multilayer material includes a mesh material covered on at least one side, and possibly both, by a layer of a resinous film material. The mesh material includes filaments that intersect one another, at least some of the filaments being composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at least some points of intersection. The multilayer material has a mass per unit area of less than 9.0 oz/yd2 and a bursting strength to mass per unit area ratio of at least 9.0 lbs/(oz/yd2), where bursting strength is measured in accordance with ASTM-D37 86. A bag is provided that is made at least in part from a multilayer material having at least some of the characteristics described above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner
  • Patent number: 9573342
    Abstract: Bags, such as L-sewn bags and multi-substrate bags, are formed at least in part from an open mesh material that includes filaments that intersect one another. At least some of the filaments are composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at points of intersection. The material may be a non-woven fabric that contains at least two layers of weft filaments that may be bordered on one or both sides by a layer of warp filaments. When compared to other open mesh materials, the open mesh material disclosed herein has a superior combination of some or all of high strength, light weight, high dimensional stability, and openness. Also disclosed herein are methods of making and using such bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner, Friedrich Landertshamer, Alan Mueller
  • Publication number: 20160279541
    Abstract: A compost filter netting comprises plastic netting formed in a tube having a diameter of 6?-36? wherein the plastic netting includes netting openings of ?-?? and configured to be filled with compost to form a compost filter sock, wherein the linear length of the compost filter sock is not less than 93% of the linear length of the originally manufactured empty compost filter netting. A method of forming a compost filter sock using the compost filter netting and the compost filter sock made thereby is disclosed. The compost filter netting substantially eliminates the problem of miscalculation of shrink rate that is problematic for in field applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Michael A. Zock, Robert Frei
  • Patent number: 9339986
    Abstract: An open mesh material includes filaments that intersect one another. At least some of the filaments are composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at points of intersection. The material may be a non-woven fabric that contains at least two layers of weft filaments that may be bordered on one or both sides by a layer of warp filaments. When compared to other open mesh materials, the open mesh material disclosed herein has a superior combination of some or all of high strength, light weight, high dimensional stability, and openness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner, Friedrich Landertshamer, Alan Mueller
  • Publication number: 20140349063
    Abstract: An open mesh material includes filaments that intersect one another. At least some of the filaments are composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at points of intersection. The material may be a non-woven fabric that contains at least two layers of weft filaments that may be bordered on one or both sides by a layer of warp filaments. When compared to other open mesh materials, the open mesh material disclosed herein has a superior combination of some or all of high strength, light weight, high dimensional stability, and openness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner, Friedrich Landertshamer, Alan Mueller
  • Patent number: 8784967
    Abstract: An open mesh material includes filaments (1, 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 15, 16) that intersect one another. At least some of the filaments are composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at points of intersection. The material may be a non-woven fabric that contains at least two layers of weft filaments (1, 2, 11, 12) that may be bordered on one or both sides by a layer of warp filaments (3,4, 15, 16). When compared to other open mesh materials, the open mesh material disclosed herein has a superior combination of some or all of high strength, light weight, high dimensional stability, and openness. Also disclosed herein are articles can be made at least in part from the material including L-seam bags (20), form fill and seal (FFS) bags (1020), and multi-substrate bags (2,020). Methods of making those bags also are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Volm Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner, Friedrich Landertshamer, Alan Mueller
  • Publication number: 20110085749
    Abstract: An open mesh material includes filaments (1, 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 15, 16) that intersect one another. At least some of the filaments are composite filaments having a carrier portion of a relatively high melting point and a bonding portion of a relatively low melting point, the bonding portion of each composite filament being thermally bonded to other filaments at points of intersection. The material may be a non-woven fabric that contains at least two layers of weft filaments (1, 2, 11, 12) that may be bordered on one or both sides by a layer of warp filaments (3,4, 15, 16). When compared to other open mesh materials, the open mesh material disclosed herein has a superior combination of some or all of high strength, light weight, high dimensional stability, and openness. Also disclosed herein are articles can be made at least in part from the material including L-seam bags (20), form fill and seal (FFS) bags (1020), and multi-substrate bags (2,020). Methods of making those bags also are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: VOLM COMPANIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Frei, Corbett Hefner, Friedrich Landertshamer, Alan Mueller