Patents by Inventor E. Riley Rowe

E. Riley Rowe 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: 5693163
    Abstract: A method for producing inflated dunnage on the site of use, comprising providing, in web form, a plurality of preformed plastic bags, each of the bags comprising two plastic sheets in facing relationship and sealed along three edges with one edge remaining open. Air is blown toward each of the open edges in sequence, causing each bag to inflate, and the open edge of each inflated bag is sealed, the bag being empty except for the air. A plurality of sealed inflated bags is separated from the web and placed in a carton to serve as dunnage. The bags have a slip resistant outer surface which causes the bags to interlock in the carton and better protect objects therein from shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Inventors: Gregory A. Hoover, Roger A. Hoover, E. Riley Rowe, David L. Rowe
  • Patent number: 5552003
    Abstract: A method for producing inflated dunnage on the site of use, comprising providing, in rolled form, a plurality of preformed plastic bags, each of the bags comprising two plastic sheets in facing relationship and sealed along three edges with one edge remaining open. Air is blown toward each of the open edges in sequence, causing each bag to inflate, and the fourth edge of each inflated bag is sealed, the bag being empty except for the air. At least one sealed inflated bag is separated from the roll and placed in a carton to serve as dunnage. In an alternate embodiment, the stock material is provided in a continuous tubular form, and an air inflation needle is used to puncture a surface of the tube for inflation purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventors: Gregory A. Hoover, Roger A. Hoover, E. Riley Rowe, David L. Rowe
  • Patent number: 4911560
    Abstract: A plastic film bag with overlying front and rear bag walls, the upper edges of which define a bag mouth. Pleats defined in each bag wall extend vertically downward from the mouth-forming edges. The pleats, upon expansion by direct finger engagement therewith or the application of outwardly directed opposite forces on the opposed ends of the mouth portion of the bag, cause a lateral separation of the edges for initiating opening of the bag mouth. The bag may be vertically partitioned into lateral compartments with at least one wall of each compartment including a mouth-opening pleat therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Sonoco Products Company
    Inventors: Gregory A. Hoover, E. Riley Rowe, James C. Miller, H. Gordon Dancy
  • Patent number: 4155439
    Abstract: A system for assembling flexible end closures for containers, the closure itself including a peelable sealing membrane, with a folded pull tab, and a plastic overcap separably combined as a single unit for application to the container. Apparatus cuts the individual sealing membranes from a continuous web for deposit thereof on individual holders which vacuum retain the membranes during movement through stations which fold an integral pull tab in overlying relation to each membrane for subsequent reception within an associated overcap applied to the holder along the path of movement thereof, the combined membrane and overcap ultimately being discharged for later application to a container as a closure therefor. A central manifold controls air flow to and away from the individual holders so as to selectively retain and discharge the closure forming membrane and overcap components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1979
    Assignee: Sonoco Products Company
    Inventors: Wade D. Fletcher, E. Riley Rowe
  • Patent number: 4122790
    Abstract: A system for forming and mounting end closures for peel-top containers, each closure including a peelable sealing membrane, with a folded pull tab, and a separate plastic overcap. The individual sealing membranes are cut from a continuous web and deposited directly on the open ends of cans or containers being fed in a continuing line. Each membrane is retained in properly oriented association with the corresponding container, by adhesive tacking or through a partial vacuum generated within the container, until such time as the container supported membrane is engaged by a chuck to effect a positive sealing of the membrane to the container. After a sealing of the membrane to the container, the container proceeds through a cycle wherein the tab on the membrane is laterally bent, the overcap is applied, and the container with completed end closure is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Assignee: Sonoco Products Company
    Inventors: E. Riley Rowe, Wade Fletcher, Herman R. Markert, Dwight D. Grady
  • Patent number: 4047473
    Abstract: A system for assembling flexible end closures for containers, the closure itself including a peelable sealing membrane, with a folded pull tab, and a plastic overcap separably combined as a single unit for application to the container. Apparatus cuts the individual sealing membranes from a continuous web for deposit thereof on individual holders which vacuum retain the membranes during movement through stations which fold an integra pull tab in overlying relation to each membrane for subsequent reception within an associated overcap applied to the holder along the path of movement thereof, the combined membrane and overcap ultimately being discharged for later application to a container as a closure therefor. A central manifold controls air flow to and away from the individual holders so as to selectively retain and discharge the closure forming membrane and overcap components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1977
    Assignee: Sonoco Products Company
    Inventors: Wade D. Fletcher, E. Riley Rowe
  • Patent number: RE36501
    Abstract: A method for producing inflated dunnage on the site of use, comprising providing, in rolled form, a plurality of preformed plastic bags, each of the bags comprising two plastic sheets in facing relationship and sealed along three edges with one edge remaining open. Air is blown toward each of the open edges in sequence, causing each bag to inflate, and the fourth edge of each inflated bag is sealed, the bag being empty except for the air. At least one sealed inflated bag is separated from the roll and placed in a carton to serve as dunnage. In an alternate embodiment, the stock material is provided in a continuous tubular form, and an air inflation needle is used to puncture a surface of the tube for inflation purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Inventors: Gregory A. Hoover, Roger A. Hoover, E. Riley Rowe, David L. Rowe
  • Patent number: RE36759
    Abstract: A method for producing inflated dunnage on the site of use, comprising providing, in web form, a plurality of preformed plastic bags, each of the bags comprising two plastic sheets in facing relationship and sealed along three edges with one edge remaining open. Air is blown toward each of the open edges in sequence, causing each bag to inflate, and the open edge of each inflated bag is sealed, the bag being empty except for the air. A plurality of sealed inflated bags is separated from the web and placed in a carton to serve as dunnage. The bags have a slip resistant outer surface which causes the bags to interlock in the carton and better protect object therein from shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Hoover, Roger A. Hoover, E. Riley Rowe, David L. Rowe