Patents by Inventor Manuel C. Enriquez
Manuel C. Enriquez 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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Patent number: 8732912Abstract: A strap having increased column stiffness includes a leading edge and a trailing edge forming a length of the strap, a first outer edge and second outer edge defining a width of the strap, and a first side and a second side defining a thickness of the strap. A crush region is formed in the first or second side, between and generally parallel to the first and second outer edges. The crush region is defined by a thickness that is less than the thickness of the strap adjacent to the crush region. The crush region forms a line along which a bend may be formed in the strap. The bend increases the column stiffness of the strap at least about 67 percent over that of a comparable flat strap. The bend defines an acute angle and an obtuse angle in the strap as viewed in cross-section.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2011Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Manuel C. Enriquez, Ronald L. Smith, Michael J. McMahon, Robert G. Kobetsky, Paulette Van Erden
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Publication number: 20110271493Abstract: A strap having increased column stiffness includes a leading edge and a trailing edge forming a length of the strap, a first outer edge and second outer edge defining a width of the strap, and a first side and a second side defining a thickness of the strap. A crush region is formed in the first or second side, between and generally parallel to the first and second outer edges. The crush region is defined by a thickness that is less than the thickness of the strap adjacent to the crush region. The crush region forms a line along which a bend may be formed in the strap. The bend increases the column stiffness of the strap at least about 67 percent over that of a comparable flat strap. The bend defines an acute angle and an obtuse angle in the strap as viewed in cross-section.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2011Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Manuel C. Enriquez, Ronald L. Smith, Don Van Van Erden, Paulette Van Erden
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Patent number: 8015671Abstract: A plastic strap particularly useful for automated strapping machines is formed with an integrated, longitudinally disposed rib for enhancing the stiffness of the strap. The strap is formed with at least one rib extending longitudinally from a first end of the strap to a second end of the strap. The rib preferably extends upwardly from the top surface of the strap and comprises, preferably, a slight arcuate profile. The profile of the rib, the number of ribs, and the location of the ribs on the strap may vary depending upon the desired longitudinal stiffness of the strap and the desired width and thickness of the strap. The ribs may be centered across the width the strap or offset. The strap further comprises side panels that are parallel to the longitudinal plane of the strap and outer edges that are generally perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the strap. The geometry of the strap prevents the strap from twisting and permits overlapping sections of the strap to interlock and self-align during sealing.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2007Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Timothy B. Pearson, Wayne J. Thas, Manuel C. Enriquez
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Patent number: 7779592Abstract: A seam plate implement assembly comprises a substrate having a longitudinal extent and upon which a plurality of seam plates are fixedly disposed at predetermined uniformly spaced longitudinal positions which correspond to the transverse spacing defined between the crest portions of an underlying corrugated roof decking substructure. In this manner, when a particular one of the membrane plates is fixedly secured to one of the crest portions of the underlying corrugated roof decking substructure by suitable threaded fasteners, the remaining membrane plates will be automatically properly aligned with the other crest portions of the underlying corrugated roof decking substructure so as to automatically ensure proper and secure fixation of the seam plates upon the roof decking assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2004Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: OMG Roofing, Inc.Inventors: John V. Bernardi, Paul M. Larson, Frank K. Villari, Cheryl L. Panasik, Manuel C. Enriquez, Daniel T. Schmidt
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Publication number: 20080201911Abstract: A plastic strap particularly useful for automated strapping machines is formed with an integrated, longitudinally disposed rib for enhancing the stiffness of the strap. The strap is formed with at least one rib extending longitudinally from a first end of the strap to a second end of the strap. The rib preferably extends upwardly from the top surface of the strap and comprises, preferably, a slight arcuate profile. The profile of the rib, the number of ribs, and the location of the ribs on the strap may vary depending upon the desired longitudinal stiffness of the strap and the desired width and thickness of the strap. The ribs may be centered across the width the strap or offset. The strap further comprises side panels that are parallel to the longitudinal plane of the strap and outer edges that are generally perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the strap. The geometry of the strap prevents the strap from twisting and permits overlapping sections of the strap to interlock and self-align during sealing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: Timothy B. Pearson, Wayne J. Thas, Manuel C. Enriquez
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Publication number: 20040187420Abstract: A seam plate or membrane plate implement assembly comprises a support strip or substrate having a longitudinal extent and upon which a plurality of seam plates or membrane plates are fixedly disposed at predetermined uniformly spaced longitudinal positions which correspond to the transverse spacing defined between the crest portions of an underlying corrugated roof decking substructure. In this manner, when a particular one of the membrane plates or seam plates is fixedly secured to one of the crest portions of the underlying corrugated roof decking substructure by suitable threaded fasteners, the remaining membrane plates or seam plates will be automatically properly aligned with the other crest portions of the underlying corrugated roof decking substructure so as to automatically ensure proper and secure fixation of the seam plates or membrane plates upon the roof decking assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2003Publication date: September 30, 2004Inventors: John V. Bernardi, Paul M. Larson, Frank J. Villari, Manuel C. Enriquez, Daniel Todd Schmidt, Cheryl L. Panasik
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Publication number: 20040187422Abstract: A seam plate implement assembly comprises a substrate having a longitudinal extent and upon which a plurality of seam plates are fixedly disposed at predetermined uniformly spaced longitudinal positions which correspond to the transverse spacing defined between the crest portions of an underlying corrugated roof decking substructure. In this manner, when a particular one of the membrane plates is fixedly secured to one of the crest portions of the underlying corrugated roof decking substructure by suitable threaded fasteners, the remaining membrane plates will be automatically properly aligned with the other crest portions of the underlying corrugated roof decking substructure so as to automatically ensure proper and secure fixation of the seam plates upon the roof decking assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2004Publication date: September 30, 2004Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: John V. Bernardi, Paul M. Larson, Frank K. Villari, Cheryl L. Panasik, Manuel C. Enriquez, Daniel T. Schmidt
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Patent number: 6288131Abstract: A process for preparing a PET flake mixture for use in connection with the fabrication of high-performance plastic strapping comprises the steps of initially collecting post-consumer and non-post-consumer PET materials having an initially wide range of relatively low intrinsic viscosity (IV) values with a relatively low average intrinsic viscosity (IV) value, and processing the same through solid state polymerization (SSP) so as to obtain a wide range of relatively high intrinsic viscosity (IV) values with a relatively high average intrinsic viscosity (IV) value. The initially collected materials are chopped into flakes and chunks, and the chunks are flattened so as to render the remaining mixture comprised substantially entirely of flake materials or segments. This is advantageous because the flake segments, as opposed to the chunk segments, are able to be substantially increased in intrinsic viscosity (IV) values and within a relatively short period of time.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1998Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Donald Van Erden, Gary L. Vadnais, Manuel C. Enriquez, Karl G. Adams, James P. Nelson
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Patent number: 5886058Abstract: The present invention describes a process of making strap using both post consumer and non-post consumer PET of wide distribution intrinsic viscosity (IV) through direct solid state polymerization in a flaked state to produce PET with increased, heterogenous IV suitable for high performance strap extrusion. The process increases the IV of post-consumer resins, consisting principally of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), by chopping the post-consumer plastic into flakes and chunks, rolling the flakes and chunks, preheating the flakes, and further heating the flakes and chunks in an atmosphere of hot nitrogen gas, thereby increasing the intrinsic viscosity. PET polymers having increased viscosities according to the present invention provide a polymer useful in manufacturing high performance strap.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1997Date of Patent: March 23, 1999Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Donald Van Erden, Gary L. Vadnais, Manuel C. Enriquez, Karl G. Adams, James P. Nelson
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Patent number: 5837349Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing an oriented plastic strap having a predetermined desired thickness and flatness characteristics for use in connection with the strapping of packages or the like, is disclosed. A sheet workpiece is conducted into a nip defined between a pair of opposed milling and stretching rollers wherein one of the rollers is rotated at a lineal surface velocity which is greater than the lineal surface velocity of the other roller, and the rollers are rotated in opposite directions. One of the rollers effectively brakes or retards one of the surfaces of the sheet workpiece while the other one of the rollers effectively accelerates the other one of the surfaces of the sheet workpiece as the workpiece passes through the nip defined between the rollers whereby the workpiece is simultaneously milled and stretched.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1996Date of Patent: November 17, 1998Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Donald L. Van Erden, Manuel C. Enriquez
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Patent number: 5707660Abstract: An apparatus for producing an oriented plastic strap having a predetermined desired thickness for use in connection with the strapping of packages or the like. Heating is provided in connection with the surface of the sheet workpiece which is exposed to the ambient air prior to entry of the workpiece into the nip defined between the pair of rollers such that both surfaces will have similar temperature levels so as to exhibit similar density properties, and still further, the edge portions of the sheet workpiece are also heated so as to advantageously control the degree of flatness of the sheet material or workpiece across the width thereof.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1997Date of Patent: January 13, 1998Assignee: Signode CorporationInventors: Donald L. Van Erden, Manuel C. Enriquez, Hans Weltekamper
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Patent number: 5695709Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing highly-oriented polyester sheet comprises a two-stage drawing process. The first drawing stage is performed within a zero-gap milling and stretching roller assembly comprising a pair of opposed rollers defining a nip therebetween and wherein the rollers are rotated in opposite directions at different lineal surface velocities such that a predetermined draw ratio is defined therebetween. Amorphous polyester sheet is conducted through the nip of the opposed rollers, and as a result of the simultaneous milling and stretching of the polyester sheet, the amorphous polyester is transformed into crystalline polyester as a result of orientation-induced crystallization. The crystalline polyester sheet is heated above the glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) immediately downstream of the nip defined between the pair of opposed rollers, and an exit bridle assembly is disposed downstream of the pair of opposed rollers.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: December 9, 1997Assignee: Signode CorporationInventors: Donald L. Van Erden, Manuel C. Enriquez
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Patent number: 5688536Abstract: An apparatus for producing an oriented plastic strap having a predetermined desired thickness and flatness characteristics for use in connection with the strapping of packages or the like, is disclosed. A sheet workpiece is conducted into a nip defined between a pair of opposed milling and stretching rollers wherein one of the rollers is rotated at a lineal surface velocity which is greater than the lineal surface velocity of the other roller, and the rollers are rotated in opposite directions. One of the rollers effectively brakes or retards one of the surfaces of the sheet workpiece while the other one of the rollers effectively accelerates the other one of the surfaces of the sheet workpiece as the workpiece passes through the nip defined between the rollers whereby the workpiece is simultaneously milled and stretched.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1996Date of Patent: November 18, 1997Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Donald L. Van Erden, Manuel C. Enriquez
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Patent number: 5660787Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing an oriented plastic strap having a predetermined desired thickness and flatness characteristics for use in connection with the strapping of packages or the like, is disclosed. A sheet workpiece is conducted into a nip defined between a pair of opposed milling and stretching rollers wherein one of the rollers is rotated at a lineal surface velocity which is greater than the lineal surface velocity of the other roller, and the rollers are rotated in opposite directions. One of the rollers effectively brakes or retards one of the surfaces of the sheet workpiece while the other one of the rollers effectively accelerates the other one of the surfaces of the sheet workpiece as the workpiece passes through the nip defined between the rollers whereby the workpiece is simultaneously milled and stretched.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: August 26, 1997Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Donald L. Van Erden, Manuel C. Enriquez
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Patent number: 5597640Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing an oriented plastic strap having a predetermined desired thickness for use in connection with the strapping of packages or the like, is disclosed. A sheet workpiece is conducted into a nip defined between a pair of milling and stretching rollers wherein one of the rollers is rotated at a lineal surface velocity which is greater than the lineal surface velocity of the other roller, and the rollers are rotated in opposite directions. One of the rollers effectively brakes or retards one of the surfaces of the sheet workpiece while the other one of the rollers effectively accelerates the other one of the surfaces of the sheet workpiece as the workpiece passes through the nip defined between the rollers whereby the workpiece is simultaneously milled and stretched.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 1995Date of Patent: January 28, 1997Assignee: Signode CorporationInventors: Donald L. Van Erden, Manuel C. Enriquez, Hans Weltekamper
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Patent number: 5525287Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing an oriented plastic strap having a predetermined desired thickness for use in connection with the strapping of packages or the like, is disclosed. A sheet workpiece is conducted into a nip defined between a pair of milling and stretching rollers wherein one of the rollers is rotated at a lineal surface velocity which is greater than the lineal surface velocity of the other roller, and the rollers are rotated in opposite directions. One of the rollers effectively brakes or retards one of the surfaces of the sheet workpiece while the other one of the rollers effectively accelerates the other one of the surfaces of the sheet workpiece as the workpiece passes through the nip defined between the rollers whereby the workpiece is simultaneously milled and stretched.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 1994Date of Patent: June 11, 1996Assignee: Signode CorporationInventors: Donald L. Van Erden, Manuel C. Enriquez, Hans Weitekamper
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Patent number: 5405699Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing an oriented plastic strap having a predetermined desired thickness for use in strapping packages and the like is passed between a pair of cylinders or rollers placed closely together at a desired nip for reducing the thickness of the sheet. One roller is rotated at a faster lineal rate of speed than the other, and the rollers rotate in opposite directions. This apparatus and method achieves milling and stretching of the material substantially simultaneously at the nip of the rollers.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1993Date of Patent: April 11, 1995Assignee: Signode CorporationInventors: Donald L. Van Erden, Manuel C. Enriquez, Donald W. Noren
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Patent number: 5387388Abstract: A method for producing an oriented plastic strap having a predetermined desired thickness for use in strapping packages and the like is passed between a pair of cylinders or rollers placed closely together at a desired nip for reducing the thickness of the sheet. One roller is rotated at a faster lineal rate of speed than the other, and the rollers rotate in opposite directions. This method achieves milling and stretching of the material substantially simultaneously at the nip of the rollers.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1992Date of Patent: February 7, 1995Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Donald L. Van Erden, Manuel C. Enriquez, Donald W. Noren
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Patent number: 4892768Abstract: A length of thermoplastic strapping is provided for use as strap disposed in a loop around an article so that overlapping strap portions are arranged in a face-to-face relationship, and an improved welded joint from such strapping is also provided. The weld includes at least part of the thickness of each strap portion forming a resolidified region from a fused state after application of heat. The resolidified region includes a solid phase of the first material and a plurality of discrete volumes defined in the resolidified region from which the first material is absent and which are distributed in the first material across the width and thickness of the resolidified region at least adjacent each end of the resolidified region. The strapping has a first layer including a first material and a second material carried by the first material.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 1988Date of Patent: January 9, 1990Assignee: Signode CorporationInventors: Nelson Cheung, Russell J. Gould, Manuel C. Enriquez