Patents by Inventor Andrew Germaine

Andrew Germaine has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11873128
    Abstract: A system includes a first horn, a first ultrasonic transducer, a second horn, a second ultrasonic transducer, a memory, and a controller. The first horn includes a first part-interfacing surface. The second horn includes a second part-interfacing surface and is positioned relative to the first horn such that a part to be welded can be positioned between the first and second part-interface surfaces. The controller is configured to cause a first ultrasonic energy to be applied through the first horn via the first transducer to cause the first part-interfacing surface to vibrate, cause the first horn to move in a first direction at a first time, cause a second ultrasonic energy to be applied through the second horn via the second transducer to cause the second part-interfacing surface to vibrate, and cause the second horn to move in a second direction at the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Dukane IAS, LLC
    Inventors: Leo Klinstein, Petr Vasko, Robert Edward Aldaz, Joseph Re, Andrew Germaine
  • Patent number: 11654637
    Abstract: An apparatus for joining a first film portion and a second film portion together along a seal line. The apparatus includes a horn and anvil. The anvil is positioned close to the horn. The horn or anvil has a face that is rotatable about a rotation axis. The face has a raised profile, and a height thereof has a dimension corresponding to 50% to 150% of a thickness of the first film portion or the second film portion. The face is positioned such that the raised profile extends along the circumference such that continuous running contact is provided between the raised profile and the other of the one of the horn or the anvil when rotated about the rotation axis, to form the seal line without any external structure to control a distance between the horn/anvil. A tapered bonding profile, a traction pattern, and a cut-and-seal feature are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Dukane IAS, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Germaine, Patrick Sean McNichols, Petr Vasko, Robert Edward Aldaz
  • Publication number: 20230053660
    Abstract: An apparatus for joining a first film portion and a second film portion together along a seal line. The apparatus includes a horn and anvil. The anvil is positioned close to the horn. The horn or anvil has a face that is rotatable about a rotation axis. The face has a raised profile, and a height thereof has a dimension corresponding to 50% to 150% of a thickness of the first film portion or the second film portion. The face is positioned such that the raised profile extends along the circumference such that continuous running contact is provided between the raised profile and the other of the one of the horn or the anvil when rotated about the rotation axis, to form the seal line without any external structure to control a distance between the horn/anvil. A tapered bonding profile, a traction pattern, and a cut-and-seal feature are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Germaine, Patrick Sean McNichols, Petr Vasko, Robert Edward Aldaz
  • Publication number: 20230021620
    Abstract: A system includes a first horn, a first ultrasonic transducer, a second horn, a second ultrasonic transducer, a memory, and a controller. The first horn includes a first part-interfacing surface. The second horn includes a second part-interfacing surface and is positioned relative to the first horn such that a part to be welded can be positioned between the first and second part-interface surfaces. The controller is configured to cause a first ultrasonic energy to be applied through the first horn via the first transducer to cause the first part-interfacing surface to vibrate, cause the first horn to move in a first direction at a first time, cause a second ultrasonic energy to be applied through the second horn via the second transducer to cause the second part-interfacing surface to vibrate, and cause the second horn to move in a second direction at the first time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Leo Klinstein, Petr Vasko, Robert Edward Aldaz, Joseph Re, Andrew Germaine
  • Publication number: 20220388701
    Abstract: A system includes a first horn, a first ultrasonic transducer, a second horn, a second ultrasonic transducer, a memory, and a controller. The first horn includes a first part-interfacing surface. The second horn includes a second part-interfacing surface and is positioned relative to the first horn such that a part to be welded can be positioned between the first and second part-interface surfaces. The controller is configured to cause a first ultrasonic energy to be applied through the first horn via the first transducer to cause the first part-interfacing surface to vibrate, cause the first horn to move in a first direction at a first time, cause a second ultrasonic energy to be applied through the second horn via the second transducer to cause the second part-interfacing surface to vibrate, and cause the second horn to move in a second direction at the first time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Leo Klinstein, Petr Vasko, Robert Edward Aldaz, Joseph Re, Andrew Germaine
  • Patent number: 11426946
    Abstract: An ultrasonic welding system. The system includes an ultrasonic transducer assembly having a horn and a first transducer and a second transducer arranged to impart ultrasonic energy into the horn. The horn has a first part-interfacing surface and a second part-interfacing surface opposite the first part-interfacing surface. An actuator assembly is operatively coupled to the ultrasonic transducer assembly and configured to cause rotation of the horn. A controller is configured to: cause the actuator assembly to rotate the horn so that the first part-interfacing surface applies the ultrasonic energy to a first part along an entire length of the first part-interface surface while a first ultrasonic energy is applied through the horn via the first transducer to cause the first part-interfacing surface to vibrate back and forth along its entire length as the first ultrasonic energy is applied by the first transducer to the horn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Dukane IAS, LLC
    Inventors: Leo Klinstein, Petr Vasko, Robert Edward Aldaz, Joseph Re, Andrew Germaine
  • Patent number: 11407182
    Abstract: An apparatus for joining a first film portion and a second film portion together along a seal line. The apparatus includes a horn and an anvil. The anvil is positionable in close proximity to the horn. Either the horn or the anvil has a face with a width dimension and a circumference and is rotatable about a rotation axis. The face has a raised profile, and a height of the raised profile has a dimension corresponding to 50% to 150% of a thickness of the first film portion or the second film portion. The face is positioned such that the raised profile extends along the circumference such that continuous running contact is provided between the raised profile and the other of the one of the horn or the anvil when rotated about the rotation axis, to form the seal line without any external structure to control a distance between the horn and the anvil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Dukane IAS, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Germaine, Patrick Sean McNichols, Petr Vasko, Robert Edward Aldaz
  • Publication number: 20220032394
    Abstract: An ultrasonic systems and methods for sealing complex interfaces or for metal forming. Complex interfaces, such as a Gable top, have multiple and a variety of layers across the interface, or an oval or round spout having a complex geometry. An example system includes two ultrasonic horns arranged opposite a gap between which the interface is provided. The frequency and phase of the ultrasonic energy are synchronized as the energy is applied simultaneously while the interface is pressed between a jaw and the energy is applied to both sides of the interface. Another example system includes two ultrasonic transducers synchronized in frequency and phase and used to vibrate a horn mechanically to facilitate a sealing or welding interface or to assist in a metal-forming process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Leo Klinstein, Charles Leroy Leonard, Matthew James Dittrich, John Putnam Hays, IV, Petr Vasko, Robert Edward Aldaz, Joseph Re, Andrew Germaine
  • Publication number: 20210370613
    Abstract: An ultrasonic welding system. The system includes an ultrasonic transducer assembly having a horn and a first transducer and a second transducer arranged to impart ultrasonic energy into the horn. The horn has a first part-interfacing surface and a second part-interfacing surface opposite the first part-interfacing surface. An actuator assembly is operatively coupled to the ultrasonic transducer assembly and configured to cause rotation of the horn. A controller is configured to: cause the actuator assembly to rotate the horn so that the first part-interfacing surface applies the ultrasonic energy to a first part along an entire length of the first part-interface surface while a first ultrasonic energy is applied through the horn via the first transducer to cause the first part-interfacing surface to vibrate back and forth along its entire length as the first ultrasonic energy is applied by the first transducer to the horn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Leo Klinstein, Petr Vasko, Robert Edward Aldaz, Joseph Re, Andrew Germaine
  • Patent number: 11090758
    Abstract: An ultrasonic systems and methods for sealing complex interfaces or for metal forming. Complex interfaces, such as a Gable top, have multiple and a variety of layers across the interface, or an oval or round spout having a complex geometry. An example system includes two ultrasonic horns arranged opposite a gap between which the interface is provided. The frequency and phase of the ultrasonic energy are synchronized as the energy is applied simultaneously while the interface is pressed between a jaw and the energy is applied to both sides of the interface. Another example system includes two ultrasonic transducers synchronized in frequency and phase and used to vibrate a horn mechanically to facilitate a sealing or welding interface or to assist in a metal-forming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Dukane IAS, LLC
    Inventors: Leo Klinstein, Charles Leroy Leonard, Matthew James Dittrich, John Putnam Hays, IV, Petr Vasko, Robert Edward Aldaz, Joseph Re, Andrew Germaine
  • Patent number: 8621966
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for perforating a web includes an anvil roll having an outer surface wherein at least a portion of the outer surface defines an anvil surface. The anvil surface includes a plurality of angled grooves having a variable groove width. The method may include phasing the cutting position on the anvil to effect varying perforation patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Germaine, Michael Jay Haasl
  • Publication number: 20090235800
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for perforating a web includes an anvil roll having an outer surface wherein at least a portion of the outer surface defines an anvil surface. The anvil surface includes a plurality of angled grooves having a variable groove width. The method may include phasing the cutting position on the anvil to effect varying perforation patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Andrew Germaine, Michael Jay Haasl