Patents by Inventor Robert C. Cheich
Robert C. Cheich 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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Publication number: 20120252648Abstract: A motor-free dunnage conversion system for converting a sheet stock material into a relatively less dense dunnage includes a container having a wall with an opening therethrough, a supply of sheet stock material within the container, and a forming member. The forming member has converging sidewalls that define a passage alignable with the opening in the wall. The forming member is a converging chute having a relatively larger inlet spaced from the outlet, which is relatively smaller than the inlet. The forming member functions to crumple the sheet stock material as a packer draws the sheet stock material through the forming member to form a crumpled strip of dunnage. The forming member has a dimension that is larger than a corresponding dimension of the opening to keep the forming member from escaping the container as the packer pulls the stock material through the forming member.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: RANPAK CORP.Inventor: Robert C. Cheich
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Publication number: 20120225765Abstract: A dunnage conversion machine (36) converts a sheet stock material into a dunnage product that is relatively thicker and less dense than the stock material, but is relatively thin and sufficiently flexible to function as a protective wrap. The conversion machine includes a feed mechanism (40) that advances a sheet stock material therethrough and a connecting mechanism (42) downstream of the feed mechanism. The connecting mechanism retards the passage of the sheet stock material therethrough by feeding the stock material therethrough at a slower rate than the feed mechanism feeds the stock material to the connecting mechanism. This causes the stock material to randomly crumple in a longitudinal space between the feed mechanism and the connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism connects multiple overlapping layers of sheet stock material together as they pass therethrough, including connecting at least one crumpled sheet to one side of one other sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2012Publication date: September 6, 2012Applicant: Ranpak Corp.Inventors: Robert C. Cheich, David V. Murphy, Steven M. Toneff, Maurice Jozef Paulus Anthonius Savelberg, Raymond Paulus Hubertus Nollé, Pedro Erik Willem Winkens
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Patent number: 8202209Abstract: A motor-free dunnage conversion system for converting a sheet stock material into a relatively less dense dunnage includes a container having a wall with an opening therethrough, a supply of sheet stock material within the container, and a forming member. The forming member has converging sidewalls that define a passage alignable with the opening in the wall. The forming member is a converging chute having a relatively larger inlet spaced from the outlet, which is relatively smaller than the inlet. The forming member functions to crumple the sheet stock material as a packer draws the sheet stock material through the forming member to form a crumpled strip of dunnage. The forming member has a dimension that is larger than a corresponding dimension of the opening to keep the forming member from escaping the container as the packer pulls the stock material through the forming member.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2010Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Ranpak Corp.Inventor: Robert C. Cheich
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Patent number: 8177697Abstract: A dunnage conversion machine (36) converts a sheet stock material into a dunnage product that is relatively thicker and less dense than the stock material, but is relatively thin and sufficiently flexible to function as a protective wrap. The conversion machine includes a feed mechanism (40) that advances a sheet stock material therethrough and a connecting mechanism (42) downstream of the feed mechanism. The connecting mechanism retards the passage of the sheet stock material therethrough by feeding the stock material therethrough at a slower rate than the feed mechanism feeds the stock material to the connecting mechanism. This causes the stock material to randomly crumple in a longitudinal space between the feed mechanism and the connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism connects multiple overlapping layers of sheet stock material together as they pass therethrough, including connecting at least one crumpled sheet to one side of one other sheet.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2011Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Ranpak Corp.Inventors: Robert C. Cheich, David V. Murphy, Steven M. Toneff, Maurice Jozef Paulus Anthonius Savelberg, Raymond Paulus Hubertus Nollé, Pedro Erik Willem Winkens
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Publication number: 20110195831Abstract: A dunnage conversion machine (36) converts a sheet stock material into a dunnage product that is relatively thicker and less dense than the stock material, but is relatively thin and sufficiently flexible to function as a protective wrap. The conversion machine includes a feed mechanism (40) that advances a sheet stock material therethrough and a connecting mechanism (42) downstream of the feed mechanism. The connecting mechanism retards the passage of the sheet stock material therethrough by feeding the stock material therethrough at a slower rate than the feed mechanism feeds the stock material to the connecting mechanism. This causes the stock material to randomly crumple in a longitudinal space between the feed mechanism and the connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism connects multiple overlapping layers of sheet stock material together as they pass therethrough, including connecting at least one crumpled sheet to one side of one other sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2011Publication date: August 11, 2011Applicant: RANPAK CORP.Inventors: Robert C. Cheich, David V. Murphy, Steven M. Toneff, Maurice Jozef Paulus Anthonius Savelberg, Raymond Paulus Hubertus Nollé, Pedro Erik Willem Winkens
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Patent number: 7955245Abstract: A dunnage conversion machine (36) converts a sheet stock material into a dunnage product that is relatively thicker and less dense than the stock material, but is relatively thin and sufficiently flexible to function as a protective wrap. The conversion machine includes a feed mechanism (40) that advances a sheet stock material therethrough and a connecting mechanism (42) downstream of the feed mechanism. The connecting mechanism retards the passage of the sheet stock material therethrough by feeding the stock material therethrough at a slower rate than the feed mechanism feeds the stock material to the connecting mechanism. This causes the stock material to randomly crumple in a longitudinal space between the feed mechanism and the connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism connects multiple overlapping layers of sheet stock material together as they pass therethrough, including connecting at least one crumpled sheet to one side of one other sheet.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2008Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Ranpak Corp.Inventors: Robert C. Cheich, David V. Murphy, Steven M. Toneff, Maurice Jozef Paulus Anthonius Savelberg, Raymond Paulus Hubertus Nollé, Pedro Erik Willem Winkens
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Publication number: 20100311558Abstract: A motor-free dunnage conversion system for converting a sheet stock material into a relatively less dense dunnage includes a container having a wall with an opening therethrough, a supply of sheet stock material within the container, and a forming member. The forming member has converging sidewalls that define a passage alignable with the opening in the wall. The forming member is a converging chute having a relatively larger inlet spaced from the outlet, which is relatively smaller than the inlet. The forming member functions to crumple the sheet stock material as a packer draws the sheet stock material through the forming member to form a crumpled strip of dunnage. The forming member has a dimension that is larger than a corresponding dimension of the opening to keep the forming member from escaping the container as the packer pulls the stock material through the forming member.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2010Publication date: December 9, 2010Applicant: RANPAK CORP.Inventor: Robert C. Cheich
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Publication number: 20100293898Abstract: A system (10) for automatically dispensing a strip of dunnage to a container (14) includes a dispenser (12) having an outlet (92) from which the dispenser can feed a length of a strip of dunnage lengthwise, a container support (36) for supporting a container (14) thereon, and a pusher device (114) at the outlet (92) for pushing, more particularly propelling, a trailing end of the strip of dunnage from the outlet (92) toward the container support (36). The outlet (92) is aligned with the container support (36). Thus the outlet (92) is positioned relative to a container (14) such that the strip will curl or fold back and forth upon itself within the confines of the container (14) as it is being fed from the outlet (92). A container closer (120, 130 and 32) automatically closes the flaps (80 and 82) of the container (14).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: RANPAK CORP.Inventors: Robert C. Cheich, David V. Murphy, Harry H. Lu, Kevin W. Park, Thomas A. Bilkie, JR.
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Patent number: 7815989Abstract: A stock material (16) for use with a dunnage conversion machine (14) includes at least one ply of sheet material having spaced along the length thereof a plurality of transverse rows (22) of weakened areas (24). The weakened areas (24), which can be formed by perforations, for example, have a reduced strength relative to adjacent portions of the sheet material. Each row (22) of weakened areas (24) has at least one parameter that varies along the row (22). The strength of the stock material at the row (22), in response to a force applied across the row (22), varies across the stock material (16).Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2006Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Ranpak Corp.Inventor: Robert C. Cheich
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Patent number: 7794382Abstract: A motor-free dunnage conversion system for converting a sheet stock material into a relatively less dense dunnage includes a container having a wall with an opening therethrough, a supply of sheet stock material within the container, and a forming member. The forming member has converging sidewalls that define a passage alignable with the opening in the wall. The forming member is a converging chute having a relatively larger inlet spaced from the outlet, which is relatively smaller than the inlet. The forming member functions to crumple the sheet stock material as a packer draws the sheet stock material through the forming member to form a crumpled strip of dunnage. The forming member has a dimension that is larger than a corresponding dimension of the opening to keep the forming member from escaping the container as the packer pulls the stock material through the forming member.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2006Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Ranpak Corp.Inventor: Robert C. Cheich
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Patent number: 7788884Abstract: A system (10) for automatically dispensing a strip of dunnage to a container (14) includes a dispenser (12) having an outlet (92) from which the dispenser can feed a length of a strip of dunnage lengthwise, a container support (36) for supporting a container (14) thereon, and a pusher device (114) at the outlet (92) for pushing, more particularly propelling, a trailing end of the strip of dunnage from the outlet (92) toward the container support (36). The outlet (92) is aligned with the container support (36). Thus the outlet (92) is positioned relative to a container (14) such that the strip will curl or fold back and forth upon itself within the confines of the container (14) as it is being fed from the outlet (92). A container closer (120, 130 and 32) automatically closes the flaps (80 and 82) of the container (14).Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2005Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Ranpak Corp.Inventors: Robert C. Cheich, David V. Murphy, Harry H. Lu, Kevin W. Park, Thomas A. Bilkie, Jr.
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Publication number: 20100160132Abstract: A stock material (16) for use with a dunnage conversion machine (14) includes at least one ply of sheet material having spaced along the length thereof a plurality of transverse rows (22) of weakened areas (24). The weakened areas (24), which can be formed by perforations, for example, have a reduced strength relative to adjacent portions of the sheet material. Each row (22) of weakened areas (24) has at least one parameter that varies along the row (22). The strength of the stock material at the row (22), in response to a force applied across the row (22), varies across the stock material (16).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2006Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: RANPAK CORP.Inventor: Robert C. Cheich
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Publication number: 20100029456Abstract: A motor-free dunnage conversion system for converting a sheet stock material into a relatively less dense dunnage includes a container having a wall with an opening therethrough, a supply of sheet stock material within the container, and a forming member. The forming member has converging sidewalls that define a passage alignable with the opening in the wall. The forming member is a converging chute having a relatively larger inlet spaced from the outlet, which is relatively smaller than the inlet. The forming member functions to crumple the sheet stock material as a packer draws the sheet stock material through the forming member to form a crumpled strip of dunnage. The forming member has a dimension that is larger than a corresponding dimension of the opening to keep the forming member from escaping the container as the packer pulls the stock material through the forming member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2006Publication date: February 4, 2010Applicant: RANPAK CORP.Inventor: Robert C. Cheich
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Publication number: 20090325773Abstract: A motor-free dunnage conversion system comprises a housing (20) having a dispensing outlet (40) through which sheet stock material (34) can be pulled by a user to form a strip of dunnage. The housing (20) has a forming member (44, 50) with circumferentially converging side walls that gradually inwardly gather and crumple the sheet stock material as it is pulled therethrough. The system can also include one or more of a stand having a support mounted thereto for supporting a supply of stock material, a repositionable member (22) supporting the forming member (44, 50), a guide member at the upstream end of the housing to guide the stock material from a supply to the forming member, and a catch device operative upon movement of the dunnage strip relative thereto to catch and hold the strip for severing a dunnage product therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: RANPAK CORP.Inventors: Robert C. Cheich, Hubertus Y.M Cals, Erwin Riga, Donald Gorg, Daniel L. Carlson, Shawn Baiers, Edward S. Martis, Jr., Carrie A. Schlegel
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Patent number: 7585268Abstract: A motor-free dunnage conversion system comprises a housing (20) having a dispensing outlet (40) through which sheet stock material (34) can be pulled by a user to form a strip of dunnage. The housing (20) has a forming member (44, 50) with circumferentially converging side walls that gradually inwardly gather and crumple the sheet stock material as it is pulled therethrough. The system can also include one or more of a stand having a support mounted thereto for supporting a supply of stock material, a repositionable member (22) supporting the forming member (44, 50), a guide member at the upstream end of the housing to guide the stock material from a supply to the forming member, and a catch device operative upon movement of the dunnage strip relative thereto to catch and hold the strip for severing a dunnage product therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2005Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: Ranpak Corp.Inventors: Robert C. Cheich, Hubertus Y. Cals, Erwin Riga, Donald Gorg, Daniel L. Carlson, Shawn M. Baiers, Edward S. Martis, Jr., Carrie A. Schlegel
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Patent number: 7584592Abstract: An automated packaging system has a plurality of dunnage dispensing stations that can dispense dunnage and a transport network for conveying containers to and from at least two dispensing stations for dunnage to be placed therein. At at least one loading station upstream of a dispensing station articles are placed in the containers for shipping. Optionally, an intermediate void determination station determines how much dunnage to dispense.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2005Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: Ranpak Corp.Inventors: David M. Gabrielson, Robert C. Cheich, Joseph J. Harding, Daniel L. Carlson
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Publication number: 20090082187Abstract: A dunnage conversion machine (36) converts a sheet stock material into a dunnage product that is relatively thicker and less dense than the stock material, but is relatively thin and sufficiently flexible to function as a protective wrap. The conversion machine includes a feed mechanism (40) that advances a sheet stock material therethrough and a connecting mechanism (42) downstream of the feed mechanism. The connecting mechanism retards the passage of the sheet stock material therethrough by feeding the stock material therethrough at a slower rate than the feed mechanism feeds the stock material to the connecting mechanism. This causes the stock material to randomly crumple in a longitudinal space between the feed mechanism and the connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism connects multiple overlapping layers of sheet stock material together as they pass therethrough, including connecting at least one crumpled sheet to one side of one other sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: RANPAK CORP.Inventors: Robert C. Cheich, David V. Murphy, Steven M. Toneff, Maurice Jozef Paulus Anthonius Savelberg, Raymond Paulus Hubertus Nolle, Pedro Erik Willem Winkens
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Publication number: 20080210591Abstract: A method of making a package for shipping an article comprises the step of attaching to a shipping container (22) a flexible material (24) with a cohesive (30) on at least a portion thereof, such that a portion of the flexible material (24) having the cohesive (30) material can be pressed to a cohesive (32) on a surface of at least one of another portion of a flexible material (24) and the shipping container (22). Thus the flexible material (24) is connected to the container (22) such that the cohesive portion can be readily secured to another cohesive portion to hold an article in a desired position in the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2006Publication date: September 4, 2008Applicant: RANPAK CORP.Inventor: Robert C. Cheich
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Publication number: 20080153685Abstract: A method of making a dunnage product from a continuous length of stock material having a cohesive on at least one surface thereof comprises the step of converting the stock material into a relatively less dense configuration with at least two cohesive portions of the stock material being attached together.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2006Publication date: June 26, 2008Applicant: Ranpak Corp.Inventors: Robert C. Cheich, Judith L. Skiba
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Publication number: 20080125300Abstract: A motor-free dunnage conversion system comprises a housing (20) having a dispensing outlet (40) through which sheet stock material (34) can be pulled by a user to form a strip of dunnage. The housing (20) has a forming member (44, 50) with circumferentially converging side walls that gradually inwardly gather and crumple the sheet stock material as it is pulled therethrough. The system can also include one or more of a stand having a support mounted thereto for supporting a supply of stock material, a repositionable member (22) supporting the forming member (44, 50), a guide member at the upstream end of the housing to guide the stock material from a supply to the forming member, and a catch device operative upon movement of the dunnage strip relative thereto to catch and hold the strip for severing a dunnage product therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2005Publication date: May 29, 2008Applicant: RANPAK CORP.Inventors: Robert C. Cheich, Hubertus Y.M. Cals, Erwin Riga, Donald Gorg, Daniel L. Carlson, Shawn Baiers, Edward S. Martis Jr, Carrie A. Schlegel