Patents by Inventor Theodore E. Jones, Jr.

Theodore E. Jones, Jr. 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).

  • Method for packaging articles having varying thicknesses
    Patent number: 7320573
    Abstract: A system for continuously packaging or sorting fragile articles having varying thicknesses in a stack includes a plurality of proportional shifters coupled to each of a plurality of stripping devices in an article infeed assembly. Each proportional shifter has an article gauge for measuring the height of a stack having a set or desired number of fragile articles, such as crackers or cookies. An article stripping device may be quickly and accurately adjusted in-process to measure the thickness of a set number of stacked articles contained in a given batch coming from an article infeed. The article gauge provides a measure of the height of a stack of a set number of articles sampled from an article infeed. The stack height is equivalent to the height of the stack of articles stripped by the strip feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore E. Jones, Jr., William A. Blain, Steve A Ramos, Edward Drake, Jr.
  • Device and method to correct uneven spacing of successive articles
    Patent number: 7021450
    Abstract: A device for correcting uneven spacing of successive articles includes a first conveyor belt having a plurality of articles spaced thereon. At least one article is unevenly spaced. A second conveyor belt is located downstream of the first conveyor belt upon which the plurality of articles are evenly spaced or shingled. A controller moves forwards and backwards, thereby extending or retracting a discharge end of the first conveyor belt and allowing uniform spacing or stacking of the articles on the second conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore E. Jones, Jr.
  • Article gauge and proportional shifter system
    Patent number: 6640523
    Abstract: A system for continuously packaging or sorting fragile articles having varying thicknesses in a stack includes a plurality of proportional shifters coupled to each of a plurality of stripping devices in an article infeed assembly. Each proportional shifter has an article gauge for measuring the height of a stack having a set or desired number of fragile articles, such as crackers or cookies. An article stripping device may be quickly and accurately adjusted in-process to measure the thickness of a set number of stacked articles contained in a given batch coming from an article infeed. The article gauge provides a measure of the height of a stack of a set number of articles sampled from an article infeed. The stack height is equivalent to the height of the stack of articles stripped by the strip feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore E. Jones, Jr., William A. Blain, Steve A. Ramos, Edward Drake, Jr.