Patents by Inventor Douglas A. SPITLER

Douglas A. SPITLER 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: 20210136328
    Abstract: An endoscopic grabber includes a proximal housing, a distal assembly, a flexible shaft extending between the proximal housing and the distal assembly, a flexible member within the flexible shaft having a distal end portion connected to the distal assembly and a proximal end portion connected to the proximal housing, and a camera within the distal assembly. A distal end portion of the flexible member is movably disposed within the distal assembly. A proximal end portion of the flexible member is connected to an actuator within the proximal housing. Actuation of the proximal end portion moves the distal end portion of the flexible member such that one or more elongate arms extending from the distal end portion deforms to form part of a grabber. The camera is configured to capture an image including a tip portion of the elongate arm. The elongate arms are configured to grab a target object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: Saunders Midwest LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. BARTHEL, Douglas A. SPITLER, Dennis W. GILLOGLY, Li FENG
  • Publication number: 20200383557
    Abstract: An endoscopic grabber apparatus includes a proximal housing, a distal assembly, a flexible shaft extending between the proximal housing and the distal assembly, a flexible member within the flexible shaft having a distal end portion connected to the distal assembly and a proximal end portion connected to the proximal housing, and a camera within the distal assembly. A distal end portion of the flexible member is movably disposed within the distal assembly. A proximal end portion of the flexible member is connected to an actuator within the proximal housing. Actuation of the proximal end portion moves the distal end portion of the flexible member such that a protrusion extending from the distal end portion deforms to form part of a grabber. The camera is configured to capture an image including a tip portion of the protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: Saunders Midwest LLC
    Inventors: Walter J. SEDLACEK, Douglas A. SPITLER, Michael R. BARTHEL, Fule ZHANG
  • Patent number: 10487427
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for manufacturing continuous strand fiberglass of progressive density with varying skins. Glass media is melted into molten glass within a temperature controlled melter, the molten glass exits the melter through orifices of a bushing plate, which is oriented 6 degrees relative to the axis of a rotating drum. A rotating drum receives the molten glass exiting the bushing plate, and resin and water are applied. The fiberglass media is fed through rollers before it enters a curing oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Superior Fibers, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Douglas Spitler, Rodney Ray Wilkins
  • Patent number: 10351462
    Abstract: The manufacture of fiberglass filtration media, and particularly paint arrestance fiberglass media, is disclosed. Fiberglass filtration media is formed in part by controlling the speed of a melter traversing a drum. The fiberglass media passes through rollers and water sprays before it enters a curing apparatus. Progressive density changes from the air intake side to the air exit side of the media result in increased filtration qualities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Superior Fibers, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Douglas Spitler, Rodney Ray Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20190160568
    Abstract: A marker apparatus includes a housing, a current controller that is electrically connected to an electrode, a pad connected to the electrode for retaining an electrolytic fluid, and a removable cover. The removable cover retains an insulated stencil to an outer surface of the pad. The insulated stencil defines at least one permeable portion therein and a portion of the outer surface of the pad adjoins the at least one permeable portion. The at least one permeable portion can be formed as at least one opening defined through the insulated stencil, in which the portion of the outer surface of the pad extends into the at least one opening. The current controller provides an electric current from the electrode through the at least one permeable portion that is electrically connected to an object to be marker. The marker apparatus can include an on-board reservoir of electrolytic fluid and an actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: Saunders Midwest LLC
    Inventors: Walter J. SEDLACEK, Douglas A. SPITLER, Michael R. BARTHEL, Champin CHOU
  • Publication number: 20190134845
    Abstract: A heating system is provided having a plurality of heated zones, with at least a first zone and a second zone. The first zone receives variable input moisture fiberglass over a first conveyor system and comprises a first compression system above the first conveyor system. Each zone has a fire box at the top and an exhaust stack. Heated air is up drafted through the bottom of the first zone, where the heated air flows from the bottom through the conveyor belt, through the fiberglass media, through the tensioned compression chain, and out the exhaust stack of the first zone. The first zone establishes fiberglass loft, with the second zone providing cure of the fiberglass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Charles Douglas Spitler, Rodney Ray Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20190119152
    Abstract: A system and a method of manufacturing continuous glass filament fiberglass media comprises melting glass within a temperature controlled melter. Molten glass exits through orifices in a bushing plate. The resulting fiberglass filaments are received on a rotating drum and sprayed with binder and aqueous solution. The resulting fiberglass mat is placed onto a let-off table then sprayed with aqueous solution before further processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Superior Fibers, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Douglas Spitler, Rodney Ray Wilkins
  • Patent number: 10106452
    Abstract: A system and a method of manufacturing continuous glass filament fiberglass media comprises melting glass within a temperature controlled melter. Molten glass exits through a bushing plate with orifices of varying row configurations and orientations. The resulting fiberglass filaments are received on a rotating drum and sprayed with resin and aqueous solution. The resulting fiberglass mat is placed onto a let-off table then sprayed with aqueous solution before further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Superior Fibers, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Douglas Spitler, Rodney Ray Wilkins
  • Patent number: 10046477
    Abstract: A heating system is provided having a plurality of heated zones, with at least a first zone and a second zone. The first zone receives variable input moisture fiberglass over a first conveyor system and comprises a first compression system above the first conveyor system. Each zone has a fire box at the top and an exhaust stack. Heated air is up drafted through the bottom of the first zone, where the heated air flows from the bottom through the conveyor belt, through the fiberglass media, through the tensioned compression chain, and out the exhaust stack of the first zone. The first zone establishes fiberglass loft, with the second zone providing cure of the fiberglass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Superior Fibers, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Douglas Spitler, Rodney Ray Wilkins
  • Patent number: 9968876
    Abstract: The manufacture of fiberglass filtration media, and particularly paint arrestance fiberglass media, is disclosed. Fiberglass filtration media is formed in part by controlling the speed of a melter traversing a drum. The fiberglass media passes through rollers and water sprays before it enters a curing apparatus. Progressive density changes from the air intake side to the air exit side of the media result in increased filtration qualities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Superior Fibers, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Douglas Spitler, Rodney Ray Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20180043569
    Abstract: A heating system is provided having a plurality of heated zones, with at least a first zone and a second zone. The first zone receives variable input moisture fiberglass over a first conveyor system and comprises a first compression system above the first conveyor system. Each zone has a fire box at the top and an exhaust stack. Heated air is up drafted through the bottom of the first zone, where the heated air flows from the bottom through the conveyor belt, through the fiberglass media, through the tensioned compression chain, and out the exhaust stack of the first zone. The first zone establishes fiberglass loft, with the second zone providing cure of the fiberglass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Charles Douglas Spitler, Rodney Ray Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20180044230
    Abstract: A system and method of forming fiberglass air filtration media is disclosed which does not require the use of oil additives. A mixture of resin binder, polymer, and dry adhering agent is formed and applied to the fiberglass as it spins onto the drum. Additionally, the fiberglass filtration media density can vary such that the fiber on the air inflow is less dense than the fiber on the air outflow. After oven curing, the finished air filtration media has an improved ability to attract and hold dust and other contaminants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Charles Douglas Spitler, Rodney Ray Wilkins
  • Patent number: 9695084
    Abstract: A system and method of forming fiberglass air filtration media is disclosed which does not require the use of oil additives. A mixture of resin binder, polymer, and dry adhering agent is formed and applied to the fiberglass as it spins onto the drum. Additionally, the fiberglass filtration media density can vary such that the fiber on the air inflow is less dense than the fiber on the air outflow. After oven curing, the finished air filtration media has an improved ability to attract and hold dust and other contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventors: Charles Douglas Spitler, Rodney Ray Wilkins
  • Patent number: 9694510
    Abstract: A heating system is provided having a plurality of heated zones, with at least a first zone and a second zone. The first zone receives variable input moisture fiberglass over a first conveyor system and comprises a first compression system above the first conveyor system. Each zone has a fire box at the top and an exhaust stack. Heated air is up drafted through the bottom of the first zone, where the heated air flows from the bottom through the conveyor belt, through the fiberglass media, through the tensioned compression chain, and out the exhaust stack of the first zone. The first zone establishes fiberglass loft, with the second zone providing cure of the fiberglass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventors: Charles Douglas Spitler, Rodney Ray Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20170067193
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for manufacturing continuous strand fiberglass of progressive density with varying skins. Glass media is melted into molten glass within a temperature controlled melter, the molten glass exits the melter through orifices of a bushing plate, which is oriented 6 degrees relative to the axis of a rotating drum. A rotating drum receives the molten glass exiting the bushing plate, and resin and water are applied. The fiberglass media is fed through rollers before it enters a curing oven.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Charles Douglas Spitler, Rodney Ray Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20160332907
    Abstract: A system and method of forming fiberglass air filtration media is disclosed which does not require the use of oil additives. A mixture of resin binder, polymer, and dry adhering agent is formed and applied to the fiberglass as it spins onto the drum. Additionally, the fiberglass filtration media density can vary such that the fiber on the air inflow is less dense than the fiber on the air outflow. After oven curing, the finished air filtration media has an improved ability to attract and hold dust and other contaminants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Charles Douglas Spitler, Rodney Ray Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20160333511
    Abstract: A system and a method of manufacturing continuous glass filament fiberglass media comprises melting glass within a temperature controlled melter. Molten glass exits through a bushing plate with orifices of varying row configurations and orientations. The resulting fiberglass filaments are received on a rotating drum and sprayed with resin and aqueous solution. The resulting fiberglass mat is placed onto a let-off table then sprayed with aqueous solution before further processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Charles Douglas Spitler, Rodney Ray Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20160281283
    Abstract: A heating system is provided having a plurality of heated zones, with at least a first zone and a second zone. The first zone receives variable input moisture fiberglass over a first conveyor system and comprises a first compression system above the first conveyor system. Each zone has a fire box at the top and an exhaust stack. Heated air is up drafted through the bottom of the first zone, where the heated air flows from the bottom through the conveyor belt, through the fiberglass media, through the tensioned compression chain, and out the exhaust stack of the first zone. The first zone establishes fiberglass loft, with the second zone providing cure of the fiberglass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Charles Douglas Spitler, Rodney Ray Wilkins
  • Patent number: 9446978
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for manufacturing continuous strand fiberglass of progressive density with varying skins. Glass media is melted into molten glass within a temperature controlled melter, the molten glass exits the melter through orifices of a bushing plate, which is oriented 6 degrees relative to the axis of a rotating drum. A rotating drum receives the molten glass exiting the bushing plate, and resin and water are applied. The fiberglass media is fed through rollers before it enters a curing oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventors: Charles Douglas Spitler, Rodney Ray Wilkins
  • Patent number: D854833
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Saunders Midwest LLC
    Inventors: Dennis W. Gillogly, Walter J. Sedlacek, Douglas A. Spitler, Michael R. Barthel