Patents by Inventor Eric Allen Stegner
Eric Allen Stegner 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).
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Publication number: 20090030989Abstract: Incoming e-mails having an incoming domain are received at an e-mail server. Incoming domains are compared to a list of blocked domains to determine whether the incoming e-mail is to be delivered. Incoming domain are further compared to at least one predefined category having a distribution list. If the intended recipient is not a member of the distribution list, the incoming e-mail is not delivered. Domains within the blocked domain list and the predefined categories are user suggested domains from previously received e-mails.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2007Publication date: January 29, 2009Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Mark Edmund Maresh, Eric Allen Stegner, Kimberly Irene Stegner
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Publication number: 20090026211Abstract: A flexible system is provided for preventing freight damage during shipment. The system has adjustable and interlocking hinged panels that are attached to the side walls of a shipping enclosure, so that the system can be readily adapted to secure different types and sizes of loads. One embodiment of the invention, provided for use with a freight carrying enclosure that has an internal wall, includes first and second panel segments that each have an edge. A first mounting structure supports the first panel segment for rotation about a vertical axis, between a first position wherein the first panel segment is in perpendicular relationship with the wall, and a second position wherein the first panel segment is in abutting relationship with the wall. A second mounting structure joins the first and second panel segments together along their respective edges, and enables rotation of the second panel between vertical and horizontal orientations.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2007Publication date: January 29, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Mark Edmund Maresh, Eric Allen Stegner, Robert William Stegner
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Patent number: 7480968Abstract: A product package clip has tamper evident protection which is formed integrally with the clip. Breakage of frangible connectors indicates that the clip, and thus the package, has been the target of tampering.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2006Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Mark Edmund Maresh, Eric Allen Stegner, Robert William Stegner
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Patent number: 7478985Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for locking at least two safety retainers together. Each safety retainer has a pallet-attached base and a ramp-attached mating bracket. Each safety retainer includes a base and a bracket. Each bracket is coupled to a ramp that is can be removably attached to a pallet. Each base includes a retaining arm for locking the base to the bracket when the ramp is coupled to the pallet. A locking mechanism is capable of being temporarily coupled to a first retaining arm in a first safety retainer and a second retaining arm in a second safety retainer for locking the retaining arms together. The first and second retaining arms must operate as a single unit, and cannot be moved independently, when the locking mechanism is coupled to the first and second retaining arms. The first and second retaining arms operate independently as separate units when the locking mechanism is not coupled to the first and second retaining arms.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2008Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Kevin Duane Johnson, Ivan Neil Liverman, Eric Allen Stegner, Robert William Stegner
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Patent number: 7461457Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for cutting a corner post. The apparatus includes a blade disposed within the apparatus. A piston is coupled to the blade for actuating the blade. A trigger switch is coupled to the piston. The piston causes the blade to actuate when the trigger is depressed. The apparatus includes an opening through the apparatus for receiving the corner post through the opening. The blade is actuated to move through the opening and cut through the corner post.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2005Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Ivan Neil Liverman, Robert Tucker Sanders, Eric Allen Stegner, Robert William Stegner
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Publication number: 20080265115Abstract: A product package clip has tamper evident protection which is formed integrally with the clip. Breakage of frangible connectors indicates that the clip, and thus the package, has been the target of tampering.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2008Publication date: October 30, 2008Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Mark Edmund Maresh, Eric Allen Stegner, Robert William Stegner
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Patent number: 7430895Abstract: Apparatus and method is provided for reliably testing a quality level of bead fusion in molded foam parts. Such apparatus may be portable and hand-held, and the test procedure will not destroy or damage tested products. In a useful embodiment comprising apparatus for monitoring quality of a molded foam part, an insertion device introduces a stream of selected gas under pressure into the interior of the molded foam part. The insertion device may include a thin nozzle to be inserted into the part. Poorly fused beads allow a faster flow rate of the gas than well fused beads, since the poor fusion will provide more openings for the gas to escape. Accordingly, the embodiment includes a sensor for measuring the flow rate of the stream of gas, as the stream is introduced into the part interior.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2005Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Ivan Neil Liverman, Mark Edmund Maresh, Eric Allen Stegner, Robert William Stegner
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Publication number: 20080210588Abstract: A packaging material which impart fragility capability and is easily manufactured and handled in preparing a product for shipment. The material is fabricated as a planar body having fold lines on which the body may be folded to encircle a product being packaged. The planar body is formed with locking features which enable a handler to easily secure the material about the packaged product and with defined openings facilitating handling.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2008Publication date: September 4, 2008Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Eric Allen Stegner, Robert William Stegner, Christopher John Sattora
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Patent number: 7398884Abstract: A packaging material which impart fragility capability and is easily manufactured and handled in preparing a product for shipment. The material is fabricated as a planar body having fold lines on which the body may be folded to encircle a product being packaged. The planar body is formed with locking features which enable a handler to easily secure the material about the packaged product and with defined openings facilitating handling.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2005Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Eric Allen Stegner, Robert William Stegner, Christopher John Sattora
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Publication number: 20080138166Abstract: An arrangement of securing frame assemblies is provided within a shipping enclosure and engaging packages being handled. The frame assemblies have rigid frame members and distensible bags mounted on the frames. The distensible bags are, in use, distended as by being inflated or otherwise filled with a pressurized fluid to engage and secure freight.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2008Publication date: June 12, 2008Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Mark Edmund Maresh, Eric Allen Stegner, Robert William Stegner
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Publication number: 20080131227Abstract: An arrangement of securing frame assemblies is provided within a shipping enclosure and engaging packages being handled. The frame assemblies are secured to side walls of the container and act in pairs to extend from respective sides and join together to form bracing barriers extending across the width of the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2006Publication date: June 5, 2008Inventors: Mark Edmund Maresh, Eric Allen Stegner, Robert William Stegner
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Patent number: 7377393Abstract: An arrangement of securing frame assemblies is provided within a shipping enclosure and engaging packages being handled. The frame assemblies have rigid frame members and distensible bags mounted on the frames. The distensible bags are, in use, distended as by being inflated or otherwise filled with a pressurized fluid to engage and secure freight.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2006Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Mark Edmund Maresh, Eric Allen Stegner, Robert William Stegner
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Patent number: 7357609Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for locking at least two safety retainers together. Each safety retainer has a pallet-attached base and a ramp-attached mating bracket. Each safety retainer includes a base and a bracket. Each bracket is coupled to a ramp that is can be removably attached to a pallet. Each base includes a retaining arm for locking the base to the bracket when the ramp is coupled to the pallet. A locking mechanism is capable of being temporarily coupled to a first retaining arm in a first safety retainer and a second retaining arm in a second safety retainer for locking the retaining arms together. The first and second retaining arms must operate as a single unit, and cannot be moved independently, when the locking mechanism is coupled to the first and second retaining arms. The first and second retaining arms operate independently as separate units when the locking mechanism is not coupled to the first and second retaining arms.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2005Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Kevin Duane Johnson, Ivan Neil Liverman, Eric Allen Stegner, Robert William Stegner
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Patent number: 7344029Abstract: A rollover shipping cushion is presented. The cushion is formed by folding, in a specific manner, a single sheet of die-cut corrugated fiberboard to create the cushion. When properly folded, the cushion includes a central shipping cavity that is surrounded by shock-absorbing tubes on all six sides of the central shipping cavity.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2005Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Christopher J. Sattora, Eric Allen Stegner, Robert William Stegner
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Publication number: 20080056839Abstract: An arrangement of securing frame assemblies is provided within a shipping enclosure and engaging packages being handled. The frame assemblies have rigid frame members and distensible bags mounted on the frames. The distensible bags are, in use, distended as by being inflated or otherwise filled with a pressurized fluid to engage and secure freight.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2006Publication date: March 6, 2008Inventors: Mark Edmund Maresh, Eric Allen Stegner, Robert William Stegner
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Patent number: 7293508Abstract: A method and system is presented for ensuring that a latch securing a ramp to a pallet is properly aligned and seated before a product can be offloaded from the pallet and down the ramp. The system uses a latching system that has a pallet-attached base and a ramp-attached mating bracket. The pallet-attached base has two rods. The first rod has a retainer arm that is restricted by the second rod to a vertical position, thus preventing a shipment on the pallet from reaching the ramp. The second rod has a thin portion and a thick portion. The second rod must be laterally moved such that the mating bracket mates only with the thin portion of the rod. This lateral movement moves the second rod away from the first rod's retainer arm, thus allowing the retainer arm to fold down.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2005Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Kevin Duane Johnson, Ivan Neil Liverman, Eric Allen Stegner, Robert William Stegner
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Patent number: 7240406Abstract: A package fastening clip having enhanced security of engagement with packaging materials by the provision of at least three material engaging legs, one of which cooperates with a latch member to secure the clip in assembled position.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2006Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Ivan Neil Liverman, Mark Edmund Maresh, Eric Allen Stegner, Robert William Stegner
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Patent number: 6997323Abstract: A packaging system for a component is disclosed. The packaging system comprises a box and a compressible and shock-absorbent packing insert. The packing insert is placed in the box after nesting a component within the insert. The insert comprises a main panel, a first end tube hingedly coupled to the main panel, a second end tube hingedly coupled to the main panel opposite the first end tube, a first side tube hingedly coupled to the main panel, the first side tube being adjacent to the first end tube and a second side tube hingedly coupled to the main panel, the second side tube being adjacent to the second end tube and opposite the first side tube wherein the first and second side tube panels and the first and second side tube panels may include at one or more cutouts to enhance the flexing capability of the packing insert.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2002Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Mark Edmund Maresh, Jeffrey Jay Miller, Eric Allen Stegner, Robert W. Stegner, Christopher Michael Turner
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Patent number: 6976587Abstract: A packaging assembly comprising a standard molded cushion solution that can accommodate variations in dimensions of predetermined products, including weight, while providing protection to an equipment component (or other fragile or breakable item) enclosed therein, ease in use during pre-packing and packing of an equipment component for transport, shock protection during transport, and is economically suited for its end use, is provided for. The present invention is a molded, cushion having interlocking columns which adjust the contacting areas of the cushion in relation to the product height and/or weight differences. The present invention is advantageously designed using specific geometries and interlocking columns which, contrary to traditional designs, benefit from the stressing and flexing characteristics of paper fiber.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2003Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Ivan Neil Liverman, Mark Edmund Maresh, Jeffrey Jay Miller, Eric Allen Stegner, Robert William Stegner, Christopher Michael Turner
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Patent number: 6726017Abstract: A packaging system for a component is disclosed. The packaging system comprises a box and a carrier within the box. The packaging system also includes a compressible and shock-absorbent packing insert, wherein the packing insert is placed above a component after nesting the component within the carrier. Accordingly, the packaging system in accordance with the present invention employs a low cost, environment-friendly material to protect fragile components from any potential damage that can be caused during the shipping process.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2001Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Mark Edmund Maresh, Eric Allen Stegner