Patents by Inventor Nanette M. Gopez

Nanette M. Gopez 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: 7803242
    Abstract: An apparatus for splicing an elongate multi-layered workpiece includes: (a) drives and guides cooperating to drive the workpiece along a working path; (b) a cutter for severing the workpiece; (c) a layer manipulator for separating layers; (d) an applicator for applying adhesive; and (e) a deflector unit for deflecting the workpiece from the working path. The cutter effects the severing to present first and second workpiece segments. The layer manipulator effects inter-layer separation in one segment to present an interlayer zone in the one segment. A drive inserts the other segment in the interlayer zone. The layer manipulator urges the layers together to capture the other segment within the interlayer zone to establish a multi-layer structure. A drive and at least one of the workpiece deflector unit and the applicator situate the multi-layer structure adjacent to the applicator for finishing the splicing by applying adhesive to the multi-layer structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Hagman, Ralph D. Cope, Ross Hutter, Steven A. Cope, Kim Ferrara, Nanette M. Gopez, Michael J. Case
  • Publication number: 20080308213
    Abstract: An apparatus for splicing an elongate multi-layered workpiece includes: (a) drives and guides cooperating to drive the workpiece along a working path; (b) a cutter for severing the workpiece; (c) a layer manipulator for separating layers; (d) an applicator for applying adhesive; and (e) a deflector unit for deflecting the workpiece from the working path. The cutter effects the severing to present first and second workpiece segments. The layer manipulator effects inter-layer separation in one segment to present an interlayer zone in the one segment. A drive inserts the other segment in the interlayer zone. The layer manipulator urges the layers together to capture the other segment within the interlayer zone to establish a multi-layer structure. A drive and at least one of the workpiece deflector unit and the applicator situate the multi-layer structure adjacent to the applicator for finishing the splicing by applying adhesive to the multi-layer structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Hagman, Ralph D. Cope, Ross Hutter, Steven A. Cope, Kim Ferrara, Nanette M. Gopez, Michael J. Case