Patents by Inventor James E. Gerdeman

James E. Gerdeman 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).

  • Method of and apparatus for handling tandem containers
    Patent number: 6675680
    Abstract: Apparatus for, and method of, conveying tandem thermoplastic containers from a molding machine to a tail removal station, the tandem containers being positioned with their axes extending horizontally but possibly out of parallel with one another and with their ends possibly out of alignment with one another. The apparatus includes a spaced pair of synchronously driven endless conveyors that convey tandem containers to a downwardly inclined ramp, the ramp having a wedge on its tandem supporting surface that engages outwardly projecting beads on each of the containers of the tandem to orient the tandems with their ends parallel, the downwardly inclined ramp also serving to orient the tandems with their axes parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Seitz, James E. Gerdeman
  • Method of and apparatus for handling tandem containers
    Patent number: 6530301
    Abstract: Apparatus for, and method of, conveying tandem thermoplastic containers from a molding machine to a tail removal station, the tandem containers being positioned with their axes extending horizontally but possibly out of parallel with one another and with their ends possibly out of alignment with one another. The apparatus includes a spaced pair of synchronously driven endless conveyors that convey tandem containers to a downwardly inclined ramp, the ramp having a wedge on its tandem supporting surface that engages outwardly projecting beads on each of the containers of the tandem to orient the tandems with their ends parallel, the downwardly inclined ramp also serving to orient the tandems with their axes parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Seitz, James E. Gerdeman
  • Apparatus for removing hollow containers from a blow molding machine
    Patent number: 6093014
    Abstract: In an apparatus wherein a plastic blow molding machine is operated to make hollow containers which are discharged and fall by gravity out of the machine wherein an endless moving conveyor which includes closely spaced vacuum cups is provided and positioned such that a reach of the conveyor is positioned horizontally and such that the vacuum cups face upwardly to grab and hold the plastic containers as they are discharged such that containers are held in axial alignment and circumferential orientation to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jack B. Anderson, James E. Gerdeman
  • Method of removing hollow containers from a blow molding machine
    Patent number: 5939014
    Abstract: In an apparatus wherein a plastic blow molding machine is operated to make hollow containers which are discharged and fall by gravity out of the machine wherein an endless moving conveyor which includes closely spaced vacuum cups is provided and positioned such that a reach of the conveyor is positioned horizontally and such that the vacuum cups face upwardly to grab and hold the plastic containers as they are discharged such that containers are held in axial alignment and circumferential orientation to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jack B. Anderson, James E. Gerdeman