Alexander R Provan

US Patent:

6347437, Feb 19, 2002

Filed:

Jan 17, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/761174

Inventors:

Alexander R. Provan - Canandaigua NY
Thomas L. Coomber - Palmyra NY
Ian J. Barclay - Marion NY
David V. Dobreski - Fairport NY
Toby R. Thomas - Pittsford NY

Assignee:

Pactiv Corporation - Lake Forest IL

International Classification:

A44B 1916

US Classification:

24400

Abstract:

A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags that includes a zipper and at least one slider. The zipper includes first and second opposing tracks. The first track has a first profile and the second track has a second profile. The first and second profiles are releasably engageable to each other. The first track has one or more spaced primary notches interrupting the first profile. At least one slider is inserted onto the first profile via a respective one of the primary notches. The slider is adapted to engage and disengage the first and second profiles in response to movement along the zipper. The second track may have one or more spaced primary notches interrupting the second profile. The spaced primary notches of the second track are generally aligned to respective ones of the primary notches of the first track. At least one slider is inserted onto the aligned pairs of primary notches via a respective one of the generally aligned notches.

US Patent:

6389780, May 21, 2002

Filed:

Aug 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/636471

Inventors:

Thomas L. Coomber - Palmyra NY
Alexander R. Provan - Canandaigua NY
Toby R. Thomas - Victor NY

Assignee:

Pactiv Corporation - Lake Forest IL

International Classification:

B65B 6118

US Classification:

53412, 531334, 531392

Abstract:

A machine and method for forming, filling and sealing bags includes a slitter for slitting a web of film into first and second web portions. a first folding board is included for folding the first web portion to a vertical position. a zipper track is fed adjacent to and sealed to the vertical first web portion by a first zipper sealer. a second folding board folds the second web portion to a position adjacent the first web portion and the zipper track is sealed to the second web portion by a second zipper sealer. another sealer forms side seals in the first and second web portions and the web portions are cut along the side seals to form individual bags.

US Patent:

6409384, Jun 25, 2002

Filed:

Aug 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/636195

Inventors:

Alexander R. Provan - Canandaigua NY
Thomas L. Coomber - Palmyra NY
Toby R. Thomas - Victor NY

Assignee:

Pactiv Corporation - Lake Forest IL

International Classification:

B65D 3334

US Classification:

383 5, 24429, 24431, 383 61, 383 64, 383204

Abstract:

A reclosable plastic bag comprises first and second opposing body panels, a zipper, a slider, and a grab tab. The opposing body panels are joined to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. The zipper extends along a mouth formed opposite the bottom. The slider is slidably mounted to the zipper for movement between a closed position and an open position. Movement of the slider is effectuated using a grab tab extending upward from the slider. In one embodiment, first and second upstanding panels extend upwardly from the respective first and second body panels and form a pocket containing the zipper and the slider. The grab tab on the slider extends upwardly toward or above an upper end of the pocket so as to be easily graspable.

US Patent:

6470551, Oct 29, 2002

Filed:

Aug 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/636421

Inventors:

Alexander R. Provan - Canandaigua NY
Thomas L. Coomber - Palmyra NY
Toby R. Thomas - Victor NY
Nathan A. Kolovich - Rochester NY

Assignee:

Pactiv Corporation - Lake Forest IL

International Classification:

B29D 500

US Classification:

29408, 24400, 383 37, 383 63

Abstract:

A slider-operated fastener comprises first and second opposing tracks including respective first and second interlocking profiles and respective first and second fins extending downward from the respective first and second profiles. The first and second fins are sealed to each other by a plurality of spaced preseals. After generating each preseal, a notch is formed in the profiles and upper portions of the fins at the generated preseal. To install a slider onto the fastener, the slider is initially positioned within the respective notch and then threaded onto the fastener in response to relative movement of the slider and the fastener. Either before or after the steps of forming each preseal and respective notch and installing the respective slider, the fastener is attached to a moving web of plastic film. The fastener-carrying web is later folded and sealed to form individual plastic bags. The preseals are advantageous in that they allow the fastener to be controlled during such downstream operations as notch formation and slider installation and when the fastener is tensioned by various rollers in the bag making machine.

US Patent:

6526726, Mar 4, 2003

Filed:

Aug 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/637037

Inventors:

Aaron L. Strand - Plymouth WI
Alexander R. Provan - Canandaigua NY
Thomas L. Coomber - Palmyra NY
Toby R. Thomas - Victor NY

Assignee:

Pactiv Corporation - Lake Forest IL

International Classification:

B65B 6118

US Classification:

53412, 531334, 29768, 493214, 493927, 156 66

Abstract:

A method of applying a slider to a fastener-carrying web of plastic film. The fastener includes interlockable profiles and fins depending from the respective profiles. One of the fins is attached to the web of plastic film such that the profiles are immediately adjacent to the web. The fastener is folded away from the web about the attached fin such that the profiles and proximate portions of the fins are oriented at an angle, preferably about 90 degrees, relative the web. Because the profiles and proximate fin portions are oriented at an angle relative to the web, they can be easily accessed and controlled for applying the slider to the profiles and performing other fastener-related operations.

US Patent:

6622353, Sep 23, 2003

Filed:

Sep 23, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/252650

Inventors:

Alexander R. Provan - Canandaigua NY
Thomas L. Coomber - Palmyra NY
Toby R. Thomas - Victor NY
Nathan A. Kolovich - Rochester NY

Assignee:

Pactiv Corporation - Lake Forest IL

International Classification:

A44B 104

US Classification:

2458512, 24399, 24400, 245851, 383 64

Abstract:

A slider-operated fastener comprises first and second opposing tracks including respective first and second interlocking profiles and respective first and second fins extending downward from the respective first and second profiles. The first and second fins are sealed to each other by a plurality of spaced preseals. After generating each preseal, a notch is formed in the profiles and upper portions of the fins at the generated preseal. To install a slider onto the fastener, the slider is initially positioned within the respective notch and then threaded onto the fastener in response to relative movement of the slider and the fastener. Either before or after the steps of forming each preseal and respective notch and installing the respective slider, the fastener is attached to a moving web of plastic film. The fastener-carrying web is later folded and sealed to form individual plastic bags. The preseals are advantageous in that they allow the fastener to be controlled during such downstream operations as notch formation and slider installation and when the fastener is tensioned by various rollers in the bag making machine.

US Patent:

6780146, Aug 24, 2004

Filed:

Sep 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/245080

Inventors:

Toby R. Thomas - Victor NY
Nathan A. Kolovich - Rochester NY
Craig E. Cappel - Pittsford NY
Timothy W. Pistner - Fairport NY
Alexander R. Provan - Canandaigua NY

Assignee:

Pactiv Corporation - Lake Forest IL

International Classification:

B31B 190

US Classification:

493213, 493394, 493927, 53412, 531334, 373 64

Abstract:

Methods are provided for making slider-operated fasteners for use in reclosable plastic bags using at least a double index and dual unit operations. The methods involve forming two preseals, forming two notches within the preseals, applying two sliders into the previously formed notches, and applying two end stops proximate the previously applied sliders by having the various stations perform their respective functions, either simultaneously or at generally the same time, on different parts of the fastener spaced approximately at a double index. Also provided are methods of producing finished bags by applying the slider-operated fastener to a flat web of plastic film and conveying the web to a vertical or a horizontal form-fill-seal machine.

US Patent:

6918234, Jul 19, 2005

Filed:

Feb 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/368125

Inventors:

Toby R. Thomas - Victor NY, US
Alexander R. Provan - Canandaigua NY, US
Craig E. Cappel - Pittsford NY, US
Larry E. Benedict - Palmyra NY, US
Gerald R. Winiecki - Suring WI, US

Assignee:

Pactiv Corporation - Lake Forest IL

International Classification:

B65B009/00

US Classification:

53450, 53412, 531334, 531392, 53562, 53455, 493213, 493214, 493927

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a process used for packaging a product in a web of material that has a zipper attached thereto. The process includes providing a web of material having first and second edges and a zipper including first and second interlocking members. The first and second interlocking members of the zipper are interlocked together. The first interlocking member of the zipper is attached to the web at an intermediate portion of the web between the first and second edges of the web. The second interlocking member has an attachment region that is facing away from the web. One edge of the web is folded away from the zipper and toward the other edge of the web. Unit operations are performed on the zipper to create zipper segments from the zipper while the zipper is exposed. Each of the zipper segments is associated with an individual food package made from the web.