Patents by Inventor Mark Swanson

Mark Swanson 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: 20140077469
    Abstract: A trolley for moving heavy objects such as wire coils from a machine to a container at a packaging table is provided. The trolley includes spring-loaded spaced arms movably mounted for vertical height adjustment so that the arms are just below the coil when it is on the machine and rotational movement to separate the spaced arms with the spaced arms retaining the heavy object during movement of the trolley apparatus, and locking arms engaging the spaced arms during movement of the trolley apparatus to prevent separation thereof. The spring-loaded arms permit the heavy object to be manually pushed downward therebetween, thereby forcing the arms apart enabling the object to fall from the trolley into a container on a packaging table. The table includes a platform for supporting the container, a motor for raising/lowering the platform, and a mechanism for retaining the container and aiding its alignment with the coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: REELEX Packaging Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank W. KOTZUR, Mark SWANSON, David C. GAMBLE, Eric R. NELSON
  • Publication number: 20140069056
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing heat-shrinkable packaging with an integrated hand-hold with a circuitous path extending from an input loading/unloading zone, a section where the open portion of a heat-shrinkable bag is sealed shut and creating a container in which an object is enclosed, a section in which heat is applied directly to exposed areas of the plastic film of the package for sealing the package, and a section of path enabling the package to cool; trolley apparatus for supporting the package and engaging the circuitous path for movement of the package along the circuitous path; and protrusions positioned along the circuitous path for propelling the device along the designated track route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Mark Swanson, Eric Nelson, David Gamble, Timothy Copp, G. Taylor Richey
  • Patent number: 8506364
    Abstract: A coated abrasive article (1) comprises a backing (3) having an abrasive coating (5) on one side, an attachment layer (7) on the other side of the backing, and a line of weakness (9) that does not penetrate the front face of the abrasive coating (5). The line of weakness, which may be formed using a laser beam, comprises a through-cut (11) in the attachment layer (7) and perforations (13) in the backing (3), and permits one part of the abrasive article (1) to be separated from another part. Alternatively, the abrasive article can be used in its original form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Timothy T. Beyer, Brant A. Moegenburg, Mark A. Swanson, Schoen A. Schuknecht, Charles R. Wald
  • Publication number: 20130098249
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices for brewing coffee in conjunction with an electro-conductivity sensor. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Fidler, Mark Swanson, Christopher Hawker
  • Publication number: 20120296468
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for sorting plant material based on the presence or absence of a visual marker on the plant material. The visible marker may be a visible genetic color marker in the corn seed which is used in double haploid breeding. The absence or presence of the visible marker identifies correctly pollinated seeds as well as putative haploid seeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: DOW AGROSCIENCES LLC
    Inventors: Klaus L. Koehler, Gary Tragesser, Mark Swanson
  • Patent number: 8253054
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for sorting plant material based on the presence or absence of a visual marker on the plant material. The visible marker may be a visible genetic color marker in the corn seed which is used in double haploid breeding. The absence or presence of the visible marker identifies correctly pollinated seeds as well as putative haploid seeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences, LLC.
    Inventors: Klaus L. Koehler, Gary Tragesser, Mark Swanson
  • Publication number: 20110202169
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for sorting plant material based on the presence or absence of a visual marker on the plant material. The visible marker may be a visible genetic color marker in the corn seed which is used in double haploid breeding. The absence or presence of the visible marker identifies correctly pollinated seeds as well as putative haploid seeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: DOW AGROSCIENCES LLC
    Inventors: Klaus L. Koehler, Gary Tragesser, Mark Swanson
  • Patent number: 7951320
    Abstract: A method of using an injection mold assembly to fabricate a bulkhead fitting. The method includes using a core plate, aperture plate and a pair of slide blocks to form the mold assembly which contains the mold cavity. The aperture plate, which has an opening through the plate, is positioned within the assembly such that the fitting, which is molded within the mold cavity, does not contain a parting line across the sealing surface and o-ring groove of the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Kitisis Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Swanson, Mark Brosius
  • Publication number: 20110053476
    Abstract: A coated abrasive article (1) comprises a backing (3) having an abrasive coating (5) on one side, an attachment layer (7) on the other side of the backing, and a line of weakness (9) that does not penetrate the front face of the abrasive coating (5). The line of weakness, which may be formed using a laser beam, comprises a through-cut (11) in the attachment layer (7) and perforations (13) in the backing (3), and permits one part of the abrasive article (1) to be separated from another part. Alternatively, the abrasive article can be used in its original form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Timothy T. Beyer, Brant A. Moegenburg, Mark A. Swanson, Schoen A. Schuknecht, Charles R. Wald
  • Publication number: 20100105081
    Abstract: Methods and materials involved in detecting fungi in human samples are provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: MAYO MEDICAL VENTURES
    Inventors: Hirohito Kita, Diane Squillace, David A. Sherris, Jens Ponikau, Mark Swanson
  • Publication number: 20060294552
    Abstract: An audience response system is provided. In various implementations, the response system includes a base station, handheld units, and a wireless network. The response system may have a prompted mode and an unprompted mode of operation. In the prompted mode of operation, the base station transmits questions to the handheld units over the wireless network. The questions are displayed to users on their handheld units. The users respond to the question, and their responses are transmitted to the base station via the wireless network. In the unprompted mode, answer templates are transmitted and displayed to the users, with the actual questions being conveyed in some other manner, such as verbally or by written handout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Applicant: Renaissance Learning, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Swanson, William Moss, Peter Jungwirth
  • Publication number: 20060294216
    Abstract: A wireless classroom response system includes multiple wireless networks, each serving a different classroom. Each network has a computer located proximate to the classroom that the wireless network serves. The computer executes a communications server and an application program, wherein the application program facilitates classroom activities. The system also includes a wireless access point located proximate to the classroom. The wireless access point is communicatively linked to the computer. The system also has a plurality of handheld units. Each handheld unit displays, to a user, a list of the networks, and receives a user input indicating which one of the wireless networks the handheld unit should connect. The handheld unit connects to the chosen wireless network, thereby becoming a node in the wireless network. It also transmits data to the application program via the wireless access point and the communications server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Applicant: Renaissance Learning, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Swanson, William Moss, Peter Jungwirth, Dean Goodmanson
  • Publication number: 20060293048
    Abstract: A wireless classroom response system wireless network is located proximate to a classroom, a base station that coordinates the activities of the wireless network, and a plurality of handheld units. Each handheld unit is associated with an attendee of a class (either on a long-term or “owned basis, or on an ad-hoc or “shared” basis). Each handheld unit performs a discovery process that includes the steps of randomly choosing a wireless channel, attempting to discover the presence of the wireless network on the channel, and repeating these two steps if no wireless network is discovered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Applicant: Renaissance Learning, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Swanson, William Moss, Peter Jungwirth, Dean Goodmanson, Richard Dreher, John Hickey
  • Patent number: 6755878
    Abstract: Abrasive articles have an adhesive layer in contact with a liner having protrusions that contact the adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard T. Paxton, David F. Slama, Mark A. Swanson, Robert A. Follensbee
  • Publication number: 20040020133
    Abstract: Abrasive articles have an adhesive layer in contact with a liner having protrusions that contact the adhesive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard T. Paxton, David F. Slama, Mark A. Swanson, Robert A. Follensbee
  • Patent number: 5413264
    Abstract: A winding accumulator system for controlling the storage of filamentary material between a source of such material and a winding receptacle, utilizing: a plurality of serially interconnected accumulator units for storing filamentary material with the first accumulator unit receiving filamentary material from the source and storing a given amount of filamentary material and each succeeding accumulator unit storing double the amount of filamentary material stored by a preceding accumulator unit; varying the movement of the filamentary material between the accumulator units; and controlling the movement varying device to limit the change in tension of the filamentary material with changes in the acceleration or deceleration of the filamentary material caused by a change in the input or output of filamentary material to or from the accumulator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Windings, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank W. Kotzur, Mark Swanson, Kevin Sutton, Donald J. Hopko, Thomas Rosenkranz, David Franklin
  • Patent number: 5127009
    Abstract: An automated circuit board testing system, for performing in-circuit, functional or cluster tests, takes backdrive stress into account in selecting appropriate isolation methods for digital devices during the design of the test protocol. In other words, the design of the test includes an analysis of the circuit board and its components, and of the available methods to isolate the device- or function-under-test from the rest of the circuit board. The analysis includes a calculation of stress currents on upstream components resulting from backdriving, and a selection of methods from those available which will produce stress currents below a pre-selected level. In another aspect of the invention, the safe maximum run-time for the test using the available methods is computed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: GenRad, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Swanson
  • Patent number: D586370
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ian R. Owen, Charles R. Wald, Charles J. Studiner, IV, Mark A. Swanson, Edward J. Woo, Curtis J. Schmidt, Ehrich J. Braunschweig
  • Patent number: D620598
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Jacuzzi Inc.
    Inventors: Wilfrido Barajas, Garo Paroonagian, Utku Aksu, Mark Brosius, Wolfgang Ott, Mark Swanson
  • Patent number: D629116
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Jacuzzi Inc.
    Inventors: Wilfrido Barajas, Utku Aksu, Mark Brosius, Wolfgang Ott, Garo Paroonagian, Mark Swanson