Adjunct Comprising Provision To Allow Access To Contents, E.g., Spout, Straw, Drain, Opening, Etc. Patents (Class 53/133.1)
  • Patent number: 10472107
    Abstract: The invention relates to an advancing device (10) for advancing a film web (200) in a bag filling installation (100, having a main advancing drive (20) with at least one driven main advancing roller (22) for advancing the film web (200), wherein for an adjustment of the tensile stress of the film web (200) in the transport direction (T) of the film web (200) an auxiliary advancing drive (30) is disposed before the main advancing drive (20) with at least one driven auxiliary advancing roller (32) for advancing the film web (200).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: WINDMÖLLER & HÖLSCHER KG
    Inventors: Hans-Ludwig Voss, Oliver Huil, Ralf Udally, Thomas Hawighorst, Rüdiger Große-Heitmeyer, Roman Smid
  • Patent number: 9926139
    Abstract: A system, and associated method, for launching and delivering separated food product in organized groups to a robotized packaging station for the product. The system initiates the delivery via a metered hopper of food product delivering the product to a launch V-belt that aligns the product end to end. A successive singulator belt, positioned adjacent to and receiving product from the launch belt, further organizes the product into a single file alignment. An optional separator belt may follow the singulator belt to create gaps between successive product units. The product is then delivered to a pick belt for product to be provided to the packaging robot. The system product information is from a single (per product delivery line) sensor, enabling intergrated end-to-end control from hopper to robot, and a nearly continuous motion of said pick belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: F.R. Drake Company
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Milo, Keith W. Hopkins, George E. Reed
  • Patent number: 8870729
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying drinking straws on prefabricated packaging containers includes a drive device for continuous belts of drinking straws wrapped in protective sleeves or envelopes, a conveyor for moving packaging containers past the drinking straw applicator, a separator for separating drinking straws from the belt, as well as an applicator for applying the drinking straw on a side wall of the packaging container. The drinking straw applicator include at least one eccentric which is eccentrically disposed on a shaft mounted adjacent the drive device. During rotation of the shaft, the eccentric is moved from an inner position to an outer position, a drinking straw is picked up at the inner position and is applied on a packaging container at the outer position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Jonas Lindbäck, Gert Hansson
  • Patent number: 8590282
    Abstract: A package and method for opening the package are disclosed. The method may include applying pressure to at least one tab area of the package. The at least one tab area may include a first tab portion and a second tab portion, the first tab portion and the second tab portion being disposed in a first position substantially sealed from each other. The method may further include breaching a first breachable bubble, the first breachable bubble being formed within the first tab portion, and breaching a second breachable bubble, the second breachable bubble being formed within the second tab portion. Further, the method may include causing the first tab portion and the second tab portion to shift from the first position to a second position in fluid communication with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Poppack, LLC
    Inventors: William S. Perell, Leif B. Sorensen, Irving S. Rappaport
  • Patent number: 8414463
    Abstract: An anvil device (1) for a fitment applicator is described, where the anvil device (1) includes one or more arms (2), where each arm is equipped with a carrier (5) for the positioning of a closure (22) against a contact surface (6) for co-operation with a welding head (21) during fixation of a closure to a cartoon, where the carrier (5) and the contact surface (6) are aligned on a contact device (4) which is adjustably fastened to the anvil device (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Stein Vidar Andersen
  • Patent number: 8387348
    Abstract: An aseptic packaging system includes a film unwind device; a fitment feed device for feeding a plurality of fitments; an apparatus for attaching each of the fitments to the film; an assembly for sterilizing the film and each of the fitments; an assembly for drying the film and each of the fitments; and a vertical form/fill seal apparatus for making packages from the sterilized film and each of the sterilized fitments, each package comprising a pouch comprising a first and second transverse seal, a first and second fold, an interior and exterior surface, and a longitudinal seal; and a sterilized internal fitment sealed to the sterilized interior surface of the pouch; and a sterilized product disposed in the pouch. An aseptic process and package are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy G. Caudle, Kenneth Micnerski
  • Patent number: 8375686
    Abstract: An aseptic packaging system includes a film unwind device; a fitment feed device for feeding a plurality of fitments; an apparatus for attaching each of the fitments to a second surface of the film; an assembly for sterilizing the film and optionally each of the fitments; an assembly for drying the film and optionally each of the fitments; and a vertical form/fill seal apparatus for making packages from the sterilized film and each of the fitments, each package comprising a pouch comprising a first and second transverse seal, a first and second fold, an interior and exterior surface, and a longitudinal seal; and an external fitment sealed to the exterior surface of the pouch; and a sterilized product disposed in the pouch. An aseptic process and package are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy G. Caudle, Kenneth Micnerski
  • Patent number: 8250834
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus for applying a drinking straw on a receiving surface of a stand up bag which can be supplied on a conveying surface to a transfer device for drinking straws. To increase the conveying speed of said apparatus, the transfer means should be arranged such the drinking straw while being handed over encloses an acute angle with the conveying surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: INDAG Gesellschaft für Industriebedarf mbH & Co. Betriebs KG
    Inventors: Hans Peter Wild, Eberhard Kraft
  • Publication number: 20120204513
    Abstract: A modular unit for applying opening devices to packages of pourable food products includes a first conveyor for feeding the opening devices successively along a first path, a second conveyor for feeding the packages successively along a second path, a transfer mechanism for transferring the opening devices along a third path from a pickup station located along the first path, to an application station for applying the opening devices to respective packages and located along the second path, and a processing device for performing specific operations on the opening devices prior to application of the opening devices to the respective packages. The transfer mechanism defines a base module of the unit, and the processing device includes different types of processing devices forming part of different auxiliary modules selectively connectable to the base module to define different units for applying the opening devices to respective packages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Lars Skarin, Mahmod Tabarte, Anders Gustafsson, Alessandro Morselli
  • Patent number: 8176711
    Abstract: Machine for manufacturing flexible sheet material packagings, including an area for feeding a continuous web of flexible sheet material, a preforming area including an area for folding a bottom wall of the packaging, a welding area, an area for filling the packagings, an area for outputting the packagings, a first chemical decontamination treatment area using a gas, arranged between the preforming area and the filling area, and an outside chamber that surrounds the machine at least partially and is depressed atmospherically with respect to the first area. The outside chamber acts as an additional barrier between the first area and the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Proaseptic Technologies S.L.U.
    Inventor: Josep Fonte-Ruíz
  • Patent number: 8166733
    Abstract: Techniques for providing cost effective and tamper evident prepaid card packaging are described. By forming a cutout in a panel of the prepaid card packaging, covering the cutout with a material such as red glassine, and aligning an activation bar code or other indicia on the card with the cutout when mounting the card within the packaging, the security of the activation indicia can be better maintained. After purchase, the bar code can be scanned through the red glassine but prior to purchase, the red glassine prevents photocopying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Oberthur Technologies of America Corp.
    Inventor: David Garland Abell
  • Patent number: 8105226
    Abstract: A spout mounting method and a spout that enable smooth and high-speed mounting of the spout onto a pouch. The method includes an insertion step of inserting the spout (S) into the pouch (P) so that a mounting portion (IP) of the spout (S) is held between not-yet-sealed opening edges, a temporary fixation step of temporarily fixing the spout (S), inserted in the pouch (P), to the pouch (P), and a sealing step of fixing the mounting portion (IP) of the spout (S), temporarily fixed to the pouch (P), to the opening edges of the pouch (P) by heat-sealing. In the temporary fixation step, the opening edges of the pouch (P) are fixed together by spot-sealing near edges on both sides of the mounting portion (IP) of the spout (S) so that the spout (S) is held by the opening edges of the pouch (P).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Seal International, Inc.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Wada
  • 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: 8038349
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible package (1) formed by a wrapped material having a first longitudinal joint (4) comprising two longitudinal edge portions of the wrapped material. The package (1) also has a first and a second transverse joint (5, 6), each comprising a transversal edge portion of the wrapped material. The package (1) comprises a pocket defined by said wrapped material, an openable flap (11) defined by an indication (10) and a label (12) fixed to the openable flap (11) and provided with a tab (14) for opening the package (1) along the indication (10). The package (1) is characterised by a first and a second longitudinal stiffener (3) being formed by said wrapped material and that said label (12) is adhesively fixed to at least one of said first and second longitudinal stiffeners (3). The invention also relates to a method of producing such package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Regath HB
    Inventors: Thomas Andersson, Carl-Olof Norlin
  • Patent number: 8028502
    Abstract: A method of forming and filling the pouch includes the steps of forming each panel and joining two panels by sealing together the side edges and lower edge. The method also includes the steps of opening the pouch and filling the pouch with the product. The method further includes the steps of closing the filled pouch by forming a first closing seal extending along an upper edge of the pouch a predetermined length from the upper edge, such that there is no dead space inside the pouch between the product and the first closing seal, and forming a second seal between the first closing seal and the upper edge thereby trapping the product between the first closing seal and the second closing seal, and finishing the pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Pouch Pac Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: R. Charles Murray
  • Patent number: 7975362
    Abstract: The invention relates to a processing device for covers (20), wherein processing stations are embodied as individual processing stations (47) provided with, respectively, one tool for one cover. Several of said stations work in parallel for the simultaneous processing of several covers. If need be, stations can also be used wherein several tools form groups which are functionally separate from each other. As a result, the processing precision and production speed of the objects can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Soundronic AG
    Inventors: Peter Gysi, Marcel Oberholzer
  • Patent number: 7946098
    Abstract: Apparatus for applying a drinking straw on a receiving surface of a stand up bag which can be supplied on a conveying surface to a transfer device for drinking straws. To increase the conveying speed of said apparatus, the transfer means is arranged such that the drinking straw while being handed over encloses an acute angle with the conveying surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: INDAG Gesellschaft für Industriebedarf mbH & Co. Betriebs KG
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Wild, Eberhard Kraft
  • Patent number: 7895811
    Abstract: An apparatus for positioning and attaching a plurality of fitments to a film includes a guiding device for guiding a plurality of fitments; an attaching device for attaching the fitments to the film; a means for advancing the attached fitments and film; and an indexing device for indexing the fitments, the indexing device including a spring housing, a spring, and a fastener, the indexing device being configured such that when a first fitment has been attached to the film and then advances past the indexing device, the spring controllably releases the first fitment, and a second fitment is advanced into attaching position. A process and vertical form/fill/seal apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy G. Caudle
  • Publication number: 20110036053
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus for applying a drinking straw on a receiving surface of a stand up bag which can be supplied on a conveying surface to a transfer device for drinking straws. To increase the conveying speed of said apparatus, the transfer means should be arranged such the drinking straw while being handed over encloses an acute angle with the conveying surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Hans-Peter WILD, Eberhard Kraft
  • Publication number: 20100300040
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying drinking straws on prefabricated packaging containers includes a drive device for continuous belts of drinking straws wrapped in protective sleeves or envelopes, a conveyor for moving packaging containers past the drinking straw applicator, a separator for separating drinking straws from the belt, as well as an applicator for applying the drinking straw on a side wall of the packaging container. The drinking straw applicator include at least one excenter which is excentrically disposed on a shaft mounted adjacent the drive device. During rotation of the shaft, the excenter is moved from an inner position to an outer position, a drinking straw is picked up at the inner position and is applied on a packaging container at the outer position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Jonas Lindback, Gert Hansson
  • Publication number: 20100089008
    Abstract: A plant for heat-welding and blow moulding containers having feed apparatus for feeding a thermoformable and heat-weldable plastics material in a preferred direction and a plurality of stations for processing the plastics material to form the containers when in use. The stations, which are located in succession along the preferred direction comprise one or more filling stations to fill the containers with filling material when in use, and at least one station for welding an insert onto a container, each insert defining the opening of a corresponding container. The insert welding station is located upstream of the one or more filling stations in the preferred direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Massimiliano Parini, Roberto Tagliaferri
  • Patent number: 7694498
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gas filling apparatus and gas filling port thereof. The gas filling apparatus is connected with the air feed apparatus which is introduced the gas into the first inlet port of the semiconductor device or reticle storage apparatus. The gas filling apparatus includes a supporting base which is provided to hold the storage apparatus thereon, and at least one second inlet port which is disposed on the first inlet port of the storage apparatus so as to the gas is flowed into the storage apparatus through the second inlet port. The second inlet port includes a first base, a second base, a first elastic element, a fixing element, and a switch device. Both of the first base and second base have through holes, and opposite to each other. The first elastic element is used to maintain the airtight and is disposed on the second base and opposite to the first inlet port of the storage apparatus used to maintain the airtight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
  • Publication number: 20090320408
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming cavities in pouches. The packages are used for packaging sterile medical products. The apparatus has a frame and a tongue plate member. A pouch is placed onto the tongue plate member to form a cavity into at least one side of the pouch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Clifford Dey, Dwayne Looney, Michael Pohle, Robert Cerwin
  • Patent number: 7588525
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for folding a tab over a peelable panel on an end structure comprising a ring/panel. The ring and panel are formed from the same flexible material which has no inherent deadfold characteristic. In one embodiment an upper tab fold tool includes a pivotable plate for holding the folded edge of the tab in position prior to heat sealing to the peelable panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Longworth, Jason John Hall
  • Patent number: 7497063
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a holder; a first motor operatively secured to holder; a transporting assembly including a second motor and a slide; a heating unit; a controller; and a housing for enclosing the transporting assembly and the heating unit; A thermally contractible film is put on a closed cryovial containing biological specimens. The cryovial is secured to the holder such that activating the second motor to move the first motor and the holder from an original position to a heating position, stopping the second motor and activating the first motor to turn the holder about a length axis of the cryovial, activating the heating unit to heat the thermally contractible film and contracting same onto the cryovial, and activating the second motor again to move the first motor and the holder from the heating position to the original position will produce a sealed cryovial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Inventor: Kun-Chuan Huang
  • Publication number: 20090025337
    Abstract: A unit (1, 1?) for applying opening devices (2, 2?) to packages (3) of pourable food products, the unit (1, 1?) having first conveying means (8, 8?) for feeding the opening devices (2, 2?) successively along a first path (P1, P1?); second conveying means (9) for feeding the packages (3) successively along a second path (P2); and transfer means (10) for transferring the opening devices (2, 2?) from the first path (P1, P1?) to the second path (P2), and in turn having a wheel (18) rotating about an axis (A), and a number of gripping members (19, 19?) carried by the wheel (18) and for receiving respective opening devices (2, 2?) from the first conveying means (8, 8?) and transferring them to the second path (P2) by rotation of the wheel (18); the transfer means (10) also having connecting means (20) for connecting the gripping members (19, 19?) movably to the wheel (18), and cam guide means (21) for altering the position of each gripping member (19, 19?) with respect to the wheel (18) as the wheel (18) rotates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Lars Skarin, Mahmod Tabarte, Alessandro Morselli
  • Patent number: 7469522
    Abstract: A flexible container forming and filling apparatus comprising a flexible container forming assembly, a flexible container filling assembly and a transfer assembly. The flexible container forming assembly is configured for forming at least two side by side flexible containers which define at least a first output and a second output. The flexible container filling assembly is associated with the flexible container forming assembly and has a receiving region configured for receipt of sequential flexible containers for filling. The transfer assembly is configured for sequentially transferring flexible containers from the first output to the receiving region of the flexible container filling assembly and from the second output to the receiving region of the flexible container filling assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Scholle Corporation
    Inventor: Christian Dettwiller
  • Patent number: 7367171
    Abstract: A venting device with base and an adjuster supported by the base, and a driver driving the adjuster. The adjuster includes a film vent former moved by the driver between vent formation mode and non-vent formation mode. The adjuster includes an adjustable blade moving from non-vent mode position with the blade on a first side of the film to vent mode position with a segment of the blade positioned on an opposite film side. The blade has a blade segment traveling within a nip region of the film driver of a foam-in-bag dispenser, where the venting device is nestled in a film drive component slot in the nip zone, and an opposite nip zone roller across the film path has a reception groove receiving the blade segment. The blade is contained in a housing shaped to perform a film wrap around prevention function relative to the bag forming assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Intellipack
    Inventors: George Bertram, Doug Walker
  • Publication number: 20080092485
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for folding a tab over a peelable panel on an end structure comprising a ring/panel. The ring and panel are formed from the same flexible material which has no inherent deadfold characteristic. In one embodiment an upper tab fold tool includes a pivotable plate for holding the folded edge of the tab in position prior to heat sealing to the peelable panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: Crown Packaging Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Longworth, Jason John Hall
  • Patent number: 7314439
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a tetrahedral-shaped pouch (100 from a flexible strip of film material is such that a tube (13) is formed from a strip (32) in a continuous manner involving the creation of a longitudinal sealing seam (12), and a tetrahedral shaped pouch (10) is formed from the tube (13) by means of alternating forming a first transverse sealing seam (14) running transverse to the longitudinal seam (12) and second transverse sealing seam (16) running essentially perpendicular to and a distance from the first transverse seam (14), whereby the second transverse seams (16) are situated in the region of a tetrahedral corner (18) of the pouch (10), such that an essentially tube outlet part (20) for pouring that is closed as its free end (22) is formed projecting out from the pouch (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Alcan Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel Bossel, Kyeni Mbiti, Jochem Willemse, Peter Kanscar
  • Patent number: 7308783
    Abstract: A method of filling a bag includes holding the bag open to define a fill path extending past an obverse side of a closure strip, between the closure strip and an opposed wall of the bag, and pouring contents into the open bag through the fill path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventors: William H. Shepard, William P. Clune, George A. Provost
  • Patent number: 7278541
    Abstract: A method of making a blood filter assembly provides first and second filter housing elements from a flexible thermoplastic material, each of the first and second housing elements including a molded port. The method places a filter media between the first and second filter housing elements and applies radio frequency heating and pressure to form a peripheral seal that joins the first and second filter housing elements to the filter media and encapsulates the filter media between the first and second housing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Julian P Breillatt, Jr., John C Burnham, Allen R Wons, Randy Murphy, Daryl R Calhoun, Daniel R Lynn
  • Patent number: 7169102
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a, tetrahedral-shaped pouch (100 from a flexible strip of film material is such that a tube (13) is formed from a strip (32) in a continuous manner involving the creation of a longitudinal sealing seam (12), and the tetrahedral shaped pouch (10) is formed from the tube (13) by means of alternatingly forming a first transverse sealing seam (14) running transverse to the longitudinal seam (12) and second transverse sealing seam (16) running essentially perpendicular to and a distance from the first transverse seam (14), whereby the second transverse seams (16) are situated in the region of a tetrahedral corner (18) of the pouch (10), such that an essentially tube outlet part (20) for pouring that is closed at its free end (22) is formed projecting out from the pouch (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Alcan Technology & Management, Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel Bossel, Kyeni Mbiti, Jochem Willemse, Peter Kanscar
  • Patent number: 7147597
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a fitmented flexible bottle is disclosed which involves feeding webs including one or more gussets, creating perimeter seals around only the top portion of the bottle, inserting the fitment from the input end of the machine in the direction of web travel, forming the remainder of the perimeter seams, detaching the nascent bottle from the web, and sealing the neck section of the bottle to the fitment by clamping the neck section with a heated clamp, and preferably repeating the seal operation at a different radial angle. Sealing the fitment by application of ultrasonic energy is also disclosed. In another embodiment, the fitment is sealed to the neck section of the bottle by utilizing heated wheels against the neck and rotating the bottle to create a seal all around the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Wilkes
  • Patent number: 7100346
    Abstract: A machine for winding and boxing wound coils of filamentary material having a payout hole extending from the outer to the inner coil winding wherein a turret mechanism mounting two oppositely disposed end forms and corresponding collapsible mandrels and operative between first and second stations, wherein the first station enables filamentary material to be wound on one of the mandrels and associated end form and a second station wherein the mandrel and end form containing the wound coil is rotated to confront a boxing station; a boxing station including a platform having a movable back panel, a base panel and an inclined ramp facing the second station and being movable towards and away from the second station for receiving the wound coil from the collapsible mandrel; the boxing station receiving an unfolded box deposited on the base panel with a back panel folded against said back panel and including means for folding two opposite side panels of the box to enable reception of the wound coil in the partially
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Windings, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank W. Kotzur, David B. Franklin, Brian P. Moore, Gregory A. Kotzur
  • Patent number: 6990785
    Abstract: A drinking straw attachment device for attaching drinking straws to beverage containers, wherein the drinking straws are fed in the form of a drinking straw band provided with a glue layer, with a feeder device having, at least the point where the cutting device severs two drinking straws from each other, a recess matched in its height position with the glue layer and the height extension of which corresponds at least to the width of the glue layer. A method for attaching drinking straws to beverage containers includes cutting device drinking straw band into pieces between each of the two drinking straws with a cutting device in the area of the feeder device, and piercing the cutting device through the glue layer and the drinking straw band into a recess provided on the feeder device in a height position corresponding to the glue layer, and whereby the height extension of the recess corresponds at least to the width of the glue band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Indag Gesellschaft fuer Industriebedarf mbH & CO Betriebs KG
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Wild, Eberhard Kraft
  • Patent number: 6964145
    Abstract: A process for packaging a food product such as soft ice-cream, frozen yogurt or the like in a single-serving package comprises a continuous in-line system in which a pot (9) is formed in a deformable bottom web (2) of plastics material and a lid (12) with dispensing aperture (14) is formed in a top web (4) of plastics material. Food product is filled into the formed pot and the webs are brought together in register with a lid aligned over the mouth of the pot. The lid is sealed to the pot at a sealing station and the aperture in the lid is covered and sealed with a peel-off tab or label (16). To dispense the product for consumption, the tab is removed and the product is extruded by pressing down on the deformable pot to collapse it, forcing the product through the aperture in the lid. To facilitate this, at least a portion of the lid is formed so as to be sufficiently rigid as to provide a bearing surface toward which the pot can be collapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Dairygold Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Liam Michael O'Gallcobhair
  • Patent number: 6957523
    Abstract: A system to form, fill and seal (FFS) flexible bags including the steps of: a total printing of the film as it winds off the supply reel; a dry cleaning; a gimballed aligning for the folding of the printed and washed film; a hot-bar welding of the folded film; a valve welding controlled by an algorithm; a humidification treatment of the valve cavity; a shaping of the bags by hot tools also controlled by an algorithm; and a high precision dosage of the filling liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventor: Alberto Siccardi
  • Patent number: 6892508
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for securing a pour spout fitment to a panel of a filled and sealed thermoplastic-coated carton, wherein a machine 10 is mounted over a conveyor 12 conveying a line of cartons. Within the machine 10, a selected panel surface of each filled and sealed carton is heated to a predetermined temperature; next, at least an annular surface of a flange of the fitment is heated to a predetermined temperature. When the heated surface of the fitment is applied to the heated surface of the carton, the heat energy is transferred to the latter surface to an extent capable of activating the thermoplastic coating thereon. Upon pressing and cooling, the fitment and the carton surface are bonded together, without the need for a back-up or support mechanism, such as a mandrel or anvil. Alternatively, the fitment may be secured to the carton by way of a jetted-on, circular bead of hot melt adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Elopak Systems AG
    Inventors: Edward Albert Skinner, Robert E. Rochelle, John A. Weber
  • Patent number: 6834474
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a slider-equipped zipper on a pouch in a form/fill/seal operation. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a foldable slider is employed, and is shifted from an open configuration to a closed configuration for installation on zipper strips on the pouch. Stops are preferably provided at the ends of the zipper strips by application of heat and pressure to form a boss on one side and a corresponding recess on the other, without requiring additional material. A hermetic peelable seal preferably is provided beneath the zipper strips. The slider preferably is applied to the zipper strips immediately before or immediately after filling, or immediately after formation of the peelable seal. Means may be provided to shift the position of the slider to close the zipper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Herberto Dutra, Mark Charles Mikol
  • Publication number: 20040237472
    Abstract: An automated container production line for automatically removing, orienting, filling, sealing and providing a label and applying a straw to the outside of the labeled container is provided which utilizes a novel orienting conveyor for receiving unoriented containers from a supply bin and orienting the containers for a plurality of novel short production lines having a positioning screw conveyor which intermittently starts and stops the advancement of the containers as groups of containers in which various groups of containers are simultaneously filled, sealed, inspected and then subsequently transported to a sleeving device for adding labels, a heat shrink tunnel for fastening the sleeve to the container and then to a novel straw applicator for subsequently attaching a straw to the outside of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Gilbert L. De Cardenas, Kenneth N. Barker
  • Patent number: 6810636
    Abstract: A container and spout assembly apparatus for assembling a plurality of flexible containers with corresponding spouts. The container and spout assembly apparatus comprises a plurality of assembly stations, a container introduction station, a spout introduction station and a container removal station. Each of the plurality of assembly stations is substantially rotatably positioned about a general axis of rotation. In addition, each of the plurality of assembly stations includes a container manipulating assembly, a spout grasping and positioning member and a joining assembly. The container manipulating member is capable of retaining and manipulating a flexible container. The spout grasping and positioning member is capable of relatively positioning a spout in a desired position relative to a flexible container upon at least one of manipulation and retention thereof by the container manipulating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Fogg Filler Company
    Inventor: Michael R. Resterhouse
  • Patent number: 6779318
    Abstract: A system and method of continuously forming, sealing, and filling flexible packages with sterile beverages is disclosed wherein the forming, sealing, and filling is performed without stopping or indexing the packages in order to achieve high throughput rates and efficiency. A web feeding device inputs sheet material into the system, which is continuously formed into a series of juxtaposed shaped packages in a forming unit. The packages are formed by a folding technique resulting in top and bottom gussets, and sealed side seams with an open top for filling thereof with liquid. The entire web of formed packages is transported through a filling device, which continuously fills the packages while in web form. The top fill openings of the packages are then sealed in a continuous process, and fabrication within an aseptic or ultra-clean environment is thereby completed. Post-treatment of the packages outside of the aseptic environment, but in a clean environment, then may proceed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventor: James J. Wang
  • Patent number: 6775959
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of producing packages with opening arrangements and of the type which has a hole prepared in the package wall through which the package is intended to be emptied of its contents. A web of paper or paperboard is coated on its one side with liquid tight coating of plastic and, on its other side, with a metal foil which serves as oxygen gas barrier and which is bonded to the paper or paperboard layer by an adjacent adhesive layer. The coated web or packaging blank is thereafter transported further to a packing and filling machine where the web is provided with emptying-preparatory holes before being reformed into finished packages in a conventional manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Rolf Lasson
  • Patent number: 6766627
    Abstract: A machine for winding and boxing wound coils of filamentary material having a payout hole extending from the outer to the inner coil winding, a turret mechanism mounting two oppositely disposed end forms and corresponding collapsible mandrels and operative between first and second stations, wherein the first station enables filamentary material to be wound on one of the mandrels and associated end form and a second station wherein the mandrel and end form containing the wound coil is rotated to confront a boxing station; a boxing station including a platform having a movable back panel, a base panel and an inclined ramp facing the second station and being movable towards and away from second station for receiving the wound coil from the collapsible mandrel; the boxing station receiving an unfolded box deposited on the base panel with a box back panel folded against the back panel and including means for folding two opposite side panels of the box to enable reception of the wound coil in the partially assemble
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Windings, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank W. Kotzur, David B. Franklin, Brian P. Moore, Gregory A. Kotzur
  • Patent number: 6751928
    Abstract: An apparatus for inserting spouts into bags comprising a plurality of spout holding member disposed at equal intervals on the circumference of a continuously-rotating rotating table; and a pair of holding members which position and hold both side edges of bags, bag bottom receiving stands that support the lower ends of the bags, and suction plates which open the mouths of the bags with suction. The holding members hold side edges of supplied bags, the bag bottom receiving stand is raised to move the mouths of the bags to the suction plates, and the mouths of the bags are opened by suction by the suction plates. Then, the holding members, bag bottom receiving stand and suction plates are raised, and bags are fitted over the spouts and raised to the upper end of the sealing portion of the spouts. Afterward, the bags and spouts are temporarily sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Toyo Jidoki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Hiramoto, Shoji Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 6745540
    Abstract: A spout sealing method and apparatus using a spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus, a primary sealing apparatus, a secondary sealing apparatus and a cold-sealing apparatus that are installed in a row; and transfer apparatuses being installed between these sealing apparatuses. Each apparatus has a continuously rotating rotor. A plurality of spout holding members which hold and convey spouts are disposed at equal intervals on the circumferences of the rotors, and spouts are continuously transferred between the spout holding members of adjacent rotors. In the spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus, bags and spouts are supplied from different sources; and the bags are fitted over the spouts held by the spout holding members, and the bags and spouts are temporarily sealed by a temporary-sealing apparatus. Then, main sealing is performed by the primary sealing apparatus and secondary sealing apparatus, and the main sealing area is cooled by the cold-sealing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Toyo Jidoki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Hiramoto, Keizo Hirata
  • Patent number: 6722102
    Abstract: A method for securing thermoplastic pour spout fitments 22 to thermoplastic-coated containers 20, wherein at least a surface of the pour spout fitment 22 is heated remotely at heating stations 42-46 to a temperature significantly below the melting point of the thermoplastic fitment. When the heated fitment surface is applied to a selected surface of an erected, thermoplastic-coated container 20, the heat energy is transferred to the latter surface to an extent capable of activating the thermoplastic coating thereon. Upon cooling, the fitment 22 and the container surface are bonded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Elopak AG
    Inventors: Leslie Pape, Robert Edwin Rochelle
  • Patent number: 6681547
    Abstract: Handling stand up bags (2) for beverages, wherein as bags (2) are filled, closed, provided with a drinking straw (3) and, being inserted in a plurality of bags into an outer packaging (4), are discharged, so as to make such a method faster and thus more economic, the stand up bags (2) are transported in a lying position between closing and insertion into the outer packaging (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Indag Gesellschaft fur Industrielbedarf mbH & Co. Betriebs KG
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Wild, Eberhard Kraft
  • Patent number: 6668517
    Abstract: With a use of a transfer rotor that has gripping claws on its circumference, spouts are received by the gripping claws and conveyed and transferred to spout holding members of a continuously rotating rotor. The transfer rotor rotates intermittently 60° in a cycle consisting of stopping, acceleration, constant speed, deceleration and stopping. When the transfer rotor is stopped, spouts are received by gripping claws. During the constant rotation, the gripping claws are matched with the speed of the spout holding members, and the gripping claws and the spout holding members run side by side. During this side-by-side running, the spouts are transferred from the gripping claws to the spout holding members. At a transfer position, the gripping claws open, and the spouts move along a guide member as the spout holding members rotate, so that the spouts are pushed into the interiors of holding grooves of the spout holding members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Toyo Jidoki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Hiramoto, Shoichi Koga