Patents by Inventor Clifford DUNLAP
Clifford DUNLAP 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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Patent number: 11945175Abstract: A sensorless temperature sensing and control system and method uses electrical voltage and current feedback signals to monitor and control the temperature of heating elements used in a heat sealing process wherein sensors are not physically connected to a heat seal bar during the heat sealing process. After calibration of a heat seal bar using a sensor, voltage and current feedback signals are processed by a programmable logic controller (PLC) to calculate the real-time electrical resistance of each heating element. Data and electrical resistance is used to calculate real-time temperature of the heat seal bar during heating.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2023Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: AMERIGLOBE, LLCInventors: Brody Alan Viator, Clifford Dunlap
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Patent number: 11858691Abstract: A method of producing flexible polypropylene fabric bags with heat fused seams comprising providing fabric pieces, wherein each fabric piece has a coated side and an uncoated side; positioning fabric pieces so that a coated side of one fabric piece faces a coated side of another fabric piece; selecting an area of fabric to be joined for forming a seam or joint; applying heat to the area to be joined that is less than the melting point of the fabrics, for forming one or more seams or joints and wherein the heat fused seams or joints of a resulting polypropylene bag retains at least 85% of the fabric strength without using sewing machines.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: AMERIGLOBE, LLCInventors: Clifford Dunlap, Daniel R. Schnaars, Sr.
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Patent number: 11673348Abstract: A sensorless temperature sensing and control system and method uses electrical voltage and current feedback signals to monitor and control the temperature of heating elements used in a heat sealing process wherein sensors are not physically connected to a heat seal bar during the heat sealing process. After calibration of a heat seal bar using a sensor, voltage and current feedback signals are processed by a programmable logic controller (PLC) to calculate the real-time electrical resistance of each heating element. Data and electrical resistance is used to calculate real-time temperature of the heat seal bar during heating.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: AMERIGLOBE, LLCInventors: Brody Alan Viator, Clifford Dunlap
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Patent number: 11591156Abstract: A hand-held lift loop assembly tester apparatus and method tests peel strength of a heat seal connection between a lift loop patch and a bulk bag body as an indicator of shear strength of the connection and whether the bag will pass industry safety lifting requirements. A lifting platform of the hand loop tester is inserted between the patch and the bag body in an unsealed area and measures the amount of peel and thus the peel strength of the heat seal bond or connection at the edges or sides of the unsealed area. If the peel strength is adequate, this is a reliable indicator that the shear strength of the bond or connection is also adequate and that the bag will meet the current industry required 5 to 1 safety lifting requirements.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Ameriglobe, LLCInventors: Clifford Dunlap, Brody Alan Viator
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Publication number: 20220297388Abstract: A stitchless highly oriented polypropylene fabric bulk bag of the type that can hold 500 to 5000 pounds (226.7 to 2268 kilograms) of bulk material includes a highly oriented polypropylene fabric top, body and bottom, with a heat fused joint providing an air tight connection between the top and body, and another air tight heat fused joint connecting the body and bottom. A fill spout and discharge tube may also be provided with an air tight heat fused joint connecting the fill spout to the top and another air tight heat fused joint connecting the discharge spout to the bottom. Heat sealing machinery include heat seal bar assemblies that can self-align during heat-sealing to apply even pressure to all areas being heat sealed. A heating element is of single piece construction and can include end coupler portions as part of the single piece construction. Carrier plates used in a heat-sealing assembly line guide parts placement, provide quality checks for parts placement, and tooling set-up for machinery.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2022Publication date: September 22, 2022Applicant: AMERIGLOBE, LLCInventors: Clifford DUNLAP, Daniel R. SCHNAARS, SR., Brody Alan VIATOR, Daniel SCHNAARS, JR.
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Publication number: 20220274740Abstract: A method of producing flexible polypropylene fabric bags with heat fused seams comprising providing fabric pieces, wherein each fabric piece has a coated side and an uncoated side; positioning fabric pieces so that a coated side of one fabric piece faces a coated side of another fabric piece; selecting an area of fabric to be joined for forming a seam or joint; applying heat to the area to be joined that is less than the melting point of the fabrics, for forming one or more seams or joints and wherein the heat fused seams or joints of a resulting polypropylene bag retains at least 85% of the fabric strength without using sewing machines.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2022Publication date: September 1, 2022Applicant: AMERIGLOBE, LLCInventors: Clifford DUNLAP, Daniel R. SCHNAARS, SR.
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Patent number: 11338527Abstract: A stitchless highly oriented polypropylene fabric bulk bag of the type that can hold 500 to 5000 pounds (226.7 to 2268 kilograms) of bulk material includes a highly oriented polypropylene fabric top, body and bottom, with a heat fused joint providing an air tight connection between the top and body, and another air tight heat fused joint connecting the body and bottom. A fill spout and discharge tube may also be provided with an air tight heat fused joint connecting the fill spout to the top and another air tight heat fused joint connecting the discharge spout to the bottom. Heat sealing machinery include heat seal bar assemblies that can self-align during heat-sealing to apply even pressure to all areas being heat sealed. A heating element is of single piece construction and can include end coupler portions as part of the single piece construction. Carrier plates used in a heat-sealing assembly line guide parts placement, provide quality checks for parts placement, and tooling set-up for machinery.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: AMERIGLOBE, LLCInventor: Clifford Dunlap
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Patent number: 11319144Abstract: A bottom and discharge assembly for a flexible fabric bulk bag of the type having heat sealed joints includes a piece of reinforcing fabric positioned under a heat sealed joint of a bottom portion and a discharge tube, around a periphery of a discharge tube opening and bottom opening that are each substantially square, wherein the reinforcing fabric prevents bag failure at or about at corners of the bottom opening and discharge tube opening. The assembly can be formed by overlapping the reinforcing fabric, discharge tube, and bottom portion so that the bottom is heat sealed to both a portion of the discharge tube fabric and a portion of the reinforcing fabric and wherein a portion of the reinforcing fabric is under the discharge tube and bottom joint, and wherein the discharge tube fabric and reinforcing fabric are not joined together.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2020Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: AMERIGLOBE, LLCInventors: Clifford Dunlap, Daniel Schnaars, Jr., Daniel R. Schnaars, Sr.
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Patent number: 11279523Abstract: A method of producing flexible polypropylene fabric bags with heat fused seams comprising providing fabric pieces, wherein each fabric piece has a coated side and an uncoated side; positioning fabric pieces so that a coated side of one fabric piece faces a coated side of another fabric piece; selecting an area of fabric to be joined for forming a seam or joint; applying heat to the area to be joined that is less than the melting point of the fabrics, for forming one or more seams or joints and wherein the heat fused seams or joints of a resulting polypropylene bag retains at least 85% of the fabric strength without using sewing machines.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2021Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: AMERIGLOBE, LLCInventors: Clifford Dunlap, Daniel R. Schnaars, Sr.
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Publication number: 20210284392Abstract: A method of producing flexible polypropylene fabric bags with heat fused seams comprising providing fabric pieces, wherein each fabric piece has a coated side and an uncoated side; positioning fabric pieces so that a coated side of one fabric piece faces a coated side of another fabric piece; selecting an area of fabric to be joined for forming a seam or joint; applying heat to the area to be joined that is less than the melting point of the fabrics, for forming one or more seams or joints and wherein the heat fused seams or joints of a resulting polypropylene bag retains at least 85% of the fabric strength without using sewing machines.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2021Publication date: September 16, 2021Applicant: AMERIGLOBE, LLCInventors: Clifford DUNLAP, Daniel R. SCHNAARS, SR.
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Patent number: 10974869Abstract: A method of producing flexible polypropylene fabric bags with heat fused seams comprising providing fabric pieces, wherein each fabric piece has a coated side and an uncoated side; positioning fabric pieces so that a coated side of one fabric piece faces a coated side of another fabric piece; selecting an area of fabric to be joined for forming a seam or joint; applying heat to the area to be joined that is less than the melting point of the fabrics, for forming one or more seams or joints and wherein the heat fused seams or joints of a resulting polypropylene bag retains at least 85% of the fabric strength without using sewing machines.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2018Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignees: AMERIGLOBE, LLC, DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Clifford Dunlap, Daniel R. Schnaars, Sr., Lori Kardos, Rajen Patel
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Patent number: 10745192Abstract: A discharge assembly for use with a flexible bag, e.g., a bulk bag, comprises a discharge spout coupled to a bottom panel of the bag, wherein the discharge spout is configured to be rolled. A releasable flexible fabric tape or tie secures the discharge spout in rolled configuration to the bottom panel to define a closed configuration for the discharge spout. In the closed configuration, material contents of the bag are contained within the bag. When contents of the bag are ready to be discharged, releasing the tape or tie causes the discharge spout to unroll and materials contained in the bag will flow therethrough. A discharge tube cover can also be provided that extends across the bottom panel and discharge tube. The discharge tube cover helps provide a flatter surface for the bag to rest upon, provides another level of closure to help prevent material contents of the bag from leaking, and can provide additional support and strength to the bag.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2016Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: AMERIGLOBE, LLCInventors: Clifford Dunlap, Daniel R. Schnaars, Sr.
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Publication number: 20200254697Abstract: A stitchless highly oriented polypropylene fabric bulk bag of the type that can hold 500 to 5000 pounds (226.7 to 2268 kilograms) of bulk material includes a highly oriented polypropylene fabric top, body and bottom, with a heat fused joint providing an air tight connection between the top and body, and another air tight heat fused joint connecting the body and bottom. A fill spout and discharge tube may also be provided with an air tight heat fused joint connecting the fill spout to the top and another air tight heat fused joint connecting the discharge spout to the bottom. Heat sealing machinery include heat seal bar assemblies that can self-align during heat-sealing to apply even pressure to all areas being heat sealed. A heating element is of single piece construction and can include end coupler portions as part of the single piece construction. Carrier plates used in a heat-sealing assembly line guide parts placement, provide quality checks for parts placement, and tooling set-up for machinery.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: AMERIGLOBE, LLCInventors: Clifford DUNLAP, Daniel R. SCHNAARS, SR., Brody Alan VIATOR, Daniel SCHNAARS, JR.
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Publication number: 20200156863Abstract: A lifting assembly and method for a flexible bag includes one or more lift members, wherein each lift member is coupled to a layer of material, e.g., a fabric layer. The fabric layer can be coupled to a flexible bag wherein the fabric layer is an intermediate layer between the lift member and the flexible bag. The fabric layer can be heat fused or otherwise coupled to a bag without stitching or sewing, which eliminates the creation of sew or stitch holes that breach a containment area of the bag and which can weaken the bag fabric. The one or more lift members, however, can be sewn or stitched to one or more intermediate layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2019Publication date: May 21, 2020Applicant: AMERIGLOBE, LLCInventors: Clifford DUNLAP, Daniel R. SCHNAARS, Sr.
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Patent number: 10618225Abstract: A stitchless highly oriented polypropylene fabric bulk bag of the type that can hold 500 to 5000 pounds (226.7 to 2268 kilograms) of bulk material includes a highly oriented polypropylene fabric top, body and bottom, with a heat fused joint providing an air tight connection between the top and body, and another air tight heat fused joint connecting the body and bottom. A fill spout and discharge tube may also be provided with an air tight heat fused joint connecting the fill spout to the top and another air tight heat fused joint connecting the discharge spout to the bottom. Heat sealing machinery include heat seal bar assemblies that can self-align during heat-sealing to apply even pressure to all areas being heat sealed. A heating element is of single piece construction and can include end coupler portions as part of the single piece construction. Carrier plates used in a heat-sealing assembly line guide parts placement, provide quality checks for parts placement, and tooling set-up for machinery.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2017Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: AMERIGLOBE, LLCInventor: Clifford Dunlap
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Patent number: 10479599Abstract: A lifting assembly and method for a flexible bag includes one or more lift members, wherein each lift member is coupled to a layer of material, e.g., a fabric layer. The fabric layer can be coupled to a flexible bag wherein the fabric layer is an intermediate layer between the lift member and the flexible bag. The fabric layer can be heat fused or otherwise coupled to a bag without stitching or sewing, which eliminates the creation of sew or stitch holes that breach a containment area of the bag and which can weaken the bag fabric. The one or more lift members, however, can be sewn or stitched to one or more intermediate layers.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2016Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: AMERIGLOBE, LLCInventors: Clifford Dunlap, Daniel R. Schnaars, Sr.
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Publication number: 20190185212Abstract: A method of producing flexible polypropylene fabric bags with heat fused seams comprising providing fabric pieces, wherein each fabric piece has a coated side and an uncoated side; positioning fabric pieces so that a coated side of one fabric piece faces a coated side of another fabric piece; selecting an area of fabric to be joined for forming a seam or joint; applying heat to the area to be joined that is less than the melting point of the fabrics, for forming one or more seams or joints and wherein the heat fused seams or joints of a resulting polypropylene bag retains at least 85% of the fabric strength without using sewing machines.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2018Publication date: June 20, 2019Applicant: AMERIGLOBE, LLCInventors: Clifford DUNLAP, Daniel R. SCHNAARS, SR.
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Patent number: 10112739Abstract: A method of producing flexible polypropylene fabric bags with heat fused seams comprising providing fabric pieces, wherein each fabric piece has a coated side and an uncoated side; positioning fabric pieces so that a coated side of one fabric piece faces a coated side of another fabric piece; selecting an area of fabric to be joined for forming a seam or joint; applying heat to the area to be joined that is less than the melting point of the fabrics, for forming one or more seams or joints and wherein the heat fused seams or joints of a resulting polypropylene bag retains at least 85% of the fabric strength without using sewing machines.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2014Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: AMERIGLOBE, LLCInventors: Clifford Dunlap, Daniel R. Schnaars, Sr., Lori Kardos, Rajan Patel
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Publication number: 20180126661Abstract: A stitchless highly oriented polypropylene fabric bulk bag of the type that can hold 500 to 5000 pounds (226.7 to 2268 kilograms) of bulk material includes a highly oriented polypropylene fabric top, body and bottom, with a heat fused joint providing an air tight connection between the top and body, and another air tight heat fused joint connecting the body and bottom. A fill spout and discharge tube may also be provided with an air tight heat fused joint connecting the fill spout to the top and another air tight heat fused joint connecting the discharge spout to the bottom. Heat sealing machinery include heat seal bar assemblies that can self-align during heat-sealing to apply even pressure to all areas being heat sealed. A heating element is of single piece construction and can include end coupler portions as part of the single piece construction. Carrier plates used in a heat-sealing assembly line guide parts placement, provide quality checks for parts placement, and tooling set-up for machinery.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2017Publication date: May 10, 2018Applicant: AMERIGLOBE, LLCInventors: Clifford DUNLAP, Daniel R. SCHNAARS, SR., Brody Alan VIATOR, Daniel SCHNAARS, JR.
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Publication number: 20180118451Abstract: A lifting assembly and method for a flexible bag includes one or more lift members, wherein each lift member is coupled to a layer of material, e.g., a fabric layer. The fabric layer can be coupled to a flexible bag wherein the fabric layer is an intermediate layer between the lift member and the flexible bag. The fabric layer can be heat fused or otherwise coupled to a bag without stitching or sewing, which eliminates the creation of sew or stitch holes that breach a containment area of the bag and which can weaken the bag fabric. The one or more lift members, however, can be sewn or stitched to one or more intermediate layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2016Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Clifford DUNLAP, Daniel R. SCHNAARS, SR.