Patents by Inventor Ronald E. Gast
Ronald E. Gast 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: 7261197Abstract: Apparatus for indexing glassware through a series of angularly spaced stations includes first and second arrays of glassware gripping fingers mounted on associated carriers that are rotatable about a common axis, both conjointly and with respect to each other. Each carrier is connected to as associated servo motor, which in turn are connected to a controller for rotating the carriers with respect to each other to grip and release glassware between the fingers, and to rotate the carriers conjointly to index the glassware between apparatus stations. One array of glassware gripping fingers includes coil springs for biasing the fingers toward the fingers of the opposing array for accommodating tolerance variations in the glassware. Drive rollers are located at at least some of the stations, and are pivotal into and out of positions for rotating the containers about their axes for inspection or other purposes.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2004Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.Inventors: George A. Nickey, Stephen M. Gerber, Noel D. Wendt, Ronald E. Gast, Gregory A. Ritz, James Scott Barnes, William R. Martin
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Patent number: 6848564Abstract: Apparatus for indexing glassware through a series of angularly spaced stations includes first and second arrays of glassware gripping fingers mounted on associated carriers that are rotatable about a common axis, both conjointly and with respect to each other. Each carrier is connected to as associated servo motor, which in turn are connected to a controller for rotating the carriers with respect to each other to grip and release glassware between the fingers, and to rotate the carriers conjointly to index the glassware between apparatus stations. One array of glassware gripping fingers includes coil springs for biasing the fingers toward the fingers of the opposing array for accommodating tolerance variations in the glassware. Drive rollers are located at at least some of the stations, and are pivotal into and out of positions for rotating the containers about their axes for inspection or other purposes.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2003Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.Inventors: George A. Nickey, Stephen M. Gerber, Noel D. Wendt, Ronald E. Gast, Gregory A. Ritz, James Scott Barnes, William R. Martin
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Publication number: 20040118162Abstract: Apparatus for indexing glassware through a series of angularly spaced stations includes first and second arrays of glassware gripping fingers mounted on associated carriers that are rotatable about a common axis, both conjointly and with respect to each other. Each carrier is connected to as associated servo motor, which in turn are connected to a controller for rotating the carriers with respect to each other to grip and release glassware between the fingers, and to rotate the carriers conjointly to index the glassware between apparatus stations. One array of glassware gripping fingers includes coil springs for biasing the fingers toward the fingers of the opposing array for accommodating tolerance variations in the glassware. Drive rollers are located at at least some of the stations, and are pivotal into and out of positions for rotating the containers about their axes for inspection or other purposes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2003Publication date: June 24, 2004Inventors: George A. Nickey, Stephen M. Gerber, Noel D. Wendt, Ronald E. Gast, Gregory A. Ritz, James Scott Barnes, William R. Martin
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Patent number: 6745890Abstract: Apparatus for indexing glassware through a series of angularly spaced stations includes first and second arrays of glassware gripping fingers mounted on associated carriers that are rotatable about a common axis, both conjointly and with respect to each other. Each carrier is connected to as associated servo motor, which in turn are connected to a controller for rotating the carriers with respect to each other to grip and release glassware between the fingers, and to rotate the carriers conjointly to index the glassware between apparatus stations. One array of glassware gripping fingers includes coil springs for biasing the fingers toward the fingers of the opposing array for accommodating tolerance variations in the glassware. Drive rollers are located at at least some of the stations, and are pivotal into and out of positions for rotating the containers about their axes for inspection or other purposes.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2003Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.Inventors: George A. Nickey, Stephen M. Gerber, Noel D. Wendt, Ronald E. Gast, Gregory A. Ritz, James Scott Barnes, William R. Martin
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Publication number: 20030188953Abstract: Apparatus for indexing glassware through a series of angularly spaced stations includes first and second arrays of glassware gripping fingers mounted on associated carriers that are rotatable about a common axis, both conjointly and with respect to each other. Each carrier is connected to as associated servo motor, which in turn are connected to a controller for rotating the carriers with respect to each other to grip and release glassware between the fingers, and to rotate the carriers conjointly to index the glassware between apparatus stations. One array of glassware gripping fingers includes coil springs for biasing the fingers toward the fingers of the opposing array for accommodating tolerance variations in the glassware. Drive rollers are located at at least some of the stations, and are pivotal into and out of positions for rotating the containers about their axes for inspection or other purposes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2003Publication date: October 9, 2003Inventors: George A. Nickey, Stephen M. Gerber, Noel D. Wendt, Ronald E. Gast, Gregory A. Ritz, James Scott Barnes, William R. Martin
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Patent number: 6581751Abstract: Apparatus for indexing glassware through a series of angularly spaced stations includes first and second arrays of glassware gripping fingers mounted on associated carriers that are rotatable about a common axis, both conjointly and with respect to each other. Each carrier is connected to as associated servo motor, which in turn are connected to a controller for rotating the carriers with respect to each other to grip and release glassware between the fingers, and to rotate the carriers conjointly to index the glassware between apparatus stations. One array of glassware gripping fingers includes coil springs for biasing the fingers toward the fingers of the opposing array for accommodating tolerance variations in the glassware. Drive rollers are located at at least some of the stations, and are pivotal into and out of positions for rotating the containers about their axes for inspection or other purposes.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2000Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.Inventors: George A. Nickey, Stephen M. Gerber, Noel D. Wendt, Ronald E. Gast, Gregory A. Ritz, James Scott Barnes, William R. Martin
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Patent number: 6172355Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting containers traveling in sequence on a linear conveyor that includes an infeed mechanism having a first endless drive belt with a portion overlying the conveyor for abutting engagement by containers in sequence traveling on the conveyor, and a first motor driving the belt at a speed greater than the speed of the conveyor for diverting containers laterally at least partially off the conveyor. An abutment assembly is disposed in opposition to the first belt for abutting engagement by containers diverted by the infeed mechanism, such that containers diverted from the conveyor and engaged between the first belt and the abutment assembly are rotated during longitudinal travel along the abutment assembly. Apparatus inspects the containers as they are rotated during travel along the abutment assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1998Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.Inventors: Terry L. Gast, John L. Waugaman, Tim Nicks, Sherwood L. Goff, Jr., David R. Rosenquest, Ronald E. Gast