Patents by Inventor Jerry G. Hodsdon

Jerry G. Hodsdon 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: 20230292668
    Abstract: A picking container liner sleeve in the form of a sheet or tube of resin is placed inside a produce picking container and held in place by releasably engaging cooperative touch fasteners on the rim of the picking container and the upper end of the liner sleeve. The liner sleeve is sized to line the container in use to inhibit contact between picked produce and an interior surface of the produce picking container with the lower end of the produce picking container in a closed position, but to allow picked produce to fall through the lower end of the produce picking container with the lower end of the produce picking container in an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Jerry G. Hodsdon, Michael J. Perkins, Gregory Cole Winters, Gregory K. Kopanski, Joseph Mark Buhl
  • Publication number: 20230275410
    Abstract: A flexible support sleeve includes a knit fabric sheet with loops of fibers on a fastening face, a strip of resin overlaying a portion of the fastening face along one edge, with a strip of adhesive disposed along the same edge on an opposite side. The strip of resin includes male touch fastener elements configured to engage the loops of the knit fabric sheet. The strip of resin has a selvedge coterminous with the edge of the flexible support sleeve and void of male touch fastener elements, such that the selvedge of the base is not engageable with the loops of the knit fabric sheet. The strip of adhesive is wider than the strip of resin, such that the adhesive strip underlays all of the discrete male touch fastener elements of the strip of resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: David D. Cianciolo, Jerry G. Hodsdon, Matthew P. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 11110632
    Abstract: Discrete male touch fastener elements are molded of thermoplastic resin extending from a common, flexible base sheet, by introducing molten resin to a molding nip between two counter-rotating rolls consisting of a mold roll and a pressure roll arranged such that their rotation axes are parallel and together define a common plane containing each of the rotation axes. Solidified resin is stripped from molding cavities of the mold roll after the cavities have passed a rotating reaction roll forming a pressure nip with the mold roll. The reaction roll is spaced from the pressure roll by a distance less than an outer diameter of the mold roll, and the mold roll is simultaneously held against both the pressure roll and the reaction roll in a non-planar roll stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Velcro IP Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Jerry G. Hodsdon
  • Publication number: 20210212870
    Abstract: A means of providing motorized locomotion to a mobility device such as a wheelchair utilizing a first portion of the present invention configured to attach immovably but releasably to an array of mobility devices and configured to interlock with the second portion of the present invention, which is configured to attach immovably but releasably to an array of electric scooters. A movable feature permits the first portion and second portion of the present invention to be interlocked while keeping all wheels of the mobility device and the scooter in contact with the supporting surface. A stand for the electric scooter lowers when the two units are separated and lifts when they are engaged, to hold the electric scooter in an approximately vertical position when not engaged and to provide freedom of movement when engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventor: Jerry G. Hodsdon
  • Patent number: 10906214
    Abstract: A molding apparatus defining a processing direction includes multiple molding modules spaced apart in a lateral direction perpendicular to the processing direction and a common reaction surface. Each molding module includes a frame and a mold roll that defines molding cavities. Each mold roll defines a respective pressure zone in cooperation with the reaction surface and each mold roll is movable with respect to the reaction surface by controlled operation of the frame. Molten resin is introduced into the pressure zones and forced into the molding cavities to form arrays of fastener elements extending from base layers of resin formed on the surfaces of the mold rolls. The fastener elements are withdrawn from the cavities while stripping the base layers from the peripheral surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Velcro BVBA
    Inventors: Jerry G. Hodsdon, Christopher M. Gallant
  • Patent number: 10894345
    Abstract: A linear actuator leverage assembly including a base with a side surface and a back surface defining between them a corner, a rail member coupled to the base, a lever arm with a bearing surface, and a linear actuator. The lever arm is pivotally connected to the rail member at a first pivot and to the linear actuator at a second pivot. The linear actuator is configured to move the rail member with respect to the base over a linear stroke of the linear actuator that moves the second pivot of the lever arm along a continuous motion path. The motion path includes a first path segment generally parallel to the side surface and a second path segment, over which the lever arm pivots about the bearing surface as a fulcrum, thereby increasing leverage applied by the actuator to the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Velcro BVBA
    Inventor: Jerry G. Hodsdon
  • Publication number: 20200108530
    Abstract: A molding apparatus defining a processing direction includes multiple molding modules spaced apart in a lateral direction perpendicular to the processing direction and a common reaction surface. Each molding module includes a frame and a mold roll that defines molding cavities. Each mold roll defines a respective pressure zone in cooperation with the reaction surface and each mold roll is movable with respect to the reaction surface by controlled operation of the frame. Molten resin is introduced into the pressure zones and forced into the molding cavities to form arrays of fastener elements extending from base layers of resin formed on the surfaces of the mold rolls. The fastener elements are withdrawn from the cavities while stripping the base layers from the peripheral surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Jerry G. Hodsdon, Christopher M. Gallant
  • Patent number: 10556369
    Abstract: A molding apparatus defining a processing direction includes multiple molding modules spaced apart in a lateral direction perpendicular to the processing direction and a common reaction surface. Each molding module includes a frame and a mold roll that defines molding cavities. Each mold roll defines a respective pressure zone in cooperation with the reaction surface and each mold roll is movable with respect to the reaction surface by controlled operation of the frame. Molten resin is introduced into the pressure zones and forced into the molding cavities to form arrays of fastener elements extending from base layers of resin formed on the surfaces of the mold rolls. The fastener elements are withdrawn from the cavities while stripping the base layers from the peripheral surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Velcro BVBA
    Inventors: Jerry G. Hodsdon, Christopher M. Gallant
  • Patent number: 10436236
    Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a stud, a threaded sleeve, and a compression spring. The stud includes a shaft with a first head at one end and a second head at an opposite end of the shaft, both heads with opposing bearing surfaces. The threaded sleeve is disposed about the shaft. The threaded sleeve includes external threads and a tubular interior with an inwardly projected shoulder. The compression spring is disposed about the shaft inside the threaded sleeve, with a first end bearing against a shoulder of the threaded sleeve and a second end bearing against a bearing surface of the second head. The spring urges the sleeve against the bearing surface of the first head. The assembly can maintain a preload between two components while allowing the components to be separated, and can also be used as a pressure limiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Velcro BVBA
    Inventors: Jerry G. Hodsdon, Christopher C. Libby, James R. Barker
  • Publication number: 20190126519
    Abstract: Discrete male touch fastener elements are molded of thermoplastic resin extending from a common, flexible base sheet, by introducing molten resin to a molding nip between two counter-rotating rolls consisting of a mold roll and a pressure roll arranged such that their rotation axes are parallel and together define a common plane containing each of the rotation axes. Solidified resin is stripped from molding cavities of the mold roll after the cavities have passed a rotating reaction roll forming a pressure nip with the mold roll. The reaction roll is spaced from the pressure roll by a distance less than an outer diameter of the mold roll, and the mold roll is simultaneously held against both the pressure roll and the reaction roll in a non-planar roll stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventor: Jerry G. Hodsdon
  • Publication number: 20190126522
    Abstract: A linear actuator leverage assembly including a base with a side surface and a back surface defining between them a corner, a rail member coupled to the base, a lever arm with a bearing surface, and a linear actuator. The lever arm is pivotally connected to the rail member at a first pivot and to the linear actuator at a second pivot. The linear actuator is configured to move the rail member with respect to the base over a linear stroke of the linear actuator that moves the second pivot of the lever arm along a continuous motion path. The motion path includes a first path segment generally parallel to the side surface and a second path segment, over which the lever arm pivots about the bearing surface as a fulcrum, thereby increasing leverage applied by the actuator to the rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventor: Jerry G. Hodsdon
  • Publication number: 20190126520
    Abstract: A molding apparatus defining a processing direction includes multiple molding modules spaced apart in a lateral direction perpendicular to the processing direction and a common reaction surface. Each molding module includes a frame and a mold roll that defines molding cavities. Each mold roll defines a respective pressure zone in cooperation with the reaction surface and each mold roll is movable with respect to the reaction surface by controlled operation of the frame. Molten resin is introduced into the pressure zones and forced into the molding cavities to form arrays of fastener elements extending from base layers of resin formed on the surfaces of the mold rolls. The fastener elements are withdrawn from the cavities while stripping the base layers from the peripheral surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Jerry G. Hodsdon, Christopher M. Gallant
  • Publication number: 20190107139
    Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a stud, a threaded sleeve, and a compression spring. The stud includes a shaft with a first head at one end and a second head at an opposite end of the shaft, both heads with opposing bearing surfaces. The threaded sleeve is disposed about the shaft. The threaded sleeve includes external threads and a tubular interior with an inwardly projected shoulder. The compression spring is disposed about the shaft inside the threaded sleeve, with a first end bearing against a shoulder of the threaded sleeve and a second end bearing against a bearing surface of the second head. The spring urges the sleeve against the bearing surface of the first head. The assembly can maintain a preload between two components while allowing the components to be separated, and can also be used as a pressure limiter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Jerry G. Hodsdon, Christopher C. Libby, James R. Barker
  • Patent number: 10131821
    Abstract: One or more cuts is provided in a label liner sheet near the area of a cutout within the label, such as the center hole in a CD label, in order to facilitate reliable separation of the cutout from the label and retention of the cutout on the liner sheet as the label is peeled from the liner. The majority of the cut runs generally parallel to the cutout boundary underneath the cutout, and the ends of the cut cross the boundary at two separate boundary crossing points on either side of the portion of the cut running parallel to the boundary. The cut first causes a flap to be created in the liner sheet and partially lifted as the label is beginning to be peeled away. Thereafter, as the peel line passes the flap area, the cutout experiences the full retentive strength of the label's pressure sensitive adhesive primarily at the two boundary crossings, and the cutout is pulled from the label and retained on the liner sheet as the adhesive force overcomes the cohesive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: CCL Label, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry G. Hodsdon
  • Publication number: 20180118979
    Abstract: One or more cuts is provided in a label liner sheet near the area of a cutout within the label, such as the center hole in a CD label, in order to facilitate reliable separation of the cutout from the label and retention of the cutout on the liner sheet as the label is peeled from the liner. The majority of the cut runs generally parallel to the cutout boundary underneath the cutout, and the ends of the cut cross the boundary at two separate boundary crossing points on either side of the portion of the cut running parallel to the boundary. The cut first causes a flap to be created in the liner sheet and partially lifted as the label is beginning to be peeled away. Thereafter, as the peel line passes the flap area, the cutout experiences the full retentive strength of the label's pressure sensitive adhesive primarily at the two boundary crossings, and the cutout is pulled from the label and retained on the liner sheet as the adhesive force overcomes the cohesive force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventor: Jerry G. Hodsdon
  • Patent number: 9856402
    Abstract: One or more cuts is provided in a label liner sheet near the area of a cutout within the label, such as the center hole in a CD label, in order to facilitate reliable separation of the cutout from the label and retention of the cutout on the liner sheet as the label is peeled from the liner. The majority of the cut runs generally parallel to the cutout boundary underneath the cutout, and the ends of the cut cross the boundary at two separate boundary crossing points on either side of the portion of the cut running parallel to the boundary. The cut first causes a flap to be created in the liner sheet and partially lifted as the label is beginning to be peeled away. Thereafter, as the peel line passes the flap area, the cutout experiences the full retentive strength of the label's pressure sensitive adhesive primarily at the two boundary crossings, and the cutout is pulled from the label and retained on the liner sheet as the adhesive force overcomes the cohesive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: CCL LAVEL, INC.
    Inventor: Jerry G. Hodsdon
  • Patent number: 9159250
    Abstract: A label sheet assembly including a liner sheet, a carrier sheet, and a facestock sheet. The facestock sheet includes cut lines defining labels and cut lines defining at least a portion of a carrier strip. The carrier sheet can include cut lines defining at least a portion of the carrier strip. The carrier strip can be removed from the label sheet assembly to expose at least a portion of a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive on the labels. The label sheet assembly has a uniform thickness in an area that includes the carrier strip and the labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: CCL Label, Inc.
    Inventors: Le H. Hong, Michael Novak, Jerry G. Hodsdon, Gildardo Ramirez Villegas, Alejandro G. Veyna Hernandez, Florence M. Brisee, Ronald Ugolick
  • Publication number: 20140259818
    Abstract: An apparatus that is configured to stand on a supporting surface and methods of making and using the same. According to one embodiment, the apparatus includes a print-receptive surface and a biasing mechanism. The biasing mechanism is configured to bias the print-receptive surface into a standing configuration relative to the supporting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Eric J. Cushing, Jerry G. Hodsdon, Brian R. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 8455073
    Abstract: A label sheet construction including a liner sheet and a facestock sheet releasably adhered to the liner sheet. A plurality of labels and fold lines are die cut in the facestock sheet but not the liner sheet. The fold lines extend between the labels. After the sheet construction has been passed through a printer or copier and the desired indicia printed on the labels, the construction (an upper portion thereof) is bent back along one of the fold lines. This separates a(n) (upper) portion of the label from the underlying liner sheet. The user then easily grasps the upper portion and peels the label off of the liner sheet without tearing the label. When the label has a burst design, it is preferable to have a pair of fold lines for folding the liner sheet away from a portion of the label. The burst design preferably has alternating long and short points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry G. Hodsdon, Jennifer Lynn Dean
  • Patent number: 8300261
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for retrieving a printable media template from an identifier that is associated with printable media. The identifier is retrieved by a reader and a controller that are operatively coupled to receive and process the information. The controller includes a template engine that retrieves a printable media template corresponding to the information received from the identifier. A method for retrieving and generating a printable media template is also provided. A printable media package is also included that identifies a printable template for printing content on the printable media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: James D. Johnson, II, Jerry G. Hodsdon, Wade Person