Package making – Methods – Filling preformed receptacle and closing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-20
2001-03-13
Gerrity, Stephen F. (Department: 3721)
Package making
Methods
Filling preformed receptacle and closing
C053S469000, C053S468000, C053S567000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199349
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to dunnage and more particularly to a novel and improved web of interconnected dunnage pouches and a process of producing dunnage with such a web.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,552,003 and 5,693,163 respectively entitled “Method for Producing Inflated Dunnage” and “Inflated Dunnage and Method for Its Production” and respectively issued Sep. 3, 1996 and Dec. 2, 1997 to Gregory A. Hoover et al. (the Dunnage Patents) disclose a method for producing dunnage utilizing preopened bags on a roll. The preopened bags utilized in the Dunnage Patents are of a type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,254,828 issued Jun. 2, 1966 to Hershey Lerner and entitled “Flexible Container Strips” (the “Autobag Patent”). The preferred bags of the Dunnage Patents are unique in that the so called tack of outer bag surfaces is greater than the tack of the inner surfaces to facilitate bag opening while producing dunnage units which stick to one another when in use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention enhances the production of dunnage with a system which is an improvement over the process disclosed in the Dunnage Patents. Specifically, with the present invention a web in the form of a chain of interconnected pouches is provided. Each of the pouches is closed other than for a small fill opening in the form of a cut out in its face. Thus, the pouches contrast with bags slit across a top portion as is the case with the Dunnage Patents and the chains of bags taught in the Autobag Patent.
The use of small fill openings obviates a problem that exists with the approach taught by the Dunnage Patents. Specifically, if either the face or back of a bag as used in the Dunnage Patents is uneven, such as by wrinkling, a seal will not be fully hermetic and air will leak from the dunnage unit. With the pouches of the present invention consistent hermetic seals are produced and air leakage from dunnage units is avoided.
In producing dunnage with the improved chain of pouches, a bagging machine of the type disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,394,676 issued Mar. 7, 1995 to Bernard Lerner et al. under the title “Packaging Machine and Method” (the “Excel Patent”) is utilized. The machine is modified to provide an air nozzle which emits a continuous flow of air during a dunnage formation portion of a cycle. The continuous flow of air is directed at the small, preferably circular, opening of a pouch positioned at a fill station. The continuous air flow is from a nozzle having an outlet complementally contoured to the pouch opening and preferably aligned such that the axis of the constantly flowing air intersects the web slightly above an opening of a pouch being inflated. The intersection of the axis is at an obtuse angle as measured outwardly of the machine. The flow is diverted downwardly by the web to pass through the opening of the pouch being inflated.
Once the constant flow of air has inflated a pouch, the flow is continued until a heat sealer has closed on the inflated pouch to effect a seal closing the pouch in an inflated condition to trap the inflation air in the pouch. Thus, an hermetic closure is formed between front and back layers of the pouch such that the hermetic closure surrounds the space. The hermetic closure consists of side folds or seals and a bottom seal formed as the chain of pouches is produced and the closure seal effected after the bag has been inflated.
Accordingly, the objects of the invention are to provide a novel and improved chain of interconnected pouches, a process of producing dunnage units with those pouches and novel and improved dunnage units.
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Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
Gerrity Stephen F.
Tawfik Sam
Watts, Hoffmann, Fisher & Heinke Co. L.P.A.
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