Patents by Inventor Gregory C. Nichols

Gregory C. Nichols 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: 11940212
    Abstract: A kiln for drying and processing lumber packages is provided. The kiln generally includes at least one end chamber, a drying chamber adjacent to the end chamber, a first lumber conveying line configured to transport the lumber packages in a first direction through the end chamber and the drying chamber, and a second lumber conveying line configured to transport the lumber packages in a second direction through the end chamber and the drying chamber. The conveying lines may be countercurrent or uniflow. The kiln may further include a heat distributor in the end chamber to distribute heat into the end chamber in addition to heat from the drying chamber along the first and second lumber conveying lines. The heat distributor may include a distribution duct receiving heat from a drying chamber distribution duct or a heater inlet duct, a heat exchanger, a radiative heating element, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Murray Nichols, Gregory Keith Ralston, Luiz C. Oliveira, Philip John Latos
  • Publication number: 20240003451
    Abstract: A wetting fluid applicator unit for applying wetting fluid to pressure relief valves during packaging of product, such as roasted coffee, with a packaging system. The wetting fluid applicator unit includes an unpressurized wetting fluid reservoir which delivers wetting fluid to plural fluid supply circuits. One fluid supply circuit charges a spray head with wetting fluid while the other fluid supply circuit is replenished with wetting fluid from the unpressurized reservoir. The wetting fluid applicator unit ensures continuous flow of wetting fluid to the spray head while enabling replenishment of the reservoir during continuous operation of the packaging system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: Plitek, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Karl K. Hoffman, Gregory C. Nichols
  • Patent number: 6647754
    Abstract: A variable width roll forming apparatus forms a web and includes a first side plate extending substantially an entire length of the roll forming apparatus and a second side plate extending substantially an entire length of the roll forming apparatus, the first side plate and the second side plate being oriented substantially equidistant from one another. A plurality of roller die assemblies are disposed in apertures formed in the first side plate and the second side plate. An adjusting apparatus is utilized to selectively change a separation width between predetermined roller die assemblies in the first side plate and the second side plate, wherein the roll forming apparatus defines at least two differing widths between roller die assemblies disposed in the first side plate and the second side plate while maintaining the substantially equidistant spacing between the first side plate and the second side plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Formtek, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest Bodnar, Joseph A. Ruckauf, Gregory C. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20030024290
    Abstract: A variable width roll forming apparatus forms a web and includes a first side plate extending substantially an entire length of the roll forming apparatus and a second side plate extending substantially an entire length of the roll forming apparatus, the first side plate and the second side plate being oriented substantially equidistant from one another. A plurality of roller die assemblies are disposed in apertures formed in the first side plate and the second side plate. An adjusting apparatus is utilized to selectively change a separation width between predetermined roller die assemblies in the first side plate and the second side plate, wherein the roll forming apparatus defines at least two differing widths between roller die assemblies disposed in the first side plate and the second side plate while maintaining the substantially equidistant spacing between the first side plate and the second side plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Ernest R. Bodnar, Joseph A. Ruckauf, Gregory C. Nichols