Patents by Inventor Earnest B. Bunch

Earnest B. Bunch 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).

  • Publication number: 20020195491
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for renting and return video media retrofits a conventional retail establishment which rents VCR tapes, DVDs, and other video media. The retrofit enables the retail establishment to determine at the time rented video media is returned whether the video is damaged. Equipment installed in the retail establishment communicates with a remote data base both to help determine if returned video media is damaged and to generate documentation of any damage which is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventor: Earnest B. Bunch
  • Patent number: 6474640
    Abstract: A method and apparatus forms stacks of paper sheets. Each stack is offset from adjacent stacks. The method and apparatus prevent the top sheet of a first stack of paper from being frictionally dragged out of position when the initial sheet of paper in a second stack slides over the top sheet of the first stack. The method and apparatus clamp the forward edge of the top sheet in the first stack to hold the top sheet in position when the initial sheet of paper in the second stack slides over the top sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventor: Earnest B. Bunch, III
  • Patent number: 5400672
    Abstract: A gear assembly reduces gear wear by insuring that the backlash of a pair of gears is at a desired setting. A first gear in the gear assembly resiliently displaces another gear outwardly away from the first gear to achieve a desired backlash setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Inventor: Earnest B. Bunch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5297488
    Abstract: Apparatus for printing images on certain randomly selected ones of the pre-printed pages comprising a web. The pages are attached to one another end to end to form the web. The apparatus imprints in specific defined areas on the pre-printed pages fixed data in a color other than the color of the pre-printed information on the pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: B. Bunch Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Earnest B. Bunch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5186090
    Abstract: Apparatus for cutting a strip of paper along transverse cut lines spaced along the strip of paper. The apparatus permits ready access to adjustable paper cutting blades utilized in the apparatus and enables ready adjustment of the direction of travel of the strip of paper with respect to the cutting blades to compensate for skewing of the cut lines wiht respect to the longitudinal axis of the strip of paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: B. Bunch Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Earnest B. Bunch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5080644
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing continuous form stationery by refolding a strip of paper along transverse lines of weakening formed therealong. Successive lines of weakening formed in the paper are distributed in substantially opposite directions by a chute. The distributed paper is received and folded by rotating paddle wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Inventor: Earnest B. Bunch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5079569
    Abstract: Apparatus for processing with a laser printer a fresh strip of paper from a large supply roll of paper. The apparatus utilizes a tensioning unit to compensate for lateral travel of paper strip dispensed from the supply roll, to remove paper dust from the paper strip, and to maintain a moderate tension on the paper strip to facilitate processing of the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: B. Bunch Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Earnest B. Bunch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5076555
    Abstract: A stationery folding machine having a dispensing roller which directs a continuous strip of paper into an oscillating mechanism which distributes successive lines of weakening formed in the paper in substantially opposite directions and having additional mechanisms for creasing the distributed paper along lines of weakening to produce continuous form stationery. Before the paper enters the oscillating mechanism, the machine partially severs the strip of paper along successive transverse lineations. The partially severed lineations are pulled apart when the strip of paper enters the oscillating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Inventor: Earnest B. Bunch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5049121
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing continuous form stationery by folding a strip of paper along transverse lines of weakening formed therealong and for cutting the folded continuous form stationery along selected folded transverse lines of weakening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: B. Bunch Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Earnest B. Bunch, III
  • Patent number: 5024644
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing continuous form stationery by folding a strip of paper along transverse lines of weakening formed therealong and for cutting the folded continuous form stationery along selected folded transverse lines of weakening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: B. Bunch Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Earnest B. Bunch, III
  • Patent number: 5015222
    Abstract: A machine for producing continuous form stationery by folding a strip of paper along transverse lines of weakening formed therealong. The machine includes a dispensing roller which directs a continuous strip of paper into a mechanism which distributes successive lines of weakening formed in the paper in substantially opposite directions and having additional mechanisms for creasing the distributed paper along the lines of weakening to produce continuous form stationery. The machine also includes a drive shaft which delivers motive power to the paper distribution mechanism and is synchronized with the dispensing roller, the motive power being transmitted to the drive shaft through a removable gear member having a selected outer diameter which varies with the fold length of paper directed into the distributing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: B. Bunch Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Earnest B. Bunch, III
  • Patent number: 5004452
    Abstract: An improved continuous form stationery folding machine. The machine includes a dispensing roller which directs a continuous strip of paper into a mechanism which distributes successive lines of weakening formed in the paper in substantially opposite directions. The machine also includes mechanisms for creasing the distributed paper along lines of weakening to produce continuous form stationery. A system of timing marks in the machine enables lines of weakening to be properly positioned in the machine with respect to the timing marks and the mechanism for distributing successive lines of weakening in substantially opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Inventor: Earnest B. Bunch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4917657
    Abstract: An improved stationery folding machine of the type having a dispensing roller which directs a continuous strip of paper into a mechanism which distributes successive lines of weakening formed in the paper in substantially opposite directions and having additional mechanisms for creasing the distributed paper along the transverse lines of weakening to produce continuous form stationery. The machine includes apparatus which locates the position of the strip of paper in the machine and simultaneously laterally positions a plurality of folding mechanisms along at least one edge of the strip of paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Inventor: Earnest B. Bunch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4915644
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing continuous form stationery by folding a strip of paper along transverse lines of weakening formed therealong and for cutting the folded continuous form stationery along selected folded transverse lines of weakening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: B. Bunch Company
    Inventors: Earnest B. Bunch, Jr., Earnest B. Bunch, III
  • Patent number: 4820250
    Abstract: Improved apparatus for producing continuous form stationery by folding a strip of paper along lines of weakening formed therein. The apparatus includes a frame, a distributing mechanism mounted on the frame for alternately distributing successive lines of weakening in the paper in substantially opposite directions, dispensing rollers carried on the frame for dispensing the continuous strip of paper into the distributing mechanism, folding mechanisms carried by the frame for urging the paper into a folded condition, a gear train for transmitting motive power to the dispensing rollers, the distributing mechanism, and the folding mechanisms, and a power unit to drive the gear train. The gear train includes at least one drive shaft transmitting motive power only to the portion of the gear train actuating the distributing and folding mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Inventor: Earnest B. Bunch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4547184
    Abstract: A machine for folding continuous form stationery along transverse lines of weakening formed in the stationery. The machine includes a distribution mechanism for alternately dispensing lines of weakening in the stationery in opposite lateral directions of travel. Stationery distributed by the distribution mechanism is received between a pair of opposed endless belt units. The endless belt units fold stationery dispensed by the distribution mechanism and form a zig-zag stack of stationery between the belt units. The pair of opposed belt units contacts the outer parallel edges of the continuous form stationery and gradually carries the dispensed stationery away from the distribution mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Assignee: B. Bunch Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Earnest B. Bunch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4522619
    Abstract: Improved apparatus for producing continuous form stationery by folding a strip of paper along lines of weakening formed therein. The apparatus includes a frame, a distributing mechanism mounted on the frame for alternately distributing successive lines of weakening in the paper in substantially opposite directions, dispensing rollers carried on the frame for dispensing the continuous strip of paper into the distributing mechanism, folding mechanisms carried by the frame for urging the paper into a folded condition, a gear train for transmitting motive power to the dispensing rollers, the distributing mechanism, and the folding mechanisms, and a power unit to drive the gear train. The gear train includes at least one drive shaft transmitting motive power only to the portion of the gear train actuating the distributing and folding mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Inventor: Earnest B. Bunch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4493688
    Abstract: Improved apparatus for producing continuous form stationery by creasing a strip of paper along lines of weakening formed therein. The apparatus includes a frame, a distributing mechanism mounted on the frame for alternately distributing successive lines of weakening in the paper in substantially opposite directions, dispensing rollers mounted on the frame for drawing the paper from a supply thereof and dispensing the paper into the distributing mechanism, mechanisms carried by the frame for urging the distributed paper into a creased condition, and a conveyor for receiving and transporting the creased paper. The improvement consists of a system for removably securing the paper supply in position to dispense paper during the operation of the paper processing apparatus. The improved paper securing system includes a carriage movably carried by the frame and moved between two operative positions by a linkage assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1985
    Inventor: Earnest B. Bunch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4447219
    Abstract: A machine for folding continuous form stationery along transverse lines of weakening formed in the stationery. The machine includes a primary endless belt system for alternately distributing lines of weakening in the stationery in opposite lateral directions of travel. Stationery distributed by the primary endless belt system is received between a pair of opposed endless belt units. The pair of endless belt units are operatively associated and cooperate with the primary endless belt system to fold stationery distributed by the primary belt system and form a zig-zag stack of stationery between the pair of opposed belt units. The pair of opposed belt units gradually carries distributed stationery away from the primary belt system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Inventor: Earnest B. Bunch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4380448
    Abstract: Improved apparatus for producing continuous form stationery by folding a strip of paper along lines of weakening formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1983
    Assignee: B. Bunch Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Earnest B. Bunch, Jr.