Patents by Inventor James A. Gafkowski

James A. Gafkowski 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: 11583910
    Abstract: A rotary stamper includes an upper die plate assembly, a lower die plate assembly, and a support frame having a drive assembly that moves the upper die plate horizontally and vertically along a generally circular pathway while moving the lower die plate along a linear horizontal pathway. The upper die plate is vertically slidably connected to the lower die plate by way of one or more vertical rods that extend from the lower die plate assembly up through the upper die plate. In operation, the lower die plate matches the horizontal movements of the upper die plate as the latter is moved along its circular pathway. Concurrently, the upper die plate moves towards and away from the lower die plate. This maintains a substantially constant alignment between the die plates for carrying out a periodic machining operation on a moving web of material passing there between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Formtek, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Hill, James A. Gafkowski
  • Publication number: 20190054514
    Abstract: A rotary stamper includes an upper die plate assembly, a lower die plate assembly, and a support frame having a drive assembly that moves the upper die plate horizontally and vertically along a generally circular pathway while moving the lower die plate along a linear horizontal pathway. The upper die plate is vertically slidably connected to the lower die plate by way of one or more vertical rods that extend from the lower die plate assembly up through the upper die plate. In operation, the lower die plate matches the horizontal movements of the upper die plate as the latter is moved along its circular pathway. Concurrently, the upper die plate moves towards and away from the lower die plate. This maintains a substantially constant alignment between the die plates for carrying out a periodic machining operation on a moving web of material passing there between.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: FORMTEK, INC.
    Inventors: Donald R. Hill, James A. Gafkowski
  • Patent number: 10137489
    Abstract: A rotary stamper includes an upper die plate assembly, a lower die plate assembly, and a support frame having a drive assembly that moves the upper die plate horizontally and vertically along a generally circular pathway while moving the lower die plate along a linear horizontal pathway. The upper die plate is vertically slidably connected to the lower die plate by way of one or more vertical rods that extend from the lower die plate assembly up through the upper die plate. In operation, the lower die plate matches the horizontal movements of the upper die plate as the latter is moved along its circular pathway. Concurrently, the upper die plate moves towards and away from the lower die plate. This maintains a substantially constant alignment between the die plates for carrying out a periodic machining operation on a moving web of material passing there between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: FORMTEK, INC.
    Inventors: Donald R. Hill, James Gafkowski
  • Publication number: 20140318204
    Abstract: A rotary stamper includes an upper die plate assembly, a lower die plate assembly, and a support frame having a drive assembly that moves the upper die plate horizontally and vertically along a generally circular pathway while moving the lower die plate along a linear horizontal pathway. The upper die plate is vertically slidably connected to the lower die plate by way of one or more vertical rods that extend from the lower die plate assembly up through the upper die plate. In operation, the lower die plate matches the horizontal movements of the upper die plate as the latter is moved along its circular pathway. Concurrently, the upper die plate moves towards and away from the lower die plate. This maintains a substantially constant alignment between the die plates for carrying out a periodic machining operation on a moving web of material passing there between.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: FORMTEK, INC.
    Inventors: DONALD R. HILL, JAMES GAFKOWSKI
  • Patent number: 8783082
    Abstract: A rotary stamper includes an upper die plate assembly, a lower die plate assembly, and a support frame having a drive assembly that moves the upper die plate horizontally and vertically along a generally circular pathway while moving the lower die plate along a linear horizontal pathway. The upper die plate is vertically slidably connected to the lower die plate by way of one or more vertical rods that extend from the lower die plate assembly up through the upper die plate. In operation, the lower die plate matches the horizontal movements of the upper die plate as the latter is moved along its circular pathway. Concurrently, the upper die plate moves towards and away from the lower die plate. This maintains a substantially constant alignment between the die plates for carrying out a periodic machining operation on a moving web of material passing there between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Formtek, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Hill, James A. Gafkowski
  • Publication number: 20110036135
    Abstract: A rotary stamper includes an upper die plate assembly, a lower die plate assembly, and a support frame having a drive assembly that moves the upper die plate horizontally and vertically along a generally circular pathway while moving the lower die plate along a linear horizontal pathway. The upper die plate is vertically slidably connected to the lower die plate by way of one or more vertical rods that extend from the lower die plate assembly up through the upper die plate. In operation, the lower die plate matches the horizontal movements of the upper die plate as the latter is moved along its circular pathway. Concurrently, the upper die plate moves towards and away from the lower die plate. This maintains a substantially constant alignment between the die plates for carrying out a periodic machining operation on a moving web of material passing there between.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: FORMTEK, INC.
    Inventors: Donald R. Hill, James A. Gafkowski
  • Patent number: 5690011
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus is provided for cutting a workpiece moving in a predetermined path relative to a support. The apparatus includes a carriage and linear bearings for mounting the carriage to a support for movement relative to the support to follow movement of the workpiece as it moves in a predetermined path. A clamp is provided on the carriage for clamping the workpiece to the carriage, the clamp having an open position and a closed position. A scarf cutter movable between a first position and a second position is also provided on the carriage for making a scarf cut in the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Inventors: Donald R. Hill, James A. Gafkowski