Patents by Inventor David A. Bolton

David A. Bolton 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).

  • Publication number: 20210398269
    Abstract: Irregularities on the surfaces of veneer, such as full veneer sheets and/or veneer core material are detected using Near InfraRed (NIR) technology, including Near InfraRed/Short Wave InfraRed (NIR/SWIR) cameras and detectors. A grade is then assigned to the veneer based, at least in part, on the detected irregularities. The graded veneer is then stacked based, at least in part, on the grade assigned to the veneer. The graded veneer stacks are then provided to local robotic panel assembly and pressing systems that include one or more local robotic panel assembly cells for processing the veneer into layered wood product panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: Boise Cascade Company
    Inventors: David Bolton, Jude Richard Peek, Curtis Fennell
  • Publication number: 20210398270
    Abstract: Irregularities on the surfaces of veneer, such as full veneer sheets and/or veneer core material are detected using Near InfraRed (NIR) technology, including Near InfraRed/Short Wave InfraRed (NIR/SWIR) cameras and detectors. A grade is then assigned to the veneer based, at least in part, on the detected irregularities. The graded veneer is then stacked based, at least in part, on the grade assigned to the veneer. The graded veneer stacks are then provided to local robotic panel assembly and pressing systems that include one or more local robotic panel assembly cells for processing the veneer into layered wood product panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: Boise Cascade Company
    Inventors: David Bolton, Jude Richard Peek, Curtis Fennell
  • Patent number: 11200663
    Abstract: A method and system for production of layered wood products employs local and independently operating robotic panel assembly cells including a vison system for inspecting and grading veneer sheets, one or more veneer handling robots, one or more core handling robots, and one or more glue application robots to produce stacks of layered wood product panels locally near the pressing stations. Consequently, the stacks of layered wood product panels are independently built at, or near, the location of the pressing stations using inspected and graded veneer sheets. This eliminates the need for traditional panel conveyors, traditional layered wood product panel assembly layup lines, and stack press delivery lines. This, in turn, eliminates thousands of moving parts and dozens of people from the layered wood product production process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Boise Cascade Company
    Inventors: David Bolton, Jude Richard Peek, Curtis Fennell, Jason Matthew Coutee
  • Publication number: 20210378446
    Abstract: A high efficiency heating apparatus for heating fluids and cooking mediums, such as oil or shortening within a fryer, includes a natural draft (non powered) combustion chamber with internal baffles that is affixed to an exterior surface of a fry tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: Hyper Fryer, LLC
    Inventors: David H. McFadden, David A. Bolton
  • Publication number: 20210378448
    Abstract: A high efficiency heating apparatus for heating fluids and cooking mediums, such as oil or shortening within a fryer, includes a natural draft (non powered) combustion chamber that is affixed to an exterior surface of a fry tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: Hyper Fryer, LLC
    Inventors: David H. McFadden, David A. Bolton
  • Publication number: 20210378447
    Abstract: A high efficiency heating apparatus for heating fluids and cooking mediums, such as oil or shortening within a fryer, includes a natural draft (non powered) combustion chamber that is affixed to an exterior surface of a fry tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: Hyper Fryer, LLC
    Inventors: David H. McFadden, David A. Bolton
  • Patent number: 11186990
    Abstract: An LVL structure is a rectangular cell suitable for weight bearing uses such as floor trusses. The LVL structure includes one or more LVL beams having first surfaces that are a single outer layer of a veneer stack. Fastening plates/devices having penetrating members are used to attach the one or more LVL beams to the LVL structure with the penetrating members penetrating the single veneer layer first surface of the LVL beams substantially perpendicular to the first surfaces. In this way, the penetrating members do not split/separate the layers of veneer making up the LVL beams and tend to secure the penetrated layers of the veneer making up the one or more LVL beams together in a nail like fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Boise Cascade Company
    Inventors: Philip Bannos, David Bolton
  • Publication number: 20210327049
    Abstract: Near InfraRed NIR technology, including NIR cameras and detectors, is used to accurately identify surface irregularities on a veneer surface. A grade is then assigned to the veneer based, at least in part, on the detected irregularities. In one embodiment, the veneer is then provided to an improved veneer stacking system that produces more consistently graded veneer stacks and safer veneer stacks, is less expensive to operate, and is far safer than currently available methods and systems for full veneer sheet, veneer strip, and partial veneer sheet stacking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicant: Boise Cascade Company
    Inventors: David Bolton, Jude Richard Peek, Curtis Fennell
  • Publication number: 20210319548
    Abstract: Near InfraRed NIR technology, including NIR cameras and detectors, is used to accurately identify surface irregularities on a veneer surface. A grade is then assigned to the veneer based, at least in part, on the detected irregularities. In one embodiment, the veneer is then provided to an improved veneer stacking system that produces more consistently graded veneer stacks and safer veneer stacks, is less expensive to operate, and is far safer than currently available methods and systems for full veneer sheet, veneer strip, and partial veneer sheet stacking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: Boise Cascade Company
    Inventors: David Bolton, Jude Richard Peek, Curtis Fennell
  • Publication number: 20210319172
    Abstract: A method for rendering linked content in a first document having a table with a plurality of cells is described. A first user entry of a first link in a cell of the plurality of cells is received at a computing device. The first link refers to a first set of content having a source location that is external to the cell. The cell is displayed in a user interface that displays the first document. Displaying the cell includes retrieving, by the computing device, the first set of content using the first link. Displaying the cell also includes updating, by the computing device, the user interface to display, within the cell, both the first set of content and a second set of content that is distinct from the first set of content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Taylor Anderson, Joshua Allen Beam, Brian David Bolton, Kaitlyn Alise Childers, Mark David Erickson, Grant Nelson, John Christopher Pillar, Madelyn Renee Stephens
  • Patent number: 11100277
    Abstract: A method for rendering linked content in a first document is described. A first user entry of a first link in the first document is received at a computing device. The first link refers to a first set of content having a source location that is external to the first user entry. The first set of content is displayed with a first display format of the source location in a user interface that displays the first document. Displaying the first set of content includes retrieving, by the computing device, the first set of content using the first link. Displaying the first set of content also includes updating the user interface to display both the first set of content and a second set of content that is distinct from the first set of content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: WORKIVA INC.
    Inventors: Taylor Anderson, Mark David Erickson, Hannah Deering, Jonathan Gray Sandridge, Christian Plazas, Wilfredo Merced, III, Brian David Bolton, Bryon Marks, Ashley Kay Knobloch
  • Patent number: 11090833
    Abstract: Near InfraRed NIR technology, including NIR cameras and detectors, is used to accurately identify surface irregularities on a surface of a veneer sheet or other wood product. Based on the identified surface irregularities for a given wood product, one or more actions are taken with respect to wood product or production process to ensure the wood product is put to the most efficient, effective, and valuable use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Boise Cascade Company
    Inventors: David Bolton, Jude Richard Peek, Curtis Fennell
  • Patent number: 11083335
    Abstract: A high efficiency heating apparatus for heating fluids and cooking mediums, such as oil or shortening within a fryer, includes a natural draft (non powered) combustion chamber with internal baffles that is affixed to an exterior surface of a fry tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Hyper Fryer, LLC
    Inventors: David H. McFadden, David A. Bolton
  • Patent number: 11083336
    Abstract: A high efficiency heating apparatus for heating fluids and cooking mediums, such as oil or shortening within a fryer, includes a natural draft (non powered) combustion chamber with internal baffles that is affixed to an exterior surface of a fry tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Hyper Fryer, LLC
    Inventors: David H. McFadden, David A. Bolton
  • Patent number: 10966570
    Abstract: A high efficiency heating apparatus for heating fluids and cooking mediums, such as oil or shortening within a fryer, includes a natural draft (non powered) combustion chamber with internal baffles that is affixed to an exterior surface of a fry tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Hyper Fryer, LLC
    Inventors: David H. McFadden, David A. Bolton
  • Patent number: 10933557
    Abstract: Near InfraRed NIR technology, including NIR cameras and detectors, are used to detect irregularity in the surface of a wood product. Based on the detected irregularities at various locations in a given wood product, one or more actions are taken with respect to a production process used to produce the wood product to ensure the wood product is put to the most efficient, effective, and valuable use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Boise Cascade Company
    Inventors: David Bolton, Jude Richard Peek, Curtis Fennell
  • Patent number: 10933556
    Abstract: Near InfraRed NIR technology, including NIR cameras and detectors, and machine learning methods and systems, including one or more Machine Learning (ML) based surface irregularity prediction models, are used to accurately identify surface irregularities on a surface of a wood product, such as a veneer sheet or ribbon, and provide irregularity prediction data for the wood product. Based on the irregularity prediction data for a given wood product, one or more actions are taken with respect to wood product or the production process to ensure the wood product is put to the most efficient, effective, and valuable use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Boise Cascade Company
    Inventors: David Bolton, Jude Richard Peek, Curtis Fennell
  • Patent number: 10825164
    Abstract: A black and white image of a wood product, such as a veneer sheet, is captured with a first camera and a color image of the wood product is captured with a second camera. Computer processing of the black and white image is performed to determine dimensions of the wood product, the existence of voids within the wood product, and the presence of debris on the wood product. Computer processing of the color image is performed to determine whether colored defects are present in the wood product. A grade is assigned to the wood product based on this computer processing. The wood product can then be sorted based on the grade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Boise Cascade Company
    Inventors: David Bolton, Jude Richard Peek, Curtis Fennell
  • Publication number: 20200173915
    Abstract: Near InfraRed NIR technology, including NIR cameras and detectors, and machine learning methods and systems, including one or more Machine Learning (ML) based moisture level detection models, are used to accurately identify moisture content and the specific locations of the moisture on an entire surface of a veneer sheet or other wood product and provide moisture level prediction data for the veneer sheet or other wood product. Based on the moisture level prediction data for a given wood product, one or more actions are taken with respect to wood product to ensure the wood product is put to the most efficient, effective, and valuable use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: Boise Cascade Company
    Inventor: David Bolton
  • Publication number: 20200171695
    Abstract: Near InfraRed NIR technology, including NIR cameras and detectors, is used to accurately identify surface irregularities on a surface of a veneer sheet or other wood product. Based on the identified surface irregularities for a given wood product, one or more actions are taken with respect to wood product or production process to ensure the wood product is put to the most efficient, effective, and valuable use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: Boise Cascade Company
    Inventor: David Bolton