Patents by Inventor Marla Greenlund

Marla Greenlund 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).

  • Control mechanism for a feed and tension unit in a strapping apparatus
    Patent number: 6782679
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for applying flexible straps around objects include a feed and tension unit a feed drive wheel and a feed pinch wheel, a primary tension drive wheel and a primary tension pinch wheel, and a secondary tension drive wheel and a secondary tension pinch wheel, wherein at least one of the pinch wheels is controllably biased against the respective drive wheel by a solenoid that is controlled in two stages: a first stage that provides a full feed or tensioning force and a second stage that provides a reduced feed or tensioning force by altering the pulse width modulation of the solenoid. In another embodiment, the three sets of wheels of the feed and tension unit are configured to provide a simplified “V-shaped” strap path that reduces bending of the strap, thereby reducing friction and consequent feeding difficulties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Enterprises International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Helland, Rich Ballou, Marla Greenlund, Don Smith
  • Apparatus for applying flexible straps around bundles of objects
    Patent number: 6640700
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for applying flexible straps around objects include a feed and tension unit a feed drive wheel and a feed pinch wheel, a primary tension drive wheel and a primary tension pinch wheel, and a secondary tension drive wheel and a secondary tension pinch wheel, wherein at least one of the pinch wheels is controllably biased against the respective drive wheel by a solenoid that is controlled in two stages: a first stage that provides a full feed or tensioning force and a second stage that provides a reduced feed or tensioning force by altering the pulse width modulation of the solenoid. In another embodiment, the three sets of wheels of the feed and tension unit are configured to provide a simplified “V-shaped” strap path that reduces bending of the strap, thereby reducing friction and consequent feeding difficulties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Enterprises International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Helland, Rich Ballou, Marla Greenlund, Don Smith
  • Apparatus for applying flexible straps around bundles of objects
    Publication number: 20020134252
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for applying flexible straps around objects include a feed and tension unit a feed drive wheel and a feed pinch wheel, a primary tension drive wheel and a primary tension pinch wheel, and a secondary tension drive wheel and a secondary tension pinch wheel, wherein at least one of the pinch wheels is controllably biased against the respective drive wheel by a solenoid that is controlled in two stages: a first stage that provides a full feed or tensioning force and a second stage that provides a reduced feed or tensioning force by altering the pulse width modulation of the solenoid. In another embodiment, the three sets of wheels of the feed and tension unit are configured to provide a simplified “V-shaped” strap path that reduces bending of the strap, thereby reducing friction and consequent feeding difficulties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: Enterprises International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Helland, Rich Ballou, Marla Greenlund, Don Smith
  • Control mechanism for a feed and tension unit in a strapping apparatus
    Publication number: 20020129717
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for applying flexible straps around objects include a feed and tension unit a feed drive wheel and a feed pinch wheel, a primary tension drive wheel and a primary tension pinch wheel, and a secondary tension drive wheel and a secondary tension pinch wheel, wherein at least one of the pinch wheels is controllably biased against the respective drive wheel by a solenoid that is controlled in two stages: a first stage that provides a full feed or tensioning force and a second stage that provides a reduced feed or tensioning force by altering the pulse width modulation of the solenoid. In another embodiment, the three sets of wheels of the feed and tension unit are configured to provide a simplified “V-shaped” strap path that reduces bending of the strap, thereby reducing friction and consequent feeding difficulties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Applicant: Enterprises International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Helland, Rich Ballou, Marla Greenlund, Don Smith
  • Track mechansim for guiding flexible straps around bundles of objects
    Patent number: 6415712
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for applying flexible straps around objects including a feed and tension unit, a feed drive wheel and a feed pinch wheel, a primary tension drive wheel and a primary tension pinch wheel, and a secondary tension drive wheel and a secondary tension pinch wheel, wherein at least one of the pinch wheels is controllably biased against the respective drive wheel by a solenoid that is controlled in two stages: a first stage that provides a full feed or tensioning force and a second stage that provides a reduced feed or tensioning force by altering the pulse width modulation of the solenoid. In another embodiment, the three sets of wheels of the feed and tension unit are configured to provide a simplified “V-shaped” strap path that reduces bending of the strap, thereby reducing friction and consequent feeding difficulties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Enterprises International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Helland, Rich Ballou, Marla Greenlund, Don Smith