Patents by Inventor Bryce J. Fox
Bryce J. Fox 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).
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Publication number: 20230303284Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a random case sealer. The case sealer includes a top-head-actuating assembly configured to vary the speed of the top-head assembly when ascending (to make room for the case beneath the top-head assembly) and when descending onto the case (to engage the top surface of the case during sealing). This maximizes the speed of the top-head assembly while limiting overshoot (when ascending) and preventing damage to the case (when descending). In certain embodiments the case sealer includes a tape cartridge configured to limit the forces imparted onto the leading and top surfaces of the case during sealing. These features result in increased throughput as compared to prior art random case sealers without requiring stronger cases or more protective dunnage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2023Publication date: September 28, 2023Inventors: William J. Menta, Bryce J. Fox
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Publication number: 20230286242Abstract: Various embodiments provide a case-handling system including multiple flap-suppressing devices that can be vertically moved independently of one another to, when processing a case, enable the case-handling system to prepare for and receive the next case to-be-processed while the case-handling system is still folding the upper major flaps of the current case, which increases throughput.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: Bryce J. Fox, Robert Thane Rickard
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Patent number: 11702237Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a random case sealer. The case sealer includes a top-head-actuating assembly configured to vary the speed of the top-head assembly when ascending (to make room for the case beneath the top-head assembly) and when descending onto the case (to engage the top surface of the case during sealing). This maximizes the speed of the top-head assembly while limiting overshoot (when ascending) and preventing damage to the case (when descending). In certain embodiments the case sealer includes a tape cartridge configured to limit the forces imparted onto the leading and top surfaces of the case during sealing. These features result in increased throughput as compared to prior art random case sealers without requiring stronger cases or more protective dunnage.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2022Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLCInventors: William J. Menta, Bryce J. Fox
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Publication number: 20230192334Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a case-handling device including movable folding guides positionable relative to a case to facilitate folding the case's upper major flaps outwardly along their respective fold lines before the case's upper minor flaps are closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2022Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventor: Bryce J. Fox
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Publication number: 20230192337Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a case-handling system including movable flap openers positionable relative to a case and operable to fold the upper major flaps of the case outwardly before the upper minor flaps of the case are folded inwardly and closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2022Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventors: Bryce J. Fox, William J. Menta
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Patent number: 11492163Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a random case sealer including a pneumatically-controlled top-head-actuating assembly configured to vary the speed of the top-head assembly when ascending (to make room for the case beneath the top-head assembly) and when descending onto the case (to engage the top surface of the case during sealing). The case sealer includes a pressure sensor that monitors the pressure of gas incoming from a gas source delivered to the top-head-actuating assembly via one or more valves. A controller controls the open level and/or the open time of the valves based on the pressure of the incoming gas to ensure the top-head-actuating assembly operates as desired regardless of whether the pressure of the incoming gas is equal to, below, or above a desired pressure. These features result in increased throughput compared to prior art random case sealers without requiring stronger cases or more protective dunnage.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2020Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLCInventors: William J. Menta, Bryce J. Fox
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Publication number: 20220194643Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a case former configured to receive a case in a blank configuration, open the case into a tubular configuration, fold the lower minor flaps to manipulate the case into a partially closed-bottom configuration, square the case while in the partially closed-bottom configuration, and fold and tape the lower major flaps shut to manipulate the case into a closed-bottom configuration. The squaring step ensures that the case has a rectangular cross-section after taping rather than a rhomboid cross-section.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2022Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventor: Bryce J. Fox
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Patent number: 11358744Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a random case sealer. The case sealer includes a top-head-actuating assembly configured to vary the speed of the top-head assembly when ascending (to make room for the case beneath the top-head assembly) and when descending onto the case (to engage the top surface of the case during sealing). This maximizes the speed of the top-head assembly while limiting overshoot (when ascending) and preventing damage to the case (when descending). In certain embodiments the case sealer includes a tape cartridge configured to limit the forces imparted onto the leading and top surfaces of the case during sealing. These features result in increased throughput as compared to prior art random case sealers without requiring stronger cases or more protective dunnage.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2019Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLCInventors: William J. Menta, Bryce J. Fox
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Publication number: 20220135268Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a random case sealer. The case sealer includes a top-head-actuating assembly configured to vary the speed of the top-head assembly when ascending (to make room for the case beneath the top-head assembly) and when descending onto the case (to engage the top surface of the case during sealing). This maximizes the speed of the top-head assembly while limiting overshoot (when ascending) and preventing damage to the case (when descending). In certain embodiments the case sealer includes a tape cartridge configured to limit the forces imparted onto the leading and top surfaces of the case during sealing. These features result in increased throughput as compared to prior art random case sealers without requiring stronger cases or more protective dunnage.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2022Publication date: May 5, 2022Inventors: William J. Menta, Bryce J. Fox
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Patent number: 11273939Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a case former configured to receive a case in a blank configuration, open the case into a tubular configuration, fold the lower minor flaps to manipulate the case into a partially closed-bottom configuration, square the case while in the partially dosed-bottom configuration, and fold and tape the lower major flaps shut to manipulate the case into a closed-bottom configuration. The squaring step ensures that the case has a rectangular cross-section after taping rather than a rhomboid cross-section.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLCInventor: Bryce J. Fox
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Patent number: 11242169Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a random case sealer. The case sealer includes a top-head-actuating assembly configured to vary the speed of the top-head assembly when ascending (to make room for the case beneath the top-head assembly) and when descending onto the case (to engage the top surface of the case during sealing). This maximizes the speed of the top-head assembly while limiting overshoot (when ascending) and preventing damage to the case (when descending). In certain embodiments the case sealer includes a tape cartridge configured to limit the forces imparted onto the leading and top surfaces of the case during sealing. These features result in increased throughput as compared to prior art random case sealers without requiring stronger cases or more protective dunnage.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2019Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLCInventors: William J. Menta, Bryce J. Fox
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Publication number: 20210009294Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a random case sealer including a pneumatically-controlled top-head-actuating assembly configured to vary the speed of the top-head assembly when ascending (to make room for the case beneath the top-head assembly) and when descending onto the case (to engage the top surface of the case during sealing). The case sealer includes a pressure sensor that monitors the pressure of gas incoming from a gas source delivered to the top-head-actuating assembly via one or more valves. A controller controls the open level and/or the open time of the valves based on the pressure of the incoming gas to ensure the top-head-actuating assembly operates as desired regardless of whether the pressure of the incoming gas is equal to, below, or above a desired pressure. These features result in increased throughput compared to prior art random case sealers without requiring stronger cases or more protective dunnage.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Inventors: William J. Menta, Bryce J. Fox
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Publication number: 20200039671Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a case former configured to receive a case in a blank configuration, open the case into a tubular configuration, fold the lower minor flaps to manipulate the case into a partially closed-bottom configuration, square the case while in the partially dosed-bottom configuration, and fold and tape the lower major flaps shut to manipulate the case into a closed-bottom configuration. The squaring step ensures that the case has a rectangular cross-section after taping rather than a rhomboid cross-section.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Inventor: Bryce J. Fox
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Publication number: 20190283914Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a random case sealer. The case sealer includes a top-head-actuating assembly configured to vary the speed of the top-head assembly when ascending (to make room for the case beneath the top-head assembly) and when descending onto the case (to engage the top surface of the case during sealing). This maximizes the speed of the top-head assembly while limiting overshoot (when ascending) and preventing damage to the case (when descending). In certain embodiments the case sealer includes a tape cartridge configured to limit the forces imparted onto the leading and top surfaces of the case during sealing. These features result in increased throughput as compared to prior art random case sealers without requiring stronger cases or more protective dunnage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: William J. Menta, Bryce J. Fox
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Publication number: 20190283916Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a random case sealer. The case sealer includes a top-head-actuating assembly configured to vary the speed of the top-head assembly when ascending (to make room for the case beneath the top-head assembly) and when descending onto the case (to engage the top surface of the case during sealing). This maximizes the speed of the top-head assembly while limiting overshoot (when ascending) and preventing damage to the case (when descending). In certain embodiments the case sealer includes a tape cartridge configured to limit the forces imparted onto the leading and top surfaces of the case during sealing. These features result in increased throughput as compared to prior art random case sealers without requiring stronger cases or more protective dunnage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: William J. Menta, Bryce J. Fox
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Publication number: 20180273335Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a case sealer including a tape cartridge with a pivotable cutting device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2018Publication date: September 27, 2018Inventors: Bryce J. Fox, Robert Mahon
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Patent number: 9630796Abstract: A cutting mechanism assembly for use with a tape cartridge includes a support arm having first and second opposing ends and adapted to be coupled to the tape cartridge. The cutting mechanism assembly also includes a mount for a biasing element. The mount is coupled to the support arm and the biasing element is configured to couple the mount to the tape cartridge. Further, the cutting mechanism assembly includes a support plate for a mechanism for reducing a biasing force from the biasing element. The support plate is coupled to the support arm and the mechanism is configured to couple the support plate to the tape cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2012Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: SIGNODE INDUSTRIAL GROUP LLCInventors: William J. Menta, Bryce J. Fox
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Patent number: 9517914Abstract: An application roller arm assembly for use with a tape cartridge includes a support arm having first and second ends and adapted to be coupled to the tape cartridge. The application roller arm assembly also includes a coupling for a biasing element. The coupling is coupled to the support arm and the biasing element is configured to be coupled to the coupling and the tape cartridge. Further, the application roller arm assembly includes a mechanism for reducing a biasing force from the biasing element. The mechanism is configured to be coupled the support arm and the tape cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2012Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLCInventors: William J. Menta, Bryce J. Fox
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Publication number: 20120232699Abstract: A cutting mechanism assembly for use with a tape cartridge includes a support arm having first and second opposing ends and adapted to be coupled to the tape cartridge. The cutting mechanism assembly also includes a mount for a biasing element. The mount is coupled to the support arm and the biasing element is configured to couple the mount to the tape cartridge. Further, the cutting mechanism assembly includes a support plate for a mechanism for reducing a biasing force from the biasing element. The support plate is coupled to the support arm and the mechanism is configured to couple the support plate to the tape cartridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: William J. Menta, Bryce J. Fox
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Publication number: 20120227905Abstract: An application roller arm assembly for use with a tape cartridge includes a support arm having first and second ends and adapted to be coupled to the tape cartridge. The application roller arm assembly also includes a coupling for a biasing element. The coupling is coupled to the support arm and the biasing element is configured to be coupled to the coupling and the tape cartridge. Further, the application roller arm assembly includes a mechanism for reducing a biasing force from the biasing element. The mechanism is configured to be coupled the support arm and the tape cartridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: William J. Menta, Bryce J. Fox