With Opening Means (e.g., Tear Strip, Valve, Etc.) Patents (Class 493/923)
  • Patent number: 8079200
    Abstract: A bag transport and tilt-correction device for a system for, for instance, manufacturing bags with diagonal spouts, the device including openable and closeable gripping members, an air chuck that opens and closes the gripping members, a reciprocal movement mechanism that reciprocates the gripping members between the bag receiving position and the bag hand-over position, and a reciprocal swing mechanisms that swing the gripping members within the vertical plane along the width direction of the gripped bags. The gripping members are moved together with a reciprocal moving body, which is part of the reciprocal movement mechanisms, and attached to the bottom edge of swing levers, which are part of the reciprocal swing mechanism and operated by a cam during the reciprocal movement process, so as to swing together with it. The tilt of the bag is corrected by the swing motion of the gripping members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Toyo Jidoki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Tsutsui, Kakue Nakamoto, Norihiko Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7472524
    Abstract: A method for applying pressure relief valves to packaging during the packaging process. A punch shaft and an applicator shaft each have an axis and opposed ends. The punch shaft has a punch at one end. The applicator shaft has an applicator vacuum head at one end. Each shaft moves axially between retracted and extended positions. The shafts are angled, with the punch and applicator ends more apart than the respective opposed ends, and are carried on a plate for limited rotational movement relative to the applicator unit. First the punch is pivoted from a first position into a third position, while the applicator head is simultaneously pivoted from a second position into the first position. Then the punch is pivoted from the third position back into the first position, and the applicator head is simultaneously pivoted from the first position back into the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Plitek, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Karl K. Hoffman, Vladimir Prive, Tom Roberts, Steve Kaganovich
  • Patent number: 6716150
    Abstract: An envelope comprising a tear strip that functions as an efficient opening means for access to the envelope contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Mead Westvaco Corp
    Inventor: Douglas K. Purcell
  • Patent number: 6533711
    Abstract: A flexible package, and a method of forming such package, which includes two sheets of material joined together at side portions and a bottom portion, with the top edge being open. The top edge is sealed at one portion thereof to provide a reinforced portion, and the remaining portion forms a discharge spout. A handle opening is formed in the reinforced portion, and a fastening strip extends across the entire top edge to provide a openable fastening strip at the spout, and to provide a non-openable portion adjacent the handle opening to provide reinforcement thereat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Anderson, Mark A. Steele
  • Patent number: 6513305
    Abstract: Chocolates are wrapped individually by a method that involves feeding single wrapping sheets along a first path in a first direction spaced at a selected pitch, in such a way that the trailing edge of one wrapping sheet and the leading edge of the next are distanced one from another, and at the same time feeding a continuous ribbon in a second direction along a second path that merges with the first path at an assembling station where the ribbon is stably united with the sheets; ribbon and sheet then advance together in a third direction, along which the ribbon is divided into discrete slivers by repeated cuts, each made between the trailing edge of one sheet and the leading edge of the next and at a distance such that each sliver will present a portion projecting from the trailing edge of the wrapping sheet to which it is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Hershey Foods Corporation
    Inventor: Mario Spatafora
  • Patent number: 6457638
    Abstract: An envelope pull opener includes a pair of pull tabs and a tearing filament. A single pull tab is attached to each end of the tearing filament. A peel-off adhesive surface is applied to one side of the pull tab. Preferably, the other side of the pull tab is structured to have a logo, picture, or other graphical representation applied thereto. The pull tab is preferably round, but could be any other shape such as square or triangular. In a second embodiment, the pull tab opener has a single pull tab on each end and an anchor tab attached in substantially the middle of the tearing filament. A third embodiment includes, a rigid envelope pull opener includes a first arm, a second arm, a pivotal connector, and a pair of pull tabs. A single pull tab is attached to an end of each arm. The other end of each arm is pivotal constrained by the pivotal connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventor: Karl B. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6248049
    Abstract: A printable sheet is disclosed including a first portion and a second portion foldable together about a fold line and adherable together by adhesive means. The printable sheet also includes frangible means for allowing the sheet to be unfolded. The adhesive means is active and, until use, is covered by a liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Versari International Limited
    Inventor: Wim Scheggetman
  • 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: 6068585
    Abstract: A gored packing bag which comprises a front body 1, a rear body 2, gores 3,4 formed by gluing the front body and the rear body into a combined situation, and a pair of fasteners 5, 6 in arranged between the front or rear body and the gores, one of a base tape being glued as a whole on an inner surface of the front or rear body close to an open end thereof, while both end portions of the other base tape 8 being glued to a half side of gore 28,29 facing to the front and an intermediate remainder of the gores in the width direction being glued on a corresponding inner surface of the front or rear body, and a fixed portion 30, 31 of remaindered gores in the width direction being glued on a corresponding inner surface of the front or back body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: Toshikatu Ouchi
  • Patent number: 5961436
    Abstract: An envelope formed from a single sheet of paper includes a front portion, a top flap, two lateral side flaps, a bottom flap, a top folding edge, two lateral side folding edges, and a bottom folding edge, the lateral side flaps overlapping and adhering to the bottom flap to form the back portion of the envelope. The top flap will adhere to the back portion after contents of interest are inserted into the envelope. The envelope further includes an opening device in the form of a piece of thin line disposed inside the envelope. The thin line loosely extends along one of the folding edges with its first end attached to one spot near one end of that folding edge and its opposite second end attached to an anchor portion on the outermost flap near the other end of that folding edge. The anchor portion does not adhere to any other flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventor: Younian Ding
  • Patent number: 5730354
    Abstract: A wrapped package carries a transparent overwrap material and a tear tape attached to the overwrap material for effecting tearing of the overwrap material. The tear tape has a layer of adhesive on one side of the tape substrate for adhesion to the overwrap material and a layer of ink arranged to provide visible markings for the tear tape. The ink is applied on the side of the adhesive which is remote from the tape so that when the tear tape is attached to the overwrap material by the adhesive, the second surface of the adhesive and the layer of ink thereon are in contact with the overwrap material and the markings are visible through the transparent overwrap material without viewing through the adhesive and without viewing through the tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: KT Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence J. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 5653383
    Abstract: In order to make the structure of the pouring spout simple by the use of a partial covering film, cover the inner peripheral surface around the pouring hole of the laminate base material properly, and prevent the contents from infiltrating into the inner peripheral surface around the pouring hole of the laminate base material, the present invention comprises the steps of attaching the inner waterproof layer and the partial covering film on the outer waterproof layer at the portion around the pouring hole, inside the pouring hole having penetrated through the laminate base material and the outer waterproof layer, boring a pouring spout on the attached portion, and attaching a tab tape to said partial covering film in a way capable of tearing off, so to cover the pouring spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Adachi, Masaki Tomihari, Noriyuki Sasaki, Takahisa Hirayama, Hideki Yamamoto, Yoshiaki Take, Yoshihiro Akima
  • Patent number: 5429576
    Abstract: A reusable adhesive envelope and a method and apparatus for making same. The envelope includes a pouch adapted to receive the contents and having an open edge. A flap is mounted adjacent this open edge and may be folded about a flap fold to close the pouch opening. The exterior of the pouch mounts a protective strip. The interior face of the flap mounts a pressure sensitive adhesive, which is initially covered by a release liner. Upon removing the release liner the adhesive on the flap may be secure to the protective strip to close the flap. The flap may be opened and reclosed numerous times. The protective strip and the adhesive/release liner combination are each applied to the envelope as tape strips. With the envelopes in the open configuration these tape strips are alternately applied from a single transfer mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Winkler & Dunnebier
    Inventor: Alfred Doderer-Winkler
  • Patent number: 5290225
    Abstract: A single sheet business form construction printable in an impact or a non-impact printer includes a base sheet of face stock having a front, a back, a top, a bottom, and first and second sides. The base sheet is adapted to receive a first line of weakening in a first desired location extending adjacent and parallel to the first side to define a first tear strip on the base sheet between the first desired location and the first side. The base sheet is adapted to receive a second line of weakening in a second desired location extending adjacent and parallel to the second side to define a second tear strip on the base sheet between the second desired location and the second side. A first transverse line of weakening is intermediate and parallel the top and the bottom and extends between the first and second desired locations. A lateral strip of adhesive is parallel to the first transverse line of weakening between the transverse line of weakening and the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Uarco Incorporated
    Inventor: Zo Younger
  • Patent number: 5245171
    Abstract: A mailing piece comprising the usual envelope enclosing a legible text. To induce the recipient to open the envelope and read the text, the envelope has a window (18) at which there is a manually operable actuator for a device which generates an audible message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Inventors: Harvey Fox, Howard Demner
  • Patent number: 5045040
    Abstract: A closure seal and method for envelopes having front and back panels joined along bottom and side edges and in which a release liner strip delimits overlying marginal edges along the top of the panels. The liner strip initially covers a pressure sensitive adhesive band in the top marginal edge of one of the panels and extends through the side edge junctures of the panels to enable removal of the liner strip and securement of the top margins by the pressure sensitive adhesive band. Registered lines of perforations are formed across the top portion of both panels below the bottom edge of the release liner strip to define a tear line for opening the evelope after it has been sealed in embodiments not intended for liquid contents. The lines of perforations are omitted in an liquid containing envelope embodiment wherein the adhesive band joins with fused side edges of the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Uniflex, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt W. Vetter
  • Patent number: 5042224
    Abstract: A zipper guide tracking device and method whereby zipper profiles on package making film running over a forming shoulder about a forming and filling tube of a form, fill and seal machine are tracked in grooved tracking structure which may comprise either or both of a grooved tracking roller and a grooved tracking bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Zip-Pak Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael J. McMahon
  • Patent number: 5030189
    Abstract: Method for forming an envelope having a tear strip or a tear-off flap portion for aiding in opening the envelope, comprising the steps of providing an envelope blank formed of a material capable of being weakened by the application of ultrasonic frequencies, forming the blank into a finished envelope, and applying ultrasonic energy to the finished envelope to form either a pair of closely-spaced, elongate distress lines or a single, straight distress line at which the fibers forming the material are weakened, thus defining a tear strip or a tear-off flap portion capable of manual separation form the remainder of the envelope. An envelope formed according to the above method comprises a body portion having a front panel, a back panel, and a seal flap extending outwardly from and formed integrally with a side of the front panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: National Services Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: A. Derrell Hightower
  • Patent number: 4993212
    Abstract: A forming shoulder for a forming and filling tube of a form, fill and seal machine has a skirt provided with a guide channel for a longitudinal zipper area of a package making material sheet running over the forming shoulder, thereby retaining the zipper area and the sheet against lateral drifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Zip-Pak Incorporated
    Inventor: Stanley Veoukas
  • Patent number: 4974395
    Abstract: A zipper guide and spreader device for form, fill and seal apparatus comprises a package material guiding and spreading mechanism wherein a pair of articulated members have zipper guideways. The members are hingedly connected together and one of the members is hingedly connected to a fixed support. An actuator operates the articulated members from a biased relaxed position into an articulated material-spreading position wherein the material is spread for eliminating wrinkles before edge sealing across the material below the discharge end of the forming and filling tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Zip-Pak Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael J. McMahon
  • Patent number: 4946431
    Abstract: A method for making block of side-gussetted, bottom-weld bags. Each bag has an opening on one side to fascilitate the removal of individual bags from the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Katana Corporation
    Inventor: Harold A. Jensen
  • Patent number: 4782646
    Abstract: In the manufacture of aseptic packing containers from weblike laminate material, the material usually is brought into contact with a liquid sterilizing agent which, after a certain treatment period, is removed again. In order to avoid any accumulation of residues of sterilizing agent behind lugs, opening strips or the like a method and an arrangement for finishing an opening arrangement (2) on a packing container (1) are proposed, according to which an external gripping element (3) is placed over the opening region (4) only after the packing container (1) has been filled with the desired contents and has been closed. This is achieved with the help of a sealing unit (9) with a vacuum device (10) and a gas-permeable striplike gripping element (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: AB Tetra Pak
    Inventor: Hans Nantin
  • Patent number: 4767391
    Abstract: Bags are manufactured from a tubular web of thermoplastic film. An air injector periodically inflates the film whereupon it contacts cooperating vacuum plates. One of the plates has a cutting die which cuts a tab in the film which in turn provides an ingress for the injected air. The film is then sealed and severed to form the bags, which are then formed into a block. The tab then serves as an opening to facilitate the removal of individual bags from the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Inventor: Harold A. Jensen
  • Patent number: 4750725
    Abstract: Printed products having a center fold are provided with appropriate product break structure for facilitating opening of the printed products. Such product break structure comprises a crimp structure which may be in the form of impressions or embossments. This crimp structure is provided in the region of one end of the center fold of the printed products to be opened. These crimp structures mutually converge in relation to one another and extend to a common point located on the center fold of the printed products. Each of the printed products can be opened at the center fold by applying or exerting pressure on the folded edge or spine of the printed products at the end of the center fold which is provided with the crimp structure. An opening element can enter the opening thus formed for separating the two halves of each of the printed products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Walter Reist
  • Patent number: 4426035
    Abstract: A recloseable bag package is provided by closing the top of a filled bag to form a neck, preferably trimming the walls of the bag to the same height, folding over a portion of the neck, preferably only once, and sealing the folded over portion of the neck to a side wall of the bag using a composite tape comprising a length of a first tape having a non-setting adhesive coating on one surface and a length of a second tape overlapping one edge of the adhesive coated surface of the first tape. The first tape seals or reseals the bag, and the second tape provides a tab for peeling the first tape partially from the bag to open the package and also provides a vehicle for coupons or other printed matter. Apparatus is provided to close, trim and fold the bag and to form and apply the lengths of composite tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1984
    Assignee: Hammex Machines Ltd.
    Inventor: Klaus-Peter Dieckow