Package Unfolding Or Opening With Insertion Of Additional Contents Patents (Class 53/50)
  • Patent number: 11820538
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to methods, systems and packages for packaging the coreless paper products and accessory products. Embodiments include receiving paper products, receiving a container used for packaging the paper products, and packaging the paper products into the container. Embodiments also include inserting accessory products into a cavity formed by the paper products packaged in the container, and applying a label on the container to cover the cavity where the accessory products are inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Scott B. Farkas, Austin T. Ketterhagen, Guy W. Wolff, Abby C. Case
  • Patent number: 10124304
    Abstract: Assembly of a tintometric machine and a trolley includes an external frame and a dispenser system. The dispenser system dispenses a fluid into a vessel or container, when the vessel or container is positioned in a dispensing station. The trolley includes: a supporting top, whereon the container can be positioned; rotary elements allowing the trolley to move; a gripping element, through which the user can grip the trolley and move it. The dispensing station has a housing into which the trolley can be positioned. The assembly includes a plug-socket system, wherein a first part of the system is located on the trolley and a second part is located in the dispensing station. The parts of the system can be assembled together when the trolley is placed into the housing of the dispensing station, for the purpose of conducting an electric current. The trolley includes an actuating device that can move the supporting top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Inventors: Luca Drocco, Mario Drocco
  • Patent number: 8783094
    Abstract: An imperfection in a seal of an envelope can be identified. The envelope is moved laterally, and a positive flow of air is delivered to a leading edge of a top flap of the envelope to separate the top flap from a bottom flap or a side flap of the envelope at the imperfection in the seal of the envelope. Based on the separation of the top flap from the bottom flap or the side flap of the envelope, it can be determined whether the seal has the imperfection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: FMR LLC
    Inventors: Raymond Mark Lutz, Steven Carl Turner
  • Publication number: 20110146205
    Abstract: An aseptic packaging system includes a film unwind device; a fitment feed device for feeding a plurality of fitments; an apparatus for attaching each of the fitments to the film; an assembly for sterilizing the film and each of the fitments; an assembly for drying the film and each of the fitments; and a vertical form/fill seal apparatus for making packages from the sterilized film and each of the sterilized fitments, each package comprising a pouch comprising a first and second transverse seal, a first and second fold, an interior and exterior surface, and a longitudinal seal; and a sterilized internal fitment sealed to the sterilized interior surface of the pouch; and a sterilized product disposed in the pouch. An aseptic process and package are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Timothy G. Caudle, Kenneth Micnerski
  • Publication number: 20110146204
    Abstract: An aseptic packaging system includes a film unwind device; a fitment feed device for feeding a plurality of fitments; an apparatus for attaching each of the fitments to a second surface of the film; an assembly for sterilizing the film and optionally each of the fitments; an assembly for drying the film and optionally each of the fitments; and a vertical form/fill seal apparatus for making packages from the sterilized film and each of the fitments, each package comprising a pouch comprising a first and second transverse seal, a first and second fold, an interior and exterior surface, and a longitudinal seal; and an external fitment sealed to the exterior surface of the pouch; and a sterilized product disposed in the pouch. An aseptic process and package are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Timothy G. Caudle, Kenneth Micnerski
  • Patent number: 7858015
    Abstract: Methods for making a molded beverage container insulator from a slurry including water and a polysaccharide by presenting at least one male mold, which may have an elliptical cross section, therein and causing a portion of the slurry to temporarily adhere to the at least one mold. After a suitable period of time, removing the mold from the slurry and then removing the insulator. At such time, and particularly if the mold is not characterized as elliptical in cross section, the insulator is subject to bidirectional compression in order to collapse the same. Opposing hinge elements may be formed in the insulator, either at the time of molding or subsequently, to localize stresses resulting from the collapsing of the insulator. The resulting insulator is fully recyclable/compostable and possesses a constricting bias to mitigate container slip issues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventors: Edward F. Urquhart, David A. Pierce
  • Publication number: 20090044487
    Abstract: There is described a sequencing unit (1) operating along a feed path (A) of a succession of opening devices (3) for attachment to respective sealed packages of pourable food products; the unit has: push means (25) interacting at a predetermined rate with the succession of opening devices (3) to feed them along the path (A); and locating means (29) interacting with the opening devices (3) and of variable configuration to maintain opening devices (3) with different geometric characteristics in a predetermined position with respect to the push means (25).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE SA
    Inventors: Alessandro Zuccotti, Claudio Baldini, Mahmod Tabarte, Lars Skarin, Anders Gustfasson
  • Patent number: 6688075
    Abstract: An automatic machine for packaging products, in particular cosmetic or pharmaceutical products, inside containers (11), comprising a series of stations (15-21, 21A, 21B, 21C, 23-28), in each of which the operations required to insert the products and their leaflets into containers or cartons (11), and to close the cartons (11) definitively are performed; with the machine the format of the container (11) can be changed in extremely short times and automatically, by using a keyboard to key in the parameters relevant to the dimensions of the sides (A, B, C) of the carton (11) utilised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: I.A.C.E. di Cristina Adriano
    Inventor: Adriano Cristina
  • Patent number: 6560839
    Abstract: A method for using a moisture-protective container to protect an integrated circuit is disclosed herein. The integrated circuit is placed into a container having a first surface and a second surface that is opposite the first surface, and then the container is closed with a seal. Next, the seal is broken to remove the integrated circuit for evaluation. After evaluation without subjecting the integrated circuit to burn-in, the integrated circuit is restored to the container and the container is resealed with the seal. Lastly, the seal of the container is broken to connect the integrated circuit to a substrate without elevating the temperature surrounding the integrated circuit above the temperature at which evaluation occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Poh-Siew Tow
  • Patent number: 6527500
    Abstract: An insertion automation apparatus for discs and booklets in disc packages has plural parallel belts for transporting containers through successive stations. A first station is adjacent the belts for unstacking containers. A second station is adjacent the belts for opening the containers. An inspection station adjacent the belts inspects the opened containers. A fourth station adjacent the belts partially inserts booklets in the open containers, has a booklet conveyor for unstacking and moving booklets and an insertion conveyor for partially inserting the booklets in booklet pockets of the containers. A fifth station adjacent the belts has a pusher for pushing booklets fully into the pockets. A sixth disc placement station adjacent the belts has a continuous looped disc carrier arranged transversely to the belts and plural outwardly spaced disc carrier heads facing outward from the looped disc carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Sagoma Plastics
    Inventors: John A. Gelardi, Albert Belanger, Guy Lessard
  • Patent number: 6122900
    Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing pocketed compound nested coil springs includes inserting a compressed, preferably pocketed, smaller coil spring into a horizontally oriented larger coil spring either prior to compressing and inserting the outer coil spring into pocket material or after the larger coil spring has been pocketed thereby requiring the first spring to be inserted into and through an opening in the pocket material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: L& P Property Management Co.
    Inventors: Niels S. Mossbeck, Thomas J. Wells, Simon Paul Spinks
  • Patent number: 6021627
    Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing pocketed compound nested coil springs includes inserting a compressed, preferably pocketed, smaller coil spring into a horizontally oriented larger coil spring either prior to compressing and inserting the outer coil spring into pocket material or after the larger coil spring has been pocketed thereby requiring the first spring to be inserted into and through an opening in the pocket material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Niels S. Mossbeck, Thomas J. Wells, Simon Paul Spinks
  • Patent number: 5857308
    Abstract: A double lid system is provided with an electric motor (44) to actuate mechanisms to release the lid (20) from a drum (18) and simultaneously clamp the lid (20) to a door (14) of a port (or vice versa), and with an electric motor (74) to withdraw the door (14) from the port to open the port (or to close it). The system is monitored by sensors (60,62,64,82) associated with an electronic logic interlock to ensure the correct sequence of operations of the motors (44,74). The sensors (60,62,64,82) and the motors (44,74) are readily demountable for remote maintenance or replacement. The door-opening motor (74) may he a linear actuator cooperating with a part-helical slot (80) to open the door (14) and then swing it clear of the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: AEA Technology plc
    Inventors: Timothy John Dismore, Donald John Michael Drew
  • Patent number: 5784854
    Abstract: A perforating and plugging device for a dye-dispensing machine comprising at least one output nozzle and a support structure for a container, comprises a perforating member for forming a hole in the container substantially in vertical alignment with the nozzle of the dispensing machine. A plugging member which can house a plug is movable selectively from a rest position to an operative position in order to fit the plug in the hole formed in the container. The perforating member is mounted on a slide element movable horizontally and interacting with articulation means which can move the plugging member, rotating it substantially through an angle of 90.degree. from the rest position to the operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Corob S.p.A.
    Inventor: Leopoldo Mazzalveri
  • Patent number: 5782065
    Abstract: The invention relates a loading and unloading device for x-ray film cassettes, said device being further developed in such a way that a number of exposed x-ray films having different formats can be haphazardly delivered to a storage place, and in such a way that the filling height (H) as well as the number of x-ray films in storage can be reliably measured. For this purpose, a light-tight storage magazine is positioned in the film conveyor track of the loading and unloading device, said magazine being provided with a single sensor which measures the number of films introduced into, and the height (H) of the stack of films present in the magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Frank Gaebele
  • Patent number: 5547329
    Abstract: A roller bottle handling system includes a culture rack storage station for storing a plurality of culture racks each for accommodating a plurality of roller bottles each filled with a culture medium and cells, and a mass-handling facility for extracting completed cultures from roller bottles and replacing a culture medium in the roller bottles with a new culture medium. The roller bottle handling system further includes an unloading station for taking out roller bottles from culture racks delivered from the culture rack storage station and delivering the roller bottles to the mass-handling facility, and a loading station for charging roller bottles filled with a culture medium and cells into culture racks. Automatic guided vehicles or overhead traveling cranes are movable to deliver culture racks, one at a time, between the culture rack storage station and the unloading and loading stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Kirin Beer Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Hirai, Keiji Tamura, Hajime Ichihashi
  • Patent number: 5538232
    Abstract: A system reads a data record from a card and, based on this information, prints on a section of a travelling web of paper. The printed web section is tracked and the card providing the data record is affixed to the web section. The printed web section with card is then separated to form a letter sheet and inserts are selected for the letter sheet with card based on the previously read data record for the card. The letter sheet with card and selected inserts is then stuffed into an envelope and an indication of the weight of the envelope with enclosures, based on the known weight of the envelope, card and letter sheet and the known weights of the selected inserts, is provided to a franking machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventor: John A. Long
  • Patent number: 5493840
    Abstract: A more easily useable means for providing dispersed flowable colorant in a coating composition contained in a liddable container which means may have none of several alternative heights. The means comprises dispenser 18 at which a dose of flowable colorant 1 can be introduced into a container 20 which contains a base paint 2. A shaker 24 is provided and is laterally spaced from the dispenser 18. A surface 14 extends from the dispenser 18 to the shaker 24 along which the container can be moved making transfer to the mixing station particularly easy. The means can also include labelling and lidding stations 22, 23 between the dispenser and shaker 18, 24. FIG. 1 .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries PLC
    Inventor: Michael R. Cane
  • Patent number: 5469692
    Abstract: Housings for personal computers are assembled at a first site and then shipped in bulk to one or more configuring sites. At the configuring sites, electrical components are inserted into the housing, and the thus-configured computers are packaged in individual containers, along with packing material. Each container has an openable vertical wall. If the computers need to be reconfigured, the openable wall of the container is opened, and one or more of the electrical components are removed and/or replaced horizontally through that opened wall without having to remove the computer or packing material from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Xanthopoulos
  • Patent number: 5445367
    Abstract: A system reads a data record from a card and, based on this information, searches a database for additional letter data and prints on a section of a travelling web of paper the data record and letter data. The printed web section is tracked and the card providing the data record is affixed to the web section. The printed web section with card is then separated to form a letter sheet and inserts are selected for the letter sheet with card based on the previously read data record for the card. The letter sheet with card and selected inserts is then stuffed into an envelope and an indication of the weight of the envelope with enclosures, based on the known weight of the envelope, card and letter sheet and the known weights of the selected inserts, is provided to a franking machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Inventor: John A. Long
  • Patent number: 5426909
    Abstract: An apparatus for inserting an item into a closed container includes a body and an implement for forming an entrance point into a surface of the closed container. The implement takes the form of a blade member, or a rotary member having saw-teeth or cutting abrasive on a leading edge thereof. A delivery passage is associated with the implement so the item may be delivered therethrough into the hole formed in the wall of the container by the implement. The apparatus has a stacked magazine feed. Alternatively, the items are fed on a carrier web and punched or severed from the carrier web to be placed in position for delivery. The item is forced through the delivery passage with a ram member that is driven by air pressure or a solenoid. For containers that have a pre-formed slit or opening, the apparatus has a projection that slides into the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Inventor: Richard W. Slocum, III
  • Patent number: 4807425
    Abstract: A method and device for opening and closing vials includes a rack for supporting a plurality of vials, a first arrangement for sequentially lifting a cap from each of the supported vials, an upwardly sloping bar for raising each cap from its respective vial, a downwardly sloping bar for lowering each cap onto its respective vial, and a second arrangement for closing each cap onto its respective vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Inventor: Robert S. Abrams
  • Patent number: 4741145
    Abstract: A device for inserting coupons in cigarette packets, in particular in hinge lid packets, includes a guide rail 14, 16 parallel to the packing conveyor 2 for raising the lower edge 11 of the inner frame 10 away from the cigarette bundle 6 so that a coupon C can be fed edgewise under the gap. A plough rail 48 may push down the inner frame on to the coupon after it has been inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Molins PLC
    Inventors: Graham J. Bright, Robert H. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4658564
    Abstract: A device for placing articles such as coupons or the like in cartons being conveyed past a work station containing the device. The device includes an upright coupon or the like article supply hopper, a reciprocatory mechanism for inserting the articles into the cartons as they are conveyed past and momentarily stopped adjacent thereto and a reciprocating vacuum or suction mechanism for removing the coupons from the supply hopper and placing them in the path of the inserting mechanism for placement into cartons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventors: Cecil R. Bell, Jr., Richard Thomas, Jasper R. London, Walter R. Sizemore
  • Patent number: 4557101
    Abstract: A token, such as a coin for making change in a cigarette package dispensing machine, is inserted into a "hard pack" or box of the type having a hinged lid by placing the token on the front face of the box, pressing down on the front face to form a slit-like opening under the edge of the lid, and then shoving the token under the lid through the opening. One or more recesses can be formed in a box insert under the lid to accept the token or tokens. An apparatus for accomplishing this is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: B.A.T. Cigaretten-Fabriken GmbH
    Inventor: Eugen Hesterberg
  • Patent number: 4446674
    Abstract: For filling successive spouted bags with a beverage or like fluid product to a prescribed weight, a filling valve assembly and a cap remover assembly are immovably mounted side by side in a germfree chamber formed over a weighing platform. After the germfree chamber and the interior of a filling head forming a part of the filling valve assembly have been sterilized, a bag is placed on or over the weighing platform, with its capped spout caught by a spout carrier arm, which is supported on the weighing platform for both linear up-and-down motion and pivotal motion about a vertical axis. Following the removal of the cap from the spout by the cap remover assembly, the arm carries the spout to a position under the filling valve assembly and holds the spout against the filling head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Insatsu Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Junji Inada
  • Patent number: 4286513
    Abstract: A tagging attachment for a hay baler for automatically inserting an identification tag into a hay bale at a specified preselected location, includes a guide support member extending into the bale chamber for supporting a tag in a position in the chamber for being torn from a roll or strip of tags as the bale is being formed. The hay passing across the support engages and tears the tag from the tag strip. Tags are selectively and intermittently advanced in response to a predetermined timing during the formation of the bale for precise location of the tag within the bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Inventors: Don Floyd, Lee M. Whittle, Richard R. Ramey
  • Patent number: 4265355
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a machine and method of applying cigarette tax stamps to cigarette packages in cartons. The machine includes an input platform or table that receives cartons from an infeed conveyor, and three incoming cartons are fed to three parallel channels. In each of the channels, the flaps of a carton are opened and folded upwardly and outwardly, thereby exposing the ends of the packages. Tax stamps are applied to the ends of the packages, glue is then applied to the outturned flaps, and the flaps are folded in again and resealed. The three channels are spaced laterally apart of the direction of movement of the cartons as they move through the channels. The cartons are pushed onto the input platform with their long dimension extending parallel to the channels. The carton movement is stopped by an end stop that is located to position the first, third and fifth cartons generally in line with the input ends of the three channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1981
    Assignee: The Meyercord Co.
    Inventor: Allan C. Davis
  • Patent number: 4263766
    Abstract: An improved machine for automatically applying transfers such as tax stamps to multiple packages contained in a carton is disclosed. The machine comprises a conveyor for advancing a carton through an opening station, where it is opened to expose the packages therein, through a stamping station, where tax stamps in the form of heat or water transfers or ink printing are applied to each of the packages by a movable platen, and through a closing station where the carton is closed and resealed. The machine is adjustable to accommodate a variety of carton and package sizes and to apply the transfers to a selected part of each package in the carton accurately, while using stock transfer sheets on which the transfers are mounted with a predetermined spacing that does not necessarily correspond to the spacing of packages within the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1981
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.
    Inventors: Max N. Baker, Watson M. Dufour, Julian R. Martin, John D. Welch, Donald R. Wilkinson, Marvin G. Woempner
  • Patent number: 4184305
    Abstract: A machine for automatically applying transfers such as tax stamps to multiple packages contained in a carton is disclosed. The transfer applying machine comprises a conveyor for intermittently and sequentially advancing cartons through an opening station, where the carton is opened to expose the packages therein, through a stamping station, where tax stamps in the form of heat or water transfers or ink printing are applied to each of the packages, and through a closing station where the carton is closed and resealed. The machine is adjustable to accommodate a variety of carton and package sizes and to apply the transfers to each package in the carton accurately while using stock rolls of transfers on which the transfers are mounted with a predetermined spacing that does not necessarily correspond to the spacing of packages within the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1980
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Max N. Baker, Julian R. Martin
  • Patent number: 4101362
    Abstract: A machine for automatically applying transfers such as tax stamps to multiple packages contained in a carton is disclosed. The transfer applying machine comprises a conveyor for intermittently and sequentially advancing cartons through an opening station, where the carton is opened to expose the packages therein, through a stamping station, where tax stamps in the form of heat or water transfers or ink printing are applied to each of the packages, and through a closing station where the carton is closed and resealed. The machine is adjustable to accommodate a variety of carton and package sizes and to apply the transfers to each package in the carton accurately while using stock rolls of transfers on which the transfers are mounted with a predetermined spacing that does not necessarily correspond to the spacing of packages within the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1978
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.
    Inventors: Max Norris Baker, Julian Richard Martin