Application Of End Closures To Containers Patents (Class 156/69)
  • Patent number: 6592702
    Abstract: An anti-microbial container for food items is formed from a polymeric resin which contains an anti-microbial agent. In one embodiment the container comprises an anti-microbial liner for a container which is utilized in receiving, storing, transporting, and displaying food items. In another embodiment the container comprises a plurality of cavities each for receiving a food item and an overlying transparent anti-microbial film for securing the food items in the containers. In yet another embodiment the container comprises a tube for receiving food items and having permanent or releaseable seals at the ends thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Super Sack Mfg. Corp.
    Inventors: Craig Alan Nickell, Norwin C. Derby, Bradley Matthew Eisenbarth
  • Publication number: 20030121587
    Abstract: A method of fusing a component to a sterilized storage or delivery device formed of a cyclic olefin polymer which includes forming the storage or delivery device from a cyclic olefin polymer, forming a second member or component having at least a surface layer formed of the second polymer, wherein the Hansen relative energy distance Ra/Ro of the second polymer relative to the cyclic olefin polymer is equal to or less than 0.7, applying the second member to the storage or delivery device, and heating the assembly to the sterilization temperature, thereby causing the second polymer to chemically interact with the cyclic olefin polymer, fusing the second component to the storage or delivery device. The preferred embodiment of the invention is a medical container, such as a vial, wherein the vial is formed of a cyclic olefin polymer and the cap, closure or collar is formed of a second polymer heat fused to the vial or container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Kevin George Hetzler, Thea Lubrecht, Roger William Groskopf
  • Publication number: 20030116252
    Abstract: A method of fusing a component to a sterilized storage or delivery device formed of a cyclic olefin polymer which includes forming the storage or delivery device from a cyclic olefin polymer, forming a second member or component having at least a surface layer formed of the second polymer, wherein the Hansen relative energy distance Ra/Ro of the second polymer relative to the cyclic olefin polymer is equal to or less than 0.7, applying the second member to the storage or delivery device, and heating the assembly to the sterilization temperature, thereby causing the second polymer to chemically interact with the cyclic olefin polymer, fusing the second component to the storage or delivery device. The preferred embodiment of the invention is a medical container, such as a vial, wherein the vial is formed of a cyclic olefin polymer and the cap, closure or collar is formed of a second polymer heat fused to the vial or container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Kevin George Hetzler, Thea Lubrecht, Roger William Groskopf
  • Patent number: 6581357
    Abstract: A web of film is folded lengthwise, and its superposed sections are joined together along transverse lines to form a series of pockets. A hole is then cut in each pocket near the fold line. The film is shaped and clamped between two curved shaping parts, and a blade in one of the parts is advanced toward a counter blade on the other part. A shoulder element having a pouring spout and a flange is introduced into the pocket and the spout is inserted through the hole, whereafter the flange is joined to the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: H. Obrist + Co. AG
    Inventor: Werner Lindenberger
  • Patent number: 6579390
    Abstract: A patch, method of applying a patch, and an applicator device for application of the patch to cover the opening of a hole in a gable-top carton panel. The patch is made from a frangible laminate material and is welded to the underside of the carton panel, corresponding to the side in contact with the beverage contained therein. The welder is located outside the container and the patch is applied to the carton after bottom seal formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: International Paper
    Inventor: Richard A. Tedford, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030102264
    Abstract: A filter device made of less expensive material than comparable filter devices heretofore has basic filter components plus some unique design aspects and an additional ring component. The ring provides an interface inside the filter which enables the potting compound to adhere to the filter and create a seal between a first and second fluid compartment within the filter. An embedded region of the ring possesses a detailed geometry which helps ensure that a delamination would be localized and unable to propagate from the first to the second compartment, maintaining the structural integrity of the filter device. To ensure that the sealing interface remains intact and free from delamination, the ring is subjected to a surface treatment, which modifies the surface energy of the ring. This modified surface energy of the ring allows the hydrophilic potting compound to more effectively bond to the modified hydrophobic ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Rodney William Pope, Eric Wilson Stroup, William Kelly Brown, Danen Lee Petersen, Olli Tuominen, Troy McGhee
  • Patent number: 6552312
    Abstract: A sealing head for an inductive cap sealing apparatus includes a outer housing containing a coil bobbin supporting a wire coil wound about a magnetic isolator. The coil bobbin and the magnetic isolator can be axially repositioned independently to vary the magnetic field with respect to a container being sealed placed below the sealing head. The housing has a pair of axial apertures containing spring and push rod assemblies connected to a cap plate. The cap plate is spring loaded away from the outer housing so as to clamp the cap and/or seal against the container being sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Enercon Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Richard R. Hammen, Ronald F. May
  • Patent number: 6540855
    Abstract: In a method of interconnecting two elements (10, 11) of plastic material by welding or gluing together surfaces of the elements a channel (12) is formed in one of said elements, which is divided by partitions (16) into individual spaces distributed longitudinally of the channel. The partitions and the side walls (14, 15) of the channel along the edge surfaces (17, 18, 19, 20) thereof are connected with the other element (11) by welding or gluing together said edge surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Per Holmberg
  • Patent number: 6524411
    Abstract: A filter element comprising at least one elastomeric end-cap, a thin-walled pleated filter medium having edges thereon constructed and arranged for positioning proximate to the elastomeric end-caps, and a polymeric adhesive material within the end-caps for sealing the edges of the filter media therein, and a method for producing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: CUNO Incorporated
    Inventors: John L. Pulek, Daniel Marcinczyk
  • Patent number: 6517595
    Abstract: An intake duct for introducing outside air into an air cleaner of an internal combustion engine is provided which includes a hollow duct body with an opening, and a piece of non-woven fabric, formed in a flat shape, is joined to the duct body to close the opening. The duct body includes a circumferential wall formed of a resin, and the opening is formed along a plane extending through a portion of the circumferential wall. The piece of non-woven fabric is fixed to the duct body so that some of the resin of the duct body penetrates into the non-woven fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignees: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kino, Hidetoshi Ishihara, Takahiro Komori, Yoshikazu Hirose, Katsumi Yokohashi, Yoshikazu Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20030015274
    Abstract: A reflective hood system for heat-shrinking a film onto an open-topped container includes a radiant energy source located above the mouth of the container, and a reflective hood which serves to concentrate the energy from the a radiant energy source located above the mouth of the container and redirect energy radially inwardly onto the area of the film which is to be shrunk. A reflective hood system may also include a reflective shield located at or near an opening in the reflective hood above the mouth of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: A. James Mallman, Larry A. Gunseor, Scott I. Biba, Robert J. Aloisi
  • Publication number: 20030000884
    Abstract: A combination filter element comprising a bundle of hollow microporous fibers housed within an extruded carbon block, wherein the carbon block is fabricated to balance particle retention capacity against absorption capacity to provide a composite filter with desirable pressure drop, filter life, and particulate and chemical contamination reduction, and a filtration device, in which combination filter element may be employed, having a base portion including a sump which has an inlet and an outlet and a base which has a reception port for receiving the filter element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas J. Hamlin, William Contaxis, Wei-Chih Chen, Laurence W. Bassett
  • Patent number: 6501924
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a developer container having an opening which is sealed with a sealing member includes the steps of forming a tear portion in the sealing member which is torn up when unsealing said opening, sandwiching the sealing member between an electrode and the developer container to cover the opening with the sealing member, and welding the sealing member onto the developer container by supplying an electric current to the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiaki Nagashima
  • Patent number: 6461456
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a cylindrical electrophotographic photoconductor, an adhesive is applied to an inside of an opening end portion of a photosensitive drum, and the adhesive is detected by using a CCD laser displacement sensor. Then, a flange for supporting a center shaft to the inside of the opening end portion of the drum is fitted through the adhesive. The flange can be securely attached to the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Imaging Device Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Kurokawa, Tadayuki Okuhara
  • Patent number: 6432253
    Abstract: An electronic device, such as an integrated circuit, hybrid circuit or a transistor, is enclosed within an electronic package or module so as to be protected from contaminants and the external environment. An electronic device is enclosed within a package or module having a lid or cover that is sealed with an adhesive preform that has been pre-applied onto the bonding areas of the lid. The adhesive preforms are formed of a wet adhesive with gaps and are B-staged or dried to form dry solid adhesive preforms through chemical cross-linking or solvent removal. Both the lids and the adhesive preforms are formed of electrically insulating or of electrically conductive materials. The lids and adhesive preforms are attached to the electronic package or module by bonding the adhesive preforms at temperatures that are substantially lower than those at which the soldering of conventional lids is typically performed, and the adhesive flows to close the gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Amerasia International Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Kwong-Tai Chung
  • Patent number: 6432233
    Abstract: A combination filter element comprising a bundle of hollow microporous fibers housed within an extruded carbon block, wherein the carbon block is fabricated to balance particle retention capacity against absorption capacity to provide a composite filter with desirable pressure drop, filter life, and particulate and chemical contamination reduction, and a filtration device, in which combination filter element may be employed, having a base portion including a sump which has an inlet and an outlet and a base which has a reception port for receiving the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Cuno, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Hamlin, William Contaxis, III, Wei-Chih Chen, Laurence W. Bassett
  • Patent number: 6428650
    Abstract: An optical device is enclosed within a package or module having an optically transmissive or transparent cover that is sealed with an adhesive preform that has been pre-applied onto the bonding areas of the cover. The adhesive preforms are formed of a wet adhesive deposited on a sheet of optically transmissive or transparent material as a preform in predetermined locations and are B-staged or dried to form dry solid adhesive preforms. The preforms may be continuous or have one or more small gaps therein. The sheet of optical material is diced or singulated to produce individual optical covers having an adhesive preform thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Amerasia International Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Kwong-Tai Chung
  • Patent number: 6413644
    Abstract: A sealing film and a method of sealing the film to glass is disclosed. The film comprises a layer of ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) or a laminate comprising an outermost ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) layer for adhering to a glass surface, particularly the rim of a glass container, using heat and pressure. The laminate may include in addition to the EVOH layer an adhesive layer, polymeric layer, optional adhesive layer and stock layer. The film has excellent adhesive properties, is food safe and is suitable as a sealing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventor: Charles Ray Ashcraft
  • Patent number: 6409859
    Abstract: An electronic package or module is protected by a lid sealed with a thermoplastic or thermosetting adhesive laminate that has been pre-applied onto the lid, including the bonding area of the lid. The adhesive is deposited as wet adhesive or is laminated in sheet format onto a sheet of the material of which the lids are to be formed. The adhesive is dried or B-staged to become a solid sheet preform, as by solvent removal or chemical cross-linking, respectively. The lids are then formed from the laminate of lid material and adhesive, as by thermo-forming or by stamping. The lid and adhesive materials may be electrically insulating, or may be electrically conductive so as to replace soldered lids in providing electromagnetic interference protection. In some cases, the adhesive may be thermally conductive and be utilized in combination with thermally conductive interface material that is in direct contact with heat generating devices covered by the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Amerasia International Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Kwong-Tai Chung
  • Patent number: 6378271
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for securing a pour spout fitment to a panel of a filled and sealed thermoplastic-coated carton, wherein a machine 10 is mounted over a conveyor 12 conveying a line of cartons. Within the machine 10, a selected panel surface of each filled and sealed carton is heated to a predetermined temperature; next, at least an annular surface of a flange of the fitment is heated to a predetermined temperature. When the heated surface of the fitment is applied to the heated surface of the carton, the heat energy is transferred to the latter surface to an extent capable of activating the thermoplastic coating thereon. Upon pressing and cooling, the fitment and the carton surface are bonded together, without the need for a back-up or support mechanism, such as a mandrel or anvil. Alternatively, the fitment may be secured to the carton by way of a jetted-on, circular bead of hot melt adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Elopak Systems AG
    Inventors: Edward Albert Skinner, Robert E. Rochelle, John A. Weber
  • Patent number: 6361633
    Abstract: A method and device for producing a two chamber pressure pack comprised of an outer container (1) and an inner sack (2) which are glued in an edge area. After inserting the inner sack into the outer container, the edge area of the inner sack is expanded by means of a tool, said tool being guided into said area, and is pressed against the inner surface of the edge area of the outer container. Afterwards, the edge areas which are connected to one another are mutually bordered by the outer container and inner sack. A valve cover is placed on the bordering edge in a sealed manner. In order to be able to uniformly expand the edge area of the inner sack, a compressible elastic body (5) is used as a tool, said body being arranged approximately vertical in relation to the opening plane. When the inner sack is being inserted into the outer container, the outer periphery of said body is smaller than that of the inner wall of the inner sack edge area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Lechner GmbH
    Inventors: Konrad Böhm, Norbert Achten
  • Patent number: 6358454
    Abstract: A process for the production of a multi-chamber packaging tube of plastic material, comprising a tube body portion with a tube head thereon, and at least one separating wall accommodated in the tube body portion and the tube head. To mount the tube head to the tube body portion by means of a tool including a die and a bar as respective tool halves, the bar is loaded with a separating wall and subsequently a tube body portion or vice-versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: KMK Lizence Ltd.
    Inventor: Fredy Scheifele
  • Patent number: 6358343
    Abstract: A method for forming a plastic drum including the steps of selecting a lower component having a bottom and a generally cylindrical side wall, the side wall defining an opening, and selecting an upper component having a center section and an annular end portion, the end portion having an annular slot. The method further includes the step of locating the upper component on the lower component such that the upper component covers the end opening and such that at least part of the side wall of the lower component is received in the annular slot, and welding the portion of the side wall received in the annular slot to the upper component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventor: C. Winfield Scott
  • Publication number: 20020014523
    Abstract: A sealed composite container for products is provided having a paperboard body ply with a liner ply adhered on the inner surface thereof. One end of the container is rolled outwardly to form a rim and exposing the inner surface of the liner ply, which comprises a heat sealable composition. A lid for the container, also having a layer of heat sealable composition, is placed adjacent to the exposed heat sealable composition of the container liner and heat sealed thereto. The heat seal has both an inner and an outer bead formed on either side of the heat sealed area, wherein the inner bead comprises a larger amount of the heat seal compositions than the outer bead. A method and apparatus for forming the heat seal is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Applicant: Sonoco Development Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Drummond, Alan D. Williams, Floyd H. Boatwright, Jeffrey M. Schuetz
  • Patent number: 6302532
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for an ink container mountable to an ink jet apparatus in which the ink container includes an ink supply port, an air vent which has an inside opening which opens to an inside of the ink container, a groove functioning as an outside opening and extended from the inside opening, and a wall except in a region functioning as an outside opening around the groove. According to the method, a seal member is positioned to a position corresponding to the ink supply port and the air vent, and the wall is thereafter collapsed through the seal member by a welding horn. By virtue of this method, a cover is thus provided in the wall above the groove to form a fluid communication path for fluid communication between the inside opening and the outside opening, with simultaneous welding of the seal member by heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishinaga, Kazuaki Masuda, Hajime Kaneko, Masahiko Higuma, Yuji Kamiyama, Yoichi Taneya
  • Patent number: 6302321
    Abstract: A sealed composite container for products is provided having a paperboard body ply with a liner ply adhered on the inner surface thereof. One end of the container is rolled outwardly to form a rim and exposing the inner surface of the liner ply. A lid is heat sealed to the rim of the container. The dual-layer sealant composition layer of the lid comprises a base layer, such as high density polyethylene, and an adjacent frangible layer, such as ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymer, the frangible layer being operatively positioned for heat sealing to the rim of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry R. Reese, Jeffrey M. Schuetz, Alan D. Williams
  • Patent number: 6302290
    Abstract: The sealing structure (S) for a container (C) provided with an opening (O) comprises a sheet (F) welded around the edge of the opening, this sheet (F) consisting of at least three layers, namely a welding layer (1) pressed against and welded as a bead (4) to the edge of the opening, a barrier-forming exterior layer (2) and an intermediate adhesive layer (3); the weld between the bead (4) of the welding layer (1) and the edge of the opening has a tear strength greater than the strength of adhesion between the welding layer (1) and the adhesive layer (3) so that, at the first occasion of exposing the opening (O), the welded bead (4) remains in place around the edge of the opening and separates from the rest of the welding layer (1) and from the adhesive layer (3), which adhesive layer is thus uncovered over an area (7) and makes it possible, by pressing again against the bead (4), to seal the container (C) again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Atofina
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Engelaere
  • Patent number: 6296726
    Abstract: Sealed synthetic resin containers are spin welded by bringing opposed, generally complimentary horizontal mating surfaces of the lid and bowl into contact under a predetermined axial pressure and rapidly accelerating rotation of the lid relative to the bowl while maintaining substantially the axial pressure to produce melting of the mating surfaces until a desired torque value is attained. Thereafter, the rotation of the lid is immediately decelerated to terminate the rotation and allow the mating surfaces to bond. Generally, the torque is monitored repeatedly during the accelerating rotation until a plateau is reached and the accelerating step is continued for at least 50 milliseconds thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Silgan Containers Corporation
    Inventor: John Pencak
  • Publication number: 20010010864
    Abstract: A sealing film and a method of sealing the film to glass is disclosed. The film comprises a layer of ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) or a laminate comprising an outermost ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) layer for adhering to a glass surface, particularly the rim of a glass container, using heat and pressure. The laminate may include in addition to the EVOH layer an adhesive layer, polymeric layer, optional adhesive layer and stock layer. The film has excellent adhesive properties, is food safe and is suitable as a sealing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: CHARLES RAY ASHCRAFT
  • Publication number: 20010010297
    Abstract: A filter element comprising at least one elastomeric end-cap, a thin-walled pleated filter medium having edges thereon constructed and arranged for positioning proximate to the elastomeric end-caps, and a polymeric adhesive material within the end-caps for sealing the edges of the filter media therein, and a method for producing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: John L. Pulek, Daniel Marcinczyk
  • Patent number: 6264098
    Abstract: A sealed composite container for products is provided having a paperboard body ply with a liner ply adhered on the inner surface thereof. One end of the container is rolled outwardly to form a rim and exposing the inner surface of the liner ply, which comprises a heat sealable composition. A lid for the container, also having a layer of heat sealable composition, is placed adjacent to the exposed heat sealable composition of the container liner and heat sealed thereto. The heat seal has both an inner and an outer bead formed on either side of the heat sealed area, wherein the inner bead comprises a larger amount of the heat seal compositions than the outer bead. A method and apparatus for forming the heat seal is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Drummond, Alan D. Williams, Floyd H. Boatwright, Jeffrey M. Schuetz
  • Patent number: 6248194
    Abstract: A novel fabricated tube construction includes a sleeve formed from a stock material and a plastic neck member which includes a shoulder. The sleeve has overlapping edges which are joined together to form an lap seam. The neck member shoulder includes a mounting portion which has at least one raised, plastic weld rib thereon. An end portion of the sleeve initially overlays the shoulder such that the lap seam of the sleeve overlays the raised weld rib on the mounting portion. As a result, a small void is formed between the lap seam and the mounting portion. When the sleeve and the shoulder are joined together, the raised, plastic weld rib on the mounting portion melts and flows into the void to fill and seal the void. A portion of the mounting portion also melts to form a seal between the shoulder and the sleeve. When the shoulder and the sleeve are joined together in this manner, a leak-proof seal or joint is formed around the entire periphery of the shoulder between the shoulder and the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Atrion Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Rowland W. Kanner
  • Patent number: 6228274
    Abstract: A twist-on renewable filter comprising a one-piece hollow housing, made of polymeric material having threads for attachment to a distribution head assembly. A filter element is adhesively bonded at one end to the floor of the housing and at its opposing end to the top member of the one-piece hollow housing. The one-piece hollow housing has an input opening and a exit opening. The filter housing is fabricated from components that are made of a polymeric material. The renewable filter can be cleaned by the introduction of a cleaning solution in a direction opposite to the direction of normal flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Dei-Tec Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Deibel, Patrick M. Dugan
  • Patent number: 6192660
    Abstract: An apparatus for supplying and applying cap bodies (51) to a packaging container includes a gas supplying device (11) which supplies a hydrogen-oxygen gas mixture obtained by electrolyzing water, a burner unit (22) that is connected to the gas supplying device (11) for receiving hydrogen-oxygen gas mixture from the gas supplying device (11) and burning the hydrogen-oxygen gas mixture and a pickup apparatus (80) which transports a cap body (51) to a heating position above the burner unit (22). The burner unit (22) is provided with a plurality of nozzles (31) that are arranged in a pattern that corresponds in shape to the shape of the underside periphery of the cap body (51). A shield plate (57) is positionable above the nozzles (31) to deflect the hydrogen-oxygen gas mixture emitted from the nozzles (31), and an igniter (32) is disposed adjacent one of the nozzles (31), to ignite the mixture emitted from the nozzle (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Moriyama, Elmar Mock, Michio Sugata, Shigeo Katsumata
  • Patent number: 6189723
    Abstract: A composite laminated, generally cylindrical container for over-the-road transportation of liquids by truck is fabricated using a core of cellular thermoplastic expanded foam material, with an encapsulating layer adhered to each of the interior and exterior surfaces. The encapsulating layers of the cylindrical portion each utilize at least one layer of resin-impregnated unidirectional filament material, with the primary filaments extending in the longitudinal direction to provide bending strength, and a plurality of layers of spirally wound, resin-impregnated filaments to resist shear, torsion and external and internal pressure. The core and the encapsulating layers define a bonded sandwich type of construction. The container can be supported only at its forward and rearward ends during over-the-road transportation of liquids, like presently available stainless steel containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventors: Gary R. Davis, Kevin D. Davis, Carl Christian Lee
  • Patent number: 6176070
    Abstract: A can is closed with a membrane by heat-sealing, using a packaging apparatus with an inner, heat-sealing die and an outer sealing ring displaceably located around the heat-sealing die, wherein an outer surface of the heat-sealing die and an inner surface of the sealing ring are beveled slightly, preferably by approximately two degrees, in mating fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Inventor: Werner Grabher
  • Patent number: 6174393
    Abstract: A process to produce multi-chamber packaging which comprises a tube pipe, a tube head connected to the tube pipe and a partition housed in the tube pipe comprises changing a mandrel with a partition, applying the tube pipe to the mandrel changed with the partition and bonding a tube head to the partition and the partition to the tube pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: KMK Lizence Ltd.
    Inventor: Fredy Scheifele
  • Patent number: 6153864
    Abstract: A cap sealing unit for securing foil-polymer laminate innerseals to containers has an air cooled electronics cabinet that may be sealed in accordance with NEMA 4 standards. Heat sinks in the bottom of the electronics cabinet and the top of the sealing head are cooled by two external, wash-down safe fans disposed between the cabinet and the sealing head. The fans draw air in opposite directions, one toward the cabinet and the other toward the sealing head. The cap sealer can be operated with interchangeable flat or tunnel sealing heads of various sizes and coil windings that can be connected to the power supply with plug-in shielded connector assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Enercon Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Richard R Hammen, David C Hamilton, Ronald F May
  • Patent number: 6143106
    Abstract: A fluid filter includes a cylindrical pleated filter media disposed around a central perforated support core or self-supporting. An outer support sleeve comprising a extruded nylon, diamond-shaped mesh is stretched across the pleated media, and elastically conforms to the pleat peaks to structurally retain the pleats of the pleat peaks in fixed relation to one another without mechanical or chemical connection to the pleats. Preferably, the support layer has a strand angle between 60 and 90 degrees, and a strand density sufficient to mark the element with appropriate identification indicia. End caps are disposed at opposite ends of the fluid filter. The cylindrical filter media is radially compressed through a conical tool into the outer sleeve. An inner support core or mandrel with a second conical tool is then forced into the cylindrical filter media to enlarge the media such that the outer sleeve elastically stretches and conforms to the pleat peaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce E. Shane
  • Patent number: 6126767
    Abstract: Disclosed is a novel simulated capsule medicament consisting of a solid core covered with two shrink-wrapped, hard-shell gelatin capsule halves. The solid cores are covered with the hard-shell gelatin capsule halves by individually shrink-wrapping onto first one end of the core a first hard-shell gelatin capsule half and then individually shrink-wrapping onto a second end of the core a second hard-shell gelatin capsule half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: L. Perrigo Company
    Inventors: Floyd S. Smith, Mark E. Crim
  • Patent number: 6117123
    Abstract: A flexible container is provided for the storage and mixing together of diluents and medicaments. The container incorporates multiple compartments, separated by preferentially peelable seals, in which the diluents and medicaments are stored. The container is constructed of thermoplastic materials having high oxygen and moisture barrier properties which allows the container to be stored for extended periods of time without degrading the contents. The peelable seals are ruptured by manipulation of the container to thereby mix the contents together for delivery through standard IV arrangement to a patient. The seals are constructed such that the seal between the diluent and medicament compartments is preferentially ruptured such that a liquid medicament and a diluent are always mixed before the combined solution is accessible for administration. The container is fillable with a single component liquid medicament which may be susceptible to sloshing or turbulence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: B. Braun Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Ward W. Barney, Steven L. Smith
  • Patent number: 6102978
    Abstract: A filter element which includes an annular filter media is surrounded by an external wrap in the form of preformed metal coil instead of a standard metal sleeve. The preformed metal coil has end portions in the form of circular hoops which are retained by adhesive, which adhesive is used to both seal the ends of the filter media and to retain end caps in place on the filter media. The preformed metal coil is of specific use with filter elements that are cleaned by back pulsing in industrial facilities, but is used in any situation where standard metal external sleeves are now used for filter elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: P. Gregory Butler
  • Patent number: 6095401
    Abstract: A system and method for suppression of air bubble generation in the ink supply and nozzles of an ink-containing printer cartridge when ultrasonic welding is performed on the ink-containing printer cartridge. The printer cartridge has a top end and a bottom end, and the bottom end includes at least one ink outlet for the ink within the printer cartridge. The system includes a mounting fixture having a recess for receiving and holding at least the lower end of the printer cartridge, an ultrasonic welding device for welding an article to the printer cartridge, and a fluid or liquid, such as water, collected in the bottom of the recess in sufficient quantity such that the at least one ink outlet on the bottom end of the printer cartridge is immersed in the fluid or liquid. The welding device is preferably an ultrasonic welding horn that typically welds a lid to the top end of an ink-containing printer cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Porter Bush
  • Patent number: 6080253
    Abstract: The present invention fulfills the above stated needs, as well as others, by providing a automated container sealing apparatus that automatically removes seals from a backing and applies the seals to the container. The seals are pre-cut and have a size corresponding to the size of the container. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention includes an apparatus for sealing containers, the containers defined by a generally planar sealing surface and one or more receptacles, wherein each of the one or more receptacles include an opening coplanar with and defining corresponding openings in the sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Hitch
  • Patent number: 6068717
    Abstract: There are prior art packaging tubes consisting of a tube body (11) with a prefabricated head (13) which is melted on the inner circumference of the body. This method of jointing can result in faulty, i.e. leaking tubes. According to the invention, the tube body (11) and head (13) are bonded together by means of a material section (26), e.g. plastifiable synthetic material, thus providing stable and sealed, i.e. fault-free, bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: Bernhard Andreas Schwyn
  • Patent number: 6051102
    Abstract: An opening of a flexible container is closed by a pull-tab. The wall curves when the pull-tab is applied thereto. The pull-tab follows the curving wall in the curve direction. A device for applying the pull-tab to the wall and/or a device for adhering the pull-tab to the wall are so constructed that they adapt to the changing form of the curving wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Ruediger Haaga GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Stahlecker
  • Patent number: 6048456
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing and remanufacturing a water treatment device having a media bed includes assembling a housing from a length of open pipe and a pair of end caps. One end cap is secured to each open end of the pipe. At lease two openings are formed at opposite ends of the housing. The housing is charged with media by passing the media through the openings in the housing. A pair of screens are provided in the housing outwardly of the media, and a pair of fittings are provided in the openings outwardly of the screens. The end caps may be permanently secured to the pipe, such as by an adhesive or other known techniques, prior to charging the housing with media. The water treatment device may be charged with media by forming a slurry, made up of the media and a liquid, and passing the slurry through the opening in the pipe. Liquid may then be drawn out of the housing through one of the fittings. At least one of the end caps may include a wall portion which overlaps a portion of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Palmer Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: David G. Palmer
  • Patent number: 6048421
    Abstract: An improved vertically oriented machine which is capable of forming and adhering lids to open ended fiberboard containers. The improved machine includes a lower horizontal conveyor for bringing open-ended containers into the machine; a vertical lifting section including a novel elevation mechanism for lifting the containers; a lid feeding mechanism located along the path of the vertical lifting section for providing the lids to be placed onto the containers; a set of adhesive applicators; a series of adjustable spring-mounted compression shoes including a novel frictional lid holding member located along the path of the vertical lifting section above the lid feeding mechanism for deforming the sides of the lids around the container; and an ejection mechanism for removing the lidded container from the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. White
  • Patent number: 6012503
    Abstract: An adjustable gluing apparatus for dispensing glue onto articles, such as flaps of cartons on a packaging machine. A glue dispensing head attached to a clamping block is moved along a bar by a rack and pinion gear arrangement. The bar has rack teeth, and the pinion gear and attached pinion shaft are supported by the clamping block, which has an aperture receiving the bar. Turning an adjustment knob connected to the pinion shaft adjusts the position of the clamping block relative to the bar. Rotation of the pinion shaft is selectively allowed or prevented by a locking knob threadably engaged with the pinion shaft. The clamping block is further secured to the bar by a screw in the clamping block which contacts the back side of the bar to provide teeth-engagement adjustment for the rack and pinion gear teeth. The screw has an adjusting knob and a locking knob similar to that on the pinion shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Richard E. Balder
  • Patent number: 5993921
    Abstract: A cover for sealing a munition within a canister has an inner layer of tempered glass bonded by an adhesive to an outer layer of structural foam having at least one score mark thereon. Upon launch of the munition, the inner layer of tempered glass breaks into numerous fragments which remain bonded to the outer layer of scored foam by the adhesive layer. The outer layer of foam then breaks along its score marks into two or more pieces that have pieces of the inner layer of glass bonded thereto. The pieces of foam with glass fragments bonded thereto are then blown out and away from the canister so that the munition can egress unimpeded and undamaged from the canister. A method for sealing a munition within a canister until munition launch includes the step of sealing the munition within the canister by a cover having an inner layer of tempered glass bonded by an adhesive to an outer layer of structural foam having at least one score mark thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: David Lynn Hunn