Forming Gable Top Patents (Class 493/452)
  • Patent number: 9290281
    Abstract: A cardboard box assembly apparatus is a device for folding four panels constituting a lid section of a cardboard box, forming an interleaved lid where each of the four panels by overlaps adjacent ones of the four panels. The cardboard box assembly apparatus is provided with detruding members, locking members, and mover devices. The detruding members detrude respective first portions of the four panels. The locking members lock respective second portions of the four panels, preventing the second portions from moving in detrusion directions. Detrusion directions refer to directions of detrusion of the four panels. The mover devices move the locking members in a direction including at least a vertical direction component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: ISHIDA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seisaku Iwasa, Yuji Yokota
  • Patent number: 8480553
    Abstract: In order to form two longitudinal folds in a material web, there are two plow folding units which extend in the vertical direction and are arranged behind one another in the movement direction of the material web. Each of the plow folding units has two guide elements for the material web, which guide elements are arranged in the manner of a gable or saddle roof. The guide elements are arranged behind one another in the movement direction of the material web and enclose a folding angle between them. The folding angle between the guide elements of the second plow folding unit which is arranged downstream of the first plow folding unit has a magnitude of at least 100°, preferably of at least 140°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hunkeler AG
    Inventors: Jakob Gerhard, Martin Gfeller
  • Patent number: 7549267
    Abstract: An apparatus 10 for sealing packages 20 is to be mounted as a part of a larger packaging machine, which fills packages 20 with products or substances, preferably food or beverages but could be any other suitable substance, then closes and seals the packages using the sealing apparatus 10 by folding each package transversally, thereby closing it and sealing the transversal fold, and subsequently delivers the packages to a final folding station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Mats Johansson, Hakan Zetterstrom, Bengt Salmose
  • Patent number: 7509791
    Abstract: A top sealer for a gable top package having a sealed top fin includes an arm support and a pair of opposing arms pivotally mounted to the arm support. The arms each have a sealing jaw at about an end thereof. The arms are pivotal to move the sealing jaws toward and away from one another through an arc. The arm support is linearly movable toward and away from the package, as the arms pivot, to move the sealing jaws downward, toward the package, to alter the arc of the pivoting sealing jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Paul J. Anderson, Fredrik Myllykangas, Lars Skarin, Caroline Blom
  • Publication number: 20090005227
    Abstract: A folding assembly for producing a gable portion of a sealed package of pourable product, wherein the gable portion has first and second walls sloping with respect to each other and joined at a seal, and a flap connecting lateral edges of the first and second walls. The folding assembly is supplied with packs, each having an axis and, at one end and on opposite sides of the axis, two end portions which are folded to form the gable portion, with the end portions having, respectively, a first and a second portion to be folded, which are joined by a lateral face of the pack. The folding assembly includes a folding mechanism which interacts, on opposite sides of the axis, with the first and second portion of the pack to fold the second portion onto the lateral face, and the first portion onto the second portion to form the flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Fabrizio Rimondi, Massimo Pradelli, Paolo Fontanazzi, Lars Jeppsson
  • Patent number: 7104537
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for assembling sheets of printing media for booklets. In one aspect the sheets are folded, sheet-by-sheet, and in another aspect the sheets are collected, sheet-by-sheet, and registered on a fold in each sheet. In still another aspect printed sheets are loaded, sheet-by-sheet, into the apparatus. Each sheet is trimmed to a pre-determined width depending on the position of the sheet in the booklet being assembled. The sheets are thereafter folded, sheet-by-sheet, and collected into a stack. The method and apparatus have particular application in finishing duplex printed sheets of paper into saddle-stitched booklets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven W Trovinger, Ross R Allen, Erik G Vaaler
  • Patent number: 6991224
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for assembling sheets of printing media for booklets. In one aspect the sheets are folded, sheet-by-sheet, and in another aspect the sheets are collected, sheet-by-sheet, and registered on a fold in each sheet. In still another aspect printed sheets are loaded, sheet-by-sheet, into the apparatus. Each sheet is trimmed to a pre-determined width depending on the position of the sheet in the booklet being assembled. The sheets are thereafter folded, sheet-by-sheet, and collected into a stack. The method and apparatus have particular application in finishing duplex printed sheets of paper into saddle-stitched booklets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven W Trovinger, Ross R Allen, Erik G Vaaler
  • Patent number: 6764576
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for forming and thermosealing one end of a packaging container which is manufactured from thermosealing material. The packaging container is placed in a conveyor which brings it into contact with mechanical forming devices (22) which progressively reform the packaging container end so that a sealing fin (6) oriented in the direction of movement of the packaging container is formed. In a subsequent sealing station (12), thermoplastic material located in the sealing fin (6) is heated to sealing temperature, whereafter wall portions included in the sealing fin are mechanically urged against one another during simultaneous cooling and continued advancement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Esko Heinonen, Mats Nyhlén, Mikael Andersson
  • Patent number: 6387028
    Abstract: A packaging machine comprises a movable body having mandrels and intermittently drivable so as to stop each of the mandrels at a process station while carrying containers as fitted around the respective mandrels with a bottom forming portion of each container projecting outward from the mandrel, and a bottom breaker for forming folds in a bottom forming end portion of the container fitted around the mandrel as halted at the process station so as to render the end portion foldable flat. The bottom breaker has first folding means for initially folding the second and fourth bottom panels in two into triangles, and second folding means for subsequently folding first and third bottom panels. The second folding means has an upstream arm movable into pressing contact with the first bottom panel, and a downstream arm movable into pressing contact with the third bottom panel. The downstream arm is provided with a pressure plate at a portion thereof to be contacted with the third bottom panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Shikoku Kakoki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoji Nishio, Kazumasa Nishiuchi, Michio Ueda
  • Patent number: 6162156
    Abstract: A packaging machine comprises a rotor 22 having radial mandrels 21 each adapted to carry a tubular blank 11 of square to rectangular cross section as fitted therearound and arranged to successively stop at a plurality of processing stations I to VIII, a group of devices 23 to 28 arranged respectively at the required stations among the processing stations I to VIII for folding and closing a container bottom forming end portion 14 of the blank 11 as fitted around the mandrel 21, and an air suction nozzle 31 for collecting extraneous matter is disposed at a required location along a path of movement of the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Shikoku Kakoki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuji Fujikawa, Takashi Arao, Michio Ueda
  • Patent number: 5698293
    Abstract: A formed piece comprises a substantially cylindrical outer surface layer of sheet material extending along a longitudinal axis of the formed piece from a first end to a second end of the formed piece, and inner layers of sheet material within the outer surface layer randomly arranged and creating air gaps between at least a portion of the inner layers. The surface layer and inner layers of sheet material are twisted around the longitudinal axis of the formed piece and along the length of the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Devipack Oy
    Inventors: Kai Nordlund, Timo Mattila
  • Patent number: 5681253
    Abstract: A carton score line breaker assembly for breaking four end closure panels. The assembly includes two oppositely disposed pairs of breaker elements for, in turn, breaking the two oppositely disposed panels inwardly. Both pairs of elements are continuously rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Elopak Systems A.G.
    Inventors: Barry C. Owen, Randy D. Jackson
  • Patent number: 5634323
    Abstract: A carton end panel folding mechanism for forcing both the leading and trailing panels of a gable top carton inwardly prior to the sealing of same. The folding mechanism includes four equally spaced blades, wherein each blade is shaped along its leading and trailing edges so as to be engaged at its trailing edge by a leading panel, forcing the leading panel inwardly and the blade forward, causing the leading edge of the next blade to engage the trailing panel and urge same inwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Elopak Systems A.G.
    Inventor: James E. Podsiadlo
  • Patent number: 5599268
    Abstract: A linear drive apparatus for moving a canon in a packaging machine from a first position to a second position is set forth. The apparatus includes first and second spaced apart guide rods and an engagement assembly that is disposed between and slidably engages the first and second guide rods. The engagement assembly is adapted to engage one or more cartons for movement between the first and second positions. The apparatus further includes a drive shall onto which a drive roller is disposed for co-rotation. A first drive belt is connected to the drive roller and disposed about the drive roller in a clockwise direction at a first end thereof while a second end of the first drive belt is connected to a first portion of the engagement assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Roland J. E. Andersson, Shigehiro Kinoshita, David L. Persells, Arde Kirka
  • Patent number: 5538491
    Abstract: A carton score line breaker assembly for breaking four end closure panels. The assembly includes two oppositely disposed pairs of breaker elements for, in turn, breaking the two oppositely disposed panels inwardly. Both pairs of elements are continuously rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Elopak Systems A. G.
    Inventors: Barry C. Owen, Randy D. Jackson
  • Patent number: 5518578
    Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a fin at a gabled end of a carton is disclosed. The apparatus includes a longitudinal force mechanism for applying a sealing force to a first pair of opposed flaps of the gabled end of the carton. The longitudinal force mechanism is movable from a first position in which the gabled end of the carton is in a generally open condition to a second position at which the fin of the gabled end is sealed. A transverse force mechanism applies oppositely directed transverse forces to a second pair of opposed flaps of the gabled end of the carton as the longitudinal force mechanism moves from the first position to the second position. The transverse force mechanism urges the second pair of opposed flaps toward one another during movement of the longitudinal force mechanism. The second pair of opposed flaps are thus urged inward toward one another as the longitudinal force mechanism moves to form and seal the fin thereby preventing "duckbilling".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: David L. Persells, Shigehiro Kinoshita, Hisami Mitsuishi, Erik Schott
  • Patent number: 5234398
    Abstract: A folding and tucker-tacker station operates upon a flat bottom end closure of a packaging sleeve, which closure comprises first and second panels opposite each other, third and fourth panels opposite each other and between the first and second panels, and a minor panel protruding from the outermost edge of the third panel. The station comprises a mounting supporting first, second and third jaws oscillatable transversely of the sleeve axis for folding inwards the first, second and third panels, and a fourth jaw displaceable along, but not transversely of, the axis for folding inwards the fourth panel. The third jaw has a recess for receiving the minor panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Elopak Systems AG
    Inventor: Per O. Larsen
  • Patent number: 5167607
    Abstract: A folding and tucker-tacker station operates upon a flat bottom end closure of a packaging sleeve, which closure comprises first and second panels opposite each other, third and fourth panels opposite each other and between the first and second panels, and a minor panel protruding from the outermost edge of the third panel. The station comprises a mounting supporting first, second and third jaws oscillatable transversely of the sleeve axis for folding inwards the first, second and third panels, and a fourth jaw displaceable along, but not transversely of, the axis for folding inwards the fourth panel. The third jaw has a recess for receiving the minor panel. The fourth jaw is disposed after the third jaw along the path of a mandrel transporting the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Elopak Systems AG
    Inventor: Per O. Larsen
  • Patent number: 4738077
    Abstract: An apparatus for folding the top closures of tubular containers of square to rectangular cross section having a bottom into the form of a gabled roof. The top closure comprises first and second pairs of opposed quadrilateral panels, and each of the first panels has fold lines. The apparatus comprises first and second folding members provided at an intermediate portion of a path of transport of the container by a conveyor, between a filling device and a top closure sealing device along the path. The first folding member inwardly folds the first pair of panels between the second pair while the container is being transported by the conveyor, whereupon the second folding member operates to inwardly fold the second pair of panels over the first pair already folded by the first folding member. The top closure is foldable into the gabled form reliably and can therefore be subsequently sealed free of any trouble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: Shikoku Kakooki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Wakbayashi, Tadaaki Kume, Yasuji Fujikawa
  • Patent number: 4620665
    Abstract: A container defining an inner containment region and having means for positively sealing and opening at least one end to provide access to the containment region. An enclosure member is provided with at least one closure secured thereto for hinged movement adjacent to the opening, the closure being bi-directionally movable from a locked first position wherein the closure seals the container opening, through an intermediate position to a locked second position wherein the closure positively unseals the opening. The enclosure member resiliently deforms in coopertive interaction with the closure as the closure moves between the first and second positions, respectively, to aid further movement thereof from the intermediate position to either of the first locked closed positiion or the second locked open position. A method for manufacturing the container is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1986
    Assignee: Nathaniel H. Garfield
    Inventor: Thomas W. McSherry
  • Patent number: 4515580
    Abstract: A bottom sealing tab breaking method and apparatus for a paperboard carton bottom construction. The invention may be employed with existing apparatus for prebreaking paperboard container bottoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1985
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Harold Lovelace
  • Patent number: 4281787
    Abstract: A coated paperboard container and a blank for constructing same are disclosed as including a body portion having a side seam flap secured adjacent the edge portion of one of four side panels and an upper end that is closed by a folded top end closure which includes closure panels having a construction that enhances foldability and sealing. Front and back triangular gable panels of the top end closure are each flanked by a pair of triangular fold-back panels that have different sizes than each other so as to facilitate folding of the sealed top end closure from a vertical position in a direction toward the smaller of the fold-back panels. The lower score line portions adjacent the smaller inner roof panel are formed wider than the other score lines so as to further enhance the folding of the top sealed panels in the direction of the gable side bearing the side seam flap upper extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Ex-Cell-O Corporation
    Inventor: Warren R. Hensey