Severing Of Container Or Container Blank From Web Patents (Class 493/239)
  • Patent number: 11390051
    Abstract: A plurality of pouch containers are continuously manufactured from materials including: a plurality of separate-type tubular film members each including a portion to be formed as a barrel portion; and a single first belt-shaped film member and a single second belt-shaped film member each including a plurality of portions each to be formed as a gusset portion. The step of closing an opening end of each of the separate-type tubular film members includes: supplying the belt-shaped film member to the opening end by conveying the belt-shaped film member in parallel with the separate-type tubular film members at the same speed as a conveyance speed of the separate-type tubular film members, to cause the belt-shaped film member to overlap with an opened joining margin of each of the separate-type tubular film members; and joining the joining margin to a portion of the belt-shaped film member that overlaps with the joining margin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: FUJI SEAL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Tadashi Takano, Masahiro Kaminaga
  • Patent number: 11351748
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible package-forming machine for horizontal packaging and method of manufacturing flexible packages. The proposed forming machine consists of an unwinding unit (11), a perforating unit (12), a folding unit (14), a welding unit (16), and a cutting unit (17), wherein a compensating unit (13) is further included intercalated between the perforating unit (12) and the folding unit (14), linking a section with intermittent forward movement (S1) of the flexible band (1) where the flexible band moves in an intermittent manner and including the perforating unit, and a section with continuous forward movement (S2) where the flexible band moves in a continuous manner and including the folding unit, flexible band being accumulated in said compensating unit during the forward movement of the section with intermittent forward movement (S1) and the accumulation being reduced during breaks in the forward movement of the section with intermittent forward movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Inventor: Francisco Mora Flores
  • Patent number: 11352158
    Abstract: An exemplary web of preformed bags includes first and second layers, first and second side, first and second side seals proximate the first and second edges, a plurality of transverse seals extending between the first and second side edges, an opening in the first layer, and a line of separation in the second layer, and first and second cuts in the first and second side seals. The first and second cuts are configured to reduce or eliminate a breaking force necessary to break the first and second side seals when the web is torn along the line of separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: John M. Stock
  • Patent number: 11167871
    Abstract: Several blister packs are picked simultaneously from pick positions, where they are arranged next to each other in a first row, moved, and placed simultaneously in several place positions. In the place positions, the blister packs are also arranged next to each other in a second row, which is parallel to the first row of the blister packs in the pick positions. The blister packs are placed in the place positions with a rotation of 180° around their centers in comparison to their orientation in the pick positions. The second row of blister packs in the place positions is laterally offset in the direction of the second row relative to the first row of blister packs in the pick positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernd Haehnel, Sebastian Binder
  • Patent number: 11156969
    Abstract: Disclosed is a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program includes instructions to perform following steps for data processing when the computer program is executed by one or more processors, the steps including: recognizing at least one continuous section from each raw data subset; determining at least one serialization point, based on a start point and an end point of each of the at least one continuous section for each of the raw data subset; and generating a training data set by generating serialized training data, based on the at least one serialization point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: MAKINAROCKS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byungchan Kim, Jongsun Shinn, Sangwoo Shim, Sungho Yoon
  • Publication number: 20140323281
    Abstract: A bag making machine and method automatically produces bags upon demand by feeding, sealing and cutting a tubular film. The bag is fully released upon formation to allow the formed bag to be freely removed from the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Robin G. Thurgood, Brian C. Bowerman
  • Patent number: 8777826
    Abstract: Plastic bags are successively made by intermittently feeding upper and lower panel material webs that are temporarily fixed to side gusset material layers. The webs are joined along a joint line. One web is folded along a first line spaced from the joint line to open the webs and form a surface on the webs. One gusset layer is folded along the first line to open the gusset layers along with an auxiliary gusset portion and form a surface on the layers of the auxiliary gusset portion. One web is turned along a turned line formed between the joint line and the first line to make a turned portion formed in one web and superimposed on the surfaces. The other web is folded along a second line spaced from the joint line to make a folded portion in the other web and superposed on the surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Totani Corporation
    Inventor: Mikio Totani
  • Patent number: 8613183
    Abstract: A mandrel assembly for use in shrink sleeve labeler machines includes a replaceable insert having a cutting slot that is spaced apart from both upper and lower elements of the mandrel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Axon LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth F. Nyren
  • Publication number: 20130210595
    Abstract: A packaging apparatus including a rotary jaw device, the rotary jaw device comprising an elongate holder, an elongate knife mounted on and projecting outwardly from the elongate holder, the knife having an elongate cutting edge parallel to a plane of the knife, and at least one part of a heat seal device located on the elongate holder on opposed sides of the knife. A packaging method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Frito-Lay Trading Company GmbH
    Inventor: Mark Tilley
  • Publication number: 20130139473
    Abstract: A flexible side-gusseted package and methods of making the same are disclosed. The package has a central longitudinal axis, a front panel, a back panel, and a pair of gusseted side panels. The front panel is secured to the gusseted side panels along a pair of side seal lines. The back panel is secured to the gusseted side panels along a pair of side seal lines. Each of the seal lines includes a pair of end portions and an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion, e.g., a concave recessed portion, of each side seal line is located closer to the central longitudinal axis than the end portions of the side seal lines to provide a package which is somewhat necked-down at its middle, to facilitate grasping of the package by users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Fres-co System USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Fres-co System USA, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130040796
    Abstract: The invention describes a device for generating hose sections, which comprise paper, to produce bags which comprise at least one unwinding device by which a web can be wound off a roll, as well as a perforation device by which at least perforations can be inserted into the web extending perpendicular in reference to the travel direction of the web, as well as a hose forming device which is arranged downstream in the production process in reference to at least one perforation device and by which the edges of the web can be made to overlap to form a hose, as well as a separating device for hose sections. The perforation device comprises at least one laser beam device by which at least one laser beam can be guided to the web in order to insert perforations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventor: Joerg Christian Thies
  • Publication number: 20120275729
    Abstract: The present invention teaches a new apparatus and process for manufacturing mesh bags using a tube cloth. The apparatus and process involve supplying a continuous tube cloth and at least one band with preprinted labels, propping up the tube cloth with a dynamic guiding assembly, attaching the preprinted labels to the tube cloth using hot melted adhesive or heat sealing methods and manufacturing a product from the tube cloth with the horizontal preprinted labels, and attaching plastic film to the tube mesh cloth. The invention also teaches a dynamic guiding assembly which can be used to punch holes on the tube cloth with heating press and avoid attaching of two opposite sides of the tube cloth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Hsiehyueh Wang LIANG, Cheng Chun Chris Liang
  • Patent number: 7966788
    Abstract: A method and a device for packaging product portions in a wrapper are proposed, wherein at least two webs of a packaging material are aligned parallel, with the longitudinal edges facing each other overlapping, and each transported towards one upwardly open folding shaft, the webs are severed transverse to the overlapping longitudinal edges, creating flat blanks of the wrappers, and the blanks are folded into the folding shaft , creating an upwardly open wrapper, whereupon the product portion is placed in the open wrappers and the upwardly protruding sections of the wrappers are then turned inward while overlapping. The blanks, whose inner edges overlap, are guided in frictional engagement to their folding position above the folding shafts, whereupon the longitudinal edges of the overlapping blanks facing each other are, lifted together , whereupon the blanks are released by releasing the frictional engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Benz & Hilgers GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Josef Rütter
  • Patent number: 7861493
    Abstract: An apparatus for filling tubes with piles of disc-shaped articles, such as pills, comprising: two functional elements (5h, 5j), hinged at a horizontal axis (K) and mobile between a loading region (C), in which the functional elements (5h, 5j) provide at least a corresponding seating (6) for receiving and retaining a relative pill (3) released by a plurality of supply units (1), and a disengagement region (D) of the pill (3), at which the functional elements (5h, 5j) are rotated by ninety degrees and cooperate with gripping organs (11); the gripping organs (11) being mobile in a vertical direction in order to gather the pill (3) borne by the functional elements (5h, 5j) into the relative disengagement region (D), and to release the pill (3) internally of a corresponding tube (10) in phase relation with the movement of the functional elements (5h, 5j).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Marchesini Group S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Monti
  • Publication number: 20100311557
    Abstract: The invention describes a bag machine for production of bags made of paper material, comprising: an unwinding device to unwind and feed to the machine material made of paper in a transport direction (x), a device to produce weakening lines, having a trend, in which parts of these weakening lines are offset relative to each other in direction (x), so that a first wall of the finished bag continues in at least one tab that extends beyond the second wall, a tube-forming device to form a tube, in which the side areas of the sheet can be folded to form an overlapping area and join to each other, a separation device to separate the tube sections along the weakening lines from the tube, and a bottom formation device, in which areas of the leading end of the tube section can be folded and fastened onto an outer wall of the tube section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: Joerg Christian Thies
  • Patent number: 7837606
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a bag from a polymer and/or metal film material provides a bag that has four outer walls connected by four seams and that has a sealed lower end. The bag-forming material is fed in the form of a film web that is wound up on a roll to an unwinding station of a bottom forming device that separates the unwound film web into film segments, connects the film segments, and seals at least one end of the connected segments to form the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Windoeller & Hoelscher
    Inventors: Konrad Tetenborg, Uwe Koehn, Siegfried Maneke, Jan Thorsten Weber
  • Publication number: 20100219233
    Abstract: A reusable envelope includes a plurality of panels defining a pocket having an opening for receipt of the content material. The reusable envelope also includes a flap closure having first and second bond lines and first and second flap folds disposed between the bond lines. The first flap fold and first bond line are adapted to close the pocket during an initial mail delivery while the second flap fold and second bond line are adapted to close the pocket for reuse during a subsequent mail delivery. A tear strip is disposed between the front panel and the flap closure to open the pocket for removal of the mailpiece content material. Upon removal of the tear strip and insertion of content material associated with the subsequent mail delivery, the second bond line connects the panels to close the pocket for reuse of the envelope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Rosen, Allison Dahl, Jeffrey D. Pierce
  • Publication number: 20100216618
    Abstract: A method and a device for producing filter inserts (1), in particular filter inserts (1) for preparing a coffee or tea filtrate, including the continuous folding (A) of a filter paper sheet (2) into a double layer (3), partially binding (B) the double layer (3) to a plurality of interconnected filter inserts (1) using at least one stamped seam (4) and separating (D) the interconnected filter inserts (1) from the filter paper sheet (2). The filter inserts (1) are provided with a label (5) after folding (A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: GFM MASCHINENBAU GMBH
    Inventor: Herbert GAWARECKI
  • Publication number: 20100210439
    Abstract: A cutter includes a male blade, a female blade, an advancement and retraction controller and a suction device. The male blade includes: a linear cutting portion linearly shaped with a predetermined thickness in a center part; a rounded cutting portion where a radius having a substantially arc shape in planar view is continuously formed from the linear cutting portion; and an end provided adjacent to the rounded cutting portion. The female blade has a fitting portion that is a hole conforming to the profile of the male blade in planar view and to which the male blade is fitted. On a lateral side of the female blade, an elongated hole for inserting a base film from one lateral side to the other lateral side is formed as an insertion portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: IDEMITSU UNITECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shuichi Goto
  • Publication number: 20100087305
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making rolls of wave cut bags, and a roll of bags is disclosed. A film is weakened along a generally straight line in a generally cross machine direction. The film is also weakened a wave shape, and the wave shape weakenings are alternated with the straight line weakenings. The film is folded in a cross machine direction, and the straight line weakenings are separated to form bottoms of adjacent bags. The bottoms of adjacent bags are preferably overlapped, although they need not be. The wave shaped weakenings are preferably separated (although they need not be) to form wave shaped tops of a adjacent bags. If separated, the wave shaped tops have a longer portion and a shorter portion, and the longer portion is between, in the machine direction, the longer and shorter portion of the adjacent wave shaped top.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: CMD Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley J. Schmoll, Charles H. Saunder, Paul A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20090232425
    Abstract: An individual flexible tubular packaging bag for sanitary products includes a flexible bag body made from a flexible seamless tubular body of a heat-weldable material by heat-sealing two opposite ends of the seamless tubular body. The flexible bag body defines a receiving space that is adapted to receive the sanitary products, and has an access opening in spatial communication with the receiving space. A resealable flap is connected to the flexible bag body, and seals openably the access opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Jung-Chi Tai, Ho-Hsi Yang, Kuo-Li Lin, Chun-Meng Huang, Chien-Chung Su
  • Publication number: 20090215601
    Abstract: A plastic bag sealing device includes a work table, a sealing device having a silicon rubber roller, a material intake press roller and a material outlet press roller fixed beside the silicon rubber roller to press thereon, plural rotating shafts fixed outside around the silicon rubber roller and respectively mounted with a sealing blade, plural guide rollers employed to conduct plastic bags, a dot-cutting device, an opening-cutting device, and a press roller fixed beside the dot-cutting device and the opening-cutting device. With the sealing blades to carry out multiple sealing at the same location, a plastic bag can be quickly and firmly sealed, and with the dot-cutting device and the opening-cutting device installed on the work table to respectively execute dot-cutting and opening-cutting, the work table can be comparatively downsized, thus greatly elevating economic gain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: Chun-Shan CHEN
  • Patent number: 6948296
    Abstract: A process of forming dunnage is disclosed. A chain of interconnected plastic pouches (38) are fed along a path of travel to a fill and seal station (24). The pouches (38) are sequentially opened as each pouch is positioned in the fill station. Each pouch is opened by directing a flow of air through a pouch fill opening (50) to separate a face (46) from a back (48) of each such pouch and continuing the flow of air through each such opening to inflate each opened pouch. Each such inflated pouch is then sealed to create hermetically closed and inflated dunnage units (56). Novel web and dunnage units are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard Lerner, Rick S. Wehrmann
  • Patent number: 6884208
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for eliminating unattached remnants or tails of bag making film adjacent a string zipper during manufacture of reclosable bags. Gathered film tails may interfere with slider insertion or slider operation or may cause the film to be pulled off of or peeled away from the string zipper during slider operation. After trimming, the tails of the film are welded to the zipper by conductive heat sealing or equivalent means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Lewis Albert Haws
  • Patent number: 6254519
    Abstract: In an automatic filling and closing process for flexible package in which a film is supplied while being longitudinally fused, and the respective steps of filling the longitudinally fused film with contents, laterally fusing the film and cutting the laterally fused area are performed, a slit or a hole is intermittently formed in the supplied film, at a site from unwinding of the film to the longitudinal fusing, during interruption of the supply of the film in the steps of lateral fusing and cutting, and an opening fusing tape is placed over the slit or hole to weld around the perimeter of the slit or hole, thereby obtaining a tape-sealed bag which is easily openable in an opening direction approximately parallel with the laterally fused area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Hoseki Planning, Sanwa Automatic Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Isao Toshima
  • Patent number: 6173554
    Abstract: Pouches of flexible packaging material exhibit a tearing zone in the form of a weakness such as perforations or a separation in the material, this in order to be able to remove the contents easily. The packaging material is covered over by at least one film-forming mass, at least in the region of weakness, in order that the package remains closed until the contents are to be used. The film-forming mass may be the decorative printing on the pouch. After packaging, the contents are protected by the pouch and, in order to remove the contents, the pouch may be opened readily by a pulling or snapping movement which causes the covering of film-forming mass to break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventor: Claude A. Marbler
  • Patent number: 5976299
    Abstract: A method for making a non-peelable, sterilizable receptacle having a low particulate count for receiving articles for storage in pharmaceutical intermediate processing. This method involves providing a continuous first web of polyolefin film, providing a continuous second porous web of spun-bonded polyolefin film. The webs are advanced through cleaning processes that include an anti-static device, an ultrasonic vibrating device and a vacuum device. The two clean webs are then brought together and passed into the heat sealing section. The webs are heated welded together by forming continuous seams on the webs to form an open pouch. The seams are made by applying opposing platens at a pressure between about 30 to about 40 psi to both the webs and a heat welding element at a temperature of about 330.degree. to about 380.degree. F. against only the first web. This causes the first web to melt into the pores of the second web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Fisher Container Corporation
    Inventor: Brian W. Ivey
  • Patent number: 5947882
    Abstract: An apparatus for making bags out of a thermoplastic web has a transport unit for feeding a leading end of the web in a transport direction to a cutting/welding station, tools at the station for transversely welding the web and cutting a bag from the leading end of the web, and a device downstream in the direction from the station for stacking and blocking bags cut from the web. A bag-pulling device between the station and the stacker/blocker has an endless drive strand having a pair of stretches extending vertically across a path of the bag between the station and the stacker/blocker and respective horizontally extending deflector rollers carried on the stretches, vertically displaceable therewith, each extending along a respective axis, and each having an outer surface engageable with the web and freely rotatable about the respective axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Lemo Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Armin Meyer
  • Patent number: 5830119
    Abstract: A double-ended bag is formed from a tubular woven sheet having at least one tie member extending along the length of the tubular sheet. The tubular sheet is cut to create bag panels and tie member segments in registration. The bag panels are sewn together with the bag panels in registry and the tie member segments in registry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventor: Yu-Lin Chen
  • Patent number: 5711751
    Abstract: A plastic bag manufacturing method to produce bags with a removable release strip in covering relation over an adhesive deposit adjacent an upper edge of the bag rear panel, in which the height of the release strip is increased to provide continuity along the length thereof to enable urging the strip, as required during the bag manufacturing process, in a machine direction, and the lower release strip portion is notched at locations coinciding with the bag side edges so that these bag side edges are fused for their entire lengths with no inhibiting of this fusing process by the release strip being in an interposed position between the overlying upper edges of the bag front and rear panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Inventor: Hikmet Harmanoglu
  • Patent number: 5514067
    Abstract: An improved top opening, rectangular flexible bag for containing a stack of highly compressed flexible articles. The bag has front and back panels, two side panels and top and bottom panels, all of which are connected together to form an internal compartment for containing the stack under high compression. The stack is arranged within the bag in such a way that the side panels are under tension. The line of weakness defines the entire top portion of the bag which can be easily removed, thus exposing the entire contents of the bag for easy removal. The improvement to the bag is that the line of weakness is applied to the front and back panel of the bag simultaneously, thus providing perfect alignment of the lines of weakness where they intersect the side seals of the bag. The bag is further improved with a notch where the line of weakness intersects the side seal, thus significantly reducing the force to initiate the tear through the bead of plastic created by the side seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Edward H. Schmidt, Joseph B. Mercer
  • Patent number: 5470300
    Abstract: A system and method in the manufacture of plastic bags for accurately registering a web having graphic material printed repetitively thereon with respect to a transverse cutting and sealing device comprise detecting the passage of an eyemark printed on the web by a certain location at an initial part of a web index, calculating the initial length travelled by the web from the start of the web index to the detection of the eyemark, and then adjusting a predetermined draw length of the web based upon that calculated initial length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Ro-An Industries Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Terranova
  • Patent number: 5421805
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing handled bags includes a web dispenser; a perforator for creating perforated seams transversely across the web at predetermined intervals to generate a succession of adjacent web sections; means for attaching at least one handle to each web section; a tube forming mechanism for configuring the web into a tubular configuration; a separating device for breaking the perforated seams to separate the adjacent web sections without disturbing the handles; and a bottom forming mechanism for closing the bottom end of each separated web section. The separating device includes a rotatable first breaker roll having a pressure bar provided thereon and a rotatable second breaker roll having a cooperating gap formed therein for receiving the pressure bar as the first and second breaker rolls are synchronously rotated with the web fed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Bancroft Bag, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert O. Baxter, Bobby R. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5393294
    Abstract: Method for producing sheets of corrugated cardboard with a variable format in which a web of corrugated cardboard is removed continuously from a heating and pulling device of s conventional corrugated cardboard installation. The sheets are processed to the required format in at least one longitudinal cutting and grooving device. For this purpose the web is conveyed through a pulling device. A cross cutter cuts the sheets of corrugated cardboard from the cardboard web according to a preset format. The cardboard web is conveyed to a cross cutter for the corrugated cardboard sheets in the direction of conveyance without cutting them crosswise. When the format is changed, the area of the web of corrugated cardboard where the formats overlap is cut out by the cross cutter and removed to a waste container through a trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: BHS Corrugated Maschinen- und Anlagenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Lothar Jobst
  • Patent number: 5312318
    Abstract: Twin compartment packets, e.g. tea bags, are formed with the compartments connected at the heads of the packet and optionally at the tails. The packets are produced from a pair of compartmented tubular webs that are brought together with the compartments in register, the webs then being interconnected at the compartment end seals and severed at those seals to form the separate packets. Apparatus for performing the process deposits doses of tea at spaced intervals onto the two separate webs before forming them into the tubular compartmented webs, brings the compartments of the two webs into register, interconnects the registered compartments, and separates the interconnected compartments into individual packets while the web advances continously through the apparatus. The process is capable of high production rates because the webs are able to move through the successive stages at a uniform speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Thomas J. Lipton Co., Division of Conopco Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey W. Vernon, James Goodwin, Michael J. Cahill, William M. Buckley
  • Patent number: 5149316
    Abstract: A welding and die cutting device for an apparatus for automatically forming bags on demand from an elongated web of film is selectively switchable between a first operating mode in which the formed bags are provided with unitary handles and a second operating mode in which the formed bags are fully closed and no handles are formed thereon. A first one of a pair of reciprocatable mobile holders carries a welding counter-plate to which is mounted a horizontal blade for transverse cutting and separation of formed bags from the web. A plurality of substantially vertical blades for longitudinally cutting the web to form handles on a bag being formed are carried on and depend outwardly from a bladeholder that is interposed between the first mobile holder and the counter-plate. The bladeholder is slidably and elastically linked to the first mobile holder for movement therewith and relative thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: A.W.A.X. Progettazione E Ricerca S.R.L.
    Inventors: Angelo Cappi, Renato Rimondi
  • Patent number: 5100371
    Abstract: An envelope blank forming machine for forming generally rectangular booklet envelope blanks and generally diagonal envelope blanks on the same machine includes a pair of removable turnbars, adjustable pull rolls and an adjustable cutoff device. Preselected adjustment of these components provides a generally rectangular blank or a generally diagonally shaped blank. Retractable trim devices are provided in cutting relation with the blank when diagonal blanks are being formed. Seal flap cutters and first and second flap cutters are provided to form the booklet seal flap and bottom flap on the booklet envelope blank. These cutters are removed and replaced with seal flap corner cutters, bottom flap corner cutters and diagonal trim cutters when generally diagonal envelope blanks are being formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: F.L. Smithe Machine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Herbert W. Helm, John R. Anderson, Michael P. Lambert
  • Patent number: 5050999
    Abstract: An open-mesh net bag is formed of a rectangular piece of open-mesh netting and a pair of elongated flexible cords. A central length portion of each cord is interlaced through the meshes of netting piece along a respective end edge region, a pair of loop-forming length portions are intertwined with each other to form a loop with the central length portion, a pair of intermediate length portions are interlaced through the meshes along about one-half the length of the side edge regions, whereupon terminal end portions of the respective cords are connected to each other. A method of forming the open-mesh bag is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Inventor: James C. Van Loon, III
  • Patent number: 5049117
    Abstract: An envelope machine which makes two envelopes at once. One web is used up to a relatively advanced point in the envelope forming process to simultaneously form two envelopes. At a terminal portion of the envelope processing, the web is cut lengthwise to form two envelopes. The device also includes improved structure for maintaining uniform the tension on the web. This need for uniform tension is made more prevalent by the thickness of the web which must be used to form two envelopes in parallel. The structure of the present invention which maintains uniform the thickness of the web is formed herein by a dancer roll which moves in a longitudinal fashion in cooperation with movement of other associated rolls. Whenever the dancer roll reaches one of its stopping points, it sets off a limit switch which operates a piston to change the type of moving being applied to the dancer roles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Sterling Envelope Corporation
    Inventor: Henry H. J. Mueller
  • Patent number: 5019030
    Abstract: An envelope blank forming machine for forming generally rectangular booklet envelope blanks and generally diagonal envelope blanks on the same machine includes a pair of removable turnbars, adjustable pull rolls and an adjustable cutoff device. Preselected adjustment of these components provides a generally rectangular blank or a generally diagonally shaped blank. Retractable trim devices are provided in cutting relation with the blank when diagonal blanks are being formed. Seal flap cutters and first and second flap cutters are provided to form the booklet seal flap and bottom flap on the booklet envelope blank. These cutters are removed and replaced with seal flap corner cutters, bottom flap corner cutters and diagonal trim cutters when generally diagonal envelope blanks are being formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: F. L. Smithe Machine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Herbert W. Helm, John R. Anderson, Michael P. Lambert
  • Patent number: 4992128
    Abstract: Holders for flat objects such as computer disks which can provide pages of a book which carries such objects, instruction for their use and etc. Each page is made of a single sheet of foldable material, preferably spunbonded olefin (such material being available from DuPont under their tradename "Tyvek"). The sheets are cut into the shape of rectangular center panels with bottom and side flaps extended therefrom; the side flaps extending from opposite side edges of the center panel and being off-set from each other. Since a single sheet is used it may be printed with visible indicia (e.g., the name of the manufacturer of and the computer program on the disks), prior to cutting, by conventional printing techniques in one pass through the press. The cut sheets (blanks) can then be manipulated in envelope manufacturing equipment which scores, applies adhesive lines and folds the flaps to provide a plurality of partially overlapping pockets, disposed one above the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Information Packaging Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Sellar, James E. Reisdorf, Mark F. Lappies, Mark S. Valle
  • Patent number: 4988332
    Abstract: A method for the production of packing bags which can be stacked on a wicket and unfolded while being filled, and for that purpose are provided at the bottom end of the bag with exposed wicket perforations disposed in a wicket tab. The bag is made from an outspread web which first is assembled to an open-sided tube and then into a flat-folded tube and bonded. The outspread web is severed in the area of the bag-length boundaries which set the bag lengths apart from one another, by means of a cut made transversely of the web, which produces a castellated outline. The bottom area and top area of two bag lengths lie adjacent one another and yield interfitting tabs and notches. The tabs in the top area can be laid one on the other to form a handle section and at least one tab in the bottom area is used as a wicket tab. Unneeded web material between the tabs is cut away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: M u. W Verpackungen Mildenberger u. Willing GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Helmut Mattle
  • Patent number: 4962797
    Abstract: A method for separating a pair of plastic bags, connected together at a transversely disposed parting line, comprises the steps of intermittently moving the pair of bags along a path disposed in a horizontal plane, stopping the bags and placing the parting line over an opening extending transversely relative to the path and positioned between a pair of platens, clamping the pair of bags to the platens and severing the parting line to separate the pair of bags from each other by moving a cutting blade in a horizontal direction and transversely through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Inventor: Peter N. Thomsen
  • Patent number: 4913693
    Abstract: A false gusset (12, 82) is positioned between bag panels (26, 28 and 98, 100) to form a bag having a handle (24, 80) at its upper end formed by upward continuations of the sides (26, 28 or 98, 100) of the bag (10, 78). This construction removes the false gusset (12, 82) and the seals (66, 68 or 114, 116) which connects the false gusset (12, 82) to the bag panels (26, 28 or 98, 100) from the forces created by the weight of the bag (10, 78).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Cello Bag Co.
    Inventors: James R. Ball, Delbert J. Barnard
  • Patent number: 4909779
    Abstract: A web of flat plastic bag stock formed with transverse perforations and heat seals is separated into individual bags, then individually formed in plural folds and the folded bags are stacked for packaging. To form as many as three folds, four rollers are used. The individual, separated bag is forced between the first and second rolls by a reciprocating first "blade" which contacts the middle of the bag. After being formed with the first fold, the bag is forced between the second and third rolls by a reciprocating second "blade". The twice-folded bag is then forced between the third and fourth rolls by a third reciprocating "blade" and, after the third fold, is conveyed away on belts to a stacking station where plural bags are deposited as a layer on a table. The layers may be packaged by hand or by suitable machinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Inventor: Helmut T. Schaffron
  • Patent number: 4899520
    Abstract: A packaging machine and method for simultaneously loading, sealing and severing bags forming part of at least two independent chains of bags. Two juxtaposed nip roll assemblies including axially aligned feed roll portions can be independently actuated in order to selectively feed one or two webs. A drive motor, having a dual output, is selectively coupled to the nip roll assemblies by clutch/brake units which can be selectively actuated. After a bag or bags are loaded, a sealing mechanism is actuated to seal the loaded bag or bags. A sensor monitors movement in a seal unit member and terminates the sealing cycle if movement in the seal member occurs prior to the pressure bar reaching a predetermined position. While a bag or bags are being sealed, a tear off mechanism including a rod-like member is advanced into and through the web path in order to sever the loaded bag from the remainder of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard Lerner, John Gereby, Rick Wehrmann
  • Patent number: 4761197
    Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a web of film including a heater member for melting a portion of the film to create side and chevron seals. A back-up bar is located diametric the heater member. The heater member includes two elongated heater bars and two wing heater bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Assignee: Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Christine, Josef Schmidt, Steffen Lyons, Brian Green, George J. Herschman
  • Patent number: 4679474
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for slitting a continuous strip of thermoplastic web by a knife heated to a temperature below the melting or fusing temperature of the web. By heating the knife the cutting force is substantially reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Emiel Lambrecht
  • Patent number: 4664161
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically filling bags with a material after separating each bag from a continuous chain of bags along perforations where each bag is joined to its neighbor has a guide section for guiding the chain of bags, a separating section for separating the chain of bags into individual bags at the perforations, a mouth opening device for opening a mouth located at one side edge of each bag, and a filling section for blowing air into the bag through its opened mouth and for filling the bag through the opened mouth. The mouth opening device has a pressing assembly supported above the mouth of the bag, and a chuck assembly situated at one side of the mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: Kureha Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuhji Sawa, Toshio Itoh
  • Patent number: 4652253
    Abstract: Method and system for preparing a flat-bottom thermoplastic sack including forming a transverse sealed seam across the mid-section of a collapsed, gusseted tube and simultaneously or subsequently forming a preweakened transverse line closely next adjacent to the sealed seam; forming diagonal sealed seams of each 2 ply gusset fold so as to meet the ends of the transverse sealed seam and removing the four double-film triangular regions outside of the diagonal seams and separating said structures along the preweakend lines to form individual flat bottom sacks. The process also includes forming a handled version of the same sack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Gordon L. Benoit