With Means To Heat Or Cool Seam Patents (Class 53/373.7)
  • Patent number: 11534985
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an induction sealing system for heat sealing packaging material for producing sealed packages of pourable food products, said sealing system may include a sealing jaw and a counter-jaw. In some embodiments, the sealing jaw may include at least one inductor device having at least one active surface configured to contact said packaging material; at least one flux-concentrating insert; a supporting body including heat-conducting material, said supporting body housing, said at least one inductor device and said flux-concentrating insert; and an interactive surface configured to press against said packaging material. In some embodiments, the counter-jaw may include at least one pressure pad made of elastomeric material, said at least one pressure pad configured to provide a counter pressure to the sealing jaw, wherein said at least one pressure pad has an arched convex contact area with height in the direction towards the sealing jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventor: Patrik Palmquist
  • Patent number: 10052709
    Abstract: Welding machine for edge-side connection at the edge of overlapping material webs, wherein the materials are connectable to one another under the effect of heat and subsequent pressure, with a chassis on which at least guide rollers, a heating device and at least one pressure roller are arranged. The heating device has a cantilevered contact heating element that can be inserted laterally between the edges of the material webs, wherein the chassis is driven by an electric motor which is arranged on a longitudinal leg of the chassis. The electric motor according to the invention is formed as a brushless DC motor and the reduction gear as a planetary gear, which are united by a drum drive motor. In this case, the direct current motor is preferably a disk rotor motor. The chassis has a lateral leg which is adjustable perpendicularly to the working direction relative to the longitudinal leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Leister Technologies AG
    Inventors: Roger Burgler, Felix Schilter
  • Patent number: 9789647
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sealing band for a sealing jaw arrangement, comprising a contact surface and an opposite bottom surface, a first portion adjacent to the contact surface and a second portion adjacent to the bottom surface. The portions are separated by a waist, and said sealing band is symmetrical along a first axis that extends perpendicularly from a middle of the bottom surface, and the waist between the first portion and the second portion is located closer to the contact surface than to the bottom surface. The invention also relates to a counter jaw for holding the sealing band, and to a sealing jaw arrangement comprising such a counter jaw and a heating jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S. A.
    Inventors: Patrik Palmquist, Ebi Shokri
  • Patent number: 9021770
    Abstract: The sealing station in a thermoforming machine for sealing a cover sheet to a bottom sheet having pocket-like depressions to hold products includes a first mold and a second mold, the second mold having cavities to accept the pocket-like depressions in the bottom sheet. The sealing station further has a vent system, which involves an inlet channel and an outlet channel in an area of each of the cavities so that, during a sealing operation, a vent space is formed between each depression in the bottom sheet and each cavity, and air entering through the respective inlet channel passes over the depression in the bottom sheet in the vent space and escapes through the respective outlet channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Krahl, Ulrich Engelhardt, Guido Fuchsloch
  • Publication number: 20150089905
    Abstract: A packaging and method for controlling the seal strength between two cooperating thermo-sealable films at predetermined sealing portions, where a predetermined amount of heat is applied over a predetermined period of time. The resulting packaging is resealable after the first separation of two surfaces. The strength of the seal controlled by defining the number and dimensions of a plurality of restricted areas without a material cover that is resistant to the thermo-seal effect. The restricted area can be defined with a plurality of dots of predetermined selected shapes and dimensions. The resulting article facilitates the rupture of the packaging along a predetermined path. With this process, a fixed predetermined heat and residency time can be chosen and the seal strength can still be varied in different areas of a packaging. Non-sealable microdots with a predetermined amount of adhesive deposits also covered by a polypropylene powder deposit permit its resealing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: Nelson Luis Bertazzo Teruel
  • Patent number: 8955291
    Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging machine with a sealing device, whereby a sealing-tool upper part or sealing-tool lower part can be excited to a vibration (S) approximately parallel to a sealing plane (E).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Multivac Sepp Haggenmuller GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Tobias Richter, Elmar Ehrmann, Guido Spix
  • Patent number: 8950164
    Abstract: A packaging for a mattress consisting of a wrapping provided by a sheet of heat-sealing plastics, the wrapping comprising two rectangular portions, which are sized to cover the opposite faces of the mattress and have perimetric regions which are folded so as to cover the perimetric band of the mattress and have, along at least two mutually opposite and parallel sides of the mattress, subflaps which are folded outward and heat-sealed to each other, so as to form wings provided with slots adapted to act as handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Resta S.R.L.
    Inventors: Roberto Resta, Paolo Resta
  • Patent number: 8863478
    Abstract: Packaging Machine operable to produce sealed packages made of heat-seal sheet packaging material and containing a food product, and comprising an ultrasonic sealing device including an electrical power signal source operable to generate an electrical power signal; an ultrasonic transducer electrically coupled to the electrical power signal source to receive the electrical power signal and responsively heat seal the sheet packaging material; and an electronic counter operable to count the ultrasonic sealing cycles of the ultrasonic sealing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Rossano Guerri, Antonio Melandri, Angelo Boni
  • Publication number: 20140083050
    Abstract: A sealing unit for sealing and forming a packaging container is disclosed. The sealing unit operates on a principle that the motion of a pair of opposing sealing jaws is controlled by a cam-cam follower interaction combined with the action of a servomotor driving a cam wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A
    Inventor: Richard Persson
  • Publication number: 20140075884
    Abstract: There is described a heating induction sealing device for forming a seal in a packaging material comprising an electrically conductive element and advancing along a direction; sealing device comprises one first inductive element and one second inductive element; first inductive element comprises a first portion facing second inductive element and defining with second inductive element a passage for packaging material; and a second portion; sealing device is selectively arrangeable in a first configuration, in which alternate currents flow within first and second inductive element; first portion and second inductive element are configured to generate a first magnetic flux transversally to direction, when sealing device is arranged in first configuration; second portion is configured to generate, in use, a second magnetic flux with a main component parallel to direction, when sealing device is arranged in first configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A
    Inventors: Fabrizio Sighinolfi, Andrea Babini, Pietro Monari
  • Publication number: 20140069055
    Abstract: A sealing jaw assembly for a sealing unit, and in particular an arrangement for suspending a sealing jaw in a socket is disclosed. The arrangement is based on a first and a second spring arrangement wherein the action of the first spring arrangement onto the sealing jaw may be activated and deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A
    Inventor: Richard Persson
  • Patent number: 8661771
    Abstract: A sealing device and a medicine packaging apparatus that includes the sealing device, wherein an engaging mechanism for coupling frames has good operability and the frames can firmly engage each other. The sealing device (10) can couple roller frames (20a, 20b) by an engaging mechanism (40) to integrate the roller frames. The engaging mechanism (40) has an engager (45) and a receptor (46) formed of a recess or the like. The engager includes a manipulation lever (50) and an engaging lever (51). The engager (45) is provided in the roller frame (20a), while the receptor (46) is provided in the roller frame (20b). When the manipulation lever (50) is pushed and pivoted toward the roller frame (20b), the engaging mechanism (40) can integrate the roller frames (20a, 20b). When the manipulation lever (50) is pulled and pivoted toward a front portion, the engaging mechanism can release the engagement caused by the engaging mechanism (40) to allow the roller frames (20a, 20b) to be separable from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Yuyama MFG Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Kodama
  • Publication number: 20140013715
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and facility for packaging products (10), said facility comprising a linear transporter (20) that includes a set of endless conveyor belts (20a) associated with a belt having synchronizing cleats (20b), with a linear pusher (20c) actuated by a parallelogram mechanism (20d) imparting rectilinear motion thereto, as well as with a counter-pusher (20e) which is provided for gripping the product and the sheet of packaging material, and which is driven by a cam or the like. The products are placed in one of the receiving jaws (21a) of a first revolver (21) so as to enter a first heat-sealing station (30) which is designed to seal the fold along the longitudinal edge of the product (10). At the outlet of a folding box, the products are transferred into the recesses (23a) of a second revolver (23) which rotates in the direction opposite the direction of rotation of the first revolver (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Cesar-Carlos Cermeno
  • Patent number: 8621827
    Abstract: A sonotrode comprising: a head defining a sealing surface elongated along a first direction; and a first and a second drive unit distinct from one another, each comprising at least one piezo-electric element; wherein first and second drive unit may be electrically fed by an unique generator to cause oscillation of head; the height of head measured along a second direction transversal to sealing surface being substantially equal to half the wavelength of wave oscillating in second direction; at least one slot extending through head transversally to first and second direction; a finite number of nodal points at which amplitude of oscillation of head is substantially equal to zero; and a plane on which at least some nodal points lie and which divides head in a first portion and second portion; the slot extends completely within one only between first and second portion and at a certain distance by plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Ulrich Vögler, Francesco Giordano, Sergio Mancin, Antonio Melandri, Magnus Råbe
  • Patent number: 8596314
    Abstract: A container including a body defining an outflow opening and at least one chamber adapted for storing a product, such as a fat containing liquid product, and a container closure including a primary seal for hermetically sealing the product within the chamber during storage. The container closure includes a sealing member forming a substantially fluid-tight seal between the container closure and the body, and a dispensing member in fluid communication with the chamber. The container closure and body move relative to each other between a first position where the primary seal is seated about the outflow port to hermetically seal the product in the chamber during storage, and a second position where the primary seal is displaced from the outflow port to allow product to pass from the chamber through the outflow port and into dispensing member to dispense the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Medical Instill Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Py, Julian Chan, Jeffrey Willey
  • Patent number: 8572936
    Abstract: A sealing jaw for producing sealed packages of a food product from a tube of packaging material fed along a path, the jaw having a first work surface which interacts with a second work surface on a counter-jaw to grip the packaging material and form a sealing strip crosswise to the path. One of the jaw and counter-jaw defines an anvil, and the other defines a heating device which interacts with the anvil to form the strip. The first surface has at least two projections elongated along respective first axes, and which, when forming the strip, compress respective areas of the packaging material against the second surface; and at least one cavity which extends along one of the first axes, is interposed between the projections along a second axis crosswise to the first axis, and is located laterally with respect to a central plane of the first work surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Financne S.A.
    Inventors: Sergio Mancin, Francesco Giordano, Ernesto Di Dodo
  • Patent number: 8517079
    Abstract: A sealing apparatus for sealing a travelling packaging film. The sealing apparatus includes a first actuator, a second actuator, a first seal member, a second seal member, a slide rail arrangement, and a linkage coupled to the slide rail arrangement and connecting each of the first and second actuators to the first and second seal member. The first and second sealing members are actuated toward and away from each other between a disengaged position and an engaged position for sealing the travelling packaging film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignees: Bosch Packaging Technology, Inc., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Detlev D. Ansinn, John Meisner
  • Publication number: 20130133293
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the portioned packaging of a food mass that is at least substantially incompressible, in particular of processed cheese, and that is filled as a flowable mass into a tubular sleeve comprising a thermoplastic plastic film, wherein the thermoplastic plastic film of the sleeve enclosing the food mass is deformed in a mold into individual units each defining a portion by forcing the food mass out of sealing areas, such that the units arranged one behind the other are delimited with respect to each other by means of sealing in the sealing area and are subsequently separated from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: HOCHLAND SE
    Inventors: Roland Zeuschner, Stefan Hofer
  • Patent number: 8409065
    Abstract: A bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus is adapted to form a strip film into a cylindrical film. The bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus includes a sealing unit with a pair of sealing members facing each other to seal an end portion of the cylindrical film therebetween to package an article. Each of the sealing members includes a sealing jaw, a heating unit, and a heat insulating member. The sealing jaw has a heat generating surface, and configured and arranged to seal the cylindrical film on the heat generating surface. The heating unit is configured and arranged to heat the heat generating surface of the sealing jaw. The heat insulating member insulates the heat conduction from the heating unit to a direction other than a direction toward the heat generating surface of the sealing jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Kiyota, Hideshi Miyamoto
  • Publication number: 20130067857
    Abstract: The present invention relates to disposing of waste in a safe manner by supplying an apparatus with a sealing system configured to only apply a seal to an elongated tube of material when several conditions are met, wherein the conditions indicate that the apparatus is in a safe configuration for applying the seal. The apparatus includes a push switch for sensing when the lid has been closed, and another push switch for sensing when a bin has been locked in the apparatus. Thus, when the lid and bin are closed and locked, a child cannot reach into the apparatus and the seal can be applied safely without fear of burning a child.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: SCANDINAVIAN CHILD LLC
    Inventors: Cornelius McDaid, Brenda G. Berg, John D. Fiegener
  • Patent number: 8376003
    Abstract: A container is provided for storing a product, such as a fat containing liquid product, and includes a body defining a chamber for receiving the product; and a container closure including a sealing portion for sealing the product within the chamber. The container closure includes a member forming a substantially fluid-tight seal between the container closure and the body; a nipple in fluid communication with the chamber that seals the chamber with respect to the ambient atmosphere during storage of the product in the chamber and that can be opened to dispense product from the chamber therethrough; and a needle penetrable and laser resealable portion that is penetrable by the needle for aseptically filling the chamber with the product, and that is thermally resealable by the application of laser radiation thereto to seal the product within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Medical Instill Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Py, Benoit Adamo, John Guthy, Nathaniel Houle, Brian Tulley, Jeffrey Willey
  • Publication number: 20130031875
    Abstract: An apparatus adapted for sealing bags includes a hot air manifold along which a bag is conveyed after the bag has been filled with contents and closed. The manifold includes a hot air chamber having first air passages transmitting hot air under pressure to heat a portion of a first adhesive layer on the bag to an adhesive state, and second air passages transmitting hot air under pressure to heat a second adhesive layer on the bag to an adhesive state. A hot air deflector covers selected second air passages transmitting the hot air, wherein the apparatus is adapted for sealing woven polymeric bags with the adhesive layers. The hot air deflector is moveable to a position uncovering the selected second air passages to increase the amount of hot air, wherein the apparatus is adapted for sealing multi-wall paper bags.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: COATING EXCELLENCE INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventor: Gary F. Sargin
  • Patent number: 8286406
    Abstract: An induction sealing device for producing packaged pourable food products from heat-seal sheet packaging material. The sealing device has a signal source, an inductor, and an impedance matching circuit connected between the signal source and the inductor. The impedance matching circuit has: two input terminals; a first and second line connected to the input terminals; a variable-capacitance stage having capacitive modules each made up of a capacitive element and a controlled switch; and a control stage to control the controlled switches. Each controlled switch includes: input terminals receiving a respective control signal from the control stage, with one input terminal of each controlled switch connected to the second line; a single two-way controlled switching element having a control terminal connected to the other input terminal of the controlled switch; a first current-conducting terminal connected to the first line, and a second current-conducting terminal connected to the second line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Donati, Nikolay Madzharov, Antonio Melandri, Fabrizio Sighinolfi
  • Publication number: 20120227363
    Abstract: A system is provided for filling and sealing bags and is especially useful with woven polybags formed of thermoplastic material. The system includes a plastic welder having a folding device for folding over a portion of the filled bag which is sealed by a welding tip and pinch rollers. The welding tip may be moved between welding and non-welding positions based on a bag sensor or timer. A contact prevention member prevents the welding tip from contacting and damaging a coating on a portion of the bag. The system is configured to form a substantial seam without using hot melt adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: MILLER WELDMASTER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Brent Nussbaum
  • Patent number: 8256189
    Abstract: A punch assembly is provided in a form, fill, and seal machine that provides a package that includes a sealed end portion and contains an article. The punch assembly includes a housing, and a heat sink provided in and retained by the housing, where the heat sink includes a punch tip that is to provide an opening in the sealed end portion of the package. The punch assembly also includes a coil heater contacting the heat sink to provide heat to the heat sink and the punch tip, where one or more air gaps are provided between the housing and the heat sink to prevent heat transfer from the heat sink to a seal jaw assembly of the form, fill, and seal machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Lako Tool & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis M. Montano, Larry Smith, William Witzler
  • Publication number: 20120175282
    Abstract: A pouch has a sheet containing at least one layer of a film material. The sheet forms a tube that is sealed to form a volume. The seal contains a first straight edge and a second straight edge adjoining the first straight edge. The first straight edge forms an obtuse angle with the second straight edge. A sealing jaw and a method for forming such a pouch is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Gautam BHATTACHARJEE
  • Publication number: 20120111449
    Abstract: A bag sealer and an ice vending machine using the same are provided. The ice vending machine includes an ice making module, an ice storage bin, a bag sealer, and an ice guiding mechanism. The ice storage bin is located below the ice making module and used for storing the ice manufactured from the ice making module. The ice guiding mechanism is disposed between the ice storage bin and the bag sealer. The ice guiding mechanism is used for guiding the ice from the ice storage bin into the bag sealer. Because a cutting tool of the bag sealer is using the first electrothermal element to cut the roll of the plastic bags, the bag sealer can be installed in the ice vending machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Yung-Shung HSU
  • Publication number: 20120073245
    Abstract: The film sealing and wrapping machine with a rotary cut and seal jaw is provided. The rotary cut and seal jaw has an internal sliding mechanism which provides for smooth and quiet operation. The rotational speed of the jaw may be varied to increase through put and to provide for a title bag around products. The rotary cut and seal jaw may comprise a seal bar and pressure pad may both be spring loaded to self align the seal bar and pressure pad during the sealing and cutting process. Lastly, a gap defined by a belt disposed upstream and downstream of the seal bar and pressure pad may be mechanically linked to the pressure pad through a control carriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Raymond Uttaro, John Robinson, Michel Laurin
  • Patent number: 8124915
    Abstract: A sealer to bond film having a high temperature resistance (e.g., ceramic) substrate with properly sized groove receiving a heater element as in a flat faced wire band in a tight, flush to adjacent film presentation surface arrangement. A stacked ceramic plate set with wire band within a groove defined by an intermediate stack insert is a suitable substrate. The band is retained flush by a positioner securely locking down one end while the other end is provided at a housing body access location. The sealer is suited for use as a product-in-bag sealing device (products such as air, foam, foodstuff, etc.) with the heater element in contact with film to form a seal. A drag seal arrangement, where film layers are drawn past a fixed or adjustably mounted heater element is an example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Pregis Intellipack Corporation
    Inventors: George Bertram, Douglas Walker
  • Publication number: 20120037531
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a package whereby a packaging tray is formed into a packaging film and filled with a product. The disclosure is distinguished by the fact that at least the inner and/or outer side of the packaging tray is covered with a barrier layer after the forming of the packaging tray. The disclosure also relates to a thermoforming machine for carrying out this method as well as to a package manufactured by means of the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMUELLER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Reinhard Ruhland
  • Patent number: 8011169
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sealing device for a top fin of a gable-topped carton includes two jaws consisting of a jaw (2) with a planar active face and constituting the outer end portion of an ultrasonic horn (A1) and a jaw (6) constituting an anvil and having an active surface (10) which is planar except for upper and lower linear ribs (12) and (14) each extending the length of the surface (10). The lower rib (14) is linear and horizontal except for an upwardly bowed middle portion (16). The two jaws (2) and (6) serve to render gas-and-liquid tight a top fin of a conventional, plastics-coated paperboard, gable-top carton. The ribs (12) and (14) produce, in the outer surface of one of the outer sealing panels of the fin, corresponding furrows which extend over the whole length of the fin at levels where the inner sealing panels are sandwiched between the outer sealing panels, so as to seal the top fin in a gas- and liquid-tight manner along its whole length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Elopak Systems AG
    Inventor: Peter Nils Adler
  • Publication number: 20110179749
    Abstract: A split crimper for use in a crimping assembly for engaging and heat sealing overlapping layers of a packaging material includes a first crimper portion having a crimping surface and a second crimper portion that is secured to the first crimper portion to form a crimper. Portions of the first and second crimper portions cooperate to define an interior cavity, and a heating element is disposed completely within the interior cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: LAKO TOOL & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Louis M. MONTANO, Larry E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110088352
    Abstract: Provided herein is a liquid-filled, non-reclosable tetrahedral or pillow-shaped packaging container having a longitudinal fin seal and a pair of transverse seals. In the case of tetrahedral packages, the transverse seals are perpendicular to one another. Also provided herein is an apparatus for the formation of such fin seals as part of a continuous packaging and filling operation. A third aspect of the apparatus of the present disclosure is the development of a heated jaw that exhibits consistent heating across the jaw face. Yet another feature of the apparatus of the present disclosure is provided in a modified, closed-loop electrical system for real-time monitoring and adjustment of the temperatures of the heated jaws, as they are moving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Bernhard Zeiler, Charles D. Buis, Neal Burgess, James A. Renninger, John B. Manly, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110041457
    Abstract: A punch assembly is provided in a form, fill, and seal machine that provides a package that includes a sealed end portion and contains an article. The punch assembly includes a housing, and a heat sink provided in and retained by the housing, where the heat sink includes a punch tip that is to provide an opening in the sealed end portion of the package. The punch assembly also includes a coil heater contacting the heat sink to provide heat to the heat sink and the punch tip, where one or more air gaps are provided between the housing and the heat sink to prevent heat transfer from the heat sink to a seal jaw assembly of the form, fill, and seal machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: LAKO TOOL & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Louis M. Montano, Larry Smith, William Witzler
  • Publication number: 20100242412
    Abstract: Cigarette packs of the hinge-lid-box type with an outer wrapping of shrinkable film are transported through a shrinkage station (22) in two pack rows (26, 27), in each case comprising individual packs. In the region of said shrinkage station, shrinkage elements, namely heating plates (24, 25; 45, 46), subject the upper side and/or lower side of the packs (10), during a standstill phase of the same, to (contact) heat. The packs (10) are transported such that the lower side and the upper side are simultaneously or consecutively exposed for contact by the heating plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: FOCKE & CO. (GMBH & CO. KG)
    Inventors: Martin Stiller, Burkard Roesler, Jens Schmidt, Jürgen Schwecke
  • Publication number: 20100236197
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sealing device for a top fin of a gable-topped carton includes two jaws consisting of a jaw (2) with a planar active face and constituting the outer end portion of an ultrasonic horn (A1) and a jaw (6) constituting an anvil and having an active surface (10) which is planar except for upper and lower linear ribs (12) and (14) each extending the length of the surface (10). The lower rib (14) is linear and horizontal except for an upwardly bowed middle portion (16). The two jaws (2) and (6) serve to render gas-and-liquid tight a top fin of a conventional, plastics-coated paperboard, gable-top carton. The ribs (12) and (14) produce, in the outer surface of one of the outer sealing panels of the fin, corresponding furrows which extend over the whole length of the fin at levels where the inner sealing panels are sandwiched between the outer sealing panels, so as to seal the top fin in a gas- and liquid-tight manner along its whole length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: Elopak System AG
    Inventor: Peter Nils Adler
  • Patent number: 7757458
    Abstract: A machine (30) is described for packaging products in a plastic film, comprising at least one longitudinal cutting and welding bar (31) actuated in its up-and-down movement by at least one first piston (34), supported by a first supporting structure (37) of such packaging machine (30); at least one transverse cutting and welding bar (33) independent from the longitudinal cutting and welding bar (31) and actuated in its up-and-down movement by at least one second piston (35) supported by a second supporting structure (39) of such packaging machine (30); and controlling and managing means adapted to control and program the operation of at least the first and the second piston (34, 35).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Minipack-Torre S.p.A.
    Inventor: Francesco Torre
  • Patent number: 7726103
    Abstract: A resilient backing member for use in cooperation with an impulse heating element comprises a resilient body having a longitudinal shoulder surface and a longitudinal intermittent raised edge protruding from the shoulder surface. The resilient backing member is for use in cooperation with an impulse heating element for sealing layers of thermoplastic film together and for either forming a sealed portion on the film, a rupturable portion on the film or severing the film. Accordingly, the resilient backing member can be used on a pouch filling machine to produce a string of sealed pouches connected by a rupturable portion or a sealed portion, and filled with flowable material without the use of a separate cutting blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Liqui-Box Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Stephan J. Chapougnot
  • Publication number: 20100126498
    Abstract: An apparatus intended for generating process heat for a packaging arrangement and can be operated using an energy source which can only be regulated to a limited extent, if at all. For this purpose, the apparatus contains a heat-transfer medium and a heat accumulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Krones AG
    Inventor: Norbert Fleck
  • Publication number: 20100043358
    Abstract: Filling and packaging machine (10) includes supply pipe (13) for supplying contents into film (10), squeeze rollers (16) for feeding film (1) downward and horizontal seal mechanism (100) for sealing in the contents supplied into film (1). Horizontal seal mechanism (11) includes heating unit (120) having a pair of seal bars for heat-sealing film (1) and cooling/cutting unit (140), placed under the cooling/cutting unit, having a pair of cooling bars for cooling a heat-sealed portion of film 1. Cooling/cutting unit (140) is movable in a vertical direction so that the cooling bars can be positioned between the seal bars while the seal bars are opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Orihiro Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Orihiro Tsuruta, Shunji Yamada
  • Patent number: 7665276
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus for sealing a package. The apparatus comprises a sealing unit and an abutment between which a number of material layers are disposed to be clamped and sealed and fused together, wherein the abutment is connected to at least one elongate element which extends in a direction from the abutment towards and past the sealing unit, the elongate elements, beyond the sealing unit are disposed to be connected to at least one first operating element, and an operating unit is disposed to apply a force between the sealing unit and the first operating element so that these are moved in a direction away from one another and so that the abutment and the sealing unit are moved in a direction towards one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Anders Delén, Jan Svensson
  • Patent number: 7631473
    Abstract: A cutter-sealer (10) and a method (300) for cutting and sealing layers of film (70) together. The cutter-sealer (10) provides a heated blade (20), part of which moves through sheets of tautly held layers of film (70) into a slot defined by the seal pad (40). The blade's (20) motion is arrested by a set of blade shoulders (26) that press against the layers of film (70) for a period of time, thereby sealing the layers of film (70) together. The method (300) includes cutting layers of film (70) without liquefaction and sealing the newly cut edges of the layers of film (70) together, also without liquefaction of the layers of film (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas A. Nalle, III
  • Publication number: 20090266030
    Abstract: A sealing jaw for producing sealed packages of a food product from a tube of packaging material includes a supporting body, and a first work surface which interacts, in use, with a second work surface on a further jaw to grip the material to be sealed and perform a sealing operation; one of the jaws defines an anvil, and the other of the jaws defines heating means; the jaw has connecting means for connecting the first surface to the supporting body; the connecting means define a curved third and a curved fourth surface made of rigid material and cooperating mutually to allow the first surface to oscillate with respect to the supporting body when gripping the packaging material prior to the sealing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Sergio Mancin, Francesco Giordano, Ernesto Di Dodo
  • Patent number: 7607911
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a foam-in-place cushion in which a foam-forming composition is dispensed between two plastic film portions in a predetermined fashion to selectively control the distribution of the foam in the cushion. A foam dispenser can be moved in a transverse direction as foam is dispensed. A dispersion device can be employed to apply pressure on predetermined areas of the film portions towards each other so as to cause the composition to be redistributed in position in a predetermined manner while the composition is in a less than fully expanded state. The plastic film can then be sealed closed to form an expanding foam cushion that can be placed into a shipping carton where the cushion expands to fill void space, or into a mold where the cushion expands and is molded into a desired shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Charles R. Sperry, Suzanne M. Scott, Dennis F. McNamara, Jr., Vincent A. Piucci, Jr., Michael J. Schamel
  • Publication number: 20090173039
    Abstract: A stream of products is packaged and biologically treated by the system. The system has an index conveyor with a filling station and a packaging station. Discrete packages are filled with the stream of products, sealed and moved on an index conveyor. The system moves the discrete packages an irradiation chamber at a steady rate on a continuous speed conveyor. A controller matches the cyclical rate of the index conveyor with the steady rate of the continuous speed conveyor and uses a buffer to transition from the cyclical rate to the steady rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: Multivac, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas B. Slomski, Richard Galloway, Steven Poth, Patrick Ditchfield
  • Publication number: 20090139186
    Abstract: The specification discloses a cardboard and blister pack packaging and sealing machine that includes an upper and lower heater and die combination that can be compressed together over a package for sealing using heat activated adhesives. The machine may use at least one piston and rod device or pump to provide the necessary energy or pressure. The machine may include a moveable tray containing at least one aperture to hold an unsealed package wherein the unsealed package can be moved proximate to the upper and lower heaters and dies and the upper and lower heaters and dies can press together. In this way, both the top and bottom dies may be heated and the operator is not required to remove the sealed packaging from the hot die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Charles W. Alexander, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090127323
    Abstract: Provided herein is a liquid-filled, non-reclosable tetrahedral or pillow-shaped packaging container having a longitudinal fin seal and a pair of transverse seals. In the case of tetrahedral packages, the transverse seals are perpendicular to one another. Also provided herein is an apparatus for the formation of such fin seals as part of a continuous packaging and filling operation. A third aspect of the apparatus of the present disclosure is the development of a heated jaw that exhibits consistent heating across the jaw face. Yet another feature of the apparatus of the present disclosure is provided in a modified, closed-loop electrical system for real-time monitoring and adjustment of the temperatures of the heated jaws, as they are moving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Bernhard Zeiler, Charles D. Buis, Neal Burgess, James A. Renninger, John B. Manly, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090038273
    Abstract: A sealing jaw apparatus for a film wrapping machine utilizes a continuous web of thermoplastic film. The sealing jaw apparatus includes a first jaw unit to one side of a film travel path. The first jaw unit includes spaced-apart clamp arms and a heated sealing bar located between the spaced-apart clamp arms. The heated sealing bar includes spaced-apart noses defining a slot therebetween. A second jaw unit is to an opposite side of the film travel path. The second jaw unit includes spaced-apart gripping surfaces that are engaged by the spaced-apart clamp arms for gripping the thermoplastic film. Spaced-apart sealing surfaces are engaged by the noses of the heated sealing bar for sealing the thermoplastic film at spaced-apart locations in a film running direction. A knife assembly severs the thermoplastic film between the spaced-apart locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: Rennco LLC
    Inventors: Robin G. Thurgood, Brian C. Bowerman
  • Patent number: 7484347
    Abstract: A packaging filling apparatus, which can obtain the most suitable sealing quality by an automatic control without checking the condition of the sealing by the operator on a regular basis, is provided. A transversal sealing apparatus 48 of the packaging filling apparatus includes a high-frequency oscillator 1, controller 2, and an inductor, which generates a magnet field in packaging material by receiving the output from the high-frequency oscillator, and is provided with a sealing quality control means 4, which transmits a control signal to the controller, based on a statistical relation between a plurality of effect factors affecting the quality of a transversal sealing 23 and the quality of transversal sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Konno, Yasuyuki Moriyama, Yuzo Otsuka
  • Patent number: RE43033
    Abstract: A side sealing apparatus for a shrink packaging machine comprising closed loop temperature control of a heater for maintaining an optimum temperature for cutting and sealing two layers of thermoplastic film. The heater comprises a cable or cartridge heater with an internal thermocouple, and it is connected to an automatic temperature controller. The heater is mounted on the side sealer apparatus between two sets of top and bottom V-belts mounted around drive rolls and idler rolls. The V-belts provide nip pressure against the film in order to drive the film. Nip pressure is generated by nip rolls on the scrap side of the film, and by belt support plates on the package side of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Shrink Packaging Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Frank A. James, Jeffrey C. Lindberg, Charles Manfredi, Richard Davitt