Patents by Inventor Alfred J. Kafka

Alfred J. Kafka 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: 7011487
    Abstract: A vehicle (10) includes a hollow transfer device (20), a side translating assembly (40), and a lift mast assembly (90). The transfer device has at least one substantially open end and a longitudinal opening intersecting the substantial open end. The lift mast assembly is cooperatively associated with the transfer device to move the transfer device substantially vertically, and the side translating assembly is also operatively associated with the transfer device to move the transfer device substantially horizontally between at least one side of the vehicle and a center of the vehicle. The invention contemplates use in a newsprint roll handling apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Jervis B. Webb Company
    Inventors: Alfred J. Kafka, Harry E. Smith, Wallace I. Miller, Jr., Keith Westphal, Jon L. Coveyou
  • Publication number: 20030185660
    Abstract: A vehicle (10) includes a hollow transfer device (20), a side translating assembly (40), and a lift mast assembly (90). The transfer device has at least one substantially open end and a longitudinal opening intersecting the transfer device to move the transfer device substantially vertically, and the side translating assembly is also operatively associated with the transfer device to move the transfer device substantially horizontally between at least one side of the vehicle and a center of the vehicle. The invention contemplates use in a newsprint roll handling apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Alfred J. Kafka, Harry E. Smith, Wallace I. Miller Jr, Keith Westphal, Jon L. Coveyou
  • Patent number: 6102652
    Abstract: A system for rapidly receiving and storing a quantity of loose copy, for example newspapers, from a high speed printing press and dispensing them to the point-of-use without having to undergo the traditional operation of bundling the newspapers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a newspaper delivery system comprising a conveyor system for receiving a continuous stream of loose, unbound, newspapers directly from a high speed printing operation, an over-the-road vehicle having a cargo area equipped with a loose copy storage unit for receiving the loose newspapers supplied by the conveyor system and storing the newspapers during transport; and mechanism for dispensing a selected quantity of newspapers once the truck arrives at a delivery destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Jervis B. Webb Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Shaver, Alfred J. Kafka, Matthew C. Carey
  • Patent number: 5975282
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for storing a stream of a plurality of thin flexible objects, such as newspapers or similar printed materials, which is constructed from a number of generally parallel conveyor sections arranged in a number of vertical columns. The conveyor sections in each column are connected to one another by diverter belts located at the ends of the columns and the last conveyor section in one column is connected to the first conveyor section in an adjacent column by an offset transfer conveyor. In operation, a lapped stream of objects is fed into the input of the storage device travels in a serpentine manner along all of the interconnected conveyor sections in a first column, across the transfer conveyor to a second column where the process is repeated. The remaining columns are traversed in the same manner until the stream reaches the end of the last conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Jervis B. Webb Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Shaver, Alfred J. Kafka, Deepak Devnani, Matthew C. Carey
  • Patent number: 5909798
    Abstract: A system for rapidly receiving and storing a quantity of loose copy, for example newspapers, from a high speed printing press and dispensing them to the point-of-use without having to undergo the traditional operation of bundling the newspapers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a newspaper delivery system comprising a conveyor system for receiving a continuous stream of loose, unbound, newspapers directly from a high speed printing operation, an over-the-road vehicle having a cargo area equipped with a loose copy storage unit for receiving the loose newspapers supplied by the conveyor system and storing the newspapers during transport; and means for dispensing a selected quantity of newspapers once the truck arrives at a delivery destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Jervis B. Webb Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Shaver, Alfred J. Kafka, Matthew C. Carey
  • Patent number: 5076751
    Abstract: Newsprint roll handling apparatus for a reelroom having a row of reelstands each equipped with spindles adapted to coaxially engage and rotate a cylindrical newsprint roll on a reelstand axis. The apparatus comprises storage racks installed in the reelroom and providing superimposed horizontal rows of storage bins adjacent to the reelstands and extending perpendicular to the reelstand axes, each storage bin being adapted to hold an individual newsprint roll positioned with its axis extending substantially parallel to the reelstand axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Jervis B. Webb Company
    Inventor: Alfred J. Kafka