Patents by Inventor Dennis G. Hicks

Dennis G. Hicks 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).

  • Method for forming pleats in a sheet-like material
    Patent number: 5589014
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming pleats in a thermoplastic material by feeding a continuous web of sheet-like thermoplastic material to a pleat forming apparatus and subsequently drawing the web through a bonding device. The pleat forming apparatus includes a rotating drum that has a plurality of apertures and a plurality of radially extensible teeth positioned in peripheral slots. The teeth are spring-biased inwardly to a retracted position within the drum but are extendable, under the urging of an internal cam, to a position wherein a portion of each tooth protrudes outwardly from the drum. The web is carried around the drum and the teeth protrude into the web forming pleats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Converting, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis G. Hicks
  • Apparatus for, forming pleats in a sheet material
    Patent number: 5389188
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming pleats in a thermoplastic material by feeding a continuous web of sheet-like thermoplastic material to a pleat forming apparatus and subsequently drawing the web through a bonding device. The pleat forming apparatus includes a rotating drum that has a plurality of apertures and a plurality of radially extensible teeth positioned in peripheral slots. The teeth are spring-biased inwardly to a retracted position within the drum but are extendable, under the urging of an internal cam, to a position wherein a portion of each tooth protrudes outwardly from the drum. The web is carried around the drum and the teeth protrude into the web forming pleats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Converting, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis G. Hicks