Combined Patents (Class 53/167)
  • Patent number: 11897742
    Abstract: A cap sterilization device (50) includes a sterilant spraying chamber (52) in which a sterilant is sprayed onto a cap (33) and an air-rinsing chamber (53) in which the cap (33) onto which the sterilant has been sprayed in the sterilant spraying chamber (52) is subjected to air-rinsing. A sterilant spraying wheel (74) that conveys the cap (33) while rotating the cap (33) is disposed in the sterilant spraying chamber (52). An air-rinsing wheel (75) that conveys the cap (33) onto which the sterilant has been sprayed while rotating the cap (33) is disposed in the air-rinsing chamber (53). The air-rinsing chamber (53) is disposed vertically above the sterilant spraying chamber (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Hayakawa, Seiji Kuwano, Yoshinori Satou
  • Patent number: 11780628
    Abstract: A pallet wrapping system with a pre-stretch carriage and at least two encoders. The pre-stretch carriage is configured to pre-stretch stretch film and has at least two stretch rollers and a hinged door. The at least two stretch rollers includes a first stretch roller with an outer surface that moves at a first speed and a second stretch roller with an outer surface that moves at a second speed higher than the first speed. The door provides access to the stretch rollers when in an open position and entraps the stretch film between the stretch rollers and the door when in a closed position. The encoders are mounted on the door. Each of the encoders is configured to contact the stretch film on the outer surface of one of the stretch rollers and measure a length of stretch film passing over that stretch roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Inventor: Darrel Bison
  • Patent number: 11655059
    Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing and inserting a predetermined number of material-filled pouches into containers are disclosed. A system includes a pouch providing system comprising a plurality of lanes, wherein each one of the plurality of lanes includes a pouch making machine and a hold-back structure. The system also includes a conveyor system structured and arranged to move a plurality of containers into alignment with the plurality of lanes. The system further includes a controller structured and arranged to control the hold-back structure in each one of the plurality of lanes such that the pre-determined pouches are inserted into the plurality of containers when the plurality of containers are aligned with the plurality of lanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: James D. Evans, Herbert Cary Longest, Tamika S. Murrell, Robert V. Powell, Jr., Jeremy Straight, Jarrod W. Chalkley
  • Patent number: 11628230
    Abstract: A sterilization method includes irradiating flexible bags, in particular, bags of the type that can contain solutions of human plasma proteins for therapeutic use. The sterilization method includes electron beam irradiation. An in-line method for filling flexible bags of the type that can contain solutions of human plasma proteins for therapeutic use can use the sterilization method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: GRIFOLS ENGINEERING, S.A.
    Inventors: Jordi Boira Bonhora, Daniel Fleta Coit, Carlos Roura Salietti
  • Patent number: 11618202
    Abstract: A method for the production of blow-molded containers that are sterile at least in certain regions, and a blow-molding machine configured to carry out the method. In accordance with the method, blowing stations are arranged on a rotating blowing wheel. A preform of a thermoplastic material is first heated and then stretched in a blowing station by a stretching rod and subjected to a pressurized blowing fluid via a blowing nozzle. A sterilizing fluid is supplied to the preform in the blowing station to perform a sterilization. The sterilizing fluid is fed into the preform from an outlet and is carried away again via an inlet and in between follows a flow path. The sterilizing fluid is made to pass through or pass by the stretching rod on its flow path, and the sterilizing fluid is supplied while the blow-molding machine continues to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Litzenberg, Martin Gerhards, Thomas Herold, Dieter Klatt
  • Patent number: 11612177
    Abstract: Heating systems utilizing radio frequency (RF) energy and methods for using the same to rapidly and uniformly heat packaged articles moving through the system on one or more convey lines. These systems may be useful for a variety of processes, including the pasteurization or sterilization of packaged foodstuffs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventor: Harold Dail Kimrey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11613389
    Abstract: A filling machine for filling containers with items includes an item conveyor, and a bulk feeder for feeding items onto the item conveyor. The bulk feeder includes a hopper and a feed assembly, where the feed assembly includes an item collecting compartment for collecting items from the hopper. A pusher is movable through the collecting compartment to push items in the collecting compartment onto the item conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Blue Sky Ventures (Ontario) Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandre Lebel, Simon Lajoie
  • Patent number: 11530056
    Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing and inserting a predetermined number of material-filled pouches into containers are disclosed. A system includes a pouch providing system comprising a plurality of lanes, wherein each one of the plurality of lanes includes a pouch making machine and a hold-back structure. The system also includes a conveyor system structured and arranged to move a plurality of containers into alignment with the plurality of lanes. The system further includes a controller structured and arranged to control the hold-back structure in each one of the plurality of lanes such that the pre-determined pouches are inserted into the plurality of containers when the plurality of containers are aligned with the plurality of lanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: James D. Evans, Herbert Cary Longest, Tamika S. Murrell, Robert V. Powell, Jr., Jeremy Straight, Jarrod W. Chalkley
  • Patent number: 11524806
    Abstract: A method for sterilizing closure elements (3) for packaging containers (1), wherein the closure elements (3) are collected individually by a holding mechanism (25) in the region of a sterile chamber (12) and are placed onto an opening (4) of a filled packaging container (1) and connected to the latter, and wherein the closure elements (3), while being conveyed inside the sterile chamber (12), are treated by means of at least one sterilizing medium (6, 7, 52) during a sterilizing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: SYNTEGON TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventor: Peter Mueller
  • Patent number: 11503680
    Abstract: In an example, a method of operating an ultraviolet (UV) light source includes providing a supply power to the UV light source, and activating, using the supply power, the UV light source to emit UV light during a series of activation cycles. The method also includes, during at least one activation cycle in the series, sensing the UV light emitted by the UV light source to measure an optical parameter of the UV light. The optical parameter is related to an antimicrobial efficacy of the UV light. The method further includes adjusting, based on the measured optical parameter, an electrical parameter of the supply power to maintain a target antimicrobial efficacy of the UV light over the series of activation cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Melanie L. Kimsey-Lin
  • Patent number: 11389976
    Abstract: A disposable isolator including a bottom, a flexible peripheral wall defining a clean and sterile inner volume, a first pair of joining parts forming a first tight junction at the bottom, this first pair including an inner part placed inside the inner volume and suitable for positioning containers, and an outer part placed outside the inner volume and suitable for cooperating by shape matching with a positioning cavity provided on a support table, and a second pair of joining parts forming a second tight junction at the peripheral wall and including an outer part suitable for being connected to a robot, and an inner part suitable for being connected to a manipulating tool, the first and second pairs being designed so that the robot applies the manipulating tool on the containers positioned on the support table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: JCE BIOTECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: Eric Gohier
  • Patent number: 11383862
    Abstract: An automatic packing machine and automatic packing method for express delivery are provided. The automatic packing machine for express delivery includes: a frame; a box discharging mechanism, fixed to the frame; a weighing mechanism, fixed to the frame, the weighing mechanism including a weighing plate and a weighing plate steering engine which are arranged in coordination and an image collecting module, the weighing plate steering engine and the image collecting module being fixed to the frame, and the image collecting module facing the weighing plate; a box body unfolding mechanism; a box closing mechanism; a conveying mechanism; and a controller, connected to all other structures of the automatic packing machine for express delivery. Through the technical solutions of the present invention, multiple functions are integrated, the degree of automation is high, and different items are packaged by using different box bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Binzhou University
    Inventors: Jing Liu, Pengchuan Liu, Qingfa Lu, Xiaowu Zhu, Jianmeng Cao, Ruiyang Sun
  • Patent number: 11367324
    Abstract: Techniques for providing a reusable filled bottle are provided. A stations receives a bottle request from a user and uses information from the request to select and associate a sanitized bottle to the user. The user is charged for a bottle rental and provided with a filled reusable bottle. The user may also return the bottle to the station to have the bottle refilled or return the bottle such that the bottle rental is completed and the bottle no longer associated with the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Catherine H. Crawford, John A. Gunnels, Ramya Raghavendra, Aisha Walcott
  • Patent number: 11235898
    Abstract: An aseptic packaging machine includes a web-shaped packaging material feed, a sterilizer-filler nozzle assembly with a form section 40, a product supply duct, a sterilization medium supply duct, and an exhaust duct. One or more pre-sterilization medium supply feeds are connectable to a product inlet connector and a sterilization medium inlet connector. A collector cup 70 is movable relative to the nozzle assembly between an inactive and a docking position. The collector cup delimits one or more interior spaces 71a, 72a designed to, in the docking position, enclose a product outlet portion 4 to collect and/or drain away pre-sterilization media during a pre-sterilization of the nozzle assembly get to flow through and along it, and to also enclose the sterilization medium outlet portion 16 and/or exhaust inlet portion 22 in the docking position inside its one or more interior spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: JBT Food & Dairy Systems B.V.
    Inventors: Arjan Tervoort, Marijn Luijten
  • Patent number: 11097861
    Abstract: There is described a packaging machine for producing sealed packages of a pourable product from a web of packaging material, which may include conveying means for advancing the web of packaging material along a web advancement path at least to a tube forming station at which the web of packaging material is formed into a tube and for advancing the tube along a tube advancement path, an isolation housing having a main chamber and an auxiliary chamber arranged downstream of the main chamber along the tube advancement path, a tube forming and sealing device at least partially arranged within the main chamber and being configured to form and longitudinally seal the tube within the main chamber, a filling device for filling the tube with the pourable product and a pressure control device configured to control a first pressure within the main chamber and a second pressure within the auxiliary chamber such that the first pressure is higher than the second pressure and the first pressure and the second pressure are b
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdngs & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Andrea Donati
  • Patent number: 10870504
    Abstract: A method of forming and filling a container. The method includes the steps of placing a preform in fluidic communication with an outlet of an injection device of a forming station and forming a container by expanding the preform during a forming step, wherein a forming liquid is injected into the preform through the outlet to expand the preform into the container. The forming liquid is a cleanable liquid. The method further includes a step of transferring the formed container to a concentrate filling station, separate from the forming station and a step of filling the concentrated liquid in the container already containing the cleanable liquid. The step of filling the concentrated liquid is performed in the concentrate filling station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Inventor: Luc Desoutter
  • Patent number: 10863589
    Abstract: A low-temperature vacuum cooking device and a cooking appliance including low-temperature vacuum cooking device are provided. The cooking appliance may include a housing including a container mount and a vacuum-packing module mount provided adjacent to each other, a first container having a space to accommodate a liquid therein, the first container being configured to be coupled with the container mount, a heater that heats the liquid accommodated in the first container, a vacuum pressure generator installed on the vacuum-packing module mount to suction air inside a food packing bag, a sealer installed adjacent to the vacuum pressure generator that heats the food packing bag in order to seal it, a cover rotatably installed on the housing to cover or open the first container and the vacuum pressure generator, and a high-temperature cooking unit including a top plate and a high-temperature heater provided at a lower portion of the top plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jeonghyun Lee, Sungho Choi
  • Patent number: 10703063
    Abstract: A bulk bin forming system configured as a container forming cell includes a multi-axis robot to which is attached a multifunction tool. One or more collapsed card board boxes are located at a first station of the container forming cell adjacent the robot. The robot and multifunction tool are configured to operate to grasp and move an individual box, orient and pre-form the box by folding flaps at a second station of the cell, and then move the box to a third station of the cell to mount the box to a support configured as a pallet to thereby form a bulk bin or bulk box container referred to as a gaylord container. The tool may include vacuum grippers for grasping the boxes and staplers for securing the formed box to the pallet, and may also be used to fold the bottom flaps prior to mounting the box to the pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Dematic Corp.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Heath, Anthony J. Paniczko
  • Patent number: 10697991
    Abstract: A dispensing system comprising a robot configured to move a dispenser for suctioning a liquid to be dispensed, a camera for capturing an image including at least a tip of the dispenser, a liquid surface of the liquid, and an object not to be dispensed located below the liquid surface, and circuitry configured to acquire, based at least in part on the image captured by the camera, surface location information for the liquid surface, boundary location information for a boundary between the liquid and the object not to be dispensed, and dispenser location information for the tip of the dispenser on the basis of the image, and control the robot to lower the dispenser based at least in part on the dispenser location information, the surface location information, and the boundary location information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Inventors: Noriko Abe, Hiroshi Kumagai, Yukiko Sawada, Motohisa Kamei
  • Patent number: 10614352
    Abstract: A counting system has a dispensing assembly, a singulator assembly, a counting assembly, and a control system. The dispensing assembly distributes particles to the singulator assembly which separates the particles into a singulator path and delivers the singulated particles to the counting assembly where the particles are counted and the count displayed on an input and display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: DUBOIS ARGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Nathan Paul Davis, Robert William Wilson, Jerry DuBois
  • Patent number: 10556711
    Abstract: A thermo-sealing machine for filling containers with liquids and sealing them, comprising a bearing structure on which a bell member is mounted, at a higher position than that of support means for supporting at least a container to be filled and sealed, said bell member comprising a metering device, die-cutting means and sealing means, for die-cutting and sealing a film slidable between said bell member and the container to be filled, said machine being provided with an anti-polluting and operator safety system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: COMBIFILL S.R.L.
    Inventor: Riccardo Valli
  • Patent number: 10464109
    Abstract: Systems and methods for rinsing beverage residue from a mechanical interface between threads of a bottle and threads of a bottle cap is described. The bottle cap may include a sealable coating to create a seal against a rim of the bottle. The bottle cap may also include passages to allow pressurized water to be injected into an upper inner region of the bottle cap. The pressurized water is prevented from entering the bottle due to the seal between the rim of the bottle and the sealable coating of the bottle cap. Therefore, the pressurized water is caused to escape through the mechanical thread interface toward a lower inner region of the bottle cap where the water escapes from the cap at atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Inventor: Nolan Smith
  • Patent number: 10456484
    Abstract: Disclosed is a steam sterilizer, and a single use/disposable container for use in the sterilizer and a sterilization method. The container is a rigid or semi-rigid container having a sealable elongate conduit through which steam sterilant may be introduced into the container and steam sterilant and condensate may be removed from the container. Once one or more items to be sterilized are placed in the container a cover is sealed over the mouth of the container. The steam sterilizer has a sterilization chamber adapted to receive the container and provide sterilant within and around the container. Sterilant is provided to the container via the conduit which is sealed at the end of the sterilization process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: MERCER TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Terry Dean Kemp, Alan Reg Dowman
  • Patent number: 10343325
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for producing sterile receptacles (2), comprising: a molding unit (13) for molding parisons (4) starting from granules of thermoplastic material; a stretch-blowing forming unit (3) which receives the parisons (4) from the molding unit (13), the forming unit (3) having a plurality of forming stations (5) in each of which there is a mold (6) and a sterilization device (12) so as to form and sterilize the corresponding parison (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: GEA PROCOMAC S.P.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Pagliarini, Luigi Casappa
  • Patent number: 10308493
    Abstract: A drink filling system including: a bottle molding section; a sterilizing section that sterilizes a molded bottle; a rinsing section that rinses the bottle; a filling section that fills and seals the bottle; and a conveying unit that conveys the bottle from the molding section through to the filling section. A chamber covers a portion extending from the sterilizing section to the filling section, and an atmosphere shut-off chamber is provided between a sterilizing section chamber and a rinsing section chamber. An exhaust unit is provided for the atmosphere shut-off chamber and/or the sterilizing section chamber, a clean air supply unit is provided for a filling section chamber so that a clean air flows from the filling section chamber into the atmosphere shut-off chamber through the rinsing section chamber or further flows into the sterilizing section chamber, and the air-flow flowing therein is exhausted by an exhaust unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 9952191
    Abstract: This invention provides a method of ranking a characteristic of a liquid sample by providing a test container [11] having a viewing port [16] to liquid contained therein and through which electronic image data of a defined body of liquid sample [20] in the container can be captured. This data is compared with an electronic data model containing comparison data with which the captured electronic image data can be compared to provide a ranking. The image is captured and the image data is electronically compared with the comparison data to provide a characteristic ranking of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: OMA APP IP PTY LTD
    Inventor: Randall Crisp
  • Patent number: 9776753
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the clocked conveying of packaging containers in a filling machine for flowable products along a conveying line with a first and a second section, a first conveying means and a second conveying means being operated at different clock cycles in the first section of the conveying line and in the second section of the conveying line respectively, and a handling device arranged between the first and the second sections of the conveying line compensating for the different clock times between the first and second conveying means. The clock time for filling flowable products into the packaging containers can thus be sufficiently measured in the second section of the conveying line, without having to accept unnecessary dead time for performing a processing step in the first section of the conveying line. Further disclosed is a device for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: ELOPAK AS
    Inventor: Klaus Baltes
  • Patent number: 9579255
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an Automated Pharmacy Admixture System (APAS) may include a manipulator system to transport medical containers such as bags, vials, or syringes in a compounding chamber regulated to a pressure below atmospheric pressure. In a preferred implementation, the manipulator system is configured to grasp and convey syringes, IV bags, and vials of varying shapes and sizes from a storage system in an adjacent chamber regulated at a pressure above atmospheric pressure. Various embodiments may include a controller adapted to actuate the manipulator system to bring a fill port of an IV bag, vial, or syringe into register with a filling port at a fluid transfer station in the chamber. A preferred implementation includes a sanitization system that can substantially sanitize a bung on a fill port of a vial or IV bag in preparation for transport to the fluid transfer station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: ARxIUM Inc.
    Inventors: Walter W. Eliuk, Ronald H. Rob, Lance R. Mlodzinski, Alex H. Reinhardt, Thom Doherty
  • Patent number: 9573706
    Abstract: A machine for filling bags for example with meat, vegetables, pet food, beef sausages or similar products of any desired shape or irregular size, and a corresponding method for filling such bags uses a filling system for feeding the product. Means for compressing the product also form a path for directing the product into the open bag. Introduction means drive the product along the path into the open bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: KHS GMBH
    Inventor: Scott Veix
  • Patent number: 9408932
    Abstract: There is described a unit for sterilizing a web of packaging material advanced along a given path, having, along a longitudinal portion thereof, a succession of pre-applied opening devices and adapted to be transformed in a plurality of sealed packages containing a pourable food product; the unit comprises a bath, containing a sterilizing agent in which the web with the opening devices is advanced, and an aseptic chamber connected to an outlet of the bath and housing drying mechanism for removing residual sterilizing agent from the web; the drying mechanism comprise an ejector located at a distance from the outlet of the bath and configured so as to direct a stream of air transversally to the web and onto the longitudinal portion of the web provided with the opening devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Ghirardello, Danilo Veroni, Alessandro Veronesi, Robert Bartolini, Daniele Apparuti, Renzo Bellei
  • Patent number: 9090405
    Abstract: A removable cartridge cleaner assembly is provided that allows for faster and easier removal of the belt cleaner blades out from under a conveyor belt. In one aspect the assembly includes a biasing surface of one of an elongate support assembly and a channel member configured to be engaged by a securing member and urge distal ends of legs of the channel member into tight engagement with the elongate support assembly and minimize debris accumulation therebetween. In another aspect, the elongate base member and rail member each include lateral portions configured to slidably engage corresponding wedge portions to urge the rail member toward the base member. A method of installing a belt cleaner assembly is also provided which includes camming a rail member downwardly toward the support member upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: Brett E. DeVries, Daniel J. Kuiper, Carl J. Hessler
  • Patent number: 9078943
    Abstract: A hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) supply arrangement which has a storage container for the H2O2 and metering valves designed to meter doses of H2O2 to a plurality of article sterilization devices. The H2O2 supply arrangement also has a line arrangement which connects the storage container to the metering valves. The line arrangement is designed so as to conduct H2O2 to the metering valves, but also to cycle H2O2 not metered or dosed out by the metering valves back into the H2O2 storage container in a cyclical manner. The H2O2 supply arrangement is designed in this manner to minimize decomposition of the H2O2, and thus minimize waste and improve accuracy of the metered doses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Herold, Roland Topf
  • Patent number: 9061390
    Abstract: A production line system includes a cooling processing step of cooling a coolant for processing machines (lathes) of work, and a heating processing step of heating washing fluid for a washing machine which washes the work after processing by the lathes. The heating processing step and the cooling processing step are performed by a heat pump in one heat pump cycle. Further, a heat balance between heating in the heating processing step and cooling in the cooling processing step is adjusted with the setting temperature of the washing fluid and the setting temperature of the coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignees: Zeneral Heatpump Industry Co., Ltd., Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigemitsu Shiba, Yoshiro Shiba, Takayuki Miura, Manabu Kayamoto, Ichirou Sakuraba, Hiroshi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 9027311
    Abstract: A method of sterilizing items by placing items to be sterilized into a puncture resistant sealable vapor barrier sterilization bag, performing steam sterilization under pressure via a conduit coupled to the bag while maintaining a heated compensating pressure environment around the exterior of the bag during steam sterilization so as to reduce mechanical stress on the bag and sealing the bag at the completion of sterilization. There is also provided a sterilization services apparatus for sterilizing the contents of a sterilization bag including a pressure compensating compartment having a sealable door that maintains a heated compensating pressure environment around the exterior of a sterilization bag during steam sterilization so as to reduce mechanical stress on the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Mercer Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Terry Dean Kemp, Christo Andre De Klerk
  • Patent number: 9027312
    Abstract: Machine (10) and method for treating containers (12) of liquids comprising a loading station (15) into which baskets (23) are loaded containing, according to a desired pattern of disposition, the containers (12) to be subjected to washing, a filling station (18) in which the washed containers (12) are filled with new liquid, and a re-closing station (19) in which the containers (12) are closed by the relative lids (11). The re-closing station (19) comprises a closing device (63) provided with gripper members (70) by means of which the lids (11) are picked up and positioned so as to close the containers (12), and loading members (66) that automatically direct the lids (11) toward the closing device (63) in a manner consistent with the desired pattern of disposition of the containers (12) in the baskets (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Steelco Spa
    Inventor: Fabio Zardini
  • Patent number: 8997438
    Abstract: A robotic case packing system loads articles from one conveyor into containers on another conveyor using a robotic pick and place mechanism and a set of pivoting bins. A controller moves the robotic mechanism in first picking movements to pick and place articles from the conveyor into the first bin. Once the first bin is full, the controller pivots the first bin to allow the articles stacked in the first bin to be loaded into a container held below. While the first bin is pivoting, the controller moves the robotic mechanism to pick and place articles from the conveyor into the second bin. The process repeats with the controller pivoting the second bin during the picking movements used to fill the first bin and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: David M. Fallas
  • Publication number: 20150094849
    Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of automatic container orientation systems. Also disclosed are methods for automatically orienting containers. In an exemplary embodiment, a system for automatically orienting containers generally includes one or more cameras, a controller, and an orientation unit. The one or more cameras are configured to obtain data relating to an orientation of at least one container to be included in a package. The controller is in communication with the one or more cameras for receiving the data and is configured to use the data to determine an amount of rotation needed for the at least one container to orient the at least one container in a desired final orientation. The orientation unit is configured to rotate the at least one container by the determined amount of rotation to thereby orient the at least one container in the desired final orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Brian R. Stork, Todd Rio
  • Patent number: 8985338
    Abstract: A package for bedding includes a blank of material formed into a loop, the loop having an enclosed top side, an enclosed bottom side, first and second enclosed lateral sides extending between the enclosed top side and the enclosed bottom side, a first openings at a first end of the loop, and a second opening at a second end of the loop. A section of the enclosed top side is joined together to form handle that extends along a top side of the loop between the first opening at the first end of the loop and the second opening at the second end of the loop. The package has a central opening defined by the enclosed top side, the enclosed bottom side, and the first and second enclosed lateral sides of the loop, the central opening extending from the first opening at the first end of the loop to the second opening at the second end of the loop. A box is disposed within the central opening of the loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Michael Fux
  • Publication number: 20150059285
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for filling and closing capsules made up of a capsule upper part and a capsule lower part, comprising a plurality of processing stations arranged along a preferably circular conveyor belt and a plurality of capsule conveying devices which in each case have a plurality of capsule receivers for receiving one respective capsule, the capsule conveying devices conveying received capsules along the conveyor belt through the processing stations, at least two belt portions arranged in succession being formed along the conveyor belt, a first group of processing stations arranged in succession being provided along a first belt portion, and at least one further group of stations of processing stations arranged in succession being provided along at least one further belt portion, the groups of stations comprising at least one respective supply station, for supplying capsules to be filled into the capsule receivers of the capsule conveying devices, at least one respective opening station
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Fette Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Heinrich, Daniel Malick, Jan Fabian Scheffler, Rüdiger Heed, Jan-Eric Kruse
  • Publication number: 20150059288
    Abstract: A flexible container, system and method of manufacture can include an in-line system that allows flexible containers of varying sizes to be manufactured in a single relatively high speed and efficient production line and in a single clean room through the use of transport and exchange equipment configured to adeptly handle flexible containers throughout the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Nicholas WU
  • Patent number: 8966863
    Abstract: A medicine inspection device includes an inspection unit for inspecting a medicine disposed on the inspection unit; a vibrator to impart vibration to the medicine disposed on the inspection unit; and a shooting unit capable of photographing the medicine disposed on the inspection unit. The medicine inspection device further includes a medicine information detector capable of detecting at least the quantity or type of the medicine based on an image obtained by the shooting unit and a distribution detector which is configured to detect a distribution of the medicine on the inspection unit based on the image obtained by the shooting unit. The inspection unit includes a plurality of inspection areas where the vibrator independently provides vibration to each inspection area. The medicine inspection device is characterized by operating the vibrator so as to provide vibration in the inspection areas chosen based on the detection result of the distribution detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Amano, Koji Ito, Hiromichi Tsuda, Yasuyuki Yoshikawa, Keigo Nakamura, Dai Shimizube
  • Publication number: 20150052852
    Abstract: A method and a device for can manufacture and canning, having cans manufactured in a manufacturing process and filled in a filling process, the manufacturing process being integral with the filling process in one plant, and the cans being transported from the manufacturing process to the filling process in a hygienic conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Achhammer, Michael Auburger
  • Patent number: 8959878
    Abstract: A tablet inspecting device which can overcome counting and discrimination errors is provided. A medicine packaging envelope strip is formed by connecting in a strip shape multiple envelopes separated when a user takes tablets, and is imaged, thus counting the tablets. A conveyance passage along which the strip is conveyed in an associated longitudinal direction, conveyance mechanism, and gap forming part forming a gap between adjacent tablets, the conveyance passage including a horizontal passage, a first inclined passage with upward inclination extending from the horizontal passage, and a second inclined passage with downward inclination and an upper end spaced apart from an upper end of the first passage, the gap forming part including a rod body having projecting portions staggered throughout a peripheral surface thereof, being arranged at the space approximately orthogonal to the conveyance direction, and being rotatable about a center axis thereof, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ookuma Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiji Okuma
  • Publication number: 20150040516
    Abstract: A vacuum packaging machine (1) is described, with internal and “sous vide” cooking chamber composed of a supporting and containing structure (3) comprising at least one decompression chamber (7) for vacuum packaging and/or cooking a product (6) inside at least one bag (8) or other suitable container, such chamber (7) being composed of at least one tank (2) adapted to be closed by at least one cover (9), the cover (9) being equipped with a welding system (13) of the initially open edges (10) of the bag (8) composed of at least one welding bar (15) and at least one membrane system (16), and comprising at least one bulkhead (17) adapted to be inserted inside the tank (2) of the chamber (7), such bulkhead (17) being equipped on its top with at least one abutment bar (19) of the welding bar (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Fabio Emanuele Torre
  • Patent number: 8943785
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automated high-throughput processing seed requests or orders includes an autonomous single seed counter and packager which operates by pre-programmed criteria. Optional features can include a thresher, a spiral separator, and a label applicator. A conveyance path, controlled automatically, can move the seed to appropriate and desired stations during the processing while maintaining segregation from subsequent seed being processed. Validation of the seed request matching the sample requested occurs prior to processing and information about the seed to process or having been processed can be derived and stored for further use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi Bred International Inc
    Inventors: Roger Blickhan, Bruce E. Cadwell, Joseph L. Glaubitz, David W. Goldsberry, Michael E. Hartman, Kent Hoeppner, James L. Hunter, Timothy P. Meyer, Andrew S. Nickerson, Lyndon J. Schroeder, Mark Spicer, Timothy J. Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 8943779
    Abstract: A medicine inspection device includes an inspection unit for inspecting a medicine disposed on the inspection unit; a vibrator to impart vibration to the medicine disposed on the inspection unit; and a shooting unit capable of photographing the medicine disposed on the inspection unit. The medicine inspection device further includes a medicine information detector capable of detecting at least the quantity or type of the medicine based on an image obtained by the shooting unit and a distribution detector which is configured to detect a distribution of the medicine on the inspection unit based on the image obtained by the shooting unit. The inspection unit includes a plurality of inspection areas where the vibrator independently provides vibration to each inspection area. The medicine inspection device is characterized by operating the vibrator so as to provide vibration in the inspection areas chosen based on the detection result of the distribution detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Amano, Koji Ito, Hiromichi Tsuda, Yasuyuki Yoshikawa, Keigo Nakamura, Dai Shimizube
  • Publication number: 20150027089
    Abstract: A vacuum sealing appliance is provided including a vacuum motor assembly generating suction, a vacuum trough fluidly connected to the vacuum motor assembly configured to receive suction and evacuate a food container through an open end, and at least one heat sealing element adjacent the vacuum trough configured to heat seal the open end of the food container after evacuation. The vacuum sealing appliance further includes a control unit configured to control the vacuum motor assembly and the at least one heat sealing element. The vacuum sealing appliance further includes at least one channel disposed proximate the heat sealing element. The channel is fluidly connected to a cooling fan that generates a cooling air flow through the channel to remove excessive heat from the heat sealing element to prevent premature sealing of subsequent food containers between heat sealing events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: SUNBEAM PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: David Owens, David Mathieu
  • Patent number: 8919080
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a packaging machine for packaging products, in particular food, wherein the packaging machine comprises at least one packaging station for producing packagings that accommodate products, and at least one high-pressure treatment station for high-pressure treatment of the products contained in the packagings. The disclosure is characterized in that a central control system for the packaging station and the high-pressure treatment station are provided. The disclosure moreover also relates to a method for operating such a packaging machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Multivac Sepp Haggenmueller GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Tobias Richter
  • Publication number: 20140357462
    Abstract: The invention relates to a detection device (10) for the use in a hag filling plant (100) to detect an overlapping section (230) of a film web (200) between an end of a film web (212) of a film in use (210) and a start of a film web (222) of a subsequent film (220), comprising a first film roll (20) and a second film roll (30), which contact the film web (200) on side areas (202) aligned opposite each other, and form a conveyer gap (40) for the film web (200) with the first film roll (20) being supported mobile in reference to the second film roll (30), in order to alter the conveyer gap (40), and with a sensor device (50) being arranged for the detection of the motion of the first conveyer roll (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Windmoeller & Hoelscher KG
    Inventors: Hans-Ludwig VOSS, Oliver HUIL, Ralf UDALLY
  • Publication number: 20140352254
    Abstract: A beverage capsule machine for making single use capsules (1) for infusion beverages such as coffee, milk, chocolate, tea or combinations of these ingredients, comprises: a transport element (8) for transporting rigid containers (2) and being dosed in a loop around movement means (9), with a vertical axis (Z9), for continuously moving the transport element (8); the element (8) being configured to define a plurality of pockets (10) for receiving the rigid containers (2) and arranged in succession, each having a respective vertical axis (Z10); a plurality of stations which are positioned along a path (P) followed by the transport element (8) and which are configured for operating continuously in phase with the transport element (8) and comprising at least: a feeding station (11) for feeding the rigid containers (2) into the respective pockets (10) of the transport element (8); a dosing station (12) for dosing the infusion product into the rigid container (2); a closing station (13) where the open aperture (4) o
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: IMA Industries S.R.L.
    Inventor: Dario Rea