Patents by Inventor Michael P. Mitchell

Michael P. Mitchell 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: 12378029
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product monitor a wrap force during a wrap cycle to dynamically control the dispense rate of a packaging material dispenser to meet a desired containment force to be applied to a load. A conversion may be performed between wrap force and containment force for the monitored wrap force or a containment force parameter to facilitate the performance of a comparison between the monitored wrap force and a containment force parameter associated with the desired containment force to be applied to the load. A wrap force parameter may also be dynamically adjusted, and in some instances, the dynamic adjustment may be responsive to monitored wrap force, and may be used to meet a load containment force requirement for a load. In other instances, the dynamic adjustment may be responsive to monitored packaging material breaks to reduce the occurrence of packaging material breaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2025
    Assignee: Lantech.com, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael P. Mitchell, Richard L. Johnson, Jeremy D. McCray
  • Publication number: 20250178763
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for wrapping a load with paper-based packaging material include one or more of a paper-based packaging material holder, a paper-based packaging material roping mechanism and a paper-based packaging material pressing mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2023
    Publication date: June 5, 2025
    Inventors: Curtis W. Martin, Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael P. Mitchell, Jean-Louis Limousin
  • Publication number: 20250162755
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product monitor a wrap force during a wrap cycle to dynamically control the dispense rate of a packaging material dispenser to meet a desired containment force to be applied to a load. A conversion may be performed between wrap force and containment force for the monitored wrap force or a containment force parameter to facilitate the performance of a comparison between the monitored wrap force and a containment force parameter associated with the desired containment force to be applied to the load. A wrap force parameter may also be dynamically adjusted, and in some instances, the dynamic adjustment may be responsive to monitored wrap force, and may be used to meet a load containment force requirement for a load. In other instances, the dynamic adjustment may be responsive to monitored packaging material breaks to reduce the occurrence of packaging material breaks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2025
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael P. Mitchell, Richard L. Johnson, Jeremy D. McCray
  • Publication number: 20250162742
    Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping a load, comprising: a self-balancing paper-based packaging material dispenser configured to dispense paper-based packaging material to the load, the self-balancing paper-based packaging material dispenser including an exit point configured to tilt to compensate for a force imbalance between opposing edges of a web of the paper-based packaging material extending between the load and the exit point of the self-balancing paper-based packaging material dispenser; and a rotational drive configured to generate relative rotation between the self-balancing paper-based packaging material dispenser and the load about an axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventors: Curtis W. Martin, Jean-Louis Limousin, Michael P. Mitchell, Patrick R. Lancaster, III
  • Patent number: 12172779
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product perform automatic load profiling to optimize a wrapping operation performed with a stretch wrapping machine. Automatic load profiling may be performed, for example, to determine a density parameter for a load that is indicative of load stability such that one or more control parameters may be configured for a wrapping operation based upon the density parameter. Automatic load profiling may also be performed, for example, to detect a load with a nonstandard top layer, e.g., a load with a top or slip sheet, a load with an easily deformable top layer, a load with a ragged top surface topography and/or a load with an inboard portion, such that a top layer containment operation may be activated during wrapping to optimize containment for the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: LANTECH.COM, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael P. Mitchell, Richard L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 12116160
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product may evaluate a packaging material to determine various metrics associated with the packaging material. An apparatus may be used to sense flaws in packaging material, and in some instances, to accommodate such flaws by temporarily increasing a dispense rate of a packaging material dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: LANTECH.COM, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R Lancaster, III, Michael P. Mitchell, Christian Michael Gruner, Jean-Louis Limousin
  • Patent number: 12097988
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product may evaluate a packaging material to determine various metrics associated with the packaging material. A test apparatus may be used to evaluate packaging material using a take up drum capable of sensing containment force imparted upon the drum by packaging material applied thereto, and in some instances, simulated flaws may be formed in a web of packaging material to evaluate a packaging materials response to such flaws when under tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Lantech.com, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael P. Mitchell, Christian Michael Gruner, Jean-Louis Limousin
  • Publication number: 20240076086
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product may evaluate a packaging material to determine various metrics associated with the packaging material. An apparatus may be used to sense flaws in packaging material, and in some instances, to accommodate such flaws by temporarily increasing a dispense rate of a packaging material dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael P. Mitchell, Christian Michael Gruner, Jean-Louis Limousin
  • Patent number: 11912445
    Abstract: Control of a wrapping apparatus is facilitated by enabling an operator to input a load containment force requirement and/or a minimum number of layers of packaging material to be applied to a load, with a wrap control system automatically determining wrap force and other parameters required to meet user input requirements and/or parameters to minimize the expertise required of an operator and to provide more consistent and reliable wrapping of loads. In addition, a wrapping apparatus may be controlled to apply at least a minimum number of layers of packaging material to a load throughout a contiguous region thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Lantech.com, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael P. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 11869333
    Abstract: A handling alert apparatus configured to detect a predefined event and output an alert responsive to detecting the predefined event. The handling alert apparatus includes a housing connected to an article of merchandise. The handling alert apparatus includes a handling sensor configured to detect when a customer handles the article of merchandise. Responsive to detecting handling of the article of merchandise, the housing outputs a visual, audible, or wireless notification alert. The alert remains active until an authorized user prepares the article of merchandise for subsequent customer interaction and deactivates the alert by using a wireless controller or manually operating a designated deactivation button or switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Vanguard Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, William Claude Chazotte, John N. Figh, Jr., Michael P. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 11814205
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product may evaluate a packaging material to determine various metrics associated with the packaging material. An apparatus may be used to sense flaws in packaging material, and in some instances, to accommodate such flaws by temporarily increasing a dispense rate of a packaging material dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Lantech.com, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael P. Mitchell, Christian Michael Gruner, Jean-Louis Limousin
  • Publication number: 20230322425
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product perform automatic load profiling to optimize a wrapping operation performed with a stretch wrapping machine. Automatic load profiling may be performed, for example, to determine a density parameter for a load that is indicative of load stability such that one or more control parameters may be configured for a wrapping operation based upon the density parameter. Automatic load profiling may also be performed, for example, to detect a load with a nonstandard top layer, e.g., a load with a top or slip sheet, a load with an easily deformable top layer, a load with a ragged top surface topography and/or a load with an inboard portion, such that a top layer containment operation may be activated during wrapping to optimize containment for the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael P. Mitchell, Richard L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20230274630
    Abstract: A handling alert apparatus configured to detect a predefined event and output an alert responsive to detecting the predefined event. The handling alert apparatus includes a housing connected to an article of merchandise. The handling alert apparatus includes a handling sensor configured to detect when a customer handles the article of merchandise. Responsive to detecting handling of the article of merchandise, the housing outputs a visual, audible, or wireless notification alert. The alert remains active until an authorized user prepares the article of merchandise for subsequent customer interaction and deactivates the alert by using a wireless controller or manually operating a designated deactivation button or switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: Vanguard Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, William Claude Chazotte, John N. Figh, JR., Michael P. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 11731793
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product perform automatic load profiling to optimize a wrapping operation performed with a stretch wrapping machine. Automatic load profiling may be performed, for example, to determine a density parameter for a load that is indicative of load stability such that one or more control parameters may be configured for a wrapping operation based upon the density parameter. Automatic load profiling may also be performed, for example, to detect a load with a nonstandard top layer, e.g., a load with a top or slip sheet, a load with an easily deformable top layer, a load with a ragged top surface topography and/or a load with an inboard portion, such that a top layer containment operation may be activated during wrapping to optimize containment for the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Lantech.com, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael P. Mitchell, Richard L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20230249862
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product monitor a wrap force during a wrap cycle to dynamically control the dispense rate of a packaging material dispenser to meet a desired containment force to be applied to a load. A conversion may be performed between wrap force and containment force for the monitored wrap force or a containment force parameter to facilitate the performance of a comparison between the monitored wrap force and a containment force parameter associated with the desired containment force to be applied to the load. A wrap force parameter may also be dynamically adjusted, and in some instances, the dynamic adjustment may be responsive to monitored wrap force, and may be used to meet a load containment force requirement for a load. In other instances, the dynamic adjustment may be responsive to monitored packaging material breaks to reduce the occurrence of packaging material breaks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael P. Mitchell, Richard L. Johnson, Jeremy D. McCray
  • Patent number: 11685567
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product monitor a wrap force during a wrap cycle to dynamically control the dispense rate of a packaging material dispenser to meet a desired containment force to be applied to a load. A conversion may be performed between wrap force and containment force for the monitored wrap force or a containment force parameter to facilitate the performance of a comparison between the monitored wrap force and a containment force parameter associated with the desired containment force to be applied to the load. A wrap force parameter may also be dynamically adjusted, and in some instances, the dynamic adjustment may be responsive to monitored wrap force, and may be used to meet a load containment force requirement for a load. In other instances, the dynamic adjustment may be responsive to monitored packaging material breaks to reduce the occurrence of packaging material breaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Lantech.com, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael P. Mitchell, Richard L. Johnson, Jeremy D. McCray
  • Patent number: 11667416
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product are provided that utilize wrap profiles that specify controlled wrap cycle interruptions to handle specialized load requirements for loads to be wrapped by a stretch wrapping machine. Also provided is a method of creating wrap profiles, and a plurality of wrap profiles are stored in a database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Lantech.com, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Daniel R. Hendren, Jim Lancaster, Michael P. Mitchell, Robert D. Janes, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20230098908
    Abstract: Control of a wrapping apparatus is facilitated by enabling an operator to input a load containment force requirement and/or a minimum number of layers of packaging material to be applied to a load, with a wrap control system automatically determining wrap force and other parameters required to meet user input requirements and/or parameters to minimize the expertise required of an operator and to provide more consistent and reliable wrapping of loads. In addition, a wrapping apparatus may be controlled to apply at least a minimum number of layers of packaging material to a load throughout a contiguous region thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael P. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 11605285
    Abstract: A handling alert apparatus configured to detect a predefined event and output an alert responsive to detecting the predefined event. The handling alert apparatus includes a housing connected to an article of merchandise. The handling alert apparatus includes a handling sensor configured to detect when a customer handles the article of merchandise. Responsive to detecting handling of the article of merchandise, the housing outputs a visual, audible, or wireless notification alert. The alert remains active until an authorized user prepares the article of merchandise for subsequent customer interaction and deactivates the alert by using a wireless controller or manually operating a designated deactivation button or switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kelsch, William Claude Chazotte, John N. Figh, Jr., Michael P. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 11597554
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product monitor a wrap force during a wrap cycle to dynamically control the dispense rate of a packaging material dispenser to meet a desired containment force to be applied to a load. A conversion may be performed between wrap force and containment force for the monitored wrap force or a containment force parameter to facilitate the performance of a comparison between the monitored wrap force and a containment force parameter associated with the desired containment force to be applied to the load. A wrap force parameter may also be dynamically adjusted, and in some instances, the dynamic adjustment may be responsive to monitored wrap force, and may be used to meet a load containment force requirement for a load. In other instances, the dynamic adjustment may be responsive to monitored packaging material breaks to reduce the occurrence of packaging material breaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Lantech.com, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael P. Mitchell, Richard L. Johnson, Jeremy D. McCray