Patents by Inventor Dennis Lenart

Dennis Lenart 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).

  • apparatuses for forming a compressed grouping of objects
    Patent number: 6408602
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for compressing a plurality of objects into a compressed grouping and transferring said compressed grouping to a transfer conveyor. The apparatus includes a rotatable cylinder having a plurality of receiving areas positioned around the circumference of the cylinder for receiving a plurality of objects in expanded arrangement from an infeed conveyor at a receiving position. The apparatus also includes first and second compression members, one positioned on each end of said cylinder adjacent the receiving areas and covering a circumferential-portion of a side of said cylinder. The compression members include inclined portion which force the end objects toward the longitudinal center of the cylinder. In addition, a transfer conveyor running longitudinally through the cylinder for capturing a compressed grouping at the transfer position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Mars Incorporated
    Inventors: Dennis Rejcek, Terry Brinkerhuff, Ron Rieger, Dennis Lenart, Mike McGee, Johnny Black
  • Method for forming a compressed grouping of objects
    Patent number: 6381925
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for compressing a plurality of objects into a compressed grouping and transferring said compressed grouping to a transfer conveyor. The apparatus includes a rotatable cylinder having a plurality of receiving areas positioned around the circumference of the cylinder for receiving a plurality of objects in expanded arrangement from an infeed conveyor at a receiving position. The apparatus also includes first and second compression members, one positioned on each end of said cylinder adjacent the receiving areas and covering a circumferential-portion of a side of said cylinder. The compression members include inclined portion which force the end objects toward the longitudinal center of the cylinder. In addition, a transfer conveyor running longitudinally through the cylinder for capturing a compressed grouping at the transfer position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Dennis Rejcek, Terry Brinkerhuff, Ron Rieger, Dennis Lenart, Mike McGee, Johnny Black
  • High-speed oscillating feeder
    Patent number: 6315102
    Abstract: The present invention incorporates an oscillating sorting and feeding apparatus for sequentially sorting and feeding a plurality of objects in a serial arrangement, where the objects are sorted into a specific orientation. The apparatus includes a hollow receiving member having a generally cylindrical shape and an inner wall. The receiving member includes an inlet adjacent one end for receiving a plurality of randomly orientated objects, and also includes an outlet at the other end for sequentially feeding out correctly orientated objects in a serial arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael McGee, Ron Rieger, Dennis Lenart, Johnny Black, Terry Brinkerhuff
  • Method for forming a compressed grouping of objects
    Publication number: 20010023573
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for compressing a plurality of objects into a compressed grouping and transferring said compressed grouping to a transfer conveyor. The apparatus includes a rotatable cylinder having a plurality of receiving areas positioned around the circumference of the cylinder for receiving a plurality of objects in expanded arrangement from an infeed conveyor at a receiving position. The apparatus also includes first and second compression members, one positioned on each end of said cylinder adjacent the receiving areas and covering a circumferential-portion of a side of said cylinder. The compression members include inclined portion which force the end objects toward the longitudinal center of the cylinder. In addition, a transfer conveyor running longitudinally through the cylinder for capturing a compressed grouping at the transfer position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventors: Dennis Rejcek, Terry Brinkerhuff, Ron Rieger, Dennis Lenart, Mike McGee, Johnny Black