Patents by Inventor Bill Bird

Bill Bird 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).

  • Method and apparatus for severing packaging material between successive wrapped loads
    Patent number: 5140800
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for severing packaging material which extends between successive wrapped loads during a continuous packaging process. A conveyor assembly conveys the wrapped loads along a load path in a conveying direction. The conveyor assembly includes a first conveyor portion having a discharge area and a second conveyor portion having a receiving area downstream and a step down from the discharge area of the first conveyor portion. A severing assembly includes a severing element located above the second conveyor portion for severing the packaging material between loads. A pivoting breakaway mechanism permits the severing element to pivot in the conveying direction. An escapement mechanism, responsive to load sensors, transports the severing element to a position spaced from the load path when the severing element encounters a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Lantech, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart Martin, Curtis Martin, Bill Bird, John Fain, Phil Moore