Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Bilkie, Jr.
Thomas A. Bilkie, Jr. 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: 9321234Abstract: A system (10) for automatically dispensing a strip of dunnage to a container (14) includes a dispenser (12) having an outlet (92) from which the dispenser can feed a length of a strip of dunnage lengthwise, a container support (36) for supporting a container (14) thereon, and a pusher device (114) at the outlet (92) for pushing, more particularly propelling, a trailing end of the strip of dunnage from the outlet (92) toward the container support (36). The outlet (92) is aligned with the container support (36). Thus the outlet (92) is positioned relative to a container (14) such that the strip will curl or fold back and forth upon itself within the confines of the container (14) as it is being fed from the outlet (92). A container closer (120, 130 and 32) automatically closes the flaps (80 and 82) of the container (14).Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2010Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Ranpak Corp.Inventors: Robert C. Cheich, David V. Murphy, Harry H. Lu, Kevin W. Park, Thomas A. Bilkie, Jr.
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Patent number: 8341092Abstract: A packaging method includes the step of comparing a total package weight to a freight rate schedule and thereby determining a normal freight rate. The total package weight includes the weight of a container (22), an article (24) to be shipped and a normal amount of dunnage. If predetermined criteria are met, the method also includes the step of reducing the amount of dunnage dispensed below that of the normal amount of dunnage such that the total package weight falls within a freight rate that is less than the normal freight rate. The predetermined criteria include one or more of a predetermined percentage above a change in freight rate, a predetermined weight above a threshold weight for an increase in freight weight, and dunnage requirements including void-volume, degree of fill for the void-volume, type of article, weight of article and type of dunnage.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2007Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Ranpak Corp.Inventors: David M. Gabrielsen, Daniel L. Carlson, Joseph J. Harding, Thomas A. Bilkie, Jr.
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Publication number: 20100293898Abstract: A system (10) for automatically dispensing a strip of dunnage to a container (14) includes a dispenser (12) having an outlet (92) from which the dispenser can feed a length of a strip of dunnage lengthwise, a container support (36) for supporting a container (14) thereon, and a pusher device (114) at the outlet (92) for pushing, more particularly propelling, a trailing end of the strip of dunnage from the outlet (92) toward the container support (36). The outlet (92) is aligned with the container support (36). Thus the outlet (92) is positioned relative to a container (14) such that the strip will curl or fold back and forth upon itself within the confines of the container (14) as it is being fed from the outlet (92). A container closer (120, 130 and 32) automatically closes the flaps (80 and 82) of the container (14).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: RANPAK CORP.Inventors: Robert C. Cheich, David V. Murphy, Harry H. Lu, Kevin W. Park, Thomas A. Bilkie, JR.
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Patent number: 7814734Abstract: A packaging system (10), and associated components and methodology, that provides for automatic detection of a full, overfull, closed or partially closed container, even when mixed with other containers. An exemplary packaging method includes the following steps: (a.) determining the dimensions of a container; (b.) detecting a height of the container and its contents in one or more locations within a scan area of an open side of the container; (c.) comparing the detected height of the container and/or its contents to pre-specified criteria; and (d.) when the detected height exceeds the pre-specified criteria, generating a signal that indicates that the scan area includes a height that exceeds the pre-specified criteria.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2006Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Ranpak Corp.Inventor: Thomas A. Bilkie, Jr.
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Patent number: 7788884Abstract: A system (10) for automatically dispensing a strip of dunnage to a container (14) includes a dispenser (12) having an outlet (92) from which the dispenser can feed a length of a strip of dunnage lengthwise, a container support (36) for supporting a container (14) thereon, and a pusher device (114) at the outlet (92) for pushing, more particularly propelling, a trailing end of the strip of dunnage from the outlet (92) toward the container support (36). The outlet (92) is aligned with the container support (36). Thus the outlet (92) is positioned relative to a container (14) such that the strip will curl or fold back and forth upon itself within the confines of the container (14) as it is being fed from the outlet (92). A container closer (120, 130 and 32) automatically closes the flaps (80 and 82) of the container (14).Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2005Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Ranpak Corp.Inventors: Robert C. Cheich, David V. Murphy, Harry H. Lu, Kevin W. Park, Thomas A. Bilkie, Jr.
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Publication number: 20090301038Abstract: A packaging method includes the step of comparing a total package weight to a freight rate schedule and thereby determining a normal freight rate. The total package weight includes the weight of a container (22), an article (24) to be shipped and a normal amount of dunnage. If predetermined criteria are met, the method also includes the step of reducing the amount of dunnage dispensed below that of the normal amount of dunnage such that the total package weight falls within a freight rate that is less than the normal freight rate. The predetermined criteria include one or more of a predetermined percentage above a change in freight rate, a predetermined weight above a threshold weight for an increase in freight weight, and dunnage requirements including void-volume, degree of fill for the void-volume, type of article, weight of article and type of dunnage.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2007Publication date: December 10, 2009Applicant: RANPAK CORP.Inventors: David M. Gabrielsen, Daniel L. Carlson, Joseph J. Harding, Thomas A. Bilkie, Jr.
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Publication number: 20080098699Abstract: A system (10) for automatically dispensing a strip of dunnage to a container (14) includes a dispenser (12) having an outlet (92) from which the dispenser can feed a length of a strip of dunnage lengthwise, a container support (36) for supporting a container (14) thereon, and a pusher device (114) at the outlet (92) for pushing, more particularly propelling, a trailing end of the strip of dunnage from the outlet (92) toward the container support (36). The outlet (92) is aligned with the container support (36). Thus the outlet (92) is positioned relative to a container (14) such that the strip will curl or fold back and forth upon itself within the confines of the container (14) as it is being fed from the outlet (92). A container closer (120, 130 and 32) automatically closes the flaps (80 and 82) of the container (14).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2005Publication date: May 1, 2008Applicant: RANPAK CORP.Inventors: Robert C. Cheich, David V. Murphy, Harry H. Lu, Kevin W. Park, Thomas A. Bilkie Jr.