Patents by Inventor Ronald Cortigiano,
Ronald Cortigiano, 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: 7461680Abstract: A system for accurately and repeatedly pulling a length of plastic fastener tape a predetermined distance. The system comprises an indexing gripper assembly and a stationary gripper assembly, the latter being disposed downstream of the former. The indexing gripper assembly is carried on a carriage that travels back and forth on a linear rail. The rotation of a lead screw is converted into linear displacement of the carriage, the lead screw being driven by a servomotor. While the stationary gripper is open, the indexing gripper grips the fastener tape; then the indexing gripper is advanced a predetermined distance, pulling the fastener tape with it. The stationary gripper is then actuated to grip the fastener tape, following which the indexing gripper is opened and returned to its home position.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2005Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Ronald Cortigiano, Sr.
-
Patent number: 7374075Abstract: A method and an apparatus for automatically feeding slider-zipper assemblies to a station where the slider-zipper assemblies can be attached to bag material, such as thermoplastic film. The apparatus includes a slider guide having a channel running the length thereof. The channel has a cross section that allows passage therethrough of sliders slidably mounted to a tape of connected slider-zipper assemblies. A tape drive mechanism is located at the outlet of the slider guide. The tape drive mechanism includes a pair of rollers that form a nip therebetween. The zipper flanges of the tape are threaded through the nip. The rollers have respective grooves that form a space for passage of the sliders as the tape is advanced by the rollers. The zipper tape with sliders exits the tape drive mechanism and is drawn into a zipper flange sealing position by a tape transfer assembly comprising a bank of drive rollers having silicone surfaces in contact with the zipper tape.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2005Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Ronald Cortigiano, Sr.
-
Patent number: 7296952Abstract: A modular slider feeder tube system comprising first and second feeder tubes having respective ends that are coupled by a tube coupling device. Each of the first and second feeder tubes is made of resilient material and comprises a respective channel having a profile that is asymmetric and substantially constant along the lengths of the channels. The tube coupling device also comprises a channel, via which channel the channel of the first feeder tube communicates with the channel of the second feeder tube. Each of the channels maintains the orientation of each slider passing therethrough so that the same end of the slider is always in the lead.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2004Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Ronald Cortigiano, Sr.
-
Patent number: 7229511Abstract: A method and an apparatus for automatically feeding slider-zipper assemblies to a station where the slider-zipper assemblies can be attached to bag material such as thermoplastic film. The apparatus includes a slider guide having a channel running the length thereof. The channel has a cross section that allows passage therethrough of sliders slidably mounted to a tape of connected slider-zipper assemblies. A tape drive mechanism is located at the outlet of the slider guide. The tape drive mechanism includes a pair of rollers that form a nip therebetween. The zipper flanges of the tape are threaded through the nip. The rollers have respective grooves that form a space for passage of the sliders as the tape is advanced by the rollers.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2004Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Ronald Cortigiano, Sr.
-
Publication number: 20060207727Abstract: A system for accurately and repeatedly pulling a length of plastic fastener tape a predetermined distance. The system comprises an indexing gripper assembly and a stationary gripper assembly, the latter being disposed downstream of the former. The indexing gripper assembly is carried on a carriage that travels back and forth on a linear rail. The rotation of a lead screw is converted into linear displacement of the carriage, the lead screw being driven by a servomotor. While the stationary gripper is open, the indexing gripper grips the fastener tape; then the indexing gripper is advanced a predetermined distance, pulling the fastener tape with it. The stationary gripper is then actuated to grip the fastener tape, following which the indexing gripper is opened and returned to its home position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2005Publication date: September 21, 2006Inventor: Ronald Cortigiano
-
Patent number: 7081176Abstract: A method and an apparatus for sealing a split-flange zipper tape in a center fold of a web of bag making film without sealing or tacking the two sides of the split zipper web together.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2006Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Joel L. Johnson, Ronald Cortigiano, Sr.
-
Publication number: 20060113022Abstract: A method and an apparatus for sealing a split-flange zipper tape in a center fold of a web of bag making film without sealing or tacking the two sides of the split zipper web together.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2006Publication date: June 1, 2006Inventors: Joel Johnson, Ronald Cortigiano
-
Patent number: 6986377Abstract: A method and an apparatus for sealing a split-flange zipper tape in a center fold of a web of bag making film without sealing or tacking the two sides of the split zipper web together.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2002Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Joel L. Johnson, Ronald Cortigiano, Sr.
-
Patent number: 6973704Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a slider onto a flexible zipper tape, comprising: a zipper tape guide that supports a section of zipper tape in a slider insertion zone and guides advancement of the zipper tape along a line; a mechanism for displacing a slider from a pre-insertion position to an inserted position on the section of the zipper tape located in the slider insertion zone; and a slider guide for guiding the slider from a transition point to the pre-insertion position. The slider guide is configured so that the slider travels along a generally U-shaped path in its transit from the transition point to the pre-insertion position. The slider guide may be a channel configured to maintain one end of the slider constantly in the lead as it moves along the channel.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2002Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Ronald Cortigiano, Sr.
-
Publication number: 20050230450Abstract: A method and an apparatus for automatically feeding slider-zipper assemblies to a station where the slider-zipper assemblies can be attached to bag material, such as thermoplastic film. The apparatus includes a slider guide having a channel running the length thereof. The channel has a cross section that allows passage therethrough of sliders slidably mounted to a tape of connected slider-zipper assemblies. A tape drive mechanism is located at the outlet of the slider guide. The tape drive mechanism includes a pair of rollers that form a nip therebetween. The zipper flanges of the tape are threaded through the nip. The rollers have respective grooves that form a space for passage of the sliders as the tape is advanced by the rollers. The zipper tape with sliders exits the tape drive mechanism and is drawn into a zipper flange sealing position by a tape transfer assembly comprising a bank of drive rollers having silicone surfaces in contact with the zipper tape.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2005Publication date: October 20, 2005Inventor: Ronald Cortigiano
-
Patent number: 6935007Abstract: A zipper guide apparatus having different operational states. In the first operational state, the zipper tape is held securely, i.e., gripped, in a zone adjacent the slider insertion zone during slider insertion. In a second operational state, the zipper tape is not held securely in the zone adjacent the slider insertion zone and a slider can pass through the zipper guide during zipper tape advancement. These operational states are under the control of a programmable controller or other control device, which synchronizes zipper guide operation with operation of the slider inserter. The zipper guide comprises a saddle on which a zipper is seated and a pair of opposing grippers that extend to grip the zipper tape and that retract to release the zipper tape and allow passage of the zipper tape with sliders inserted thereon.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2002Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Ronald Cortigiano, Sr.
-
Publication number: 20050133142Abstract: A method and an apparatus for automatically feeding slider-zipper assemblies to a station where the slider-zipper assemblies can be attached to bag material such as thermoplastic film. The apparatus includes a slider guide having a channel running the length thereof. The channel has a cross section that allows passage therethrough of sliders slidably mounted to a tape of connected slider-zipper assemblies. A tape drive mechanism is located at the outlet of the slider guide. The tape drive mechanism includes a pair of rollers that form a nip therebetween. The zipper flanges of the tape are threaded through the nip. The rollers have respective grooves that form a space for passage of the sliders as the tape is advanced by the rollers.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2004Publication date: June 23, 2005Inventor: Ronald Cortigiano
-
Patent number: 6902091Abstract: A method and an apparatus for automatically feeding slider-zipper assemblies to a station where the slider-zipper assemblies can be attached to bag material, such as thermoplastic film. The apparatus includes a slider guide having a channel running the length thereof. The channel has a cross section that allows passage therethrough of sliders slidably mounted to a tape of connected slider-zipper assemblies. A tape drive mechanism is located at the outlet of the slider guide. The tape drive mechanism includes a pair of rollers that form a nip therebetween. The zipper flanges of the tape are threaded through the nip. The rollers have respective grooves that form a space for passage of the sliders as the tape is advanced by the rollers. The zipper tape with sliders exits the tape drive mechanism and is drawn into a zipper flange sealing position by a tape transfer assembly comprising a bank of drive rollers having silicone surfaces in contact with the zipper tape.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2002Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Ronald Cortigiano, Sr.
-
Patent number: 6895725Abstract: An automated reclosable packaging manufacturing equipment for applying zipper tape to bag making film, especially as part of a form-fill-seal process, and a method of joining a zipper flange of a zipper assembly to bag making film without “seal-through” of the zipper flanges. The method comprises the steps of: (a) pressing a web of bag making film and first and second zipper flanges of a zipper assembly together along the length of the latter, with the first zipper flange sandwiched between and in contact with the web of bag making film and the second zipper flange; and (b) during step (a), causing heat to be conducted through the web of bag making film into the first zipper flange. The amount of heat conducted through the web of bag making film must be sufficient to seal the web of bag making film to the first zipper flange without sealing the first zipper flange to the second zipper flange.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2004Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Ronald Cortigiano, Sr.
-
Patent number: 6863645Abstract: Methods and apparatus for low-cost manufacture of reclosable packages having slider-operated zippers. One method of manufacture comprising the following steps: (a) joining film material to a back side of a first flangeless zipper strip having a first closure profile on its front side; (b) joining film material to a back side of a second flangeless zipper strip having a second closure profile on its front side, the first and second closure profiles of the first and second zipper strips being interlockable to form a string zipper assembly; and (c) loading a slider comprising a plow onto an open section of the string zipper assembly with the plow being inserted between the first and second flangeless zipper strips. Respective portions of the first and second portions of film are respectively disposed between the slider and the string zipper assembly when the slider is loaded.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2003Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Gregory H. Crunkleton, Basil C. Linton, Eric J. Fenzl, Charles Shultz, Ronald Cortigiano, Sr., Robert E. Hogan
-
Publication number: 20050026764Abstract: A modular slider feeder tube system comprising first and second feeder tubes having respective ends that are coupled by a tube coupling device. Each of the first and second feeder tubes is made of resilient material and comprises a respective channel having a profile that is asymmetric and substantially constant along the lengths of the channels. The tube coupling device also comprises a channel, via which channel the channel of the first feeder tube communicates with the channel of the second feeder tube. Each of the channels maintains the orientation of each slider passing therethrough so that the same end of the slider is always in the lead.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2004Publication date: February 3, 2005Inventor: Ronald Cortigiano
-
Publication number: 20050016126Abstract: An automated reclosable packaging manufacturing equipment for applying zipper tape to bag making film, especially as part of a form-fill-seal process, and a method of joining a zipper flange of a zipper assembly to bag making film without “seal-through” of the zipper flanges. The method comprises the steps of: (a) pressing a web of bag making film and first and second zipper flanges of a zipper assembly together along the length of the latter, with the first zipper flange sandwiched between and in contact with the web of bag making film and the second zipper flange; and (b) during step (a), causing heat to be conducted through the web of bag making film into the first zipper flange. The amount of heat conducted through the web of bag making film must be sufficient to seal the web of bag making film to the first zipper flange without sealing the first zipper flange to the second zipper flange.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2004Publication date: January 27, 2005Inventor: Ronald Cortigiano,
-
Publication number: 20040229740Abstract: Methods and apparatus for low-cost manufacture of reclosable packages having slider-operated zippers. One method of manufacture comprising the following steps: (a) joining film material to a back side of a first flangeless zipper strip having a first closure profile on its front side; (b) joining film material to a back side of a second flangeless zipper strip having a second closure profile on its front side, the first and second closure profiles of the first and second zipper strips being interlockable to form a string zipper assembly; and (c) loading a slider comprising a plow onto an open section of the string zipper assembly with the plow being inserted between the first and second flangeless zipper strips. Respective portions of the first and second portions of film are respectively disposed between the slider and the string zipper assembly when the slider is loaded.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2003Publication date: November 18, 2004Inventors: Gregory H. Crunkleton, Basil C. Linton, Eric J. Fenzl, Charles Shultz, Ronald Cortigiano, Robert E. Hogan
-
Patent number: 6810642Abstract: An automated reclosable packaging manufacturing equipment for applying zipper tape to bag making film, especially as part of a form-fill-seal process, and a method of joining a zipper flange of a zipper assembly to bag making film without “seal-through” of the zipper flanges. The method comprises the steps of: (a) pressing a web of bag making film and first and second zipper flanges of a zipper assembly together along the length of the latter, with the first zipper flange sandwiched between and in contact with the web of bag making film and the second zipper flange; and (b) during step (a), causing heat to be conducted through the web of bag making film into the first zipper flange. The amount of heat conducted through the web of bag making film must be sufficient to seal the web of bag making film to the first zipper flange without sealing the first zipper flange to the second zipper flange.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2002Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Ronald Cortigiano, Sr.
-
Patent number: 6796015Abstract: A zipper guide for use in a slider insertion machine in which the zipper guide can be easily loaded with zipper tape without disassembly of the zipper guide. The slider insertion apparatus comprises: an assembly for inserting sliders onto a zipper tape; first and second shafts that are fixed relative to the assembly; a zipper guide for guiding the zipper tape during longitudinal movement of the zipper tape and supporting the zipper tape during slider insertion; and a retainer coupled to the first shaft and movable between first and second retainer positions. The zipper guide comprises a stationary part that is fixed relative to the assembly and comprises a first groove, and a rotatable part that is rotatable about the second shaft between first and second angular positions and comprises a second groove.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2002Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Ronald Cortigiano, Sr.