Patents by Inventor Brian R. LaFreniere

Brian R. LaFreniere 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: 5569148
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a pallet spacer from a one-piece blank, the one piece blank having at least a first end and a second end, a retention segment disposed between the first and second ends, the retention segment defining a retention aperture, the second end including a cut-out flange having a hinge, the apparatus comprising a base, a rotating mandrel assembly mounted on the base for wrapping the one-piece blank around itself such that the retention aperture is registered directly adjacent the cut-out flange, the rotating mandrel assembly including a selective engagement means for gripping the first end of the one-piece blank when the one-piece blank is wrapped around itself, a punch for pushing the cut-out flange into the retention aperture thereby retaining the one-piece blank in a coiled shape forming a pallet spacer and a stripper for removing the pallet spacer from the rotating mandrel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Bay Corrugated Container, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R. LaFreniere, Dick L. Cardwell, George A. Spillson
  • Patent number: 5385625
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for manufacturing corrugated pallets from a base panel of corrugated material, a top panel of corrugated material and a plurality of spacers blocks. Each of the spacer blocks is bonded to the base sheet and top sheet. The apparatus comprises a loading station for receiving the base panel and top panel, and a glue applicator for extruding a plurality of continuous sheets of glue to predetermined areas of the base panel and top panel. An assembly station includes a locating system for receiving and locating the base panels, spacer blocks and top panel in relation to the base panel when the top panel is placed upon a plurality of spacer blocks to form the corrugated pallet. A transfer compression station for applying a continuous initial pressure to the corrugated pallet at the base and top panels of the corrugated pallet while simultaneously transferring the corrugated pallet in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Bay Corrugated Container, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian R. LaFreniere