U-fold Forming Initial Wrap Patents (Class 53/466)
  • Patent number: 6935091
    Abstract: The method envisages that groups of articles (2,22) to be packaged, arranged orderly with a lateral narrowed dimension oriented in the forward movement direction (A), are fed along a feeding line (1). Single packaging sheets (3) are carried beside the feeding line (1), in suitable phase relation with the forward movement of the articles (2,22). The groups of articles (2,22) are transferred crosswise to the feeding line (1), so as to hit the sheets (3) with the lateral narrow extension of the groups of articles (2,22) in order to fold the sheets (3). The folded edges of the sheets (3) are joined along the opposite side of the groups of articles (2,22), presenting a corresponding lateral narrow extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Techmatic S.r.l.
    Inventor: Gianluigi Gamberini
  • Patent number: 6931822
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for automatically covering an article with covering material and automatically tucking the material into a surface of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Diversitech Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis Christen
  • Patent number: 6918226
    Abstract: The automatic utensil wrapping machine is an apparatus for wrapping a napkin around one or more utensils for use as a place setting. The apparatus comprises a housing, a support frame and an assembly of elements mounted to the support frame. The assembly of elements includes a napkin lifting station, a napkin wrapping station, a napkin transfer station, a utensil transfer station, and a napkin folding station. The apparatus wraps each napkin around a predetermined amount of utensils without the need for human contact. The napkins are wrapped by first positioning a stack of napkins on the lifting station, then individually transferring napkins from the lifting station to the wrapping station. The utensils are then transferred from the individual cartridges and placed onto the napkin. Two opposing corners of the napkin are then folded over and the napkin is subsequently wrapped around the utensils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Inventors: Rebecca A. Heilman, Eric A. Heilman, Andre LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 6904738
    Abstract: A method and a unit for packing groups of products, each group of products is fed together with a respective blank at a loading station to a radial first seat of a first wheel, the blank is first folded into a U and then completely folded about the group to form a packed group, the packed group is then transferred together with a sheet of overwrapping material at a transfer station to a radial second seat of a second wheel, the sheet of overwrapping material is first folded into a U and then folded completely about the packed group to form an overwrapped group; the blank and the sheet of overwrapping material both being fed successively to the same gripper associated with the first seat and fitted to the first wheel at a location downstream from the first seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: G.D Societa' per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Spatafora, Alver Tacchi
  • Patent number: 6904947
    Abstract: In a wrapping apparatus, particularly for enclosing articles consisting of or containing groups of cigarettes in wrapper material, the articles are received in a pocketed drum in which at least one overlapped region of the wrapper material is heat scaled. Preferably opposed side seams and an end flap of the wrapper are sealed, so as substantially to complete the enclosure of the article while on the drum. Side seal heaters carried by the drum may be mounted on respective annular carriers which are rotatably displaceable to remove the heaters from contact with the articles if the drum is stopped for an extended period. End seal heaters may be pivotally mounted on the drum and operated by a cam arrangement to fold an end flap of the wrapper into an overlapped position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Molins PLC
    Inventors: Thomas William Bailey, Robert Howard Taylor
  • Patent number: 6901724
    Abstract: A method of transferring wrappings, wherein each wrapping is defined by a sheet of wrapping material and has at least one flat wall, provides for feeding a wrapping along a curved path by means of a pocket of a conveyor; for guiding the wrapping along the curved path by means of a guide contacting the wrapping; and for moving a plate of the guide with respect to the pocket, so that a flat face of the plate is maintained contacting the entire flat wall of the wrapping along a portion of the curved path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: G.D. Societa′ Per Azioni
    Inventors: Fabrizio Tale', Mario Spatafora
  • Patent number: 6901725
    Abstract: On a wrapping machine for conditioning stacks of products, a stack of products is conditioned inside a tubular wrapping by folding a sheet of heat-seal wrapping material into a U about the stack inside a radial seat of a wrapping wheel, and by bringing two opposite lateral flaps of the U-folded sheet of wrapping material into contact with each other by means of a folding gripper, the jaws of which have respective end sealing members, and oscillate about an axis of rotation of the wrapping wheel to move with respect to each other to and from a closed position, and to accompany the radial seat along part of a travelling step of the wrapping wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Sandro Salicini, Stefano Cavallari
  • Patent number: 6895728
    Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to provide a packaging method and a packaging device in which a loading work and an unloading work for a packaged item performed by an operator can be reduced, a longitudinal length of the device can be made short and it can be manufactured in less-expensive manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Teraoka Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Kondo
  • Patent number: 6892514
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for wrapping bundles of printed matter by placing a folded film sheet around such bundles when these are conveyed to and through a wrapping station. The apparatus includes a lower, through-going belt conveyor with mutually separated conveyor straps and a couple of overhead band conveyors in line with each other creating a transverse gap between them. Below the spaces between the lower conveyor straps and just below the gap a transverse row of compressed air nozzles directed upwards is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Schur Packaging Systems A/S
    Inventor: Ernst Dahl Kragh
  • Patent number: 6889486
    Abstract: In a machine for the production of packs of rolls of paper, comprising a supporting surface designed to lift the rolls of paper, arranged in two or more rows, towards a zone in which there is a sheet of plastic film, in particular polyethylene, to be wrapped around the rolls to form the pack, the sheet is closed on the lower side of the pack by initiating a process for activating sheet horizontal flat folders, suitably combined with the return stroke of the two parts of which the supporting surface consists. The process allows correct closing of the two flaps of plastic film on the lower side of the pack, guaranteeing the stability of the configuration of the various rows of rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: T.M.C. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Zagnoni Christian
  • Patent number: 6865862
    Abstract: A log packaging apparatus for packaging logs using a turret or a shuttle. The turret or shuttle can be used in conjunction with a wrap conveyor. The turret system can include a rotatable turret with at least one clamp movable into different positions in the apparatus, a log station at which logs are received, and a log ejector for ejecting logs from the log station into clamps of the turret. Logs can be ejected from the log station, through wrap material, and into the turret clamps. In other embodiments, a wrap conveyor inserts wrap material between a shuttle and a log station at which logs are received. Logs in such embodiments can pass from the log station to the shuttle through the wrap material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: C.G. Bretting Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Daoust, Joseph A. Yachinich, Dennis P. Couturier
  • Patent number: 6860089
    Abstract: A method for hermetically sealing a bulk article wherein a strip of wrapping material is initially positioned onto an article such that extending ends of the wrapping material strip extend from away from an edge of the article, each end having a different length. The article is rotated to cause the ends of the strip to cover an uncovered side of the article with a fin-like section extending therefrom away from the article which can be sealed without contacting the article. The fin-like section is cooled and folded onto the top of the article so as to form an axial seam. Lateral ends of the wrapping material strip are then sealed to complete the hermetic sealing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Detail Machine Company
    Inventor: Terrance VanAlstine
  • Patent number: 6837028
    Abstract: An apparatus that wraps dinner flatware in a paper napkin in an automated manner and secures it with a paper label is disclosed. The invention includes input hoppers for knives, forks, spoons, and napkins which are located on the front and top part of the unit. Additionally, a roll of paper napkins and a roll of securing paper labels are provided on top with their own automatic dispensing means. A plastic cover secures the entire top of the invention to protect it from dust and dirt as well as accidental contact during operation. Internal mechanisms then take one of each piece of flatware and fold and roll it in a napkin. The completed napkin unit then drops out the bottom of the invention, where it is collected for use. The invention is capable of processing up to 50 sets of flatware during one operating run. The use of the invention provides time and labor savings to restaurants and other eating establishments while producing rolled flatware secured in a paper napkin in fast and sanitary manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Inventors: Mario L. Miano, Kevin W. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20040261368
    Abstract: For producing hard packs, namely hinge-lid boxes or shell and slide packs in particular, inner and outer pack units are prepared separately in each case, namely a shell (20), on the one hand, and a blank for a hinge-lid box, on the other hand. The inner pack unit, comprising a cigarette block (10) and a further pack part, namely a slide (13) or a collar, is prepared in the region of a mandrel turret (24). The pack units are then brought together, with continued rotary movement, by axial displacement relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Jurgen Focke, Hans-Jurgen Bretthauer, Henry Buse
  • Publication number: 20040255559
    Abstract: A method of wrapping orderly groups of cigarettes arranged, in each group, in a number of superimposed layers, of which an outer layer is narrower than the adjacent layer and defines, in the relative group, at least one longitudinal lateral gap, the method providing for continuously feeding each group into a respective folding pocket, together with a sheet of wrapping material which is folded into a U inside the folding pocket and has a lateral portion projecting from the folding pocket; clamping the group on an end wall of the folding pocket, with the outer layer of the group facing outwards, by means of two end clamping members, each having an appendix arranged at a respective end of the longitudinal lateral gap; and folding the lateral portion of the sheet about the group and about the appendixes of the end clamping members to form a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped tubular wrapping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventor: Mario Spatafora
  • Patent number: 6826891
    Abstract: A stack of sheet-type objects are bundled while supported on a support plate. A banding strip is guided in a channel formed in the plate. The support plate can be pushed through a shaft that is formed by a pair of spaced sidewalls. A tongue is displaceable between an extended position, in which it separates the channel from the surface of the supporting plate, and a withdrawn position in which the channel is placed in an open position with respect to the surface of the supporting plate. A spring is used to hold the banding strip in contact with an underside of the stack of sheet-type objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hartmut Karl Sauer
  • Patent number: 6820398
    Abstract: A method of wrapping elongated articles in groups provides for feeding a first and a second pocket continuously along two respective paths having a common portion, along which the first pocket penetrates the second pocket to transfer a group from the first to the second pocket together with a sheet of wrapping material, which is folded into a U inside the second pocket and has two parallel, opposite flaps gripped between first and second lateral walls; and for compressing the group between a first and a second bottom wall and, at the same time, extracting the first lateral walls from the second pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: G.D Societa′ per Azioni
    Inventors: Fabrizio Tale′, Mario Spatafora
  • Patent number: 6793879
    Abstract: There is provided an improved sterilization wrap and a method for using the improved sterilization wrap to sterilize an article. The wrap is made of a first and second sheets of sterilization material. Each sheet has first, second, third and fourth edges. Each sheet includes a central portion. The first edge of the first sheet is in register with and bonded to the first edge of the second sheet; the second edge of the first sheet is in register with and bonded to the second edge of the second sheet; the third edge of the first sheet is in register with and bonded to the third edge of the second sheet; and the fourth edge of the first sheet is in register with and bonded to the fourth edge of the second sheet. The central portions of the first and second sheets are substantially not bonded together. Thus, two layers of sterilization material is provided for an article to be sterilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventors: Robert T. Bayer, Brian G. Hoge, David G. Pasternack, William F. Church, James F. Whitaker, Stephen R. Everson
  • Publication number: 20040159079
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for wrapping bundles of printed matter by placing a folded film sheet around such bundles when these are conveyed to and through a wrapping situation. The apparatus includes a lower, through-going belt conveyor with mutually separated conveyor straps and a couple of overhead band conveyors in line with each other creating a transverse gap between them. Below the spaces between the lower conveyor straps and just below the gap a transverse row of compressed air nozzles directed upwards is arranged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: Ernst Dahl Kragh
  • Patent number: 6761014
    Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping articles comprising a clamp for pulling a film, a first conveyor for moving an article to a second conveyor, a second conveyor, an opening between the first and second conveyor to allow the clamp to pull the film through the opening. A shear located below the first and second conveyors. Feeding an end of the film to the clamp and seizing the end of the film by the clamp below the conveyors. Pulling the film by moving the clamp with the seized end of the film through the opening to a position above the conveyors that would allow the film to wrap the article with an overlap. Cutting the film with the shear after the clamp reached in the position above the conveyors. Wrapping the article by moving the clamp with the seized film from the position above the conveyors through the opening to a second position below the conveyors and releasing the seized film, and overlapping the cut end and the released end of the film wherein the overlap is between the conveyor and bottom of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Inventor: Alain Cerf
  • Patent number: 6732490
    Abstract: A banding fixture including a body having a horizontal opening therein, a carriage movable into and out of the horizontal opening, a recess in the carriage, the carriage with the recess therein movable into the horizontal opening with an upper surface on the carriage in underlying near contiguous relationship to an undersurface of a plate on the body, and a workpiece-receiving slot in the body above the horizontal opening. A method of banding a workpiece including the steps of placing a band into spaced slots having sides, pressing a workpiece overlying a central portion of the band which is not in the slots into a recess in a member, and moving the member relative to a surface so that the ends of the band which extend beyond the workpiece are pressed together in overlapping relationship as the member passes in contiguous relationship to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: A. J. Panneri Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred J. Panneri
  • Publication number: 20040068965
    Abstract: An aligning device and method for feeding products into an automatic packaging machine, in particular products (13, 13′, 13″) of any thickness or size whatsoever, that are fed by at least one sheet placer (14, 14′, 14″) to a conveyor system (11) equipped with a plurality of pushers (12), positioned at a certain distance one behind the other with a step distance that can be set in advance, the products (13, 13′, 13″) being stacked one on top of the other and transferred to the packaging area in a sheet of wrapping film or paper, wherein the device is positioned downstream of the at least one sheet placer (14, 14′, 14″) and foresees at least one engaging element (16) that is brought into contact with the front end of the fed product as it travels forward, aligning said product with its respective pusher (12) and moving away from the product to permit its travel towards the packaging area, or towards a further sheet placer (14, 14′, 14″).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Aris Ballestrazzi, Lamberto Tassi
  • Patent number: 6715265
    Abstract: A method for defining the operation of a plant for producing, conveying and packaging articles. The articles include rolls, such as rolls of paper material and the like. The plant includes the following operative sections: at least an apparatus for forming articles positioned upstream, at least a machine for packaging the articles in respective packs positioned downstream, and an apparatus for conveying the articles which is able to transfer the articles between the forming apparatus and the packaging apparatus. The method and the plant provide that, through a central control unit of the plant, starting from predefined setting data, operating parameters of the sections of the plant are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Pulsar S.R.L.
    Inventor: Massimo Franzaroli
  • Patent number: 6708466
    Abstract: A method of producing soft packets of cigarettes, whereby an inner packet, as it is fed along a packing path, is mated with a sheet of packing material withdrawn in a direction tangential with respect to the packing path. The sheet of packing material being folded into a U about the inner packet, so that a first end portion of the sheet of packing material contacts a minor lateral surface of the inner packet, and being further folded to form a tubular package which is subsequently closed at the end. The tubular package being closed laterally by detaching the first end portion from the relative minor lateral face, and inserting, beneath the first end portion, a second portion, an outer surface of which has been gummed beforehand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: G.D Societa' Per Azioni
    Inventor: Mario Spatafora
  • Patent number: 6706388
    Abstract: A self-closing package formed from a unitary two-ply or three-ply laminate sheeting having an inner surface which is entirely coated with cohesive material, which has the property of sticking only to itself, and having a first portion and second portion. An article may be placed on the first portion of the laminate sheeting before folding and forming he laminate sheeting into a self-closing package. To form the package, the second portion of the laminate sheeting is pulled upward around the article and folded over both the article and the first portion of the laminate sheeting so that the inner surface of both the first portion and second portion are opposed to each other. The package is closed and sealed by the cohesive coated inner surfaces of the first and second portions coming into contact with each other and thereby sticking to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventors: Arnold B. Finestone, Gilbert Bloch
  • Publication number: 20040031242
    Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping articles comprising; a clamp for pulling a film, a first conveyor for moving an article to a second conveyor, a second conveyor, an opening between the first and second conveyor sufficient to allow a clamp to pull a film through the opening a shear located below the first and second conveyors, means for feeding an end of the film to said clamp, means for seizing the end of the film by the clamp below the conveyors, means for pulling the film by moving the clamp with the seized end of the film through the opening to a position above the conveyors that would allow the film to wrap an article with an overlap, means for cutting the film with the shear after the clamp as reached said position, means for wrapping the article by moving the clamp with the seized film from said position through said opening to a second position below the conveyors and releasing said seized film, and means for overlapping the cut end and released end of the film wherein the overlap is between the conveyor and
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Alain Cerf
  • Patent number: 6688082
    Abstract: A method for stopping and restarting an automatic machine (1) for wrapping products (2), in particular rolls of toilet or kitchen paper, in a collective pack (3) using a packaging film (4a) unwound from a first reel (31a). The method comprises the following automatic sequence of steps: reducing the speed of the machine (1); and stopping the feeding of the products (2) and of the film (4a) at suitably synchronized intervals from each other relative to the processing of the products (2). The method subsequently comprising the steps of: substituting the first reel (31a) of the film (4a) with a second reel (31b); loading the film (4b) on the second reel into feed means (33, 10 34). Restarting the machine (1) at reduced speed and thereby automatically activating the following sequence of steps: unwinding and positionally centering the film (4b); and restarting the feeding of the products (2) and of the film (4a) at suitably synchronized intervals from each other relative to the products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: T.M.C. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianfranco Loperfido, Giampaolo Castaldini
  • Patent number: 6684606
    Abstract: In method of manufacturing sealed packets (102) of cigarettes, each displaying a revenue stamp (3) and a coupon (4) affixed to the printed faces, the packets (2a) emerge from a packaging machine (5) with the external paper or cardboard surface (10) still to be overwrapped and are conveyed singly and in succession from the packaging machine (5) to a cellophaner (6), through the agency of a transfer unit (107), following a path equipped with stations at which a revenue stamp (3) and a coupon (4) are applied to the outer surface (10) of each one; on reaching cellophaner (6), each packet (2a) is enveloped in a relative sheet (15) of transparent overwrapping material, and the folds of the sheet are secured to complete the sealed packet (102) of cigarettes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: G.D. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fiorenzo Draghetti
  • Publication number: 20040011005
    Abstract: A log packaging apparatus for packaging logs using a turret or a shuttle. The turret or shuttle can be used in conjunction with a wrap conveyor. The turret system can include a rotatable turret with at least one clamp movable into different positions in the apparatus, a log station at which logs are received, and a log ejector for ejecting logs from the log station into clamps of the turret. Logs can be ejected from the log station, through wrap material, and into the turret clamps. In other embodiments, a wrap conveyor inserts wrap material between a shuttle and a log station at which logs are received. Logs in such embodiments can pass from the log station to the shuttle through the wrap material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: James M. Daoust, Joseph A. Yachinich, Dennis P. Couturier
  • Patent number: 6668523
    Abstract: To fold a piece of linen to a very small final dimension, for example a bed sheet to 9″×6″, the piece of linen is kept constantly under pressure after final folding until it has been fixed in a storage position, in order to prevent opening of said final fold. This can be effected by pushing it during final folding by means of a folding sword into a receptacle, from where it is pushed by means of a ram onto a stacking line where its outer surfaces each rest against a corresponding outer surface of an adjacent piece of linen or another stop surface formed by slides or a pressure plate, so that it is fixed in its final configuration. Alternatively, the piece of linen can be fed, while maintaining pressure on the outer surfaces, to a packing apparatus and surrounded there by a strip of packaging material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Jensen AG Burgdorf
    Inventor: Samuel Gerber
  • Publication number: 20030230053
    Abstract: On a wrapping machine for conditioning stacks of products, a stack of products is conditioned inside a tubular wrapping by folding a sheet of heat-seal wrapping material into a U about the stack inside a radial seat of a wrapping wheel, and by bringing two opposite lateral flaps of the U-folded sheet of wrapping material into contact with each other by means of a folding gripper, the jaws of which have respective end sealing members, and oscillate about an axis of rotation of the wrapping wheel to move with respect to each other to and from a closed position, and to accompany the radial seat along part of a travelling step of the wrapping wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: AZIONARIA COSTRUZIONI MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE A.C.M.
    Inventors: Sandro Salicini, Stefano Cavallari
  • Patent number: 6662533
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of shrink film wrapping of one or more objects (15). The method employs two film webs, a first (1) and a second (2). The first film web carries a pre-printed decorative artwork with regularly recurring register maintenance markings. The second film web (2) is blank and carries no register maintenance markings. The two film webs (1, 2) are joined or fused together when the objects (15) are moved in by means of a pusher (16) towards the film webs (1, 2), in one or more rows. A sealing device (18, 19), consisting of an upper (18) and a lower (19) sealing jaw, stretches the film webs (1, 2) around the objects (15) and once seals the film webs (1, 2). During the downward movement of the upper sealing jaw (18), the first film web (1) is held fast by a brake (8). The first film web (1) is held in register in that the first film web (1), during the sealing, is advanced by means of a drive roller (6) for the formation of a loosely hanging loop (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Leif Holm, Gert Lindström, Olle Westborg
  • Patent number: 6658819
    Abstract: According to a method for packaging one stack of multiply articles made of paper, a presser receives and compacts the stack of articles to be packaged and a pusher moves longitudinally the stack so as to make the stack hit a wrapping foil, previously placed vertically. The stack, partially wrapped within the wrapping foil, is introduced between a pair of belt conveyors. The presser and the pusher are carried by a slide moving longitudinally between a backward position with respect to the wrapping foil, where the stack is received and compacted, and a forward position, in which the presser hit the wrapping foil and move close to the belt conveyors, so as to transfer and introduce the stack between the belt conveyors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Techmatic S.r.l.
    Inventor: Gianluigi Gamberini
  • Publication number: 20030217529
    Abstract: In a machine for the production of packs of rolls of paper, comprising a supporting surface designed to lift the rolls of paper, arranged in two or more rows, towards a zone in which there is a sheet of plastic film, in particular polyethylene, to be wrapped around the rolls to form the pack, the sheet is closed on the lower side of the pack by initiating a process for activating sheet horizontal flat folders, suitably combined with the return stroke of the two parts of which the supporting surface consists. The process allows correct closing of the two flaps of plastic film on the lower side of the pack, guaranteeing the stability of the configuration of the various rows of rolls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: T.M.C. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Zagnoni Christian
  • Patent number: 6643996
    Abstract: A method of overwrapping packets in the form of a rectangular prism, whereby a packet, as it is fed continuously along a wrapping path, is first centered with respect to a relative conveying seat, and is then paired with a relative sheet of wrapping material, which is folded about the packet to form a tubular wrapping projecting axially from the packet in the form of two tubular appendixes, which are folded to form a closed overwrapping; each tubular appendix being at least partly folded onto the relative packet before the relative tubular wrapping is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: G.D. Societa' Per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Spatafora, Fabrizio Tale
  • Patent number: 6640522
    Abstract: A method of packing rearms of sheets, wherein each ream is defined by sheets stacked to form a rectangular-base prism of a given height, and has two base faces defined by respective end sheets in the ream, two lateral faces perpendicular to the base faces, and two end faces. The method providing for feeding the ream along a given path in a feed direction parallel to the base faces. Placing a sheet of packing material along the path of the ream and perpendicular to the feed direction, and conveying the ream and the sheet of packing material in the feed direction through a folding spindle to fold the sheet of packing material into a U about the ream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Innopack SRL
    Inventors: Luca Antoniazzi, Andrea Cinotti
  • Publication number: 20030196415
    Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to provide a packaging method and a packaging device in which a loading work and an unloading work for a packaged item performed by an operator can be reduced, a longitudinal length of the device can be made short and it can be manufactured in less-expensive manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: Teraoka Seiko Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hideaki Kondo
  • Publication number: 20030192287
    Abstract: A method for hermetically sealing a bulk article wherein a strip of wrapping material is initially positioned onto an article such that extending ends of the wrapping material strip extend from away from an edge of the article, each end having a different length. The article is rotated to cause the ends of the strip to cover an uncovered side of the article with a fin-like section extending therefrom away from the article which can be sealed without contacting the article. The fin-like section is cooled and folded onto the top of the article so as to form an axial seam. Lateral ends of the wrapping material strip are then sealed to complete the hermetic sealing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: Detail Machine Company
    Inventor: Terrance VanAlstine
  • Patent number: 6630104
    Abstract: There is provided an improved two-ply sterilization wrap and a method for using the improved sterilization wrap to sterilize an article. The wrap is made of a single sheet of sterilization material. The sheet is folded forming at least one fold. The folded sheet forms first and second overlapping panels and two layers of sterilization material. Preferably, the panels are bonded to each other. The folded single sheet provides two layers of sterilization material covering the article to be sterilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Cardinal Health 200, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert T. Bayer
  • Patent number: 6625957
    Abstract: A method of producing hinged-lid packets of cigarettes on a continuous automatic machine, whereby a blank is closed about a group of cigarettes, the blank having a longitudinal axis, a rear panel, first tabs connected to the rear panel, and second and third tabs connected to the first tabs; the method providing for feeding the blank continuously along a given path with the axis of the blank crosswise to the path; and folding the first tabs with respect to the rear panel so that the second and third tabs are so positioned as to be intercepted by fixed folding devices located along the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: G.D Societe' per Azioni
    Inventor: Mario Spatafora
  • Publication number: 20030167736
    Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping reams of paper in which the units for forming the first tube are adjacent to the devices for lateral folding of the first tube in order simultaneously to form lateral flaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventor: Andrea Cinotti
  • Patent number: 6615566
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for wrapping a napkin around one or more utensils, wherein the utensils each have first end and a second ends defining a longitudinal axis. The utensil wrapping apparatus includes a utensil manipulator for placing the a utensil adjacent a surface of the napkin. First and second utensil engaging devices are provided for releasably engaging the first and second ends of the utensil and the portions of said napkin respectively adjacent the first and second ends of said utensil, such that said napkin and said utensil are held in a fixed relative position. A napkin guide for wrapping the napkin around the utensil, wherein the napkin guide is manipulable to orbit the longitudinal axis such that the napkin guide contacts the napkin and thereby wraps the napkin around said utensil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Pureserve International Corp.
    Inventor: John L. Heisey
  • Patent number: 6606840
    Abstract: In order to produce (cigarette) packs with an (inner) wrapper made of heat-sealable sheet material and with folding tabs which are connected to one another by sealing, first of all a cigarette group (11) is enclosed by a wrapper blank and. following completion of the necessary folding operations, is fed to a sealing turret (48). In the region of the latter, folding tabs on sideways directed side walls and on radially outwardly directed end walls of the folded wrapper are sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Hans-Jürgen Bretthauer, Henry Buse, Hermann Blome
  • Patent number: 6601369
    Abstract: A method and unit for closing the ends of tubular wrappings on a cigarette packing machine, wherein the tubular wrappings enclosing respective groups of cigarettes are fed continuously and successively along an annular path and through two folding stations, in the first of which a movable folding member and a fixed folding member, common to all the tubular wrappings, fold the short sides of a projecting tubular portion of the tubular wrapping to define two projecting major tabs, and in the second of which a single rocker arm, common to all the tubular wrappings, is swung to successively fold the two major tabs while the wall of the tubular wrapping coplanar with each major tab is maintained, during folding, contacting a respective flat supporting wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: G.D. Societa′ Per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Spatafora, Loris Grepioni
  • Publication number: 20030140604
    Abstract: A method of wrapping elongated articles in groups provides for feeding a first and a second pocket continuously along two respective paths having a common portion, along which the first pocket penetrates the second pocket to transfer a group from the first to the second pocket together with a sheet of wrapping material, which is folded into a U inside the second pocket and has two parallel, opposite flaps gripped between first and second lateral walls; and for compressing the group between a first and a second bottom wall and, at the same time, extracting the first lateral walls from the second pocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Fabrizio Tale, Mario Spatafora
  • Patent number: 6557324
    Abstract: In a method and device for continuously wrapping products (3), while the products (3) are being fed continuously at a first speed (V1) along an intermediate portion (44) of a first path (P1) and in a first direction (D1), together with their intermediate wrappers (2a), the latter having a first and a second wing (37, 38), projection from, and on opposite sides of a surface (30) of the product (3), the wings (37, 38) make contact with a first folder (43) that moves at a second speed (V2) which is faster than the first speed (V1) in a second direction (D2) coinciding with the first speed (D1) along a section (45) of a second a path (P2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Enrico Campagnoli, Antonio Gamberini
  • Patent number: 6553742
    Abstract: A method and machine for wrapping cigars provides for feeding the cigars continuously along a given path, along which a sheet of wrapping material is folded about each cigar, the sheet of wrapping material is closed about the cigar and at the opposite ends to form a closed wrapping, and the closed wrapping is sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: G.D Societa' Per Azioni
    Inventor: Mario Spatafora
  • Patent number: 6550221
    Abstract: Bundles of banknotes are directed singly and in succession along an infeed duct toward a station located at the top of a channel, where they are formed into a block; the channel functions as a guide along which the block is conveyed by means of a companion element, following a predetermined feed path, at the same time as a continuous strip of banding material is fed along a path transverse to this same path. The leading end of the strip is taken up and restrained by a gripper device, and as the block progresses along the channel, the strip is intercepted and forced to wrap around three faces of the block, assuming a U shape, whereupon the leading end is flattened against the remaining face and a further portion of the strip is drawn by a diverter mechanism into overlapping contact with the leading end. The strip is then cut by a knife, leaving a discrete length of which the ends are joined by a heat seal bit to form a band around the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Currency Systems International
    Inventor: Armando Neri
  • Patent number: 6544569
    Abstract: A rice ball wrapper comprises an outer film, an inner film and a sheet of food sandwiched between the two films. The inner film comprising two film pieces having opposed sides lapping over each other at an approximate widthwise midportion of the wrapper. The outer film is provided at an approximate longitudinal and widthwise central portion thereof with tabs for tearing the film from the central portion to longitudinal opposite ends thereof. The tabs are formed by an incision made in the film through the thickness thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventors: Makoto Suzuki, Eiichi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20030051444
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a package for packaging food products, composed of an outer sheet made of heat-sealable material and of an undulated inner sheet. In a first step of the method, the two sheets are unwound from respective reels, so that the outer sheet forms two lateral borders left exposed by the inner sheet. By way of appropriate longitudinal movements of the sheets, the inner sheet is centered on the outer sheet so as to form, at their opposite ends, two transverse borders which are perpendicular to the lateral ones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Guglielmo Martelli