Patents by Inventor Ronald Hutjens

Ronald Hutjens 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).

  • Apparatus for extracting air from packages
    Patent number: 7644561
    Abstract: An apparatus for extracting air from within flexible packages having granular or otherwise flowable contents includes a package conveyor and a downwardly-open, vacuum extraction hood through which the packages are conveyed so that an upper portion of each package is moved through the extraction hood. The interior of the hood is joined in fluid communication with a vacuum source, so that air is extracted from within each package as it is conveyed through the hood. The present apparatus further includes a closing mechanism positioned immediately downstream of and in operative association with the extraction hood, whereby the upper portion of each package is maintained in a closed configuration prior to sealing, so that the interior of each package is not exposed to ambient conditions after it is conveyed out of the extraction hood, and prior to sealing of the upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventors: Peter Hatchell, Glenn Hayes, Ronald Hutjens
  • Apparatus for extracting air from packages
    Publication number: 20080104931
    Abstract: An apparatus for extracting air from within flexible packages having granular or otherwise flowable contents includes a package conveyor and a downwardly-open, vacuum extraction hood through which the packages are conveyed so that an upper portion of each package is moved through the extraction hood. The interior of the hood is joined in fluid communication with a vacuum source, so that air is extracted from within each package as it is conveyed through the hood. The present apparatus further includes a closing mechanism positioned immediately downstream of and in operative association with the extraction hood, whereby the upper portion of each package is maintained in a closed configuration prior to sealing, so that the interior of each package is not exposed to ambient conditions after it is conveyed out of the extraction hood, and prior to sealing of the upper portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Peter Hatchell, Glenn Hayes, Ronald Hutjens
  • Apparatus for extracting air from packages
    Patent number: 7316102
    Abstract: An apparatus for extracting air from within flexible packages having granular or otherwise flowable contents includes a package conveyor and a downwardly-open, vacuum extraction hood through which the packages are conveyed so that an upper portion of each package is moved through the extraction hood. The interior of the hood is joined in fluid communication with a vacuum source, so that air is extracted from within each package as it is conveyed through the hood. The present apparatus further includes a closing mechanism positioned immediately downstream of and in operative association with the extraction hood, whereby the upper portion of each package is maintained in a closed configuration prior to sealing, so that the interior of each package is not exposed to ambient conditions after it is conveyed out of the extraction hood, and prior to sealing of the upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Campbell Wrapper Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Hatchell, Glenn Hayes, Ronald Hutjens
  • APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING AIR FROM PACKAGES
    Publication number: 20070234683
    Abstract: An apparatus for extracting air from within flexible packages having granular or otherwise flowable contents includes a package conveyor and a downwardly-open, vacuum extraction hood through which the packages are conveyed so that an upper portion of each package is moved through the extraction hood. The interior of the hood is joined in fluid communication with a vacuum source, so that air is extracted from within each package as it is conveyed through the hood. The present apparatus further includes a closing mechanism positioned immediately downstream of and in operative association with the extraction hood, whereby the upper portion of each package is maintained in a closed configuration prior to sealing, so that the interior of each package is not exposed to ambient conditions after it is conveyed out of the extraction hood, and prior to sealing of the upper portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Peter Hatchell, Glenn Hayes, Ronald Hutjens