Patents Represented by Attorney Douglas W. Rudy

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  • Automatic spray ring for use in a juice finisher
    Patent number: 5386765
    Abstract: A spray ring is cycled back and forth along the longitudinal axis of a finisher to allow a high pressure cleaning stream of water or solvent to be directed against the surface of the finisher. A linear rodless cylinder is attached to the spray ring and is sequenced to move the spray ring, responsive to, among other possible inputs, flow measured by a flow switch or flow sensor as a control input to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Olusczak, Michael L. Suter
  • Method for determining article orientation in an article handling system using a sampling of a CCD array
    Patent number: 5353358
    Abstract: In an article handling system that functions to make article discrimination-identification determinations, the possible article orientations A, B, C . . . are stored and compared to establish maximum pixel difference numbers and identification of longitudinal window position along the article where such maximum difference occurs. Each of the possible orientations is compared with all other possible orientations so that a small number of windows is identified as part of a setting procedure. When operating, the work articles are scanned and only the data at window locations are used to make article orientation identifications to reduce time and memory requirements for data processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Randy K. Baird, Stanley P. Turcheck, Jr.
  • Fruit juice extraction press
    Patent number: 5339729
    Abstract: A juice press for extracting the juice from a non-citrus fruit or vegetable uses a pair of cups into which a press plunger is cycled to the fruit to be processed to be compressed and extruded through an orifice tube wherein a significant volume of juice will be pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: David N. Anderson
  • Bucket lift distribution system
    Patent number: 5339943
    Abstract: A bulk material handling conveyor system having a set of buckets carried in a continuous manner from an infeed zone where the buckets are filled with product by way of a metering vibratory feeder to an unloading zone and back to the infeed zone. The buckets may be selectively at least partially emptied in the unloading zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Randy K. Baird, Sydney Hilton
  • High resolution parts handling system
    Patent number: 5311977
    Abstract: A high resolution article handling system serves as an article discriminator or identifier by creating an object silhouette. The objects are singulated on a conveyor and scanned by a linear array of CCD units (2048 pixels per inch) at a scan rate of 10 MHz. Pixel transitions corresponding to object edge points are converted to a single count value from a counter which is synchronized with the scanner. A microprocessor with a first in, first out buffer memory needs only a capacity to handle the count value rather than all data from the pixels. Article orientation is corrected in response to signal generated by determining the count value difference between a reference value and a work article value at only the scan slice windows at equally spaced positions along the article length where differences have been predetermined to be a maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Inventors: Arthur L. Dean, Randy K. Baird, Stanley P. Turcheck, Jr., James P. Martin
  • Feeder drive
    Patent number: 5293987
    Abstract: An electromagnetic exciter for use in powering vibratory equipment includes a plurality of deflectable elastomeric springs in a configuration that allows the spring system to achieve a vertical non-linear spring rate increase beneficial in dual mass electromagnetic feeder and conveyor systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Marshall, Harold E. Patterson, Paul I. Sleppy, Arthur L. Dean
  • Electromagnetic drive for use with vibratory conveyors
    Patent number: 5287027
    Abstract: An electromechanical exciter for use in driving a vibratory conveyor includes a non-linear spring system which provides an increase in spring force as the stroke of the electromagnet increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Marshall, Arthur L. Dean, Paul I. Sleppy, Harold E. Patterson
  • Servo driven components of a bag machine
    Patent number: 5230688
    Abstract: The invention has to do with the modification of well known heat sealing bag machines to increase the production capability of the machines. The use of servo drives for selected components of the bag machine permits the reduction of film acceleration and consequential peak film velocity, thus allowing faster machine cycles at the same film acceleration and consequential film velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Hatchell, Jeffrey L. Ross, Charles A. Sample
  • Interleaving apparatus for rolled up segments
    Patent number: 5197727
    Abstract: Rolls of individual plastic bags are formed on apparatus that overlaps the bags before the bags are fed into the roll to provide a compact roll of individual bags. The apparatus overlaps portions of the bags so that a plurality of bags can be continuously fed into the roll even though the bags are not mechanically connected end-to-end to adjacent bags on the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald L. Lotto, Ernest H. Teske, Peter Hatchell
  • Wire frame idler roll support
    Patent number: 5197592
    Abstract: A support frame for use in supporting a plurality of idler rolls has separate compression and tension support members each extending across the length of the support frame and attached to center brackets for supporting the idler rolls. The support members are rod-shaped having similar width and thickness dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Charles F. East
  • Automatic spray ring for use in a juice finisher
    Patent number: 5193446
    Abstract: The spray ring is cycled back and forth along the longitudinal axis of the finisher to allow the high pressure cleaning stream of water or solvent to be directed against the surface of the finisher. A linear rodless cylinder is attached to the spray ring and is sequenced to move the spray ring from one end of the finisher to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Olusczak, Michael L. Suter
  • Metal-to-metal wellhead seal for rough casing
    Patent number: 5183268
    Abstract: An annular metallic seal element for wellhead housings to provide a fluid-tight seal with a well casing that will withstand extreme temperatures and high pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Henry Wong, Ronald D. Quates, Lien-Yan Chen
  • Fluted column for juice extractor
    Patent number: 5170700
    Abstract: In juice extractor apparatus there is usually provided an orifice tube inside a strainer tube. The orifice tube would have a central aperture through its length for the transport of fruit pulp. The orifice tube of conventional structure is replaced by a fluted column that allows transport of the fruit pulp on the outside of the fluted column and inside the strainer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: David N. Anderson, Wayne C. Sherman
  • Interleaving apparatus for rolled up segments
    Patent number: 5161793
    Abstract: Rolls of individual plastic bags are formed on apparatus that overlaps the bags before the bags are fed into the roll to provide a compact roll of individual bags. The apparatus overlaps portions of the bags so that a plurality of bags can be continuously fed into the roll even though the bags are not mechanically connected end-to-end to adjacent bags on the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald L. Lotto, Ernest H. Teske, Peter Hatchell
  • High resolution camera sensor having a linear pixel array
    Patent number: 5157486
    Abstract: A high resolution object handling system serves as an object discrimination--identification by creating an object silhouette. The objects are singulated on a conveyor and scanned by a linear array of CCD units (2048 pixels per inch) at a scan rate of 10 MHz. Pixel transitions corresponding to object edge points are converted to a single count value from a counter which is synchronized with the scanner. A microprocessor with a first in, first out buffer memory needs only a capacity to handle the count value rather than all data from the pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Randy K. Baird, Stanley P. Turcheck, Jr., James P. Martin
  • High resolution camera with hardware data compaction
    Patent number: 5142591
    Abstract: A high resolution object handling system serves as an object discrimination - identification by creating an object silhouette. The objects are singulated on a conveyor and scanned by a linear array of CCD units (2048 pixels per inch) at a scan rate of 10 MHz. Pixel transitions corresponding to object edge points are converted to a single count value from a counter which is synchronized with the scanner. A microprocessor with a first in, first out buffer memory needs only a capacity to handle the count value rather than all data from the pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Randy K. Baird, Stanley P. Turcheck, Jr., James P. Martin
  • Fruit hopper for single head juice extractor
    Patent number: 5123567
    Abstract: A fruit bin is provide with a perforated floor or bottom allowing at least a single vertical, movable wall that is mounted to move in and out of said perforation into a fruit storage bin. The movable wall is mounted to a feed metering device that serves a dual function of also metering fruit to a fruit processing machine such as a fruit juicer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: David N. Anderson
  • Seal cartridge for use in idler rollers
    Patent number: 5110143
    Abstract: A bearing seal having multiple elements including a pair of contact seals, one of which is a fiber seal and a second of which is an elastomeric seal, is provided for use with a bushing having an inclined step which, in conjunction with a seal locator having an upturned flange and a spacer, forms a cavity to accommodate a projecting lip of the elastomeric seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Bryon T. Hibbetts
  • Proximity detection means on a palletizer hand assembly
    Patent number: 5098254
    Abstract: A robotic palletizer including a vertical column, a telescoping horizontal arm mounted for vertical movement along the column and a hand assembly mounted at the end of the horizontal arm. A pair of photodetectors, movable with the hand assembly, sense the presence and location of cartons in place on a pallet being loaded and signal the palletizer when the vertical height and horizontal extension of the hand assembly are sufficient to place cartons in the proper position for loading onto the pallet. A circuit controls operation of the palletizer in accordance with the sizes and shapes of the cartons and pallets and permits limited variation of the loading pattern provided by the palletizer. Separate conveyors transport cartons to the palletizer for loading and remove loaded pallets from the palletizer upon completion of the loading cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth F. Becicka, Thomas R. Reed, Ray A. Yourgalite, Neal C. Chamberlain, Steven L. Hufford
  • Material transport bucket
    Patent number: D336091
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Kovalak, Harold E. Patterson, Paul I. Sleppy