Simultaneously Longitudinal And Transverse Seaming Patents (Class 53/555)
  • Patent number: 11623778
    Abstract: A dimensioning tool for a packing machine is provided. The dimensioning tool is configured to allow insertion of an item into the packing machine when the item satisfies one or more criteria. The dimensioning tool includes a first gauge and a second gauge separate from the first gauge. The first gauge is configured to restrict a first set of dimensions of the item that can be inserted into the packing machine, according to the one or more criteria. The second gauge is configured to restrict a second set of dimensions of the item that can be inserted into the packing machine, according to the one or more criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Sungyong Choi, Adam H. Schreiber
  • Patent number: 11140864
    Abstract: A toilet for household pets comprises a housing having a horizontal platform, a film-moving mechanism having two axes installed in said housing on opposite transverse sides of the platform, and a winding drive that moves a clean film onto the platform from a roll installed on the first axis, and moves the film with the excrement along the platform to a roll installed on the second axis, and film-securing devices which are installed in the housing on opposite longitudinal side of the platform and designed to be capable of clamping and unclamping opposite edges of the film, respectively, for securing the film disposed in a stationary position on the platform and for the unhindered passage of the film moved along the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventors: Egor Gennadevich Suchkov, Tamara Petrovna Savchenko
  • Patent number: 8776485
    Abstract: A form-fill-seal machine is capable of reducing poor sealing caused by a packaged article catching in lateral seal portions. The form-fill-seal machine is provided with an upper tube, a lower tube disposed therebelow, a former, a lateral sealing mechanism below the lower tube, and opening and closing sliding members. A packaged article is dropped through the interiors of the upper tube and the lower tube. The former winds a sheet of a film F around the circumference of the lower tube to convert same into a tubular film. The lateral sealing mechanism laterally seals the tubular film. The opening and closing sliding members, which are disposed between the upper tube and the lower tube, shut off an upwardly oriented flow of gas from the interior of the lower tube when in a closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Nishitsuji, Fumitaka Tokuda, Shinji Takeichi, Toshikazu Shimada, Toshiharu Kageyama, Toshikazu Shotsu
  • Patent number: 8256195
    Abstract: An ice bagging apparatus which has a frame defining a first ice collecting zone with a collecting bin and an ice bagging zone, wherein the ice bagging zone has a film feeding mechanism that conveys two heat-sealable elongated plastic film webs and a welding apparatus to form a bag from the webs. The film feeding mechanism has rollers between which film webs are passed and pressed against each other. A measuring arrangement measures ice dispensed into the bag by a first ice transport system positioned between the two film webs that form the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Schur Technology a/s
    Inventor: Henrik Pape
  • Patent number: 7254929
    Abstract: Process and machine for packing pasty, liquid or semiliquid products comprising: nonstop feeding two sheets (1, 2) sandwiching ducts (3) ending in nozzles (4) feeding pasty, liquid or semiliquid products to be packed (M); nonstop longitudinally sealing the said sheets (1, 2) through longitudinal continuous beads (5) adjacent to the said continuous sleeves (6); forming through the said longitudinal sealing narrowings arranged at intervals longitudinally regular in the said sleeves (6) making possible the passage of the said ducts (3) and defining in the sleeves (6) long, wide lengths (8) and short narrow lengths (9); nonstop injecting with nozzles (4) material (M) within the said sleeves (6) which are inflated forming units (28) of material (M) with prior pressure closing of a narrow length (9) each sleeve advanced to each nozzle (4) while the sheets (1, 2) are moving forwards, and pressure closing and transversally sealing at regular intervals the said sleeves (6) filled with material (M).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventors: Alejandro Javier Schutz, legal representative, Jorge Antonio Schutz, deceased
  • Patent number: 7144470
    Abstract: This invention concerns a process and a device for producing strip elements for electronically securing articles and a corresponding produced strip element. The aim of the invention is to present a process, a device, and a strip element which can be economically produced according to said process. As for the process, the aim is achieved in that an endless strip of electronically detectable material is fed and is cut into individual segments of a defined length, in that the individual segments are advanced by means of a conveyor, the speed of which is greater than the speed at which the endless strip is fed, the relative velocity being adjusted to provide the desired interval between two consecutive strip segments, and in that the segments separated by intervals are given a coating on one or both sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Detlef Duschek, Gordon Klassen
  • Patent number: 7059105
    Abstract: A compact and efficient continuous wrapping machine capable of measuring out certain amounts of a magnetic powder automatically and wrapping them in wrapping film, the continuous wrapping machine comprising a measuring drum, a sealing drum, and a sealing device. The measuring drum includes a means for retaining measured-out amounts of the magnetic powder on its periphery and a means for cutting off the retaining force of the retaining means to transfer the measured-out amounts of the magnetic powder to the sealing drum. The sealing drum includes a means for retaining the measured-out amounts of the magnetic powder on a first continuous wrapping film fed onto its periphery. The sealing device seals the first continuous wrapping film and a second continuous wrapping film, which is fed onto the measured-out amounts of the magnetic powder on the sealing drum, together around each of the measured-out amounts of the magnetic powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Toa Machine Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Kunihiro Tabuchi
  • Patent number: 7059103
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sealing apparatus wherein, as a drum (5) and a rotary base (6) are rotated together, a follower (10a) of a rocking support member (9) rockably provided on the outer periphery of the rotary base (6) is guided along a cam groove (15c) of a cam member (15) to drive the rocking support member (9) to rock. When the rotary drum (5) reaches a predetermined rotational position, an anvil (14) supported by the rocking support member (9) is urged onto a horn (8), and then, when it reaches another rotational position, the anvil (14) is moved away from the horn (8). Since the anvil (14) is driven by the rocking motion of the rocking support member (9), entire operation becomes quite simple, and a continuous soft work can be certainly clamped between the horn (8) and the anvil (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Akihide Ninomiya, Hironori Nomura, Junji Shinohara, Hiroki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6971221
    Abstract: A packaging method and apparatus employ web material having cohesive on facing surfaces of two web portions between which an item is packaged. The cohesive adheres to itself by application of pressure alone, without heat, but tends not to adhere to other surfaces. The web portions are sealed together about the item by seal devices that apply pressure without heat to the web portions. The web portions and item can be passed through a resilient nip formed by two rolls, at least one of which has resiliently compliant roll portion(s) for pressing the web portions closely about the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation
    Inventors: Laurence B. Sperry, Anthony O. Davlin, Eric A. Kane, Jesse S. Drake
  • Patent number: 6928794
    Abstract: A machine for forming filled sealed pouches from a continuously moving sealable web of material includes a first sealing station for forming a longitudinal seal along a side edge of the web, and a horizontal sealing station for forming a plurality of transverse seals in the web. The horizontal sealing station includes a pair of conveyors each carrying jaws that mate along a sealing path to form the transverse seals. A method of forming filled sealed pouches from a continuously moving sealable web of material is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Craig E. Hamer, John F. Macklin, Gary W. Schukar, Jeffery N. Jackson, Neil J. Schwartzbauer
  • Patent number: 6895732
    Abstract: A packaging apparatus includes a pair of rolls forming a nip through which two web portions are passed with an item to be packaged between the web portions. The rolls include resiliently compliant roll portions that deform to accommodate the thickness of the item, and the roll portions press the web portions to seal them together in peripheral regions surrounding the item and to center the item between the webs in the thickness direction. The apparatus also includes side seal devices that traverse inwardly toward the item to seal the webs together close to the item's opposite side edges to prevent the item from laterally shifting. The web portions may have cohesive disposed on their facing surfaces such that the web portions adhere to each other with pressure but tend not to adhere to the packaged item or other surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Laurence B. Sperry, Anthony O. Davlin, Eric A. Kane, Jesse S. Drake
  • Patent number: 6622767
    Abstract: An improved film sealing and cutting apparatus (10) for use with a shrink-wrap machine that individually wraps articles (219) sequentially with shrink-wrap film material (200) of different possible thickness and composition, especially thick, tough film which would be difficult to seal. The apparatus (10) includes two pairs of selectively heated rollers (97, 98). Overlapping layers (209) of film material wrapped around an article are passed between peripheral surfaces of each roller pair. The first roller pair forms a thermal conditioning pre-seal (208) between opposing surfaces of the overlapping layers by application of heat and pressure along the peripheral surfaces of the first roller pair. The second roller pair then completes the seal and cuts through the opposing surfaces, leaving a margin between a cutting path formed by the peripheral surfaces of the second roller pair and the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Stork Fabricators, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian R. Stork
  • Patent number: 6591584
    Abstract: A method for producing a package of a fluidized substance is disclosed. The method includes a supplying step in which a prescribed amount of a fluidized substance (103) is supplied onto a first sheet (a first sheet 101′ of continuous length) by use of a metering-applicator (2) for the fluidized substance comprising a metering through-hole (21) having an outer opening and an inner opening. The supplying step comprises positioning the first sheet so as to be brought into contact with the outer opening of the metering through-hole (21), and then supplying the fluidized substance (103) from the inner opening of the metering through-hole (21) via the metering through-hole (21) onto the first sheet while the first sheet is conveyed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventor: Tadashi Saito
  • Patent number: 6519914
    Abstract: A perforation forming module for a packaging machine of the type converting strip material into a strip of interconnected packets, the module comprising first and second punch die assemblies disposed along a strip feed path and reciprocally moveable between a retracted position away from the feed path and closed mutual engagement on the feed path. The movement of the punch assemblies into their operative closed positions is synchronized with upstream clamping engagement between sealing jaws and the strip material so that the perforation operation occurs while the strip material is held in tension between upstream clamping jaws and downstream pull-down rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Euclid Spiral Paper Tube Corp.
    Inventor: Stephen W. Pesho
  • Patent number: 6499270
    Abstract: The present invention is an automated and integrated method and apparatus for packaging, loading, storing, and/or retrieving a specified product. A preferred embodiment of a system comprises a packager, a feeder device, a magazine, an unloading device, and a control unit. The packager is adapted to package a predetermined quantity of a product in a package. The feeder device has a loading screw which engages the package and transfers it to a storage screw in the magazine. The magazine preferably comprises multiple horizontal rows of storage screws. Each horizontal row of storage screws may be individually rotated about a central axis of the magazine. The control unit maintains a data base of the location and contents of each package in the magazine. The unloading device is adapted to retrieve a desired package from the magazine. The unloading device then transfers the desired package to a predetermined location such as a tote, bin, or patient specific drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Pyxis Corporation
    Inventors: Günther Peroni, Giuseppina Martelli
  • Patent number: 6332305
    Abstract: In a heat seal device of a filling and packaging machine, wherein a continuously fed film F is vertically sealed by a vertical seal mechanism 19 and the laterally sealed by lateral seal mechanisms 20, 21, contents W, W1, W2 are filled in the film formed in the bottomed cylindrical shape and, while the film F is fed, a portion of the film F which forms a bag opening part side is sealed laterally by the lateral seal mechanisms 20,21 for continuously packaging as pouches P, the vertical seal mechanism 19 comprises a pair of rotating shafts 25 incorporating heaters H and mounted rotatably and two pairs of vertical seal rolls 31, 34 which are mounted in pairs on the rotating shafts 25 with a given distance in the axial direction of the rotating shafts 25 and have seal portions 30,35 protruded in a flange shape around outer peripheral portions thereof respectively, the heaters H incorporated in the rotating shafts 25 are disposed movably along the axial direction of the rotating shafts 25 with the position of the h
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshimori Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6219993
    Abstract: A zipper sealer machine for use with a form, fill and seal machines and the method for bonding strips of reclosable fastener material to the film of a form fill and seal machine. Strips of reclosable fastener material arc cut and the cut ends fused together by cutter-fuser jaws. A sensor senses when the cutter-fuser jaws become fully closed and when they begin to open so that other steps in the operation can be based on when the jaws actually begin to open and when they are actually fully closed rather than when the signal is sent that causes them to open and close. The cutter-fuser jaws have been coated with an anti-stick substance to prevent sticking of the flanges to the cutter-fuser jaws. The cut strips of reclosable fastener material are held on an edge of the rotor that is remote from the film surface. Upon rotation of the rotor the held strip of reclosable fastener material is moved to a location adjacent to the film surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Triangle Package Machinery Company
    Inventor: John M. Linkiewicz
  • Patent number: 5934046
    Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus and method for packaging individual strand segments of a strand material, such as dental floss, including apparatus for carrying out a method of supplying strand material to a rotatable strand positioning element through a hollow shaft thereof positioned to wind the strand material around a selected mandrel of a circular array of mandrels together with controlling the moving of mandrels within and removing mandrels from within the circular path of the rotating strand positioning element and for counting the rotations of the strand positioning element and using that rotation count to control the advance of the array of mandrels wherein the mandrels having openings for entry of a pick-off element and are caused to be lowered to leave the coil of strand material on the pick-off element, following which the coil of strand material is urged forward by an air jet to be captured between two sheets of packaging film and transported to a stage where the packaging film sheets are sealed tog
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventor: Dale Whittaker
  • Patent number: 5884458
    Abstract: A wrapping machine for wrapping articles such as newspapers in individual protective packets comprising a support assembly having a feed station for introducing unwrapped articles into the machine for wrapping and a pick-up station for retrieving wrapped articles from the wrapping machine mounted on opposite ends thereof, a transport/wrapping assembly for moving the articles from the feed station to the pick-up station and a film supply for enclosing the article between a first flexible protective film sheet and a second flexible protective film sheet, a film sealing assembly for sealing the opposite sides and the opposite ends of the first flexible protective film sheet and the second flexible protective film sheet together to form a protective packet enclosing the article therein, a film cutting assembly for separating adjacent protective packets and a control assembly including at least one sensor to detect articles moving through the wrapping machine and to selectively activate and deactivate the sealing
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Inventor: Oscar Alvarez
  • Patent number: 5765343
    Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus and method for packaging individual strand segments of a strand material, such as dental floss, including apparatus for carrying out a method of supplying strand material to a rotatable guide element through a hollow shaft thereof positioned to wind the strand material around a selected mandrel of a circular array of mandrels together with controlling the moving of mandrels within and removing mandrels from within the circular path of the rotating guide element and for counting the rotations of the guide element and using that rotation count to control the advance of the array of mandrels wherein the mandrels have openings for entry of a pick-off element and are caused to be lowered to leave the coil of strand material on the pick-off element, following which the coil of strand material is urged forward by an air jet to be captured between two sheets of packaging film and transported to a stage where the packaging film sheets are sealed together around the coil to form a package i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Inventor: Dale Whittaker
  • Patent number: 5636501
    Abstract: Equipment (10) for packaging a plurality of articles (1) has a rotatable drum (12) for supporting the articles (1) in one of a plurality of spaced through openings (14) along the circumferential portion (22) of the drum (12). First and second sources (30,32) of first and second webs (16,18), respectively, supplies the webs sequentially under continuous tension towards one of the plurality of through openings (14). By passing the webs (16,18) through respective serpentine paths (28,30) prior to delivery to one of the plurality of through openings (14) provide the desired continuous tensioning level on the webs (16,18). An article dispenser (40) is provided to dispense one of the plurality of articles (1) into one of the plurality of through openings (14) when one of the first and second webs (16,18) generally covers the through opening (14) forming a seat for article 1. Thereafter, and in sequence, the other of the first and second webs (16,18) overwraps the article (1) seated in the through opening (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael Long, James A. White
  • Patent number: 5599421
    Abstract: A disposal unit for sanitary towels comprises a housing (100) which supports a bag (1) for receiving the used towels. A door (4) is mounted to the housing, in use the door being opened for access to the bag. The unit includes a heat sealing device (8) operable when the door is in the closed position to seal hermetically the mouth of the bag. The door may be pivotally mounted at its lower edge to the housing in which case the means for supporting the bag are arranged to support the bag with the mouth of the bag located towards the top of the door. A control circuit may activate the heat sealing device for a predetermined period of time and also activate a solenoid which locks the door closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: F C Frost Limited
    Inventors: Frederick C. Frost, Edward T. Williams, Peter Saunders
  • Patent number: 5430987
    Abstract: An enlarged dispensing pouch for holding viscous food product for dispensing from a specific hand held or similar type dispenser, is formed so as to include a tear strip which will accurately and consistently open a funnel-shaped, centrally disposed outlet spout formed in the pouch. The tooling to form the tear-off strip across the pouch and up to the outlet spout includes a plurality of blade groupings having specifically sized and shaped blades to form a predetermined number of enlarged perforations and smaller end perforations along the tearline of pouches to enable the tear strips so formed to be accurately and consistently torn off the pouches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: W. A. Lane, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Lane, Jr., Steven D. Davis
  • Patent number: 5412925
    Abstract: A product required to be kept in a clean environment is packaged by removing outer layers of a multi-layer film and immediately thereafter introducing its inner core sheet inside a clean room. A bag with an opening is produced inside the clean room by superposing and sealing together two of such core sheets, by splitting one core sheet into two sub-layers and superposing and sealing together these two sub-layers or by folding one core sheet and superposing and sealing together its folded parts. The product may be packaged in such a bag either by using the same apparatus which makes the bag or by using another apparatus. The bag is made of a multi-layered material, and its outer layer is peeled off immediately before it is put inside a clean room to be torn apart and to have the produce taken out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Y.A.C. Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunori Tani, Toshiaki Kimura
  • Patent number: 5165331
    Abstract: An automatic vending machine for noodles, comprising: noodle-making means for forming grain flour into powered fish-like noodle materials, rolling said materials into a noodle web, and cutting said noodle web into noodle lines to make noodles; powder sprinkling means for sprinkling powder on the noodle lines prepared by said noodle-making means; packing means for packing the noodle lines having the powder sprinkled by said powder sprinkling means into a bag; and discharge means for discharging a bag body in which a noodle ball of the noodle lines is packed by said packing means to an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuo Hayashi, Kazuhiko Takano
  • Patent number: 4967537
    Abstract: Apparatus for packaging a plurality of articles, such as ends for beverage containers, using a plurality of accumulating cages and a plurality of transfer cages to feed an accumulated plurality of container ends in succession into a packaging station wherein the accumulated plurality of container ends are positioned between portions of a first continuous strip of a flexible material permitting passage of at least a gaseous substance and a second continuous strip having a thermally reactive surface facing the first continuous strip and superposed portions of the first and second continuous strips surrounding the accumulated plurality of container ends are sealed together to form interconnected plurality of sealed compartments each having an accumulated plurality of container ends confined therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Adolph Coors Company
    Inventor: Ronald L. Moore
  • Patent number: 4964263
    Abstract: A packaging machine, in which the packaging is carried out of products fed by free-falling inside a cradle-shaped length of a packaging material, which is provided with a welding/cutting device for welding and cutting opposite edges of packaging material, is capable of accomplishing a continuous weld on three sides of the product-containing packaging material, and of removing ear-shaped scrap portions of said packaging material, generated by the weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: Sitma, S.p.A.
    Inventors: Aris Ballestrazzi, Lamberto Tassi
  • Patent number: 4945712
    Abstract: An improvement in film sealing apparatus, such as L-sealers, having an endless package discharge conveyor provides an arrangement for momentary conveyor reversal at the beginning of each sealing cycle to relieve film tension for maximization of seal strength. A cooling manifold directs an air stream at the transverse seal line at the completion of each sealing cycle to accelerate the curing of the seal to prevent undesired seal separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Inventor: Charles J. Bennett
  • Patent number: 4939889
    Abstract: This package wrapping apparatus is equipped with film hauling device.This film hauling device comprises lower and upper conveyor belts which can catch selvage of film between those belts and unwind folded rolled film uniformly.Furthermore one end of lower or upper conveyor belts can be opened or closed by hand and, also can be locked in the closed position by locking lever.So if a piece of selvage of film is cut away, it can be removed from the above film hauling device easily by opening upper conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: International Sankoh Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Harumi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 4924659
    Abstract: A film wrapping apparatus for wrapping articles and a method of wrapping articles in a heat-sealable thermoplastic packaging film. The apparatus has a film-hauling device in form of a conveyer having travelling clamping runs of upper and lower belts for clamping a free marginal selvage or edge part of a folded strip of packaging film having the parts thereof superposed. An infeed device positions articles successively at a position in which the superposed parts of successive lengths of the folded film are hauled over and under the articles respectively and envelope the articles as the successive lengths of the folded film are advanced intermittently by the film-hauling device from a web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: International Sankoh Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Harumi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 4773202
    Abstract: Method and apparatus, to be utilized by a newspaper carrier on a "vehicle route," for mechanically folding and bagging newspapers and like articles. A continuous length of heat-sealable polymeric film, wider than the newspaper or other article, is arranged along a generally horizontal feed path to form a folding station. The newspaper or like article is fed to the folding station of apparatus in parallel overlying relation to the film. A vertically reciprocal, motorized folder bar extends transversely across and above the film at a point substantially centrally located in the folding station. The folder bar is movable between an upper position above the feed path and a lower position below the feed path where there is formed a pouch of film surrounding the folded newspaper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: IPI Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney D. Felts, James R. Hartsoe, Wayne C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4761197
    Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a web of film including a heater member for melting a portion of the film to create side and chevron seals. A back-up bar is located diametric the heater member. The heater member includes two elongated heater bars and two wing heater bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Assignee: Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Christine, Josef Schmidt, Steffen Lyons, Brian Green, George J. Herschman
  • Patent number: 4631905
    Abstract: The bag making apparatus may have a bonding means for making bonded seams between webs of thermoplastic material. The bonding means includes first, second, and optionally third, sets of cooperating rotary or reciprocating, bonding members for making transverse and longitudinal seams. The apparatus includes seaming interrupting means which cooperates with one of the bonding means. The bonding means and interrupting means are arranged to cooperate together to form bags from the webs of thermoplastic material so that each bag has a sealed or sealable compartment for containing or containing a material for mixing, a pocket for measuring, and having a mouth opening between the interrupted seams, and a frangible barrier between the compartment and the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: Johnsen, Jorgensen, Jaypak, Ltd.
    Inventor: John Maloney
  • Patent number: 4630426
    Abstract: A conveyor belt of medium-soft thick material is advanced, and a film of polymer material is laid thereon to advance therewith. A moldable material, usually a food material, is extruded onto the advancing base film. A portion-forming wheel having portion cavities around the periphery thereof is positioned with its portion cavities facing the conveyor belt. A cover film is fed onto the portion-forming wheel and is preferably drawn into the portion cavities. As the conveyor belt advances, the portion cavities cut the extrusion of moldable material into individual portions which are enclosed by the two films as the conveyor belt advances. The portion cavities have portion-cutting walls therebetween, and a ramped area around the cavity squeezes all of the moldable material into the portion cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Inventor: James C. Gentry
  • Patent number: 4609556
    Abstract: A filter-bag (1) for medicinal or aromatic infusions is provided with an exterior pocket (9) adapted to receive a tea or coffee spoon, thus permitting to maintain the filter-bag in the bottom of a cup (cf. FIGS. 2, 3 and 4).A method for manufacturing a filter-bag according to the invention comprises sandwiching between two continuously traveling filterpaper webs heaps of plant-based product placed onto one of said webs, and partially welding an exterior paper web of reduced width onto one of said filterpaper webs, in welding said filter-bags shut and cutting them to smaller units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Inventor: Nicolas Goedert
  • Patent number: 4596111
    Abstract: A method of packaging an article involves drawing two elongated strips of plastic from a supply, placing an article between them, then drawing two broader sheets above and below the first two sheets. The various sheets are adjusted and sealed in such a manner that two envelopes are formed, one inside the other, the outer envelope being larger in all directions than the inner envelope. The outer envelope is then inflated under conditions such that air is expelled from the inner envelope, collapsing it tightly about the article. By omitting certain steps, an empty container can be formed, suitable for later loading and inflation. The apparatus disclosed automatically carries out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Inventor: Charles J. Ambrose
  • Patent number: 4563860
    Abstract: An apparatus for enveloping and packaging widely varying articles has a conveyor belt, to whose starting area are preferably supplied two foil webs, between which foils are located the articles to be packaged. Both between the articles and laterally, welds are produced by welding members, which are arranged on a three-dimensional frame. The frame with the welding members can be moved up and down by a first crank drive (eccentric disk), in order to bring about the actual welding, which welding not only ensures the formation of a joint, but also constitutes a separation weld. The welding members are connected to the three-dimensional frame by a slide, which can be moved backwards and forwards in the conveyor feed direction and, in opposition to the feed direction of the conveyor belt on the frame, by a second crank drive (essentially formed by a crank web, a link and a connecting rod).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1986
    Inventor: Claus K. Pfankuch
  • Patent number: 4552613
    Abstract: The apparatus for producing pouch packages in pairs has two tube shaping devices disposed beside one another and two crosswise closure devices. To prevent having to stop both tubular pouch shaping devices at the same time in the event of an interruption or malfunction, or when changing a roll of packaging material, the crosswise closure devices are disposed on separate carriers. The carriers which are movable up and down individually can be coupled with a reciprocating element, which is moved incrementally up and down by a drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Hugo Auer
  • Patent number: 4493178
    Abstract: A portable packaging machine for making a continuous ribbon of interconnected packets with each packet containing one or more pills or capsules. The machine has a unique single frame structure whereby the machine weighs less than fifty pounds to facilitate shipping, particularly in those instances where a fifty pound maximum is a factor. The frame is of open construction to provide increased air circulation. A message is imprinted on each packet by means of a stencil having a special stamp pad and ink to provide a clear imprinted impression after an unusually high number of impressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1985
    Assignee: Euclid Spiral Paper Tube Corp.
    Inventors: Leonard Buckner, William A. Foll, Sr., Stephen W. Pesho
  • Patent number: 4488393
    Abstract: Two overlying continuous strips hermetically seal the needle portions of parallel adjacent acupuncture needles while the handle portions thereof remain exposed to permit the needle to be withdrawn. Serrations are formed between individually packaged needles so that the needles may be folded therealong and removed in a selected number from a continuous strip package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Inventor: Tran dinh Can
  • Patent number: 4455809
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming a continuous assembly of sealed envelopes having upper and lower sections and comprising at least one insert of the type used as a postal mailer or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Assignee: Iseto Shiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Arthur B. Dallaserra
  • Patent number: 4437294
    Abstract: Volume batcher for fluent materials, particularly suitable for high speed packaging machines of filter-bags for infusion products such as tea, camomile and similar which comprises a cylindrical drum provided with radial pockets rotating about an horizontal axis below a feed hopper of the product to make up. A filter paper strip is made adherent advance with the cylindrical surface of the drum closing said pockets from the top dead center to the bottom dead center from where it horizontally continues with the quantities of product on it to a packaging station. Said pockets have a volume variable structure by means of a cylinder shaped inside hollow piston member in communication with atmosphere and with at least the radially most outer head perforated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1984
    Assignee: I.M.A.-Industria Macchine Automatiche-S.p.A.
    Inventor: Andrea Romagnoli
  • Patent number: 4376365
    Abstract: A pet waste containment or waste matter disposer unit is disclosed as including a first sheet of sealable material for receiving the waste matter and a covering sheet of sealable material superimposed relative to the first sheet. The free marginal edges of the superimposed sheets are then sealed to each other to form a package and the now encapsulated waste material can be easily and sanitarily disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1983
    Inventor: George B. Moertel
  • Patent number: 4333299
    Abstract: There is disclosed a form, fill and seal apparatus for liquids, semi-liquids and powders. The apparatus contemplates the use of two films and the sloping of the first seal and filling station at from ten degrees to a vertical condition. Contrary to the many arrangements and apparatus showing a single film and fill apparatus, this application allows and encourages single and plural filling simultaneously of pouches formed in two films. The pouch is formed by a U-shaped seal that enables a longer seal time to be employed rather than the longitudinal sealing means often employed. The feeding tube is fixed in place and the package as it is formed and filled is advanced past the fill tube. The filled pouches have the sides bowed and/or skewed to accommodate insertion of the spout and fill contents. The open top of the formed and filled pouch, when moved from the spout, is brought from its bowed condition to a contiguous and wrinkle free condition whereat it is sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Inventor: Joel A. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 4244158
    Abstract: Ice cream sandwich packages, containing an ice cream block and two wafers in separate adjacent compartments of a flat flexible polymeric material wrapper comprised of overlying layers of material heat sealed together at the marginal edges thereof, to separate the two compartments and at each end thereof, are continuously formed in apparatus consisting of rotary sealing elements to seal films together around the items to be packaged and rotary cutting elements to separate individual packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1981
    Assignee: R. Nelham & Associates Incorporated
    Inventor: Roy W. Nelham
  • Patent number: 4215524
    Abstract: An apparatus for packaging a substance in closed bags formed from two continuous ribbons of a thin fragile material in which the ribbons are sealed to each other as they pass downwardly between first and second pairs of horizontal nipping rollers. A bag open at the top is produced from a portion of the ribbons by sealing and is filled with a predetermined amount of the substance to be packaged. The top of the bag is subsequently sealed to close the bag after the ribbons have advanced downwardly a predetermined distance. These operations take place sequentially on successive portions of the ribbons as they advance toward the second pair of nipping rollers, forming a series of sealed bags. At least one of the first pair of nipping rollers has a generally smooth annular concave portion extending between the end portions thereof, while at least one of the second pair of nipping rollers has a generally cylindrical portion of reduced diameter extending between its end portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1980
    Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventor: R. Glenn Saylor
  • Patent number: 4185443
    Abstract: The bag sealing machine includes a horizontal working table having all of its working parts at the same level. Adjacent to the table are (1) a product in-feed conveyor driven by a novel support and drive arrangement, (2) a product pusher having a novel, pivotable pusher means, (3) a supply of folded film and an adjustable plow for forming the film into bags, of different selectable sizes, having two open sides, (4) a scissors-type L-sealer operated by a novel drive arrangement, and (5) a package out-feed conveyor driven by a novel support and drive arrangement like that of the in-feed conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1980
    Assignee: Weldotron Corporation
    Inventor: Boleslaw L. Budzyn
  • Patent number: 4146420
    Abstract: A machine for facilitating the simultaneous heating, bonding or sealing of a group of thermoplastic articles retained within a rotary sealing system. First and second rotatable workpiece carriers are arranged to transport the workpieces to be bonded, step-by-step, from loading stations to a heating station, and subsequently, to a bonding station, thereby accomplishing a plurality of operations on a simultaneous basis. The same drive mechanism used to incrementally rotate the workpiece carriers also imparts a reciprocating motion to the heating element and an arcuate reciprocating motion to the workpiece carriers for first applying heat energy to the workpieces for a predetermined time interval and for subsequently applying compressive forces to the heated workpieces undergoing bonding and thereafter releasing the now-joined workpieces from the carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1979
    Assignee: Tape Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond K. Newkirk