Forming A Pocket Or Pouch By Folding And Side Sealing (e.g., Flat Bag Making) Patents (Class 53/562)
  • Patent number: 11904568
    Abstract: A process for making a container includes the step of providing at least one of a slider, sticker, textured surface, pattern, or embossed surface along a folded web of thermoplastic material that comprises a plurality of container templates. The process also includes the step of picking up, with a turner, each container template. The turner includes one or more rotator assemblies that include a rotatable shaft and a bag-contacting surface connected to an end of the rotatable shaft. The bag-contacting surface is configured to engage a top exterior side of each container template. Additionally, the process includes the step of reorienting, with the turner, each container template. The rotatable shaft is configured to horizontally translate and rotate each container template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: S.C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan L. Ackerman, Jose Porchia
  • Patent number: 11691349
    Abstract: A sealing system for heat sealing superimposed walls of heat-sealable film material, e.g. in the production of pouches. The sealing section comprises two or more sealing stations arranged in series along a linear path for the superimposed walls dispensed from an infeed section. Each sealing station comprises a sealing device with first and second jaws and an actuator device to move the jaws between an opened position and a clamped position. Each sealing device comprises a motion device that is configured to move the first and second jaws in synchronicity with the superimposed walls when clamped between the first and second jaws. Each sealing station has a cooling device that is configured to continuously cool at least one of the jaws. At least each first jaw comprises at the respective front surface thereof at least one impulse heatable member embodied as a susceptor element that extends along the respective front surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: SCHOLLE IPN IP BV
    Inventors: Jordi Canada Codina, Jordi Vidal Camps, Juan Rojas Segura, Abel Saez Lopez, Laurens Last, Johannes Wilhelmus Van Tuil
  • Patent number: 11679906
    Abstract: Packaging apparatuses for loading and sealing products into a web of interconnected bags, and methods of using them, are provided. In one aspect, the packaging apparatus includes an intermittently advancing web conveyor that also indexes vertically to facilitate stacked loading of products into the bags. In another aspect, the packaging apparatus includes a dividing seal station that applies a center seal dividing the bag into separate sealed subcompartments, some of the bag contents being distributed to each compartment, such as one of two trays to each subcompartment. To facilitate distribution of contents and even sealing, the dividing seal station may include a dividing sealer lower support that oscillates vertically to promote settling of contents and gases in the bag before applying a dividing seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: CVP SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Christiaan J. van Wandelen, Christopher Duszka, Nicholas M. Baran
  • Patent number: 11135800
    Abstract: A machine comprising: a flexible band (1) unwinding unit (11), a flexible band (1) folding unit (14), a drive unit (31) for moving the flexible band (1) in a forward movement direction (DA), a welding unit (16) and a laser beam cutting unit (53) for separating each individual flexible package from the flexible band (1) and for providing a fill opening in each flexible package by at least one fill opening cut, the laser beam cutting unit (53) having associated therewith a separator device, movable in a vertical direction and including an insertable separator element (41), interposed between the opposite faces of the folded flexible band (1), in an area adjacent to the fill opening (3), for separating the opposite faces of the flexible band (1) during cutting operations to prevent the fusion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventor: Francisco Mora Flores
  • Patent number: 10773839
    Abstract: A method of preparing a packaging laminate includes conveying a mesh of paper material having perforations against a rigid edge causing, at substantially each perforation, a mesh portion at the leading side to have an average elevation lower than that of a mesh portion on the trailing side of the perforation. The method includes expanding the perforations into cells separated from one another by legs interconnected by nodes defined in the mesh Top and bottom surfaces of the legs and nodes are reoriented from an initial orientation substantially parallel with a direction of conveyance of the mesh to an expanded orientation oblique to the direction of conveyance, such that, in the expanded orientation, the top surfaces of the nodes are substantially parallel with each other. The method includes attaching an outer liner to at least some of the bottom surfaces so as to form the packaging laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Alan Talda, Brian Hoffman, Paul Roy Raines, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10594956
    Abstract: A pharmacy packaging system configured to dispense pharmaceuticals into a pharmaceutical pouch formed by a feed roll and including a verification system. The verification system includes a camera system configured to capture images in a visible spectrum and an infrared spectrum, a first light source configured to output an infrared spectrum light, a second light source configured to output a visible spectrum light, and a processor. The processor is operable to activate the first light source to illuminate the pharmaceutical pouch and capture a first image of the pharmaceutical pouch while illuminated by the first light source. The processor is also operable to activate the second light source to illuminate the pharmaceutical pouch and capture a second image of the pharmaceutical pouch while illuminated by the second light source. The processor is further operable to generate a third image based on the first image and the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: RXSAFE LLC
    Inventor: William K. Holmes
  • Patent number: 10351281
    Abstract: A transportation method for the intermittent, forward moving transportation of flexible containers suspended in a packaging line, including the use of movable arms on a same plane, between which a container is secured in opposite areas, one of which is a tractor arm and the other a push arm. Between two consecutive stops, the method includes steps of simultaneously moving the tractor arm and push arm forwards at different velocities, in order to deform the container and move the contents to compensate for the forces of inertia. Also disclosed is a device for putting the method into practice, including a number of guides that determine a closed route, upon which at least a first and second adjacent carrying element slide, which may be operated independently or together, in order to be moved along the length of the guides and work together to jointly secure and transport a corresponding container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: PFM IBERICA PACKAGING MACHINERY, S.A.
    Inventors: Jose Garriga Jimenez, Andrea Fioravanti, Cristobal Jorge Alesanco
  • Patent number: 9505512
    Abstract: A device for loading deformable objects into a flexible container. The objects are controlled from a remote source point at least partially into the container. The device provides for simultaneous movement of fingers, between which the objects travel, in mutually orthogonal X, Y and Z directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Brian D. Havens, David Stuart Howell, II, Sabrina Xiumin Xie, Donald M. Radford, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8978349
    Abstract: Machine that consists in a horizontal sequence: a uncoiling station for a flexible sheet, a station for the formation of the packet in a folded “V”, a sealing station of the packet, an individual cutting station of the packet, a station for the individual transport of the packets to a filling station, and a station for the closing of the packets. The sealing and cutting stations comprise longitudinal guides for the assembly of sealing and cutting means corresponding to a linear displacement means which provides alternate linear movements forwards and backwards in the trajectory of the flexible sheet. With each forward movement, said means moves at the same speed as the flexible sheet, and is placed in an operative position by a driving means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Eficiencia y Tecnologia, S.A.
    Inventor: José Ma Broto Solano
  • Patent number: 8875478
    Abstract: A flexible package is formed and filled in an in-line process by directing a web of film and a semi-rigid strip in a machine direction; folding the web of film into a pair of opposing walls with the semi-rigid strip there between; and selectively attaching the strip to only one of the opposing walls by controlling applied heating to opposing walls of the pair to seal one wall but not the other to the semi-rigid strip to define an opening between upper edges of the opposing walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Momentive Performance Materials Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Louis Fitzgerald, IV, Thomas Stemper
  • Patent number: 8857135
    Abstract: There is provided a medicine packaging device that can resolve the problem in which fine mechanical adjustments are needed for changing setting conditions of a packaging part or when the packaging part fails. The medicine packaging device has a device body 3 having an accommodation space 5, a slide unit 8 reciprocally attached to the accommodation space 5 of the device body 3, and a packaging unit 4 removably attached to the slide unit 8. The packaging unit is allowed to package medicines with a package paper 23 by moving the slide unit 8 a packaging position in the accommodation space 5. The packaging unit is moved to a drawn-out position drawn out from the packaging position. The packaging unit is replaceable by being moved to a replacement position drawn out from the device body 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Itsuo Yasunaga, Chisei Asaoka, Norifumi Oike, Kensuke Kaminishi
  • Patent number: 8820035
    Abstract: A sealing machine adapted to support a plurality of different heating/sealing/cutting mechanisms, including tubular heaters and heated cutting blades, is disclosed. The sealing machine utilizes a common interface and mounting system for all side sealers. In addition, in some embodiments, the control system within the sealing machine is adapted to monitor and control the temperature of these various mechanisms automatically so as to create proper seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Shanklin Corporation
    Inventors: Russell Christman, Thomas Orsini, Todd Brown, Robert Simonelli
  • Publication number: 20140190125
    Abstract: An automatic packaging apparatus is provided, having a conveyor, a continuous longitudinally folded web, cutting and sealing mechanisms for forming flexible pouches from the web. The apparatus also includes processing stations for loading the pouches, transferring fluids (typically gases) into and out of the pouches, and sealing the pouches. Various alternative methods and devices are provided for separating each sealed pouch from the web by either making a continuous cut across a connecting strip of web material downline of the processing stations or pre-perforating the connecting strip upline of the processing stations. When the connecting strip is pre-perforated, a sealed pouch of sufficient weight may be separated from the web passively by a takeaway conveyor, and a lighter sealed pouch may be separated from the web by a tear-off mechanism that grips and pulls the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: CVP Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Rearick, Chris Duszka, Joel Swidergal
  • Patent number: 8726617
    Abstract: A method for filling containers of a collapsible type, including providing a web which includes the containers in an interconnected state, feeding the web for transporting the containers in a first direction, removing, during transport in the first direction, an end seal provided on each container for opening a filling duct, disengaging, during transport in the first direction, the containers from one another, and subsequently transporting the containers in a second direction transverse to first direction and filling, during the transport in the second direction, each container with a liquid product. The disclosure further relates to a device for filling containers of a collapsible type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Ecolean AB
    Inventor: Per Gustafsson
  • Publication number: 20140130460
    Abstract: An adjustable pouch machine comprises a vertical sealer module forms transverse seals between two plies of a pouch web to partially define a plurality of pouches. Rollers selectively tension and relax the web on the vertically oriented wheel, allowing them to drop away from heated lands on emergency and cycle stops. A filler wheel has a plurality of adjustable gripper units mounted directly thereon for transporting independent separate pouches cut from the pouch web. An adjustable knife is selectively provided with changeable knife hub sets to handle a variety of pouch sizes where a filler wheel alternately first fills and seals pouches in a train. Gear linkage accommodates variation in distance between hubs of different sets. Various embodiments, apparatus and methods are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: R. A Jones & Co. Inc.
    Inventors: Sima Paunesku, Daniel J. Rack, Jeffrey D. Wintring, Richard Allan Roth, II
  • Patent number: 8707659
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a non-rectilinear flexible package comprising an in-line process including application and selective sealing of a semi-rigid strip to an inner wall of the package and further including a dual-stage die-cutting technique to remove and cut a non-linear shape into a formed web of film. The semi-rigid strip is sealed to one interior wall of the package but not the other to provide a reinforced opening to the package through which a material can be dispensed. Additionally, the dual stage die-cutting method comprises first cutting and removing a portion of the web material prior to filling the package and again cutting and removing a portion of the web material after filling, resulting in a package having a narrowed neck adjacent the closed reinforced opening at an upper portion of the package and a body of the package that is tapered towards the reinforced opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: New Beginnings Contract Packaging LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Ligon, Trevor A. Ramalho
  • Patent number: 8640431
    Abstract: In a medicine packaging machine including a medicine accommodating mechanism for accommodating plural medicines, a chute for guiding medicines arbitrarily taken out from the medicine accommodating mechanism to a medicine packaging sheet, and a medicine packaging mechanism having a heater for thermally welding the medicine packaging sheet, the heater is provided with an incision tooth for forming an incision at an edge portion of the medicine packaging sheet at the same time when the medicine packaging sheet filled with the medicines. Furthermore, a cutting mechanism for cutting at a predetermined position a separate package bag formed by thermally welding the medicine packaging sheet is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akinori Hatsuno, Masayoshi Ogura, Hideyuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8607537
    Abstract: In a medicine packaging machine including a medicine accommodating mechanism for accommodating plural medicines, a chute for guiding medicines arbitrarily taken out from the medicine accommodating mechanism to a medicine packaging sheet, and a medicine packaging mechanism having a heater for thermally welding the medicine packaging sheet, the heater is provided with an incision tooth for forming an incision at an edge portion of the medicine packaging sheet at the same time when the medicine packaging sheet filled with the medicines. Furthermore, a cutting mechanism for cutting at a predetermined position a separate package bag formed by thermally welding the medicine packaging sheet is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akinori Hatsuno, Masayoshi Ogura, Hideyuki Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20130318931
    Abstract: A system for storing and packaging pharmaceuticals includes a frame configured to store cassettes that contain pharmaceuticals and a cassette-moving assembly coupled to the frame. The cassette-moving assembly is operable to move relative to the frame to retrieve the cassettes from the frame. The system also includes a dispensing area positioned adjacent the frame to receive the cassettes from the cassette-moving assembly. The dispensing area is operable to selectively open the cassettes. The system further includes packaging equipment in communication with the dispensing area. The packaging equipment includes a feed stock roll for forming pouches. The packaging equipment is operable to fill the pouches with pharmaceuticals that are dispensed from the cassettes in the dispensing area. The system also includes a control system including a processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: William K. Holmes
  • Patent number: 8578685
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming and filling a flexible package, comprises: a film unwind station for unwinding a web of flexible film from a roll of film includes: a folding station for folding the web into a pair of opposing walls; a strip unwind station for unwinding a strip of semi-rigid material from a roll of material and positioning the strip between the pair of opposing walls of the web; a metal buffer plate insertable between the strip and one of the opposing walls of the web; sealing stations, separating stations and filling stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Momentive Performance Materials Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Louis Fitzgerald, IV
  • Publication number: 20130152516
    Abstract: A conveyor for a pouch-filling machine has an endless track with a working stretch and a return stretch extending from a downstream end of the working stretch to an upstream end of the working stretch. A plurality of carriages each carrying at least one permanent magnet and a clamp ride on the track for movement through the stations on the working stretch and for movement from the downstream end of the working stretch along the return stretch back to the upstream end of the working stretch. An array of electromagnets on the track only along the working stretch and an electronic controller connected to the electromagnets together constitute a frequency-controlled linear direct drive that advances the carriages downstream through the working stretch while varying the travel speeds of at least half of the carriages in the working stretch. A mechanical or frequency-driven conveyor is provided in the return stretch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Michael SAMMONS, Roger Calabrese, Oliver Watmough
  • Patent number: 8454779
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for inflating and sealing an inflatable structure, such as inflatable cushions. The device includes an assembly configured for inflating a cushion cavity disposed between first and second layers of a film, and a sealing mechanism that preferably includes a rotary sealing drum, which can include a heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Paul A. Selle, Mitchell J. Hein
  • Patent number: 8375689
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Lorapack S.R.L.
    Inventor: Alessandra Sambugaro
  • Patent number: 8356463
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming flexible containers from a film web, dispensing fluid into the containers, and enclosing the fluid within the containers. The film web comprises a pair of juxtaposed film plies, a closed longitudinal edge at which the plies are joined, and an open longitudinal edge at which the plies are not joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Mark Salerno, James Corliss
  • Patent number: 8347592
    Abstract: An apparatus for constructing sandbags has a movable, floatable platform, and a length of casing disposed in a roll and supported on the platform. The casing has two longitudinal edges and can be unrolled from the roll. There is a hopper for receiving and dispensing a quantity of sand on top of the casing as the casing is unrolled from the roll. The hopper is supported by a crane mounted on the platform, and positioned above the length of casing. There is a device for bringing the longitudinal edges of the casing together after the sand has been deposited, and a stitching machine for stitching the edges of the casing together to form a tube of casing filled with sand. The stitching machine is mounted on the crane above the device for bringing the edges of the casing together. There is a conveyor for conveying the tube away from the stitching machine and off of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Charles Kean
  • Patent number: 8281553
    Abstract: Disclosed is an automated medicine storage and medicine introduction/discharge management system, which includes a main body in which a plurality of receiving shelves is arranged, the main body having a door to enable user access, a medicine introduction/discharge unit installed in one side region of the main body to introduce or discharge a medicine product into or out of the main body, a robot transfer unit installed in the main body to transfer the medicine product, introduced via the medicine introduction/discharge unit, to each receiving space of the main body, or to discharge the medicine product received in the receiving space, and a control unit to control operations of the main body, the medicine introduction/discharge unit, and the robot transfer unit. The system is able to store a variety of medicine in a single main body and to achieve enhanced security for special medicine and efficient management of stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: JVM Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun-Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 8202207
    Abstract: The invention relates to a blank (1), a method and a machine (11) for realising the blank (1). The blank (1) is constituted by four lengths (5) which are consecutively joined to form a structure (2) or frame (6) which can be folded around one or more flat articles (4) or tiles to be packed. The machine (11) and the method for realising the blanks (1) include supplying identical panels of cardboard which are joined to constitute a continuous strip (10) and which are subsequently cut to correspond to lengths of sides of the tiles. Each length (5) is joined to a consecutive length (5) by deposits (7a) of glue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: System S.p.A.
    Inventor: Andrea Toro
  • Publication number: 20120144780
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a non-rectilinear flexible package comprising an in-line process including application and selective sealing of a semi-rigid strip to an inner wall of the package and further including a dual-stage die-cutting technique to remove and cut a non-linear shape into a formed web of film. The semi-rigid strip is sealed to one interior wall of the package but not the other to provide a reinforced opening to the package through which a material can be dispensed. Additionally, the dual stage die-cutting method comprises first cutting and removing a portion of the web material prior to filling the package and again cutting and removing a portion of the web material after filling, resulting in a package having a narrowed neck adjacent the closed reinforced opening at an upper portion of the package and a body of the package that is tapered towards the reinforced opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Robert J. Ligon, Trevor A. Ramalho
  • Patent number: 8176711
    Abstract: Machine for manufacturing flexible sheet material packagings, including an area for feeding a continuous web of flexible sheet material, a preforming area including an area for folding a bottom wall of the packaging, a welding area, an area for filling the packagings, an area for outputting the packagings, a first chemical decontamination treatment area using a gas, arranged between the preforming area and the filling area, and an outside chamber that surrounds the machine at least partially and is depressed atmospherically with respect to the first area. The outside chamber acts as an additional barrier between the first area and the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Proaseptic Technologies S.L.U.
    Inventor: Josep Fonte-Ruíz
  • Publication number: 20120090271
    Abstract: An automatic packaging apparatus is provided, having a conveyor, a continuous longitudinally folded web, and cutting and sealing mechanisms for forming flexible pouches from the web. Each flexible pouch has an open end and an overlap portion specifically suitable for operation with the apparatus of this invention. The open end is separated and a load is inserted into one of the flexible pouches. After the load is inserted, air is withdrawn and a gas is preferably injected into the flexible pouch by a plurality of flat-profile snorkels, or a single, wider snorkel. The flexible pouch is then heat sealed to form a gas-tight seal. Controls, preferably including a servo mechanism, are used to simultaneously operate the cutting, sealing, fluid transfer and product infeed stations of the automatic packaging apparatus. As the flexible pouch moves from the fluid transfer station to the sealing station, the gas-tight seal is maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Mark Rearick, Chris Duszka, Joel Swidergal
  • Patent number: 8146332
    Abstract: A composite air and foam protective packaging product comprises a packaging cushion having, in cross-section, at least three plies of plastic film, foam between a first ply and a second ply of the three plies of plastic film, and air between the second ply and a third ply of the three plies of plastic film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Storopack, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Slovencik
  • Patent number: 8128770
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for inflating and sealing an inflatable structure, such as inflatable cushions. The device includes an assembly configured for inflating a cushion cavity disposed between first and second layers of a film, and a sealing mechanism that preferably includes a rotary sealing drum, which can include a heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Paul A. Selle, Mitchell J. Hein
  • Patent number: 8122687
    Abstract: Horizontal form fill seal apparatus for making flexible packages with slider fastener closures is provided. Various types of fastener tracks are applied in-line with a plastic web and are bonded thereto. All package components are brought together at the point of fill. Flexible packages are provided with shrouded and unshrouded slide fastener closures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Global Brands LLC
    Inventors: Panagiotis Kinigakis, Kenneth C. Pokusa, Kelly E. Arnold, Harold Marvin Howell, III, Kenneth Radakovits
  • Patent number: 8117805
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a non-rectilinear flexible package comprising an in-line process including application and selective sealing of a semi-rigid strip to an inner wall of the package and further including a dual-stage die-cutting technique to remove and cut a non-linear shape into a formed web of film. The semi-rigid strip is sealed to one interior wall of the package but not the other to provide a reinforced opening to the package through which a material can be dispensed. Additionally, the dual stage die-cutting method comprises first cutting and removing a portion of the web material prior to filling the package and again cutting and removing a portion of the web material after filling, resulting in a package having a narrowed neck adjacent the closed reinforced opening at an upper portion of the package and a body of the package that is tapered towards the reinforced opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: New Beginnings Contract Packaging LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Ligon, Trevor A. Ramalho
  • Publication number: 20110265429
    Abstract: A method of automatically manufacturing a filled packette having a closure where a film is advanced from a feed roller to a punch that produces a series of holes in the film. Individual closures are then positioned into each punched hole and ultrasonically welded into place. The film is folded and oriented vertically so that heat sealing may be used to form the side and bottom edges of individual pockets. The film is then clipped to form individual pockets and filed with the appropriate amount of desired material from a bulk feeder. The filled pockets may be sealed along the top edge to form a closed packette and die cut to form the final packette shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: MARIETTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Moreau, Thomas Larkin
  • Publication number: 20110232232
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in the formation and filling of a pouched product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicants: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC., PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS S.A.
    Inventors: Steve Rinehart, Marc D. Belcastro, Dwight D. Williams
  • Patent number: 8020358
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming inflated containers from a film web having two juxtaposed film plies includes: a. a mechanism that conveys the film web along a path of travel; b. a first sealing device for producing one or more seals that bond the film plies together to form a container having at least one opening; c. an inflation assembly for inflating the container by directing a stream of gas into the opening thereof; and d. a second sealing device for sealing closed the opening of the inflated container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Laurence B. Sperry, Eric A. Kane
  • 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: 20110138755
    Abstract: A packaging machine includes a clamping arrangement, composed of a series of clamps designed to grip and release a web of flexible material, and which are coupled to a belt that is advanced along a predetermined path to advance the web of flexible through the machine. The belt is made up of side-by-side belt portions that are spliced together in axially spaced locations by the clamps, to withstand the forces and stresses placed thereon as the web material is advanced. Each clamp is formed of an upper jaw member and a lower jaw member that are pivotably interconnected together, in combination with a guide member the guides movement of the belt through the machine. The belts are independently driven by operation of a pair of motors, which are synchronously operated in order to advance the opposite edges of the web material at the same rate of speed through the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Raymond G. Buchko, Dwayne C. Long
  • Publication number: 20110131934
    Abstract: A method for compacting a slug of product and apparatus for accomplishing the same. The invention describes collecting weighed product in an intermediate settling device to form a compact slug of product. The device can comprise a single settling chamber or can comprise multiple settling chambers which are axially rotatable. The slug can be compacting by jostling and/or vibrating the settling device. Thereafter, the product is discharged to a packaging apparatus. Because the product in the final package is denser, a smaller package can be utilized reducing manufacturing and shipping costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: FRITO-LAY NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick J. BIERSCHENK, Frank M. BRENKUS, Jerry M. REAVES, Amelinda MELANSON, Leon J. KRAUSE, Ronald M. GUST
  • Publication number: 20110107729
    Abstract: A bag making and packaging machine includes a conveying unit, a transverse sealing mechanism, and a gusset forming mechanism. The conveying unit is configured and arranged to continuously convey a tubular packaging material. The transverse sealing mechanism has a pair of sealing jaws configured and arranged to revolvingly move while following annular loci to seal the tubular packaging material in a transverse direction with respect to a conveyance direction of the tubular packaging material. The gusset forming mechanism has a pair of folding members configured and arranged to be pressed against side portions of the tubular packaging material to form gussets in the side portions of the tubular packaging material while the folding members move along the conveyance direction of the tubular packaging material before the transverse sealing mechanism seals the tubular packaging material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: ISHIDA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Miyazaki, Masashi Kondo, Makoto Ichikawa, Takahiro Yasuda
  • Patent number: 7937916
    Abstract: For the purpose of handling tobacco bags (10) made of sheet material, a plurality of unfilled bags (10) are fed to a transfer station (29) and transferred simultaneously, by a transfer subassembly (31), to a further-processing subassembly, namely to a bag turret (30) arranged above a bag conveyor (28). During transfer, the bags (10) are transported along an upwardly directed movement path and turned through 180° in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co. KG)
    Inventors: Jörg Thierig, Jan-Erik Schneider
  • Publication number: 20110072765
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming flexible containers from a film web, dispensing fluid into the containers, and enclosing the fluid within the containers. The film web comprises a pair of juxtaposed film plies, a closed longitudinal edge at which the plies are joined, and an open longitudinal edge at which the plies are not joined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Mark H. Salerno, James M. Corliss
  • Publication number: 20110072766
    Abstract: A bag forming, filling and sealing machine is provided with a pull-off device for the packaging material, with a forming tube for forming and filling tube-like bags, with a longitudinal sealing device and with a cross sealing device, wherein the longitudinal sealing device is designed as an ultrasonic longitudinal sealing device integrated into the forming tube in order to seal the first and second longitudinal edges of the packaging material with one another into an overlapping sealing seam. Provisions are made for reliably guiding the mutually overlapping edges of a film forming the tube for the ultrasonic longitudinal sealing device to have a spring-loaded guide plate for guiding at least one edge of the packaging material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Rainer Haus, Michael Ponkratz
  • Patent number: 7908829
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a non-rectilinear flexible package comprising an in-line process including application and selective sealing of a semi-rigid strip to an inner wall of the package and further including a dual-stage die-cutting technique to remove and cut a non-linear shape into a formed web of film. The semi-rigid strip is sealed to one interior wall of the package but not the other to provide a reinforced opening to the package through which a material can be dispensed. Additionally, the dual stage die-cutting method comprises first cutting and removing a portion of the web material prior to filling the package and again cutting and removing a portion of the web material after filling, resulting in a package having a narrowed neck adjacent the closed reinforced opening at an upper portion of the package and a body of the package that is tapered towards the reinforced opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: New Beginnings Contract Packaging LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Ligon, Trevor A. Ramalho
  • 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: 7836666
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for bagging material into a film. The film has at least two overlapping sheets and at least one open edge. The apparatus a pair of spaced apart carriages and a pair of clamp assemblies movably mounted to a respective carriage. The clamp assemblies are pivotally movable relative to the respective carriage and vertically moveable along the length of the respective carriage. The clamp assemblies engage the film and open the film by separating the overlapping sheets. The clamp assemblies are moved downwardly along the length of the respective carriages so as to provide for the opened film to progressively bag material positioned thereunder. The clamp assembly includes a clamp having a pair of clamping members which are configured to grip a portion of the overlapping sheets for separation thereof. A method for bagging material into a film is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Inventor: Jacques Dussault
  • Publication number: 20100242418
    Abstract: A vertical bagging machine including a spindle for receiving and supporting a roll of stock material, the spindle defining a spindle axis, wherein the stock material is unwindable as a sheet, a folding plate defining a folding plate plane that is substantially parallel with the spindle axis, the folding plate including a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first and second edges are generally equal in length and connect at a central peak, a spreader chute including a first guide plate and a second guide plate, the second guide plate being generally parallel with and spaced apart from the first guide plate, wherein the first and second guide plates are substantially perpendicular to the folding plate plane, and first and second folding rollers defining a nip therebetween, the first and second folding rollers being generally parallel with the folding plate plane and disposed between the folding plate and the spreader chute, wherein the sheet is moveable over the central peak, through the nip, and over the
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Robin G. Thurgood, Brian C. Bowerman, Dale R. Vincent
  • Patent number: 7802416
    Abstract: A method of bagging an article into a bag comprising: providing a web of stretchable film folded in two so as to provide first and second superposed bag panels, selecting a length of stretchable film as a function of the article to be bagged, cutting the film at the selected length, sealing the bag panels at the length to form a bag having an opening for receiving the article, stretching the bag in a taut open state, and lowering the bag in the taut open state thereof over the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Marko I.R.D.C. Inc.
    Inventor: Sylvain Drolet
  • Publication number: 20100221146
    Abstract: A method of aseptically treating, forming, filling, and sealing flexible bag packages in a bag packaging machine. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas MATHEYKA