Patents by Inventor Brian R. Stork
Brian R. Stork 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).
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Patent number: 10160558Abstract: A selectively reconfigurable wrapping machine [A] for sequentially wrapping upright products. An infeed conveyor carries products to a wrapping station module where a tube of shrink-wrap material, pulled from rolled storage [B], is formed about the products by a film directing and tracking module generally designated [C] by use of a film plow [D]. Marginal edges of the shrink-wrap material are joined by a selectively configurable bottom seal module [E] which pulls the tube in to form a selectively positionable longitudinal bottom seal. A film sealing and cutting module [G] has opposed sealing heads [G2L, G2R] carried to face each other with fixed angular orientation such that the heads travel with products in the tube for a distance as it moves giving sealing dwell time for nonstop operation. A microprocessor-driven control system provides user setup controls.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2012Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: TEXWRAP PACKAGING SYSTEMS LLCInventor: Brian R. Stork
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Patent number: 9757930Abstract: A sealing apparatus 200 for sealing together two film portions 202, 204 may include a heating element 206 positioned in relation to a pair of nip pressure devices 208, 210 for creating a seal 311 between the two film portions 202, 204 and trimming the two film portions 202, 204 at the created seal. A controller 214 is connected to the heating element 206 and is for connection to a power source for applying a variable amount of power to the heating element 206. The amount of power varies based on at least a speed of the two film portions 202, 204 passing the heating element 206.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2014Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: TEXWRAP PACKAGING SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Brian R. Stork, Keith E. Witte
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Patent number: 9309016Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of automatic container orientation systems. Also disclosed are methods for automatically orienting containers. In an exemplary embodiment, a system for automatically orienting containers generally includes one or more cameras, a controller, and an orientation unit. The one or more cameras are configured to obtain data relating to an orientation of at least one container to be included in a package. The controller is in communication with the one or more cameras for receiving the data and is configured to use the data to determine an amount of rotation needed for the at least one container to orient the at least one container in a desired final orientation. The orientation unit is configured to rotate the at least one container by the determined amount of rotation to thereby orient the at least one container in the desired final orientation.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2014Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: Stork Fabricators, Inc.Inventors: Brian R. Stork, Todd Rio
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Publication number: 20150298450Abstract: A sealing apparatus 200 for sealing together two film portions 202, 204 may include a heating element 206 positioned in relation to a pair of nip pressure devices 208, 210 for creating a seal 311 between the two film portions 202, 204 and trimming the two film portions 202, 204 at the created seal. A controller 214 is connected to the heating element 206 and is for connection to a power source for applying a variable amount of power to the heating element 206. The amount of power varies based on at least a speed of the two film portions 202, 204 passing the heating element 206.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2014Publication date: October 22, 2015Applicant: Stork Fabricators Inc.Inventors: Brian R. Stork, Keith E. Witte
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Publication number: 20150094849Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of automatic container orientation systems. Also disclosed are methods for automatically orienting containers. In an exemplary embodiment, a system for automatically orienting containers generally includes one or more cameras, a controller, and an orientation unit. The one or more cameras are configured to obtain data relating to an orientation of at least one container to be included in a package. The controller is in communication with the one or more cameras for receiving the data and is configured to use the data to determine an amount of rotation needed for the at least one container to orient the at least one container in a desired final orientation. The orientation unit is configured to rotate the at least one container by the determined amount of rotation to thereby orient the at least one container in the desired final orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: Brian R. Stork, Todd Rio
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Patent number: 8903540Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of automatic container orientation systems. Also disclosed are methods for automatically orienting containers. In an exemplary embodiment, a system for automatically orienting containers generally includes one or more cameras, a controller, and an orientation unit. The one or more cameras are configured to obtain data relating to an orientation of at least one container to be included in a package. The controller is in communication with the one or more cameras for receiving the data and is configured to use the data to determine an amount of rotation needed for the at least one container to orient the at least one container in a desired final orientation. The orientation unit is configured to rotate the at least one container by the determined amount of rotation to thereby orient the at least one container in the desired final orientation.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2013Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Stork Fabricators, Inc.Inventors: Brian R. Stork, Todd Rio
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Publication number: 20140196403Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of an automated system for combining cards and products for packaging. Also disclosed are exemplary automated methods for combining cards and products for packaging. In an exemplary embodiment, an automated system for combining cards and products generally includes a card station and a merge station. The card station is configured to form a card to a desired shape for combining with a product. The card station includes at least one roll former operable to fold at least a portion of the card. The merge station is configured to receive the formed card from the card station and combine the formed card with the package.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2014Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: Stork Fabricators, Inc.Inventors: Brian R. Stork, Jaye W. Walker
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Publication number: 20140156060Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of automatic container orientation systems. Also disclosed are methods for automatically orienting containers. In an exemplary embodiment, a system for automatically orienting containers generally includes one or more cameras, a controller, and an orientation unit. The one or more cameras are configured to obtain data relating to an orientation of at least one container to be included in a package. The controller is in communication with the one or more cameras for receiving the data and is configured to use the data to determine an amount of rotation needed for the at least one container to orient the at least one container in a desired final orientation. The orientation unit is configured to rotate the at least one container by the determined amount of rotation to thereby orient the at least one container in the desired final orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: Stork Fabricators, Inc.Inventors: Brian R. Stork, Todd Rio
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Publication number: 20130014476Abstract: A selectively reconfigurable wrapping machine [A] for sequentially wrapping upright products. An infeed conveyor carries products to a wrapping station module where a tube of shrink-wrap material, pulled from rolled storage [B], is formed about the products by a film directing and tracking module generally designated [C] by use of a film plow [D]. Marginal edges of the shrink-wrap material are joined by a selectively configurable bottom seal module [E] which pulls the tube in to form a selectively positionable longitudinal bottom seal. A film sealing and cutting module [G] has opposed sealing heads [G2L, G2R] carried to face each other with fixed angular orientation such that the heads travel with products in the tube for a distance as it moves giving sealing dwell time for nonstop operation. A microprocessor-driven control system provides user setup controls.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2012Publication date: January 17, 2013Inventor: Brian R. Stork
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Patent number: 7082979Abstract: A heat sealing wheel assembly of a shrink wrap machine reduces thermoplastic film waste during the side cutting and sealing process. The relative diameters of the heat wheel and heating hub of the heat sealing wheel assembly are configured to create an annular region towards the outer circumference of the heat wheel. This creates a space to permit closer engagement of the gripping mechanism for grasping and guiding the edge of thermoplastic film next to the point of contact of the opposing heat wheel edges, and avoids the obstruction normally caused by the heating hub. The closer gripping engagement reduces the amount of film that must extend out from the point of sealing contact of the heat wheels, resulting in less waste during the side sealing process.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2005Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Stork Fabricators, Inc.Inventor: Brian R. Stork
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Patent number: 6854242Abstract: Selectively reconfigurable shrink-wrap machine (30) for use with a loading device (34) for individually wrapping products (58) sequentially with shrink-wrap material (92) as delivered in sequence to the machine. It includes a sensor (62) sensing product position on the loading device. Shrink-wrap material is delivered from a roll at a wrapping station (40). A first conveyor (42) carries wrapped products between the wrapping station and a film sealing and cutting apparatus (44). First conveyor delivers products sequentially in synchronized velocity with the loading device in response to sensor signals. Film sealing and cutting apparatus has upper and lower heads (156, 164), at least one of which is driven into and out of engagement with the other between adjacent wrapped products received by the first conveyor for effecting a sealed cut between them. Heads are each maintained at a fixed angle of orientation. A second conveyor (43) receives wrapped products sequentially from the sealing and cutting apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2001Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Stork Fabricators, Inc.Inventors: Brian R. Stork, Roger L. Gassel, Tom Wilson
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Patent number: 6622767Abstract: An improved film sealing and cutting apparatus (10) for use with a shrink-wrap machine that individually wraps articles (219) sequentially with shrink-wrap film material (200) of different possible thickness and composition, especially thick, tough film which would be difficult to seal. The apparatus (10) includes two pairs of selectively heated rollers (97, 98). Overlapping layers (209) of film material wrapped around an article are passed between peripheral surfaces of each roller pair. The first roller pair forms a thermal conditioning pre-seal (208) between opposing surfaces of the overlapping layers by application of heat and pressure along the peripheral surfaces of the first roller pair. The second roller pair then completes the seal and cuts through the opposing surfaces, leaving a margin between a cutting path formed by the peripheral surfaces of the second roller pair and the seal.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2002Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: Stork Fabricators, Inc.Inventor: Brian R. Stork
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Publication number: 20020148569Abstract: An improved film sealing and cutting apparatus (10) for use with a shrink-wrap machine that individually wraps articles (219) sequentially with shrink-wrap film material (200) of different possible thickness and composition, especially thick, tough film which would be difficult to seal. The apparatus (10) includes two pairs of selectively heated rollers (97, 98). Overlapping layers (209) of film material wrapped around an article are passed between peripheral surfaces of each roller pair. The first roller pair forms a thermal conditioning pre-seal (208) between opposing surfaces of the overlapping layers by application of heat and pressure along the peripheral surfaces of the first roller pair. The second roller pair then completes the seal and cuts through the opposing surfaces, leaving a margin between a cutting path formed by the peripheral surfaces of the second roller pair and the seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2002Publication date: October 17, 2002Inventor: Brian R. Stork
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Publication number: 20020055803Abstract: Selectively reconfigurable shrink-wrap machine (30) for use with a loading device (34) for individually wrapping products (58) sequentially with shrink-wrap material (92) as delivered in sequence to the machine. It includes a sensor (62) sensing product position on the loading device. Shrink-wrap material is delivered from a roll at a wrapping station (40). A first conveyor (42) carries wrapped products between the wrapping station and a film sealing and cutting apparatus (44). First conveyor delivers products sequentially in synchronized velocity with the loading device in response to sensor signals. Film sealing and cutting apparatus has upper and lower heads (156, 164), at least one of which is driven into and out of engagement with the other between adjacent wrapped products received by the first conveyor for effecting a sealed cut between them. Heads are each maintained at a fixed angle of orientation. A second conveyor (43) receives wrapped products sequentially from the sealing and cutting apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2001Publication date: May 9, 2002Inventors: Brian R. Stork, Roger L. Gassel, Tom Wilson
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Patent number: 5956931Abstract: Apparatus for supplying plastic wrapping film from a supply roll in which the film is folded to have a closed side edge and plies of the film open along an opposite side. The wrapping film is conveyed simultaneously with a stream of predetermined size product through a hot wheel to seal the open plies and form a tube enclosing the product, after which the tube and enclosed product is fed into a film sealing apparatus which cross seals and cuts the plastic tube transversely of its line of movement in a moving cycle in which the plastic tube is cut and sealed with the products individually wrapped and discharged. The film sealing apparatus is adjustable to be able to accommodate changes in the dimensions of products to be wrapped.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1997Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Stork Fabricators, Inc.Inventor: Brian R. Stork