Patents by Inventor Robert D. Janes
Robert D. Janes 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: 11667416Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 21, 2018Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Lantech.com, LLCInventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Daniel R. Hendren, Jim Lancaster, Michael P. Mitchell, Robert D. Janes, Sr.
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Patent number: 11407536Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product utilize a torque control algorithm constrained by a speed window to control the dispense rate of a packaging material dispenser when wrapping a non-cylindrical load with packaging material. In particular, a dispenser motor of the packaging material dispenser that is controlled by a VFD may be driven to maintain a substantially constant torque, while also constrained to operate within a speed window that is based at least in part on a rate of relative rotation between the packaging material dispenser and the load.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2019Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: LANTECH.COM, LLCInventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Daniel R. Hendren, Robert D. Janes
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Publication number: 20200283176Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2018Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Daniel R. Hendren, Jim Lancaster, Michael P. Mitchell, Robert D. Janes, Sr.
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Publication number: 20200122866Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product utilize a torque control algorithm constrained by a speed window to control the dispense rate of a packaging material dispenser when wrapping a non-cylindrical load with packaging material. In particular, a dispenser motor of the packaging material dispenser that is controlled by a VFD may be driven to maintain a substantially constant torque, while also constrained to operate within a speed window that is based at least in part on a rate of relative rotation between the packaging material dispenser and the load.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Daniel R. Hendren, Robert D. Janes
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Patent number: 9908648Abstract: A control system for a wrapping apparatus may include a packaging material dispenser configured to dispense packaging material for wrapping a load. The control system may also include at least one sensor assembly configured to generate a signal based on instantaneous demand for packaging material at the load. The control system may further include a controller configured to control operation of the packaging material dispenser based at least in part on the signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2010Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Lantech.com, LLCInventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael Mitchell, Thomas Harris, Robert D. Janes, Sr., Richard L. Johnson
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Publication number: 20170327260Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping a load may include a film dispenser for dispensing a film web including a film dispensing drive. The apparatus may also include a rotational drive system for providing relative rotation between the load and the dispenser during a wrapping cycle. The apparatus may further include a controller configured to operatively couple the film dispensing drive and the rotational drive system such that, for any portion of a revolution of the film dispenser relative to the load during the wrapping cycle, the film dispenser dispenses a selected length of the film web corresponding to the portion of the revolution.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2017Publication date: November 16, 2017Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael Mitchell, Thomas Harris, Robert D. Janes, Sr., Richard L. Johnson
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Publication number: 20170283106Abstract: A control system for a wrapping apparatus may include a packaging material dispenser configured to dispense packaging material for wrapping a load. The control system may also include at least one sensor assembly configured to generate a signal based on instantaneous demand for packaging material at the load. The control system may further include a controller configured to control operation of the packaging material dispenser based at least in part on the signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2017Publication date: October 5, 2017Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael Mitchell, Thomas Harris, Robert D. Janes, SR., Richard L. Johnson
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Patent number: 9725195Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping a load may include a film dispenser for dispensing a film web including a film dispensing drive. The apparatus may also include a rotational drive system for providing relative rotation between the load and the dispenser during a wrapping cycle. The apparatus may further include a controller configured to operatively couple the film dispensing drive and the rotational drive system such that, for any portion of a revolution of the film dispenser relative to the load during the wrapping cycle, the film dispenser dispenses a selected length of the film web corresponding to the portion of the revolution.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2009Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Lantech.com, LLCInventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Robert D. Janes, Sr., Michael Mitchell, Thomas Harris, Richard L. Johnson
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Patent number: 9493262Abstract: A method for generating data with a wrapping machine during wrapping of a load includes measuring a length of packaging material dispensed during wrapping of the load with a sensing assembly on the wrapping machine. The method further includes obtaining a value indicative of a weight of the packaging material per unit of length and determining a weight of the packaging material dispensed on the wrapped load based on the measured length and the obtained value without removing the packaging material from the load. The determined weight of the packaging material is displayed on a display device.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2011Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Lantech.com, LLCInventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael Mitchell, Thomas Harris, Robert D. Janes, Sr.
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Patent number: 9488557Abstract: Various methods are provided for determining and displaying wrapping data generated by a wrapping machine during wrapping of a load with a packaging material, e.g., to determine numbers of layers of packaging material applied to a load, a containment force applied to a load, and/or whether a load meets a predetermined minimum required containment force standard for the load.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2015Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Lantech.com, LLCInventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael Mitchell, Thomas Harris, Robert D. Janes, Sr., Richard L. Johnson
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Publication number: 20150353220Abstract: Various methods are provided for determining and displaying wrapping data generated by a wrapping machine during wrapping of a load with a packaging material, e.g., to determine numbers of layers of packaging material applied to a load, a containment force applied to a load, and/or whether a load meets a predetermined minimum required containment force standard for the load.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2015Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael Mitchell, Thomas Harris, Robert D. Janes, SR., Richard L. Johnson
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Publication number: 20140208696Abstract: A film dispenser for stretch wrapping machines includes at least one roller and a first brake engageable with a braking surface the one roller. The first brake may include a flat brake pad that is pivotally movable for engagement with the braking surface, and is adjustable between a first configuration engaged with the braking surface and applying a first braking force, and a second configuration disengaged from the braking surface or only minimally engaged with the braking surface such that any braking force applied is substantially less than the first braking force.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: LANTECH.COM, LLCInventors: Thomas E. Phillips, Daniel R. Hendren, Robert D. Janes, Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Curtis W. Martin
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Publication number: 20120102887Abstract: A method for generating data with a wrapping machine during wrapping of a load includes measuring a length of packaging material dispensed during wrapping of the load with a sensing assembly on the wrapping machine. The method further includes obtaining a value indicative of a weight of the packaging material per unit of length and determining a weight of the packaging material dispensed on the wrapped load based on the measured length and the obtained value without removing the packaging material from the load. The determined weight of the packaging material is displayed on a display device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2011Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: LANTECH.COM, LLCInventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael Mitchell, Thomas Harris, Robert D. Janes, SR.
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Publication number: 20110131927Abstract: A control system for a wrapping apparatus may include a packaging material dispenser configured to dispense packaging material for wrapping a load. The control system may also include at least one sensor assembly configured to generate a signal based on instantaneous demand for packaging material at the load. The control system may further include a controller configured to control operation of the packaging material dispenser based at least in part on the signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2010Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventors: Patrick R. LANCASTER, III, Michael MITCHELL, Thomas HARRIS, Robert D. JANES, SR., Richard L. JOHNSON
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Publication number: 20090178374Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping a load may include a film dispenser for dispensing a film web including a film dispensing drive. The apparatus may also include a rotational drive system for providing relative rotation between the load and the dispenser during a wrapping cycle. The apparatus may further include a controller configured to operatively couple the film dispensing drive and the rotational drive system such that, for any portion of a revolution of the film dispenser relative to the load during the wrapping cycle, the film dispenser dispenses a selected length of the film web corresponding to the portion of the revolution.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2009Publication date: July 16, 2009Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Robert D. Janes, SR., Michael Mitchell, Thomas Harris, Richard L. Johnson
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Patent number: 5546730Abstract: A load having top and bottom caps is stretch wrapped at a wrapping station having turntable and a dispenser for dispensing stretch wrap packaging material, and a corner board placer for placing a corner board having tapered top and bottom edges on each corner of the load. With the load positioned on the turntable, the corner board placer is controlled by a controller to perform the steps of forming an acute angle between first and second portions of the corner board, and moving the corner board toward the corner until the first and second portions have been inserted between the top and bottom caps.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1994Date of Patent: August 20, 1996Assignee: Lantech, Inc.Inventors: Gregory A. Newell, Randy R. George, Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Robert D. Janes