Patents by Inventor Michael W. Potempa

Michael W. Potempa 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: 9156575
    Abstract: A load packaging system includes a bag feeder for pulling a length of bag material, a mechanism for cutting and sealing the bag material to form a bag with a first sealed end, and a gripping device for opening the bag. The system also includes a load pusher for pushing the load into the bag, a package sealer for sealing a second end of the bag, and a labeling device for printing and applying one or more labels onto the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Signode Industrial Grop LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. Potempa, Matthew T. Grennie, Ronald R. Powell
  • Publication number: 20120186197
    Abstract: A load packaging system includes a bag feeder for pulling a length of bag material, a mechanism for cutting and sealing the bag material to form a bag with a first sealed end, and a gripping device for opening the bag. The system also includes a load pusher for pushing the load into the bag, a package sealer for sealing a second end of the bag, and a labeling device for printing and applying one or more labels onto the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Michael W. Potempa, Matthew T. Grennie, Ronald R. Powell
  • Patent number: 8175445
    Abstract: A non-contact cutter for a polymer corner protector disposed on a load includes an air manifold having an inlet and an outlet and defining an air passage and a heating element disposed at least in part in the air passage. A compressed gas is communicated to the manifold and into the air passage for intimate contact with the heating element to heat the gas. The heated gas is discharged through the outlet to contact and soften the polymer corner protector at a desired location to separate the corner protector at the desired location. A system and method for non-contact cutting are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Arland L. Morrison, Richard K. Balling, Richard G. Newman, Michael W. Potempa
  • Publication number: 20100040353
    Abstract: A non-contact cutter for a polymer corner protector disposed on a load includes an air manifold having an inlet and an outlet and defining an air passage and a heating element disposed at least in part in the air passage. A compressed gas is communicated to the manifold and into the air passage for intimate contact with the heating element to heat the gas. The heated gas is discharged through the outlet to contact and soften the polymer corner protector at a desired location to separate the corner protector at the desired location. A system and method for non-contact cutting are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Arland L. Morrison, Richard K. Balling, Richard G. Newman, Michael W. Potempa