Longitudinal Tube Formed From Single Web Patents (Class 53/550)
  • Patent number: 8261518
    Abstract: A deformation binding apparatus for fabricating a package defining a content area therein such as a mailpiece. The deformation binding apparatus including axial and radial binding mechanisms for deformation binding sheet material along first and second bind lines, respectively. The axial and radial binding mechanisms are in-line such that the sheet material may be passed along a unidirectional path to form the mailpiece. Furthermore, the bind lines are orthogonal to enclose at least a portion of the mailpiece. The axial binding mechanism includes first and second rotating elements each having a substantially axial array of intermeshing teeth and a drive device for driving at least one of the rotating elements. The radial binding mechanism includes first and second rotating discs each having a plurality of teeth disposed about the circumference of each and a drive device for driving at least one of the rotating discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Denis J. Stemmle
  • Patent number: 8225585
    Abstract: A device for dispensing a dosage material has a container with an outlet spout and a metering element adjoining the outlet spout. The metering element has an inlet opening on a side facing the container and an outlet opening on a side that faces away from the container. A wall of the metering element extends between the openings. A film material can be inserted into the device which passes at least through the inlet opening and the slot-shaped outlet opening and covers the inside of the wall. The device also has a feature that stretches a portion of a tube section of the film material. This stretching device includes at least two locations for fastening the portion to be stretched, the two locations being arranged on a stretch line that is at an angle to the lengthwise direction of the tube section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventor: Lorenz Bohler
  • Patent number: 8117808
    Abstract: An apparatus for transverse sealing of a packaging tube, filled with products, in order to form bag packages, has a delivery conveyor for delivering the packaging tube, a removal conveyor for carrying the bag packages away and a transverse sealing unit engaging an interstice between these two conveyors. Means is provided for supporting the bag packages at least in part at the transition through this interstice. This means for supporting the bag packages is a supporting base, which reaches beneath the bag packages from two diametrically opposed sides and both supports the bag packages and transports them onward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Strasser
  • Patent number: 8099933
    Abstract: A process of manufacturing sealed packages containing a pourable food product from a web packaging material moving along a predetermined path involves providing a recurring pattern of printed register marks on the web packaging material, applying a recurring pattern of bend or fold lines on the web packaging material as a function of the detected position of the printed register marks, generating new references, distinct from the bend or fold lines, on the web packaging material in a synchronized way with the application of the recurring pattern of bend or fold lines; and performing one or more subsequent operations on the web packaging material based on a synchronization pulse created by detection of the new references.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Benedetti, Nelcio Carlos Do Amaral, Gabor Benkö, Gert Ask, Magnus Dahl
  • Patent number: 8087220
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventors: Raymond Uttaro, John Robinson, Michel Laurin
  • Patent number: 8087215
    Abstract: A forming, filling and sealing machine for producing bags from semifinished products, and for filling and closing the bags, includes a plurality of processing stations. At least two processing stations of at least one first group are successively, largely linearly, arranged in the horizontal plane (x, z) in the transport direction (z) of the bags. The bags or semifinished products are transported between the processing stations by transport devices which generally include gripping devices. The machine also includes at least one second group having at least one processing station that is not linearly arranged behind the first group in the horizontal plane (x, z) in the processing direction (z) of the bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Windmoeller & Hoelscher KG
    Inventors: Martin Koelker, Ludger Schulten, Thomas Knoke, Ulrich Stienecker
  • Patent number: 8082721
    Abstract: A packaging group that packages products at a high speed when the products are fed in succession in accordance with a predefined and variable pitch is provided. The packaging group includes a conveyor of the products, at least one roll of at least one plastic film, a feed mechanism that feeds the at least one plastic film from the at least one roll respectively atop and underneath the products substantially upon exiting the conveyor, a counter-welder belt downstream of the conveyor which receives the products covered on their upper and lower parts with the at least one plastic film, and a transverse welder device at the counter-welder belt. The transverse welder device includes a rotating star-like structure equipped with at least three spokes provided at their tips with welder mechanisms cooperating one after the other in succession with the counter-welder belt, in order to weld together portions of the at least one plastic film between the products advancing on the counter-welder belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: SITMA S.p.A.
    Inventors: Aris Ballestrazzi, Lamberto Tassi
  • Patent number: 8042317
    Abstract: A slurry product is packaged into a plastic bag using a modified form-fill-seal apparatus and method of using it. The apparatus has preferably been modified to select the appropriate amount of product slurry by weight. Bags are filled using a dual auger system that includes a bulk auger and a precision auger that fill a bag simultaneously. The augers work together for a first period to rapidly load slurry into a large part of the bag. During a second period, the bulk auger shuts down, allowing the precision auger alone to top-off the bags. The periods are determined either by time or by the volume or weight of the product that has entered the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventor: Stanley B. Doyle
  • Patent number: 7975457
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a machine and a method for converting a web of preformed pouches to dunnage units. In one exemplary embodiment the machine includes a drive, a blower, and a sealing mechanism. The drive is arranged to move the web of preformed pouches along a path of travel through the machine. The blower is positioned with respect to the path of travel, to inflate the preformed pouches. The sealing mechanism includes a heating element support and a heating element. The heating element support includes a sealing side and a belt preheating side. The heating element is disposed around at least a portion of the heating side and at least a portion of the belt preheating side. The drive includes a belt that is disposed around the heating element. The sealing mechanism is positioned with respect to the path of travel, to provide seals to the pouches to form inflated dunnage units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
  • Publication number: 20110061346
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device (1) for packaging products in a foil package, comprising feed-through means for Continuously supplying a foil web (12) from a supply roll to a corner forming unit (6), said corner forming unit comprising, in succession, a curved deforming edge (58) for deforming the flat foil web to a curved foil web having a reduced width, at least in perpendicular view, deforming means (21, 22) for forming a profile in the curved foil web, a roller for flattening the foil web, with the reduced width of the foil web at least substantially being maintained and overlapping sections being formed at the location of the profile, and sealing means (24) for sealing said overlapping sections, wherein the deforming edge and the deforming means form part of an exchangeable unit (31) and wherein the sealing means are movable along at least one guide (35, 49) extending parallel to the central axis of the roller, with the corner forming unit comprising aligning elements (45) associated with the sea
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Marius Petrus Josef Johannes Robertus Ponten, Robertus Maria Vollenbroek
  • Patent number: 7891156
    Abstract: A packaging apparatus including a receptacle, a ram, a film dispensing assembly and first and second elongate members. The receptacle defines a central axis and has a dispensing end with first and second substantially linear and parallel opposed edges that define an axial limit of the dispensing end. The plastic film material forms a film tube about the receptacle. The first and second elongate members are substantially parallel with the first and second edges. In operation, the ram is extended to eject the batch of material through the dispensing end into the film tube. Retracting the ram forms a partial vacuum within the film tube between the batch of material and the ram. The first and second elongate members compressively engage the film tube between the batch of material and the dispensing end and thereby form folded flaps in the film tube. A method of packaging is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Rethceif Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Philip Roland Beer
  • Patent number: 7877965
    Abstract: In order to package flat objects (1) with the aid of a quasi-endless packaging material web, the packaging material web is placed around a row (4) of the objects (1), in which these objects are conveyed one after the other and in an interspaced manner, whereupon longitudinal seams are made in the packaging material web and transversal seams are made between the objects (1) whereby separating the packaged objects from one another. In contrast to prior art packaging methods during which the row is formed before the packaging material web is fed thereto, the invention provides that the row is directly formed on the packaging material web (2) during which the objects are, by acceleration, separated out from a supply stream (3), in which they are fed while overlapping one another, and directly placed upon or pushed onto the packaging material web (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: FERAG AG
    Inventor: Werner Honegger
  • Patent number: 7861491
    Abstract: A powder medicine dispensing/packaging apparatus includes: a divisional container composed of a first divisional container and a second divisional container connectable to each other and each including a plurality of powder medicine accommodation parts accommodating powder medicine in equal amounts corresponding to one package, each powder medicine accommodation part being equipped with a bottom plate that can be opened and closed; a carrying device for horizontally carrying the divisional container between an initial position and a first movement terminal position; a dispensing/packaging device for recovering powder medicine dropped from the divisional container carried by the carrying device by successively opening the bottom plates and dispensing/packaging the powder medicine package by package; and a swinging device for canceling the connection between the first divisional container and the second divisional container at the first movement terminal position to enable the first divisional container to move
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Hiroshi Hashimoto, Hiromichi Tsuda, Takashi Ueno
  • Publication number: 20100263336
    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: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Raymond Uttaro, John Robinson, Michel Laurin
  • Publication number: 20100242410
    Abstract: A packaging apparatus including a receptacle, a ram, a film dispensing assembly and first and second elongate members. The receptacle defines a central axis and has a dispensing end with first and second substantially linear and parallel opposed edges that define an axial limit of the dispensing end. The plastic film material forms a film tube about the receptacle. The first and second elongate members are substantially parallel with the first and second edges. In operation, the ram is extended to eject the batch of material through the dispensing end into the film tube. Retracting the ram forms a partial vacuum within the film tube between the batch of material and the ram. The first and second elongate members compressively engage the film tube between the batch of material and the dispensing end and thereby form folded flaps in the film tube. A method of packaging is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: Philip Roland Beer
  • Publication number: 20100199615
    Abstract: A packaging assembly, comprising a movement element arranged along a predefined path for an element to be packaged by a film made of polymeric material that arrives from a feeder. The packaging assembly comprises a station for folding the film onto the element, downstream of which there is a unit for heat-sealing the folded flaps of the film; the heat-sealing unit comprises at least one pair of heat-sealing elements, which are arranged on opposite sides with respect to he predefined path and are functionally associated with respective actuation and control assemblies. The heat-sealing elements act, during the heat-sealing step, each along at least two mutually independent directions, performing heat-sealing on the elements to be packaged even in motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventor: Francesco Maria Bernardi
  • Publication number: 20100199614
    Abstract: A rotary packaging machine (10) that receives tubular bag material and moves the tubular bag material in a direction (11). Product is delivered to the interior of the tubular bag material with the bag material then being sealed and cut to form bags of the product. The machine (10) has a jaw carriage (14) that is reciprocated while the jaws (29) are rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: TNA Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Alfred Alexander Taylor, Michael Don Bray, Robert Erich Fritz
  • Patent number: 7757461
    Abstract: In order to package flat objects (1) with the aid of a quasi-endless packaging material web, the packaging material web is placed around a row (4) of the objects (1), in which these objects are conveyed one after the other and in an interspaced manner, whereupon longitudinal seams are made in the packaging material web and transversal seams are made between the objects (1) whereby separating the packaged objects from one another. The invention provides that the row is directly formed on the packaging material web (2) during which the objects are, by acceleration, separated out from a supply stream (3), in which they are fed while overlapping one another, and directly placed upon or pushed onto the packaging material web (2). Forming the row (4) directly on the packaging material web (2) eliminates additional conveying steps thereby shortening the entire required conveyor lines and rendering stabilizing means for stabilizing the objects (1) during conveyance unnecessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Werner Honegger
  • Patent number: 7748200
    Abstract: A reclosable, tamper-proof, fillable package includes a first side panel and a second side panel joined to each other along a pair of spaced side seals. A bottom wall extends between the first and second side panels with the bottom wall and the first and second side panels defining a package interior. A tamper-evident structure having opposite sides connected to each other extends above a combined zipper closure and slider device, and is connected to the zipper closure. Only one side of the tamper-evident structure is initially connected to one of the first and second side panels so that a fill opening adapted to receive a product is created between the other side of the tamper-evident structure and the other of the first and second side panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Buchman
  • Patent number: 7726462
    Abstract: Described herein is a method and a unit for the formation of groups of products in a machine for continuous packaging of products, according to which at least two continuous rows of products are fed via two conveyor devices set in series with respect to one another along a first given path and in contact with at least one alignment element, which is set transverse to the first path and in front of the rows of products to align the rows themselves with respect to one another, and is displaced along a second, loop-like, path defined by two portions, along which the alignment element is set on the inside and on the outside, respectively, of the first path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: KPL Packaging S.p.A. Societa Unipersonale
    Inventors: Nicola Baldanza, Moreno Cremonini, Giordano Gorrieri
  • Publication number: 20100101188
    Abstract: A bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus manufactures a bag by sealing a packaging material formed in a tubular shape and at the same time fills the bag with articles to be packaged. The bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus includes a conveyance mechanism, a squeezing mechanism and a conveyance adjusting unit. The conveyance mechanism is configured and arranged to convey the packaging material in a conveying direction. The squeezing mechanism includes a squeezing unit configured and arranged to sandwich the packaging material and to perform a squeezing motion so as to move the articles to be packaged to the downstream side in the conveying direction. The conveyance adjusting unit configured and arranged to move the packaging material towards the upstream side in the conveying direction during the squeezing motion of the squeezing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: ISHIDA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shinji Koike
  • Patent number: 7703264
    Abstract: To orient groups of products to be packaged in a plastic film the groups (G) are wrapped in lengths of film and fed between two series of opposite conveyor belts (211, 212). Each series of belts comprises several parallel belts controlled at proportionally variable speeds to cause the group (G) to rotate through approximately 90° about an axis orthogonal to the direction of feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: KPL Packaging S.p.A.
    Inventor: Nicola Giuliani
  • Patent number: 7694495
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a machine and a method for converting a web of preformed pouches to dunnage units. In one exemplary embodiment the machine includes a drive, a blower, and a sealing mechanism. The drive is arranged to move the web of preformed pouches along a path of travel through the machine. The blower is positioned with respect to the path of travel, to inflate the preformed pouches. The sealing mechanism includes a heating element support and a heating element. The heating element support includes a sealing side and a belt preheating side. The heating element is disposed around at least a portion of the heating side and at least a portion of the belt preheating side. The drive includes a belt that is disposed around the heating element. The sealing mechanism is positioned with respect to the path of travel, to provide seals to the pouches to form inflated dunnage units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
  • Patent number: 7690175
    Abstract: Method for the packaging of articles with a plastic film which is based on the use of a packaging machine equipped with transverse welding devices arranged along a longitudinal direction where the method involves the steps of (a) positioning the articles on a conveyor belt with pushers activated by a motor; (b) distancing the articles from one another to provide a constant space or pitch; (c) feeding the plastic film, in the direction of the conveyor belt; (d) longitudinally welding the film in the direction articles on the conveyor belt; (e) activating the motor group situated downstream with respect to the welding device to weld and separate the film in the space between articles; and (f) activating the motor group of the welding device situated upstream with respect to another welding device to weld and separate the film in the space between the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Sitma S.p.A.
    Inventors: Aris Ballestrazzi, Lamberto Tassi
  • Patent number: 7673434
    Abstract: A filling machine and a filling monitoring method monitor the condition of a pressure roller and do not harm the quality of fluid food. The filling machine includes a first rotary member inside of the joining surface of a longitudinally sealed portion of a packaging material being fed; a second rotary member disposed in opposition to the first rotary member with the packaging material pinched therebetween; a rotation detection signal generator for generating a rotation detection signal in association with rotation of at least one of the first and second rotary members; and a monitoring processor for reading the rotation detection signal and detecting abnormality of rotation of at least one of the first and second rotary members. Damage to the inner surfaces of the packaging material or to the strip tape, and dropping of a sticking resin piece into fluid food contained in the packaging material are prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Shigehiro Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20100024358
    Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous band for producing bags for fruit and vegetable products, formed from a continuous plastic sheet (1) which has been die-cut to produce a series of small holes (3) which are closed using mesh or net fragments (4) fixed along the periphery of said holes by means of heat-sealing, gluing or any other conventional means. According to the invention, the area of the continuous sheet (1) intended to contain the handle is provided with a transverse patch (5) of pre-determined hardness in order to reinforce the area used to hold the bag once it has been filled, such that the thickness of the band-forming plastic sheet can be significantly reduced, specifically by a value of the order of 40%, without affecting the performance of the bag in terms of mechanical strength since the area in which the greatest strains are concentrated corresponds exactly to the area containing the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventor: José Maria Meseguer Huertas
  • Patent number: 7640716
    Abstract: A device for manufacturing foam cushions in particular for packaging purposes, said device comprising a foil supply station and a foam dispensing station, said foil supply station being provided for supplying to said foam dispensing station a foil material, having a first and a second side wall joining each other at a common first border and positioned so as to delimit an inner space accessible by an opening applied in a second border, said foam dispensing station comprising first retaining means, provided for retaining said second border, said foam dispensing station further comprising a dispensing member, provided for penetrating through said opening and supplying a foaming substance into said inner space, said device further comprising transport means, provided for transporting said foil material through said dispensing station towards a welding station, said foam dispensing station further comprises slot shaping means mounted offset and downwards from said first retaining means in such a manner as to form
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: N.V. Soudan Patrimonium & Consulting
    Inventor: Freddy Soudan
  • Patent number: 7610737
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for separating products, such as napkins or rolls of paper, encased in a tube of continuously moving thermoplastic wrapping material into product units is disclosed. At predetermined intervals spaced products are fed into the tube at wrapper length intervals, and the tube is thermally cut at wrapper intervals to form individually girth wrapped articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Valley Tissue Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Lloyd Kovacs
  • Publication number: 20090260333
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vertical bagging machine (1), equipped with a first linear motor (18) for displacing a transversal seal unit (10) in a first direction, preferably vertically (20), and a second linear motor (19) for executing a displacement in a second direction, preferably horizontally (21), in order to displace a heat-sealing jaw (11) in the latter direction or to cause two heat-sealing jaws (11, 12) to be displaced against one another by means of a gear (22). The linear motors (18, 19) are interconnected (23) by means of a cross formation. Each linear motor (18, 19) consists of a primary part (24, 26) and a secondary part (25, 27).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: ROVEMA-Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Roman Kammler, Ralf Bardtke, Walter Baur
  • Publication number: 20090255219
    Abstract: In order to package flat objects (1) with the aid of a quasi-endless packaging material web, the packaging material web is placed around a row (4) of the objects (1), in which these objects are conveyed one after the other and in an interspaced manner, whereupon longitudinal seams are made in the packaging material web and transversal seams are made between the objects (1) whereby separating the packaged objects from one another. The invention provides that the row is directly formed on the packaging material web (2) during which the objects are, by acceleration, separated out from a supply stream (3), in which they are fed while overlapping one another, and directly placed upon or pushed onto the packaging material web (2). Forming the row (4) directly on the packaging material web (2) eliminates additional conveying steps thereby shortening the entire required conveyor lines and rendering stabilizing means for stabilizing the objects (1) during conveyance unnecessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: FERAG AG
    Inventor: Werner Honegger
  • Publication number: 20090241485
    Abstract: A packaging apparatus has a lift mechanism to lower and raise a tool, such as a formation box that functions to form cavities in a web of flexible material. The lift mechanism has a series of arms, supported by belt driven carriages, which move in tandem to raise and lower the formation box. The arms are arranged into two sets such that when the arms within each set are moved closer to one another, the formation box is raised, and when the arms within each set are moved away from one another, the formation box is lowered. The common driving of all arms by a belt allows the indexing of the formation box to be well controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Raymond G. Buchko, Dwayne C. Long
  • Publication number: 20090229228
    Abstract: The invention is a packaging machine using heat sealable film, of the type suitable for packaging the product (P) with a heat sealable film or net (S), through the use of heat sealing rollers that make the longitudinal edge of the wrap, of cut-and-sew blades that make the two transverse edges of said wrap and of a forming tunnel that shapes said film unwound from a reel. This machine is characterized in that the above-mentioned devices and their operating accessories are all applied to and supported by a single structure, in such a way as to form a working unit in a single piece which is connected with the pin to a support, integral with a fixed base and capable of rotating angularly on a vertical plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventor: Alessandra Sambugaro
  • Publication number: 20090193757
    Abstract: In order to produce tobacco bags from sheet material having a pocket and a fold-over flap and a tape as closure means, the tape is applied (as are possibly further applications) to a continuous sheet-material web (22) for producing the bags by transversely directed severing cuts. The procedure here is such that the sheet-material web (22) is provided in the first instance, by folding, with a continuous web leg and then with transversely directed connecting seams in the region of the web leg, and thereafter the tape is applied to the sheet-material web prepared in this way. Bags (10) provided with a tape are then severed from the sheet-material web. The tapes are applied to the sheet-material web (22) in the region of an application station (30). Following this, the bags (10) are severed in a severing station (27).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventor: Burkard Roesler
  • Patent number: 7562512
    Abstract: A bag manufacturing and packaging system includes a vertical bag manufacturing and packaging machine, a conveyor part, a pair of rotating brushes and a guide member. The vertical bag manufacturing and packaging machine is arranged to manufacture a bag, and to cut out and eject the bag. The conveyor part is disposed in a downstream portion to receive the bag at a predetermined position to convey the bag. The rotating brushes are positioned between the vertical bag manufacturing and packaging machine and the conveyor part to sandwich the bag ejected from the vertical bag manufacturing and packaging machine to send the bag to the predetermined position. The guide member is disposed between the rotating brushes to guide the bag conveyed between the rotating brushes toward a center portion of the rotational brushes with respect to a direction parallel to rotational axes of the rotating brushes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Noguchi, Yuji Yokota
  • Patent number: 7552571
    Abstract: A packaging machine utilizing side connected chains of open bags is disclosed. The machine has loading and closure sections which are moveable between operating and cleaning/service positions. A resistance heater subassembly is removeable to enable washdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Hershey Lerner, Dana J. Liebhart
  • Patent number: 7552573
    Abstract: An invention for forming, filling, and sealing a flexible recloseable container. Both vertical and horizontal methods for placing product within the container are disclosed. The invention includes guiding a web of film which has interlocking fastener strips sealed to the web. A slider for locking and unlocking the fastener strips is placed in the correct orientation, spread apart at a pair of inner feet, and inserted over the fastener strips. The slider is positioned to close a substantial portion of the strips, and then an end stop, docking station, and corner seal are formed against a sealing plate. The slider is then repositioned, and a tamper evident seal may be placed over the fastener strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald G. Thieman
  • Publication number: 20090158688
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, devices, methods and computer program products configured to provide one or more of the following: improved rotary table or platform packaging systems, improved adhesive (glue) based film seal systems, and/or easier loading or releasing mounting systems of horns, forming collars and/or sprockets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Dennis J. May, Samuel D. Griggs, Matthew D. Lowder, Thomas E. Whittlesey, William M. Poteat
  • Publication number: 20090090088
    Abstract: A sealing device for producing sealed packages from a tube of packaging material fed along a path and filled with a pourable food product, comprising: a frame; a pair of jaws movable cyclically with respect to the frame and along part of the path to grip the tube; ultrasonic sealing means carried by a first jaw to seal the tube; and power means including a primary winding fixed to the frame and connectable to an electric energy source, and a secondary winding carried by the first jaw, supplying the sealing means, and receiving electric energy by electromagnetic induction from the primary winding as the first jaw travels past the primary winding; and the device having transformer means supplied by the electric energy source with a first voltage value, and supplying the primary winding with a second voltage value lower than the first voltage value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE SA
    Inventors: Valentin S. Nemkov, Nikolay Madzharov, Gerhard Gnad
  • Patent number: 7513090
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a machine and a method for converting a web of preformed pouches to dunnage units. In one exemplary embodiment the machine includes a drive, a blower, and a sealing mechanism. The drive is arranged to move the web of preformed pouches along a path of travel through the machine. The blower is positioned with respect to the path of travel, to inflate the preformed pouches. The sealing mechanism includes a heating element support and a heating element. The heating element support includes a sealing side and a belt preheating side. The heating element is disposed around at least a portion of the heating side and at least a portion of the belt preheating side. The drive includes a belt that is disposed around the heating element. The sealing mechanism is positioned with respect to the path of travel, to provide seals to the pouches to form inflated dunnage units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Rick Wehrmann
  • Patent number: 7509787
    Abstract: A method for the packaging of editorial products (11) in plastic film comprising the phases of unwinding a plastic film (12) from a bobbin (13) and feeding it in a longitudinal direction (F), applying preprinted self-adhesive labels (16) to the film (12) transversally with respect to the longitudinal direction (F) and distanced between each other by a pre-established length greater than the length of the editorial products (11), positioning the editorial products (11) on the film (12) in the space between two subsequent labels (16), folding the plastic film (12) over the editorial products (11), welding the plastic film (12) longitudinally and transversally with a first transversal welding line (22) to form two containment areas (100a, 100b) of the label (16) and editorial product (11) respectively, and also with a second transversal welding line (23) forming a head of a finished packaging (100, 100?) separated by the second transversal welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: SITMA S.p.A.
    Inventors: Aris Ballestrazzi, Lamberto Tassi
  • Patent number: 7472528
    Abstract: A vacuum belt assembly (10) to drive tubular bag material (11) through a packaging machine. The assembly (10) includes three belts (19, 20, 21) with the belts (19, 20, 21) being driven by rollers (22). The belts (20, 21) have respectively lengths (28, 29) being located in planes inclined by an angle greater than 0° but less than 180°, preferably an obtuse angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: TNA Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: Alfred Alexander Taylor
  • Publication number: 20080307758
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for tightening a tubular casing filled with a product by means of several pairs of displacers, wherein the mutually overlapping displacers of each pair encompass an opening, both displacers adjoining to the encompassed opening in two overlapping points per pair. The displacers are configured for a linear tightening movement depending on the varying size of the openings, the openings being located one behind the other in the axial direction of the tubular casing encompassing a passage. The openings are not congruent with the passage, the overlapping points being at a distance from the passage during the predominant part of the tightening movement. The invention allows the subdivision of the filled tubular casing into packaging units, thereby preventing or reducing the risk of damages to the tubular casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: Tipper Tie Technopack GMBH
    Inventor: Gustav Albrecht Schalk
  • Patent number: 7434375
    Abstract: A system for collecting a harvested product is provided. The system may include a continuously constructed flexible container for collecting the harvested product. For instance, the continuously constructed flexible container is a continuous sheet of flexible material such as plastic. A sealing device may be included within the system which is operationally coupled to the continuously constructed flexible container to allow the container to be sealed in discrete increments. Further, the system includes a traceability device operationally coupled to each of the discrete increments of the continuously flexible container to allow the harvested product included within each increment to be tracked. The use of the continuously constructed flexible container allows the harvested product to be collected continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Terence D. Pickett, Stephen M. Faivre
  • Patent number: 7434374
    Abstract: A method and a line for the high-speed packaging of filter bags (1) containing an infusion product comprises at least three successive operating steps whereby: the filter bags (1) are wrapped in a continuous protective tubular envelope (2) by sealing a continuous V-shaped folded strip (3) along a longitudinal sealing line (5) and transversal sealing lines (6); the tubular envelope (2) is cut into lengths; and the filter bags (1), individually wrapped in respective envelopes (2), are placed in cartons. In the method and line (26) according to the invention, the transversal seal (6) is made in two successive steps as the continuous folded strip (3) moves through two separate consecutive sealing stations (7, 8), the first station (7) making a part of the transversal seal (6) and the second station (8) completing the same transversal seal (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Tecnomeccanica S.r.l.
    Inventor: Andrea Romagnoli
  • Publication number: 20080245034
    Abstract: An apparatus for the production of film tube, which can be filled with liquid, viscous or granular filling material, from a film strip. The apparatus comprises: a filling pipe connectable to a filling machine for the filling material, a shaping device surrounding the filling pipe for shaping the film strip into a film tube, a sealing device arranged downstream of the shaping device in the filling ejection direction for sealing longitudinal edges of the film strip, which are adjacent after the shaping operation, to form a film tube, an advance drive for the film tube, a writing device arranged upstream of the shaping device in the filling ejection direction for applying printed markings to the film strip, a first reading device arranged downstream of the shaping device in the filling ejection direction and a second reading device) arranged upstream of the shaping device in the filling ejection direction for reading printed markings applied to the film strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: POLY-CLIP SYSTEM GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Klaus Topfer
  • Publication number: 20080209861
    Abstract: A structure includes a hollow tubular first body made of a shape-recovering polymeric material having a first region in the recovered state, and a second region in the expanded state. A second body including an element of a fastener, such as a hook-and-loop fastener, is affixed to the first region of the first body with an adhesive joint. The first body is desirably in the form of a hollow tube that encloses a wire bundle or other enclosed body. The structure may also include a support, and a second element of the hook-and-loop fastener affixed to the support. The first element of the hook-and-loop fastener is engaged to the second element of the hook-and-loop fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventor: Roy P. McMahon
  • Publication number: 20080209866
    Abstract: A method for producing a pack (1) for groups (2) of rolls of products comprises the following steps: forming of a tube of film (3) around a frame (5) forming a channel (6) for the passage of the product groups (2); creation of a first seal (S1) on the front edges (7) of the film (3); insertion in the channel (6) of product groups (2), fed until they are close to the closed front end (7) of the film (3); further feeding of the product groups (2) with simultaneous feeding of the film (3) and formation of the further portion of the pack (1) beyond the frame (5); creation of a second, longitudinal seal (S2) on the overlapping longitudinal edges of the film (3) simultaneously with the further feed step; creation of a third seal (S3) on the rear edges (11) of the film (3) designed to close the pack (1) at the rear of the product groups (2) bagged; between the step of insertion of product groups (2) in the channel (6) and the further feeding of the product groups (2), there being a step of feeding the film (3) wound
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Davide Dall'Omo, Christian Zagnoni
  • Publication number: 20080163589
    Abstract: A combined packaging machine includes a device for paying out flat packaging material, a forming tube for deforming the flat packaging material into an endless tube, and a device for advancing the packaging material along the forming tube. A forming unit forms and welds respective longitudinal edges of consecutive pouches being produced, being capable of being moved in opposite directions longitudinally of the forming tube. A transverse welding unit operative for producing transverse seams between the successive ones of the pouches being produced is provided as well, as is a tucking-in unit that is provided on the transverse welding unit, being operative for tucking-in respective side regions of the successive pouches being produced. A control system selectively controls the operation of advancing, forming, transverse welding, and tucking-in units in coordination with one another in dependence on the type of pouch to be produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Jan Masek, Lukas Masek
  • Patent number: 7395944
    Abstract: A medicine supply apparatus has a tablet case containing medicines, a roll of packing paper that is open at its upper end and folded at its lower end, a nozzle whose discharge end is inserted into the packing paper upper open end for projecting medicine discharged from the tablet case, and heat seal apparatus that seals the packing paper upper open end after medicines are discharged into it. A movable tension device of an elastic member is urged toward the packing paper which applies tension to the packing paper at a location past the point where said nozzle discharge end is inserted into its upper open end at a point before when the paper is to be heat sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Electric Biomedical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsuo Inamura
  • Patent number: 7356979
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing bag packages, in which netting material of bags to be formed is connected to at least two foil strips which are each provided with a printing repeating in the longitudinal direction of the strip, with the foil strips being supplied in a coupled manner from one stock. The foil strips are preferably obtained from a foil stock comprising a single strip of foil with at least two repeating printing patterns with concurrent repeat which are applied next to each other, with the single strip being divided into sub-strips each bearing a repeating printing pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Jarsan Beheer B.V.
    Inventor: Petrus Clemens Maria Pannekeet