Patents by Inventor Craig W. Arends

Craig W. Arends 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: 6957914
    Abstract: A package for unitizing at least two pouches includes a flexible multipack header positioned between the pouches and adhered along a top portion of the pouches. Each pouch is removable along a tear line to expose a slider, a zipper and/or a secondary tear line to access the pouch or a tamper evident seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Craig W. Arends, Leslie S. Marco, John H. Schneider
  • Patent number: 6868652
    Abstract: A system and method for packaging oriented containers in a container carrier wherein a plurality of containers are fed into an orienter device for orienting a container in a desired rotational position prior to placement in a container carrier. The orienter device includes a reader for determining an initial orientation of the container; a control system for determining a shortest rotational distance from the initial orientation to the desired rotational position between a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction; and a chuck engaged with the container and in communication with the control system for rotating the container the shortest rotational distance to the desired rotational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig W. Arends, Lonnie R. Seymour, Kevin Moore, Christopher T. Schwanz, Stanley R. Krogman
  • Publication number: 20040195143
    Abstract: A package for unitizing at least two pouches includes a flexible multipack header positioned between the pouches and adhered along a top portion of the pouches. Each pouch is removable along a tear line to expose a slider, a zipper and/or a secondary tear line to access the pouch or a tamper evident seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Craig W. Arends, Leslie S. Marco, John H. Schneider
  • Patent number: 6688465
    Abstract: A system and method for packaging oriented containers in a container carrier wherein a plurality of containers are fed into an orientation wheel including one or more chucks. Each chuck engages one end of the container and rotates the container into an oriented position. A transfer belt having a plurality of tactile fingers is operatively connected to the orientation wheel and transfers an oriented container nested within the tactile fingers in a fixed rotational position from the orientation wheel to a packaging machine. In a method of packaging containers according to this invention, multiple containers are positioned within the carrier in one or more rotational positions based upon the desired appearance of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Craig W. Arends, Lonnie R. Seymour, Robert Lam
  • Publication number: 20040003575
    Abstract: A system and method for packaging oriented containers in a container carrier wherein a plurality of containers are fed into an orienter device for orienting a container in a desired rotational position prior to placement in a container carrier. The orienter device includes a reader for determining an initial orientation of the container; a control system for determining a shortest rotational distance from the initial orientation to the desired rotational position between a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction; and a chuck engaged with the container and in communication with the control system for rotating the container the shortest rotational distance to the desired rotational position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Craig W. Arends, Lonnie R. Seymour, Kevin Moore, Christopher T. Schwanz, Stanley R. Krogman
  • Publication number: 20030047475
    Abstract: A system and method for packaging oriented containers in a container carrier wherein a plurality of containers are fed into an orientation wheel including one or more chucks. Each chuck engages one end of the container and rotates the container into an oriented position. A transfer belt having a plurality of tactile fingers is operatively connected to the orientation wheel and transfers an oriented container nested within the tactile fingers in a fixed rotational position from the orientation wheel to a packaging machine. In a method of packaging containers according to this invention, multiple containers are positioned within the carrier in one or more rotational positions based upon the desired appearance of the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Craig W. Arends, Lonnie R. Seymour, Robert Lam
  • Patent number: 6484478
    Abstract: A system and method for packaging oriented containers in a container carrier wherein a plurality of containers are fed into an orientation wheel including one or more chucks. Each chuck engages one end of the container and rotates the container into an oriented position. A transfer belt having a plurality of tactile fingers is operatively connected to the orientation wheel and transfers an oriented container nested within the tactile fingers in a fixed rotational position from the orientation wheel to a packaging machine. In a method of packaging containers according to this invention, multiple containers are positioned within the carrier in one or more rotational positions based upon the desired appearance of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Craig W. Arends, Lonnie R. Seymour, Robert Lam
  • Patent number: 4827696
    Abstract: A gassing apparatus for breaking bubbles at the surface of a newly filled bubbling product (beer) and thereafter removing air from the head space above the surface of the product. The gassing apparatus includes a new bubble breaker which provides for the breaking of the bubbles at lower than customary gas pressure followed by a gassing rail which is of sufficient length and gassing apertures to permit full air removal notwithstanding variations in head space. Preferably the bubble breakers are used in pairs with the gas in the second bubble breaker being at a pressure less than that in the first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Continental Can Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig W. Arends, Robert Lam
  • Patent number: 3930558
    Abstract: The purpose of the machine noise reduction kit is to provide a noise attenuating apparatus for closing machines used for seaming end covers on metal, cardboard, paper or seamable type cans or containers. The reason for developing the noise reduction kit was to protect the machine operator from excessive noise levels as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, better known as OSHA. The kit has been detail designed, fabricated and installed on a can closing machine with a reduction in noise at the operator's position from 98 dBA to 86 dBA.In addition to being a noise attenuating device, the use of the kit eliminates the splashing and drainage of spilled product onto the floor around the machine, thereby improving sanitary conditions in the plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1976
    Assignee: Continental Can Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert C. Schnell, Craig W. Arends, Dean N. Zwikel
  • Patent number: 3930557
    Abstract: The purpose of the machine noise reduction kit is to provide a noise attenuating apparatus for closing machines used for seaming end covers on metal, cardboard, paper or seamable type cans or containers. The reason for developing the noise reduction kit was to protect the machine operator from excessive noise levels as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration better known as OSHA. The kit has been detail designed, fabricated and installed on a can closing machine with a reduction in noise at the operator's position from 98 dBA to 86 dBA.In addition to being a noise attenuating device, the use of the kit eliminates the splashing and drainage of spilled product onto the floor around the machine, thereby improving sanitary conditions in the plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1976
    Assignee: Continental Can Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert C. Schnell, Craig W. Arends, Dean N. Zwikel