Patents by Inventor Robert F. Thomasino

Robert F. Thomasino 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: 5823726
    Abstract: In a void filler wherein the members are connected and coupled by means of a complementary slot, the slot is reinforced by sandwiching a reinforcing strip between the laminations of the void filler members so as to surround the area of the slot and prevent the member from folding and collapsing in this area. One or more reinforcing strips can be sandwiched between the laminations or sheets making up the void filler member with the grain of the reinforcing strip positioned perpendicular to the parallel flutes of the corrugated material forming the laminated sheets. The reinforcing strip can vary in size from surrounding the immediate area of the slot itself to having the same size as the laminated sheets. An embossed groove can be provided which is slightly larger then the reinforcement strip so that the thickness of the reinforcing strip will be absorbed between the laminations to prevent added thickness in the void filler member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Damage Prevention Company
    Inventors: James L. Woods, Robert F. Thomasino
  • Patent number: 5531166
    Abstract: An improved riser for supporting a load in storage or transportation formed from a plurality of elongated, narrow, corrugated fiberboard strips positioned on edge and arranged side by side and adhered together along their contiguous surfaces to form a laminated core member. A sufficient number of strips are laminated together to form a core member having a suitable width to support and space a cargo load above a supporting surface or other vertically stacked loads. The strips forming the laminated core member can have any desired length which is necessary to support the intended loads. The core member can be reinforced by applying one or more lateral bands to reinforce and prevent delamination of the strips. The core member for the riser can be inserted within an elongated box-like cover formed from corrugated fiberboard material to encapsulate and sheath the outside surfaces of the core member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Inventors: James L. Woods, Robert F. Thomasino
  • Patent number: 5181814
    Abstract: An expandable void filler which includes a plurality of expandable hollow, elongated, box-like tubes which can be stacked one on the other and joined together along their common surfaces. Separate interface panels can be sandwiched between the individual tubular members to provide additional lateral compressive strength. The individual tubes are held in the expanded position by individual folding panels which extend inwardly across the interior opening within and have sufficient size to wedge against the opposite sidewall as well as the top and bottom of the structure. These panels alternate from one side of the tube to the other and are staggered so as to not be vertically aligned between the stacked tubular members. A flange member can be attached to the uppermost tube to support the void filler in proper position between the cargo loaded within a transporting vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Inventors: James L. Woods, Robert F. Thomasino
  • Patent number: 5102272
    Abstract: An expandable void filler which includes a plurality of expandable hollow, elongated, box-like tubes which can be stacked one on the other and joined together along their common surfaces. Separate interface panels can be sandwiched between the individual tubular members to provide additional lateral compressive strength. The individual tubes are held in the expanded position by individual folding panels which extend inwardly across the interior opening within and have sufficient size to wedge against the opposite sidewall as well as the top and bottom of the structure. These panels alternate from one side of the tube to the other and are staggered so as to not be vertically aligned between the stacked tubular members. A flange member can be attached to the uppermost tube to support the void filler in proper position between the cargo loaded within a transporting vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Inventors: James L. Woods, Robert F. Thomasino