Patents by Inventor Glen Ditchburn

Glen Ditchburn 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: 6601880
    Abstract: The method and apparatus are for making a knot with first and second rope-shaped end portions of flexible material wrapped around an article. The method comprises steps of (a) guiding the end portions along a predetermined path; (b) (i) nipping the first end portion at a first point of the predetermined path, (ii) nipping the second end portion at a second point of the predetermined path, and (iii) nipping the second end portion at a third point of the predetermined path; (c) cutting the second end portion between the second and third points to obtain a free end thereof; (d) moving the end portions to obtain a loop; (e) releasing the first end portion from the guiding of step (a) to obtain a free end thereof; and (f) inserting the free ends into the loop to form and tighten the knot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Wulftec International Inc.
    Inventors: Yanick Marois, Guy Lopes, Glen Ditchburn, Sylvain Samson, François Couture, Alec van Zuiden, Wolfgang Geisinger
  • Publication number: 20030001389
    Abstract: The method and apparatus are for making a knot with first and second rope-shaped end portions of flexible material wrapped around an article. The method comprises steps of (a) guiding the end portions along a predetermined path; (b) (i) nipping the first end portion at a first point of the predetermined path, (ii) nipping the second end portion at a second point of the predetermined path, and (iii) nipping the second end portion at a third point of the predetermined path; (c) cutting the second end portion between the second and third points to obtain a free end thereof; (d) moving the end portions to obtain a loop; (e) releasing the first end portion from the guiding of step (a) to obtain a free end thereof; and (f) inserting the free ends into the loop to form and tighten the knot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Yanick Marois, Guy Lopes, Glen Ditchburn, Sylvain Samson, Francois Couture, Alec van Zuiden, Wolfgang Geisinger
  • Publication number: 20020162436
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for handling and cutting a flexible material that is wrapped around a load by means of a delivering device. The apparatus includes a clamp and cutter assembly having a trigger activated mechanism, and a trigger and roping assembly. The apparatus also includes a moving device for moving the trigger and roping assembly between active and retracted positions. In use, as the trigger and roping assembly is moved into its active position, the trigger engages with the trigger activated mechanism to move the clamp and cutter assembly to its open position, while the roper turns a portion of flexible material into a rope. As the trigger and roping assembly is retracted from its active position, the trigger disengages with the trigger activated mechanism to move the clamp and the cutter assembly in its closed position, thereby cutting the rope and holding a free end thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Yanick Marois, Glen Ditchburn, Guy Lopes, Sylvain Samson
  • Patent number: 6360512
    Abstract: The machine and the method are for fastening a load. The machine comprises a machine frame positioned around a central axis, a delivering carriage including an output delivering device for delivering a flexible material as a rope, first controllable moving device for producing a relative radial movement of the output delivering device with respect to the central axis, a second controllable moving device for producing a relative rotating movement of the rope with respect to the central axis, a third controllable moving device for producing a relative axial movement of rope in a direction parallel to the central axis, and a controller for controlling the relative radial movement by means of the first controllable moving device in view of the size of the load, and the relative rotating and axial movements by means of the second and third controllable moving devices to fasten the load with the rope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Wulftec International Inc.
    Inventors: Yanick Marois, Glen Ditchburn
  • Patent number: 6195968
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for wrapping a load with a flexible wrapping material which prevents the flexible material from unwrapping itself after the load has been wrapped. The apparatus includes a supply of flexible wrapping material which can be delivered as a rope or as a full web. The apparatus includes a first finger and a gripper for positioning a portion of a first rope supplied by the supplying means at a predetermined location. The load and the supply are relatively moved to wrap the load with the flexible material. Once the load has been wrapped, a second finger and a guide wheel are provided to position a portion of a second rope supplied by the supply at the predetermined position. The first and second ropes are fastened together at the predetermined position, and the portion of the second rope is cut downstream of the predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Wulftec International Inc.
    Inventors: Yanick Marois, Glen Ditchburn