Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Kirkland

Thomas R. Kirkland 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: 4936815
    Abstract: A tray forming machine comprising an infeed station for accepting a blank of corrugated plastic, and a transfer mechanism which automatically conveys the blank along a plane into a blank receiving station between a tray forming ram and a forming tool frame. The tray forming ram moves downward along a vertical path carrying the blank through the forming tool frame, during which the blank is folded into a generally upright tray configuration by a series of vertically displaced side and end forming bars and brackets. The tray forming ram and blank emerge from the forming tool frame and are received in a clamping and welding assembly which holds the blank in position while it is secured by sonic welds into the upright tray. The clamping assembly releases while the tray forming ram returns to its raised position, and the tray is stripped off the tray forming ram by the bottom of the forming brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Liberty Diversified Industries
    Inventors: Thomas R. Kirkland, Norman Pratt, Edwin Larson
  • Patent number: 4639196
    Abstract: The valve has a cylindrical, cartridge-like housing in which a piston is slidably disposed. The piston subdivides the housing into an outer chamber, at one housing end, into which oil under pressure is admitted, and an inner chamber from which oil is discharged. Ports formed in the housing open onto the inner chamber and allow the oil to pass therethrough and on into an associated air compressor. The other end of the valve housing defines a control chamber. The piston has a depending, cylindrical shank which (a) moves into, and removes from, the control chamber, and (b) has a disc, fixed onto the end of the shank, which is sealingly engaged with the wall of the control chamber. Channels are formed in the periphery of the piston, to allow oil to flow from the outer chamber to the inner chamber, but a land in the housing defines a seat for the piston which, when the piston closes thereupon, interdicts the aforesaid oil flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Thomas R. Kirkland, Jr.
  • Patent number: D342294
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Inventor: Thomas R. Kirkland