Patents by Inventor David E. Eldridge

David E. Eldridge 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: 11472580
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for wrapping a palletized load are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a film dispenser for dispensing a film web, at least one guide rollers configured to engage the width of the film web, and at least one roping element. The at least one roping element may be a cable rolling roper configured to roll a portion of the film web into a rolled cable of film. The apparatus may also include means for providing relative rotation between the load and the dispenser to wrap a roped portion of the film web around a base of the load/top portion of a pallet supporting the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: LANTECH.COM, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, Donnie Norris, David E. Eldridge
  • Publication number: 20170137156
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for wrapping a palletized load are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a film dispenser for dispensing a film web, at least one guide rollers configured to engage the width of the film web, and at least one roping element. The at least one roping element may be a cable rolling roper configured to roll a portion of the film web into a rolled cable of film. The apparatus may also include means for providing relative rotation between the load and the dispenser to wrap a roped portion of the film web around a base of the load/top portion of a pallet supporting the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, Donnie Norris, David E. Eldridge
  • Patent number: 9290282
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for wrapping a palletized load are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a film dispenser for dispensing a film web, at least one guide rollers configured to engage the width of the film web, and at least one roping element. The at least one roping element may be a cable rolling roper configured to roll a portion of the film web into a rolled cable of film. The apparatus may also include means for providing relative rotation between the load and the dispenser to wrap a roped portion of the film web around a base of the load/top portion of a pallet supporting the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Lantech.com, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Donnie Norris, David E. Eldridge
  • Patent number: 9290285
    Abstract: An apparatus for clamping packaging material may include a packaging material holder. The packaging material holder may include a first jaw, a second jaw, opposing the first jaw, and a jaw opening between the first and second jaws. The jaw opening may be configured to receive a portion of packaging material. The packaging material holder may include an inflatable structure configured to fill at least a portion of the opening. The apparatus also may include a packaging material insertion tool configured to insert the portion of packaging material into the jaw opening for clamping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: LANTECH.COM, LLC
    Inventors: Richard L. Johnson, David E. Eldridge, Jeremy McCray
  • Publication number: 20150321774
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for wrapping a palletized load are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a film dispenser for dispensing a film web, at least one guide rollers configured to engage the width of the film web, and at least one roping element. The at least one roping element may be a cable rolling roper configured to roll a portion of the film web into a rolled cable of film. The apparatus may also include means for providing relative rotation between the load and the dispenser to wrap a roped portion of the film web around a base of the load/top portion of a pallet supporting the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Donnie Norris, David E. Eldridge
  • Publication number: 20140215968
    Abstract: An apparatus for clamping packaging material may include a packaging material holder. The packaging material holder may include a first jaw, a second jaw, opposing the first jaw, and a jaw opening between the first and second jaws. The jaw opening may be configured to receive a portion of packaging material. The packaging material holder may include an inflatable structure configured to fill at least a portion of the opening. The apparatus also may include a packaging material insertion tool configured to insert the portion of packaging material into the jaw opening for clamping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: LANTECH.COM, LLC
    Inventors: Richard L. Johnson, David E. Eldridge, Jeremy McCray
  • Patent number: 8695312
    Abstract: An apparatus for clamping packaging material may include a packaging material holder. The packaging material holder may include a first jaw, a second jaw, opposing the first jaw, and a jaw opening between the first and second jaws. The jaw opening may be configured to receive a portion of packaging material. The packaging material holder may include an inflatable structure configured to fill at least a portion of the opening. The apparatus also may include a packaging material insertion tool configured to insert the portion of packaging material into the jaw opening for clamping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Lantech.com, LLC
    Inventors: Richard L. Johnson, David E. Eldridge, Jeremy McCray
  • Patent number: 8276354
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for wrapping a palletized load are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a film dispenser for dispensing a film web, at least one drive down roller configured to engage the width of the film web, and at least one roping mechanism. The at least one roping mechanism may be a cable rolling element configured to roll a portion of the film web into a rolled cable of film. The apparatus may also include an assembly for providing relative rotation between the load and the dispenser to wrap a roped portion of the film web around a base of the load/top portion of a pallet supporting the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Lantech.com, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, David E. Eldridge, Willie M. Hall, Richard L. Johnson, Curtis W. Martin, Philip R. Moore, Joseph D. Norris
  • Publication number: 20120031053
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for wrapping a palletized load are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a film dispenser for dispensing a film web, at least one drive down roller configured to engage the width of the film web, and at least one roping mechanism. The at least one roping mechanism may be a cable rolling element configured to roll a portion of the film web into a rolled cable of film. The apparatus may also include an assembly for providing relative rotation between the load and the dispenser to wrap a roped portion of the film web around a base of the load/top portion of a pallet supporting the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: LANTECH.COM
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, David E. Eldridge, Willie Martin Hall, Richard L. Johnson, Curtis W. Martin, Philip R. Moore, Joseph Donald Norris
  • Patent number: 8037660
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for wrapping a palletized load are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a film dispenser for dispensing a film web, at least one drive down roller configured to engage the width of the film web, and at least one roping mechanism. The at least one roping mechanism may be a cable rolling element configured to roll a portion of the film web into a rolled cable of film. The apparatus may also include an assembly for providing relative rotation between the load and the dispenser to wrap a roped portion of the film web around a base of the load/top portion of a pallet supporting the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Lantech.com, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, David E. Eldridge, Willie Martin Hall, Richard L. Johnson, Curtis W. Martin, Philip R. Moore, Joseph Donald Norris
  • Publication number: 20110146203
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for dispensing a predetermined fixed amount of pre-stretched packaging material based upon load girth. A non-rotating ring carries a belt driven by a motor. A packaging material dispenser is mounted on a rotating ring, and the rotating ring may include a pulley that connects to the band, such that the rotating ring is driven by the drive belt. Based upon the girth of the load to be wrapped, an amount of pre-stretched packaging material to be dispensed for at least a portion of a revolution made by the rotating ring is determined. Good wrapping performance in terms of load containment (wrap force) and optimum packaging material use is obtained by dispensing a length of pre-stretched packaging material that is between approximately 90% and approximately 120% of load girth. Once the amount of packaging material to be dispensed per revolution is determined, a ratio of rotating ring drive to final pre-stretch surface speed (i.e.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, David E. Eldridge, Willie Martin Hall, Richard L. Johnson, Curtis W. Martin, Philip R. Moore, Joseph Donald Norris
  • Patent number: 7779607
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for dispensing a predetermined fixed amount of pre-stretched packaging material based upon load girth. A non-rotating ring carries a belt driven by a motor. A packaging material dispenser is mounted on a rotating ring, and the rotating ring may include a pulley that connects to the band, such that the rotating ring is driven by the drive belt. Based upon the girth of the load to be wrapped, an amount of pre-stretched packaging material to be dispensed for each revolution made by the rotating ring is determined. Good wrapping performance in terms of load containment (wrap force) and optimum packaging material use is obtained by dispensing a length of pre-stretched packaging material that is between approximately 90% and approximately 120% of load girth. Once the amount of packaging material to be dispensed per revolution is determined, a ratio of rotating ring drive to final pre-stretch surface speed (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Lantech.com, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, David E. Eldridge, Willie Martin Hall, Richard L. Johnson, Curtis W. Martin, Philip R. Moore, Joseph Donald Norris
  • Patent number: 7707901
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring containment force on a load is provided. The apparatus may include a first longitudinally extending arm configured to engage a first side of packaging material wrapped around the load. The apparatus may also include a second longitudinally extending arm configured to engage a second side of the packaging material, the second side being opposite the first side. The apparatus may further include an indicator positioned substantially perpendicularly to the first and second arms, a third longitudinally extending arm, and a force gauge configured to measure a force exerted on the third longitudinally extending arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Lantech.com LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, David E. Eldridge, Curtis W. Martin
  • Publication number: 20090293435
    Abstract: An apparatus for clamping packaging material may include a packaging material holder. The packaging material holder may include a first jaw, a second jaw, opposing the first jaw, and a jaw opening between the first and second jaws. The jaw opening may be configured to receive a portion of packaging material. The packaging material holder may include an inflatable structure configured to fill at least a portion of the opening. The apparatus also may include a packaging material insertion tool configured to insert the portion of packaging material into the jaw opening for clamping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Richard L. Johnson, David E. Eldridge, Jeremy McCray
  • Publication number: 20080295614
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring containment force on a load is provided. The apparatus may include a first longitudinally extending arm configured to engage a first side of packaging material wrapped around the load. The apparatus may also include a second longitudinally extending arm configured to engage a second side of the packaging material, the second side being opposite the first side. The apparatus may further include an indicator positioned substantially perpendicularly to the first and second arms, a third longitudinally extending arm, and a force gauge configured to measure a force exerted on the third longitudinally extending arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Patrick R. LANCASTER, III, David E. Eldridge, Curtis W. Martin