Patents Examined by William A. Rivera
  • Patent number: 11661304
    Abstract: A lightweight tube structure capable of high loading is provided. The tube structure comprises an inner tube and an outer tube with an annular space being formed between the outer tube and the inner tube; a first paper ring and a second paper ring fitted at two ends of the annular space respectively. A foamed body may be disposed in the annular space, the foamed body being supported between the outer tube and the inner tube. The structure enables the tube to retain a light weight and can also enhance the loading strength of the tube, thus achieving the substantial effect of preventing deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Kwang-Wei Ho, Hsiang-Shou Hsu
  • Patent number: 11655117
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a dispenser assembly for dispensing supplies of sheet material. The dispensing assembly can include a carrier supporting the supplies of sheet material and being moveable along a track between various dispensing positions. The dispenser assembly also can include a carrier pivoting assembly with a lever that engages one of the supplies of sheet material and rotates during dispensing thereof, as well as one or more biased pins connected to the lever and configured to engage locking features provided along the track to support the carrier in one of the dispensing positions. The biased pins further can be configured to retract with rotation of the lever such that they disengage the locking features so the carrier to moves along the track to different dispensing position. Other aspects also are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventor: Charles Agnew Osborne, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11649127
    Abstract: An apparatus for exchanging paper rolls includes a paper supply mechanism having an inclined arm and a clamp assembly for receiving and holding a first paper roll; a second-roll hanger assembly arranged above the paper supply mechanism for receiving and holding a second paper roll; a slide rail arranged between the paper supply mechanism and the second-roll hanger assembly; an elevating assembly movably mounted to the slide rail; and a driving assembly for driving the elevating assembly to move along the slide rail. The elevating assembly picks up the second paper roll from the second-roll hanger assembly. To exchange the first paper roll with the second paper roll, the clamp assembly pushes the first paper roll away from the paper supply mechanism, and the elevating assembly lowers down along the slide rail to place the second paper roll in the paper supply mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Chan Li Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tung-I Tsai
  • Patent number: 11649126
    Abstract: To prevent a failure or the like caused by winding of a tape in a reverse direction to a proper direction, a paper sheet circulation device includes a travelling-direction mark having a pattern that is formed along a travelling-direction of a detection tape and indicates the difference of the travelling-direction of the tape, and a sensor module that detects the travelling-direction mark and outputs a detection signal. The paper sheet circulation device determines a travelling-direction of the tape from a pattern signal in accordance with the travelling-direction of the tape acquired on the basis of a temporal change of the detection signal, and determines a winding direction of the tape on a drum from the travelling-direction of the tape and a rotation direction of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Japan Cash Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Yasutaka, Yoshimi Ezawa, Tomonori Kitano, Hiroji Ishihata, Toru Seki
  • Patent number: 11643000
    Abstract: A system includes a collapsible trailer frame and a lifting mechanism coupled to the collapsible trailer frame. The lifting mechanism is configured to raise or lower a coil of pipe or a reel of pipe. The system also includes a braking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: John P. Leger, Peter A. Parker, Kraig Tabor, Jagtar Thethy, Alexander Lee Winn
  • Patent number: 11643297
    Abstract: A reel take-up apparatus includes a frame, a drive mechanism, a pair of support rollers, and a pair of positioning actuators. The frame may be configured to receive a reel from one end. The drive mechanism is generally slidably mounted to the frame and configured to rotate the reel. The pair of support rollers generally extend from the frame and may be configured to provide support to the reel while allowing the reel to rotate. The pair of positioning actuators may be configured to move the pair of support rollers toward and away from each other so as to (i) lift the reel from a support surface, (ii) support the reel during rotation by the drive mechanism, and (iii) lower the reel to the support surface for removal from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Reeling Systems L.L.C.
    Inventors: Donald G. Graham, Christopher L. Graham
  • Patent number: 11623834
    Abstract: A web material dispenser for housing two or more rolls is provided. The web material dispenser includes a housing having a fixed housing portion provided with a first roll support assembly coupled thereto for supporting a first roll of web material. The housing further has a movable housing portion, movable between a closed position and an open position, provided with a second roll support assembly coupled thereto for supporting a second roll of web material. The fixed and movable housing portions defining a housing chamber therebetween when the movable portion is in the closed position, for at least partially enclosing the two or more rolls of web material within the housing chamber. The movable portion is moved to the open position for providing access to the two or more rolls and allowing replacement of at least one of the first and second rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: CASCADES CANADA ULC
    Inventors: Richard Paré, Antoine Dallaire, Mélody Sue Myette
  • Patent number: 11617478
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for providing a sheet product dispenser with automated product level tracking functionality are provided herein. Various product level sensors are disclosed herein including a product level sensor configured to emit a signal toward an outer circumference of a sheet product roll on a spindle extending along a longitudinal axis and to receive a reflected signal. The product level sensor is positioned a radial distance away from the spindle and aimed to emit the signal in a direction that is not parallel and not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The product level sensor detects a parameter of the reflected signal corresponding to the distance between the product level sensor and the sheet product roll. Other example embodiments include mechanical product level sensors. Various communication protocols may be employed to limit transmission of data to conserve battery life while still maintaining desired communication functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: GPCP IP HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: David Warren Murphy, Timothy Andrew Robertson, Kevin Michael Swanson, Ryan Anthony Goltz, Andrew Mark Mueller
  • Patent number: 11617479
    Abstract: Refill for a dispenser, with a material web wound to form a roll and at least one substantially axially adjustable bearing journal. The at least one substantially axially adjustable bearing journal is adjustable substantially axially outwards away from the roll starting from a defined inner end position in which it protrudes axially beyond the roll. A bearing unit for such a refill, and a dispenser for housing the refill and dispensing the material web are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Inventor: Hans Georg Hagleitner
  • Patent number: 11597618
    Abstract: In steady control, a shaft control unit (922) adjusts rotation speed of a first support shaft (31) to cause a first roll (R1) to have peripheral speed equal to predetermined conveyance speed by maintaining a sheet storage amount in a storage mechanism (5) in a first storage amount as a reference. In storage amount adjustment control, the shaft control unit (922) accelerates the rotation speed of the first support shaft (31) to increase the peripheral speed of the first roll (R1) higher than the conveyance speed, until the sheet storage amount in the storage mechanism (5) reaches a predetermined second storage amount that is larger than the first storage amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: ZUIKO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masato Hiroyasu
  • Patent number: 11591180
    Abstract: A rotating member for a wrap dispenser includes a first portion defining an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface defining an outer diameter and the inner surface defining an inner diameter; a second portion defining an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface defining an outer diameter and the inner surface defining an inner diameter, wherein the inner diameter of the first portion is less than the inner diameter of the second portion, and wherein the outer diameter of the first portion is less than the outer diameter of the second portion; and a transition portion extending between the first portion and the second portion, the transition portion defining an inner surface, the inner surface defining an inner diameter, wherein the inner diameter of the transition portion tapers from the second portion to the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Pratt Corrugated Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Hannah Conrad, Corey Crane, Travis Walters
  • Patent number: 11584610
    Abstract: A rotating member for a wrap dispenser includes a first portion defining a first outer surface and a first inner surface, the first inner surface defining a first inner diameter; a second portion defining a second inner surface, the second inner surface defining a second inner diameter, wherein the first inner diameter is less than the second inner diameter; and an upset protruding radially outwardly from the first outer surface of the first portion, the upset oriented distal to the second portion, wherein a slot extends longitudinally through the upset to allow the upset to flex radially inward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Pratt Corrugated Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Hannah Conrad, Corey Crane, Travis Walters
  • Patent number: 11577927
    Abstract: A sheet supplying apparatus, which is capable of winding a sheet tightly, includes a driving unit configured to cause a roll including a wound consecutive sheet to rotate in a first direction for feeding the sheet or a second direction opposite to the first direction, a sensor that detects a leading end portion of the sheet separated from an outer circumferential surface of the roll, and a contact body that presses the outer circumferential surface. Before the sheet is fed, in a state in which the contact body presses the outer circumferential surface, the driving unit causes the roll to continuously rotate in the second direction until a detection cycle of the leading end portion by the sensor is less than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Suzuki, Masashi Kamada, Masato Eiyama, Yuki Igarashi, Masashi Negishi, Ryoya Shinjo, Ryo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11560080
    Abstract: A system includes a trailer frame, a lifting mechanism coupled to the trailer frame, wherein the lifting mechanism is configured to raise or lower a coil of pipe or a reel of pipe, a braking mechanism configured to apply pressure to the pipe while the pipe is being deployed by the system, and a hydraulic power unit configured to hydraulically power the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Ryan Barnett, Matthew Allen Hegler
  • Patent number: 11560281
    Abstract: A packaging machine for packaging goods in film packages, equipped with a device for receiving and holding a surface element roll, so as to process it in a packaging machine by unrolling the surface element and introducing the surface element into the packaging machine, comprising an axle to be incorporated into the surface element roll on its rotational axis of symmetry, wherein the axle is received in a swivel receiver, and the axle for unrolling the surface element is held with the swivel receiver in a roughly vertical alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: JÖRG VON SEGGERN MASCHINENBAU GMBH
    Inventors: Jörg von Seggern, Klaus Von Seggern
  • Patent number: 11548755
    Abstract: A system includes a drum assembly that includes a support bar having a first end and a second end, and a plurality of drum segments coupled to the support bar. The drum segments are movable between retracted and extended positions, and the drum assembly is configured to be disposed within an interior region of a coil of flexible pipe when the plurality of drum segments are in the retracted position. The system also includes a first containment flange coupled to the drum assembly at the first end, a second containment flange coupled to the drum assembly at the second end, a first coupling device configured to removably couple the first containment flange to the drum assembly, and a second coupling device configured to removably couple the second containment flange to the drum assembly. The first and second containment flanges are configured to contain the flexible pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Ricardo Garcia, Jonathan Guerrero, Matthew Allen Hegler, John Leger, Matthew Lousteau, Juan Moreno, Jagtar Thethy, Alexander Lee Winn
  • Patent number: 11540675
    Abstract: A resistance mechanism for a sheet product dispenser for dispensing a length of sheet product from a roll of sheet product rotatably supported by the sheet product dispenser is provided. The resistance mechanism includes an arm configured to frictionally engage a surface of the roll of sheet product, and a spring attached to the arm and configured to bias the arm into engagement with the surface of the roll of sheet product, such that the resistance mechanism provides a pull force resistance opposing a pull force applied to a tail portion of the roll of sheet product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Steven B. Mattheeussen, Genevieve Taylor, Roy J. Rozek, Antonio M. Cittadino, Eric Peterson, Ryan A. Goltz, John Laitala
  • Patent number: 11535482
    Abstract: A bungee spool for collecting and storing bungee cords in a portable manner comprising a core and two rims where at least one has multiple slots radiating and the slots have raised inner edges outward from the point where the rim joins the top of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Inventor: James F. C. Swanson
  • Patent number: 11529027
    Abstract: Systems and methods for holding dispensing a paper roll product. Exemplary systems include a wall mount, a first arm coupled with the wall mount via a first bearing mechanism, a second arm coupled with the first arm via a second bearing mechanism, a third arm coupled with the second arm via a third bearing mechanism, and a holder arm coupled with the third arm via a fourth bearing mechanism, the holder arm configured to support a paper product roll, such as a toilet paper roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Inventor: Theodore R. Steinke
  • Patent number: 11529029
    Abstract: A support spindle assembly for rotatably supporting a coreless paper roll for dispensing, the support spindle assembly including a spindle base, a spindle element having a central longitudinal axis (X) and having first and second ends, the spindle element being attached to the spindle base at the first end and rotationally fixed in relation to the spindle base and a rotatable sleeve rotatably disposed about the spindle element, and rotatable in relation to the spindle base and to the spindle element. The support spindle assembly includes a resilient member disposed about the first end of the spindle element, which resilient member is arranged to cooperate with the spindle base and with the rotatable sleeve in order to provide the rotatable sleeve with a rotational resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: ESSITY HYGIENE AND HEALTH AKTIEBOLAG
    Inventors: Nathan J. Wicker, Scott J. Rote, David A. Wylen, Matthew P. Kramp