Patents by Inventor Mircea T. Sofronie
Mircea T. Sofronie 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: 8967941Abstract: Pressware stacking systems and methods for using same. The system can include a conveyor for moving pressware in a first direction; a stop ramp at least partially disposed on the conveyor; and a lifter in communication with the stop ramp. The lifter is adapted to move at least a portion of the stop ramp to an inclined position above the conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Eric J. Berg, Thomas W. Zelinski, Mircea T. Sofronie
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Patent number: 8734309Abstract: A die assembly for producing paperboard pressware includes an obliquely angled, continuous ring, and/or annular stop member between an inner die member and an outer die ring. Increased surface area of contact between stop components provides greater wear resistance, and the angled contact face maintains alignment of the die components.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2006Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Albert D. Johns, Mircea T. Sofronie
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Patent number: 8047834Abstract: A heated, segmented pressware die set for making pressware containers from a paperboard blank includes a plurality of guide keys mounted between at least one of an inner member of a punch or die and an outer ring which reciprocates independently. Each guide key extends in an outward direction from the central axis of the die set. The guide keys are positioned, configured and dimensioned to engage the outer ring in order to limit rotation of the outer ring with respect to the inner member of the punch or die. In a preferred construction, the guide keys have radially extending planar surfaces which cooperate with guide channels having like surfaces such that clearances necessary to accommodate thermal expansion are reduced, greatly increasing durability of the tool.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2009Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Mircea T. Sofronie, Albert D. Johns, Mark B. Littlejohn, Kenneth J. Zirbel, Luke G. Stumpf, Gary J. Reif
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Publication number: 20110150620Abstract: Pressware stacking systems and methods for using same. The system can include a conveyor for moving pressware in a first direction; a stop ramp at least partially disposed on the conveyor; and a lifter in communication with the stop ramp. The lifter is adapted to move at least a portion of the stop ramp to an inclined position above the conveyor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: DIXIE CONSUMER PRODUCTS LLCInventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Eric J. Berg, Thomas W. Zelinski, Mircea T. Sofronie
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Publication number: 20090232926Abstract: A heated, segmented pressware die set for making pressware containers from a paperboard blank includes a plurality of guide keys mounted between at least one of an inner member of a punch or die and an outer ring which reciprocates independently. Each guide key extends in an outward direction from the central axis of the die set. The guide keys are positioned, configured and dimensioned to engage the outer ring in order to limit rotation of the outer ring with respect to the inner member of the punch or die. In a preferred construction, the guide keys have radially extending planar surfaces which cooperate with guide channels having like surfaces such that clearances necessary to accommodate thermal expansion are reduced, greatly increasing durability of the tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2009Publication date: September 17, 2009Applicant: DIXIE CONSUMER PRODUCTS LLCInventors: Mircea T. Sofronie, Albert D. Johns, Mark B. Littlejohn, Kenneth J. Zirbel, Luke G. Stumpf, Gary J. Reif
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Patent number: 7229274Abstract: A tooling system in a press for forming a product from a blank of material disposed between a punch assembly and a die assembly and a method of using the same. The tooling system comprises a knockout and a bushing. The knockout further comprises a shaft having opposed ends, a plate fixed to one opposed end, and a tapered portion. The bushing is supported by one of the punch and die assemblies and defines a lumen configured to slidably receive the shaft for axial movement between an extended position and a retracted position. The lumen has a tapered receiving section at one end thereof configured to mate with the tapered portion of the knockout when the shaft is in the extended position.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2005Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Albert D. Johns, Mircea T. Sofronie
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Patent number: 7169346Abstract: In an apparatus for manufacturing pressware containers from container blanks there is provided a plurality of inertial blank stop pins disposed so as to position a container blank prior to press forming. The stop pins are rotatable in order to absorb the kinetic energy of the container blanks as they are fed to the apparatus and eliminate blank bounce. In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of forming plates utilizing the improved apparatus including the inertial blank stop pins.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2003Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLCInventors: Albert D. Johns, Mark B. Littlejohn, Mircea T. Sofronie
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Patent number: 6908296Abstract: A tooling system in a press for forming a product from a blank of material disposed between a punch assembly and a die assembly and a method of using the same. The tooling system comprises a knockout and a bushing. The knockout further comprises a shaft having opposed ends, a plate fixed to one opposed end, and a tapered portion. The bushing is supported by one of the punch and die assemblies and defines a lumen configured to slidably receive the shaft for axial movement between an extended position and a retracted position. The lumen has a tapered receiving section at one end thereof configured to mate with the tapered portion of the knockout when the shaft is in the extended position.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2002Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Fort James CorporationInventors: Albert D. Johns, Mircea T. Sofronie
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Patent number: 6827890Abstract: In a temperature controlled segmented die for forming pressed containers such as plates, trays, bowls or the like including a die segment with a forming surface and an outer movable annular die member there is provided a side mounted temperature probe which extends laterally around the movable annular die member and toward the forming surface of the die segment. The apparatus is particularly useful for forming pressed paperboard containers such as paper plates.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2003Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Assignee: Fort James CorporationInventors: Albert D. Johns, Mircea T. Sofronie, Mark B. Littlejohn
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Patent number: 6666673Abstract: In a temperature controlled segmented die for forming pressed containers such as plates, trays, bowls or the like including a die segment with a forming surface and an outer movable annular die member there is provided a side mounted temperature probe which extends laterally around the movable annular die member and toward the forming surface of the die segment. The apparatus is particularly useful for forming pressed paperboard containers such as paper plates.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2003Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: Fort James CorporationInventors: Albert D. Johns, Mircea T. Sofronie, Mark B. Littlejohn
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Publication number: 20030214076Abstract: In an apparatus for manufacturing pressware containers from container blanks there is provided a plurality of inertial blank stop pins disposed so as to position a container blank prior to press forming. The stop pins are rotatable in order to absorb the kinetic energy of the container blanks as they are fed to the apparatus and eliminate blank bounce. In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of forming plates utilizing the improved apparatus including the inertial blank stop pins.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2003Publication date: November 20, 2003Inventors: Albert D. Johns, Mark B. Littlejohn, Mircea T. Sofronie
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Publication number: 20030198703Abstract: In a temperature controlled segmented die for forming pressed containers such as plates, trays, bowls or the like including a die segment with a forming surface and an outer movable annular die member there is provided a side mounted temperature probe which extends laterally around the movable annular die member and toward the forming surface of the die segment. The apparatus is particularly useful for forming pressed paperboard containers such as paper plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2003Publication date: October 23, 2003Inventors: Albert D. Johns, Mircea T. Sofronie, Mark B. Littlejohn
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Publication number: 20030183968Abstract: In a temperature controlled segmented die for forming pressed containers such as plates, trays, bowls or the like including a die segment with a forming surface and an outer movable annular die member there is provided a side mounted temperature probe which extends laterally around the movable annular die member and toward the forming surface of the die segment. The apparatus is particularly useful for forming pressed paperboard containers such as paper plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2003Publication date: October 2, 2003Inventors: Albert D. Johns, Mircea T. Sofronie, Mark B. Littlejohn
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Publication number: 20030168780Abstract: A tooling system in a press for forming a product from a blank of material disposed between a punch assembly and a die assembly and a method of using the same. The tooling system comprises a knockout and a bushing. The knockout further comprises a shaft having opposed ends, a plate fixed to one opposed end, and a tapered portion. The bushing is supported by one of the punch and die assemblies and defines a lumen configured to slidably receive the shaft for axial movement between an extended position and a retracted position. The lumen has a tapered receiving section at one end thereof configured to mate with the tapered portion of the knockout when the shaft is in the extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2002Publication date: September 11, 2003Inventors: Albert D. Johns, Mircea T. Sofronie
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Patent number: 6592357Abstract: In an apparatus for manufacturing pressware containers from container blanks there is provided a plurality of inertial blank stop pins disposed so as to position a container blank prior to press forming. The stop pins are rotatable in order to absorb the kinetic energy of the container blanks as they are fed to the apparatus and eliminate blank bounce. In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of forming plates utilizing the improved apparatus including the inertial blank stop pins.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2000Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Fort James CorporationInventors: Albert D. Johns, Mark B. Littlejohn, Mircea T. Sofronie
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Patent number: 6585506Abstract: In a temperature controlled segmented die for forming pressed containers such as plates, trays, bowls or the like including a die segment with a forming surface and an outer movable annular die member there is provided a side mounted temperature probe which extends laterally around the movable annular die member and toward the forming surface of the die segment. The apparatus is particularly useful for forming pressed paperboard containers such as paper plates.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2000Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Fort James CorporationInventors: Albert D. Johns, Mircea T. Sofronie, Mark B. Littlejohn
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Publication number: 20030061924Abstract: A cutting apparatus usable in conjunction with a thermoforming machine that produces a thermoformed plastic sheet is designed to cut the thermoformed plastic sheet to separate a portion of the plastic sheet from the remainder of the plastic sheet. The cutting apparatus includes a cutting mechanism that moves across the width of the sheet. The cutting mechanism is in the form of a cylinder actuated sheet cutting knife whose operation is controlled in conjunction with the operation of the thermoforming machine to effect cutting of the plastic sheet at desired intervals. The apparatus also includes a hold down mechanism that is operated in synchronism with the operation of the thermoforming machine and the cylinder actuated cutting knife. The hold down mechanism is designed to hold down the thermoformed plastic sheet to thereby facilitate the cutting of the plastic sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2002Publication date: April 3, 2003Applicant: Fort James CorporationInventors: Mircea T. Sofronie, Albert D. Johns