Patents by Inventor Gregory C. Nichols

Gregory C. Nichols 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: 20240003451
    Abstract: A wetting fluid applicator unit for applying wetting fluid to pressure relief valves during packaging of product, such as roasted coffee, with a packaging system. The wetting fluid applicator unit includes an unpressurized wetting fluid reservoir which delivers wetting fluid to plural fluid supply circuits. One fluid supply circuit charges a spray head with wetting fluid while the other fluid supply circuit is replenished with wetting fluid from the unpressurized reservoir. The wetting fluid applicator unit ensures continuous flow of wetting fluid to the spray head while enabling replenishment of the reservoir during continuous operation of the packaging system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: Plitek, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Karl K. Hoffman, Gregory C. Nichols
  • Patent number: 6647754
    Abstract: A variable width roll forming apparatus forms a web and includes a first side plate extending substantially an entire length of the roll forming apparatus and a second side plate extending substantially an entire length of the roll forming apparatus, the first side plate and the second side plate being oriented substantially equidistant from one another. A plurality of roller die assemblies are disposed in apertures formed in the first side plate and the second side plate. An adjusting apparatus is utilized to selectively change a separation width between predetermined roller die assemblies in the first side plate and the second side plate, wherein the roll forming apparatus defines at least two differing widths between roller die assemblies disposed in the first side plate and the second side plate while maintaining the substantially equidistant spacing between the first side plate and the second side plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Formtek, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest Bodnar, Joseph A. Ruckauf, Gregory C. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20030024290
    Abstract: A variable width roll forming apparatus forms a web and includes a first side plate extending substantially an entire length of the roll forming apparatus and a second side plate extending substantially an entire length of the roll forming apparatus, the first side plate and the second side plate being oriented substantially equidistant from one another. A plurality of roller die assemblies are disposed in apertures formed in the first side plate and the second side plate. An adjusting apparatus is utilized to selectively change a separation width between predetermined roller die assemblies in the first side plate and the second side plate, wherein the roll forming apparatus defines at least two differing widths between roller die assemblies disposed in the first side plate and the second side plate while maintaining the substantially equidistant spacing between the first side plate and the second side plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Ernest R. Bodnar, Joseph A. Ruckauf, Gregory C. Nichols