Patents by Inventor Thomas B. Middlebrooks
Thomas B. Middlebrooks 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).
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Patent number: 7789017Abstract: A bale banding machine having an overhead press head that translates in the vertical direction relative to the band guide track and the bale being banded. The band is directed through a stationary band feeding guide assembly into a band receiving guide assembly mounted on the translating press head assembly. The stationary band feeding guide assembly defines an enclosed channel, at the end of which is provided a feed guide pivoting member that is biased in a closed position until the press heads lowers, upon which event a follower cam in the feed guide pivoting member reacts to a cam wedge on the descending press head, causing the feed guide pivoting member to pivot away from the band extending between the stationary band feeding guide assembly and the translating band receiving guide assembly. Simultaneously, the head guide pivoting member is caused to pivot upward from the band.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2008Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Inventors: Peter A. Rodriguez, Thomas B. Middlebrooks
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Publication number: 20090013881Abstract: A bale banding machine having an overhead press head that translates in the vertical direction relative to the band guide track and the bale being banded. The band is directed through a stationary band feeding guide assembly into a band receiving guide assembly mounted on the translating press head assembly. The stationary band feeding guide assembly defines an enclosed channel, at the end of which is provided a feed guide pivoting member that is biased in a closed position until the press heads lowers, upon which event a follower cam in the feed guide pivoting member reacts to a cam wedge on the descending press head, causing the feed guide pivoting member to pivot away from the band extending between the stationary band feeding guide assembly and the translating band receiving guide assembly. Simultaneously, the head guide pivoting member is caused to pivot upward from the band.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2008Publication date: January 15, 2009Inventors: Peter A. Rodriguez, Thomas B. Middlebrooks
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Patent number: 6578788Abstract: An accumulator roll and a dispensing system for a cutting tape into a cross web track of an apparatus for cutting a moving web of paper includes first and second driving rolls for moving the tape into an entryway of a container and having a cutting station between them to cut a pre-determined single length of a cutting tape, the container includes a hollow formed by a circumferential surface in which the entryway is located and having a lateral slot therein located spacedly from the entryway, the hollow is formed by a plate extending laterally of the circumferential surface and having an arcuate slot generally medially of the plate, a press roll extending through the lateral slot beyond the circumferential surface, an accumulator roll having a rotating first shaft extending through the arcuate slot with accumulator roll being within the hollow and located adjacent to and urged toward the press roll for receiving the tape therebetween and wrapping the tape around accumulator roll, which is rotating at a speedType: GrantFiled: November 8, 2001Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Inventors: Peter A. Rodriguez, Thomas B. Middlebrooks
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Publication number: 20030085315Abstract: An accumulator roll and a dispensing system for a cutting tape into a cross web track of an apparatus for cutting a moving web of paper includes first and second driving rolls for moving the tape into an entryway of a container and having a cutting station between them to cut a pre-determined single length of a cutting tape, the container includes a hollow formed by a circumferential surface in which the entryway is located and having a lateral slot therein located spacedly from the entryway, the hollow is formed by a plate extending laterally of the circumferential surface and having an arcuate slot generally medially of the plate, a press roll extending through the lateral slot beyond the circumferential surface, an accumulator roll having a rotating first shaft extending through the arcuate slot with accumulator roll being within the hollow and located adjacent to and urged toward the press roll for receiving the tape therebetween and wrapping the tape around accumulator roll, which is rotating at a speedType: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2001Publication date: May 8, 2003Inventors: Peter A. Rodriguez, Thomas B. Middlebrooks
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Publication number: 20030084987Abstract: An adhesive applicator for applying a strip of double-sided pressure sensitive adhesive to a surface of a cutting tape, the applicator includes a housing having a rotatable supply roll having layers of spaced strips with exposed face sides and unexposed back sides, each side having a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon, and the back side being adhered to a release liner, a stationary nose member mounted to the housing and having a rounded tip and disposed above the supply roll, a press member or roll positioned above the rounded tip and being movable downwardly to force a lower surface of incoming cutting tape into contact with the exposed face side to cause the exposed face side to adhere to the lower surface and separate from the release liner when the release liner is pulled laterally around the tip, a rotatable nip roll positioned beneath the supply roll for pressing a spent release liner onto the supply roll to keep the spent release liner under tension all the time, and a doctor knife edge adjacent theType: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2001Publication date: May 8, 2003Inventors: Peter A. Rodriguez, Thomas B. Middlebrooks
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Patent number: 6363689Abstract: Method and apparatus for tying bundles with baleband made of paper pulp fibers and water-soluble adhesive. The machine is positioned transverse to a conveyor upon which bundles are moved into position for tying. The machine includes a track for guiding the baleband around the bundle, applying water to the forward end of the baleband, clamping the forward end of the bale band, tightening the baleband around the bundle, pressing the forward end against an overlapped portion of the baleband while heating the end of the baleband to seal the ends together, pressing the ends together and cutting the overlapped portion of the baleband and releasing the bundle for unloading from the conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2000Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Sandar Industries, INCInventors: Peter A. Rodriguez, Thomas B. Middlebrooks
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Patent number: 5810279Abstract: A severing and spool assembly employs various weakening devices and techniques to provide a shear force along a narrow elongate portion of the web. One method involves scoring a paper web being spooled in a manner to provide for a controlled tearing along the scored web across its width. A portion of the web adjacent the origin of the score is attached to a take up spool using an adhesive flag member. The change in direction of the spool from roughly horizontal to nearly vertical places forces on the web sufficient to cause web tearing in a manner substantially following the score. High pressure air may be used to assist the vertical turn up action of the paper onto an empty spool.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1997Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Assignee: Sandar Industries, Inc.Inventors: Peter A. Rodriguez, Thomas B. Middlebrooks
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Patent number: 5294054Abstract: Multi-functional showerheads which include a central water supply shaft along which an outer housing is selectively adjustable so that the showerheads are operable in a first mode wherein the housing rotates to provide a massage action and in a second mode to provide a fixed or rotary shower spray.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1993Date of Patent: March 15, 1994Assignee: Benedict Engineering Company, Inc.Inventors: Charles E. Benedict, Thomas B. Middlebrooks, Robert G. Stampfli, Victor C. Cordiano, Charles W. Belt, Jay S. Tiedeberg
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Patent number: 5253622Abstract: A mechanism for controlling the duration of the opening of the intake valve of an internal combustion engine which includes a split cam having a first lobe which is fixed to a primary cam shaft that is drivingly connected to the engine's crankshaft and a second lobe which is freely mounted to the primary cam shaft and which is driven by gears of an auxiliary cam shaft which is axially shiftable, or a segment thereof shiftable, to rotate the second cam lobe relative to the first lobe of the split cam to thereby change the angular relationship between the first and second lobes to advance or retard the closing of the intake valve.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1993Date of Patent: October 19, 1993Assignee: Bornstein Motor Company, Inc.Inventors: Irvin Bornstein, Thomas B. Middlebrooks, Scott M. Eddy, Charles E. Benedict
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Patent number: 5245957Abstract: A spring assembly for positively urging inlet and exhaust valves of a internal combustion engine into both open and closed positioned wherein the spring assembly includes an engaging member which is biased alternatively in both directions relative to the elongated axis of the stem of each valve by a spring member which is oriented generally perpendicular with respect to the valve stem and which engaging member is engagable within a groove or detent formed in the valve stem.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1993Date of Patent: September 21, 1993Assignee: Bornstein Motor Company, Inc.Inventors: Irvin Bornstein, Thomas B. Middlebrooks, Scott M. Eddy, Charles E. Benedict