Patents by Inventor Michael Poropat

Michael Poropat 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: 7722027
    Abstract: The invention concerns a vacuum belt conveyor for transferring veneer sheets under a vacuum effect. The conveyor consists of a vacuum box under a vacuum effect, having at least one perforation extending lane-like in the direction of conveyance of the conveyor. Conveying belts are running on both sides of the perforation. The belts are brought into contact with a veneer sheet to be transferred, whereby the veneer sheet and the belts line an underpessurized space, and the sheet is retained in contact with the belts. A lug movable in the direction of the vacuum lane is arranged at the perforation for keeping any jamming debris away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Raute Oyj
    Inventors: Peter William Gibson, Michael Poropat
  • Publication number: 20090057102
    Abstract: The invention concerns a vacuum belt conveyor for transferring veneer sheets under a vacuum effect. The conveyor consists of a vacuum box under a vacuum effect, having at least one perforation extending lane-like in the direction of conveyance of the conveyor. Conveying belts are running on both sides of the perforation. The belts are brought into contact with a veneer sheet to be transferred, whereby the veneer sheet and the belts line an underpressurized space, and the sheet is retained in contact with the belts. A lug movable in the direction of the vacuum lane is arranged at the perforation for keeping any jamming debris away.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Raute Oyj
    Inventors: Peter William Gibson, Michael Poropat
  • Patent number: 6851461
    Abstract: Apparatus for debarking logs including a drum mounted for rotation about an axis to define an inner drum surface. Debarking apparatus is provided on the inner surface configurable to debark logs within the drum at a first rate on rotation of the drum in a first direction and at a second rate when the drum is rotated in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Carmanah Design and Manufacturing
    Inventors: Robert Michael McNicol, Michael Poropat
  • Publication number: 20040007288
    Abstract: Apparatus for debarking logs including a drum mounted for rotation about an axis to define an inner drum surface. Debarking apparatus is provided on the inner surface configurable to debark logs within the drum at a first rate on rotation of the drum in a first direction and at a second rate when the drum is rotated in a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Robert Michael McNicol, Michael Poropat
  • Patent number: 6651709
    Abstract: A retractable debarking block for a debarker having an enclosure to receive logs for debarking in order to vary the aggressiveness of the debarking process. The block member has a debarking surface with projecting teeth and is positionable within the enclosure of the debarker to be movable between a retracted position in which the debarking surface does not contact logs in the enclosure and an exposed position in which the debarking surface is exposed to engage logs. The block member is fittable into a rotor or drum type debarker. An actuator is provided to move the debarking surface between the retracted and exposed positions. The actuator is adapted to permit automatic movement of the debarking surface toward the retracted position if the force exerted by the logs exceeds a pre-set limit to prevent damage to the blocks and the logs. Preferably, the actuator is an airbag or telescoping cylinder operable over a range of pressures to permit adjustment of the pre-set limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: CAE Wood Products, G.P.
    Inventors: Michael Poropat, Peter F. Lister, Rene K. Chong
  • Patent number: 6578609
    Abstract: An apparatus for debarking logs comprising a drum rotatable about an axis and having an inner surface and outer surface with at least one movable debarking surface adjacent the inner surface of the drum to debark logs that come into contact with the movable debarking surface at a first rate. There is at least one fixed debarking surface at the inner surface of the drum to debark logs that come into contact with the fixed debarking surface at a second rate. The movable debarking surface is movable with respect to the inner surface of the drum between an operating position to allow contact between the movable debarking surface and the logs and a retracted position to minimize contact between the movable debarking surface and the logs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Cae Wood Products G.P.
    Inventors: Robert Michael McNicol, Michael Poropat