US 12,006,082 B2
Packaging machine
Michael J. Riccardi, Chesterland, OH (US); Robert S. Galosi, Reminderville, OH (US); Lawrence Valenti, Broadview Heights, OH (US); Larry Chuba, Akron, OH (US); Donald P. Shook, Solon, OH (US); Robert L. Ferrante, Stow, OH (US); Jeffrey R. Imboden, Sagamore, OH (US); David Romo, Mentor, OH (US); and Mark David Stultz, Chagrin Falls, OH (US)
Assigned to Sealed Air Corporation (US), Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed by Automated Packaging Systems, LLC, Streetsboro, OH (US)
Filed on Jun. 3, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/337,999.
Application 16/458,690 is a division of application No. 15/056,425, filed on Feb. 29, 2016, granted, now 10,336,489, issued on Jul. 2, 2019.
Application 17/337,999 is a continuation of application No. 16/780,058, filed on Feb. 3, 2020, granted, now 11,040,793.
Application 16/780,058 is a continuation of application No. 16/458,690, filed on Jul. 1, 2019, granted, now 11,001,401, issued on May 11, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/156,381, filed on May 4, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2021/0284372 A1, Sep. 16, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B65B 43/26 (2006.01); B65B 5/04 (2006.01); B65B 7/02 (2006.01); B65B 51/14 (2006.01)
CPC B65B 43/267 (2013.01) [B65B 5/045 (2013.01); B65B 7/02 (2013.01); B65B 51/146 (2013.01)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for making packages, comprising:
an engagement device configured to engage an opening of a bag, the engagement device comprising:
first and second grippers configured to engage spaced-apart portions of a first section of the bag, and
third and fourth grippers configured to move relative to each other and to engage a second section of the bag; and
a sealing assembly configured to seal the opening of the bag;
wherein, after the first and second grippers engage the first section and the third and fourth grippers engage the second section, the first and second grippers are configured to move away from the third and fourth grippers to hold open the opening of the bag; and
wherein, after the opening of the bag is held open, the third and fourth grippers are configured to move away from each other to move first and second side edges of the bag away from each other to close the bag.