Patents by Inventor Franck Santais

Franck Santais 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: 20220334564
    Abstract: A method of starting a machine comprising a plurality of modules, each module having a standard run-up time until optimum operating conditions are obtained. The method includes acquiring for each module of an initial state at a time T0 and a run-up time to reach the optimum operating conditions from the time T0. The method also includes identifying a slow module having the longest run-up time and determining a time T1 of optimum operation, following run-up, at which said slow module has its optimum operating conditions. For each module (6) other than the slow module (6), the method establishes a starting or run-up time set point for which its optimum operating conditions are reached only at the time T1 or in the immediate vicinity of the time T1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventor: Franck SANTAIS
  • Patent number: 11123914
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a container from a blank in a mold provided with a movable insert, wherein the method includes the following phases: pre-blowing; blow molding; boxing; and the following operations: measuring the prevailing pressure in the blank in real-time and storing the measurement in a memory; measuring the position of the insert in real-time and storing the measurement in a memory; detecting a time tS2 indicating the actual start of the blowing phase and moment tB2 indicating the actual start of movement of the insert and storing same in a memory; calculating T1=tS2?tB2; comparing T1 with a predetermined non-zero reference T1ref, as long as T1 is different from T1ref, and delaying the start of the boxing phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventors: Pierrick Protais, Franck Santais, Mikael Derrien
  • Patent number: 10890891
    Abstract: A method for regulating a facility for processing a series of containers includes an operating phase during which a first machine for processing containers that is equipped with a number of first stations is driven in rotation, and a second machine for processing containers that is equipped with a number of second stations is driven in rotation. The facility has a transfer point from the first to the second processing machine. The operating phase includes a synchronized and paired operating step in which the synchronized rotation of the first and second machines is accompanied by a repetitive series of pairing partners at the transfer point, each pairing partner including a first station arriving at the transfer point coincidentally with a second station, enabling transfer of a container from the first station of the pairing partner to the second station of the pairing partner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventors: Franck Santais, Fabian Petit
  • Patent number: 10807297
    Abstract: Disclosed is a maintenance method for an installation for production of containers from blanks made of plastic material, which includes: a blow-molding machine including a rotating carousel and a plurality of forming stations, each including a mold; a primary power unit connected to the carousel; a transfer device suitable for inserting a blank into a mold or for withdrawing a container therefrom; and a secondary power unit connected to the transfer device. The method includes the detection of a misalignment of the transfer device with the carousel, and, therefore, operations for desynchronization of the power units, for realigning and then for resynchronization of the transfer device and of the carousel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventors: Franck Santais, Fabian Petit
  • Patent number: 10543634
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for adjusting the travel of a stretching sliding rod that belongs to a device for forming hollow bodies made of thermoplastic material by stretch blow molding, with the stretching rod being controlled cyclically in terms of sliding from a rest position to an adjustable stretching end position by stretching the malleable wall of a hollow body, before returning to its rest position to begin a subsequent stretching cycle of another hollow body, with the method including a control step that consists in detecting whether an axial force that opposes the sliding of the stretching rod at the end of travel is above a determined upper boundary. The stretching end position is adjusted automatically by being subjected to the axial force that is detected during the control step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Inventor: Franck Santais
  • Publication number: 20190056712
    Abstract: A method for regulating a facility for processing a series of containers includes an operating phase during which a first machine for processing containers that is equipped with a number of first stations is driven in rotation, and a second machine for processing containers that is equipped with a number of second stations is driven in rotation. The facility has a transfer point from the first to the second processing machine. The operating phase includes a synchronized and paired operating step in which the synchronized rotation of the first and second machines is accompanied by a repetitive series of pairing partners at the transfer point, each pairing partner including a first station arriving at the transfer point coincidentally with a second station, enabling transfer of a container from the first station of the pairing partner to the second station of the pairing partner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Franck SANTAIS, Fabian PETIT
  • Publication number: 20190022917
    Abstract: Disclosed is a maintenance method for an installation for production of containers from blanks made of plastic material, which includes: a blow-molding machine including a rotating carousel and a plurality of forming stations, each including a mold; a primary power unit connected to the carousel; a transfer device suitable for inserting a blank into a mold or for withdrawing a container therefrom; and a secondary power unit connected to the transfer device. The method includes the detection of a misalignment of the transfer device with the carousel, and, therefore, operations for desynchronization of the power units, for realigning and then for resynchronization of the transfer device and of the carousel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Franck SANTAIS, Fabian PETIT
  • Publication number: 20180264706
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for adjusting the travel of a stretching sliding rod that belongs to a device for forming hollow bodies made of thermoplastic material by stretch blow molding, with the stretching rod being controlled cyclically in terms of sliding from a rest position to an adjustable stretching end position by stretching the malleable wall of a hollow body, before returning to its rest position to begin a subsequent stretching cycle of another hollow body, with the method including a control step that consists in detecting whether an axial force that opposes the sliding of the stretching rod at the end of travel is above a determined upper boundary. The stretching end position is adjusted automatically by being subjected to the axial force that is detected during the control step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventor: Franck SANTAIS
  • Publication number: 20170326780
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a container from a blank in a mold provided with a movable insert, wherein the method includes the following phases: pre-blowing; blow molding; boxing; and the following operations: measuring the prevailing pressure in the blank in real-time and storing the measurement in a memory; measuring the position of the insert in real-time and storing the measurement in a memory; detecting a time tS2 indicating the actual start of the blowing phase and moment tB2 indicating the actual start of movement of the insert and storing same in a memory; calculating T1=tS2?tB2; comparing T1 with a predetermined non-zero reference T1ref, as long as T1 is different from T1ref, and delaying the start of the boxing phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Pierrick PROTAIS, Franck SANTAIS, Mikael DERRIEN
  • Patent number: 9688013
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a container from a blank in a stretch blowing assembly equipped with a mold provided with a wall and a mold bottom axially movable between an extended position and a retracted position and a stretch unit having a rod axially movable with respect to the wall and a device for controlling the movement of the rod. The method involves a stretch blowing phase; a boxing phase during which the mold bottom, initially in the extended position, is moved towards its retracted position, the boxing phase having a retraction operation including controlling a movement of the rod in synchronization with the movement of the mold bottom, or releasing the rod to allow the free axial movement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventors: Mikael Derrien, Thierry Deau, Pierrick Protais, Franck Santais
  • Patent number: 9676140
    Abstract: Method of manufacturing a container from a blank of plastic material, within a mold provided with a wall defining a cavity with the impression of the container, and a mold bottom that is movable with respect to the wall between a retracted position and a deployed position in which it extends protruding into the interior of the cavity in order to form a hollow recess in the container. The method includes inserting the blank into the mold; a pre-blowing operation including injecting a fluid under pressure into the blank, at a pre-blowing pressure; a blowing operation including injecting a fluid under pressure into the blank at a blowing pressure that is greater than the pre-blowing pressure; and a boxing operation, initiated prior to the blowing operation, and including moving the movable mold bottom from its retracted position to its deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventors: Thierry Deau, Mikael Derrien, Pierrick Protais, Franck Santais
  • Patent number: 8991588
    Abstract: Conveyor for transporting articles such as a chain conveyor that can be changed between a stretched configuration and a compact configuration, the chain being formed from a plurality of articulated links. Each link includes a trolley provided with lateral guide mechanism cooperating with a track defining a predetermined trajectory, a support carrying a nozzle for the releasable attachment of an article, the support mounted rotatably with respect to the trolley between a straight position corresponding to the deployed configuration of the chain, and an oblique position, corresponding to the compact position of the chain and in which the support is inclined with respect to the straight position; and an actuator coupled to the support, capable of driving the support in rotation from its straight position to its oblique position, and reciprocally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventors: Yoann Lahogue, Laurent Danel, Damien Cirette, Caroline Bellec, Franck Santais, Isabelle Maillot, Guy Feuilloley
  • Publication number: 20140203481
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a container from a blank in a stretch blowing assembly equipped with a mold provided with a wall and a mold bottom axially movable between an extended position and a retracted position and a stretch unit having a rod axially movable with respect to the wall and a device for controlling the movement of the rod. The method involves a stretch blowing phase; a boxing phase during which the mold bottom, initially in the extended position, is moved towards its retracted position, the boxing phase having a retraction operation including controlling a movement of the rod in synchronization with the movement of the mold bottom, or releasing the rod to allow the free axial movement thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventors: Mikael Derrien, Thierry Deau, Pierrick Protais, Franck Santais
  • Publication number: 20140145378
    Abstract: Method of manufacturing a container from a blank of plastic material, within a mold provided with a wall defining a cavity with the impression of the container, and a mold bottom that is movable with respect to the wall between a retracted position and a deployed position in which it extends protruding into the interior of the cavity in order to form a hollow recess in the container. The method includes inserting the blank into the mold; a pre-blowing operation including injecting a fluid under pressure into the blank, at a pre-blowing pressure; a blowing operation including injecting a fluid under pressure into the blank at a blowing pressure that is greater than the pre-blowing pressure; and a boxing operation, initiated prior to the blowing operation, and including moving the movable mold bottom from its retracted position to its deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventors: Thierry Deau, Mikael Derrien, Pierrick Protais, Franck Santais