Patents by Inventor Eric Spina

Eric Spina 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: 20210156521
    Abstract: A method and system for operating a pipeline conveying two dissimilar materials that gathers data about material flowing in the pipeline, identifies a first line and determines a slope of the first line of a first subset of the gathered data, and if an absolute value of the slope of the first line equals or exceeds a first threshold value, then sends a message indicating that transmix has been detected; identifies a second line and determines a slope of the second line of a second subset of the gathered data, and if an absolute value of the slope of the second line equals or is less than a second threshold value, then sends a message indicating that transmix has ended. A position of at least one valve is modified in response to the message that transmix has ended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Laschinger, Michael O'Donnell, Eric Spina
  • Patent number: 8499530
    Abstract: An apparatus for closing flaps of a rectangular cuboid includes a pair of first flap closing guide members to guide a first flap from an open position to a closed position. A pair of second flap diverting members divert a second flap away from engaging the first flap closing guide members and a pair of second flap closing guide members that guide the second flap from an open position to a closed position. A machine having the closing apparatus and a method of closing a rectangular cuboid are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works
    Inventors: Joseph M. Fisher, Timothy J. Green, William B. Elliott, Eric Spina
  • Publication number: 20100251670
    Abstract: An apparatus for closing flaps of a rectangular cuboid includes a pair of first flap closing guide members to guide a first flap from an open position to a closed position. A pair of second flap diverting members divert a second flap away from engaging the first flap closing guide members and a pair of second flap closing guide members that guide the second flap from an open position to a closed position. A machine having the closing apparatus and a method of closing a rectangular cuboid are also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Joseph M. Fisher, Timothy J. Green, William B. Elliott, Eric Spina