Patents by Inventor Robert J. Welch

Robert J. Welch 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: 6787073
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to process a diverted molten polymer waste stream directs the polymer stream to one of at least two passages, separates it into individual segments while containing and discharging it from a containment exit, cools each segment with a quench fluid to form a solid or semi-solid polymer, and transports the solidified segments away from the exit and into a container using the quench fluid. The apparatus includes a cross-section transition connector, a moveable block with two passages, a block oscillator, a cut-off plate, and open space above an inclined transporting device, a quench fluid jet, and a quench fluid transporting trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Invista North America S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Tadler, Robert J. Welch
  • Publication number: 20040155160
    Abstract: A support system includes a support post and support means for adjustably supporting a member to the support post. The support means includes a locking mechanism movable between a first position for press-fitting the support means, directly or indirectly, against the support post and a second position for releasing the press-fitting. The locking mechanism has a surface that abuts the support post, or a wedge member associated with the support post, when in the first position thereby to effect the press-fitting and that is released from the support post when moved to the second position to release the press-fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Robert J. Welch, James D. Hill, Jeffrey C. Olson, Robert R. Steele, Cheryl Kniffin, Katherine McGillivray
  • Patent number: 6732662
    Abstract: A tray includes a compartment with a bottom surface and perimeter sidewalls, and a passive stop arrangement is provided in the compartment. The passive stop arrangement includes at least a first notch in one of the sidewalls and a stop disposed proximate to the first notch. The tray is especially useful in a tray support system including a chassis having at least two laterally-spaced and vertically oriented racks each having spaced rungs in a mirror-image relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Metro Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Welch, Joseph R. Petcavage, Rakesh T. Patel, Robert K. Swartz
  • Patent number: 6698364
    Abstract: A folding work station includes a work surface and a frame supporting the work surface. The frame includes at least one rolling support and is selectively expandable to an open configuration, in which the frame supports the work surface in a working orientation, and foldable to a substantially flat closed configuration having a vertical orientation, in which the frame supports the work surface juxtaposed on the frame. In addition, the work station is movably supported on the rolling support(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Metro Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Welch, Joseph P. Jones, Douglas J. Kaminski, Robert R. Steele, Robert K. Swartz, Alan R. Grula
  • Publication number: 20030106473
    Abstract: A tray includes a compartment with a bottom surface and perimeter sidewalls, and a passive stop arrangement is provided in the compartment. The passive stop arrangement includes at least a first notch in one of the sidewalls and a stop disposed proximate to the first notch. The tray is especially useful in a tray support system including a chassis having at least two laterally-spaced and vertically oriented racks each having spaced rungs in a mirror-image relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: METRO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert J. Welch, Joseph R. Petcavage, Rakesh T. Patel, Robert K. Swartz
  • Publication number: 20030037712
    Abstract: A device for use with a wire shelf includes a planar top portion and a foot extending from the top portion and adapted to secure the top portion to the wire shelf. The foot has a base that extends orthogonally from the top portion and a catch for engaging the wire shelf. Two of the devices can be combined to support a longitudinal beam along a wire shelf, with a divider being supported by the longitudinal beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Robert J. Welch, Joseph P. Jones
  • Publication number: 20030024444
    Abstract: A folding work station includes a work surface and a frame supporting the work surface. The frame includes at least one rolling support and is selectively expandable to an open configuration, in which the frame supports the work surface in a working orientation, and foldable to a substantially flat closed configuration having a vertical orientation, in which the frame supports the work surface juxtaposed on the frame. In addition, the work station is movably supported on the rolling support(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Metro Industries, INC.
    Inventors: Robert J. Welch, Josehp P. Jones, Douglas J. Kaminski, Robert R. Steele, Robert K. Swartz, Alan R. Grula
  • Patent number: 6116436
    Abstract: A modular shelving system including a plurality of support posts, a plurality of shelves having respective support members for supporting each of the plurality of shelves at selective locations on the plurality of support posts, and at least one divider including first and second support beams and a plurality of partitions disposed between the first and second support beams. Each of the first and second support beams is supportable on one of the plurality of shelves at first and second ends of the support beams, and each of the plurality of partitions is supported at respective ends thereof by the first and second support beams and projecting away from the first and second support beams, thereby defining a respective plurality of slots between the plurality of partitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Metro Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Ferrucci, Robert K. Swartz, Robert J. Welch, Joseph R. Petcavage
  • Patent number: 6113042
    Abstract: A system for supporting a member on a support post includes a wedge assembly, having a tapered face and mountable on the support post, and a collar secured to the member to be supported. The wedge assembly has a camming surface, and the collar has a camming portion for abutting the camming surface. In addition, a locking mechanism is mounted to the collar and press-fits against the wedge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Metro Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Welsch, Bradley J. Carlson, David A. Reppert, Robert W. Altonji, Robert J. Welch, Robert K. Swartz, Willard J. Sickles, Paul J. Fallon
  • Patent number: 6017009
    Abstract: A shelf support system includes at least one support post (12), a tapered wedge member (20) located on the support post (12) and a supporting assembly (14). The supporting assembly (14) is structurally secured to a shelf frame (10) and includes a locking mechanism (18) rotatably supported by a collar (16). The locking mechanism (18) has a first position for press-fitting the wedge member (20) against the support posts (12) and a second position for allowing the shelf frame (10) to slide over the support post (12) and wedge member (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Metro Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert K. Swartz, Willard J. Sickles, Robert J. Welch, Paul J. Fallon
  • Patent number: 5601038
    Abstract: A supplemental shelving system for removably mounting shelves in an existing shelving structure features a pair of supporting grids vertically suspended from a horizontal shelf in the existing shelving structure, at least one removable shelf and S-shaped hooks for supporting the removable shelf from the supporting grids. The supporting grids are formed of a plurality of vertical and horizontal grid rails rigidly secured to each other. The hooks are secured to the horizontal grid rails and support the removable shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Metro Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Welch, Cheryl L. Kniffin
  • Patent number: 5482168
    Abstract: A modular wall-mounted storage system includes at least one shelf, at least one horizontal bar, at least one pair of shelf brackets, and at least one pair of vertical uprights. Each shelf bracket includes structure for supporting a shelf and structure for engaging at least one horizontal bar. Each vertical upright includes a slotted support structure for receiving and supporting at least one horizontal bar at a variety of vertical and horizontal locations thereof, wherein each horizontal bar may be received and supported on a pair of vertical uprights at a variety of vertical and horizontal locations relative to each vertical upright.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Metro Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Welch, Michael A. Ward
  • Patent number: 5221014
    Abstract: A shelving system includes a shelf mat and a support structure for supporting the shelf mat. The shelf mat includes an object carrying portion for supporting objects and a projection connected to and projecting from the object support portion. The support structure includes a pair of vertical corner posts each having two vertical rods spaced by a distance sufficient to permit the insertion of the projection therebetween but to prevent substantial horizontal movement of the projection when the projection is so inserted. The support structure also includes a horizontal support, connected between the two vertical corner posts, and adapted to support at least a portion of said shelf when inserted between the two vertical rods. Methods of manufacturing the shelf mat and support structure using continuous mat-forming steps are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: InterMetro Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Welch, Michael J. Sudimak, Joseph P. Jones
  • Patent number: 5205630
    Abstract: A multiple use, modular, knock-down storage system has adjustable shelving and drawers, and removably attachable side panelling. The panelling is easily attached to a corner post by first attaching an inner corner member to the post, placing the panelling over that inner corner member and then laying an outer corner member over the panelling and the inner corner member. A fastener secures the entire assembly together. An adjustable and easily removable drawer support frame is also provided. The frame can be inserted into or removed from the entire storage system and can be configured with the appropriate size frames for the particular end use desired. In this manner, the storage system can easily be assembled and modified by the ultimate end user to meet whatever specific needs that user may have.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: InterMetro Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Welch, Willard J. Sickles, Douglas J. Kaminski
  • Patent number: D443163
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Metro Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Welch
  • Patent number: D462541
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Metro Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Welch
  • Patent number: D498618
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Metro Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Welch, Douglas J. Kaminski, Robert R. Steele, Robert K. Swartz, Alan Grula
  • Patent number: D323915
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: InterMetro Industries
    Inventor: Robert J. Welch
  • Patent number: D324284
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: InterMetro Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Robert J. Welch
  • Patent number: D385444
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Metro Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Welch, Willard J. Sickles, John G. Nackley