Flexible Tubular Stock - Preformed Continuous Tube Patents (Class 53/567)
  • Patent number: 8006463
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Tipper Tie, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. May, Samuel D. Griggs, Matthew D. Lowder, Thomas E. Whittlesey, William M. Poteat
  • Patent number: 7997045
    Abstract: A packing wrapper filling device includes a filling machine (1) having at least one pivotable filling tube (11) on rotary plate (10). A gathered packing wrapper (14) is fitted onto the filling tube. The invention includes a closing mechanism (2) and store (3) for gathered packing wrappers. The closing mechanism (2) closes both sides of filled wrapper sections. Control device (22) interconnects filling machine (1), closing mechanism (2), store (3), and rocking arms (16). The lateral wall(s) of store (3) include a longitudinal flap (16) in the lower section, pivotable by rotary articulation (20) via rocking arms (15). The control device (22) controls individual envelope (14) removal from store (3). Transport devices (5, 6, 7, and 8) and deflection rollers (9) arranged along feed belt (4) transport envelope (14) along the feed belt (4) from store (3) to filling tube (11 or 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Kalle GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Aur Der Heide, Dirk Aur Der Heide, Jürg-Heinrich Kallweit
  • Patent number: 7975456
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for wrapping articles on a pallet, in a foil hood, includes drawing off from a supply, a flat tube formed from two foil webs The webs are folded in an inward direction and directly superposed in a flat state with an integral foil The method includes opening out the end, which is to the fore in the draw off direction of the tube, at least partially sealing the length, pulled off the foil supply, essentially athwart the draw off direction at a position remote from the foremost end of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Per Lachenmeier, Karl Mangus Rasztar
  • Patent number: 7966792
    Abstract: This device for encasing light strings for storage provides a canister as a handle that is concentric with a cylindrical feed tube that is at least partially within the canister together with a cartridge type removable dispensing tube that slides over the feed tube and within the canister. The canister is attached to the large end of a funnel on the feed tube entry end through which a light string may be fed. The canister and feed tube thus form an annular slot into which the removable cartridge type dispensing tube may be received and releasably secured slidably over the feed tube. The tubular plastic is loaded on the dispensing tube prior to the dispensing tube being slid and secured over the feed tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventor: Gary B. Hills
  • Patent number: 7958704
    Abstract: A waste disposal device includes a mechanism for scoring flexible tubing dispensed from a cartridge. The waste disposal device comprises a container housing a length of flexible tubing foldingly stacked therein and configured to permit dispensing of the flexible tubing to a predetermined length. The flexible tubing is scored periodically at predetermined intervals for ease of tearing during disposal of waste packages placed in the flexible tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Stravitz, Richard S. Chomik, Mark Yoho
  • Patent number: 7952307
    Abstract: A container, adapted to be opened/closed automatically by induction actuated, includes a container body, cover, motor and actuating device, wherein the motor is connected to the driven element of the cover through the actuating device. The dustbin includes a sensing and controlling device of the stroke of the cover, wherein a cover stroke perception and a shut off circuit, the cover stroke perception is connected with the shut off circuit, and the shut off circuit is connected with the motor, the shut off circuit receives the activating signal from the cover stroke perception and then controls the motor to actuate correspondingly, the cover's stroke inducted by the trigger; point of the cover stroke perception is less than the whole stroke during the closing of the cover. The noise of the crash between the cover and the container body is low, and closing of the cover is rapid and spiffy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventors: Xin Wang, Jiangqun Chen
  • Patent number: 7937910
    Abstract: A packaging machine comprises a preparation station for preparing a sleeve from a stretchable plastic film wound flat around a storage reel, and a gripper device for taking hold of the sleeve and transferring it to the depositing station for enveloping the load. According to the invention, the gripper device comprises at least one set of grippers which is equipped with notched bars to create differential stretch with the formulation of a lunula. Each bar is given a translational and/or rotational movement so that the bar can be extracted and the sleeve disengaged at the end of the depositing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Thimon
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Jaconelli, Benoît Pottier
  • Publication number: 20110099956
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating hygienic storage and disposal of waste packages such as used disposable diapers include a housing, a lid, and a bag unit having a bag frame and an attached single use flexible bag. The flexible bag is pleated and larger in cross-section at a lower portion than it is at the connection to the bag frame. The bag frame is releasably mounted to the housing so that it will not rotate. The lower portion of the flexible bag is positioned in a storage chamber of the housing that is shaped so as to align and center the bag. A rotatable member having radially extending flexible fingers is engaged with an intermediate portion of the bag. When the lid is closed, the rotatable member will twist the intermediate portion of the bag, sealing odors in the lower portion of the bag. A parent or caregiver will push the waste package through the resistance of the twisted intermediate portion into the lower portion of the bag, and close the lid to re-seal the twisted portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: MUNCHKIN, INC.
    Inventors: Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Kevin D. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20110099942
    Abstract: A powder dispenser for a waste disposal system includes a mounting portion that is adapted to be secured to a waste disposal unit, and a container defining an interior space in which a powder such as sodium bicarbonate may be stored. The container is releasably mounted to the underside of a hinged lid member of the waste disposal unit. A directional dispensing system is provided for dispensing powder from the container into a targeted portion of the waste disposal system. The directional dispensing system is constructed and arranged to concentrate initial dispersal of the powder to a single side of the container and includes a dispensing orifice. The dispensing orifice is preferably oriented to limit initial dispersal of the powder within a defined angular range with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lid member, and is spaced axially and laterally with respect to the waste disposal unit at distances that facilitate distribution of the powder to desired targeted portions of the waste disposal unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: MUNCHKIN, INC.
    Inventors: Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Kevin D. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20110099957
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating hygienic storage and disposal of waste packages such as used disposable diapers include a housing, a lid, and a bag unit having a bag frame and an attached single use flexible bag. The flexible bag is pleated and larger in cross-section at a lower portion than it is at the connection to the bag frame. The bag frame is releasably mounted to the housing so that it will not rotate. The lower portion of the flexible bag is positioned in a storage chamber of the housing that is shaped so as to align and center the bag. A rotatable member having radially extending flexible fingers is engaged with an intermediate portion of the bag. When the lid is closed, the rotatable member will twist the intermediate portion of the bag, sealing odors in the lower portion of the bag. A parent or caregiver will push the waste package through the resistance of the twisted intermediate portion into the lower portion of the bag, and close the lid to re-seal the twisted portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: MUNCHKIN, INC.
    Inventors: Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Kevin D. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20110099958
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating hygienic storage and disposal of waste packages such as used disposable diapers include a housing, a lid, and a bag unit having a bag frame and an attached single use flexible bag. The flexible bag is pleated and larger in cross-section at a lower portion than it is at the connection to the bag frame. The bag frame is releasably mounted to the housing so that it will not rotate. The lower portion of the flexible bag is positioned in a storage chamber of the housing that is shaped so as to align and center the bag. A rotatable member having radially extending flexible fingers is engaged with an intermediate portion of the bag. When the lid is closed, the rotatable member will twist the intermediate portion of the bag, sealing odors in the lower portion of the bag. A parent or caregiver will push the waste package through the resistance of the twisted intermediate portion into the lower portion of the bag, and close the lid to re-seal the twisted portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: MUNCHKIN, INC.
    Inventors: Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Kevin D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7934360
    Abstract: Bagging machines may include a packing density measurement system. The packing density measurement system includes an anchor assembly and a force measurement assembly. The anchor assembly includes at least one drag member adapted to be operatively coupled to the bagging machine and to extend rearwardly beneath at least a portion of a bag to resist forward movement of the bagging machine. The force measurement assembly is operatively coupled to the anchor assembly and is adapted to measure the anchoring force applied to the bagging machine. The anchor assembly may be adjustable, either manually or automatically, to allow control over the anchoring force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: SRC Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Steven Cullen
  • Patent number: 7913476
    Abstract: A wrapping device 1 for packaging goods, specifically goods stacked on pallets or the like, with a tube-like film, with a film feeding device 4 with fusion and cutting systems to generate and feed a dome-like film cover within a device frame 6, where film feeding device 4 works in conjunction with a covering device 7 that moves vertically up and down within device frame 6, where covering device 7 is designed to grasp the film cover and place it to cover goods located in the lower segment of device frame 6, is characterized by having film feeding device 4 move vertically within device frame 6. This arrangement simplifies installation, maintenance and repairs, specifically to the film feeding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Per Lachenmeier
  • Patent number: 7886659
    Abstract: An automatic plant for the treatment and packing of meat product, including an injection station for injecting brine into a meat product, first and second maceration stations for macerating the injected meat product, and a packing station for packing the treated meat product. The injection station is connected to the first and second maceration stations by an accumulating and loading unit for accumulating meat product coming from the injection station and selectively loading it into the first and second maceration stations which are connected to the packing station by a transfer unit adapted for transferring the meat product from the first and second maceration stations to feed hoppers for feeding the packing station. The plant is controlled by computerized control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Metalquimia, S.A.
    Inventor: Narcis Lagares Corominas
  • Patent number: 7870707
    Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material, such as, for example, netting, by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through first and second axially aligned product chutes; (b) pulling covering material from an exterior surface of a covering material chute residing about the second product chute to automatically enclose the object in the material as the object exits the second product chute; (c) applying at least one clip to the material to secure the object in the material; and (d) pivoting the covering material chute and second product chute together to load a sleeve of material onto the covering material chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Tipper Tie, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. May, Samuel D. Griggs, Matthew Lowder, William M. Poteat, Derek L. Brown
  • Patent number: 7866124
    Abstract: An agricultural bagger apparatus and method for compacting feed into a horizontally deployed bag including a compression mechanism and an input hopper that receives agricultural feed. The hopper has a sloping wall and a lower end exit chute located to transfer the feed into the primary compression mechanism (e.g., a rotating toothed cylinder). The tapered hopper causes the feed to bridge, stopping the feed from falling through the chute. A new distribution mechanism in the hopper sweeps the feed adjacent to the sloping wall to prevent feed bridging. By preventing the feed from clogging, there is less reason to risk one=s safety by foolishly inserting their limb into the hopper. Some embodiments also compact feed in the upper portion of the tunnel, for example, by reciprocating a hinged piston above the primary compression mechanism. This increases the compaction on the top portion of the tunnel without unduly juicing the feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventor: Paul R. Wingert
  • Publication number: 20110000172
    Abstract: A cassette (3) for dispensing bags from an elongated tubing (32) comprising an annular receptacle (38) accommodating a length of tubing (32) in an accumulated condition. An annular opening at an upper end of the annular receptacle (38) is for dispensing the tubing (32). The annular receptacle (38) defines a central opening (34) through which a knotted end (40) of the tubing (32) passes to form a bag supported by the annular receptacle (38) with disposable objects passing through the circular central opening (34) to be received in the bag, and a clearance (41) only at a bottom of the central opening (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL REFILLS COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Michel Morand
  • Patent number: 7861500
    Abstract: A method of automatically placing a bag over an object and removing the bag from a bag dispenser is provide. Fold grippers mounted to an arm support frame positioned at a first location on a frame are closed on folds of a first bag. A fold gripper is moved from a first location to a second location on the arm support frame opening the first bag. The arm support frame is moved from the first location to a second location on the frame to cover the object. The fold grippers are opened after moving the arm support frame to the second location. The arm support frame is moved from the second location to the first location on the frame. The fold gripper is moved from the second location to the first location on the arm support frame. Bag grippers mounted to the arm support frame are closed on the first bag. The fold grippers are closed on the folds of a second bag attached to the first bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: Bradley Arthur Bennett
  • Patent number: 7793486
    Abstract: Systems for enclosing at least one target product in a covering material, include an elongate product chute having an outer surface and opposing receiving and discharge end portions with an interior cavity extending therethrough and an elongate breech loading chute alignably positioned generally above the product chute, the elongate loading chute configured to direct at least one target product into the product chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Tipper Tie, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. May, Samuel D. Griggs, Matthew Lowder
  • Patent number: 7770362
    Abstract: A method and a device for producing and filling sacks with at least four longitudinal seams provide a more cost-effective approach to producing and filling sacks. The material that forms the sacks is supplied from an unwinding device in the form of a tubular material to a sack forming device. The tubular material is provided with longitudinal seams in the sack forming device, with the seams extending over a major part of the sacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Windmoeller & Hoelscher KG
    Inventor: Uwe Koehn
  • Patent number: 7770366
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enclosing a palletized container of fresh containers of perishables inside a modified atmosphere-containing plastic bag/enclosure stretched over the containers and over upwardly-folded and sealed margins of a plastic sheet placed between the pallet and the containers to seal the containers of perishables inside the bag/enclosure and to facilitate forming and maintaining a modified atmosphere inside the bag/enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Transfresh Corporation
    Inventors: Richard F. J. Macleod, Frederick Forgnone, Jason Wells
  • Patent number: 7757467
    Abstract: A container holding a supply of plastic, tubular stock for the incremental withdrawal of portions thereof, said container comprising a malodor counteractant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Chomik, Rosemary Knuth, Caryl Yeager
  • Patent number: 7743588
    Abstract: A waste storage device includes a container (21) in which a cassette (1) is mounted. Tubing (2) is pulled through the center of the cassette (1) to store packages (35) separated by twists. The cassette (1) is rotated relative to the container (21) to provide the twists between packages (35) by virtue of a rotatable disk (100) and user grip portion (102). The package is gripped against rotation by a gripper diaphragm (120) and is guided towards a wall of the container by a guide diaphragm (122) to prevent untwisting between packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Sangenic International Limited
    Inventors: Ian Alexander Webb, Mark Armstrong
  • Patent number: 7739855
    Abstract: Pivotable clipper assemblies for attaching at least one closure clip to a product held in netting include a pivotable clipper mechanism having a clipper body configured to deliver clips to a clip window and attach the clips to netting and a first cutting cartridge mounted to the pivotable clipper mechanism. The first cutting cartridge includes: (a) a knife; (b) an actuation cylinder with a rod in communication with the knife that advances and retracts the knife; and (c) an anti-rotation block attached to a rear of the knife intermediate the knife and rod to inhibit the knife and rod from rotating, wherein, in operation, the first cutting cartridge pivots with the clipper mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Tipper Tie, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel D. Griggs, Dennis J. May, William M. Poteat, Derek L. Brown, David R. Gupton
  • Patent number: 7716901
    Abstract: The present invention provides a packaged cementitious product including a bag formed of a polymeric material. The bag has first and second sealed ends. The first end has a first tab extending therefrom defining at least one aperture therethrough so that the first tab defines a first handle. The second end has a second tab extending therefrom defining at least one aperture therethrough so that the second tab defines a second handle. A cementitious product is sealed within the bag, and wherein the first and second handles facilitate the handling of the packaged cementitious product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Charles E. Price
  • Publication number: 20100115894
    Abstract: A bag-making and packaging machine includes a forming mechanism, a vertical sealing mechanism, a transverse sealing mechanism and a receiving member. The forming mechanism is configured to roll a sheet-shaped packaging material into a cylindrical shape to form a cylindrical packaging material. The vertical sealing mechanism is configured and arranged to seal an overlapping portion of the cylindrical packaging material with heat vertically along a direction in which the cylindrical packaging material extends. The receiving member is attached to the forming mechanism in a position facing the vertical sealing mechanism, and configured and arranged to sandwich the overlapping portion together with the vertical sealing mechanism. The receiving member has elasticity with which the receiving member presses the overlapping portion toward the vertical sealing mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: ISHIDA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideshi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 7712285
    Abstract: A waste disposal device including a sensing mechanism for delaying the rotation of a cartridge. The waste disposal device comprises a container defining a waste chamber for receiving encapsulated waste in a flexible tubing. The rotatable cartridge contains the flexible tubing. A lid is coupled to the device and is capable of moving between an open and closed position on the container. A rotation mechanism is operatively configured to engage the rotatable cartridge. A sensing mechanism is arranged to allow for delay in rotation of the cartridge until the lid assumes the closed position so that the waste is encapsulated in the flexible tubing after the closing of the lid, and after the subsequent twisting of the flexible tubing about the waste material caused by the rotation of the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Stravitz, Richard S. Chomik, Mark Yoho, Stuart Leslie, Taek Kim, Aidan Petrie, Joe Sejnowski
  • Patent number: 7707808
    Abstract: A cassette for a waste disposal device, the cassette including an outer wall, an inner wall, a flexible tubing positioned between the outer wall and the inner wall, and a rim having a top surface and a bottom surface. The rim is positioned between the outer wall and the inner wall and extends from a top surface of the outer wall toward the inner wall. The bottom surface of the rim faces the flexible tubing, and the rim includes a plurality of protrusions on the top surface of the rim to engage with a rotation mechanism of a waste disposal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard S. Chomik
  • Patent number: 7708188
    Abstract: A waste disposal device comprises a container having hamper. The hamper is insertable and removable through a movable door of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Stravitz, Richard S. Chomik, Mark Yoho, Stuart Leslie, Taek Kim, Aidan Petrie, Joe Sejnowski
  • Publication number: 20100101193
    Abstract: A form-fill-seal machine for manufacturing pouches of a plurality of types having different shapes includes a tubular part, a conveying part and a sealing part. The tubular part is replaceable according to a shape of the pouch to be manufactured. The conveying part is configured and arranged to convey tubular packaging material along the tubular part with an internal surface of the packaging material facing an external surface of the tubular part. A position of the conveying part with respect to the tubular part is selectively movable according to the shape of the pouch to be manufactured. The sealing part is configured and arranged to seal a prescribed position on the packaging material conveyed by the conveying part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: ISHIDA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Iwasa, Makoto Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20100071317
    Abstract: An apparatus for pulling a tubular film down over a large object has at least two guide and roller assemblies each flanking the object and each movable vertically along the object. Each assembly has a guide, an outer roller and an inner roller. The film is gathered by positioning the assemblies in an upper position, orienting the inner rollers generally below the outer rollers, and rotating the rollers while gripping the hood between them to pull the tube down and form it into folds beneath the roller assemblies. The film is pulled down over the object by orienting the inner rollers generally above the outer rollers, and then shifting the roller assemblies downward while rotating the rollers so as to pull the tube up and unfold it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Frank-Rolf MICHELS, Norbert VERMEULEN
  • Patent number: 7681379
    Abstract: A packing member for packing an article, includes a medium accommodating portion for accommodating medium; a non-return valve for passing the medium to the medium accommodating portion and stopping the medium away from the medium accommodating portion; an introducing portion for introducing the medium into the medium accommodating portion with the non-return valve from an outside of the packing member to balloon the medium accommodating portion; and a sealing region, disposed upstream of the non-return valve with respect to a direction of the introduction of the medium from the introducing portion toward the non-return valve, for sealing against the introduction of the medium to prevent leakage from the introducing portion to an outside of the packing member, the sealing region being sealed to keep the medium in the medium accommodating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Nishi, Atsushi Goto, Taiji Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7665278
    Abstract: Methods of automatically packaging an object in netting include: (a) automatically extending a product pusher having a pusher head through a product chute; (b) pushing at least one object from a location upstream of the product chute, through a product chute to a location downstream of the product chute in response to the extending step; (c) pulling netting material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the netting material as the object exits the product chute; (d) automatically retracting the pusher head after the pushing step extends the pusher head outside the product chute; then (e) automatically directing a clipper to pivot into position when the pusher head is partially retracted a distance sufficient to position the pusher head inside the product chute; and (f) applying at least one clip to the netting material using the clipper to secure the object in the netting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Tipper Tie, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel D. Griggs, Dennis J. May, William M. Poteat, Derek L. Brown, David R. Gupton
  • Patent number: 7647748
    Abstract: Netting chutes suitable for use with manual, automatic and semi-automatic packaging operations to enclose product in netting packaging include chutes with embossed floors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Tipper Tie, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel D. Griggs, Dennis J. May
  • Publication number: 20100005762
    Abstract: Waste disposal device including a container defining a waste chamber for receiving waste, a support member arranged in the container for supporting tubing having a closed or closable front end to thereby enable formation of a bag in the container and a twisting assembly arranged in the container and defining an aperture through which the tubing passes while the twisting assembly engages with the tubing. A rotation mechanism is arranged in the container and when actuated, rotates the twisting assembly relative to the stationary support member while the twisting assembly engages with the tubing to thereby form a twist in the tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventor: David M. Stravitz
  • Publication number: 20100005759
    Abstract: Waste disposal device including a container defining a waste chamber for receiving waste, a support member arranged in the container for supporting tubing having a closed or closable front end to thereby enable formation of a bag in the container and a twisting assembly arranged in the container and defining an aperture through which the tubing passes while the twisting assembly engages with the tubing. A rotation mechanism is arranged in the container and when actuated, rotates the twisting assembly relative to the stationary support member while the twisting assembly engages with the tubing to thereby form a twist in the tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventor: David M. Stravitz
  • Publication number: 20090282785
    Abstract: An agricultural bagger apparatus and method for compacting feed into a horizontally deployed bag including a compression mechanism and an input hopper that receives agricultural feed. The hopper has a sloping wall and a lower end exit chute located to transfer the feed into the primary compression mechanism (e.g., a rotating toothed cylinder). The tapered hopper causes the feed to bridge, stopping the feed from falling through the chute. A new distribution mechanism in the hopper sweeps the feed adjacent to the sloping wall to prevent feed bridging. By preventing the feed from clogging, there is less reason to risk one=s safety by foolishly inserting their limb into the hopper. Some embodiments also compact feed in the upper portion of the tunnel, for example, by reciprocating a hinged piston above the primary compression mechanism. This increases the compaction on the top portion of the tunnel without unduly juicing the feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventor: Paul Wingert
  • Patent number: 7617659
    Abstract: A waste disposal device including a cartridge movable by rollers. The waste disposal device comprises a rotation mechanism for rotating the rotatable cartridge. The cylindrically shaped waste disposal device has an inner wall. The rotatable cartridge comprises a cylindrical shape having an outside wall. The rotation mechanism comprising at least two opposingly aligned movable rollers extends between said inner wall of said waste disposal device and said outer wall of said rotatable cartridge. The rollers are engagingly configured to cause the cartridge to rotate upon activation of the rotation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Stravitz, Richard S. Chomik, Mark Yoho
  • Patent number: 7617657
    Abstract: An elongate, tubular, transparent thin-film scallop bag formed with a tapered, open top edge and a closed bottom edge, and sized to hold a column of scallop medallions. The bag includes a plurality of regularly spaced perforations for eliminating trapped and excess moisture trapped during the filling of the bag with the scallops, and further formed with at least one vent hole larger than said perforations near the base of the bag to relieve back air pressure during the loading process. The bag's composition includes at least a twenty percent mixture of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), at least a thirty percent low density polyethylene (LDPE), and at least forty-five percent Metallocene 8C. The novel composite provides the requisite strength for a thickness that can carry the necessary perforations spacing without tearing or stretching, while providing a surface characteristic that is smooth and allows the scallops to slide easily into the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Wlkay Plastics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Davis Liu
  • Patent number: 7617660
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming waste containing packs from a length of flexible tubing is formed of a housing having a top portion, an intermediate portion and a lower portion. The top portion displays an opening to receive waste material therein and a cassette containing a package of a flexible pleated tubing. The intermediate portion has a retractable guillotine-type member sealingly contacting the tubing dispensed from the cassette and extending downwardly into the lower portion of the housing. Retraction of the member causes waste material received in the tubing of the upper and intermediate portions of the housing to be dispensed in a closed end tubing in the lower portion of the house.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: International Refills Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Michel Morand
  • Patent number: 7598693
    Abstract: A dustbin, adapted to be opened/closed automatically by induction actuated, includes a container body, cover, motor and actuating device, wherein the motor is connected to the driven element of the cover through the actuating device. The dustbin includes a sensing and controlling device of the stroke of the cover, wherein a cover stroke perception and a shut off circuit, the cover stroke perception is connected with the shut off circuit, and the shut off circuit is connected with the motor, the shut off circuit receives the activating signal from the cover stroke perception and then controls the motor to actuate correspondingly, the cover's stroke inducted by the trigger; point of the cover stroke perception is less than the whole stroke during the closing of the cover. The noise of the crash between the cover and the container body is low, and closing of the cover is rapid and spiffy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Inventors: Xin Wang, Jiangqun Chen
  • Patent number: 7594376
    Abstract: A waste disposal receptacle is provided with an apparatus for sanitarily disposing of solid waste material such as diapers, hospital and nursing home waste products, and biologically hazardous wastes. The receptacle houses an automated mechanism for sealing and packaging the waste material and includes a container, a motorized turning device and a cassette containing a storage of flexible tubing for packaging the waste material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard S. Chomik
  • Patent number: 7594374
    Abstract: A bagging machine for bagging agricultural or compost material includes a tunnel adapted to be configured in at least two positions. The tunnel may be configured in an open position and in a closed position. The tunnel may include a first and a second tunnel member joined by a coupling assembly. The coupling assembly may allow the first and second tunnel members to move between the two or more positions. At least one third tunnel member may be provided to cover at least one opening between the first and second tunnel members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: S.R.C. Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Steven R. Cullen
  • Patent number: 7594375
    Abstract: An apparatus for bagging material into a film. The film has at least two overlapping sheets and at least one open edge. The apparatus has 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: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Inventor: Jacques Dussault
  • Patent number: 7587880
    Abstract: A system for enclosing a target product in a covering material includes an elongate product chute, an elongate breech-loader chute and a receiving station. The elongate product chute has opposing ingress and egress end portions with an interior cavity extending therethrough. The breech-loader chute has a primary chute body with opposing ingress and egress end portions residing above and upstream of the product chute in cooperating alignment therewith. The primary chute body slopes downwardly in a direction of product travel. The receiving station is disposed below the breech-loader chute and includes a receiver floor that receives the target product from the breech-loader chute. The receiver floor is selectively movable between an extended receiving position and a retracted staging position to thereby support and move the target product for delivery to the product chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Tipper Tie, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. May, Samuel D. Griggs, Matthew Lowder
  • Patent number: 7581369
    Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material, such as, for example, netting, by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through first and second axially aligned product chutes; (b) pulling covering material from an exterior surface of a covering material chute residing about the second product chute to automatically enclose the object in the material as the object exits the second product chute; (c) applying at least one clip to the material to secure the object in the material; and (d) pivoting the covering material chute and second product chute together to load a sleeve of material onto the covering material chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Tipper Tie, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. May, Samuel D. Griggs, Matthew Lowder, William M. Poteat, Derek L. Brown
  • Patent number: 7526905
    Abstract: Packaging systems and apparatus include a product chutes a clipper mechanism residing downstream of the product chute, and a vertically extendable and retractable product holding member disposed downstream of the clipper mechanism. In operation, the product holding member is configured to: (a) automatically vertically move to a first operative position whereby the holding member contacts and traps a target product to inhibit the target product from traveling downstream thereof, then (b) automatically vertically move to a second different position to allow a product to travel downstream thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Tipper Tie, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel D. Griggs, Dennis J. May, William M. Poteat, Derek L. Brown, David R. Gupton
  • Publication number: 20090100806
    Abstract: A cassette (3) for dispensing bags from an elongated tubing (32) comprising an annular receptacle (38) accommodating a length of tubing (32) in an accumulated condition. An annular opening at an upper end of the annular receptacle (38) is for dispensing the tubing (32). The annular receptacle (38) defines a central opening (34) through which a knotted end (40) of the tubing (32) passes to form a bag supported by the annular receptacle (38) with disposable objects passing through the circular central opening (34) to be received in the bag, and a clearance (41) only at a bottom of the central opening (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventor: Michel MORAND
  • Patent number: 7520040
    Abstract: The invention concerns a clip feed arrangement comprising a magazine bar having an entry and an exit for guiding a line of clips from a clip supply to a separating device of a closure apparatus, and a clip drive arranged in the region of the magazine bar. The clip drive has two drive elements which can be successively brought alternately into engagement with the line of clips and which are so designed that a first drive element in a condition of engagement travels in the advance direction on a first advance path in the form of a segment of a circle while a second drive element in a condition of being out of engagement travels in opposite relationship to the advance direction on a second advance path in the form of a segment of a circle and that the engagement and the travel direction of the drive elements are reversible, wherein the first and the second advance paths have the same axis of rotation about which the drive elements are reciprocatingly pivotable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Poly-Clip System GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Klaus Töpfer
  • Patent number: RE42176
    Abstract: Machine for manufacturing mesh bags from a continuous roll of tubular mesh, and for filling and closing said mesh bags, which comprise an expansion device which is perimetric to the tubular mesh, the core expander of which is equipped with a vertical aperture which, as if it were a slot, traverses said core expander and connects the two frontal faces thereof and extends from its base to an intermediate point, for which the core expander adopts an inverted “U” shape, the machine also being fitted with preventive welding means, adapted for partially welding the two frontal faces of the tubular mesh and, as the case may be, the adjoining laminates of thermally weldable material through the aperture of the core expander; a traction device which drags a section of the tubular mesh provided with a bottom; conveyor means; and second and third filling and closing stations, respectively, both being arranged linearly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Girnet Internacional, S.L.
    Inventor: Ezequiel Giro Amigo