Patents by Inventor Christopher M. Relyea
Christopher M. Relyea 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: 20110031339Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a chute configured to receive the compressed blowing wool and a shredding chamber connected to the chute. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured to shred the blowing wool. A discharge mechanism is mounted to receive the shredded and picked apart blowing wool and configured to distribute the blowing wool into an airstream. An outlet plate assembly is mounted to the discharge mechanism and includes an outlet pipe configured to connect a distribution hose to the discharge mechanism. The outlet pipe has a plurality of inner diameters each having an inner surface. A blower is configured to provide the airstream flowing through the discharge mechanism. In an installed position, an outer surface of the distribution hose contacts the inner surface of one of the inner diameters of the outlet pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2010Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: OWENS CORNING INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL, LLCInventors: Michael E. Evans, Michael W. Johnson, Christopher M. Relyea
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Patent number: 7878435Abstract: A machine for distributing loosefill insulation is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end configured to receive the loosefill insulation and a lower unit associated with the chute. The lower unit includes a first and second shredder configured to shred and pick apart the loosefill insulation and an agitator configured for final shredding of the loosefill insulation. The lower unit further includes a first shredder guide shell positioned partially around the first shredder, a second shredder guide shell positioned partially around the second shredder and an agitator guide shell positioned partially around the agitator. A discharge mechanism is positioned in the lower unit and is configured to discharge loosefill insulation from the lower unit. The position of a second end of the first shredder guide shell is offset in a vertical direction from the position of a second end of the second shredder guide shell.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2010Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLCInventors: Michael W. Johnson, Michael E. Evans, Agustin Hernandez, Robert J. O'Leary, Christopher M Relyea, Brian K Linstedt, Hugo E Eccles, Jeffrey W Servaites, John B Youger, Gregory J Merz, Joseph M Sexton, Jeffrey D. Accursi, Christopher H. Kujawski, Robert O'Grady, Keith A Grider
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Publication number: 20110000990Abstract: A machine for distributing insulation from a bag of insulation is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end. The chute is configured to receive the bag of insulation. The inlet end of the chute has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially vertical and the outlet end of the chute has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially horizontal. A plurality of shredders is mounted at the outlet end of the chute and is configured to shred and pick apart the insulation. A discharge mechanism is configured for distributing the insulation into an airstream. The chute has a cross-sectional shape that approximates the cross-sectional shape of the bag of insulation and the plurality of shredders and the discharge mechanism are positioned beneath the outlet end of the chute.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2010Publication date: January 6, 2011Inventors: Michael W. Johnson, Michael E. Evans, Agustin Hemandez, Robert J. O'Leary, Christopher M. Relyea, Brian K. Linstedt, Hugo E. Eccles, Jeffrey W. Servaites, John B. Youger, Gregory J. Merz, Joseph M. Sexton, Jeffrey D. Accursi, Christopher H. Kujawski, Robert E. O'Grady, Keith A. Grider
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Publication number: 20100314474Abstract: A machine for distributing loosefill insulation is provided. The machine includes a shredding chamber having an outlet end. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured to shred and pick apart the loosefill insulation. A discharge mechanism is mounted at the outlet end of the shredding chamber. The discharge mechanism is configured for distributing the loosefill insulation into an airstream. The discharge mechanism includes a shaft mounted for rotation within a housing. The shaft includes a plurality of vanes extending radially from the shaft. A plurality of seals is mounted to the shaft and to the vanes. The seals are configured to seal against the housing as the shaft rotates. A blower is configured to provide the airstream flowing through the discharge mechanism. The shaft and the vanes are a one-piece structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2010Publication date: December 16, 2010Inventors: Michael E. Evans, Christopher M. Relyea
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Patent number: 7845585Abstract: A machine configured to distribute blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool into distribution hoses includes a shredding chamber having an outlet end. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. A discharge mechanism is mounted at the outlet end of the shredding chamber. The discharge mechanism is configured for distributing the blowing wool from a discharge mechanism outlet end into an airstream. An outlet plate assembly is mounted at the outlet end of the discharge mechanism. The outlet plate assembly is configured to receive distribution hoses of different size diameters. The outlet plate assembly is configured to provide a sealing transition for the airstream from the discharge mechanism outlet end to the distribution hoses. A blower is configured to provide the airstream flowing through the discharge mechanism and the outlet plate assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2007Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLCInventors: Michael E. Evans, Michael W. Johnson, Christopher M. Relyea, Anthony Diaz
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Patent number: 7819349Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing insulation from a bag of compressed blowing insulation. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end and is configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing insulation, a plurality of shredders mounted at the outlet end of the chute and configured to shred and pick apart the blowing insulation and a discharge mechanism for distributing the blowing insulation into an airstream. The chute has a cross-sectional shape that approximates the cross-sectional shape of the bag of compressed blowing.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2006Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLCInventors: Michael W. Johnson, Michael E. Evans, Agustin Hernandez, Robert J. O'Leary, Christopher M Relyea, Brian K Linstedt, Hugo E Eccles, Jeffrey W Servaites, John B Youger, Gregory J Merz, Joseph M Sexton, Jeffrey D. Accursi, Christopher H. Kujawski, Robert O'Grady, Keith A Grider
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Publication number: 20100230441Abstract: A machine for distributing loosefill insulation is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end configured to receive the loosefill insulation and a lower unit associated with the chute. The lower unit includes a first and second shredder configured to shred and pick apart the loosefill insulation and an agitator configured for final shredding of the loosefill insulation. The lower unit further includes a first shredder guide shell positioned partially around the first shredder, a second shredder guide shell positioned partially around the second shredder and an agitator guide shell positioned partially around the agitator. A discharge mechanism is positioned in the lower unit and is configured to discharge loosefill insulation from the lower unit. The position of a second end of the first shredder guide shell is offset in a vertical direction from the position of a second end of the second shredder guide shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventors: Michael W. Johnson, Michael E. Evans, Agustin Hernandez, Robert J. O'Leary, Christopher M. Relyea, Brian K. Linstedt, Hugo E. Eccles, Jeffrey W. Servaites, John B. Youger, Gregory J. Merz, Joseph M. Sexton, Jeffrey D. Accursi, Christopher H. Kujawski, Robert O'Grady, Keith A. Grider
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Publication number: 20100230522Abstract: A machine for distributing insulation from a bag of insulation having a cross-sectional shape is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end is oriented in a substantially vertical plane and is configured to receive the bag of insulation. The inlet end has opposing longitudinal sides configured to be substantially horizontal in orientation. The inlet end also has opposing lateral sides connected to the longitudinal sides. The opposing lateral sides are configured to be shorter than the opposing longitudinal sides and further configured to be substantially vertical in orientation. A plurality of shredders is mounted at the outlet end of the chute and is configured to shred and pick apart the insulation. A discharge mechanism is provided for distributing the insulation into an airstream. The chute has a cross-sectional shape that approximates the cross-sectional shape of the bag of insulation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventors: Michael W. Johnson, Michael E. Evans, Agustin Hernandez, Robert J. O'Leary, Christopher M. Relyea, Brian K. Linstedt, Hugo E. Eccles, Jeffrey W. Servaites, John B. Youger, Gregory J. Merz, Joseph M. Sexton, Jeffrey D. Accursi, Christopher H. Kujawski, Robert O'Grady, Keith A. Grider
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Publication number: 20100219274Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a shredding chamber configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders and an agitator. The plurality of shredders and the agitator are configured for rotation. The plurality of shredders and the agitator are configured to rotate at different speeds.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2010Publication date: September 2, 2010Inventors: Michael W. Johnson, Michael E. Evans, Agustin Hernandez, Robert J. O'Leary, Christopher M. Relyea, Brian K. Linstedt, Gregory J. Merz, Jeffrey W. Servaites, Keith A. Grider
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Publication number: 20100219272Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing insulation from a bag of compressed blowing insulation is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing insulation. A shredding chamber is associated with the chute. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured to shred and pick apart the blowing insulation. The shredding chamber further includes a discharge mechanism mounted for rotation and configured for distributing the blowing insulation into an airstream. The discharge mechanism has a side inlet and includes sealing vane assemblies having vane tips. Rotation of the vane tips forms an arc. The blowing insulation is fed horizontally from the shredding chamber into the side inlet of the discharge mechanism in a manner such that the blowing insulation passes through the arc formed by the rotating vane tips.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2010Publication date: September 2, 2010Inventors: Michael W. Johnson, Michael E. Evans, Agustin Hernandez, Robert J. O'Leary, Christopher M. Relyea, Brian K. Linstedt, Gregory J. Merz, Charles R. McKean
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Publication number: 20100219273Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end. The inlet end is configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing wool. A shredding chamber is positioned downstream from the chute and is configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured for rotation. The shredding chamber further includes a plurality of guide shells positioned partially around the plurality of shredders. The plurality of shredders seal against the plurality of guide shells and direct the blowing wool in a downstream direction as the plurality of shredders rotate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2010Publication date: September 2, 2010Inventors: Michael W. Johnson, Michael E. Evans, Agustin Hernandez, Robert J. O'Leary, Christopher M. Relyea, Brian K. Linstedt, Gregory J. Merz, Jeffrey W. Servaites, Keith A. Grider
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Patent number: 7762484Abstract: A machine is provided for distributing blowing wool from a source of compressed blowing wool. The machine is configured to discharge the blowing wool into distribution hoses. The machine including a shredding chamber having an outlet end. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured to condition the blowing wool. A discharge mechanism is mounted at the outlet end of the shredding chamber. The discharge mechanism is configured for distributing the conditioned blowing wool from a discharge mechanism outlet end into an airstream provided by a blower. A choke is positioned between the outlet end of the shredding chamber and the discharge mechanism. The choke is configured to direct heavier clumps of blowing wool to the shredding chamber for further conditioning and configured to allow conditioned blowing wool to enter the discharge mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLCInventors: Michael W. Johnson, Michael E. Evans, Todd M. Jenkins, Christopher M. Relyea
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Publication number: 20100147983Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a shredding chamber having an outlet end. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. A discharge mechanism is mounted at the outlet end of the shredding chamber and is configured for distributing the blowing wool into an airstream. The discharge mechanism includes a housing and a plurality of sealing vane assemblies mounted for rotation. The housing has a wrap angle of approximately 240°. The sealing vane assemblies are configured to seal against the housing as the sealing vane assemblies rotate. The housing includes an eccentric segment extending from the housing. A blower is configured to provide the airstream flowing through the discharge mechanism. The sealing vane assemblies become spaced apart from the housing as the sealing vane assemblies rotate through the eccentric segment.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2008Publication date: June 17, 2010Inventors: Michael E. Evans, Christopher M. Relyea
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Patent number: 7731115Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing insulation including a shredding chamber configured to shred and pick apart the blowing insulation. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of low speed shredders, an agitator and a discharge mechanism. The agitator is mounted for rotation and rotates toward the discharge mechanism. The discharge mechanism includes a side inlet configured to receive the blowing insulation from the agitator. A baffle is disposed between the agitator and the discharge mechanism. The baffle is configured to partially obstruct the side inlet of the discharge mechanism. The baffle allows finely shredded blowing insulation to enter the side inlet of the discharge mechanism and directs heavy clumps of blowing insulation past the side inlet of the discharge mechanism for eventual recycling into the low speed shredders.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2006Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLCInventors: Michael W. Johnson, Michael E. Evans, Agustin Hernandez, Robert J. O'Leary, Christopher M. Relyea, Brian K. Linstedt, Gregory J. Merz, Jeffrey W. Servaites, Keith A. Grider
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Patent number: 7712690Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing insulation including a shredding chamber having an outlet end, a plurality of shredders configured to shred and pick apart the blowing insulation, and a discharge mechanism mounted at the outlet end of the shredding chamber and configured for distributing the blowing insulation into an airstream. The discharge mechanism includes housing and a plurality of sealing vane assemblies mounted for rotation. The sealing vane assemblies are configured to seal against the housing as the sealing vane assemblies rotate. The housing includes an eccentric segment extending from the housing. A blower is provided and configured to provide the airstream which flows through the discharge mechanism. The sealing vane assemblies become spaced apart from the housing as the sealing vane assemblies rotate through the eccentric segment.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2006Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLCInventors: Michael W. Johnson, Michael E. Evans, Agustin Hernandez, Robert J. O'Leary, Christopher M. Relyea, Brian K. Linstedt, Gregory J. Merz, Charles R. McKean
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Publication number: 20090257833Abstract: A machine is provided for distributing blowing wool from a source of compressed blowing wool. The machine is configured to discharge the blowing wool into distribution hoses. The machine comprises a shredding chamber having an outlet end. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured to condition the blowing wool. A discharge mechanism is mounted at the outlet end of the shredding chamber. The discharge mechanism is configured for distributing the conditioned blowing wool from a discharge mechanism outlet end into an airstream provided by a blower. A choke is positioned between the outlet end of the shredding chamber and the discharge mechanism. The choke is configured to direct heavier clumps of blowing wool to the shredding chamber for further conditioning and configured to allow conditioned blowing wool to enter the discharge mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2008Publication date: October 15, 2009Inventors: Michael W. Johnson, Michael E. Evans, Todd M. Jenkins, Christopher M. Relyea
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Publication number: 20080173737Abstract: A machine configured to distribute blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool into distribution hoses includes a shredding chamber having an outlet end. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. A discharge mechanism is mounted at the outlet end of the shredding chamber. The discharge mechanism is configured for distributing the blowing wool from a discharge mechanism outlet end into an airstream. An outlet plate assembly is mounted at the outlet end of the discharge mechanism. The outlet plate assembly is configured to receive distribution hoses of different size diameters. The outlet plate assembly is configured to provide a sealing transition for the airstream from the discharge mechanism outlet end to the distribution hoses. A blower is configured to provide the airstream flowing through the discharge mechanism and the outlet plate assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2007Publication date: July 24, 2008Inventors: Michael E. Evans, Michael W. Johnson, Christopher M. Relyea, Anthony Diaz
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Publication number: 20080089748Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing insulation from a bag of compressed blowing insulation. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end and is configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing insulation, a plurality of shredders mounted at the outlet end of the chute and configured to shred and pick apart the blowing insulation and a discharge mechanism for distributing the blowing insulation into an airstream. The chute has a cross-sectional shape that approximates the cross-sectional shape of the bag of compressed blowing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2006Publication date: April 17, 2008Inventors: Michael W. Johnson, Michael E. Evans, Agustin Hernandez, Robert J. O'Leary, Christopher M. Relyea, Brian K. Linstedt, Hugo E. Eccles, Jeffrey W. Servaites, John B. Youger, Gregory J. Merz, Joseph M. Sexton, Jeffrey D. Accursi, Christopher H. Kujawski, Robert O'Grady, Keith A. Grider
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Publication number: 20080087751Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing insulation including a shredding chamber having an outlet end, a plurality of shredders configured to shred and pick apart the blowing insulation, and a discharge mechanism mounted at the outlet end of the shredding chamber and configured for distributing the blowing insulation into an airstream. The discharge mechanism includes housing and a plurality of sealing vane assemblies mounted for rotation. The sealing vane assemblies are configured to seal against the housing as the sealing vane assemblies rotate. The housing includes an eccentric segment extending from the housing. A blower is provided and configured to provide the airstream which flows through the discharge mechanism. The sealing vane assemblies become spaced apart from the housing as the sealing vane assemblies rotate through the eccentric segment.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2006Publication date: April 17, 2008Inventors: Michael W. Johnson, Michael E. Evans, Agustin Hernandez, Robert J. O'Leary, Christopher M. Relyea, Brian K. Linstedt, Gregory J. Merz, Charles R. McKean
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Publication number: 20080087752Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing insulation including a shredding chamber configured to shred and pick apart the blowing insulation. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of low speed shredders, an agitator and a discharge mechanism. The agitator is mounted for rotation and rotates toward the discharge mechanism. The discharge mechanism includes a side inlet configured to receive the blowing insulation from the agitator. A baffle is disposed between the agitator and the discharge mechanism. The baffle is configured to partially obstruct the side inlet of the discharge mechanism. The baffle allows finely shredded blowing insulation to enter the side inlet of the discharge mechanism and directs heavy clumps of blowing insulation past the side inlet of the discharge mechanism for eventual recycling into the low speed shredders.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2006Publication date: April 17, 2008Inventors: Michael W. Johnson, Michael E. Evans, Agustin Hernandez, Robert J. O'Leary, Christopher M. Relyea, Brian K. Linstedt, Gregory J. Merz, Jeffrey W. Servaites, Keith A. Grider