Patents by Inventor Douglas L. Witte

Douglas L. Witte 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).

  • Method of rollforming with transverse scorer and dimpler
    Patent number: 6742234
    Abstract: A method includes providing an apparatus that includes a scoring device for making transverse score lines on a roll of sheet material, a dimpler device or dimpler roller for making dimples adjacent the score lines at predetermined width locations, and a rollformer adapted to continuously form the sheet material into a tubular shape with channels. A welder is positioned in line with the rollformer and is adapted to weld the tubular shape into a permanent tube. A break off device positioned in line with the rollformer is adapted to break off sections of the tube at the score lines as the permanent tube exits the rollformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Shape Corporation
    Inventors: James J. Rosasco, Douglas L. Witte, Peter Sturrus
  • Rollformer with transverse scorer
    Patent number: 6345425
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a scoring device for making transverse score lines on a roll of sheet material, a dimpler device or dimpler roller for making dimples adjacent the score lines at predetermined width locations, and a rollformer adapted to continuously form the sheet material into a tubular shape with channels. A welder is positioned in line with the rollformer and is adapted to weld the tubular shape into a permanent tube. A break off device positioned in line with the rollformer is adapted to break off sections of the tube at the score lines as the permanent tube exits the rollformer. The dimpler device is adapted to form an “in” dimple and an “out” dimple at locations coordinated with the score lines and with a width of the sheet material so that the “out” dimple forms a stop configured to slip into a channel formed in the sheet material by the rollformer but that abuts the “in” dimple which is formed at an end of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Shape Corporation
    Inventors: James J. Rosasco, Douglas L. Witte, Peter Sturrus
  • Method of rollforming with transverse scorer and dimpler
    Publication number: 20020000031
    Abstract: A method includes providing an apparatus that includes a scoring device for making transverse score lines on a roll of sheet material, a dimpler device or dimpler roller for making dimples adjacent the score lines at predetermined width locations, and a rollformer adapted to continuously form the sheet material into a tubular shape with channels. A welder is positioned in line with the rollformer and is adapted to weld the tubular shape into a permanent tube. A break off device positioned in line with the rollformer is adapted to break off sections of the tube at the score lines as the permanent tube exits the rollformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: James J. Rosasco, Douglas L. Witte, Peter Sturrus