Patents by Inventor Russel E. Sims

Russel E. Sims 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).

  • Method and apparatus for loading filled fruit packing trays
    Patent number: 6401434
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading packing trays filled with fruit or vegetables into a packing carton. The apparatus can include a frame, a carton loading station to support the packing carton, and a tray engaging member configured to engage the selected tray and move the selected tray into the carton. In one embodiment, the tray engaging member is coupled to a tray head that is movable relative to the frame to place the tray into the packing carton. A pad inserter, movably coupled to the frame, inserts a cushioning pad above each tray after the tray is loaded into the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Michelsen Packaging Company
    Inventor: Russel E. Sims
  • Fruit packaging tray denesting apparatus
    Patent number: 5876180
    Abstract: A denesting apparatus for removing a single packing tray from a stack of trays. The tray has a plurality of cups for containing the fruit. The tray has a plurality of pick receiving areas for receiving picks on the denesting apparatus which engage the tray and remove the tray from the stack. The pick receiving areas are located in a sidewall of the tray, such that the locations of the pick receiving areas are independent of the locations of the cups. The pick receiving areas are shaped to permit substantially unimpeded movement of the picks into the pick receiving areas and clamping of the tray between the picks and adjacent alignment members. The alignment members are located to support the stack of trays while the picks engage a single fruit packing tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Michelsen Packaging Company
    Inventor: Russel E. Sims
  • Fruit packaging tray usable with a denesting apparatus
    Patent number: 5827068
    Abstract: A packing tray of the type for packing fruit usable with a denesting apparatus for removing a single packing tray from a stack of trays. The tray has a plurality of cups for containing the fruit. The tray has a plurality of pick receiving areas for receiving picks on the denesting apparatus which engage the tray and remove the tray from the stack. The pick receiving areas are located in a sidewall of the tray, such that the locations of the pick receiving areas are independent of the locations of the cups. The pick receiving areas are shaped to permit substantially unimpeded movement of the picks into the pick receiving areas and clamping of the tray between the picks and adjacent alignment members. The alignment members are located to support the stack of trays while the picks engage a single fruit packing tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Michelson Packaging Co.
    Inventor: Russel E. Sims