throbber
US008357439B2
`
`US008357439B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Wehrmann
`
`(io) Patent No.:
`
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,357,439 B2
`*Jan. 22, 2013
`
`(54) WEB AND METHOD FOR MAKING FLUID
`FILLED UNITS
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann, Hudson, OH
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.,
`Streetsboro, OH (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl.No.: 13/036,172
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Feb. 28, 2011
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 201 1/01 65352 A1
`
`Jul. 7, 2011
`
`2,153,214 A
`3,033,257 A
`3,254,820 A
`3,254,828 A
`3,298,156 A
`3,358,823 A
`3,359,703 A
`3,389,534 A
`3,414,140 A
`3,462,027 A
`3,477,196 A
`3,523,055 A
`3,575,757 A
`3,575,781 A
`3,577,305 A
`
`4/1939 Tondrean
`5/1962 Weber
`6/1966 Lerner
`6/1966 Lerner
`1/1967 Lerner
`12/1967 Paxton
`12/1967 Quaadgras
`6/1968 Pendleton
`12/1968 Feldkamp
`8/1969 Puckhaber
`11/1969 Lerner
`8/1970 Lemelson
`4/1971 Smith
`4/1971 Pezely
`5/1971 Hinesetal.
`
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`CA
`EP
`
`2428246
`1466720
`
`9/2002
`10/2004
`
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/299,933 dated Jun. 14, 2010.
`
`(62) Division of application No. 1 1/594,539, filed on Nov.
`
`(Continued)
`
`8, 2006, now Pat. No. 7,897,220, which is a division of
`application No. 11/141,304, filed on May 31, 2005,
`now Pat. No. 7,757,459.
`
`Primary Examiner — Marc Patterson
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Calfee, Halter & Griswold,
`LLP
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/576,004, filed on Jun.
`
`1, 2004, provisional application No. 60/592,812, filed
`on Jul. 30, 2004.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. CI.
`B32B 1/02
`B32B 1/08
`
`(52) U.S. CI.
`
`...
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`428/35.2; 428/34.1; 428/34.2;
`428/35.7; 428/35.9; 428/36.9
`
`428/34.1,
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`428/34.2,35.7,35.9,36.9, 35.2
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A preformed web and a method of producing dunnage units
`from the preformed web. The web is an elongate flattened
`thermoplastic tube having an inflation edge and an opposite
`edge. The tube includes spaced transverse seals that define
`sides of pouches. In one embodiment, the web is configured
`such that a gap forms between each pair of adjacent pouches
`when the pouches are inflated. In one embodiment, an infla
`tion edge of the web comprises a frangible connection that
`allows the inflation edge to be broken by an unsharpened
`object.
`
`20 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`42
`
`i
`
`12'
`
`28
`
`,12'
`
`i
`
`26
`
`4
`
`1 1
`
`J
`
`22-
`
`-22
`
`Xi
`
`13
`
`43a
`
`43b
`
`44
`
`¦24
`
`Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 2002
`Page 001
`IPR2016-00446
`
`

`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,616,155 A
`3,618,286 A
`3,650,877 A
`3,660,189 A
`3,667,593 A
`3,730,240 A
`3,744,211 A
`3,791,573 A
`3,795,163 A
`3,802,974 A
`3,808,981 A
`3,813,845 A
`3,817,803 A
`3.837.990 A
`3.837.991 A
`3,855,037 A
`3,938,298 A
`3,939,991 A
`3,939,995 A
`3,941,306 A
`4,014,154 A
`4,017,351 A
`4,021,283 A
`4,040,526 A
`4,044,693 A
`4,076,872 A
`4,096,306 A
`4,102,364 A
`4.103.471 A
`4,146,069 A
`4.169.002 A
`4,201,029 A
`4,245,796 A
`4.306.656 A
`4,314,865 A
`4,354,004 A
`4,493,684 A
`4,518,654 A
`4,545,180 A
`4,564,407 A
`4,576,669 A
`4,597,244 A
`4.616.472 A
`4,619,635 A
`4,631,901 A
`4,664,577 A
`4,676,376 A
`4,787,755 A
`4,793,123 A
`4,847,126 A
`4,874,093 A
`4,904,092 A
`4,918,904 A
`4,922,687 A
`4,931,033 A
`4,945,714 A
`5,041,317 A
`5.070.675 A
`5.094.657 A
`5,117,608 A
`5,141,494 A
`5,181,614 A
`5,188,691 A
`5,203,761 A
`5,210,993 A
`5,216,868 A
`5,257,492 A
`5,272,856 A
`5,289,671 A
`5,307,969 A
`5,340,632 A
`5,351,828 A
`5,383,837 A
`5.394.676 A
`5,454,642 A
`5,468,525 A
`5,470,300 A
`5.552.003 A
`
`10/1971 Chavannes
`11/1971 Membrino
`3/1972 Johnson
`5/1972 Troy
`6/1972 Pendleton
`5/1973 Presnick
`7/1973 Titchenal et al.
`2/ 1974 Titchenal et al.
`3/ 1974 Armstrong et al.
`4/1974 Emmel
`5/1974 Shaw
`6/1974 Weikert
`6/1974 Horsley
`9/1974 McConnell et al.
`9/1974 Evans etal.
`12/ 1974 Imhagen et al.
`2/1976 Luhman et al.
`2/1976 Evans
`2/1976 Baxter
`3/1976 Weikert
`3/1977 Lerner
`4/1977 Larson
`5/1977 Weikert
`8/1977 Baxter etal.
`8/1977 Ramsey, Jr.
`2/1978 Lewicki et al.
`6/1978 Larson
`7/1978 Lowdermilk
`8/1978 Lowdermilk
`3/1979 Angarola et al.
`9/1979 Larson
`5/1980 Lerner
`1/1981 Eglinton
`12/1981 Dahlem
`2/1982 Ottaviano
`10/1982 Hughes etal.
`1/1985 Bolton
`5/1985 Eichbauer
`10/1985 Chung etal.
`1/1986 Tsurata
`3/1986 Caputo
`7/1986 Pharo
`10/ 1986 Owensby et al.
`10/1986 Ottaviano
`12/1986 Chung etal.
`5/1987 Bonali
`6/1987 Kerswetter
`11/1988 Branson
`12/1988 Pharo
`7/1989 Yamashiro et al.
`10/1989 Pharo
`2/1990 Campbell et al.
`4/1990 Pharo
`5/1990 Chow etal.
`6/1990 Leeds
`8/1990 Bodolayetal.
`8/1991 Greyvenstein
`12/1991 Chuan-Shiang
`3/ 1992 Dworak et al.
`6/1992 Nease et al.
`8/ 1992 Danforth et al.
`1/1993 Watts
`2/1993 Caputo
`4/1993 Reichental et al.
`5/1993 van Boxtel
`6/1993 Cooper etal.
`11/1993 Watts
`12/1993 Pharo
`3/1994 Lerner
`5/1994 Menendez
`8/1994 Chappuis
`10/ 1994 Becker et al.
`1/1995 Watts
`3/1995 Lerner
`10/1995 DeLuca
`11/1995 Watts
`11/1995 Terranova
`91 1996 Hoover et al.
`
`US 8,357,439 B2
`Page 2
`
`5,651,237 A
`5,693,163 A
`5,699,653 A
`5.722.218 A
`5,733,045 A
`5,755,328 A
`5,810,200 A
`5,824,392 A
`5,921,390 A
`RE36,501 E
`6,015,047 A
`6,015,357 A
`RE36,759 E
`6,116,000 A
`6,199,349 B1
`6,209,286 B1
`6,213,167 B1
`6,282,716 B1
`6,367,975 B1
`6,410,119 B1
`6,447,864 B2
`6,460,313 B1
`6,488,222 B1
`6,499,278 B2
`6,519,916 B1
`6,527,147 B2
`6,550,229 B2
`6,565,946 B2
`6,582,800 B2
`6,625,956 B1
`D480,646 S
`D480,971 S
`6,635,145 B2
`6,651,406 B2 *
`6,659,150 B1
`6,672,037 B2
`6,696,127 B1
`D490,711 S
`6,751,926 B1
`6,761,960 B2
`6,786,022 B2
`6,889,739 B2
`6,948,296 B1
`6,952,910 B1
`6,955,846 B2
`D5 12,3 11 S
`D513,182 S
`7,125,463 B2
`7,165,375 B2
`7,223,462 B2
`7,513,090 B2
`7,533,772 B2
`7,550,191 B2
`D596,031 S
`7,571,584 B2
`D599,l 18 S
`D603,705 S
`7,718,028 B2
`7,757,459 B2
`7,767,288 B2
`D630,945 S
`7.897.219 B2
`7.897.220 B2
`8,038,348 B2
`2001/0000719 Al
`2001/0013215 Al
`2001/0014980 Al
`2002/0108697 Al
`2002/0155246 Al
`2002/0174629 Al
`2003/0089082 Al
`2003/0109369 Al
`2004/0265523 Al
`2005/0266189 Al
`2006/0042191 Al
`2006/0086064 Al
`2006/0090421 Al
`
`7/1997 DeLuca
`12/1997 Hoover etal.
`12/1997 Hartman et al.
`3/1998 Lerner
`3/1998 Jostleretal.
`5/1998 DeLuca
`9/1998 Trokhan
`10/1998 Gotoh et al.
`7/1999 Simhaee
`1/2000 Hoover et al.
`1/2000 Greenland
`1/2000 Ricca
`7/2000 Hoover et al.
`9/2000 Perkins et al.
`3/2001 Lerner
`4/2001 Perkins etal.
`4/2001 Greenland
`9/2001 Patterson et al.
`4/2002 Cronauer et al.
`6/2002 DeLuca et al.
`9/2002 Johnson et al.
`10/2002 Cooper
`12/2002 West etal.
`12/2002 Cronauer et al.
`2/2003 Brown
`3/2003 Wehrmann
`4/2003 Sperry et al.
`5/2003 Perkins et al.
`6/2003 Fuss et al.
`9/2003 Soudan
`10/2003 Borchard et al.
`10/2003 DeLuca et al.
`10/2003 Cooper
`1 1/2003 Sperry et al (cid:9)
`12/2003 Perkins etal.
`1/2004 Wehrmann
`2/2004 Mitchell, Jr.
`6/2004 DeLuca et al.
`6/2004 Cooper
`7/2004 DeLuca et al.
`9/2004 Fuss et al.
`5/2005 Lerner et al.
`9/2005 Lerner et al.
`10/2005 Lorsch
`10/2005 Lerner
`12/2005 DeLuca et al.
`12/2005 DeLuca et al.
`10/2006 Lerner etal.
`1/2007 O'Dowd
`5/2007 Perkins et al.
`4/2009 Wehrmann
`5/2009 Yoshilusa et al.
`6/2009 Lerner
`7/2009 Wehrmann
`8/2009 Lerner
`9/2009 Perkins et al.
`1 1/2009 Wehrmann
`5/2010 Lerner etal.
`7/2010 Wehrmann
`8/2010 Lerner
`1/2011 Wehrmann
`3/2011 Wehrmann
`3/2011 Wehrmann
`10/2011 Lerner
`5/2001 Lerner
`8/2001 Fuss et al.
`8/2001 Patterson et al.
`8/2002 Perkins et al.
`10/2002 Johnson et al.
`1 1/2002 Cronauer et al.
`5/2003 Fuss et al.
`6/2003 Lerner et al.
`12/2004 Koyanagi et al.
`12/2005 Wehrmann
`3/2006 Lerner
`4/2006 Wehrmann
`5/2006 Sperry
`
`53/403
`
`Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 2002
`Page 002
`IPR2016-00446
`
`

`
`US 8,357,439 B2
`Page 3
`
`2007/0054074 A1
`2007/0054075 A1
`2009/0110864 A1
`
`3/2007 Wehrmann
`3/2007 Wehrmann
`4/2009 Wehrmann
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`GB
`WO
`WO
`WO
`WO
`WO
`WO
`WO
`WO
`
`2384459
`9746453
`0071423
`0153153
`0185434
`0226589
`2005118408
`2007070240
`2009058749
`
`7/2007
`12/1997
`11/2000
`7/2001
`11/2001
`4/2002
`12/2005
`6/2007
`5/2009
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Response from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/299,933 dated Oct. 14, 2010.
`
`Notice of Allowance from U.S. Appl. No. 11/299,933 dated Dec. 28,
`
`2010.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/496,654 dated Apr. 1, 2009.
`
`Response from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/496,654 dated Jun. 26, 2009.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/496,654 dated Aug. 11, 2009.
`
`Amendment from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/496,654 dated Dec. 11, 2009.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/496,654 dated Jan. 13, 2010.
`Amendment from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/496,654 dated Jun. 14, 2010.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/496,654 dated Jun. 28, 2010.
`Pre- Appeal Brief Request and Notice of Appeal from U.S. Appl. No.
`11/496,654 dated Nov. 29, 2010.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 11/496,645 dated Aug. 31, 2009.
`Response from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/496,645 dated Nov. 30, 2009.
`Notice of Allowance from U.S. Appl. No. 11/496,645 dated Jan. 4,
`2010.
`Notice of Allowance from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/496,645 dated Feb. 26,
`2010.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/594,539 dated Apr. 19, 2010.
`Response from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/594,539 dated Jul. 19, 2010.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/594,539 dated Sep. 30, 2010.
`Interview Summary from U.S. Appl. No. 11/594,539 dated Dec. 15,
`2010.
`Notice of Allowance from U.S. Appl. No. 11/594,539 dated Jan. 7,
`2011.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/594,540 dated Sep. 3, 2010.
`Response from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/594,540 dated Dec. 3, 2010.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/594,540 dated Feb. 3, 201 1.
`Notice of Allowance from U.S. Appl. No. 29/332,921 dated Aug. 11,
`2009.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 12/409,026 dated Feb. 4, 2010.
`Response from U.S. Appl. No. 12/409,026 dated May 3, 2010.
`Notice of Allowance from U.S. Appl. No. 12/409,026 dated Jun. 17,
`2010.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 12/818,318 dated Dec. 10,2010.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 12/507,220 dated Oct. 22, 2009.
`Response to Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 12/507,220 dated Apr.
`16, 2010.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 12/507,220 dated May 6, 2010.
`Response from U.S. Appl. No. 12/507,220 dated Aug. 5, 2010.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 12/507,220 dated Aug. 12, 2010.
`Amendment from U.S. Appl. No. 12/507,220 dated Dec. 13, 2010.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 12/507,220 dated Jan. 28, 2011.
`Notice of allowance from U.S. Appl. No. 29/346,902 dated Sep. 9,
`2010.
`One page drawing, Briggs Bag 1 , illustrates a web ofpre-formed bags
`sold by Applicant for use in Applicant' s SP machines more than one
`year prior to the priority date of the present application, Operation of
`Applicant's SP machines is disclosed by U.S. Patent Nos. 4,969,310;
`5,743,070; 5,944,424; 5,722,218; and 6,035,61 1.
`One page drawing Goody Bag 1 , illustrates a web of pre-formed bags
`sold by Applicant for use in Applicant' s SP machines more than one
`year prior to the priority of the present application. Operation of
`Applicant's SP machines is disclosed by U.S. Patent Nos. 4,969,310;
`5,743,070; 5944,424; 5,722,218; and 6,035,611.
`Response from U.S. Appl. No. 11/496,654 dated May 31, 2011.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 12/394,781 dated Jun. 10, 201 1.
`
`Response from U.S. Appl. No. 12/818,318 dated Jun. 10, 2011.
`Notice of Allowance from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/496,654 dated Jun. 20,
`2011.
`Response from U.S. Appl. No. 11/594,540 dated Jul. 5, 201 1.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/594,540 dated Jul. 22, 2011.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 12/818,318 dated Jul. 29, 2011.
`Communication from European Application No. 04252036.1 dated
`Jul. 19,2011.
`SearchReportfromEuropeanApplicationNo. 05755434.7 dated Jul.
`22, 2011.
`International Search Report and Written Opinion from PCT/US05/
`18817 dated Mar. 30, 2007.
`International Search Report and Written Opinion from PCT/US06/
`45447, dated Feb. 22,2007.
`International Search Report and Written Opinion from PCT/US08/
`81410 dated Mar. 31, 2009.
`International Search Report and Written Opinion from PCT/US09/
`38344 dated Dec. 22, 2009.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 10/408,946 dated Jun. 7, 2004.
`Amendment from U.S. Appl. No. 10/408,946 dated Sep. 23, 2004.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 10/408,946 dated Jan. 6, 2005.
`Interview Summary from U.S. Appl. No. 10/408,946 dated Mar. 4,
`2005.
`Response from U.S. Appl. No. 10/408,946 dated Mar. 10, 2005.
`Notice of Allowance from U.S. Appl. No. 10/408,946 dated Apr. 25,
`2005.
`Notice of Allowance from U.S. Appl. No. 10/408,947 dated Dec. 21,
`2004.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/1 1 1, 164 dated Apr. 27, 2006.
`Response from U.S. Appl. No. 11/1 1 1,164 dated Jul. 17,2006.
`Notice of Allowance from U.S. Appl. No. 11/111,164 dated Aug. 23,
`2006.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/141,304 dated Nov. 7, 2008.
`Amendment from U.S. Appl. No. 11/141,304 dated Jan. 20, 2009.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 11/141,304 dated Apr. 28, 2009.
`Amendment from U.S. Appl. No. 11/141,304 dated Jun. 24, 2009.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 11/141,304 dated Aug. 7, 2009.
`Amendment from U.S. Appl. No. 11/141,304 dated Jan. 7, 2010.
`Notice of Allowance from U.S. Appl. No. 11/141,304 dated Mar. 31,
`2010.
`Office action (Restriction) from U.S. Appl. No. 11/194,375 dated
`Nov. 13, 2006.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/194,375 dated Feb. 6, 2007.
`Amendment from U.S. Appl. No. 11/194,375 dated May 4, 2007.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 11/194,375 dated Aug. 21, 2007.
`Amendment from U.S. Appl. No. 11/194,375 dated Oct. 2, 2007.
`Advisory action from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/194,375 dated Oct. 9, 2007.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/194,375 dated Nov. 20, 2007.
`Amendment from U.S. Appl. No. 11/194,375 dated Feb. 29, 2008.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/194,375 dated Jun. 2, 2008.
`Amendment from U.S. Appl. No. 11/194,375 dated Aug. 4, 2008.
`Advisory action from U.S. Appl. No. 11/194,375 dated Aug. 12,
`2008.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 11/194,375 dated Sep. 19, 2008.
`Amendment from U.S. Appl. No. 11/194,375 dated Dec. 19, 2008.
`Notice of Allowance from U.S. Appl. No. 11/194,375 dated Apr. 10,
`2009.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/252,365 dated Jan. 31, 2008.
`Amendment from U.S. Appl. No. 11/252,365 dated Mar. 18, 2008.
`Notice of Allowance from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/252,365, dated Feb. 27,
`2009.
`Amendment after Allowance from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/252,365 dated
`Mar. 4, 2009.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/299,933 dated Mar. 19, 2008.
`Response from U.S. Appl. No. 11/299,933 dated Jun. 3, 2008.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/299,933 dated Sep. 16, 2008.
`Response from U.S. Appl. No. 11/299,933 dated Nov. 17,2008.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/299,933 dated Dec. 18, 2008.
`Amendment from U.S. Appl. No. 11/299,933 dated Mar. 6, 2009.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/299,933 dated Jun. 12, 2009.
`Response to Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 11/299,933 dated Dec.
`9, 2009.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/299,933 dated Dec. 31, 2009.
`Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 2002
`Page 003
`IPR2016-00446
`
`

`
`US 8,357,439 B2
`Page 4
`
`Response from U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/299,933 dated Mar. 30, 2010.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 12/259,419 dated Sep. 16, 2011.
`Response from U.S. Appl. No. 12/394,781 dated Oct. 10, 201 1.
`Final Office Action from U.S. Appl. No. 11/594,540 dated Mar. 5,
`2012.
`Office action from U.S. Appl. No. 12/818,318 dated Mar. 8, 2012.
`Response to Examiner's Report for Canadian Appl. No. 2,569,049
`dated Apr. 11, 2012.
`Communication from EP Application No. 05755434.7 datedApr. 11,
`2012.
`Response to Communication from EP Application No. 05755434.7
`dated Aug. 3, 2012.
`Notice of Allowance and Fees due for U.S. Appl. No. 12/259,419
`dated Sep. 24, 2012.
`Response to Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/594,540 dated Oct.
`15, 2012.
`
`Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 12/818,318 dated Aug. 8, 2012.
`International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US12/
`45718 dated Oct. 22,2012.
`Response from U.S. Appl. No. 11/594,540 dated Dec. 15, 201E
`Amendment in Response to Non-Final Office Action in U.S. Appl.
`No. 12/259,419 dated Dec. 7, 201E
`Office action from US U.S. Appl. No. 12/259,419 dated Jan. 18,
`2012.
`Final Office Action from U.S. Appl. No. 12/394,781 dated Feb. 15,
`2012.
`Response to Final Office Action from U.S. Appl. No. 12/818,318
`dated Dec. 29, 201E
`Response from European Application No. 04252036.1 dated Nov.
`15, 201 E
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 2002
`Page 004
`IPR2016-00446
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 22, 2013
`
`Sheet 1 of 7
`
`US 8,357,439 B2
`
`CM
`
`CM
`CM
`
`CM
`
`j*
`
`oo
`CM
`
`A.
`
`if
`
`Ol
`
`CM
`
`OO
`
`C
`
`K..
`
`mmtD
`
`"V '
`
`d*
`ILL
`
`Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 2002
`Page 005
`IPR2016-00446
`
`oC
`
`M
`
`J
`
`f
`
`...
`
`CO
`CM
`
`CM
`CM
`
`4.
`
`-
`
`00
`CM
`
`CM
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 22, 2013
`
`Sheet 2 of 7
`
`US 8,357,439 B2
`
`CM
`
`tN
`CM
`
`f
`
`S J r
`
`oo
`CM
`
`A.
`
`,
`
`!
`
`a
`
`CM
`OJ# Vr
`LL
`
`CM
`CM
`
`V
`
`rf~\
`
`l£>
`CM
`
`±~f~~t
`M-
`!
`CM
`
`00
`CM
`
`Automated Packaging Systems,
`Inc.
`Exhibit 2002
`Page 006
`IPR2016-00446
`
`oJ
`
`m-
`
`<N
`
`oi
`
`CM
`
`00
`
`]
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 22, 2013
`
`Sheet 3 of 7
`
`US 8,357,439 B2
`
`12'
`
`28
`
`12'
`
`11
`
`26 J
`
`43a
`
`43b
`
`44
`
`24
`
`38
`
`i i
`
`i i
`
`>
`
`-22
`
`40
`
`JLfl"
`
`2 i
`
`i
`
`IPERF
`
`i> ¦—-28
`
`29
`
`s
`
`22—
`
`PERF
`
`42
`
`22-
`
`13
`
`18
`/
`
`26"
`
`29
`
`Fig.3
`
`Fig.4
`
`SEAL
`
`31
`
`SEAL
`
`10"
`
`26—i
`
`30
`

`
`PERF
`
`PERF
`
`24
`
`\2
`
`0
`
`18
`L
`
`—31
`
`3
`
`cur
`
`28-
`
`22'
`
`PERF
`
`PERF
`
`32
`
`*—-22
`
`PERF
`
`24vj
`
`10'"
`
`:
`
`387f
`
`36v *
`
`CUT
`
`/
`
`CUT
`
`40-
`
`mm
`
`Fig.5
`
`22'-
`
`18
`I
`
`\2
`
`0
`
`Ffg.6
`
`PERF=
`
`1
`T
`
`26—i
`
`36
`
`24
`
`-28
`
`SEAL
`
`Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 2002
`Page 007
`IPR2016-00446
`
`(cid:9)
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 22, 2013
`
`Sheet 4 of 7
`
`US 8,357,439 B2
`
`I I
`
`I i j
`
`:t
`
`M-
`! m
`
`f
`J-(cid:9)
`
`<r-"
`"(0
`
`-r-
`
`"
`
`=R
`
`M-
`CM
`
`<I
`
`N9
`.SP
`LL
`
`••
`
`.
`
`'
`
`00
`T—
`
`J
`
`CO
`N
`
`1 £
`
`CD
`
`CM
`CM
`
`Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 2002
`Page 008
`IPR2016-00446
`
`o
`
`\
`
`r
`
`<
`
`oC
`
`M
`
`O
`in
`
`ID
`mN
`
`y
`
`CM
`
`cm
`
`oo
`CM
`
`CM
`
`O
`00
`
`COWlf
`
`X
`
`AXX
`
`X
`
`XXXX
`
`CO
`
`oC
`
`D
`
`CD
`
`CM
`CD
`
`\
`
`o
`
`-sh
`CO
`
`=rS (cid:9)

`
`CO
`CD
`
`00
`CO
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 22, 2013
`
`Sheet 5 of 7
`
`US 8,357,439 B2
`
`Automated Packaging Systems,
`Inc.
`Exhibit 2002
`Page 009
`IPR2016-00446
`
`M-
`in
`
`I
`
`;i
`

`
`y:T
`
`M"
`CM
`
`xt
`mf
`
`t
`
`O)
`LL
`
`•i-
`
`CM
`CM
`
`00
`
`J
`
`to
`
`o-
`
`Si
`X
`
`<
`
`o
`CM
`
`r
`
`o
`If)
`
`ACO
`
`CM c
`
`X
`
`CO
`(N
`
`CO
`
`O
`CO
`
`00
`in
`
`cd c—rjr~^)
`
`00
`CM
`
`CO
`
`co
`
`0
`
`CM
`CO
`
`o
`
`M-
`co
`
`CO
`CO
`
`CO
`CO
`
`CM
`co
`
`X
`x
`X
`o
`^Kco
`\ X
`
`XX
`
`X
`X
`
`XXXX
`
`zr x (cid:9)

`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 22, 2013
`
`Sheet 6 of 7
`
`US 8,357,439 B2
`
`M"
`in
`
`CM
`in
`
`o
`
`V <
`
`o
`eg
`
`M-
`
`AinvV m co
`
`_
`CO
`
`v
`
`y
`
`o
`co
`
`CM
`

`
`/
`
`01
`
`T
`
`¦ M"
`-j" 5
`
`M-
`CO
`
`o
`00
`I
`Vo
`
`i
`
`CM
`
`CM
`
`mI
`
`?i
`
`T
`
`i
`
`i
`
`1
`
`i
`
`\
`1
`
`o
`^ i
`
`CO. I
`(Of
`
`i
`
`i
`
`I
`
`o
`
`r
`
`1
`CO
`— j^-CO
`
`o
`
`M-
`in
`
`<
`
`o
`CM
`
`M"
`
`m
`
`o
`co
`
`t
`
`CM
`
`CO
`
`1
`/
`
`co
`in
`
`M-
`CO
`
`o
`00
`O V
`
`CM
`
`\
`
`o
`
`i
`
`i
`
`CO. I
`co
`
`e
`
`I
`
`i
`
`i
`
`I
`
`i
`««4»
`~-|"5
`
`i
`
`! o
`
`r
`

`CO
`-— |——to
`
`i
`
`<
`00
`.05
`LL
`
`i
`
`i
`
`LD
`00
`oD5
`LL
`
`00
`CO
`
`Jk "
`
`co
`co
`
`co
`
`Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 2002
`Page 010
`IPR2016-00446
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 22, 2013
`
`Sheet 7 of 7
`
`US 8,357,439 B2
`
`Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 2002
`Page 011
`IPR2016-00446
`
`o>
`
`LL
`
`CN
`<N
`
`N-
`CN
`
`1
`
`CO
`<N
`
`00
`K)
`
`CO
`
`o
`N-
`
`00
`*—
`
`J
`
`7
`
`t
`
`\C
`
`O
`CN
`
`O\
`
`O
`
`<
`
`CO
`
`^\j
`
`CD
`
`n Ai
`
`o>
`in
`
`>£
`
`cN
`
`1 CO
`
`o
`
`ro
`
`CN
`N"
`
`5
`
`\
`
`rCN
`
`CN
`
`

`
`1
`WEB AND METHOD FOR MAKING FLUID
`FILLED UNITS
`
`US 8,357,439 B2
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`5
`
`The present application is a divisional application of U.S.
`Ser. No. 1 1/594,539, filed on Nov. 8, 2006, entitled "Web and
`Method for Making Fluid Filled Units", which is a divisional
`application of U.S. Ser. No. 1 1/141,304, filed May 31, 2005
`entitled "Web and Method for Making Fluid Filled Units",
`which claims priority from provisional patent application Ser.
`Nos. 60/576,004, entitled "Web for Fluid Filled Unit Forma
`tion," filed on Jun. 1 , 2004, and provisional patent application
`Ser. No. 60/592,812, entitled "Air Pouch Machine," filed on
`Jul. 30, 2004, all of which are incorporated herein by refer
`ence in their entirety.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`2
`and applies forces on one or both of the dunnage units, which
`are connected only by the spaced apart lines of perforations.
`As the spaced apart lines of perforations rupture or otherwise
`separate the adjacent dunnage units are separated.
`In one embodiment, an inflated volume is maintained in
`each air pouch by blowing air into an inflation opening of
`each pouch until substantially the entire inflation opening of
`the pouch is sealed. In one embodiment, the inflation opening
`is closed at a closing location located along the web path of
`travel . Air is provided into each pouch from a position slightly
`upstream of the closing location to maintain inflation of the
`pouch until it is sealed. For example, the inflation is main
`tained by blowing air into the inflation opening until the a
`trailing transverse seal of the pouch is within 0.250 inches of
`the closing position.
`In one embodiment, inflated dunnage unit arrays comprise
`a single row of interconnected inflated pouches. The pouches
`are defined by first and second layers connected together at an
`The present application relates to fluid filled units andmore 20 inflation edge, an opposite edge seal, and by a pair of seals
`that are generally transverse to the inflation edge and the
`particularly to plastic webs of interconnected pouches and to
`opposite edge. Each pair of adjacent inflated pouches are
`processes of converting interconnected pouches to fluid filled
`connected by an inflation edge line of perforations that
`units.
`extends inward and generally perpendicular to the inflation
`25 edge and an opposite edge line of perforations that extends
`inward and generally perpendicular to the opposite edge. The
`inflation edge line of perforations and the opposite edge line
`Machines for forming and filling dunnage units from
`of perforations are spaced apart by a gap that allows a worker
`sheets of plastic are known. Machines which produce dun-
`to insert an object5 such as a hand5 to easily separate the pair
`nage units by inflating preformed pouches in a preformed
`web are also known. For many applications, machines which 30 oP adjacerd inflated dunnage units
`utilize preformed webs are preferred.
`Typically, the entire length of sides of adjacent dunnage
`units formed from a preformed web are connected by perfo
`rations. To separate adjacent units, a worker grasps an edge of
`one unit with one hand, grasps an edge of an adjacent unit 35
`with the other hand, and carefully tears the dunnage units
`apart to separate the adjacent dunnage units.
`
`In one embodiment, a web for forming dunnage units com
`prises a first elongated layer and a second elongated layer
`superposed over the first elongated layer. The first and second
`layers are connected by a frangible connection that extends
`along an inflation edge and a hermetic seal that extends along
`an opposite edge. The frangible connection at the inflation
`edge is configured to break when engaged by a blunt surface.
`A plurality of transverse seals extend from the hermetic seal
`40 to within a predetermined distance from the frangible con
`nection. The hermetic seal and said transverse seals form a
`The present invention relates to plastic webs of intercon
`plurality of inflatable pouches.
`nected pouches and processes of converting interconnected
`pouches to at least one row of dunnage units. In one embodi
`Further advantages and benefits will become apparent to
`ment, upon inflation of the pouches, a gap develops between
`those skilled in the art after considering the following descrip-
`each pair of adjacent fluid filled pouches. This gap remains 45 tion and appended claims in conjunction with the accompa-
`after the fluid filled pouches are converted to dunnage units.
`The gap between each pair ofdunnage units makes separating
`adjacent pouches easier and more efficient than with existing
`interconnected arrays of dunnage units.
`In one embodiment, dunnage units are formed from a pre- 50
`formed flattened tubular web that
`includes a plurality of
`pouches defined by a plurality oftransverse seals . As pouches
`are inflated, a gap forming area between adjacent pouches
`ruptures or otherwise separates. A gap is formed between
`newly formed and adjacent dunnage units. In one embodi- 55
`ment, the gap runs between an inflation edge line of perfora
`tions and a spaced apart opposite edge line of perforations.
`Pouches are converted to dunnage units by inflating the pouch
`with a fluid, substantially maintaining the inflated volume of
`the pouch, and hermetically sealing an inflated pouch.
`The gap between the inflation edge line of perforations and
`the spaced apart opposite edge line of perforations makes
`separating the dunnage units much simpler and easier than
`separating dunnage units that are connected by a continuous
`line of un-ruptured perforations. In the present invention, to 65
`separate adjacent dunnage units, a worker simply inserts a
`hand or hands into the gap between adjacent dunnage units
`
`SUMMARY
`
`nying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`g0
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates a web for making fluid filled units;
`FIG. 2 illustrates a web for making fluid filled units;
`FIG. 3 illustrates a web with pouches inflated and sealed to
`form fluid filled units;
`FIG. 4 illustrates a web for making fluid filled units;
`FIG. 5 illustrates a web for making fluid filled units;
`FIG. 6 illustrates a web for making fluid filled units;
`FIG. 7A schematically illustrates a plan view of a process
`and machine for converting web pouches to fluid filled units;
`FIG. 7B schematically illustrates a plan view of a process
`and machine for converting web pouches to fluid filled units;
`FIG. 8A schematically illustrates an elevational view ofthe
`process and machine for converting web pouches to fluid
`filled units;
`FIG. 8B schematically illustrates a an elevational view of
`the process and machine for converting web pouches to fluid
`filled units; and
`Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
`Exhibit 2002
`Page 012
`IPR2016-00446
`
`

`
`US 8,357,439 B2
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`5
`
`3
`FIG. 9 illustrates a process for converting web pouches to
`fluid filled units.
`
`4
`leaving one side open to allow for inflation. Once the pouch is
`inflated, the inflation opening is hermetically sealed and the
`dunnage unit is formed. During the inflation process, as the
`volume of the pouch increases the sides of the pouch have a
`tendency to draw inward. Drawing the sides of the pouches
`inward will shorten the length ofthe sides ofthe pouch unless
`Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, exemplary illustrations ofwebs
`the sides of the pouch are constrained. In this application, the
`10 of inflatable pouches 12 are shown. The webs 10 includes
`term foreshortening refers to the tendency of the length of a
`a top elongated layer of plastic 14 superposed onto a bottom
`pouch side to shorten as the pouch is inflated. In prior art
`layer of plastic 16. The layers are connected together along
`spaced edges, referred to as the inflation edge 18 and the 10 webs, the sides of the pouch are restrained, because sides of
`opposite edge 20. In the example illustrated by FIG. 1, each
`adjacent pouches are connected by lines of perforations that
`edge 18, 20 is either a fold or a seal that connects the super
`extend along the entire length of the pouches and remain
`posed layers 14, 16 along the edges 18, 20. The connection at
`intact during and after inflation. The foreshortening of the
`the opposite edge 20 is illustrated as a hermetic seal and the
`unrestrained sides, such as the inflation opening, may not be
`connection at the inflation edge 18 is illustrated as a fold in 15 uniform. Restraining the sides of adjacent connected pouches
`FIG. 1. However, the fold and the seal could be reversed or
`can cause undesirable inflation induced stresses. These unde
`both of the connections could be seals in the FIG. 1 embodi-
`sirable stresses caused because sides of adjacent pouches are
`ment. In the example illustrated by FIG. 2, the inflation edge
`connected and restrained, thus, limiting inflation and causing
`wrinkles to develop in the layers at the unrestrained inflation
`18 comprises a frangible connection 21 and the opposite edge
`20 is a hermetic seal. The illustrated frangible connection 21 20 opening. The wrinkles can extend into a section of the infla-
`tion opening to be sealed to complete the dunnage unit, which
`is a line of perforations. The size of the perforations is exag
`may comprise the seal. One reason the seal can be compro
`gerated to clarify FIG. 2. The frangible connection 21 maybe
`mised is that wrinkling can cause sections ofthe layers 14, 16
`formed by folding the inflation edge 18 and pulling the infla
`to fold on top of one another. A sealing station of a dunnage
`tion edge over a serration forming wheel (not shown).
`Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of longitudinally 25 machine is typically set to apply the appropriate amount of
`heat to seal two layers of material. The sealing of multiple
`spaced, transverse seals 22 join the top and bottom layers 14,
`layers of material in the area of a wrinkle results in a seal that
`16. Generally, each transverse seal 22 extends from the oppo
`is weaker than remaining seal areas and may result in a small
`site edge 20 to within a short distance ofthe inflation edge 18.
`leak or tendency to rupture at loads lower than loads at which
`Spaced pairs oflines ofperforations 24, 26 extend through the
`top and bottom layers terminating a short distance from the 30 the dunnage units is designed to rupture.
`edges 18, 20 respectively. A gap forming area 28 extends
`In the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 3, the gap forming
`between each associated pair oflines of perforations 24, 26.
`area 28, produces a gap 13 between adjacent pouches upon
`The gap forming area 28 opens to form a gap 13 when the
`inflation. The gap allows foreshortening of the connected
`pouches are inflated (see FIG. 3).
`pouch sides and thereby reduces the undesirable stresses that
`A gap forming area 28 denotes an area, preferably linear in 35 are introduced during inflation as compared with prior art
`webs. In addition, the web with a gap 13 facilitates fuller
`shape, that will rupture or otherwise separate when exposed
`inflation of each pouch. The gap 13 maintains the inflation
`to a predetermined inflation force. The magnitude of the
`opening substantially free ofwrinkles as the inflation opening
`inflation force is less than the magnitude of the force needed
`is sealed to convert the inflated pouches to a dunnage units.
`to rupture or separate the spaced apart lines of perforations
`The illustrated web 10 is constructed from a heat sealable
`24, 26. The gap forming area 28 can take on a number of 40
`plastic film, such as polyethylene. The web 10 is designed to
`embodiments, as will be discussed below. Any method that
`accommodate a process for inflating each pouch 12 in the web
`produces an area between the spaced apart lines of perfora
`to create a row or ladder 11 of dunnage units 12'. The gap
`tions 24, 26 that ruptures or otherwise separates at a force
`forming area 28 creates a gap 13 between dunnage units 12',
`lower than a force needed to rupture or separate spaced lines
`of perforations 24, 26 may be employed to make the gap 45 which facilitate a efficient and effective process for separating
`forming area 28.
`adjacent dunnage units 12' in the row or ladder 11.
`Referring to FIG. 3, the web 10 ofpouches 12 (FIGS. 1 and
`In the example illustrated by FIG. 4, the gap forming area
`2) is inflated and sealed to form a row 11 of dunnage units 12'.
`28 defined by the web 10' includes an easily breakable line of
`The formed dunnage units 12' are configured to be much
`perforations 29 between the spaced lines of perforations 24,
`easier to separate from one another than prior art arrays of 50 26. The force needed to rupture or separate the line of perfo-
`dunnage units. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, each
`rations 29 is less than the force needed to separate the perfo
`adjacent pair of dunnage units 12' is connected together by a
`rations 24, 26 extending inward ofthe web edges 18, 20. Each
`pair of spaced apart lines of perforations 24, 26. The spaced
`pair of perforations 24, 26 and associated more easily break
`apart lines ofperforations 24, 26 are spaced apart by a gap 13 .
`able line of perforations 29 divide the transverse seal 22 into
`A single row 11 of dunnage units 12' can be graphically 55 two transverse sections. As a pouch 12 is inflated, the line of
`described as being in a "ladder" configuration. This configu
`perforation 29 begins to rupture or separate leading to the
`ration makes separating two adjacent dunnage units 12' much
`development of a gap 13 between the produced dunnage units
`easier than separating prior art arrays of dunnage units. To
`12' (See FIG. 3). Once the pouch 12 is fully inflated, the line
`separate a pair of adjacent dunnage units 12, a worker simply
`of perforations 29 is fully or nearly fully ruptured; however
`inserts an object or objects, such as a hand or hands, into the 60 the p

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket