Plastically Deformable Patents (Class 493/215)
  • Patent number: 11584568
    Abstract: A bag has a recloseable fastener, a bottom and, for each side, a flap. The flap has side edges that are sealed to side edges of the bag, the flap being sized and dimensioned such that the flap lies flush against the side of the bag except when stretched or drawn apart therefrom, the flap being disposed intermediate the recloseable fastener and the bottom. The fastener is adapted such that the amount of force necessary to separate the components, when such force is applied to interiors of the walls at a position between the fastener and the bottom and adjacent the fastener, is greatly exceed by the amount of force necessary to separate the components: when such force is applied to the walls adjacent the upper edge; and when such force is applied to the free edges of the flaps. The bag can be produced either on a pouch machine or a sideweld bag machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: BAGEM PACKAGING SERVICES INC.
    Inventor: Glenn Johnston
  • Patent number: 11577472
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing a zipper closure to polymeric film using minimal tension on the zipper closure includes providing first and second tension control loops, an eyemark detector, and a hole punch programmed to punch a hole in the zipper closure upon detection of the eyemark. The zipper closure and the film are supplied to a sealing station at the same speed, and the hole zipper closure is aligned with the eyemark on the film, to result in sealing the strip of zipper closure to the film resulting in minimal wrinkles to the resulting bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Reynolds Presto Products Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Soller, Carlos Chapek, Zachary Thompson, Aaron Wells, Gregory Heckman
  • Patent number: 9108422
    Abstract: An apparatus useful in the assembly of printer cartridges includes a plurality of accumulator bags removeably secured to a carrier sheet. Each accumulator bag includes a first polymer film panel and a second polymer film panel welded together to form a pressurizable chamber with an aperture formed in the bag to provide access to the pressurizable chamber. An annular adhesive element is secured to each bag such that an aperture of the annular adhesive element is generally concentric with the aperture of the accumulator bag. The carrier sheet includes an upper adhesive stripe, a lower adhesive stripe, and a silicone stripe. The plurality of accumulator bags is removeably secured to the carrier sheet by adhering an upper portion of each bag to the upper adhesive stripe, adhering a lower portion of each bag to the lower adhesive stripe, and positioning the annular adhesive element in contact with the silicone stripe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: CCL Label, Inc.
    Inventors: John Walsh, Dirk Lovelace, Vance P. Mattison, Paul Janousek
  • Publication number: 20150010252
    Abstract: A package having a recloseable pour spout is disclosed, with the package including front and rear package panels which may be joined at respective side edges thereof by inwardly extending side gussets. An upper edge portion of the package is removable, including one of the side gussets, to form a pour spout for dispensing the contents of the package. A fastener strip, which can be detachably connected to itself, extends between confronting inside surfaces of the front and rear package panels, adjacent to the pour spout, whereby the pour spout can be conveniently closed after the package is initially opened. A method of forming the present package is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: James W. Yeager
  • Publication number: 20130259406
    Abstract: A flexible food package comprises a bottom end, a top end, and a side wall incorporating a twistable portion having increased dead fold characteristics than adjacent portions of the side wall. The twistable portion has at least a first section and a second section each having a maximum width and joined by at least a third section having a minimum width less than the maximum width of each of the first and second sections. The third section is configured to permit the first and second sections to twist about the third section. The twistable portion is configured to twist together with adjacent portions of the side wall to restrict access to an access opening formed after opening of the top end. A method of manufacturing reclosable flexible packages including twistable portions is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Thad J. Fisher, Charles W. Halgren
  • Patent number: 8182407
    Abstract: A package having a recloseable pour spout is disclosed, with the package including front and rear package panels which may be joined at respective side edges thereof by inwardly extending side gussets. An upper edge portion of the package is removable, including one of the side gussets, to form a pour spout for dispensing the contents of the package. A fastener strip, which can be detachably connected to itself, extends between confronting inside surfaces of the front and rear package panels, adjacent to the pour spout, whereby the pour spout can be conveniently closed after the package is initially opened. The package can include a longitudinal seal which extends from adjacent the pour spout to overlap the fastener strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Innoflex Incorporated
    Inventor: James W. Yeager
  • Publication number: 20120053037
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a security zipper and bag, or one-time closable zipper and bag, and methods of manufacture thereof, wherein the zipper includes double zipper profiles with a layer or strip of adhesive positioned between the two interlocking elements of one of the zipper profiles. Upon the one-time closing of the zipper, the adhesive secures the two double zipper profiles together and prevents a subsequent opening of the zipper or bag without leaving evidence of such opening, such as damage to the zipper or bag. Alternately, adhesive can be provided within the female profiles, with a liner over the adhesive to prevent premature activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Olechowski, Eric Plourde, Robert C. Stolmeier, Kenny E. McCracken, Lawrence Share, Owen J. McGarel, David J. Anzini, Paul Michael Jenkins, Steven Ausnit
  • Patent number: 8012075
    Abstract: A tamper evident package has a first wall and a second wall facing the first wall. A zipper is provided at a top of the package. The first and second walls include portions that extend over the zipper and the first wall extension portion has a line of weakness that extends parallel to the zipper. A peel seal joins the first wall and the second wall above the interlocking members of the profiles and sections of the first and second walls extend beyond the peel seal. If the zipper has a slider, a pocket is formed in one of the walls to accommodate the slider. The slider pocket extends parallel to the zipper. Methods of forming the package on various types of form, fill and seal equipment as well as the equipment are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Schneider, Donald L. Crevier, Patricia I. Norek
  • Patent number: 7993256
    Abstract: A bag formed of a sheet material adapted to be filled with contents and opened at the top for taking out the contents. The bag has fused joints along the lateral edges thereof. A plastically deformable wire-like member is attached inside the fused joints over a length from the output opening side portion to the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Takita, Hiroshi Yashima, Michiaki Fujita, Tomoaki Shimazu, Motomitsu Hasumi, Hiroshi Nishimura, Tadashi Saito
  • Publication number: 20100331158
    Abstract: A method and machine for applying a closure to a series of pouches includes a conveyor extending at least partially through the machine, first and second (optional) infeed modules, a culling module (optional), a replacement infeed module (optional) and a closure module (optional). The infeed modules feed pouches to the conveyor. The culling module includes a sensor that senses an undesired pouch in the series of pouches, and a rejection module that culls the undesired pouch in response thereto. The replacement infeed module feeds a replacement pouch into the gap left by the undesired pouch. The conveyor may be at least partially an intermittent conveyor. The infeed modules may be in a plane with the conveyor. The closure module may be a recloseable closure module, a zipper closure module or a slider closure module. The culling module may be part of each infeed module, and/or distributed over several locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: CMD Corporation
    Inventors: Scott R. Grasse, Daniel J. Moran
  • Publication number: 20100272379
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to a multilayer stretchy drawstring and methods of making the same. The drawstring of the disclosed subject matter is a stretched multilayer coextruded or laminated film that offers good balance between easy stretching at low strain and high strain hardening at high strain. The multilayer film includes a first layer of elastomeric polymer and second and third layers of thermoplastic polymer and is stretched beyond the deformation limit of the thermoplastic polymer and allowed to recover. This novel drawstring can be incorporated into a bag to enable the bag to be securely fitted to the upper portion of a trash container while not interfering with the intrinsic strength and operation of the drawstring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Yu Hu, Thomas A. White, David V. Dobreski
  • Publication number: 20100152010
    Abstract: Reclosable bags, plastic film for making the bags, and a method and apparatus for making the bags are disclosed. The bag has a reclosable fastener (26) connected to a single wall of the bag, and the film (55) has a reclosable fastener (26) connected to one side thereof which does not require attachment to any other portion of the film (55) when making a bag. The fastener (26) has a tamper-proof member attached thereto to indicate if the bag has been previously opened. The film (55) can be wound into a roll (54) suitable for use on conventional bag making machines including form, fill, and seal machines or a chain of coilable reclosable bags can be produced therefrom since the fasteners (26) are connected to the web preferably transversely to the bags longitudinal formation axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventor: James W. Yeager
  • Patent number: 7731646
    Abstract: A reclosable fastener (10) comprising a two-part body and a single flange (16) is located between two webs (34) of material from which a bag is to be made on a form-fill-seal machine. The fastener is attached initially to the inside of one web (34) by the flange (16). The combination passes between sealing jaws (44) to seal the webs to the fastener at thickened zones (30) at the margins of the body By making the body compact, and by using sealing jaws (44) which are longer than the body, the webs (34) form around the ends of the fastener body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Murray Edward Bruce Leighton
  • Patent number: 7695419
    Abstract: A tape with a zipper member and a bag film are continuously moved by rotation of a rotary drum while being overlaid with each other such that the tape travels in a tape introducing groove for a tape with a zipper member, the groove formed along a circumferential direction of the rotary drum. The tape with the zipper member is continuously welded to the bag film on a circumferential surface of the rotary drum by a seal bar that has a welding surface in a curved shape corresponding to a circumferential surface shape of the rotary drum. A heat-insulation portion is provided on at least one of the tape body of the tape and the rotary drum so that heat applied from the seal bar to the tape with the zipper member is prevented from transferring to the rotary drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Idemitsu Unitech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Goto, Kenichi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7674220
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for the attachment of a zipper to a reclosable package or bag, particular packages or bags of relatively larger sizes. Pinch rollers separate the flanges of the zipper so that the interior walls of the flanges are pointing upward, then hot-melt adhesive is sprayed downwardly onto the flanges. The zipper is then guided over the edge of the horizontally-oriented package or bag by a tube with a longitudinal slot. The package or bag, with the zipper attached, is engaged between a driven-belt apparatus with a nip formed between opposed belts, thereby applying consistent and even pressure to the zipper flanges and assuring that the hot-melt adhesive forms a bond which is consistent, reliable and strong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Clifton R. Howell, David C. Wallace, Adam N. Caplan
  • Patent number: 7549954
    Abstract: A foldable plastic slider for straddling relation with a plastic fastener includes first and second profiles. The straddling slider is adapted to close or open the fastener by movement therealong. The slider comprises a transverse support member, first and second legs, first and second separating fingers, and first and second wings. The transverse support member includes first and second opposing sides, an interior surface, and an outer surface. The first and second legs depend from the respective first and second opposing sides of the support member. The first separating finger extends from the interior surface of the support member. The first separating finger is adapted to open the first and second profiles. The second separating finger extends from the interior surface of the support member. The first and second wings are hingedly attached to the respective first and second opposing sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventor: James S. Blythe
  • Publication number: 20090154843
    Abstract: A zipper closure for a polymeric package includes a plurality of profile members on a first polymeric surface, where one and not more than one of these plurality of profile members is colored differently from the remaining profile members on the same polymeric surface. The differently colored profile members provide a visual reference for properly orienting the zipper closure to the polymeric packaging during manufacture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: TIMOTHY JAMES MAY
  • Patent number: 7465265
    Abstract: A method for installing a closure in the mouth of a pre-made flexible bag. The closure may, for example, be a shrouded plastic zipper with or without a slider. The bag may, for example, have side gussets. In the disclosed embodiment, the bag is made using a laminated material comprising an interior layer of thermoplastic material and a non-interior layer of non-thermoplastic material, such as paper. The package is made by a method comprising the following steps: method for providing a bag with a closure, comprising the following steps: (a) slitting the bag along first and second lines so that a top marginal portion of one wall of the bag disposed between the first and second lines forms a flap; (b) folding back the flap to uncover a topmost portion of the other wall; (c) joining one side of a closure to at least a portion of the topmost portion of the other wall uncovered by step (b); and (d) joining a portion of the flap to the other side of the closure after steps (a)-(c) have been performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Edwin Hinesley
  • Patent number: 7410453
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus wherein webless zipper is provided with concave seal bridges. These concave seal bridges are complementary in shape to convex sealing bars. This captures or positions the seal bridges of the zipper profiles resulting in improved alignment of the profiles and improved performance of the manufacturing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Fenzl, Gregory Crunkleton
  • Patent number: 7300395
    Abstract: A retaining element for use with elastic sheet material is disclosed. In one form, the sheet material can be provided as a bag (100) having first and second side walls (102, 104). The retaining element can be in the form of an elastic strip attached to one of the side walls. The retaining strip (120) can comprise a heat-unstable activatable material such that it can be applied to the bag in a deadened condition wherein the strip is set and subsequently heated to transition to an activated condition wherein the retaining element is elasticized to provide an elasticized article which can have a shirred appearance. The retaining element can have various configurations and can be activated by various methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: The Glad Products Company
    Inventors: Greg W. Sleight, Amit Shah, John Rusnak, Jack Melvan, Timonthy LaRocque
  • Patent number: 7137942
    Abstract: The closure device (121) includes interlocking fastening strips (130, 131) and a slider (132) slidably disposed on the fastening strips for facilitating the occlusion and deocclusion of the fastening strips (130, 131) when moved towards first and second ends thereof. A slider (132) is provided for facilitating the attachment of the slider (132) onto the fastening strips (130, 131) in the horizontal X axis (102). The slider (132) provides resistance against the removal of the slider (132) from the fastening strips (130, 131) in the horizontal X axis (102) and the vertical Z axis (106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: The Glad Products Company
    Inventors: Alan F. Savicki, John C. Ware
  • Patent number: 7077796
    Abstract: Provided is a plastic bag including a live elastic strip that, in the elastic strip's normal condition, contracts thereby constricting an opening of the bag to assist in retaining the bag to an object. The elastic strip includes a first region that is continuously attached to a sidewall of the bag between a first side edge and a second side edge of the bag and a second region that remains unattached to the sidewall. The attached region does not contract but instead forces the portion of the sidewall to which it is attached to pucker into a serpentine path. The unattached region does contract causing the portion of the sidewall to which it is adjacent to bunch together. Also provided is a method for manufacturing a plastic bag that involves stretching a live elastic tape and continuously attaching a region of the stretched tape to a web of plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: The Glad Products Company
    Inventors: John Rusnak, Jeff Shoemaker, Amit Shah, Scott O'Hara
  • Patent number: 6669615
    Abstract: A hinge is disclosed for a plastic film. This film has a predetermined thickness sufficient for the plastic film to remain planar in an absence of a first bending moment applied across the plastic film. The hinge includes at least one linear groove configured in the plastic film to reduce the predetermined thickness of the plastic film at the linear groove. The hinge permits preferential hinging of the plastic film at the linear groove responsive to a bending moment at the linear groove across the plastic film less than the first bending moment. The linear groove has insufficient depth to sever the plastic film and enables the hinge film to retain sufficient remaining thickness at the linear groove to permit hinging and not tearing of the plastic film at the linear groove. When the hinge is placed across a plastic film, and the film bent at the hinge, the film defines a first panel and a second panel with each panel disposed at an angle to one another at the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Bob DeMatteis Co.
    Inventor: Robert B. DeMatteis
  • Patent number: 6568150
    Abstract: Apparatus for making packages having interlocking closures from a web of film, the closure having male and female portions and being formed in line with or transversely to the direction of film flow. A converter fanfolds the film into spaced apart stacks of heat sealed together layers. Abrading means abrade one surface of each strip to remove the thermoplastic coating. A package former forms packages having longitudinal seals, and places strip portions in apposed position. The package ends are sealed and the locking closure is formed in the strip. The locking closure female portion is formed in the face including the longitudinal seal. In another embodiment the strip inner and outer parts of the resealable closure are separately formed before package formation. Alternatively, layering is done by heat sealing a strip of heat sealable material to the packaging film. Optionally formed in the resealable closure are hinges and reinforcing V-notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Sealstrip Corporation
    Inventor: Harold M Forman
  • Patent number: 6519917
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making gusseted packages having openable and reclosable interlocking seals, the seals having male and female portions, snap detents, and formed transversely to the direction of film flow. The packaging film is provided at package length intervals with thermoformable strips secured thereto transversely to the running length of the film, and is fed to a modified standard vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine with gussets forming tooling where the film is formed into a bag with the thermoformable strips inside at the upper end of the bag, product deposited into the bag, the bag sealed, the reclosable interlocking seal formed, and the bag severed from the next bag being formed. The reclosable seal provides auditory and tactile indications of seal closing. Some packages are formed with the thermoformable strips in the gusset, and some are formed with the gusset free of strip material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sealstrip Corporation
    Inventor: Harold M Forman
  • Patent number: 6517660
    Abstract: A method of forming a reclosable gusseted bag is disclosed wherein a carrier tape webs having discrete sections of mating profile separated by profile free sections is introduced between two bag walls and sealed to the bag wall tops or adjacent thereto. The carrier tape webs are sealed to the bag wall films and cross seals are made in the bag wall films and carrier tape webs through the profile free sections. Side gussets are formed by pushing a part of the bag walls and the profile free sections of the carrier tape web between the profiles so that when the bag is closed a part of the gussets are captured between the mated profiles. A bottom gusset is formed in the bag bottom and a peel seal may be provided below the profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Ausnit
  • Patent number: 6516850
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying strip fastener elements or zippers to web material includes an unwind stand holding a roll of film material, an infeed dancer arrangement of rollers, a zipper apparatus which conditions zipper material, cuts zippers and delivers zippers to a zipper feed apparatus. The zipper feed apparatus loads zippers into a sealing platen of a rotating turret. The rotating turret carries the zippers successively to a position adjacent a surface of the film and a seal bar presses the film to successive zippers to seal the zippers thereto while a new zipper is being received in a sealing platen of the turret at a loading station at a rotational position at a distance from the sealing station. The film with zippers attached is drawn downstream of the turret to a rewind dancer roll assembly and thereafter to a rewind stand for winding into a roll of zippered film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Hudson-Sharp Machine Co.
    Inventors: Gerry J. Blohowiak, Peter J. Hatchell, Sean Kevin Lemerand, Ernest H. Teske, Scott C. Romenesko
  • Patent number: 6510673
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing tube-shaped packages made of flexible material, characterized in that an annular portion is pushed inward in a U-shaped arrangement at at least one closed end of a tube-shaped package, said annular portion being at least partially heat-sealed to the remaining part of the package at facing portions thereof. An apparatus for carrying out the method. A package obtained with the method and the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: BP Europack S.p.A.
    Inventors: Sergio Visona′, Giorgio Trani, Marion Sterner
  • Patent number: 6350340
    Abstract: Methods, an apparatus and a system in which reclosable bags and components thereof are formed are disclosed. The reclosable bags are made from base web material that has transversely applied fastener tape segments thereon. The web material is used in a vertical form, fill and seal bag forming method. The method includes the steps of supplying across the web a continuous strip of tape, having male and female fastener profiles thereon, for sealing thereto. In one embodiment a continuous strip of barrier material, and a continuous strip of fastener having first and second interlocked fastener profile strips are positioned on the continuous strip of tape; and secured thereon, the barrier tape is folded to obtain a fold and two opposing barrier tape fastener strip connecting portions; and, the fold is slit to form two separate continuous strips of barrier material strips and two continuous strips of tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6251209
    Abstract: Methods, an apparatus and a system in which reclosable bags and components thereof are formed are disclosed. The reclosable bags 2001 are made from base web material that has transversely applied fastener tape segments thereon. The web material is used in a vertical form, fill and seal bag forming method. The method includes the steps of supplying a continuous strip of tape, having male and female fasteners profiler across the web for sealing thereon. In one embodiment a continuous strip of barrier material, and a continuous strip of fastener having first and second interlocked fastener profile strips are positioned on the continuous strip of tape; and secured thereon, the barrier tape is folded to obtain a fold and two opposing barrier tape fastener strip connecting portions; and, the fold is slit to form two separate continuous strips of barrier material strips and two continuous strips of tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6095960
    Abstract: When manufacturing bags from tubular paper sections of a single layer or multiple layers, at least one end of each flat, tubular section is expanded into a bottom square. Lateral flaps formed in this way are folded such that they overlap and partially cover corner flaps. In order to easily bond expanded bottom squares together, the regions of the tubular sections which are to be bonded together are provided with coatings of thermoplastic which are heated and pressed together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Windmoller Holscher
    Inventor: Fritz Achelpohl
  • Patent number: 5989172
    Abstract: When manufacturing bags from tubular paper sections of a single layer or multiple layers, at least one end of each flat, tubular section is expanded into a bottom square. Lateral flaps formed in this way are folded such that they overlap and partially cover corner flaps. In order to easily bond expanded bottom squares together, the regions of the tubular sections which are to be bonded together are provided with coatings of thermoplastic which are heated and pressed together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Windmoeller & Hoelscher
    Inventor: Fritz Achelpohl
  • Patent number: 5968310
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making continuous rolls of a thin laminate composite that is ideally suited for the large scale production of reclosable bags which can be used for sealably packaging a wide variety of articles, including food products. The bags of the invention, after being opened, can quickly and easily be closed by rolling the open end downwardly upon itself in a manner to sealably deform one or more inelastic, malleable metal filaments which are interconnected with at least one of the laminate side walls of the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: James E. Brunton
    Inventor: Donald Clark
  • Patent number: 5783012
    Abstract: A resealable flexible thermoplastic bag including a front wall and a back wall, said walls being joined along the major portions of their opposite longitudinal edges and bottom; an open mouth adjacent to the top edge of said bag; a closure near the open mouth of said bag including an adhesive strip affixed to a first inner surface of one of a front wall or rear wall of a bag at a preselected distance from the opening of the bag; and a flap member strip affixed to a second inner surface of one of a front wall or rear wall of a bag at a preselected distance from the opening of the bag; said flap member of said bag being pressable against and into said adhesive strip on said first inner surface, whereby a seal is formed by contacting said adhesive strip with said flap member of said second inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: DowBrands L.P.
    Inventors: Jose Porchia, Brian C. Dais
  • Patent number: 5776044
    Abstract: A method of making continuous rolls of a thin laminate composite that is ideally suited for the large scale production of reclosable bags which can be used for sealably packaging a wide variety of articles, including food products. The bags of the invention, after being opened, can quickly and easily be closed by rolling the open end downwardly upon itself in a manner to sealably deform one or more inelastic, malleable metal filaments which are encapsulated within at least one of the laminate side walls of the bag. The novel laminate composite material produced by the method of the invention comprises first and second thin layers of film between which one or more length of the thin malleable metal filaments are sealably encapsulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Donald Clark
  • Patent number: 5776045
    Abstract: A machine for attaching a reclosable fastener to a web of flexible material primarily intended for use with a host packaging machine to form a reclosable container. The fastener attaching machine includes a motor that indexes the flexible material along a path through the fastener attaching machine. A cutting device disposed along the path forms a cut through a predetermined segment of the flexible material. A fastener supply means provides reclosable fasteners having distal ends and a predetermined length to an endless belt that conveys each fastener to a fusing means that respectively melts and cools the distal ends of each fastener. The endless belt then conveys the fused fastener to a sealing means that seals the reclosable fastener in overlying relation to the cut formed in the flexible web of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Lakeland Micro, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Bodolay, Michael J. Bodolay
  • Patent number: 5769772
    Abstract: A package having multiple seals in close proximity is set forth. At least one of the seals is accomplished through the use of a polar polymer that bonds to an opposing panel in the package when exposed to an alternative electromagnetic field. The strength of the sealing can be controlled by the type and the amount of the polar polymer that is present as well as the field strength of the electromagnetic radiation, and its duration. The region to be sealed by the electromagnetic radiation can also be precisely controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging Inc.
    Inventor: Jay M. Wiley
  • Patent number: 5573614
    Abstract: A method for stabilizing and aligning interlocked male and female profiles of a plastic zipper strip during attachment of the strip to a polymeric film requires the use of profiles having stabilizers, perhaps taking the form of wedges. The stabilizers, disposed in pairs on each side of the interlocked male and female members of the profiles, mechanically cooperate with one another to maintain the profiles substantially parallel to one another and incapable of rocking about a longitudinal axis. The stabilizers on the male profile may be inboard, outboard or at the same distance from the interlocked male and female members as their respective stabilizers on the female profile. The facing surfaces of the stabilizers may be inclined so as to provide a wedging action with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Minigrip, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Tilman, Richmond M. Scott, Zdenek Machacek
  • Patent number: 5558613
    Abstract: A method for substantially reducing the variance in results obtained in pull tests on reclosable plastic bags, wherein the forces needed to open the bags from within and from without are measured and compared, by controlling the attachment point of the bag wall to the base of the zipper profile requires the use of selectively placed preferential seal areas. These seal areas are provided by disposing an interlayer between each profile and its respective bag wall. The interlayers include a strip of material having a lower melting point than those of the profiles and the bag walls and having a preselected width greater than any possible lateral displacement, or "float", of the profiles that may occur in the sealing apparatus. Where the strip does not take up the entire width of the interlayer, it has a preselected, constant width and runs parallel to the zipper profiles. The lower melting point of the material of the strip, and the width of the strip, ensure that the seal location on the profiles remains fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Minigrap, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Tilman, Richmond M. Scott, Zdenek Machacek
  • Patent number: 5529659
    Abstract: The two separable elements of a conventional plastic zipper are advanced through a zipper guide slot from the inlet to the outlet end of a machine, simultaneously with two sections of a plastic film or web, one section of which overlies one of the zipper elements, and the other section of which overlies the other zipper element. Intermittently two jaws are advanced toward the web sections to squeeze them against opposite sides of the zipper, at which time a pair of registering hot bars that are resiliently mounted on the jaws adjacent the inlet end of the machine fuse each web section to a different one of the two zipper elements. At the same time, a pair of cold bars carried by the jaws adjacent the outlet end of the machine engage and cool portions of web sections which were previously fused to the two zipper elements. Idler rolls inclined to the zipper guide slot retain the folded web tautly over opposite sides of the zipper guide slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Proven Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Ellsworth, David Z. Dike, David I. Laber
  • Patent number: 5405478
    Abstract: Plastic-film zipper bags having tubular plastic end stops bonded to the plastic zipper to seal the ends of the zipper and to provide stops to retain a slider on the zipper are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of installing the tubular plastic end stops on the zipper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Dale S. Richardson, Roger W. Smith
  • Patent number: 5322579
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing reclosable plastic bags or packages, wherein sections of zipper profiles are pre-softened at intervals equal in length to the width of the bags or packages to be manufactured. The pre-softening enables the zipper profiles to be fused together and completely flattened when a seal bar clamps thereacross to form a side seal area transverse to the zipper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Van Erden
  • Patent number: 5188580
    Abstract: An in-line machine for attaching elongated, flexible closure tie elements to the individual bag portions of a laterally folded plastic film web being continuously discharged from a bag forming station, and being forcibly captured by a winder mechanism, engages and drives the moving web toward the winder mechanism by means of mutually spaced inlet, central and outlet drive rollers. During operation of the machine, first and second slack portions of the film web are respectively positioned between the inlet and central rollers, and between the central and outlet rollers. These slack portions are held in vertically looped configurations by a downwardly directed, yielding vacuum force applied thereto. The inlet and outlet rollers are driven at identical speeds corresponding to the constant linear film web output speed from the bag forming station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: John C. Marrelli
    Inventors: Gary L. Rutledge, Edgar R. Pitcher
  • Patent number: 5186705
    Abstract: An approved method and apparatus for forming clasp envelopes. The apertures extending through the top and bottom panels of the envelope body and the clasp receiving aperture extending through the top flap are formed after the envelope has been completely assembled save for the folding of the top flap for shipping. This ensures that the apertures extending through the top and bottom panels of the envelope body are in perfect registration. Reinforcement tape is applied on the top flap of the envelope, through which the aperture in the top flap extends, after the envelopes have been cut from the continuous strip of envelope blanks. This ensures that the cutting device used to sever the continuous strip into individual envelopes must cut only paper, thus improving longevity of the cutting device, and allows a single punch device to be used to form the hole and the apertures. Additionally, the method and apparatus employ an improved device for applying the clasp to the back panel of the envelope body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Winkler & Dunnebier
    Inventor: Alfred Doderer-Winkler
  • Patent number: 5155967
    Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous packaging of flexible bags is adapted for use with a continuous bag manufacturing machine. Separate bags are received on a conveyor which conveys the bags to a stacking station at the end of the conveyor. At the stacking station, the bags are stacked in a catch tray until a predetermined number of bags have been collected, at which point the tray is opened to drop the bags into an open container supported on a turntable beneath the catch tray. The turntable is rotatable to convey the open container away from the stacking station to an unloading station when the container has been filled with bags. The turntable rotatably supports a number of support plates evenly distributed around the perimeter of the turntable, upon which an open container sits. A multi-motion actuator situated at the stacking station underneath the turntable is operable to rotate the support plate at the stacking station relative to the turntable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: KCL Corporation
    Inventor: Mark E. Branson
  • Patent number: 5116301
    Abstract: A double zipper pouch having first and second pockets adjacent one another and with a common wall portion, each pocket having an opening for receiving contents such as identification papers. The first and second pockets are formed so that their openings are displaced relative to one another. Pressure actuated resealable fasteners are disposed adjacent the openings in each of the first and second pockets. First and second indicators are also disposed adjacent the openings to provide an indication of the location of the associated opening. The indicators are preferably different from one another so as to provide an identification for the associated pocket. An adhesive material is formed on the back of the first pocket for affixing the pouch to, for example, a package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: LPS Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Robinson, William R. Stadick, Thomas L. Clawges, Thomas P. Minogue
  • Patent number: 5088971
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for making end terminations for a plastic reclosable fastener or zipper, which incorporates a stop for the zipper slider wherein the zipper profile is cut apart with a hot knife which forces the melted material into cavities forming the end stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Fox J. Herrington
  • Patent number: 5045042
    Abstract: A series of bags are fabricated using a continuous, high-speed bag-forming process in which an elongated section of flattened film tubing is longitudinally conveyed toward a receiving station in which the formed bags are suitable packaged. As the flattened tube is moved toward the receiving station, elongated plastic film tie elements are sequentially formed and welded along relatively large area end portions thereof to at least two layers of a side edge portion of the flattened tube at longitudinally spaced locations thereon adjacent the upper end locations of the individual bags, the resulting free end portions of the tie elements overlying the flattened tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: John C. Marrelli
    Inventor: Gary L. Rutledge
  • Patent number: 4994010
    Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for the attachment of clasps on letter envelopes incorporated into a machine for the manufacture of letter envelopes. The clasps, at the conclusion of the folding operation of the envelope machine, following the folding down of the lateral flaps of the envelope, are attached to the newly formed back sides of the letter envelopes. The apparatus is arranged for this purpose at the downstream end of a lateral folding mechanism of the envelope machine and includes a stationary opposing support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Winkler & Dunnebier Maschinenfabrik und Eisengiesserei KG
    Inventor: Alfred Doderer-Winkler
  • Patent number: RE34117
    Abstract: A composite laboratory specimen bag (A) and method is illustrated which includes folded tubing (D) having a releasable lock (26) for forming a first fluid-tight compartment (B) for containing a laboratory specimen container. J-folded sheeting (E) with a reverse flip (46) forms a second compartment (C) for containing associated paper work. The tubing and sheeting are heat sealed together across a web (32) of the tubing to form a closed top composite bag with side mouth openings (24,48) for the compartments. A protective plate (62) avoids damage to the lock during the heat sealing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: International Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Martin, Jonathan T. McClure