Patents by Inventor Thomas L. Coomber
Thomas L. Coomber 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: 6622353Abstract: A slider-operated fastener comprises first and second opposing tracks including respective first and second interlocking profiles and respective first and second fins extending downward from the respective first and second profiles. The first and second fins are sealed to each other by a plurality of spaced preseals. After generating each preseal, a notch is formed in the profiles and upper portions of the fins at the generated preseal. To install a slider onto the fastener, the slider is initially positioned within the respective notch and then threaded onto the fastener in response to relative movement of the slider and the fastener. Either before or after the steps of forming each preseal and respective notch and installing the respective slider, the fastener is attached to a moving web of plastic film. The fastener-carrying web is later folded and sealed to form individual plastic bags.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2002Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: Pactiv CorporationInventors: Alexander R. Provan, Thomas L. Coomber, Toby R. Thomas, Nathan A. Kolovich
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Patent number: 6526726Abstract: A method of applying a slider to a fastener-carrying web of plastic film. The fastener includes interlockable profiles and fins depending from the respective profiles. One of the fins is attached to the web of plastic film such that the profiles are immediately adjacent to the web. The fastener is folded away from the web about the attached fin such that the profiles and proximate portions of the fins are oriented at an angle, preferably about 90 degrees, relative the web. Because the profiles and proximate fin portions are oriented at an angle relative to the web, they can be easily accessed and controlled for applying the slider to the profiles and performing other fastener-related operations.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2000Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Pactiv CorporationInventors: Aaron L. Strand, Alexander R. Provan, Thomas L. Coomber, Toby R. Thomas
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Publication number: 20030024080Abstract: A slider-operated fastener comprises first and second opposing tracks including respective first and second interlocking profiles and respective first and second fins extending downward from the respective first and second profiles. The first and second fins are sealed to each other by a plurality of spaced preseals. After generating each preseal, a notch is formed in the profiles and upper portions of the fins at the generated preseal. To install a slider onto the fastener, the slider is initially positioned within the respective notch and then threaded onto the fastener in response to relative movement of the slider and the fastener. Either before or after the steps of forming each preseal and respective notch and installing the respective slider, the fastener is attached to a moving web of plastic film. The fastener-carrying web is later folded and sealed to form individual plastic bags.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2002Publication date: February 6, 2003Inventors: Alexander R. Provan, Thomas L. Coomber, Toby R. Thomas, Nathan A. Kolovich
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Patent number: 6470551Abstract: A slider-operated fastener comprises first and second opposing tracks including respective first and second interlocking profiles and respective first and second fins extending downward from the respective first and second profiles. The first and second fins are sealed to each other by a plurality of spaced preseals. After generating each preseal, a notch is formed in the profiles and upper portions of the fins at the generated preseal. To install a slider onto the fastener, the slider is initially positioned within the respective notch and then threaded onto the fastener in response to relative movement of the slider and the fastener. Either before or after the steps of forming each preseal and respective notch and installing the respective slider, the fastener is attached to a moving web of plastic film. The fastener-carrying web is later folded and sealed to form individual plastic bags.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2000Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Pactiv CorporationInventors: Alexander R. Provan, Thomas L. Coomber, Toby R. Thomas, Nathan A. Kolovich
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Patent number: 6409384Abstract: A reclosable plastic bag comprises first and second opposing body panels, a zipper, a slider, and a grab tab. The opposing body panels are joined to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. The zipper extends along a mouth formed opposite the bottom. The slider is slidably mounted to the zipper for movement between a closed position and an open position. Movement of the slider is effectuated using a grab tab extending upward from the slider. In one embodiment, first and second upstanding panels extend upwardly from the respective first and second body panels and form a pocket containing the zipper and the slider. The grab tab on the slider extends upwardly toward or above an upper end of the pocket so as to be easily graspable.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2000Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Pactiv CorporationInventors: Alexander R. Provan, Thomas L. Coomber, Toby R. Thomas
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Patent number: 6389780Abstract: A machine and method for forming, filling and sealing bags includes a slitter for slitting a web of film into first and second web portions. a first folding board is included for folding the first web portion to a vertical position. a zipper track is fed adjacent to and sealed to the vertical first web portion by a first zipper sealer. a second folding board folds the second web portion to a position adjacent the first web portion and the zipper track is sealed to the second web portion by a second zipper sealer. another sealer forms side seals in the first and second web portions and the web portions are cut along the side seals to form individual bags.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2000Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Assignee: Pactiv CorporationInventors: Thomas L. Coomber, Alexander R. Provan, Toby R. Thomas
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Patent number: 6347437Abstract: A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags that includes a zipper and at least one slider. The zipper includes first and second opposing tracks. The first track has a first profile and the second track has a second profile. The first and second profiles are releasably engageable to each other. The first track has one or more spaced primary notches interrupting the first profile. At least one slider is inserted onto the first profile via a respective one of the primary notches. The slider is adapted to engage and disengage the first and second profiles in response to movement along the zipper. The second track may have one or more spaced primary notches interrupting the second profile. The spaced primary notches of the second track are generally aligned to respective ones of the primary notches of the first track. At least one slider is inserted onto the aligned pairs of primary notches via a respective one of the generally aligned notches.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2001Date of Patent: February 19, 2002Assignee: Pactiv CorporationInventors: Alexander R. Provan, Thomas L. Coomber, Ian J. Barclay, David V. Dobreski, Toby R. Thomas
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Patent number: 6286189Abstract: A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags that includes a zipper and at least one slider. The zipper includes first and second opposing tracks. The first track has a first profile and the second track has a second profile. The first and second profiles are releasably engageable to each other. The first track has one or more spaced primary notches interrupting the first profile. At least one slider is inserted onto the first profile via a respective one of the primary notches. The slider is adapted to engage and disengage the first and second profiles in response to movement along the zipper. The second track may have one or more to spaced primary notches interrupting the second profile. The spaced primary notches of the second track are generally aligned to respective ones of the primary notches of the first track. At least one slider is inserted onto the aligned pairs of primary notches via a respective one of the generally aligned notches.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 1999Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: Pactiv CorporationInventors: Alexander R. Provan, Thomas L. Coomber, Ian J. Barclay, David V. Dobreski, Toby R. Thomas
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Publication number: 20010002504Abstract: A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags that includes a zipper and at least one slider. The zipper includes first and second opposing tracks. The first track has a first profile and the second track has a second profile. The first and second profiles are releasably engageable to each other. The first track has one or more spaced primary notches interrupting the first profile. At least one slider is inserted onto the first profile via a respective one of the primary notches. The slider is adapted to engage and disengage the first and second profiles in response to movement along the zipper. The second track may have one or more spaced primary notches interrupting the second profile. The spaced primary notches of the second track are generally aligned to respective ones of the primary notches of the first track. At least one slider is inserted onto the aligned pairs of primary notches via a respective one of the generally aligned notches.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2001Publication date: June 7, 2001Inventors: Alexander R. Provan, Thomas L. Coomber, Ian J. Barclay, David V. Dobreski, Toby R. Thomas
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Patent number: RE44934Abstract: A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags that includes a zipper and at least one slider. The zipper includes first and second opposing tracks. The first track has a first profile and the second track has a second profile. The first and second profiles are releasably engageable to each other. The first track has one or more spaced primary notches interrupting the first profile. At least one slider is inserted onto the first profile via a respective one of the primary notches. The slider is adapted to engage and disengage the first and second profiles in response to movement along the zipper. The second track may have one or more to spaced primary notches interrupting the second profile. The spaced primary notches of the second track are generally aligned to respective ones of the primary notches of the first track. At least one slider is inserted onto the aligned pairs of primary notches via a respective one of the generally aligned notches.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2003Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Reynolds Presto Products Inc.Inventors: Alexander R. Provan, Thomas L. Coomber, Ian J. Barclay, David V. Dobreski, Toby R. Thomas