Patents Represented by Attorney Charles E. Brown
  • Patent number: 5619843
    Abstract: A machine for wrapping a plurality of articles into a package. The machine is provided with a film which comes in roll form and the film passes through a cutter but does not cut it entirely off. At the same time, generally parallel to the film there is a row of articles which are advanced and passed on to a guide which moves them onto the film. The film is then drawn after which the articles are advanced in unison and then the film is drawn about the articles. The group of articles are then passed on to rollers and into a shrink tunnel for shrinking of the film so as to tightly engage the articles. As the film is pulled into loops, the loops are supported by a vacuum conveyor so that the loops will stay ready for the eventual drawing of the film about the group of articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Inventor: Robert H. Ganz
  • Patent number: 5511772
    Abstract: This relates to apparatus for transferring flat members such as cartons from a supplly to an applying conveyor chain and the like wherein the supply is disposed above the conveyor and at an angle thereto. The apparatus is in the form of a rotary hopper that is also mounted for oscillatory movement towards and away from the supply and also parallel to the conveyor wherein when a member receiving carrier of the hopper is aligned with a member, the carrier is moved to pick up the member while the carrier presenting a member to the conveyor is advanced at substantially the same rate as the conveyor. The carriers are preferably in the form of suction cups which are valve actuated as the hopper rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Inventors: Robert H. Ganz, Loretta R. Ganz, executrix, Robert S. Marcus, executor
  • Patent number: 5364022
    Abstract: This relates to an improvement in a lock for closure panels of a carton of a wrap around type. Most specifically, the lock is formed between a male panel and a female panel of an overall closure panel with the male panel being provided with a projecting tab and the female panel having a folded down terminal panel portion with a cutout therein which receives the tab. With the lock so partially formed, scores or creases are rolled into the tab after which the tab is first folded down alongside the terminal panel portion of the female panel and then the folding of the tab is continued so as to swing the terminal female panel portion up beneath the male panel with a nose of the projecting tab passing through a slot in the male panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Riverwood International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert H. Ganz
  • Patent number: 5335774
    Abstract: This invention relates to a can carrier for forming into a package and carrying one or more cans, normally six cans to form a six-pack. The can carrier is primarily formed of a sheet of readly foldable and deformable material including paperboard. For each can, the sheet is provided with a pair of cutouts defining foldable flaps. The flaps are foldable beneath the sheet with each pair of flaps being remote from one another. The result is that the connection between each flap and the sheet provides two layers of materials which are engagable beneath a can chime to interlock the can with the can carrier. The folded connection between each flap and the sheet may be reinforced by stretchable self shrinking glue disposed generally in the apex of the connection between each flap and the under side of the sheet. Another form of flap reinforcement is the bonding of a synthetic thread to the under side of the sheet and the flaps with the thread extending longitudinally of the sheets and the flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert H. Ganz
  • Patent number: 5308946
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to an apparatus for and a method of electrical inductance heating of metal strips and slabs. The heating method involves a plurality of pairs of individual electrical coils exposed on opposite sides of a path of movement of a metal strip or slab wherein the coils are elongated longitudinally of the path of movement of the metal member, such as a strip or slab, whereby the pattern of heating is in the way of stripes. Further, to eliminate any pulsing of current within the strip or slab being heated, each coil is spaced from a transversely adjacent coil a distance corresponding substantially to the effective heating width of that coil. The coils of a next longitudinal adjacent set of coils are transversely offset relative to the coils of the first mentioned set of coils so that each coil of the second set is aligned with a space between coils of the first set. This provides for a heating of the strip or slab in stripes and prevents overheating of the edges of the strip or slab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Inventor: Glenn R. Mohr
  • Patent number: 5257480
    Abstract: This relates to a batting wheel particularly useful in a surface cleaner for batting abrasive particles against a surface to be cleaned. The batting wheel includes a hub which carries a plurality of axially spaced collars. At the ends of the batting wheel there are vane retaining plates of which at least one is removable so as to facilitate the removal and replacement of vanes. Each vane includes a flat blade and a retaining enlargement at the radially inner end of the flat blade. The collars are provided with axially aligned, circumferentially spaced slots for receiving the anchoring portion of a vane with each vane having an enlargement which is received in an enlarged opening in the respective collar. The enlarged opening is disposed at the inner end of a slot which receives an axially inner end of the flat blade. This permits the opposite batting faces of the flat blade to be selectively presented for batting abrasive particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Pangborn Corporation
    Inventor: James H. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 5245798
    Abstract: This relates to an improved abrading machine which is of an inexpensive contruction and simple to maintain. Each abrading machine includes a casing in which there is mounted for oscillation a rocker barrel. The casing construction varies in accordance with the intended use of the abrading machine. In one form the casing will be provided with a combined entrance and discharge opening. In another machine the front wall of the casing is provided with an upper entrance opening and a lower exit opening through which a single work piece or work pieces in a batch may be loaded into and discharged from the rocker barrel. In a further abrading machine, loading may be effected by way of an axially movable hopper which moves into overlying relation to the rocker barrel through an end wall of the casing and discharge of work pieces is through the bottom of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Pangborn Corporation
    Inventor: James H. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 5245148
    Abstract: This relates to the heating of thick slabs for rolling and like purposes wherein there is a complete penetration of the slab by induced electrical energy wherein the starting current frequency is very low and wherein a maximum heating is obtained by increasing the current frequency to control through penetration of the induced current in the slab as the temperature of the slab rises and thus the restivity of the metal of the slab increases. Several heating systems are envisioned. These include a heating system of a length corresponding to the length of the slab and wherein the slab is stationary during the heating to the desired temperature, after which the slab is moved out of the heating apparatus. The second arrangement is similar to the first, but wherein a lower coil arrangement moves relative to the upper coil arrangement so as to remove and expose a heated slab. In these two systems, the frequency is progressively increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Inventor: Glenn R. Mohr
  • Patent number: 5239786
    Abstract: This relates to a pipe cleaner for cleaning pipe interiors such as gas and oil pipelines. The pipe cleaner is adjustable for cleaning pipes of different diameters beginning as low as 12" inside diameter. However, the usual requirement for gas and oil line pipes is between 20" to 48" diameters with it being feasible to clean pipes of greater diameters. The pipe cleaner includes a cleaning head carried by a boom with the pipe cleaner consisting primarily of a high performance blast wheel driven by a hydraulic motor. The blast wheel is provided with radiating vanes which are of a flared construction and with alternating vanes being differently shaped so as to provide for a wide pattern of abrasive particles. The cleaning head is positioned within the pipe to be cleaned by being carried by a boom with the pipe being supported coaxial with that of the boom and being rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Pangborn Corporation
    Inventor: James H. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 5234314
    Abstract: This relates to a transfer mechanism for transferring cartons from a magazine for such cartons. The mechanism includes first and second plates which are joined together for rotation in unison about a fixed shaft. The second plate has pivotally connected thereto a generally radially extending member to which there are connected parallel links which, in turn, are pivotally connected to a carrier in the form of a link parallel to the member and the carrier in turn carries a pair of suction type pickup heads. One of the parallel links extends beyond the other from the carrier and carries a cam follower which is engaged with a cam that is fixedly connected to the first plate for rotation therewith. The fixed shaft also carries a fixed gear which is meshed with a gear which is rotatably mounted on the first plate and which carries an eccentric pin engaged in a slot in the radially extending member to rock the same about its pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert H. Ganz
  • Patent number: 5209024
    Abstract: This relates to an inexpensive blast wheel for applying abrasive particles to work pieces to be cleaned. The blast wheel provides a simple arrangement for supporting vanes in the form of a hub having a bowl shaped portion in which bases of vanes are seated with the bases being clamped in place by a plate portion of an impeller. Each vane includes a wide base connected to the vane by way of a spacer. The impeller plate has a notch for each vane with the notch receiving the spacer and overlying the base. The bowl portion of the hub includes a peripheral flange which engages an outer end of the vane base to restrain it against radial outwardly directed movement. The vanes may be changed by providing the hub flange with a notch through which a vane base may pass. By loosening the impeller plate relative to the hub, and aligning each vane in sequence with respect to the notch, the vane may be slid through the notch and removed from the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Pangborn Corporation
    Inventors: James H. Carpenter, Horace A. Bailey
  • Patent number: 5203124
    Abstract: This relates to a cleaning machine which employs blast wheels to throw abrasive particles against a workpiece to be cleaned. The cleaning machine is of a simple construction and employs two wire mesh belts through which abrasive particles may freely pass. A first of these belts extends longitudinally through the machine and serves to support workpieces or articles to be cleaned. The workpieces are cleaned by blasts of abrasive particles from opposite sides of the belt and from above and below the belt. This first belt may be considered extending longitudinally of the cleaning machine. The abrasive particles fall into a bottom collection trough and are removed by an abrasive particle collection system which includes a second wire mesh belt through which abrasive particles can freely flow into the collection trough. The second belt is also vertically disposed, but extends transversely of the first belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Pangborn Corporation
    Inventor: James H. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 5163253
    Abstract: Workpieces such as sand-casted automobile engine blocks are cleaned by advancing a series of such workpieces axially into one end of an elongate, skeletal barrel that holds the workpieces and rotates or tumbles them in the path of impinging streams of particles. The workpieces are advanced from one end of the barrel to the other by oscillating the barrel along the longitudinal axis of the barrel. By this technique, workpieces can be advanced through the barrel without the need to push the workpieces against each other, or without the need to provide workpiece-engaging and advancing mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Pangborn Corporation
    Inventor: James H. Carpenter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5147031
    Abstract: This relates to an oscillating or reciprocating conveyor wherein the work pieces move in a single plane, generally horizontal, and wherein the conveyor, if desired, may also be a rocking conveyor. This particularly relates to a drive for such a conveyor wherein the conveyor is moved in the work piece advanced direction by a fluid cylinder and wherein there are compression springs for moving the conveyor rearwardly at the end of each forward stroke. More particularly, there are provided rapid exhaust systems for cylinders whereby the conveyor and work pieces carried thereby may be advanced at a relatively slow uniform rate and at least at certain predetermined periods the fluid cylinder can be rapidly exhausted and driven by the spring or springs so as to rapidly reverse the direction of movement of the conveyor with the result that the conveyor moves rearwardly while the advanced work pieces remain stationary. If desired, a suitable shock absorber arrangement may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Pangborn Corporation
    Inventor: James H. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 5142830
    Abstract: This relates to an abrasive cleaning machine wherein there is mounted within a suitable frame or housing a work supporting conveyor which is mounted for both reciprocatory and rotational movement. When the conveyor is in the form of a rocker barrel, the rocker barrel is only oscillated. On the other hand, when the conveyor is in the form of a cage-like conveyor, the conveyor is continuously rotated. The principal feature is the mounting of the conveyor for such rotary and reciprocating movement. This includs a support structure in the form of a support sleeve mounted for rotation and a support shaft mounted within the support sleeve for relative reciprocatory movement. The support shaft carries a pair of longitudinal ribs which are engaged by rollers carried by the support sleeve to transmit rotational movement from the support sleeve to the support shaft. Thus the supporting of the conveyor is simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Pangborn Corporation
    Inventor: James H. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 5134810
    Abstract: An abrasive cleaning machine specifically constructed for cleaning pipes. The machine is mounted on an elevated portion of a previously buried pipe and is moved along the pipe to effect cleaning of the pipe. The machine basically includes a simple housing which carries a plurality of blast wheels specifically positioned to provide a frustoconical curtain of abrasive particles through which the pipe being cleaned passes. Suitable wear plates are provided to prevent undue wear on adjacent parts of the cleaning machine. Spent abrasive particles and removed material are collected at the bottom of the cleaning machine in a collection trough through which there runs a lower run of an endless belt. The belt is of a wire mesh construction so that abrasive particles and removed material freely passes through the belt. The belt carries buckets which are so configurated that when the buckets reach a top horizontal run of the belt, the collected materials within the bucket are discharged from the bucket through the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Pangborn Corporation
    Inventor: James H. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 5104706
    Abstract: This relates to the packaging of a hot liquid product in a container having little resistance to internal vacuum wherein immediately after the container has been filled, the container is internally pressurized and closed. This particularly relates to an injection molded preform formed of a suitable polyester resin which is of a configuration related to an intended blow mold cavity whereby the desired biaxial orientation is obtained in the various portions of the resultant container and the wall thickness of the container base is increased so as to prevent undue stress enlargement and creep at high internal pressurization. Internal pressurization on the order of 40-45 psig is envisioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Continental PET Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Suppayan M. Krishnakumar, Wayne N. Collette, Thomas E. Nahill
  • Patent number: 5101990
    Abstract: This relates to the stretch blow molding of containers having bodies of oblong or oval cross section starting with an injection molded plastic preform. First there is the discovery that the preform does not axially stretch evenly as occurs with circular or generally circular cross sectional container bodies but includes a lesser stretching at the center of sides of such container bodies. Having made this discovery, it is proposed to provide such containers with oval or oblong cross sectional bodies with radially inwardly directed ribs wherein the ribs conform to the differential in axial stretching of the material of the preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: Continental PET Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Suppayan M. Krishnakumar, Wayne N. Collette
  • Patent number: 5098274
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming multiple layer preforms wherein the various layers may be varied as to number, material, thickness and position in the preform by controlling the injection of the specific materials as to timing, quantity and rate of delivery. Most specifically, a featured aspect is the ability to simultaneously deliver to an injection nozzle and through such injection nozzle into a preform mold cavity two or more molten plastic materials simultaneously. This is possible by way of a multiple gate nozzle and a plurality of separately operable metering pots all controlled by way of a timing device. The timing device may also control the rate of the dispensing an individual material from each of the metering pots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Continental PET Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Suppayan M. Krishnakumar, Wayne N. Collette, Thomas E. Nahill
  • Patent number: 5092511
    Abstract: A translation device for can bodies consisting in a supporting group, on one end, a pushing element of the same and jointed on the opposite end, to a supporting structure and connected, in of its intermediate points, to crank movement mechanisms which allow the group itself to make a pendular trajectory which is alternatively positive and negative according to the advancement of the can bodies, between two opposite positions, one being the operative pick-up position of the can bodies and the other being the dropping-off of the same; a drive cam element is foreseen to act on the pushing element in such a way as to permit the same pushing element to carry out a rectilinear trajectory of can body engaging interference when it crosses the positive trajectory, and of non-interference when the pushing element crosses the negative trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Officine Cevolani
    Inventor: Luigi Pazzaglia